xsection
XSection Project Home Page
xsection is a script that implements a cross-section generator for the KLayout VLSI layout viewer and editor http://www.klayout.de.
Installation
For installation install the package in KLayout’s package manager (requires KLayout 0.25). Open the package manager with “Tools/Manage Packages”. Search for “xsection” in the list of available packages. Mark the package for installation (check button above) and use “Apply” to actually install the package.
In order to use the cross section generator, a description of the process must be provided. Such a description is stored in files with extension “.xs”. They contain a step-by-step receipe how the layer stack is formed. Statements will describe individual process steps such as etching, deposition and material conversion (i.e. implant).
The source tree contains one example for such a file in “samples/cmos.xs”. This example illustrates how to create a “.xs” and has a lot of documentation inside. Have a look at this file here: cmos.xs.
Using The Cross Section Module
Start KLayout after you have installed the script. You will find a new entry in the “Tools” menu. Choosing “Tools/XSection Scripts/Run Script” opens a file browser and you are prompted for the .xs file.
To create a cross section, draw a ruler into the layout indicating the line along which the cross section is created. Choose “Tools/XSection Scripts/XSection Script” to select the “.xs” file and to generate the cross section in a new layout window. Once you have used a “.xs” file, it is available in the recently used files list below the “Run Script” menu entry for quick access.
You can draw multiple rulers to recieve different cross sections at different places. There is also a special ruler type called “XSection”. If there is at least one such ruler, the cross section script will only use these rulers for creating cross sections from. This way you can use normal rulers to do measurements, while using the special rulers for doing cross sections.
For an introduction into writing XS files see here: Writing XS Files - an Introduction.
A function reference is available here: XS File Reference.
Example
The following screenshot shows a sample cross section taken from the cmos.xs sample file and the sample.gds layout found in the samples folder:
