Methods for fabricating integrated circuits using improved masks

Methods for fabricating integrated circuits are provided. In an embodiment, a method for fabricating an integrated circuit includes forming a mask overlying a material to be etched by forming first hard mask segments overlying the material to be etched, forming sacrificial mandrels overlying the material to be etched and around each hard mask segment, forming second hard mask segments overlying the semiconductor substrate and adjacent each sacrificial mandrel, and removing the sacrificial mandrels to form first gaps surrounding each first hard mask segment, wherein each first gap is bounded by a respective first hard mask segment and an adjacent second hard mask segment. The method includes etching the material to be etched through the mask.