Patent ID: 7348279

Claim:
A method for manufacturing an integrated circut, comprising: forming a mask layer over a substrate layer; forming a resist layer over the mask layer; exposing the resist layer using a first mask which has a regular pattern of contact structures with a period that corresponds to the order of magnitude of twice the edge lengths of the contact hole; exposing the resist layer using a second mask, which has a pattern at least; developing the resist layer to form a block the mask layer; treating the mask layer in the area around the resist block to change portions of the mask layer in the area around the resist block; removing the resist block from the mask layer; etching the mask layer in the area of the contact hole, in order to expose the substrate layer surface; etching the substrate layer with the aid of the mask layer in the area of the contact hole, in order to expose the substrate surface; removing the mask layer; etching the changed portions of the mask layer; and removing the uncoverd portions of the substrate layer.