A method for testing individual memory elements or sets of memory elements of an array of magnetic memory elements. The method involves forming a mask such as photoresist mask over an array memory elements. The mask is configured with an opening over each of the selected memory elements to be tested. The mask can be formed of photoresist which can be patterned by focused electron beam exposure to form opening at features sizes smaller than those available using standard photolithographic processes. An electrically conductive material is deposited over the mask and into the openings in the mask to make electrical contact with the selected memory element or memory elements to be tested. Then, electrical connection can be made with the electrically conductive material to test the selected one or more magnetic memory elements.

A method of pattern data preparation includes the following steps. A desired pattern to be formed on a surface of a layer is inputted. A first set of beam shots are determined, and a first calculated pattern on the surface is calculated from the first set of beam shots. The first calculated pattern is rotated, so that a boundary of the desired pattern corresponding to a non-smooth boundary of the first calculated pattern is parallel to a boundary constituted by beam shots. A second set of beam shots are determined to revise the non-smooth boundary of the first calculated pattern, thereby calculating a second calculated pattern being close to the desired pattern on the surface. The present invention also provides a method of forming a pattern in a layer.

Lithographic apparatuses suitable for, and methodologies involving, complementary e-beam lithography (CEBL) are described. In an example, a blanker aperture array (BAA) for an e-beam tool includes a first column of openings along a first direction. The BAA also includes a second column of openings along the first direction and staggered from the first column of openings. The first and second columns of openings together form an array having a pitch in the first direction. A scan direction of the BAA is along a second direction, orthogonal to the first direction. The pitch of the array corresponds to half of a minimal pitch layout of a target pattern of lines for orientation parallel with the second direction.

Techniques for forming nanoribbon or bulk graphene-based SPR sensors are provided. In one aspect, a method of forming a graphene-based SPR sensor is provided which includes the steps of: depositing graphene onto a substrate, wherein the substrate comprises a dielectric layer on a conductive layer, and wherein the graphene is deposited onto the dielectric layer; and patterning the graphene into multiple, evenly spaced graphene strips, wherein each of the graphene strips has a width of from about 50 nanometers to about 5 micrometers, and ranges therebetween, and wherein the graphene strips are separated from one another by a distance of from about 5 nanometers to about 50 micrometers, and ranges therebetween. Alternatively, bulk graphene may be employed and the dielectric layer is used to form periodic regions of differing permittivity. A testing apparatus and method of analyzing a sample using the present SPR sensors are also provided.

The present disclosure provides one embodiment of an IC method. First pattern densities (PDs) of a plurality of templates of an IC design layout are received. Then a high PD outlier template and a low PD outlier template from the plurality of templates are identified. The high PD outlier template is split into multiple subsets of template and each subset of template carries a portion of PD of the high PD outlier template. A PD uniformity (PDU) optimization is performed to the low PD outlier template and multiple individual exposure processes are applied by using respective subset of templates.

Disclosed is an apparatus for lithography patterning. The apparatus includes a substrate stage configured to hold a substrate coated with a deposition enhancement layer (DEL), a radiation source for generating a patterned radiation towards a surface of the DEL, and a supply pipe for flowing an organic gas near the surface of the DEL, wherein elements of the organic gas polymerize upon the patterned radiation, thereby forming a resist pattern over the DEL.

A method for manufacturing a semiconductor substrate, includes: directly or indirectly applying a composition for forming a resist underlayer film to a substrate to form a resist underlayer film; applying a composition for forming a resist film to the resist underlayer film to form a resist film; exposing the resist film to radiation; and developing the exposed resist film. The composition for forming a resist underlayer film includes: a polymer; an acid generating agent; and a solvent. The resist underlayer film has a film thickness of 6 nm or less.

The present disclosure provides an integrated circuit (IC) method in accordance with some embodiments. The method includes building a mask model to simulate a mask image and a compound lithography computational model to simulate a wafer pattern; calibrating the mask model using a measured mask image; calibrating the compound lithography computational model using a measured wafer data and the calibrated mask model; and performing an optical proximity correction (OPC) process to an IC pattern using the calibrated compound computational model, thereby generating a mask pattern for mask fabrication.

A resist underlayer film-forming composition exhibiting high etching resistance, high heat resistance, and excellent coatability; a resist underlayer film obtained using the resist underlayer film-forming composition and a method for producing the same; a method for forming a resist pattern; and a method for producing a semiconductor device. A resist underlayer film-forming composition including a polymer and a compound represented by Formula (1) as a solvent.

##STR00001##

In Formula (1), R.sup.1, R.sup.2, and R.sup.3 in Formula (1) each independently represent a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group having 1 to 20 carbon atoms, which may be interrupted by an oxygen atom, a sulfur atom, or an amide bond, and R.sup.1, R.sup.2, and R.sup.3 may be the same or different and may bond to each other to form a ring structure.

Position shifts caused by charging phenomena can be corrected with high accuracy. A charged particle beam writing apparatus includes an exposure-amount distribution calculator calculating an exposure amount distribution of a charged particle beam using a pattern density distribution and a dose distribution, a fogging charged particle amount distribution calculator calculating a plurality of fogging charged particle amount distributions by convoluting each of a plurality of distribution functions for fogging charged particles with the exposure amount distribution, a charge-amount distribution calculator calculating a charge amount distribution due to direct charge using the pattern density distribution, the dose distribution, and the exposure amount distribution, and calculating a plurality of charge amount distributions due to fogging charge using the plurality of fogging charged particle amount distributions, a position shift amount calculator calculating a position shift amount of a writing position based on the charge amount distribution due to direct charge and the plurality of charge amount distributions due to fogging charge, a corrector correcting an exposure position using the position shift amount, and a writer exposing the corrected exposure position to a charged particle beam.