A photoresist film is patterned into an array of island shapes with improved critical dimension uniformity and no phase edges by using two alternating phase shifting masks (AltPSMs) and one post expose bake (PEB). The photoresist layer is exposed with a first AltPSM having a line/space (L/S) pattern where light through alternating clear regions on each side of an opaque line is 180 phase shifted. Thereafter, there is a second exposure with a second AltPSM having a L/S pattern where opaque lines are aligned orthogonal to the lengthwise dimension of opaque lines in the first exposure, and with alternating 0 and 180 clear regions. Then, a PEB and subsequent development process are used to form an array of island shapes. The double exposure method enables smaller island shapes than conventional photolithography and uses relatively simple AltPSM designs that are easier to implement in production than other optical enhancement techniques.

A photoresist film is patterned into an array of island shapes with improved critical dimension uniformity and no phase edges by using two alternating phase shifting masks (AltPSMs) and one post expose bake (PEB). The photoresist layer is exposed with a first AltPSM having a line/space (L/S) pattern where light through alternating clear regions on each side of an opaque line is 180 phase shifted. Thereafter, there is a second exposure with a second AltPSM having a L/S pattern where opaque lines are aligned orthogonal to the lengthwise dimension of opaque lines in the first exposure, and with alternating 0 and 180 clear regions. Then, a PEB and subsequent development process are used to form an array of island shapes. The double exposure method enables smaller island shapes than conventional photolithography and uses relatively simple AltPSM designs that are easier to implement in production than other optical enhancement techniques.

A method of manufacturing a mask includes depositing an end-point layer over a light transmitting substrate, depositing a phase shifter over the end-point layer, depositing a hard mask layer over the phase shifter, and removing a portion of the hard mask layer and a first portion of the phase shifter to expose a portion of the end-point layer. The end-point layer and the light transmitting substrate are transparent to a predetermined wavelength.

A method of manufacturing a mask includes depositing an end-point layer over a light transmitting substrate, depositing a phase shifter over the end-point layer, depositing a hard mask layer over the phase shifter, and removing a portion of the hard mask layer and a first portion of the phase shifter to expose a portion of the end-point layer. The end-point layer and the light transmitting substrate are transparent to a predetermined wavelength.

The semiconductor structure includes first and second active regions arranged in a first grid oriented in a first direction. The semiconductor structure further includes gate electrodes arranged spaced apart in a second grid and on corresponding ones of the active regions, the second grid being oriented in a second direction, the second direction being substantially perpendicular to the first direction. The first and second active regions are separated, relative to the second direction, by a gap. Each gate electrode includes a first segment and a gate extension. Each gate extension extends, relative to the second direction, beyond the corresponding active region and into the gap by a height H.sub.EXT, where H.sub.EXT150 nanometers (nm). Each gate extension, relative to a plane defined by the first and second directions, is substantially rectangular.

A memory system includes a first array (of memory cells) and a second array (of write assist circuits) arranged into columns each including a bit line and a bit_bar line coupled to corresponding memory cells of the first array and a corresponding at least one write assist circuit of the second array, each write assist circuit including: latch and memory-adapted third and fourth NMOS transistors. The latch includes: memory-adapted first PMOS and first NMOS transistors connected in series between a power-supply voltage and a first node selectively connectable to a ground voltage; and memory-adapted second PMOS transistor and second NMOS transistors connected in series between the power-supply voltage and a second node selectively connectable to ground voltage. The third NMOS transistor is connected in series between the first node and ground voltage; and the fourth NMOS transistor connected in series between the second node and ground voltage.

A photoresist film is patterned into an array of island shapes with improved critical dimension uniformity and no phase edges by using two alternating phase shifting masks (AltPSMs) and one post expose bake (PEB). The photoresist layer is exposed with a first AltPSM having a line/space (L/S) pattern where light through alternating clear regions on each side of an opaque line is 180 phase shifted. Thereafter, there is a second exposure with a second AltPSM having a L/S pattern where opaque lines are aligned orthogonal to the lengthwise dimension of opaque lines in the first exposure, and with alternating 0 and 180 clear regions. Then, a PEB and subsequent development process are used to form an array of island shapes. The double exposure method enables smaller island shapes than conventional photolithography and uses relatively simple AltPSM designs that are easier to implement in production than other optical enhancement techniques.

A photoresist film is patterned into an array of island shapes with improved critical dimension uniformity and no phase edges by using two alternating phase shifting masks (AltPSMs) and one post expose bake (PEB). The photoresist layer is exposed with a first AltPSM having a line/space (L/S) pattern where light through alternating clear regions on each side of an opaque line is 180 phase shifted. Thereafter, there is a second exposure with a second AltPSM having a L/S pattern where opaque lines are aligned orthogonal to the lengthwise dimension of opaque lines in the first exposure, and with alternating 0 and 180 clear regions. Then, a PEB and subsequent development process are used to form an array of island shapes. The double exposure method enables smaller island shapes than conventional photolithography and uses relatively simple AltPSM designs that are easier to implement in production than other optical enhancement techniques.

The present invention provides a halftone mask comprising an assist pattern and a manufacturing method of the halftone mask, which uses an ArF excimer laser as an exposing source, is used for a projection exposure by an off axis illumination, does not resolve the as pattern while keeping the focal depth magnification effect as the assist pattern, and may form a transferred image having high contrast of a main pattern. A photomask is a photomask comprising the main pattern which is transferred to a transfer-target surface by the projection exposure and the assist pattern which is formed nearby the main pattern and not transferred, characterized in that the main pattern and the assist pattern are each constituted from a semi-transparent film made of the same material, a retardation of 180 is generated between the light transmitting through the main pattern and the light transmitting through a transparent region of a transparent substrate, and a predetermined retardation within the scope of 70 to 115 is generated between the light transmitting through the assist pattern and the light transmitting through the transparent region of the transparent substrate.

The present invention provides a halftone mask comprising an assist pattern and a manufacturing method of the halftone mask, which uses an ArF excimer laser as an exposing source, is used for a projection exposure by an off axis illumination, does not resolve the as pattern while keeping the focal depth magnification effect as the assist pattern, and may form a transferred image having high contrast of a main pattern. A photomask is a photomask comprising the main pattern which is transferred to a transfer-target surface by the projection exposure and the assist pattern which is formed nearby the main pattern and not transferred, characterized in that the main pattern and the assist pattern are each constituted from a semi-transparent film made of the same material, a retardation of 180 is generated between the light transmitting through the main pattern and the light transmitting through a transparent region of a transparent substrate, and a predetermined retardation within the scope of 70 to 115 is generated between the light transmitting through the assist pattern and the light transmitting through the transparent region of the transparent substrate.