Dissection of printed edges from a fabrication layout for correcting proximity effects

1. A method of correcting for proximity effects associated with an edge in a first fabrication layout corresponding to a design layer, the design layer indicating target edges for a printed features layer, the method comprising:

determining whether a first part of the edge is less important in the design layer than a second part of the edge;

if it is determined that the first part is less important than the second part, then

establishing an evaluation point on the second part, and

establishing no evaluation point on the first part; and

determining how to correct at least a portion of the edge for proximity effects based on an analysis at the evaluation point.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the first part is determined to be less important than the second part if the first part does not correspond to a target edge in the design layer and the second part does correspond to a target edge in the design layer.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the first part is determined to be less important than the second part if the first part does not correspond to a true-gate in the design layer for an integrated circuit and the second part does correspond to a true-gate in the design layer.

4. The method of claim 1 , further comprising, if the second part corresponds to an edge of a true-gate and a true-gate extension parameter is defined, then, before establishing an evaluation point, extending the second part to displace the first part by a lesser of a length of the first part and the true-gate extension parameter.

5. The method of claim 1 , further comprising splitting the edge into segments such that no segment on the edge has a length less than a minimum target length.

6. A method of correcting for proximity effects associated with an edge in a first fabrication layout corresponding to a design layer, the design layer indicating target edges for a printed features layer, the method comprising:

determining whether a first part of the edge is less important in the design layer than a second part of the edge;

if it is determined that the first part is less important than the second part, then

establishing a first initial segment on the first part extending from a junction of the first part and the second part to an opposite end of the first part,

establishing a second initial segment on the second part extending from the junction to an opposite end of the second part, and

establishing an evaluation point on the second part; and

determining how to correct at least a portion of the edge for proximity effects based on an analysis at the evaluation point.

7. The method of claim 6 , wherein:

the method further comprises splitting the second initial segment into at least one corner segment extending from the junction for a distance substantially equal to a first target length for corner segments; and

said establishing the evaluation point further comprises placing the evaluation point on the corner segment.

8. The method of claim 6 , further comprising adjusting at least one of the first initial segment and the second initial segment so that no segment on the edge has a length less than a minimum target length.

9. The method of claim 6 , further comprising establishing no evaluation point on the first part.

10. The method of claim 6 , further comprising, if it is determined that the first part is less important than the second part, then:

determining whether the first initial segment is less then a minimum target length; and

if the first initial segment is less than the minimum target length, then

discarding the first initial segment, and

establishing an adjusted segment by extending a corner segment on the second part onto the first part, wherein the corner segment on the second part extends from the junction.

11. The method of claim 10 , said establishing the adjusted segment further comprising, if the opposite end of the first part is a vertex of the edge, then extending the corner segment to the vertex.

12. The method of claim 10 , said establishing the adjusted segment further comprising, if the opposite end of the first part is not a vertex of the edge, then extending the corner segment to a midpoint of the first part.

13. A method of using a computer to correct for proximity effects associated with an edge in a first fabrication layout corresponding to a design layer, the design layer indicating target edges for a printed features layer, the computer having a processor coupled to a computer-readable medium, the computer-readable medium storing at least a portion of the design layout, the printed features layer corresponding to a portion of an integrated circuit, the method comprising;

determining whether a first part of the edge is less important in the design layer than a second part of the edge;

if it is determined that the first part is less important than the second part, then

establishing an evaluation point on the second part, and

establishing no evaluation point on the first part; and

determining how to correct at least a portion of the edge for proximity effects based on an analysis at the evaluation point.

14. A method of using a computer to correct for proximity effects associated with an edge in a first fabrication layout corresponding to a design layer, the design layer indicating target edges for a printed features layer, the computer having a processor coupled to a computer-readable medium, the computer-readable medium storing at least a portion of the design layout, the printed features layer corresponding to a portion of an integrated circuit, the method comprising;

determining whether a first part of the edge is less important in the design layer than a second part of the edge;

if it is determined that the first part is less important than the second part, then

establishing a first initial segment on the first part extending from a junction of the first part and the second part,

establishing a second initial segment on the second part extending from the junction, and

establishing an evaluation point on the second initial segment; and

determining how to correct at least a portion of the edge for proximity effects based on an analysis at the evaluation point.

15. A computer readable medium for correcting proximity effects associated with an edge in a first fabrication layout corresponding to a design layer, the design layer indicating target edges for a printed features layer, the computer readable medium carrying instructions to cause one or more processors to perform:

determining whether a first part of the edge is less important in the design layer than a second part of the edge;

if it is determined that the first part is less important than the second part, then

establishing an evaluation point on the second part, and

establishing no evaluation point on the first part; and

determining how to correct at least a portion of the edge for proximity effects based on an analysis at the evaluation point.

16. A computer readable medium for correcting proximity effects associated with an edge in a first fabrication layout corresponding to a design layer, the design layer indicating target edges for a printed features layer, the computer readable medium carrying instructions to cause one or more processors to perform:

determining whether a first part of the edge is less important in the design layer than a second part of the edge;

if it is determined that the first part is less important than the second part, then

establishing a first initial segment on the first part extending from a junction of the first part and the second part to an opposite end of the first part,

establishing a second initial segment on the second part extending from the junction to an opposite end of the second part, and

establishing an evaluation point on the second part; and

determining how to correct at least a portion of the edge for proximity effects based on an analysis at the evaluation point.

17. A carrier wave for correcting proximity effects associated with an edge in a first fabrication layout corresponding to a design layer, the design layer indicating target edges for a printed features layer, the carrier wave carrying instructions to cause one or more processors to perform:

determining whether a first part of the edge is less important in the design layer than a second part of the edge;

if it is determined that the first part is less important than the second part, then

establishing an evaluation point on the second part, and

establishing no evaluation point on the first part,

determining how to correct at least a portion of the edge for proximity effects based on an analysis at the evaluation point.

18. A carrier wave for correcting proximity effects associated with an edge in a first fabrication layout corresponding to a design layer, the design layer indicating target edges for a printed features layer, the carrier wave carrying instructions to cause one or more processors to perform:

determining whether a first part of the edge is less important in the design layer than a second part of the edge;

if it is determined that the first part is less important than the second part, then

establishing a first initial segment on the first part extending from a junction of the first part and the second part to an opposite end of the first part,

establishing a second initial segment on the second part extending from the junction to an opposite end of the second part, and

establishing an evaluation point on the second part; and

determining how to correct at least a portion of the edge for proximity effects based on an analysis at the evaluation point.

19. A computer system for correcting proximity effects associated with an edge in a first fabrication layout corresponding to a design layer, the design layer indicating target edges for a printed features layer, the printed features layer corresponding to a portion of an integrated circuit, the computer system comprising:

a computer readable medium carrying data representing the edge and at least a portion of the design layout; and

one or more processors coupled to the computer readable medium, the one or more processors configured for

determining whether any portion of the edge corresponds to a target edge in the design layer,

if it is determined that a portion of the edge corresponds to a target edge, then

determining whether to establish an evaluation point on the edge,

executing a routine implementing a proximity effects model for the evaluation point to produce a model amplitude,

determining a correction based on an analysis of the model amplitude, and

applying the correction to at least some of the edge.

20. A computer system for correcting proximity effects associated with an edge in a first fabrication layout corresponding to a design layer, the design layer indicating target edges for a printed features layer, the printed features layer corresponding to a portion of an integrated circuit, the computer system comprising:

a computer readable medium carrying data representing the edge and at least a portion of the design layout; and

one or more processors coupled to the computer readable medium, the one or more processors configured for

determining whether a first part of the edge is less important in the design layer than a second part of the edge;

if it is determined that the first part is less important than the second part, then

establishing an evaluation point on the second part, and

establishing no evaluation point on the first part;

executing a routine implementing a proximity effects model for the evaluation point to produce a model amplitude for the evaluation point;

determining a correction based on an analysis of the model amplitudes; and

applying the corrections to at least some of the edge.

21. A computer system for correcting proximity effects associated with an edge in a first fabrication layout corresponding to a design layer, the design layer indicating target edges for a printed features layer, the printed features layer corresponding to a portion of an integrated circuit, the computer system comprising:

a computer readable medium carrying data representing the edge and at least a portion of the design layout; and

one or more processors coupled to the computer readable medium, the one or more processors configured for

determining whether a first part of the edge is less important in the design layer than a second part of the edge;

if it is determined that the first part is less important than the second part, then

establishing a first initial segment on the first part extending from a junction of the first part and the second part to an opposite end of the first part,

establishing a second initial segment on the second part extending from the junction to an opposite end of the second part, and

establishing an evaluation point on the second part;

executing a routine implementing a proximity effects model for the evaluation point to produce a model amplitude for the evaluation point;

determining a correction based on an analysis of the model amplitudes; and

applying the corrections to at least some of the edge.

22. A system for correcting proximity effects associated with an edge in a first fabrication layout corresponding to a design layer, the design layer indicating target edges for a printed features layer, the system comprising:

a means for determining whether any portion of the edge corresponds to a target edge in the design layer and if it is determined that a portion of the edge corresponds to a target edge, then determining whether to establish an evaluation point on the edge;

a proximity effects model for producing a model amplitude at the evaluation point;

a means for analyzing the model amplitude to determine a correction at the evaluation point; and

a means for applying the correction to at least some of the edge including the evaluation point.

23. A system for correcting proximity effects associated with an edge in a first fabrication layout corresponding to a design layer, the design layer indicating target edges for a printed features layer, the system comprising:

a means for determining whether a first part of the edge is less important in the design layer than a second part of the edge; and

a means for establishing an evaluation point on the second part, and establishing no evaluation point on the first part, if it is determined that the first part is less important than the second part;

a proximity effects model for producing a model amplitude at the evaluation point;

a means for analyzing the model amplitude to determine a correction at the evaluation point; and

a means for applying the correction to at least some of the edge including the evaluation point.

24. A system for correcting proximity effects associated with an edge in a first fabrication layout corresponding to a design layer, the design layer indicating target edges for a printed features layer, the system comprising:

a means for determining whether a first part of the edge is less important in the design layer than a second part of the edge; and

a means for establishing a first initial segment on the first part extending from a junction of the first part and the second part to an opposite end of the first part, and establishing a second initial segment on the second part extending from the junction to an opposite end of the second part, and establishing an evaluation point on the second part, if it is determined that the first part is less important than the second part;

a proximity effects model for producing a model amplitude at the evaluation point;

a means for analyzing the model amplitude to determine a correction at the evaluation point; and

a means for applying the correction to at least some of the edge including the evaluation point.

25. A method for fabricating a printed features layer including features corrected for proximity effects, the method comprising:

building an initial fabrication layout based on a design layout, the design layer indicating target edges for a printed features layer, the fabrication layout including an edge;

determining whether any portion of the edge corresponds to a target edge in the design layer;

if it is determined that a portion of the edge corresponds to a target edge, then determining whether to establish an evaluation point on the edge,

executing a routine implementing a proximity effects model for producing a model amplitude at the evaluation point,

analyzing the model amplitude to determine a correction, and

applying the correction to at least part of the edge;

producing a mask based on the edge with the correction; and

producing the printed features layer in a fabrication process using the mask.

26. A method for fabricating a printed features layer including features corrected for proximity effects, the method comprising:

building an initial fabrication layout based on a design layout, the design layer indicating target edges for a printed features layer, the fabrication layout including an edge;

determining whether a first part of the edge is less important in the design layer than a second part of the edge;

if it is determined that the first part is less important than the second part, then

establishing an evaluation point on the second part, and

establishing no evaluation point on the first part;

executing a routine implementing a proximity effects model for producing a model amplitude at the evaluation point;

analyzing the model amplitude to determine a correction;

applying the correction to at least some of the edge;

producing a mask based on the edge with the correction; and

producing the printed features layer in a fabrication process using the mask.

27. A method for fabricating a printed features layer including features corrected for proximity effects, the method comprising:

building an initial fabrication layout based on a design layout, the design layer indicating target edges for a printed features layer, the fabrication layout including an edge;

determining whether a first part of the edge is less important in the design layer than a second part of the edge;

if it is determined that the first part is less important than the second part, then

establishing a first initial segment on the first part extending from a junction of the first part and the second part to an opposite end of the first part,

establishing a second initial segment on the second part extending from the junction to an opposite end of the second part, and

establishing an evaluation point on the second part;

executing a routine implementing a proximity effects model for producing a model amplitude at the evaluation point;

analyzing the model amplitude to determine a correction;

applying the correction to at least some of the edge;

producing a mask based on the edge with the correction; and

producing the printed features layer in a fabrication process using the mask.

28. A mask for fabricating a printed features layer, the mask including opaque regions having edges according to a fabrication layout, the fabrication layout corresponding to a design layer, the design layer indicating target edges for a printed features layer, wherein:

at least one edge is displaced from a corresponding target edge in the design layer by a correction distance;

the correction distance is based on analysis of an amplitude output by a proximity effects model at an evaluation point on the corresponding target edge; and

whether an edge has an evaluation point is determined based on determining whether any portion of the edge corresponds to a target edge in the design layer.

29. A mask for fabricating a printed features layer, the mask including an opaque region having an edge corrected for proximity effects, the edge corresponding to a target edge in a design layer, the design layer indicating target edges for a printed features layer, wherein:

the edge is displaced from the corresponding target edge in the design layer by a correction distance;

the correction distance is based on analysis of an amplitude output by a proximity effects model at an evaluation point on the corresponding target edge; and

the evaluation point is based on

determining whether a first part of the edge is less important in the design layer than a second part of the edge, and

if it is determined that the first part is less important than the second part, then

establishing an evaluation point on the second part, and

establishing no evaluation point on the first part.

30. A mask for fabricating a printed features layer, the mask including an opaque region having an edge corrected for proximity effects, the edge corresponding to a target edge in a design layer, the design layer indicating target edges for a printed features layer, wherein:

the edge is displaced from the corresponding target edge in the design layer by a correction distance;

the correction distance is based on analysis of an amplitude output by a proximity effects model at an evaluation point on the corresponding target edge; and

the evaluation point is based on

determining whether a first part of the edge is less important in the design layer than a second part of the edge, and

if it is determined that the first part is less important than the second part, then

establishing a first initial segment on the first part extending from a junction of the first part and the second part to an opposite end of the first part,

establishing a second initial segment on the second part extending from the junction to an opposite end of the second part, and

establishing an evaluation point on the second part.

31. A device having a proximity-corrected element, the device produced using a mask including opaque regions having edges according to a fabrication layout, the fabrication layout corresponding to a design layer, the design layer indicating target edges for a printed features layer, wherein:

at least one edge is displaced from a corresponding target edge in the design layer by a correction distance;

the correction distance is based on analysis of an amplitude output by a proximity effects model at an evaluation point on the corresponding target edge; and

whether an edge has an evaluation point is determined based on determining whether any portion of the edge corresponds to a target edge in the design layer.

32. A device having a proximity-corrected element, the device produced using a mask including an opaque region having an edge corrected for proximity effects, the edge corresponding to a target edge in a design layer, the design layer indicating target edges for a printed features layer, wherein:

the edge is displaced from the corresponding target edge in the design layer by a correction distance;

the correction distance is based on analysis of an amplitude output by a proximity effects model at an evaluation point on the corresponding target edge; and

the evaluation point is based on

determining whether a first part of the edge is less important in the design layer than a second part of the edge, and

if it is determined that the first part is less important than the second part, then

establishing an evaluation point on the second part, and

establishing no evaluation point on the first part.

33. A device having a proximity-corrected element, the device produced using a mask including an opaque region having an edge corrected for proximity effects, the edge corresponding to a target edge in a design layer, the design layer indicating target edges for a printed features layer, wherein:

the edge is displaced from the corresponding target edge in the design layer by a correction distance;

the correction distance is based on analysis of an amplitude output by a proximity effects model at an evaluation point on the corresponding target edge; and

the evaluation point is based on

determining whether a first part of the edge is less important in the design layer than a second part of the edge, and

if it is determined that the first part is less important than the second part, then

establishing a first initial segment on the first part extending from a junction of the first part and the second part to an opposite end of the first part,

establishing a second initial segment on the second part extending from the junction to an opposite end of the second part, and

establishing an evaluation point on the second part.