Patent ID: 7381655

Claim:
An imaging method for forming at least one device component in a substrate, said method comprising: forming a first mask layer on said substrate, a memory layer on said first mask layer, an oxide layer on said memory layer; and a trim mask layer on said oxide layer; using said trim mask layer to remove at least one selected portion of said oxide layer and said memory layer to expose a portion of said first mask layer and at least one selected side edge of said oxide layer; and after removing said at least one selected portion of said oxide layer and said memory layer, patterning said first mask layer with at least one discrete segment using a sidewall image transfer process, wherein said sidewall image transfer process comprises: depositing a third mask layer on said oxide layer and said first mask layer; patterning said third mask layer to form a structure having vertical walls, wherein said third mask layer covers a top surface of said oxide layer and said at least one selected side edge and wherein at least one of said vertical walls exposes at least one unprotected side edge of said oxide layer; performing a chemical oxide removal process to etch back said at least one unprotected side edge to expose at least one outer margin of said memory layer; and removing said third mask layer.