A method for generating and updating position distribution graph comprises: generating a position distribution graph according to a circuit bitmap and an exposure pattern, performing an exposure simulation according to the position distribution graph to generate an exposure result graph, comparing the circuit bitmap with the exposure result graph to generate a plurality of error distribution candidate graphs, selecting one of the error distribution candidate graphs to serve as an error distribution graph, and performing a zero-one integer programming to update the position distribution graph according to the circuit bitmap and the error distribution graph, wherein the updated position distribution graph is associated with the error distribution graph.

Computer-implemented systems and methods for automatically eliminating connectivity mismatches in a mask layout block are provided. The disclosed systems and methods maintain the process design rules (DRC Clean), connectivity (LVS Clean) correctness, and obey Reliability Verification (RV) and DFM (Design for Manufacturability) constraints. Disclosed systems and methods analyze a physical connection of a selected polygon or net in a mask layout block and obtain connectivity information associated with the selected polygon or net from a netlist or external constraints file. The physical connection of the selected polygon or net is compared with the obtained connectivity information to determine whether there is a connectivity mismatch associated with the selected polygon or net. If there is a determined connectivity mismatch, a violation marker representing the connectivity mismatch is generated and the connectivity mismatch is corrected by placing, moving, or editing the selected polygon or net to modify the physical connection.

Reticles, line feature patterns, and methods are described related to improving overlay margins in reticle stitching applications. A first reticle to expose a first field includes a first portion of a line feature. The first portion has a pattern inclusive of one or more pattern features. The first reticle or a second reticle to expose a second field adjacent the first filed includes a second portion of the line feature. The second portion has an inverse pattern relative to the first pattern such that, when the first and inverse patterns are overlaid, a continuous merged region is formed.

A method for optimizing a patterning device pattern, the method including obtaining an initial design pattern having a plurality of polygons, causing at least some of the polygons to be effectively connected with each other, placing evaluation features outside the boundaries of the polygons, and creating a patterning device pattern spanning across the connected polygons based on the evaluation features.

A method of decomposing a layout of a semiconductor device for a quadruple patterning technology (QPT) process includes dividing the layout of the semiconductor device into a first temporary pattern, which includes rectangular features having a rectangular shape, and a second temporary pattern, which includes cross couple features having a Z-shape, generating a third temporary pattern and a fourth temporary pattern by performing a pattern dividing operation on the first temporary pattern in a first direction, generating a first target pattern and a second target pattern by incorporating each of the cross couple features included in the second temporary pattern into one of the third temporary pattern and the fourth temporary pattern, and generating first through fourth decomposed patterns by performing the pattern dividing operation on the first target pattern and the second target pattern in a second direction.

A method for improving a design of a patterning device. The method includes (i) obtaining mask points of a design of a mask feature, wherein the mask feature corresponds to a target feature in a target pattern to be printed on a substrate; and (ii) adjusting locations of the mask points to generate a modified design of the mask feature based on the adjusted mask points.

Provided is a method of fabricating a micro-nano structure, including: forming a reflective layer and a fluid polymer layer sequentially on a surface of a substrate; pressurizing the substrate and a mask having a micro-nano pattern to attach to each other, squeezing the fluid polymer layer into a light-transmission area of the mask, and curing the fluid polymer layer; and exposing, wherein a fluid polymer in the light-transmission area is configured to sense light under a combined effect of a transmitted light and a light reflected by the reflective layer, such that a micro-nano structure is obtained. The method solves the problem of limited diffraction, improves the processing resolution by reducing the transmission loss of evanescent waves through reflective light field enhancement, and reduces the difficulty and cost of mask processing and pattern defects by using shallow pressurizing in combination with exposure.

A method of manufacturing a mask may include identifying an error pattern of final patterns formed on a substrate, correcting a first target pattern on the basis of the error pattern, fracturing a first mask layout into a plurality of first segments on the basis of the corrected first target pattern, and correcting the first mask layout by biasing a plurality of first target segments corresponding to a first final target among the plurality of segments. The first mask layout may include a first extension pattern, final targets disposed in zigzags, and the first final target corresponding to the error pattern, and each of the plurality of first segments may corresponds to one of the final targets.

A method of generating a layout pattern includes determining a first energy density indirectly exposed to a first feature of one or more features of a layout pattern on an energy-sensitive material when the one or more features of the layout pattern on the energy-sensitive material are directly exposed by a charged particle beam. The method also includes adjusting a second energy density exposed the first feature when the first feature is directly exposed by the charged particle beam. A total energy density of the first feature that comprises a sum of the first energy density from the indirect exposure and the second energy density from the direct exposure is maintained at about a threshold energy level to fully expose the first feature in the energy-sensitive material.

Techniques and arrangements for performing exposure operations on a wafer utilizing both a stepper apparatus and an aligner apparatus. The exposure operations are performed with respect to large composite base dies, e.g., interposers, defined within the wafer, where the interposers will become a part of microelectronic devices by coupling with active dies or microchips. The composite base dies may be coupled to the active dies via “native interconnects” utilizing direct bonding techniques. The stepper apparatus may be used to perform exposure operations on active regions of the composite base dies to provide a fine pitch for the native interconnects, while the aligner apparatus may be used to perform exposure operations on inactive regions of the composite base dies to provide a coarse pitch for interfaces with passive regions of the composite base dies.