Semiconductor circuit having surface features and method of adjusting a tool with respect to this surface

This application is based upon and claims priority from prior French Patent Application No. 98-12249, filed Sep. 30, 1998, the entire disclosure of which is herein incorporated by reference. A semiconductor circuit that includes components and registration features that are electrically isolated from the components. The registration features form projecting parts that are uniformly distributed in the form of a matrix over at least part of the external surface of the circuit so as to define adjacent registration areas. In a preferred embodiment, the semiconductor circuit also includes metal registration features that are produced in at least one metallization level of the circuit. Also provided is a method of adjusting a tool so as to put it into a particular position with respect to the surface of a semiconductor circuit that has registration features defining adjacent registration areas. According to the method, an at least partial topographic record of the registration features on the surface of the semiconductor circuit is produced, and the registration features of the topographic record are brought into coincidence with reference features of a reference drawing. The reference features of the reference drawing correspond to the registration features of the circuit. The position of the tool is adjusted with respect to at least some of the reference features or registration features.