Patent application number | Description | Published |
20080248643 | SOLDER CONNECTOR STRUCTURE AND METHOD - Disclosed are embodiments of a far back end of the line solder connector and a method of forming the connector that eliminates the use aluminum, protects the integrity of the ball limiting metallurgy (BLM) layers and promotes adhesion of the BLM layers by incorporating a thin conformal conductive liner into the solder connector structure. This conductive liner coats the top of the via filling in any divots in order to create a uniform surface for BLM deposition and to, thereby, protect the integrity of the BLM layers. The liner further coats the dielectric sidewalls of the well in which the BLM layers are formed in order to enhance adhesion of the BLM layers to the well. | 10-09-2008 |
20080261350 | SOLDER INTERCONNECTION ARRAY WITH OPTIMAL MECHANICAL INTEGRITY - A method for assembling, and the resultant electronic module, includes attaching a chip to a substrate using a first solder interconnection array, and attaching a board to the substrate using a second solder interconnection array, which may be a single-melt or a dual-melt solder array. The second solder interconnection array resides entirely within a space defined between the board and substrate. A creep resistant structure is provided within this space for maintaining the defined space and optimizing integrity of the second solder interconnection array. The creep resistant structure may include an underfill material, balls, brackets, frames, collars or combinations thereof. Wherein the creep resistant structure is an underfill material, it is crucial that the substrate be attached to the board before either entirely encapsulating the second interconnection array with underfill material, or partially encapsulating the second solder interconnection array at discrete locations with underfill material. | 10-23-2008 |
20080271312 | BALL GRID ARRAY REWORK USING A CONTINUOUS BELT FURNACE - Disclosed is an apparatus for separating interconnects between, for example, a card and a substrate. The apparatus includes one or more rotationally biased (e.g., spring-loaded, etc.) partial-circle structures (e.g., blades, squeegee, plow, etc.) and one or more temperature-sensitive releases connected to the partial-circle structures. The partial-circle structures are positioned to rotate and separate the interconnects when released by the temperature-sensitive releases. The invention can also include solder reservoirs positioned to receive solder from the interconnects separated by the partial-circle structures. | 11-06-2008 |
20080274608 | STRUCTURE AND METHOD FOR ENHANCING RESISTANCE TO FRACTURE OF BONDING PADS - The present invention provides bond pads structures between semiconductor integrated circuits and the chip package with enhanced resistance to fracture and improved reliability. Mismatch in the coefficient of temperature expansion (CTE) among the materials used in bond structures induces stress and shear on them that may result in fractures within the back end dielectric stacks and cause reliability problems of the packaging. By placing multiple metal pads which are connected to the bond pad through multiple metal via, the adhesion between the bond pads and the back end dielectric stacks is enhanced. | 11-06-2008 |
20080277765 | INHIBITING DAMAGE FROM DICING AND CHIP PACKAGING INTERACTION FAILURES IN BACK END OF LINE STRUCTURES - A semiconductor product comprises a semiconductor substrate having a top surface and a bottom surface including a semiconductor chip. The semiconductor substrate has a top surface and a perimeter. A barrier is formed in the chip within the perimeter. An Ultra Deep Isolation Trench (UDIT) is cut in the top surface of the chip extending down therein between the perimeter and the barrier. A ILD structure with low-k pSICOH dielectric and hard mask layers is formed over the substrate prior to forming the barrier and the UDIT. The ILD structure interconnection structures can be recessed down to the substrate aside from the UDIT. | 11-13-2008 |
20090015285 | TEST STRUCTURES FOR ELECTRICALLY DETECTING BACK END OF THE LINE FAILURES AND METHODS OF MAKING AND USING THE SAME - Test structures for electrically detecting BEOL failures are provided. In an embodiment, the structure comprises: an input/output connection disposed above a primary conductive pad which is embedded in an insulator; a dielectric layer disposed upon the insulator; a primary via extending through the dielectric layer down to the primary conductive pad for providing electrical connection between the input/output connection and the primary conductive pad; and a secondary via filled with a conductive material in electrical connection with the input/output connection, the secondary via extending through the dielectric layer down to a secondary interconnect in electrical connection with a secondary conductive pad that is insulated from the primary conductive pad. | 01-15-2009 |
20090032974 | METHOD AND STRUCTURE TO REDUCE CRACKING IN FLIP CHIP UNDERFILL - A method of assembling a microelectronic flip-chip arrangement includes attaching a chip having a defined length to a supporting substrate, wherein the chip forms a chip shadow line of the defined length on the supporting substrate, creating a first non-wettable zone on an outer portion of the bottom surface of the chip, creating a second non-wettable zone on a portion of the supporting substrate outside the chip shadow line, underfilling the chip and forming a fillet, wherein the fillet does not extend beyond the chip shadow line, and hardening the underfill including the fillet. | 02-05-2009 |
20090039515 | IONIZING RADIATION BLOCKING IN IC CHIP TO REDUCE SOFT ERRORS - Methods of blocking ionizing radiation to reduce soft errors and resulting IC chips are disclosed. One embodiment includes forming a front end of line (FEOL) for an integrated circuit (IC) chip; and forming at least one back end of line (BEOL) dielectric layer including ionizing radiation blocking material therein. Another embodiment includes forming a front end of line (FEOL) for an integrated circuit (IC) chip; and forming an ionizing radiation blocking layer positioned in a back end of line (BEOL) of the IC chip. The ionizing radiation blocking material or layer absorbs ionizing radiation and reduces soft errors within the IC chip. | 02-12-2009 |
20090108442 | SELF-ASSEMBLED STRESS RELIEF INTERFACE - A method of forming an interconnect assembly is provided in which contacts exposed at a face of a first element such as, for example, a microelectronic element are aligned and joined with corresponding contacts of an interconnect element confronting the face of the first element. At least one of the i) the contacts of the first element, ii) the corresponding contacts of the interconnect element, iii) a joining metal between the contacts and the corresponding contacts includes a catalyst metal. Subsequently, a material including an organic component contacting the catalyst metal reacts to form volume expansion accommodation elements in the presence of the catalyst metal, the reaction being limited by proximity with the catalyst metal, such that the interconnect assembly includes volume expansion accommodation elements adjacent to the joined contacts. | 04-30-2009 |
20090140420 | SOFT ERROR RATE MITIGATION BY INTERCONNECT STRUCTURE - A method creates a structure that comprises a carrier connected to an integrated circuit chip by pillars and openings. Thus, in this structure, at least one conductive pillar extends a distance or height from the surface of the integrated circuit chip and a barrier surrounds the lower portion of the conductive pillar such that the barrier covers at least some portion of the height of the pillar that is closest to the chip surface. There is at least one opening in the carrier that is large enough to accommodate the conductive pillar and the barrier, and the conductive pillar and the barrier are positioned in opening. A solder is used in the bottom of the opening to connect the conductive pillar to the bottom of the opening. The barrier prevents the solder from contacting the portion of the conductive pillar protected by the barrier. | 06-04-2009 |
20090140432 | PAD STRUCTURE TO PROVIDE IMPROVED STRESS RELIEF - A semiconductor interconnection comprises a semiconductor device, a substrate adjacent the semiconductor device, and a plurality of spring contacts on the semiconductor device or the substrate. A plurality of solder connections are on the opposite semiconductor device or substrate. Each spring contact comprises a contact surface and a conductive material on the contact surface. Upon assembly of the semiconductor device and the substrate, the conductive material on the plurality of spring contacts makes contact with each of the plurality of solder connections. The conductive material is in a liquid state at manufacturing or operating temperatures of the semiconductor device. Thus, the conductive material could be a solid at room temperature and transition to a liquid state at the semiconductor's manufacturing or operating temperatures. | 06-04-2009 |
20090145973 | STRUCTURE FOR IMPLEMENTING SECURE MULTICHIP MODULES FOR ENCRYPTION APPLICATIONS - A tamper resistant, integrated circuit (IC) module includes a ceramic-based chip carrier; one or more integrated circuit chips attached to a top surface of the chip carrier; a ceramic-based cap structure attached to the top surface of the chip carrier, and covering the one or more integrated circuit chips; and a conductive grid structure embedded within the chip carrier and the cap structure, the conductive grid structure having a plurality of meandering lines disposed in an x-direction, a y-direction, and a z-direction; wherein the conductive grid structure is configured so as to detect an attempt to penetrate the IC module. | 06-11-2009 |
20090146321 | WIRE BONDING PERSONALIZATION AND DISCRETE COMPONENT ATTACHMENT ON WIREBOND PADS - Inner wire bond pads are formed within a peripheral region of a semiconductor chip and at least one bonding wire is attached to the inner wire bond pads. The semiconductor chip may be customized for a specific configuration of choice by wiring inner wire bond pads. Alternately, the bonding wires may be employed to reinforce a power network or a ground network. Further, the bonding wire may serve as a passive radio frequency (RF) component. In addition, the bonding wire may be used a heat conduction path to transfer heat from the semiconductor chip to the upper package housing. | 06-11-2009 |
20090155983 | INHIBITION OF METAL DIFFUSION ARISING FROM LASER DICING - Method of inhibiting metal diffusion arising from laser dicing is provided. The method includes dividing a wafer into at least one chip. The chip includes internal metallic features. The dividing deposits at least one metallic substance on the outer surface of the chip. After so dividing the chip, the method exposes the chip to a heated ambient environment having a given pressure (e.g., less than one atmosphere). The environment includes a chemical agent capable of bonding with the metallic substance. Additionally, wet chemical etch may be performed on the chip. | 06-18-2009 |
20090155985 | Inhibition of Metal Diffusion Arising from Laser Dicing - A method divides a wafer into at least one chip. The chip includes internal metallic features. The dividing deposits at least one metallic substance on the outer surface of the chip. After so dividing the chip, the process exposes the chip to a heated ambient environment having a given pressure (e.g., less than one atmosphere). The environment comprises a chemical agent capable of bonding with the metallic substance. Additionally, wet chemical etch can be performed on the chip. | 06-18-2009 |
20090212439 | FLUORINE DEPLETED ADHESION LAYER FOR METAL INTERCONNECT STRUCTURE - A line trough and a via cavity are formed within a dielectric layer comprising a fluorosilicate glass (FSG) layer. A fluorine depleted adhesion layer is formed within the line trough and the via cavity either by a plasma treatment that removes fluorine from exposed surfaces of the FSG layer, or by deposition of a substantially fluorine-free dielectric layer. Metal is deposited within the line trough and the via cavity to form a metal line and a metal via. The fluorine depleted adhesion layer provides enhanced adhesion to the metal line compared with prior art structures in which a metal line directly contacts a FSG layer. The enhanced adhesion of metal with an underlying dielectric layer provides higher resistance to delamination for a semiconductor package employing lead-free C4 balls on a metal interconnect structure. | 08-27-2009 |
20090243098 | UNDERBUMP METALLURGY FOR ENHANCED ELECTROMIGRATION RESISTANCE - A first metallic diffusion barrier layer is formed on a last level metal plate exposed in an opening of a passivation layer. Optionally, a metallic adhesion promotion layer is formed on the first metallic diffusion barrier layer. An elemental metal conductive layer is formed on the metallic adhesion promotion layer, which provides a highly conductive structure that distributes current uniformly due to the higher electrical conductivity of the material than the layers above or below. A stack of the second metallic diffusion barrier layer and a wetting promotion layer is formed, on which a C4 ball is bonded. The elemental metal conductive layer distributes the current uniformly within the underbump metallurgy structure, which induces a more uniform current distribution in the C4 ball and enhanced electromigration resistance of the C4 ball. | 10-01-2009 |
20100019354 | SEMICONDUCTOR CHIP SHAPE ALTERATION - The invention is directed to an improved semiconductor chip that reduces crack initiation and propagation into the active area of a semiconductor chip. A semiconductor wafer includes dicing channels that separate semiconductor chips and holes through a portion of a semiconductor chip, which are located at the intersection of the dicing channels. Once diced from the semiconductor wafer, semiconductor chips are created without ninety degree angle corners. | 01-28-2010 |
20100038777 | METHOD OF MAKING A SIDEWALL-PROTECTED METALLIC PILLAR ON A SEMICONDUCTOR SUBSTRATE - A method of forming conductive pillars on a semiconductor wafer in which the conductive pillars are plated with a protecting coating of Ni, Co, Cr, Rh, NiP, NiB , CoWP, or CoP. Only the side of the conductive pillars are plated. The ends of the conductive pillars are free of the protective plating so that the conductive pillars can be readily joined to the pads of a packaging substrate. Also disclosed is a sidewall-protected conductive pillar having a protective coating of Ni, Co, Cr, Rh, NiP, NiB , CoWP, or CoP thereon. | 02-18-2010 |
20100044826 | 3D INTEGRATED CIRCUIT DEVICE FABRICATION WITH PRECISELY CONTROLLABLE SUBSTRATE REMOVAL - A method is provided for fabricating a 3D integrated circuit structure. According to the method, a first active circuitry layer wafer is provided. The first active circuitry layer wafer comprises a P+ portion covered by a P− layer, and the P− layer includes active circuitry. The first active circuitry layer wafer is bonded face down to an interface wafer that includes a first wiring layer, and then the P+ portion of the first active circuitry layer wafer is selectively removed with respect to the P− layer of the first active circuitry layer wafer. Next, a wiring layer is fabricated on the backside of the P− layer. Also provided are a tangible computer readable medium encoded with a program for fabricating a 3D integrated circuit structure, and a 3D integrated circuit structure. | 02-25-2010 |
20100047964 | 3D INTEGRATED CIRCUIT DEVICE FABRICATION USING INTERFACE WAFER AS PERMANENT CARRIER - A method is provided for fabricating a 3D integrated circuit structure. Provided are an interface wafer including a first wiring layer and through-silicon vias, and a first active circuitry layer wafer including active circuitry. The first active circuitry layer wafer is bonded to the interface wafer. Then, a first portion of the first active circuitry layer wafer is removed such that a second portion remains attached to the interface wafer. A stack structure including the interface wafer and the second portion of the first active circuitry layer wafer is bonded to a base wafer. Next, the interface wafer is thinned so as to form an interface layer, and metallizations coupled through the through-silicon vias in the interface layer to the first wiring layer are formed on the interface layer. Also provided is a tangible computer readable medium encoded with a program that comprises instructions for performing such a method. | 02-25-2010 |
20100139958 | STRUCTURE AND METHOD TO GAIN SUBSTANTIAL RELIABILITY IMPROVEMENTS IN LEAD-FREE BGAs ASSEMBLED WITH LEAD-BEARING SOLDERS - Methods of forming and assemblies having hybrid interconnection grid arrays composed of a homogenous mixture of Pb-free solder joints and Pb-containing solder paste on corresponding sites of a printed board. The aligned Pb-free solder joints and Pb-containing solders are heated to a temperature above a melting point of the Pb-free solder joint for a sufficient time to allow complete melting of both the Pb-free solder joints and Pb-containing solder paste and the homogenous mixing thereof during assembly. These molten materials mix together such that the Pb from the Pb-containing solder disperses throughout substantially the entire Pb-free solder joint for complete homogenization of the molten materials to form the homogenous hybrid interconnect structures of the invention. | 06-10-2010 |
20100163949 | VERTICAL METAL-INSULATOR-METAL (MIM) CAPACITOR USING GATE STACK, GATE SPACER AND CONTACT VIA - A semiconductor structure including a vertical metal-insulator-metal capacitor, and a method for fabricating the semiconductor structure including the vertical metal-insulator-metal capacitor, each use structural components from a dummy metal oxide semiconductor field effect transistor located and formed over an isolation region located over a semiconductor substrate. The dummy metal oxide field effect transistor may be formed simultaneously with a metal oxide semiconductor field effect transistor located over a semiconductor substrate that includes the isolation region. The metal-insulator-metal capacitor uses a gate as a capacitor plate, a uniform thickness gate spacer as a gate dielectric and a contact via as another capacitor plate. The uniform thickness gate spacer may include a conductor layer for enhanced capacitance. A mirrored metal-insulator-metal capacitor structure that uses a single contact via may also be used for enhanced capacitance. | 07-01-2010 |
20100193964 | METHOD OF MAKING 3D INTEGRATED CIRCUITS AND STRUCTURES FORMED THEREBY - A method and structure of connecting at least two integrated circuits in a 3D arrangement by a through silicon via which simultaneously connects a connection pad in a first integrated circuit and a connection pad in a second integrated circuit. | 08-05-2010 |
20100200988 | GRAIN REFINEMENT BY PRECIPITATE FORMATION IN Pb-FREE ALLOYS OF TIN - Micro-addition of a metal to a Sn-based lead-free C4 ball is employed to enhance reliability. Specifically, a metal having a low solubility in Sn is added in a small quantity corresponding to less than 1% in atomic concentration. Due to the low solubility of the added metal, fine precipitates are formed during solidification of the C4 ball, which act as nucleation sites for formation multiple grains in the solidified C4 ball. The fine precipitates also inhibit rapid grain growth by plugging grain boundaries and act as agents for pinning dislocations in the C4 ball. The grain boundaries enable grain boundary sliding for mitigation of stress during thermal cycling of the semiconductor chip and the package on the C4 ball. Further, the fine precipitates prevent electromigration along the grain boundaries due to their pinned nature. | 08-12-2010 |
20100264551 | THREE DIMENSIONAL INTEGRATED CIRCUIT INTEGRATION USING DIELECTRIC BONDING FIRST AND THROUGH VIA FORMATION LAST - A method of implementing three-dimensional (3D) integration of multiple integrated circuit (IC) devices includes forming a first insulating layer over a first IC device; forming a second insulating layer over a second IC device; forming a 3D, bonded IC device by aligning and bonding the first insulating layer to the second insulating layer so as to define a bonding interface therebetween, defining a first set of vias within the 3D bonded IC device, the first set of vias landing on conductive pads located within the first IC device, and defining a second set of vias within the 3D bonded IC device, the second set of vias landing on conductive pads located within the second device, such that the second set of vias passes through the bonding interface; and filling the first and second sets of vias with a conductive material. | 10-21-2010 |
20100289144 | 3D INTEGRATION STRUCTURE AND METHOD USING BONDED METAL PLANES - A method of making 3D integrated circuits and a 3D integrated circuit structure. There is a first semiconductor structure joined to a second semiconductor structure. Each semiconductor structure includes a semiconductor wafer, a front end of the line (FEOL) wiring on the semiconductor wafer, a back end of the line (BEOL) wiring on the FEOL wiring, an insulator layer on the BEOL wiring and a metallic layer on the insulator layer. The first semiconductor structure is aligned with the second semiconductor structure such that the metallic layers of each of the semiconductor structures face each other. The metallic layers of each of the semiconductor structures are in contact with and bonded to each other by a metal to metal bond wherein the bonded metallic layers form an electrically isolated layer. | 11-18-2010 |
20100301475 | Forming Semiconductor Chip Connections - Systems and methods are disclosed that enable forming semiconductor chip connections. In one embodiment, the semiconductor chip includes a body having a polyhedron shape with a pair of opposing sides; and a solder member extending along a side that extends between the pair of opposing sides of the polyhedron shape. | 12-02-2010 |
20100314711 | 3D INTEGRATED CIRCUIT DEVICE HAVING LOWER-COST ACTIVE CIRCUITRY LAYERS STACKED BEFORE HIGHER-COST ACTIVE CIRCUITRY LAYER - A method is provided for fabricating a 3D integrated circuit structure. According to the method, a first active circuitry layer wafer that includes active circuitry is provided, and a first portion of the first active circuitry layer wafer is removed such that a second portion of the first active circuitry layer wafer remains. Another wafer that includes active circuitry is provided, and the other wafer is bonded to the second portion of the first active circuitry layer wafer. The first active circuitry layer wafer is lower-cost than the other wafer. Also provided are a tangible computer readable medium encoded with a program for fabricating a 3D integrated circuit structure, and a 3D integrated circuit structure. | 12-16-2010 |
20110065214 | 3D MULTIPLE DIE STACKING - A process of forming three-dimensional (3D) die. A plurality of wafers are tested for die that pass (good die) or fail (bad die) predetermined test criteria. Two tested wafers are placed in proximity to each other. The wafers are aligned in such a manner so as to maximize the number of good die aligned between the two wafers. The two wafers are then bonded together and diced into individual stacks of bonded good die. | 03-17-2011 |
20110079907 | SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICE HAVING A COPPER PLUG - Disclosed is a semiconductor device wherein an insulation layer has a copper plug in contact with the last wiring layer of the device. There may also be a barrier layer separating the copper plug from the insulation layer. In a further embodiment, there may also be an aluminum layer between the insulation layer and copper plug. Also disclosed is a process for making the semiconductor device. | 04-07-2011 |
20110091685 | POLYMERIC EDGE SEAL FOR BONDED SUBSTRATES - A layer of polymer material is applied on a peripheral region of at least one of the two substrates to be bonded prior to bonding. The bonded structure formed thereby includes a first substrate, a second substrate in direct contact with the first substrate, and a ring of the polymer material in direct contact with the first substrate at a first interface and in direct contact with the second substrate. The ring of polymer material laterally surrounds and seals the interface at which the first substrate contacts the second substrate. A ring-shaped cavity can be formed within the polymeric ring. Alternately, the first interface and the second interface can be contiguous without a ring-shaped cavity between the first and second substrates. | 04-21-2011 |
20110104426 | EDGE PROTECTION SEAL FOR BONDED SUBSTRATES - A dielectric material layer is deposited on exposed surfaces of a bonded structure that includes a first substrate and a second substrate. The dielectric material layer is formed on an exposed planar surface of a second substrate and the entirety of peripheral sidewalls of the first and second substrates. The dielectric material layer can be formed by chemical vapor deposition, atomic layer deposition, or plasma induced deposition. Further, the dielectric material layer seals the entire periphery of the interface between the first and second substrates. If a planar portion of the dielectric material layer can be removed by planarization to facilitate thinning of the bonded structure, the remaining portion of the dielectric material layer can form a dielectric ring. | 05-05-2011 |
20110140245 | STRUCTURE FOR INHIBITING BACK END OF LINE DAMAGE FROM DICING AND CHIP PACKAGING INTERACTION FAILURES - A semiconductor product comprises a semiconductor substrate having a top surface and a bottom surface including a semiconductor chip. The semiconductor substrate has a top surface and a perimeter. A barrier is formed in the chip within the perimeter. An Ultra Deep Isolation Trench (UDIT) is cut in the top surface of the chip extending down therein between the perimeter and the barrier. A ILD structure with low-k pSICOH dielectric and hard mask layers is formed over the substrate prior to forming the barrier and the UDIT. The ILD structure interconnection structures can be recessed down to the substrate aside from the UDIT. | 06-16-2011 |
20110168434 | BONDED STRUCTURE EMPLOYING METAL SEMICONDUCTOR ALLOY BONDING - Vertical stacks of a metal portion and a semiconductor portion formed on a first substrate are brought into physical contact with vertical stacks of a metal portion and a semiconductor portion formed on a second substrate. Alternately, vertical stacks of a metal portion and a semiconductor portion formed on a first substrate are brought into physical contact with metal portions formed on a second substrate. The assembly of the first and second substrates is subjected to an anneal at a temperature that induces formation of a metal semiconductor alloy derived from the semiconductor portions and the metal portions. The first substrate and the second substrate are bonded through metal semiconductor alloy portions that adhere to the first and second substrates. | 07-14-2011 |
20110171582 | Three Dimensional Integration With Through Silicon Vias Having Multiple Diameters - A method is disclosed which includes patterning a photoresist layer on a substrate of a structure, removing a first portion of the photoresist layer to expose a first area of the substrate, etching the first area to form a cavity having a first depth, removing a second portion of the photoresist to expose an additional area of the substrate, and etching the cavity to expose a first conductor in the structure and the additional area to expose a second conductor in the structure. | 07-14-2011 |
20110171827 | Three Dimensional Integration and Methods of Through Silicon Via Creation - A method includes patterning a photoresist layer on a structure to define an opening and expose a first planar area on a substrate layer, etching the exposed planar area to form a cavity having a first depth in the structure, removing a second portion of the photoresist to expose a second planar area on the substrate layer, forming a doped portion in the second planar area, and etching the cavity to expose a first conductor in the structure and the doped portion to expose a second conductor in the structure. | 07-14-2011 |
20110175215 | 3D CHIP STACK HAVING ENCAPSULATED CHIP-IN-CHIP - A method of forming a three-dimensional (3D) chip is provided in which a second chip is present embedded within a first chip. In one embodiment, the method includes forming a first chip including first electrical devices and forming a recess extending from a surface of the first chip. A second chip is formed having second electrical devices. The second chip is then encapsulated within the recess of the first chip. Interconnects are then formed through the first chip into electrical communication with at least one of the second devices on the second chip. A three-dimensional (3D) chip is also provided in which a second chip is embedded within a first chip. | 07-21-2011 |
20110180920 | CO-AXIAL RESTRAINT FOR CONNECTORS WITHIN FLIP-CHIP PACKAGES - An assembly can include a microelectronic element such as, for example, a semiconductor element having circuits and semiconductor devices fabricated therein, and a plurality of electrical connectors, e.g., solder balls attached to contacts of the microelectronic element. The connectors can be surrounded by first, inner regions | 07-28-2011 |
20110193197 | STRUCTURE AND METHOD FOR MAKING CRACK STOP FOR 3D INTEGRATED CIRCUITS - A structure to prevent propagation of a crack into the active region of a 3D integrated circuit, such as a crack initiated by a flaw at the periphery of a thinned substrate layer or a bonding layer, and methods of forming the same is disclosed. | 08-11-2011 |
20110193240 | BONDED STRUCTURE WITH ENHANCED ADHESION STRENGTH - A first bonding material layer is formed on a first substrate and a second bonding material layer is formed on a second substrate. The first and second bonding material layers include a metal. Ions are implanted into the first and second bonding material layers to induce structural damages in the in the first and second bonding material layers. The first and second substrates are bonded by forming a physical contact between the first and second bonding material layers. The structural damages in the first and second bonding material layers enhance diffusion of materials across the interface between the first and second bonding material layers to form a bonded material layer in which metal grains are present across the bonding interface, thereby providing a high adhesion strength across the first and second substrates. | 08-11-2011 |
20110237026 | METHOD OF FORMING A MULTI-CHIP STACKED STRUCTURE INCLUDING A THIN INTERPOSER CHIP HAVING A FACE-TO-BACK BONDING WITH ANOTHER CHIP - A temporary substrate having an array of first solder pads is bonded to the front side of a first substrate by reflowing an array of first solder balls. The first substrate is thinned by removing the back side, and an array of second solder pads is formed on the back side surface of the first substrate. The assembly of the first substrate and the temporary substrate is diced to form a plurality of stacks, each including an assembly of a first semiconductor chip and a handle portion. A second semiconductor chip is bonded to an assembly through an array of the second solder balls. The handle portion is removed from each assembly by reflowing the array of the first solder balls, while the array of the second solder balls does not reflow. The assembly is subsequently mounted on a packaging substrate employing the array of the first solder balls. | 09-29-2011 |
20110281432 | FLUORINE DEPLETED ADHESION LAYER FOR METAL INTERCONNECT STRUCTURE - A line trough and a via cavity are formed within a dielectric layer comprising a fluorosilicate glass (FSG) layer. A fluorine depleted adhesion layer is formed within the line trough and the via cavity either by a plasma treatment that removes fluorine from exposed surfaces of the FSG layer, or by deposition of a substantially fluorine-free dielectric layer. Metal is deposited within the line trough and the via cavity to form a metal line and a metal via. The fluorine depleted adhesion layer provides enhanced adhesion to the metal line compared with prior art structures in which a metal line directly contacts a FSG layer. The enhanced adhesion of metal with an underlying dielectric layer provides higher resistance to delamination for a semiconductor package employing lead-free C4 balls on a metal interconnect structure. | 11-17-2011 |
20120018851 | METAL-CONTAMINATION-FREE THROUGH-SUBSTRATE VIA STRUCTURE - A through-substrate via (TSV) structure that is immune to metal contamination due to a backside planarization process is provided. After forming a through-substrate via (TSV) trench, a diffusion barrier liner is conformally deposited on the sidewalls of the TSV trench. A dielectric liner is formed by depositing a dielectric material on vertical portions of the diffusion barrier liner. A metallic conductive via structure is formed by subsequently filling the TSV trench. Horizontal portions of the diffusion barrier liner are removed. The diffusion barrier liner protects the semiconductor material of the substrate during the backside planarization by blocking residual metallic material originating from the metallic conductive via structure from entering into the semiconductor material of the substrate, thereby protecting the semiconductor devices within the substrate from metallic contamination. | 01-26-2012 |
20120091593 | STRUCTURE AND METHOD FOR SIMULTANEOUSLY FORMING A THROUGH SILICON VIA AND A DEEP TRENCH STRUCTURE - A through silicon via (TSV) and a deep trench capacitor (DTCap) or a deep trench isolation (DTI) are simultaneously formed on the same substrate by a single mask and a single reactive ion etching (RIE). The TSV trench is wider and deeper that the DTCap or DTI trench. The TSV and DTCap or DTI are formed with different dielectric materials on the trench sidewalls. The TSV and DTCap or DTI are perfectly aligned. | 04-19-2012 |
20120119363 | GRAIN REFINEMENT BY PRECIPITATE FORMATION IN Pb-FREE ALLOYS OF TIN - Micro-addition of a metal to a Sn-based lead-free C4 ball is employed to enhance reliability. Specifically, a metal having a low solubility in Sn is added in a small quantity corresponding to less than 1% in atomic concentration. Due to the low solubility of the added metal, fine precipitates are formed during solidification of the C4 ball, which act as nucleation sites for formation multiple grains in the solidified C4 ball. The fine precipitates also inhibit rapid grain growth by plugging grain boundaries and act as agents for pinning dislocations in the C4 ball. The grain boundaries enable grain boundary sliding for mitigation of stress during thermal cycling of the semiconductor chip and the package on the C4 ball. Further, the fine precipitates prevent electromigration along the grain boundaries due to their pinned nature. | 05-17-2012 |
20120126425 | 3D INTEGRATED CIRCUITS STRUCTURE - A structure of connecting at least two integrated circuits in a 3D arrangement by a metal-filled through silicon via which simultaneously connects a connection pad in a first integrated circuit and a connection pad in a second integrated circuit. | 05-24-2012 |
20120135564 | SOFT ERROR RATE MITIGATION BY INTERCONNECT STRUCTURE - A method creates a structure that comprises a carrier connected to an integrated circuit chip by pillars and openings. Thus, in this structure, at least one conductive pillar extends a distance or height from the surface of the integrated circuit chip and a barrier surrounds the lower portion of the conductive pillar such that the barrier covers at least some portion of the height of the pillar that is closest to the chip surface. There is at least one opening in the carrier that is large enough to accommodate the conductive pillar and the barrier, and the conductive pillar and the barrier are positioned in opening. A solder is used in the bottom of the opening to connect the conductive pillar to the bottom of the opening. The barrier prevents the solder from contacting the portion of the conductive pillar protected by the barrier. | 05-31-2012 |
20120149173 | 3D INTEGRATED CIRCUIT DEVICE FABRICATION WITH PRECISELY CONTROLLABLE SUBSTRATE REMOVAL - A method is provided for fabricating a 3D integrated circuit structure. According to the method, a first active circuitry layer wafer is provided. The first active circuitry layer wafer comprises a P+ portion covered by a P− layer, and the P− layer includes active circuitry. The first active circuitry layer wafer is bonded face down to an interface wafer that includes a first wiring layer, and then the P+ portion of the first active circuitry layer wafer is selectively removed with respect to the P− layer of the first active circuitry layer wafer. Next, a wiring layer is fabricated on the backside of the P− layer. Also provided are a non-transitory computer readable medium encoded with a program for fabricating a 3D integrated circuit structure, and a 3D integrated circuit structure. | 06-14-2012 |
20120153429 | 3D INTEGRATED CIRCUIT DEVICE FABRICATION WITH PRECISELY CONTROLLABLE SUBSTRATE REMOVAL - A method is provided for fabricating a 3D integrated circuit structure. According to the method, a first active circuitry layer wafer is provided. The first active circuitry layer wafer comprises a P+ portion covered by a P− layer, and the P− layer includes active circuitry. The first active circuitry layer wafer is bonded face down to an interface wafer that includes a first wiring layer, and then the P+ portion of the first active circuitry layer wafer is selectively removed with respect to the P− layer of the first active circuitry layer wafer. Next, a wiring layer is fabricated on the backside of the P− layer. Also provided are a tangible computer readable medium encoded with a program for fabricating a 3D integrated circuit structure, and a 3D integrated circuit structure. | 06-21-2012 |
20120161300 | IONIZING RADIATION BLOCKING IN IC CHIP TO REDUCE SOFT ERRORS - Methods of blocking ionizing radiation to reduce soft errors and resulting IC chips are disclosed. One embodiment includes forming a front end of line (FEOL) for an integrated circuit (IC) chip; and forming at least one back end of line (BEOL) dielectric layer including ionizing radiation blocking material therein. Another embodiment includes forming a front end of line (FEOL) for an integrated circuit (IC) chip; and forming an ionizing radiation blocking layer positioned in a back end of line (BEOL) of the IC chip. The ionizing radiation blocking material or layer absorbs ionizing radiation and reduces soft errors within the IC chip. | 06-28-2012 |
20120168952 | SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICE HAVING A COPPER PLUG - Disclosed is a process of making a semiconductor device wherein an insulation layer has a copper plug in contact with the last wiring layer of the device. There may also be a barrier layer separating the copper plug from the insulation layer. There may also be a cap layer over the copper plug to protect it from oxidation. There may also be a dielectric layer over the cap layer. | 07-05-2012 |
20120175789 | ALIGNMENT MARKS TO ENABLE 3D INTEGRATION - Disclosed are a structure including alignment marks and a method of forming alignment marks in three dimensional (3D) structures. The method includes forming apertures in a first surface of a first semiconductor substrate; joining the first surface of the first semiconductor substrate to a first surface of a second semiconductor substrate; thinning the first semiconductor on a second surface of the first semiconductor substrate to provide optical contrast between the apertures and the first semiconductor substrate; and aligning a feature on the second surface of the first semiconductor substrate using the apertures as at least one alignment mark. | 07-12-2012 |
20120187561 | FORMING SEMICONDUCTOR CHIP CONNECTIONS - Systems and methods are disclosed that enable forming semiconductor chip connections. In one embodiment, the semiconductor chip includes a body having a polyhedron shape with a pair of opposing sides; and a solder member extending along a side that extends between the pair of opposing sides of the polyhedron shape. | 07-26-2012 |
20120190189 | Three Dimensional Integration and Methods of Through Silicon Via Creation - A method includes patterning a photoresist layer on a structure to define an opening and expose a first planar area on a sacrificial substrate layer, etching to the exposed first planar area to form a cavity having a first depth in the structure, removing a portion of the photoresist to increase the size of the opening to define a second planar area on the sacrificial substrate layer, forming a doped portion in the sacrificial substrate layer, and etching the cavity to increase the depth of the cavity to expose a first conductor in the structure and to increase the planar area and depth of a portion of the cavity to expose a second conductor in the structure. | 07-26-2012 |
20120190196 | Three Dimensional Integration and Methods of Through Silicon Via Creation - A method includes patterning a photoresist layer on a structure to define an opening and expose a first planar area on a substrate layer, forming doped portions of the substrate layer in the first planar area, removing a portion of the photoresist to form a second opening defining a second planar area on the substrate layer, and etching to form a first cavity having a first depth defined by the first opening to expose a first contact in the structure and to form a second cavity defined by the second opening to expose a second contact in the structure. | 07-26-2012 |
20120190204 | NON-CONFORMAL HARDMASK DEPOSITION FOR THROUGH SILICON ETCH - The present invention provides a method to form deep features in a stacked semiconductor structure. Deposition of a non-conformal hardmask onto a patterned topography can form a hardmask to protect all but recessed areas with minimal integration steps. The invention enables etching deep features, even through multiple BEOL layers, without multiple additional process steps. | 07-26-2012 |
20120199975 | ENHANCED ELECTROMIGRATION RESISTANCE IN TSV STRUCTURE AND DESIGN - The embodiments provide a method for reducing electromigration in a circuit containing a through-silicon via (TSV) and the resulting novel structure for the TSV. A TSV is formed through a semiconductor substrate. A first end of the TSV connects to a first metallization layer on a device side of the semiconductor substrate. A second end of the TSV connects to a second metallization layer on a grind side of the semiconductor substrate. A first flat edge is created on the first end of the TSV at the intersection of the first end of the TSV and the first metallization layer. A second flat edge is created on the second end of the TSV at the intersection of the second end of the TSV and the second metallization layer. On top of the first end a metal contact grid is placed, having less than eighty percent metal coverage. | 08-09-2012 |
20120199983 | ENHANCED ELECTROMIGRATION RESISTANCE IN TSV STRUCTURE AND DESIGN - The embodiments provide a method for reducing electromigration in a circuit containing a through-silicon via (TSV) and the resulting novel structure for the TSV. A TSV is formed through a semiconductor substrate. A first end of the TSV connects to a first metallization layer on a device side of the semiconductor substrate. A second end of the TSV connects to a second metallization layer on a grind side of the semiconductor substrate. A first flat edge is created on the first end of the TSV at the intersection of the first end of the TSV and the first metallization layer. A second flat edge is created on the second end of the TSV at the intersection of the second end of the TSV and the second metallization layer. On top of the first end a metal contact grid is placed, having less than eighty percent metal coverage. | 08-09-2012 |
20120223434 | CO-AXIAL RESTRAINT FOR CONNECTORS WITHIN FLIP-CHIP PACKAGES - An assembly can include a microelectronic element such as, for example, a semiconductor element having circuits and semiconductor devices fabricated therein, and a plurality of electrical connectors, e.g., solder balls attached to contacts of the microelectronic element. The connectors can be surrounded by first, inner regions | 09-06-2012 |
20120280395 | 3-D Integration using Multi Stage Vias - A TSV can be formed having a top section via formed through the top substrate surface and a bottom section via formed through the bottom substrate surface. The top section cross section can have a minimum cross section corresponding to design rules, and the top section depth can correspond to a workable aspect ratio. The top section via can be filled or plugged so that top side processing can be continued. The bottom section via can have a larger cross section for ease of forming a conductive path therethrough. The bottom section via extends from the back side to the bottom of the top section via and is formed after the substrate has been thinned. The TSV is can be completed by forming a conductive path after removing sacrificial fill materials from the joined top and bottom section vias. | 11-08-2012 |
20120288687 | EDGE PROTECTION SEAL FOR BONDED SUBSTRATES - A dielectric material layer is deposited on exposed surfaces of a bonded structure that includes a first substrate and a second substrate. The dielectric material layer is formed on an exposed planar surface of a second substrate and the entirety of peripheral sidewalls of the first and second substrates. The dielectric material layer can be formed by chemical vapor deposition, atomic layer deposition, or plasma induced deposition. Further, the dielectric material layer seals the entire periphery of the interface between the first and second substrates. If a planar portion of the dielectric material layer can be removed by planarization to facilitate thinning of the bonded structure, the remaining portion of the dielectric material layer can form a dielectric ring. | 11-15-2012 |
20120299200 | 3D INTEGRATED CIRCUIT DEVICE HAVING LOWER-COST ACTIVE CIRCUITRY LAYERS STACKED BEFORE HIGHER-COST ACTIVE CIRCUITRY LAYER - A 3D integrated circuit structure is provided. The 3D integrated circuit structure includes an interface wafer including a first wiring layer, a first active circuitry layer including active circuitry, and a wafer including active circuitry. The first active circuitry layer is bonded face down to the interface wafer, and the wafer is bonded face down to the first active circuitry layer. The first active circuitry layer is lower-cost than the wafer. | 11-29-2012 |
20120304138 | CIRCUIT DESIGN CHECKING FOR THREE DIMENSIONAL CHIP TECHNOLOGY - A tool that allows three dimensional chip circuit designs to be checked subsequent to 3D design layer mirroring. The 3D chip design is converted to a corresponding 2D chip design by mirroring one or more design layers from the mirrored side of a 3D design and merging those design layers with unmirrored design layers from the unmirrored side of a 3D design. The converted circuit design can be processed by standard verification checks. The tool may also receive design layers corresponding to an integrated circuit that will pass through multiple semiconductor chips. Each design cell is examined to determine if it corresponds to a mirrored or unmirrored side of its respective semiconductor chip. If the respective design cell corresponds to the mirrored side, the design cell is mirrored. All mirrored cells are then merged with the unmirrored design cells in the correct order. The merged design is processed by standard verification checks. The tool also has the capability to create terminal metal abstracts for two adjoining chips. One of the abstracts is mirrored and then merged with the other for connectivity and alignment checking. | 11-29-2012 |
20120309127 | METHOD FOR FABRICATING 3D INTEGRATED CIRCUIT DEVICE USING INTERFACE WAFER AS PERMANENT CARRIER - A computer readable medium is provided that is encoded with a program comprising instructions for performing a method for fabricating a | 12-06-2012 |
20120315753 | METHOD OF FORMING A THROUGH-SILICON VIA UTILIZING A METAL CONTACT PAD IN A BACK-END-OF-LINE WIRING LEVEL TO FILL THE THROUGH-SILICON VIA - A method for fabricating through-silicon vias (TSVs) for semiconductor devices is provided. Specifically, the method involves utilizing copper contact pads in a back-end-of-line wiring level, wherein the copper contact pads act as cathodes for performing an electroplating technique to fill TSVs with plated-conductive material (e.g., copper) from an electroplating solution. Moreover, the method provides a way to fill high aspect ratio TSVs with minimal additional semiconductor fabrication process steps, which can increase the silicon area that is available for forming additional electronic components on integrated circuits. | 12-13-2012 |
20120326309 | OPTIMIZED ANNULAR COPPER TSV - The present disclosure provides a thermo-mechanically reliable copper TSV and a technique to form such TSV during BEOL processing. The TSV constitutes an annular trench which extends through the semiconductor substrate. The substrate defines the inner and outer sidewalls of the trench, which sidewalls are separated by a distance within the range of 5 to 10 microns. A conductive path comprising copper or a copper alloy extends within said trench from an upper surface of said first dielectric layer through said substrate. The substrate thickness can be 60 microns or less. A dielectric layer having interconnect metallization conductively connected to the conductive path is formed directly over said annular trench. | 12-27-2012 |
20130026606 | TSV PILLAR AS AN INTERCONNECTING STRUCTURE - The present invention includes embodiments of a processing method, and resulting structure, for building a chip having a TSV pillar which can be used as an interconnecting structure. The process includes the deposition of a dual diffusion barrier between the TSV and the substrate the TSV is embedded within. The TSV is then exposed from the back side of the substrate so that at least a portion of the TSV protrudes from the substrate and can be used as a contact for connecting the chip to another surface. The resulting TSV is rigid, highly conductive, can be placed in a tightly pitched grid of contacts, and reduces effects of CTE mismatch. | 01-31-2013 |
20130069062 | LEAKAGE MEASUREMENT OF THROUGH SILICON VIAS - A leakage measurement structure for through substrate vias which includes a semiconductor substrate; a plurality of through substrate vias in the semiconductor substrate extending substantially through the semiconductor substrate; and a leakage measurement structure located in the semiconductor substrate. The leakage measurement structure includes a plurality of substrate contacts extending into the semiconductor substrate; a plurality of sensing circuits connected to the plurality of through substrate vias and to the plurality of the substrate contacts, the plurality of sensing circuits providing a plurality of outputs indicative of current leakage from the plurality of through substrate vias; a built-in self test (BIST) engine to step through testing of the plurality of through substrate vias; and a memory coupled to the BIST engine to receive the outputs from the plurality of sensing circuits. Also included is a method of testing a semiconductor substrate having a plurality of through substrate vias for current leakage. | 03-21-2013 |
20130143400 | METAL-CONTAMINATION-FREE THROUGH-SUBSTRATE VIA STRUCTURE - A through-substrate via (TSV) structure that is immune to metal contamination due to a backside planarization process is provided. After forming a through-substrate via (TSV) trench, a diffusion barrier liner is conformally deposited on the sidewalls of the TSV trench. A dielectric liner is formed by depositing a dielectric material on vertical portions of the diffusion barrier liner. A metallic conductive via structure is formed by subsequently filling the TSV trench. Horizontal portions of the diffusion barrier liner are removed. The diffusion barrier liner protects the semiconductor material of the substrate during the backside planarization by blocking residual metallic material originating from the metallic conductive via structure from entering into the semiconductor material of the substrate, thereby protecting the semiconductor devices within the substrate from metallic contamination. | 06-06-2013 |
20130157458 | SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICE HAVING A COPPER PLUG - Disclosed is a process of making a semiconductor device wherein an insulation layer has a copper plug in contact with the last wiring layer of the device. There may also be a barrier layer separating the copper plug from the insulation layer. There may also be a cap layer over the copper plug to protect it from oxidation. There may also be a dielectric layer over the cap layer. | 06-20-2013 |
20130168017 | EDGE PROTECTION SEAL FOR BONDED SUBSTRATES - A dielectric material layer is deposited on exposed surfaces of a bonded structure that includes a first substrate and a second substrate. The dielectric material layer is formed on an exposed planar surface of a second substrate and the entirety of peripheral sidewalls of the first and second substrates. The dielectric material layer can be formed by chemical vapor deposition, atomic layer deposition, or plasma induced deposition. Further, the dielectric material layer seals the entire periphery of the interface between the first and second substrates. If a planar portion of the dielectric material layer can be removed by planarization to facilitate thinning of the bonded structure, the remaining portion of the dielectric material layer can form a dielectric ring. | 07-04-2013 |
20130171773 | BONDED STRUCTURE EMPLOYING METAL SEMICONDUCTOR ALLOY BONDING - Vertical stacks of a metal portion and a semiconductor portion formed on a first substrate are brought into physical contact with vertical stacks of a metal portion and a semiconductor portion formed on a second substrate. Alternately, vertical stacks of a metal portion and a semiconductor portion formed on a first substrate are brought into physical contact with metal portions formed on a second substrate. The assembly of the first and second substrates is subjected to an anneal at a temperature that induces formation of a metal semiconductor alloy derived from the semiconductor portions and the metal portions. The first substrate and the second substrate are bonded through metal semiconductor alloy portions that adhere to the first and second substrates. | 07-04-2013 |
20130189813 | COMPUTER READABLE MEDIUM ENCODED WITH A PROGRAM FOR FABRICATING A 3D INTEGRATED CIRCUIT STRUCTURE - A computer readable medium encoded with a program for fabricating a 3D integrated circuit structure is provided. The program includes instructions for performing the following process. A first active circuitry layer wafer that includes active circuitry is provided, and a first portion of the first active circuitry layer wafer is removed such that a second portion of the first active circuitry layer wafer remains. Another wafer that includes active circuitry is provided, and the other wafer is bonded to the second portion of the first active circuitry layer wafer. | 07-25-2013 |
20130193574 | 3D CHIP STACK HAVING ENCAPSULATED CHIP-IN-CHIP - A method of forming a three-dimensional (3D) chip is provided in which a second chip is present embedded within a first chip. In one embodiment, the method includes forming a first chip including first electrical devices and forming a recess extending from a surface of the first chip. A second chip is formed having second electrical devices. The second chip is then encapsulated within the recess of the first chip. Interconnects are then formed through the first chip into electrical communication with at least one of the second devices on the second chip. A three-dimensional (3D) chip is also provided in which a second chip is embedded within a first chip. | 08-01-2013 |
20130237054 | THREE DIMENSIONAL INTEGRATION AND METHODS OF THROUGH SILICON VIA CREATION - A method includes patterning a photoresist layer on a structure to define an opening and expose a first planar area on a substrate layer, forming doped portions of the substrate layer in the first planar area, removing a portion of the photoresist to form a second opening defining a second planar area on the substrate layer, and etching to form a first cavity having a first depth defined by the first opening to expose a first contact in the structure and to form a second cavity defined by the second opening to expose a second contact in the structure. | 09-12-2013 |
20130241034 | Simultaneously Forming A Through Silicon Via and a Deep Trench Structure - A through silicon via (TSV) and a deep trench capacitor (DTCap) or a deep trench isolation (DTI) are simultaneously formed on the same substrate by a single mask and a single reactive ion etching (RIE). The TSV trench is wider and deeper that the DTCap or DTI trench. The TSV and DTCap or DTI are formed with different dielectric materials on the trench sidewalls. The TSV and DTCap or DTI are perfectly aligned. | 09-19-2013 |
20130244420 | OPTIMIZED ANNULAR COPPER TSV - The present disclosure provides a thermo-mechanically reliable copper TSV and a technique to form such TSV during BEOL processing. The TSV constitutes an annular trench which extends through the semiconductor substrate. The substrate defines the inner and outer sidewalls of the trench, which sidewalls are separated by a distance within the range of 5 to 10 microns. A conductive path comprising copper or a copper alloy extends within said trench from an upper surface of said first dielectric layer through said substrate. The substrate thickness can be 60 microns or less. A dielectric layer having interconnect metallization conductively connected to the conductive path is formed directly over said annular trench. | 09-19-2013 |
20130260556 | BOTTOM-UP PLATING OF THROUGH-SUBSTRATE VIAS - According to one embodiment of the present invention, a method of plating a TSV hole in a substrate is provided. The TSV hole may include an open end terminating at a conductive pad, a stack of wiring levels, and a plurality of chip interconnects. The method of plating a TSV may include attaching a handler to the plurality of chip interconnects, the handler having a conductive layer in electrical contact with the plurality of chip interconnects; exposing a closed end of the TSV hole, including the conductive pad, to an electrolyte solution; and applying an electrical potential along an electrical path from the conductive layer to the conductive pad causing conductive material from the electrolyte solution to deposit on the conductive pad and within the TSV hole, the electrical path including the conductive layer, the plurality of chip interconnects, the stack of wiring levels and the conductive pad. | 10-03-2013 |
20130307160 | Via Structure For Three-Dimensional Circuit Integration - Circuits incorporating three-dimensional integration and methods of their fabrication are disclosed. One circuit includes a bottom layer and a plurality of upper layers. The bottom layer includes a bottom landing pad connected to functional components in the bottom layer. In addition, the upper layers are stacked above the bottom layer. Each of the upper layers includes a respective upper landing pad that is connected to respective functional components in the respective upper layer. The landing pads are coupled by a single conductive via and are aligned in a stack of the bottom layer and the upper layers such that each of the landing pads is offset from any of the landing pads in an adjacent layer in the stack by at least one pre-determined amount. | 11-21-2013 |
20130334691 | SIDEWALLS OF ELECTROPLATED COPPER INTERCONNECTS - A structure formed in an opening having a substantially vertical sidewall defined by a non-metallic material and having a substantially horizontal bottom defined by a conductive pad, the structure including a diffusion barrier covering the sidewall and a fill composed of conductive material. The structure including a first intermetallic compound separating the diffusion barrier from the conductive material, the first intermetallic compound comprises an alloying material and the conductive material, and is mechanically bound to the conductive material, the alloying material is at least one of the materials selected from the group of chromium, tin, nickel, magnesium, cobalt, aluminum, manganese, titanium, zirconium, indium, palladium, and silver; and a first high friction interface located between the diffusion barrier and the first intermetallic compound and parallel to the sidewall of the opening, wherein the first high friction interface results in a mechanical bond between the diffusion barrier and the first intermetallic compound. | 12-19-2013 |
20140027296 | SIDEWALLS OF ELECTROPLATED COPPER INTERCONNECTS - A structure formed in an opening having a substantially vertical sidewall defined by a non-metallic material and having a substantially horizontal bottom defined by a conductive pad, the structure including a diffusion barrier covering the sidewall and a fill composed of conductive material. The structure including a first intermetallic compound separating the diffusion barrier from the conductive material, the first intermetallic compound comprises an alloying material and the conductive material, and is mechanically bound to the conductive material, the alloying material is at least one of the materials selected from the group of chromium, tin, nickel, magnesium, cobalt, aluminum, manganese, titanium, zirconium, indium, palladium, and silver; and a first high friction interface located between the diffusion barrier and the first intermetallic compound and parallel to the sidewall of the opening, wherein the first high friction interface results in a mechanical bond between the diffusion barrier and the first intermetallic compound. | 01-30-2014 |
20140027911 | SIDEWALLS OF ELECTROPLATED COPPER INTERCONNECTS - A structure formed in an opening having a substantially vertical sidewall defined by a non-metallic material and having a substantially horizontal bottom defined by a conductive pad, the structure including a diffusion barrier covering the sidewall and a fill composed of conductive material. The structure including a first intermetallic compound separating the diffusion barrier from the conductive material, the first intermetallic compound comprises an alloying material and the conductive material, and is mechanically bound to the conductive material, the alloying material is at least one of the materials selected from the group of chromium, tin, nickel, magnesium, cobalt, aluminum, manganese, titanium, zirconium, indium, palladium, and silver; and a first high friction interface located between the diffusion barrier and the first intermetallic compound and parallel to the sidewall of the opening, wherein the first high friction interface results in a mechanical bond between the diffusion barrier and the first intermetallic compound. | 01-30-2014 |
20140027912 | SIDEWALLS OF ELECTROPLATED COPPER INTERCONNECTS - A structure formed in an opening having a substantially vertical sidewall defined by a non-metallic material and having a substantially horizontal bottom defined by a conductive pad, the structure including a diffusion barrier covering the sidewall and a fill composed of conductive material. The structure including a first intermetallic compound separating the diffusion barrier from the conductive material, the first intermetallic compound comprises an alloying material and the conductive material, and is mechanically bound to the conductive material, the alloying material is at least one of the materials selected from the group of chromium, tin, nickel, magnesium, cobalt, aluminum, manganese, titanium, zirconium, indium, palladium, and silver; and a first high friction interface located between the diffusion barrier and the first intermetallic compound and parallel to the sidewall of the opening, wherein the first high friction interface results in a mechanical bond between the diffusion barrier and the first intermetallic compound. | 01-30-2014 |
20140035109 | METHOD AND STRUCTURE OF FORMING BACKSIDE THROUGH SILICON VIA CONNECTIONS - A method, and the resulting structure, to make a thinned substrate with backside redistribution wiring connected to through silicon vias of varying height. The method includes thinning a backside of a substrate to expose through silicon vias. Then a thick insulator stack, including an etch stop layer, is deposited and planarized. With a planar insulating surface in place, openings in the insulator stack can be formed by etching. The etch stop layer in the dielectric stack accommodates the differing heights vias. The etch stop is removed and a conductor having a liner is formed in the opening. The method gives a unique structure in which a liner around the bottom of the through silicon via remains in tact. Thus, the liner of the via and a liner of the conductor meet to form a double liner at the via/conductor junction. | 02-06-2014 |
20140038407 | FLUORINE DEPLETED ADHESION LAYER FOR METAL INTERCONNECT STRUCTURE - A line trough and a via cavity are formed within a dielectric layer comprising a fluorosilicate glass (FSG) layer. A fluorine depleted adhesion layer is formed within the line trough and the via cavity either by a plasma treatment that removes fluorine from exposed surfaces of the FSG layer, or by deposition of a substantially fluorine-free dielectric layer. Metal is deposited within the line trough and the via cavity to form a metal line and a metal via. The fluorine depleted adhesion layer provides enhanced adhesion to the metal line compared with prior art structures in which a metal line directly contacts a FSG layer. The enhanced adhesion of metal with an underlying dielectric layer provides higher resistance to delamination for a semiconductor package employing lead-free C4 balls on a metal interconnect structure. | 02-06-2014 |
20140038408 | FLUORINE DEPLETED ADHESION LAYER FOR METAL INTERCONNECT STRUCTURE - A line trough and a via cavity are formed within a dielectric layer comprising a fluorosilicate glass (FSG) layer. A fluorine depleted adhesion layer is formed within the line trough and the via cavity either by a plasma treatment that removes fluorine from exposed surfaces of the FSG layer, or by deposition of a substantially fluorine-free dielectric layer. Metal is deposited within the line trough and the via cavity to form a metal line and a metal via. The fluorine depleted adhesion layer provides enhanced adhesion to the metal line compared with prior art structures in which a metal line directly contacts a FSG layer. The enhanced adhesion of metal with an underlying dielectric layer provides higher resistance to delamination for a semiconductor package employing lead-free C4 balls on a metal interconnect structure. | 02-06-2014 |
20140054778 | SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICE HAVING A COPPER PLUG - Disclosed is a semiconductor device wherein an insulation layer has a via opening with an aluminum layer in the via opening and in contact with the last wiring layer of the device. There is a barrier layer on the aluminum layer followed by a copper plug which fills the via opening. Also disclosed is a process for making the semiconductor device. | 02-27-2014 |
20140061915 | PREVENTION OF THRU-SUBSTRATE VIA PISTONING USING HIGHLY DOPED COPPER ALLOY SEED LAYER - A method of forming an integrated circuit device includes forming a diffusion barrier layer in an opening defined in a substrate; forming a highly doped copper alloy seed layer over the diffusion barrier layer, the copper alloy seed layer having a minority alloy component having a concentration greater than 0.5% atomic; and forming a copper layer over the copper alloy seed layer so as to define a wiring structure of the integrated circuit device. | 03-06-2014 |
20140065738 | LEAKAGE MEASUREMENT OF THROUGH SILICON VIAS - A method of testing a semiconductor substrate having through substrate vias for current leakage which includes: forming a current leakage measurement structure that includes substrate contacts, sensing circuits to sense current leakage from the through substrate vias, the sensing circuits connected to the through substrate vias and to the substrate contacts so that there is a one-to-one correspondence of a substrate contact and sensing circuit to each through substrate via, and a built-in self test (BIST) engine to sense one of the through substrate vias for current leakage. A reference current is applied to the sensing circuits to set a current leakage threshold for the through substrate vias. A through substrate via is selected for sensing for current leakage. The sensing circuit senses the selected through substrate via to determine whether there is current leakage from the selected through substrate via. | 03-06-2014 |
20140073134 | 3-D INTEGRATION USING MULTI STAGE VIAS - A TSV can be formed having a top section via formed through the top substrate surface and a bottom section via formed through the bottom substrate surface. The top section cross section can have a minimum cross section corresponding to design rules, and the top section depth can correspond to a workable aspect ratio. The top section via can be filled or plugged so that top side processing can be continued. The bottom section via can have a larger cross section for ease of forming a conductive path therethrough. The bottom section via extends from the back side to the bottom of the top section via and is formed after the substrate has been thinned. The TSV is can be completed by forming a conductive path after removing sacrificial fill materials from the joined top and bottom section vias. | 03-13-2014 |
20140124946 | ENHANCED CAPTURE PADS FOR THROUGH SEMICONDUCTOR VIAS - Method of forming a capture pad on a semiconductor substrate. The method includes providing a semiconductor substrate having an active side and an inactive side and having a plurality of unfilled TSVs extending between the active side and the inactive side; filling the TSVs with a metal such that the metal is recessed with respect to at least one of the active side and the inactive side and does not entirely fill the TSVs; defining capture pad areas on the at least one of the active side and inactive side adjacent to the recessed TSVs; filling the capture pad areas and recessed TSVs with the same metal to form a capture pad in direct contact with each of the TSVs, each of the capture pads having an all metal portion that follows an outline of each of the TSVs. Also disclosed is a semiconductor substrate having a capture pad. | 05-08-2014 |
20140124954 | METHOD AND STRUCTURE OF FORMING BACKSIDE THROUGH SILICON VIA CONNECTIONS - A method, and the resulting structure, to make a thinned substrate with backside redistribution wiring connected to through silicon vias of varying height. The method includes thinning a backside of a substrate to expose through silicon vias. Then a thick insulator stack, including an etch stop layer, is deposited and planarized. With a planar insulating surface in place, openings in the insulator stack can be formed by etching. The etch stop layer in the dielectric stack accommodates the differing heights vias. The etch stop is removed and a conductor having a liner is formed in the opening. The method gives a unique structure in which a liner around the bottom of the through silicon via remains in tact. Thus, the liner of the via and a liner of the conductor meet to form a double liner at the via/conductor junction. | 05-08-2014 |
20140127904 | ENHANCED CAPTURE PADS FOR THROUGH SEMICONDUCTOR VIAS - Method of forming a capture pad on a semiconductor substrate. The method includes providing a semiconductor substrate having an active side and an inactive side and having a plurality of unfilled TSVs extending between the active side and the inactive side; filling the TSVs with a metal; defining capture pad areas on at least one of the active side and the inactive side adjacent to the TSVs, the defined capture pad areas comprising insulator islands and open areas; filling the open areas with the same metal to form a capture pad in direct contact with each of the TSVs, each of the capture pads having an all metal portion that follows an outline of each of the TSVs. | 05-08-2014 |
20140191418 | METAL TO METAL BONDING FOR STACKED (3D) INTEGRATED CIRCUITS - The present invention provides a stabilized fine textured metal microstructure that constitutes a durable activated surface usable for bonding a 3D stacked chip. A fine-grain layer that resists self anneal enables metal to metal bonding at moderate time and temperature and wider process flexibility. | 07-10-2014 |
20140203433 | IN-SITU THERMOELECTRIC COOLING - Methods and structures for thermoelectric cooling of 3D semiconductor structures are disclosed. Thermoelectric vias (TEVs) to form a thermoelectric cooling structure. The TEVs are formed with an etch process similar to that used in forming electrically active through-silicon vias (TSVs). However, the etched cavities are filled with materials that exhibit the thermoelectric effect, instead of a conductive metal as with a traditional electrically active TSV. The thermoelectric materials are arranged such that when a voltage is applied to them, the thermoelectric cooling structure carries heat away from the interior of the structure from the junction where the thermoelectric materials are electrically connected. | 07-24-2014 |
20140239458 | BONDED STRUCTURE WITH ENHANCED ADHESION STRENGTH - A first bonding material layer is formed on a first substrate and a second bonding material layer is formed on a second substrate. The first and second bonding material layers include a metal. Ions are implanted into the first and second bonding material layers to induce structural damages in the in the first and second bonding material layers. The first and second substrates are bonded by forming a physical contact between the first and second bonding material layers. The structural damages in the first and second bonding material layers enhance diffusion of materials across the interface between the first and second bonding material layers to form a bonded material layer in which metal grains are present across the bonding interface, thereby providing a high adhesion strength across the first and second substrates. | 08-28-2014 |
20140241048 | PHASE CHANGE MEMORY MANAGEMENT - A three dimensional (3D) stack of phase change memory (PCM) devices which includes PCM devices stacked in a 3D array, the PCM devices having memory regions; a memory management unit on at least one of the PCM devices; a stack controller in the memory management unit to monitor an ambient device temperature (T | 08-28-2014 |
20140256130 | FRONT SIDE WAFER ID PROCESSING - A method for printing a wafer ID on a wafer, the method comprises identifying a wafer ID on a back side of the wafer. Subsequently, etching a plurality of recesses, consistent in size with chip features of the wafer, into the front side of the wafer, such that the plurality of recesses depicts the wafer ID. The method further comprises filling the recesses with a metal. | 09-11-2014 |
20140332929 | FORMING SEMICONDUCTOR CHIP CONNECTIONS - Various embodiments include semiconductor structures. In one embodiment, the semiconductor structure includes a chip having a body having a polyhedron shape with a pair of opposing sides; and a solder member extending along a side that extends between the pair of opposing sides of the polyhedron shape. | 11-13-2014 |
20140339703 | STRUCTURE AND METHOD FOR MAKING CRACK STOP FOR 3D INTEGRATED CIRCUITS - A structure to prevent propagation of a crack into the active region of a 3D integrated circuit, such as a crack initiated by a flaw at the periphery of a thinned substrate layer or a bonding layer, and methods of forming the same is disclosed. | 11-20-2014 |
20140342552 | METHOD OF FORMING A THROUGH-SILICON VIA UTILIZING A METAL CONTACT PAD IN A BACK-END-OF-LINE WIRING LEVEL TO FILL THE THROUGH-SILICON VIA - A method for fabricating through-silicon vias (TSVs) for semiconductor devices is provided. Specifically, the method involves utilizing copper contact pads in a back-end-of-line wiring level, wherein the copper contact pads act as cathodes for performing an electroplating technique to fill TSVs with plated-conductive material (e.g., copper) from an electroplating solution. Moreover, the method provides a way to fill high aspect ratio TSVs with minimal additional semiconductor fabrication process steps, which can increase the silicon area that is available for forming additional electronic components on integrated circuits. | 11-20-2014 |
20140370624 | WAFER ALIGNMENT AND BONDING TOOL FOR 3D INTEGRATION - A bonding apparatus for 3D integration may include a plurality of infrared microscopes that emit and receive infrared light for imaging, a first bonding chuck that holds a first semiconductor structure, and a second bonding chuck that holds a second semiconductor structure, whereby the second bonding chuck has a plurality of openings that are transparent to the received infrared light. A force pin is coupled to the first bonding chuck for applying a predetermined force to the first semiconductor structure for bonding to the second semiconductor structure. A temperature controller is coupled to the second bonding chuck, whereby the temperature controller applies a predetermined temperature to the second semiconductor structure, such that, prior to the bonding, the first and the second semiconductor structure are de-aligned with respect to each other using the plurality of infrared microscopes and the plurality of openings. The de-alignment is based on the predetermined force and the application of the predetermined temperature. | 12-18-2014 |
20140374903 | METAL TO METAL BONDING FOR STACKED (3D) INTEGRATED CIRCUITS - The present invention provides a stabilized fine textured metal microstructure that constitutes a durable activated surface usable for bonding a 3D stacked chip. A fine-grain layer that resists self anneal enables metal to metal bonding at moderate time and temperature and wider process flexibility. | 12-25-2014 |
20150024548 | COMPUTER READABLE MEDIUM ENCODED WITH A PROGRAM FOR FABRICATING 3D INTEGRATED CIRCUIT DEVICE USING INTERFACE WAFER AS PERMANENT CARRIER - A computer readable medium is provided that is encoded with a program comprising instructions for performing a method for fabricating a 3D integrated circuit structure. Provided are an interface wafer including a first wiring layer and through-silicon vias, and a first active circuitry layer wafer including active circuitry. The first active circuitry layer wafer is bonded to the interface wafer. Then, a first portion of the first active circuitry layer wafer is removed such that a second portion remains attached to the interface wafer. A stack structure including the interface wafer and the second portion of the first active circuitry layer wafer is bonded to a base wafer. Next, the interface wafer is thinned so as to form an interface layer, and metallizations coupled through the through-silicon vias in the interface layer to the first wiring layer are formed on the interface layer. | 01-22-2015 |
20150035169 | VIA STRUCTURE FOR THREE-DIMENSIONAL CIRCUIT INTEGRATION - Circuits incorporating three-dimensional integration and methods of their fabrication are disclosed. One circuit includes a bottom layer and a plurality of upper layers. The bottom layer includes a bottom landing pad connected to functional components in the bottom layer. In addition, the upper layers are stacked above the bottom layer. Each of the upper layers includes a respective upper landing pad that is connected to respective functional components in the respective upper layer. The landing pads are coupled by a single conductive via and are aligned in a stack of the bottom layer and the upper layers such that each of the landing pads is offset from any of the landing pads in an adjacent layer in the stack by at least one pre-determined amount. | 02-05-2015 |
20150056804 | BOTTOM-UP PLATING OF THROUGH-SUBSTRATE VIAS - According to one embodiment of the present invention, a method of plating a TSV hole in a substrate is provided. The TSV hole may include an open end terminating at a conductive pad, a stack of wiring levels, and a plurality of chip interconnects. The method of plating a TSV may include attaching a handler to the plurality of chip interconnects, the handler having a conductive layer in electrical contact with the plurality of chip interconnects; exposing a closed end of the TSV hole, including the conductive pad, to an electrolyte solution; and applying an electrical potential along an electrical path from the conductive layer to the conductive pad causing conductive material from the electrolyte solution to deposit on the conductive pad and within the TSV hole, the electrical path including the conductive layer, the plurality of chip interconnects, the stack of wiring levels and the conductive pad. | 02-26-2015 |
20150059361 | IN-SITU THERMOELECTRIC COOLING - Methods and structures for thermoelectric cooling of 3D semiconductor structures are disclosed. Thermoelectric vias (TEVs) to form a thermoelectric cooling structure. The TEVs are formed with an etch process similar to that used in forming electrically active through-silicon vias (TSVs). However, the etched cavities are filled with materials that exhibit the thermoelectric effect, instead of a conductive metal as with a traditional electrically active TSV. The thermoelectric materials are arranged such that when a voltage is applied to them, the thermoelectric cooling structure carries heat away from the interior of the structure from the junction where the thermoelectric materials are electrically connected. | 03-05-2015 |
20150069421 | WAFER TO WAFER ALIGNMENT BY LED/LSD DEVICES - A method for wafer alignment includes forming a first alignment circuit within a first semiconductor wafer; the first alignment circuit is configured to emit an optical signal. Next, the first alignment circuit is activated upon receiving a first activation signal from a wafer bonding tool then the optical signal is sent to a second alignment circuit in a second semiconductor wafer in overlapping relation to the first semiconductor wafer. The second alignment circuit transmits a second activation signal to the wafer bonding tool and consequently the wafer bonding tool initiates an alignment technique between the first and second semiconductor wafers. The alignment technique uses the first and second alignment circuits for optical alignment. | 03-12-2015 |
20150069608 | THROUGH-SILICON VIA STRUCTURE AND METHOD FOR IMPROVING BEOL DIELECTRIC PERFORMANCE - An improved through-silicon via (TSV) and method of fabrication are disclosed. A back-end-of-line (BEOL) stack is formed on a semiconductor substrate. A TSV cavity is formed in the BEOL stack and semiconductor substrate. A conformal protective layer is disposed on the interior surface of the TSV cavity, along the BEOL stack and partway into the semiconductor substrate. The conformal protective layer serves to protect the dielectric layers within the BEOL stack during subsequent processing, improving the integrated circuit quality and product yield. | 03-12-2015 |
20150069609 | 3D CHIP CRACKSTOP - Embodiments of the present invention provide a crackstop and seal ring for 3D chip stacked wafers. A continuous through-silicon trench (TST) spans multiple wafers of a 3D chip stacked wafer, and forms a closed shape around a functional circuit or die, protecting the chip during subsequent fabrication such as dicing and packaging. | 03-12-2015 |