Patent application number | Description | Published |
20080268614 | Wafer Bonding - A method for providing a stacked wafer configuration is provided. The method includes bonding a first wafer to a second wafer. A filler material is applied in a gap formed along edges of the first wafer and the second wafer. The filler material provides support along the edges during a thinning and transportation process to help reduce cracking or chipping. The filler material may be cured to reduce any bubbling that may have occurred while applying the filler material. Thereafter, the second wafer may be thinned by grinding, plasma etching, wet etching, or the like. In some embodiments of the present invention, this process may be repeated multiple times to create a stacked wafer configuration having three or more stacked wafers. | 10-30-2008 |
20090008794 | Thickness Indicators for Wafer Thinning - A wafer thinning system and method are disclosed that includes grinding away substrate material from a backside of a semiconductor device. A current change is detected in a grinding device responsive to exposure of a first set of device structures through the substrate material, where the grinding is stopped in response to the detected current change. Polishing repairs the surface and continues to remove an additional amount of the substrate material. Exposure of one or more additional sets of device structures through the substrate material is monitored to determine the additional amount of substrate material to remove, where the additional sets of device structures are located in the semiconductor device at a known depth different than the first set. | 01-08-2009 |
20100009518 | Particle Free Wafer Separation - A method for singulating semiconductor wafers is disclosed. A preferred embodiment comprises forming scrub lines on one side of the wafer and filling the scrub lines with a temporary fill material. The wafer is then thinned by removing material from the opposite side of the wafer from the scrub lines, thereby exposing the temporary fill material on the opposite side. The temporary fill material is then removed, and the individual die are removed from the wafer. | 01-14-2010 |
20100062693 | TWO STEP METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR POLISHING METAL AND OTHER FILMS IN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING - A method and apparatus for removing a metal or conductive film from over a surface of a semiconductor wafer provides a two step process carried out within a single wafer processing apparatus. A first step is a wet chemical or mechanical removal process that removes an upper portion of the film at a high removal rate and is followed by a second step of a lower removal rate, the second step being CMP, chemical mechanical polishing. | 03-11-2010 |
20100140767 | Component Stacking Using Pre-Formed Adhesive Films - A method of forming integrated circuits includes laminating a patterned film including an opening onto a wafer, wherein a bottom die in the wafer is exposed through the opening. A top die is placed into the opening. The top die fits into the opening with substantially no gap between the patterned film and the top die. The top die is then bonded onto the bottom die, followed by curing the patterned film. | 06-10-2010 |
20100144118 | Method for Stacking Semiconductor Dies - A system and method for stacking semiconductor dies is disclosed. A preferred embodiment comprises forming through-silicon vias through the wafer, protecting a rim edge of the wafer, and then removing the unprotected portions so that the rim edge has a greater thickness than the thinned wafer. This thickness helps the fragile wafer survive further transport and process steps. The rim edge is then preferably removed during singulation of the individual dies from the wafer. | 06-10-2010 |
20100244284 | METHOD FOR ULTRA THIN WAFER HANDLING AND PROCESSING - A method for thin wafer handling and processing is provided. In one embodiment, the method comprises providing a wafer having a plurality of semiconductor chips, the wafer having a first side and a second side. A plurality of dies are attached to the first side of the wafer, at least one of the dies are bonded to at least one of the plurality of semiconductor chips. A wafer carrier is provided, wherein the wafer carrier is attached to the second side of the wafer. The first side of the wafer and the plurality of dies are encapsulated with a planar support layer. A first adhesion tape is attached to the planar support layer. The wafer carrier is then removed from the wafer and the wafer is diced into individual semiconductor packages. | 09-30-2010 |
20100248427 | METHOD OF HANDLING A THIN WAFER - A method of handling a thin wafer includes forming a support structure at the edge of a thinned wafer that is encapsulated by a protection layer. The support structure can be an adhesive layer enclosing the protection layer, a dielectric-filled trench embedded in the thinned wafer and surrounding the protection layer, or a housing affixing the edge of the thinned wafer. | 09-30-2010 |
20100267217 | Backside Process for a Substrate - A method of forming a semiconductor device is presented. A conductor is embedded within a substrate, wherein the substrate contains a non-conducting material. The backside of the substrate is ground to a thickness wherein at least | 10-21-2010 |
20100330743 | Three-Dimensional Integrated Circuits with Protection Layers - A semiconductor structure includes a first die comprising a first substrate and a first bonding pad over the first substrate, a second die having a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface, wherein the second die is stacked on the first die and a protection layer having a vertical portion on a sidewall of the second die, and a horizontal portion extending over the first die. | 12-30-2010 |
20110186967 | Component Stacking Using Pre-Formed Adhesive Films - A method of forming integrated circuits includes laminating a patterned film including an opening onto a wafer, wherein a bottom die in the wafer is exposed through the opening. A top die is placed into the opening. The top die fits into the opening with substantially no gap between the patterned film and the top die. The top die is then bonded onto the bottom die, followed by curing the patterned film. | 08-04-2011 |
20110198721 | METHOD FOR THINNING A WAFER - A method for thinning a wafer is provided. In one embodiment, a wafer is provided having a plurality of semiconductor chips, the wafer having a first side and a second side opposite the first side, wherein each of the chips includes a set of through silicon vias (TSVs), each of the TSVs substantially sealed by a liner layer and a barrier layer. A wafer carrier is provided for attaching to the second side of the wafer. The first side of the wafer is thinned and thereafer recessed to partially expose portions of the liner layers, barrier layers and the TSVs protruding from the wafer. An isolation layer is deposited over the first side of the wafer and the top portions of the liner layers, barrier layers and the TSVs. Thereafter, an insulation layer is deposited over the isolation layer. The insulation layer is then planarized to expose top portions of the TSVs. A dielectric layer is deposited over the planarized first side of the wafer. One or more electrical contacts are formed in the dielectric layer for electrical connection to the exposed one or more TSVs. | 08-18-2011 |
20110248409 | Method for Stacking Semiconductor Dies - A system and method for stacking semiconductor dies is disclosed. A preferred embodiment comprises forming through-silicon vias through the wafer, protecting a rim edge of the wafer, and then removing the unprotected portions so that the rim edge has a greater thickness than the thinned wafer. This thickness helps the fragile wafer survive further transport and process steps. The rim edge is then preferably removed during singulation of the individual dies from the wafer. | 10-13-2011 |
20110266691 | Through-Substrate Vias with Improved Connections - A device includes a substrate, and a plurality of dielectric layers over the substrate. A plurality of metallization layers is formed in the plurality of dielectric layers, wherein at least one of the plurality of metallization layers comprises a metal pad. A through-substrate via (TSV) extends from the top level of the plurality of the dielectric layers to a bottom surface of the substrate. A deep conductive via extends from the top level of the plurality of dielectric layers to land on the metal pad. A metal line is formed over the top level of the plurality of dielectric layers and interconnecting the TSV and the deep conductive via. | 11-03-2011 |
20110309647 | Vacuum Wafer Carriers for Strengthening Thin Wafers - An apparatus for supporting a wafer includes a base, and a gas-penetration layer. The gas-penetration layer and a portion of the base directly underlying the gas-penetration layer form a gas passage therebetween. The gas passage is configured to be sealed by the wafer placed directly over the gas-penetration layer. The apparatus further includes a valve connected to the gas passage. | 12-22-2011 |
20120007154 | TSV Formation Processes Using TSV-Last Approach - A device includes a semiconductor substrate having a front surface and a back surface opposite the front surface. An insulation region extends from the front surface into the semiconductor substrate. An inter-layer dielectric (ILD) is over the insulation region. A landing pad extends from a top surface of the ILD into the insulation region. A through-substrate via (TSV) extends from the back surface of the semiconductor substrate to the landing pad. | 01-12-2012 |
20120032348 | THREE-DIMENSIONAL INTEGRATED CIRCUITS WITH PROTECTION LAYERS - A semiconductor structure includes a first die comprising a first substrate and a first bonding pad over the first substrate, a second die having a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface, wherein the second die is stacked on the first die and a protection layer having a vertical portion on a sidewall of the second die, and a horizontal portion extending over the first die. | 02-09-2012 |
20120083116 | Cost-Effective TSV Formation - A device includes a substrate having a first surface, and a second surface opposite the first surface. A through-substrate via (TSV) extends from the first surface to the second surface of the substrate. A dielectric layer is disposed over the substrate. A metal pad is disposed in the dielectric layer and physically contacting the TSV, wherein the metal pad and the TSV are formed of a same material, and wherein no layer formed of a material different from the same material is between and spacing the TSV and the metal pad apart from each other. | 04-05-2012 |
20120168962 | THIN WAFER PROTECTION DEVICE - A thin wafer protection device includes a wafer having a plurality of semiconductor chips. The wafer has a first side and an opposite second side. A plurality of dies is over the first side of the wafer, and at least one of the plurality of dies is bonded to at least one of the plurality of semiconductor chips. A wafer carrier is over the second side of the wafer. An encapsulating layer is over the first side of the wafer and the plurality of dies, and the encapsulating layer has a planar top surface. An adhesive tape is over the planar top surface of the encapsulating layer. | 07-05-2012 |
20120187576 | Three-Dimensional Integrated Circuits with Protection Layers - A semiconductor structure includes a first die comprising a first substrate and a first bonding pad over the first substrate, a second die having a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface, wherein the second die is stacked on the first die and a protection layer having a vertical portion on a sidewall of the second die, and a horizontal portion extending over the first die. | 07-26-2012 |
20120217611 | INTEGRATED CIRCUITS INCLUDING CONDUCTIVE STRUCTURES THROUGH A SUBSTRATE AND METHODS OF MAKING THE SAME - An integrated circuit includes a substrate having a first surface and a second surface. At least one conductive structure continuously extends through the substrate. At least one sidewall of the at least one conductive structure is spaced from a sidewall of the substrate by an air gap. | 08-30-2012 |
20120319291 | SEMICONDUCTOR STRUCTURES AND METHODS OF FORMING THE SAME - A semiconductor structure includes a dielectric layer disposed over a substrate. A metallic line is disposed in the dielectric layer. A through-silicon-via (TSV) structure continuously extends through the dielectric layer and the substrate. A surface of the metallic line is substantially leveled with a surface of the TSV structure. | 12-20-2012 |
20130093042 | TSV Formation Processes Using TSV-Last Approach - A device includes a semiconductor substrate having a front surface and a back surface opposite the front surface. An insulation region extends from the front surface into the semiconductor substrate. An inter-layer dielectric (ILD) is over the insulation region. A landing pad extends from a top surface of the ILD into the insulation region. A through-substrate via (TSV) extends from the back surface of the semiconductor substrate to the landing pad. | 04-18-2013 |
20130093098 | THROUGH SUBSTRATE VIA STRUCTURES AND METHODS OF FORMING THE SAME - The embodiments of forming a through substrate via (TSV) structure described enable reducing risk of damaging gate structures due to over polishing of an inter-level dielectric layer (ILD) layer. The TSV structure with a wider opening near one end also enables better gapfill. | 04-18-2013 |
20130137222 | Method for Stacking Semiconductor Dies - A system and method for stacking semiconductor dies is disclosed. A preferred embodiment comprises forming through-silicon vias through the wafer, protecting a rim edge of the wafer, and then removing the unprotected portions so that the rim edge has a greater thickness than the thinned wafer. This thickness helps the fragile wafer survive further transport and process steps. The rim edge is then preferably removed during singulation of the individual dies from the wafer. | 05-30-2013 |
20130140690 | TSV Structures and Methods for Forming the Same - A device includes a substrate having a front side and a backside, a through-via extending from the backside to the front side of the substrate, and a conductive pad on the backside of the substrate and over the through-via. The conductive pad has a substantially planar top surface. A conductive bump has a non-planar top surface over the substantially planar top surface and aligned to the through-via. The conductive bump and the conductive pad are formed of a same material. No interface is formed between the conductive bump and the conductive pad. | 06-06-2013 |
20130252422 | METHODS OF FORMING SEMICONDUCTOR STRUCTURES - In a method of forming a semiconductor structure, a through-silicon-via (TSV) opening is formed in a substrate. A dielectric layer is formed to continuously extend over the substrate and into the TSV opening. At least one conductive material is formed over the dielectric layer and in the TSV opening. A portion of the at least one conductive material that is over the dielectric layer is removed to form a TSV structure in the substrate. A metallic line is formed in the dielectric layer. A portion of the substrate is removed, such that the TSV structure continuously extends through the substrate and the dielectric layer. | 09-26-2013 |
20140061924 | Interconnect Structure and Method - An apparatus comprises an interlayer dielectric layer formed on a first side of a substrate, a first metallization layer formed over the interlayer dielectric layer, wherein the first metallization layer comprises a first metal line and a dielectric layer formed over the first metallization layer, wherein the dielectric layer comprises a metal structure having a bottom surface coplanr with a top surface of the first metal line. | 03-06-2014 |
20140110862 | TSV Formation - A device includes a substrate having a front side and a backside, the backside being opposite the front side. An isolation layer is disposed on the front side of the substrate, wherein first portions of isolation layer and the substrate are in physical contact. A through substrate via (TSV) extends from the front side to the backside of the substrate. An oxide liner is on a sidewall of the TSV. The oxide liner extends between second portions of the substrate and the isolation layer. A dielectric layer having a metal pad is disposed over the isolation layer on the front side of the substrate. The metal pad and the TSV are formed of a same material. | 04-24-2014 |
20140131884 | Through-Substrate via Formation with Improved Topography Control - A device include a substrate and an interconnect structure over the substrate. The interconnect structure comprising an inter-layer dielectric (ILD) and a first inter-metal dielectric (IMD) formed over the ILD. A through-substrate via (TSV) is formed at the IMD extending a first depth through the interconnect structure into the substrate. A metallic pad is formed at the IMD adjoining the TSV and extending a second depth into the interconnect structure, wherein the second depth is less than the first depth. Connections to the TSV are made through the metallic pad. | 05-15-2014 |
20140327151 | THROUGH SUBSTRATE VIA STRUCTURES AND METHODS OF FORMING THE SAME - A structure includes a substrate, and an interconnect structure over the substrate. The structure further includes a through-substrate-via (TSV) extending through the interconnect structure and into the substrate, the TSV comprising a conductive material layer. The structure further includes a dielectric layer having a first portion over the interconnect structure and a second portion within the TSV, wherein the first portion and the second portion comprise a same material. The conductive material layer includes a first section separated from substrate by the second portion of the dielectric layer. The conductive material layer further includes a second section over a top surface of the second portion of the dielectric layer. The conductive material layer further includes a third section over the second section, wherein the third section has a width greater than a width of the second section. | 11-06-2014 |
20150035159 | SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICE HAVING BACKSIDE INTERCONNECT STRUCTURE ON THROUGH SUBSTRATE VIA AND METHOD OF FORMING THE SAME - A semiconductor device includes a through-substrate via extending from a frontside to a backside of a semiconductor substrate. The through-substrate via includes a concave or a convex portion adjacent to the backside of the semiconductor substrate. An isolation film is formed on the backside of the semiconductor substrate. A conductive layer includes a first portion formed on the concave or convex portion of the through substrate via and a second portion formed on the isolation film. A passivation layer partially covers the conductive layer. | 02-05-2015 |
20150061147 | Device with Through-Substrate Via Structure and Method for Forming the Same - A device including a first dielectric layer on a semiconductor substrate, a gate electrode formed in the first dielectric layer, and a through-substrate via (TSV) structure penetrating the first dielectric layer and extending into the semiconductor substrate. The TSV structure includes a conductive layer, a diffusion barrier layer surrounding the conductive layer and an isolation layer surrounding the diffusion barrier layer. A capping layer including cobalt is formed on the top surface of the conductive layer of the TSV structure. | 03-05-2015 |