Patent ID: 7464351

Claim:
A method for use with a CMOS fab that provides a set of rules and a set of drawn layers in an existing relationship that defines a set of expressible mask patterns used to create an integrated circuit (IC) structure, the method enabling fabrication by said CMOS fab of an IC sensor structure whose fabrication by said CMOS fab requires mask patterns not expressible using the provided said set of rules and said set of drawn layers in said existing relationship, the method comprising the following steps: (a) using at least one layer in said set of drawn layers in fabricating said IC sensor structure; (b) modifying at least one rule in the provided said set of rules to modify said existing relationship provided by said CMOS fab: (c) using at least one rule modified at step (b) to express at least one mask pattern for said IC sensor structure not expressible otherwise within said existing relationship provided by said CMOS fab; and (d) using step (a), step (b), and step (c), fabricating said IC sensor structure in said CMOS fab; wherein said method enables said CMOS fab to produce said IC sensor structure with at least one sensor characteristic superior to that of an IC produced by said CMOS fab without using said method.