Cellider tutorial -> Mask-patterning Example

In this topic you will learn about the last of Cellider’s patterning methods – the mask-patterning mode. The steps for patterning a component are almost identical to those of the shape-patterning mode, in that you first specify a mask and then apply it to the map window. A mask is any graphical pattern containing white-colored and non-white colored areas. Cellider applies a mask to a map by superposing the mask image over the map and altering (toggling) the states of the cells overlapping the non-white areas of the mask. Masks can be applied to a single layer of  a component, or to the sample as a whole. Masks are loaded into Cellider from external image files. Masks are superimposed on the sample relative to the array projection in the map box. For best results we recommend using black and white masks.

In Cellider switch to the third group Field-array group in the Group list. Its solitary array component Field-array sample will appear in the Component box and its array map will be displayed in the map window. Display this component alone in Magsimus session by selecting its entry in the On display list. In Cellider select the Mask option in the Mode frame to begin the mask-patterning mode. In the Mask actions frame, select All layers. This means that the whole sample (all its layers) will be patterned when the mask is applied (a choice of Current layer option would lead to the mask being applied to only the layer on display in the map box). As usual make sure that you indeed are patterning (not zooming), by ensuring that the toggle button above the map area reads Click to Zoom and the annotation next to it on the left reads Patterning (you may need to click the toggle button once to achieve this). Select U-W in the Map plane frame. Turn off all map cells by first selecting Clear in the Reset pattern frame and clicking the All button.

The full extent of the map window has been selected as the region for applying the mask. This is the default. You may specify a smaller region by sweeping it out with the mouse in the map region. As always, you may carry out the usual map zoom actions after clicking the toggle button above the map window so that it reads Click to Pattern.

Fig. 12. The Open mask file dialog box in Cellider.

You are now ready to load the mask. Proceed as follows: Click the button Open mask file in the Mode frame of Cellider. The Opening mask file dialog is displayed (Fig. 12). Navigate to the Magsimus Examples folder (../Magsimus/Examples) and select CT_MiscMask_1.bmp in the file box. Click OK to close the dialog box and load the mask. The mask will now be displayed in the (now re-labeled) Map image frame on the right of the Mode frame. Click the Apply mask button in the Mask actions frame to apply the mask to the map. Finally click the Transfer button to apply the mask to the Magsimus session. Your Cellider window and Magsimus System-view box should look like Fig. 13. In Magsimus select the first item (Cellider tutorial design) of the On display list to display all design components.  Your final Magsimus sessions should now look like Fig. 14.

(a)

(b)

Fig. 13. Cellider session (a) and Magsimus' System-view window (b) after application of mask-mode patterning.

Fig. 14. Final Magsimus Deluxe screen.

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