US6396158B1 — Semiconductor device and a process for designing …

Claim 1

Independent Claim 69 words

A semiconductor device comprising: a first region at a feature level, wherein: the first region includes first active features and first dummy features; and the first region has a first feature density; and a second region at the feature level, wherein: the second region includes second active features and second dummy features; and the second region has a second feature density that is different from the first feature density.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 69 words

A semiconductor device comprising: a first region at a feature level, wherein: the first region includes first active features and first dummy features; and the first region has a first feature density; and a second region at the feature level, wherein: the second region includes second active features and second dummy features; and the second region has a second feature density that is different from the first feature density.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 24 words

The semiconductor device of claim 1 , wherein: the first feature density is at least approximately 1.5 times higher than the second feature density.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 25 words

The semiconductor device of claim 1 , wherein: the first region lies within a memory array; and the second region lies within a logic region.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 68 words

A semiconductor device comprising: a first region at a feature level, wherein the first region includes a polishing dummy feature; a second region at the feature level, wherein: from a top view of the semiconductor device, the second region has an open area of at least 10 microns in length by at least 10 microns in width; and the second region does not include a polishing dummy feature.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 68 words

A semiconductor device comprising: a first region at a feature level, wherein the first region includes a polishing dummy feature; a second region at the feature level, wherein: from a top view of the semiconductor device, the second region has an open area of at least 10 microns in length by at least 10 microns in width; and the second region does not include a polishing dummy feature.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 54 words

The semiconductor device of claim 4 , wherein: the second region includes at least a portion of a memory array having a first sub-array and a second sub-array; the open area lies between and immediately abuts the first sub-array and the second sub-array; and the open area does not include a polishing dummy feature.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 54 words

The semiconductor device of claim 4 , wherein: the second region includes at least a portion of a first memory array and a second memory array; the open area lies between and immediately abuts the first memory array and the second memory array; and the open area does not include a polishing dummy feature.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 25 words

The semiconductor device of claim 6 , wherein the open area is at least approximately 50 microns wide and at least approximately 50 microns long.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 23 words

The semiconductor device of claim 4 , wherein the second region is a memory array that does not include a polishing dummy feature.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 24 words

The semiconductor device of claim 4 wherein the open area is at least approximately 1 mm wide and at least approximately 1 mm long.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 81 words

A semiconductor device comprising: a polishing dummy feature at a feature level; and an active feature at the feature level that is a closest active feature to the polishing dummy feature, wherein: the polishing dummy feature has a point closest to the active feature; a distance from the point closest to the active feature is at least approximately 0.3 mm; and no other active or polishing dummy feature lies between the closest point and the active feature at the feature level.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 81 words

A semiconductor device comprising: a polishing dummy feature at a feature level; and an active feature at the feature level that is a closest active feature to the polishing dummy feature, wherein: the polishing dummy feature has a point closest to the active feature; a distance from the point closest to the active feature is at least approximately 0.3 mm; and no other active or polishing dummy feature lies between the closest point and the active feature at the feature level.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 26 words

The semiconductor device of claim 10 , wherein the active feature lies within a memory array and the polishing dummy feature lies outside the memory array.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 27 words

The semiconductor device of claim 10 , wherein the active feature lies within an integrated circuit area and the polishing dummy feature lies within a peripheral area.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 52 words

A semiconductor device comprising: a semiconductor device substrate; an integrated circuit area overlying the semiconductor device substrate; at least part of a scribe line lying outside the integrated circuit area; and at least a portion of a first polishing dummy feature lies within the scribe line and overlies the semiconductor device substrate.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 52 words

A semiconductor device comprising: a semiconductor device substrate; an integrated circuit area overlying the semiconductor device substrate; at least part of a scribe line lying outside the integrated circuit area; and at least a portion of a first polishing dummy feature lies within the scribe line and overlies the semiconductor device substrate.

Claim 18

Dependent Claim 29 words

The semiconductor device of claim 13 , further comprising a second polishing dummy feature, wherein the second polishing dummy feature lies within the peripheral area of the semiconductor device.

Claim 19

Dependent Claim 35 words

A semiconductor device comprising: an integrated circuit area; a scribe line; and a peripheral area lying between the integrated circuit area and the scribe line; and a polishing dummy feature lying within the peripheral area.

Claim 20

Dependent Claim 35 words

A semiconductor device comprising: an integrated circuit area; a scribe line; and a peripheral area lying between the integrated circuit area and the scribe line; and a polishing dummy feature lying within the peripheral area.

Claim 21

Dependent Claim 28 words

The semiconductor device of claim 15 , wherein the polishing dummy feature lies outside the integrated circuit area and lies between a bonding pad and the scribe line.

Claim 22

Dependent Claim 172 words

A semiconductor device comprising: a first active feature; and a polishing dummy feature, wherein the semiconductor device has a configuration selected from a group consisting of: (a) the first active feature and polishing feature lie at a same feature level; the first active feature is a power supply feature; and the first active feature lies within approximately 1.0 micron of the polishing dummy feature; (b) the first active feature and polishing feature lie at different feature levels; the first active feature is a power supply feature; and the first active feature overlies or underlies the polishing dummy feature; (c) the first active feature and polishing feature lie at a same feature level; the first active feature is a signal feature; and the first active feature lies at least approximately 0.3 millimeters from the polishing dummy feature; and (d) the first active feature and polishing feature lie at different feature levels; the first active feature is a signal feature; and the first active feature does not overlie or underlie the polishing dummy feature.

Claim 23

Dependent Claim 172 words

A semiconductor device comprising: a first active feature; and a polishing dummy feature, wherein the semiconductor device has a configuration selected from a group consisting of: (a) the first active feature and polishing feature lie at a same feature level; the first active feature is a power supply feature; and the first active feature lies within approximately 1.0 micron of the polishing dummy feature; (b) the first active feature and polishing feature lie at different feature levels; the first active feature is a power supply feature; and the first active feature overlies or underlies the polishing dummy feature; (c) the first active feature and polishing feature lie at a same feature level; the first active feature is a signal feature; and the first active feature lies at least approximately 0.3 millimeters from the polishing dummy feature; and (d) the first active feature and polishing feature lie at different feature levels; the first active feature is a signal feature; and the first active feature does not overlie or underlie the polishing dummy feature.

Claim 24

Dependent Claim 40 words

The semiconductor device of claim 17 , wherein: the semiconductor device has configuration (a) or (b); the first active feature is designed to operate at a potential; and the polishing dummy feature is designed to operate at substantially the potential.

Claim 25

Dependent Claim 27 words

The semiconductor device of claim 18 , wherein the potential is selected from a group consisting Of V SS , V DD , and V PP .

Claim 26

Dependent Claim 58 words

The semiconductor device of claim 17 , wherein: the semiconductor device has configuration (b); each of the first active feature and the polishing dummy feature has a pair of opposing sides; and at a location within the semiconductor device, the opposing sides of the first active feature are coterminous with the opposing sides of the polishing dummy feature.

Claim 27

Dependent Claim 84 words

The semiconductor device of claim 17 , further comprising a second active feature at a same feature level as the first active feature, wherein: the semiconductor device has configuration (d); and at a location within the semiconductor device: a gap lie between the first and second active features and no active features lie within the gap; the dummy polishing feature underlies or overlies the gap; and the polishing dummy feature does not underlie or overlie the first active feature and the second active feature.

Claim 28

Dependent Claim 49 words

A semiconductor device comprising: a first polishing dummy feature at a first feature level; and a second polishing dummy feature at a second feature level, which lies at an elevation different from the first feature level, wherein the second polishing dummy feature immediately abuts the first polishing dummy feature.

Claim 29

Dependent Claim 49 words

A semiconductor device comprising: a first polishing dummy feature at a first feature level; and a second polishing dummy feature at a second feature level, which lies at an elevation different from the first feature level, wherein the second polishing dummy feature immediately abuts the first polishing dummy feature.

Claim 30

Dependent Claim 65 words

The semiconductor device of claim 22 , wherein: the semiconductor device further includes active features and third polishing dummy features at the second feature level; each of the third polishing dummy features is similar to the second polishing dummy feature; the second and third polishing dummy features contact the first polishing dummy feature; and the active features at the second feature level are conductive plugs.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	2005-05-27	2005-11-26	2006-05-28	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	2009-05-27	2009-11-26	2010-05-28	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	2013-05-27	2013-11-26	2014-05-28	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Semiconductor device and a process for designing a mask

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