Patent ID: 8629535

Claim:
A mask above a conductive layer for forming an integrated circuit, the mask comprising: a dielectric feature formed at a thickness of between approximately 30 and 50 angstroms, between approximately 50 and 250 angstroms, or between approximately 250 and 300 angstroms, the dielectric feature being formed from a dielectric layer comprising at least one of silicon nitride, silicon oxy-nitride, and silicon-rich nitride and provided above the conductive layer; an amorphous carbon feature formed from an amorphous carbon layer and provided above the dielectric feature; and an anti-reflective coating feature formed from an anti-reflective layer and provided above the amorphous carbon feature, wherein the anti-reflective coating feature is formed in accordance with a photoresist feature, wherein the amorphous carbon feature is formed in accordance with the anti-reflective feature, and wherein the dielectric feature is formed in accordance with the amorphous carbon feature.