Rapid layout pattern classification

Abstract

Printability of layout objects becomes increasingly dependent on neighboring shapes within a larger and larger context window. In this paper, we propose a two-level hotspot pattern classification methodology that examines both central and peripheral patterns. Accuracy and runtime enhancement techniques are proposed, making our detection methodology robust and efficient as a fast physical verification tool that can be applied during early design stages to large-scale designs. We position our method as an approximate detection solution, similar to pattern matching-based tools widely adopted by the industry. In addition, our analyses of classification results reveal that the majority of non-hotspots falsely predicted as hotspots have printed CD barely over the minimum allowable CD threshold. Our method is verified on several 45 nm and 32 nm industrial designs.