Patent ID: 7211815

Claim:
A method of generating a mask for printing a pattern comprising a plurality of features having varying critical dimensions, said method comprising the steps of: obtaining data representing said pattern; defining a plurality of distinct zones based on the critical dimensions of said plurality of features; assigning each of said features into one of said plurality of distinct zones; and forming a given feature in said mask pattern utilizing a technique selected in accordance with the predefined distinct zone said given feature is assigned, wherein said plurality of distinct zones comprises: a first zone in which features having a critical dimension less than or equal to a first predetermined amount are imaged utilizing chromeless phase lithography techniques; a second zone in which features having a critical dimension greater than said first predetermined amount and less than a second predetermined amount are imaged utilizing a combination of chromeless phase lithography techniques and chrome; and a third zone in which features having a critical dimensions greater than said second predetermined amount are imaged utilizing chrome.