Patents Assigned to Ziptronix
  • Patent number: 6905557
    Abstract: A device integration method and integrated device. The method includes the steps of polishing surfaces of first and second workpieces each to a surface roughness of about 5-10 ?. The polished surfaces of the first and second workpieces are bonded together. A surface of a third workpiece is polished to the surface roughness. The surface of the third workpiece is bonded to the joined first and second workpieces. The first, second and third workpieces may each be a semiconductor device having a thin material formed on one surface, preferably in wafer form. The thin materials are polished to the desired surface roughness and then bonded together. The thin materials may each have a thickness of approximately 1-10 times the surface non-planarity of the material on which they are formed. Any number of devices may be bonded together, and the devices may be different types of devices or different technologies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2005
    Assignee: Ziptronix, Inc.
    Inventor: Paul M. Enquist
  • Patent number: 6902987
    Abstract: A method for bonding at low or room temperature includes steps of surface cleaning and activation by cleaning or etching. One etching process the method may also include removing by-products of interface polymerization to prevent a reverse polymerization reaction to allow room temperature chemical bonding of materials such as silicon, silicon nitride and SiO2. The surfaces to be bonded are polished to a high degree of smoothness and planarity. VSE may use reactive ion etching or wet etching to slightly etch the surfaces being bonded. The surface roughness and planarity are not degraded and may be enhanced by the VSE process. The etched surfaces may be rinsed in solutions such as ammonium hydroxide or ammonium fluoride to promote the formation of desired bonding species on the surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2005
    Assignee: Ziptronix, Inc.
    Inventors: Qin-Yi Tong, Gaius Gillman Fountain, Jr., Paul M. Enquist
  • Publication number: 20050079712
    Abstract: A method for bonding at low or room temperature includes steps of surface cleaning and activation by cleaning or etching. One etching process The method may also include removing by-products of interface polymerization to prevent a reverse polymerization reaction to allow room temperature chemical bonding of materials such as silicon, silicon nitride and SiO2. The surfaces to be bonded are polished to a high degree of smoothness and planarity. VSE may use reactive ion etching or wet etching to slightly etch the surfaces being bonded. The surface roughness and planarity are not degraded and may be enhanced by the VSE process. The etched surfaces may be rinsed in solutions such as ammonium hydroxide or ammonium fluoride to promote the formation of desired bonding species on the surfaces.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2004
    Publication date: April 14, 2005
    Applicant: Ziptronix, Inc.
    Inventors: Qin-Yi Tong, Gaius Fountain, Paul Enquist
  • Patent number: 6867073
    Abstract: A method of connecting elements such as semiconductor devices and a device having connected elements such as semiconductor devices. A first element having a first contact structure is bonded to a second element having a second contact structure. A single mask is used to form a via in the first element to expose the first contact and the second contact. The first contact structure is used as a mask to expose the second contact structure. A contact member is formed in contact with the first and second contact structures. The first contact structure may have an aperture or gap through which the first and second contact structures are connected. A back surface of the first contact structure may be exposed by the etching.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2005
    Assignee: Ziptronix, Inc.
    Inventor: Paul M. Enquist
  • Patent number: 6864585
    Abstract: A device integration method and integrated device. The method may include the steps of directly bonding a semiconductor device having a substrate to an element; and removing a portion of the substrate to expose a remaining portion of the semiconductor device after bonding. The element may include one of a substrate used for thermal spreading, impedance matching or for RF isolation, an antenna, and a matching network comprised of passive elements. A second thermal spreading substrate may be bonded to the remaining portion of the semiconductor device. Interconnections may be made through the first or second substrates. The method may also include bonding a plurality of semiconductor devices to an element, and the element may have recesses in which the semiconductor devices are disposed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2005
    Assignee: Ziptronix, Inc.
    Inventor: Paul M. Enquist
  • Publication number: 20050009246
    Abstract: A method for providing encapsulation of an electronic device which obtains an encapsulating member configured to enclose the electronic device, prepares a surface of the encapsulating member for non-adhesive direct bonding, prepares a surface of a device carrier including the electronic device for non-adhesive direct bonding, and bonds the prepared surface of the encapsulating member to the prepared surface of the device carrier to form an encapsulation of the electronic device. As such, an encapsulated electronic device results which includes the device carrier having a first bonding region encompassing the electronic device, includes the encapsulating member having at least one relief preventing contact between the electronic device and the encapsulating member and having a second bonding region bonded to the first bonding region of the device carrier, and includes a non-adhesive direct bond formed between the first and second bonding regions thereby to form an encapsulation of the electronic device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2004
    Publication date: January 13, 2005
    Applicant: Ziptronix, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul Enquist, Qin-Yi Tong, Gaius Fountain, Robert Markunas
  • Publication number: 20040235266
    Abstract: A method of bonding includes using a bonding layer having a fluorinated oxide. Fluorine may be introduced into the bonding layer by exposure to a fluorine-containing solution, vapor or gas or by implantation. The bonding layer may also be formed using a method where fluorine is introduced into the layer during its formation. The surface of the bonding layer is terminated with a desired species, preferably an NH2 species. This may be accomplished by exposing the bonding layer to an NH4OH solution. High bonding strength is obtained at room temperature. The method may also include bonding two bonding layers together and creating a fluorine distribution having a peak in the vicinity of the interface between the bonding layers. One of the bonding layers may include two oxide layers formed on each other. The fluorine concentration may also have a second peak at the interface between the two oxide layers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 19, 2003
    Publication date: November 25, 2004
    Applicant: Ziptronix, Inc.
    Inventor: Qin-Yi Tong
  • Patent number: 6822326
    Abstract: A method for providing encapsulation of an electronic device which obtains an encapsulating member configured to enclose the electronic device, prepares a surface of the encapsulating member for non-adhesive direct bonding, prepares a surface of a device carrier including the electronic device for non-adhesive direct bonding, and bonds the prepared surface of the encapsulating member to the prepared surface of the device carrier to form an encapsulation of the electronic device. As such, an encapsulated electronic device results which includes the device carrier having a first bonding region encompassing the electronic device, includes the encapsulating member having at least one relief preventing contact between the electronic device and the encapsulating member and having a second bonding region bonded to the first bonding region of the device carrier, and includes a non-adhesive direct bond formed between the first and second bonding regions thereby to form an encapsulation of the electronic device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2004
    Assignee: Ziptronix
    Inventors: Paul M. Enquist, Qin-Yi Tong, Gaius Gillman Fountain, Jr., Robert Markunas
  • Publication number: 20040157407
    Abstract: A bonded device structure including a first substrate having a first set of metallic bonding pads, preferably connected to a device or circuit, and having a first non-metallic region adjacent to the metallic bonding pads on the first substrate, a second substrate having a second set of metallic bonding pads aligned with the first set of metallic bonding pads, preferably connected to a device or circuit, and having a second non-metallic region adjacent to the metallic bonding pads on the second substrate, and a contact-bonded interface between the first and second set of metallic bonding pads formed by contact bonding of the first non-metallic region to the second non-metallic region. At least one of the first and second substrates may be elastically deformed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2003
    Publication date: August 12, 2004
    Applicant: Ziptronix
    Inventors: Qin-Yi Tong, Paul M. Enquist, Anthony Scot Rose
  • Publication number: 20040152282
    Abstract: A method for bonding at low or room temperature includes steps of surface cleaning and activation by cleaning or etching. One etching process The method may also include removing by-products of interface polymerization to prevent a reverse polymerization reaction to allow room temperature chemical bonding of materials such as silicon, silicon nitride and SiO2. The surfaces to be bonded are polished to a high degree of smoothness and planarity. VSE may use reactive ion etching or wet etching to slightly etch the surfaces being bonded. The surface roughness and planarity are not degraded and may be enhanced by the VSE process. The etched surfaces may be rinsed in solutions such as ammonium hydroxide or ammonium fluoride to promote the formation of desired bonding species on the surfaces.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2004
    Publication date: August 5, 2004
    Applicant: Ziptronix, Inc.
    Inventors: Qin-Yin Tong, Gaius Gillman Fountain, Paul M. Enquist
  • Patent number: 6756281
    Abstract: A semiconductor device and method of fabricating the device. An emitter region is formed self centered and self aligned symmetrically with a base region. Using frontside processing techniques, a collector is formed symmetrically self-aligned with the base region and the emitter region. The collector region may be further formed self-centered with the base region using backside processing techniques. The self-aligned and self-centered symmetric structure virtually eliminates parasitic elements in the device significantly improving the device performance. The device is scalable on the order of approximately 0.1 microns. The method also provides reproduceability and repeatability of device characteristics necessary for commercial manufacture of the symmetric device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2004
    Assignee: Ziptronix
    Inventor: Paul Enquist
  • Patent number: 6740909
    Abstract: A semiconductor device and method of fabricating the device. An emitter region is formed self centered and self aligned symmetrically with a base region. Using frontside processing techniques, a collector is formed symmetrically self-aligned with the base region and the emitter region. The collector region may be further formed self-centered with the base region using backside processing techniques. The self-aligned and self-centered symmetric structure virtually eliminates parasitic elements in the device significantly improving the device performance. The device is scalable on the order of approximately 0.1 microns. The method also provides reproduceability and repeatability of device characteristics necessary for commercial manufacture of the symmetric device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2004
    Assignee: Ziptronix, Inc.
    Inventor: Paul Enquist
  • Publication number: 20040058476
    Abstract: A method for providing encapsulation of an electronic device which obtains an encapsulating member configured to enclose the electronic device, prepares a surface of the encapsulating member for non-adhesive direct bonding, prepares a surface of a device carrier including the electronic device for non-adhesive direct bonding, and bonds the prepared surface of the encapsulating member to the prepared surface of the device carrier to form an encapsulation of the electronic device. As such, an encapsulated electronic device results which includes the device carrier having a first bonding region encompassing the electronic device, includes the encapsulating member having at least one relief preventing contact between the electronic device and the encapsulating member and having a second bonding region bonded to the first bonding region of the device carrier, and includes a non-adhesive direct bond formed between the first and second bonding regions thereby to form an encapsulation of the electronic device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2002
    Publication date: March 25, 2004
    Applicant: Ziptronix
    Inventors: Paul M. Enquist, Qin-Yi Tong, Gaius Gillman Fountain, Robert Markunas
  • Publication number: 20030211705
    Abstract: A method for bonding at low or room temperature includes steps of surface cleaning and activation by cleaning or etching. One etching process The method may also include removing by-products of interface polymerization to prevent a reverse polymerization reaction to allow room temperature chemical bonding of materials such as silicon, silicon nitride and SiO2. The surfaces to be bonded are polished to a high degree of smoothness and planarity. VSE may use reactive ion etching or wet etching to slightly etch the surfaces being bonded. The surface roughness and planarity are not degraded and may be enhanced by the VSE process. The etched surfaces may be rinsed in solutions such as ammonium hydroxide or ammonium fluoride to promote the formation of desired bonding species on the surfaces.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2003
    Publication date: November 13, 2003
    Applicant: Ziptronix, Inc.
    Inventors: Qin-Yi Tong, Gaius Gillman Fountain, Paul M. Enquist
  • Patent number: 6627531
    Abstract: A device integration method and integrated device. The method may include the steps of directly bonding a semiconductor device having a substrate to an element; and removing a portion of the substrate to expose a remaining portion of the semiconductor device after bonding. The element may include one of a substrate used for thermal spreading, impedance matching or for RF isolation, an antenna, and a matching network comprised of passive elements. A second thermal spreading substrate may be bonded to the remaining portion of the semiconductor device. Interconnections may be made through the first or second substrates. The method may also include bonding a plurality of semiconductor devices to an element, and the element may have recesses in which the semiconductor devices are disposed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2003
    Assignee: Ziptronix, Inc.
    Inventor: Paul M. Enquist
  • Publication number: 20030141502
    Abstract: A process for bonding oxide-free silicon substrate pairs and other substrates at low temperature. This process involves modifying the surface of the silicon wafers to create defect regions, for example by plasma-treating the surface to be bonded with a or boron-containing plasmas such as a B2H6 plasma. The surface defect regions may also be created by ion implantation, preferably using boron. The surfaces may also be amorphized. The treated surfaces are placed together, thus forming an attached pair at room temperature in ambient air. The bonding energy reaches approximately 400 mJ/m2 at room temperature, 900 mJ/m2 at 150° C., and 1800 mJ/m2 at 250° C. The bulk silicon fracture energy of 2500 mJ/m2 was achieved after annealing at 350-400° C. The release of hydrogen from B—H complexes and the subsequent absorption of the hydrogen by the plasma induced modified layers on the bonding surfaces at low temperature is most likely responsible for the enhanced bonding energy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 5, 2003
    Publication date: July 31, 2003
    Applicant: Ziptronix
    Inventor: Qin-Yi Tong
  • Publication number: 20030119279
    Abstract: A device integration method and integrated device. The method may include the steps of directly bonding a semiconductor device having a substrate to an element; and removing a portion of the substrate to expose a remaining portion of the semiconductor device after bonding. The element may include one of a substrate used for thermal spreading, impedance matching or for RF isolation, an antenna, and a matching network comprised of passive elements A second thermal spreading substrate may be bonded to the remaining portion of the semiconductor device. Interconnections may be made through the first or second substrates. The method may also include bonding a plurality of semiconductor devices to an element, and the element may have recesses in which the semiconductor devices are disposed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2002
    Publication date: June 26, 2003
    Applicant: Ziptronix
    Inventor: Paul M. Enquist
  • Patent number: 6563133
    Abstract: A process for bonding oxide-free silicon substrate pairs and other substrates at low temperature. This process involves modifying the surface of the silicon wafers to create defect regions, for example by plasma-treating the surface to be bonded with a or boron-containing plasmas such as a B2H6 plasma. The surface defect regions may also be created by ion implantation, preferably using boron. The surfaces may also be amorphized. The treated surfaces are placed together, thus forming an attached pair at room temperature in ambient air. The bonding energy reaches approximately 400 mJ/M2 at room temperature, 900 mJ/M2 at 150° C., and 1800 mJ/M2 at 250° C. The bulk silicon fracture energy of 2500 mJ/m2 was achieved after annealing at 350-400° C. The release of hydrogen from B—H complexes and the subsequent absorption of the hydrogen by the plasma induced modified layers on the bonding surfaces at low temperature is most likely responsible for the enhanced bonding energy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2003
    Assignee: Ziptronix, Inc.
    Inventor: Qin-Yi Tong
  • Patent number: 6500694
    Abstract: A device integration method and integrated device. The method may include the steps of directly bonding a semiconductor device having a substrate to an element; and removing a portion of the substrate to expose a remaining portion of the semiconductor device after bonding. The element may include one of a substrate used for thermal spreading, impedance matching or for RF isolation, an antenna, and a matching network comprised of passive elements. A second thermal spreading substrate may be bonded to the remaining portion of the semiconductor device. Interconnections may be made through the first or second substrates. The method may also include bonding a plurality of semiconductor devices to an element, and the element may have recesses in which the semiconductor devices are disposed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2002
    Assignee: Ziptronix, Inc.
    Inventor: Paul M. Enquist
  • Publication number: 20020173120
    Abstract: A device integration method and integrated device. The method includes the steps of polishing surfaces of first and second workpieces each to a surface roughness of about 5-10 Å. The polished surfaces of the first and second workpieces are bonded together. A surface of a third workpiece is polished to the surface roughness. The surface of the third workpiece is bonded to the joined first and second workpieces. The first, second and third workpieces may each be a semiconductor device having a thin material formed on one surface, preferably in wafer form. The thin materials are polished to the desired surface roughness and then bonded together. The thin materials may each have a thickness of approximately 1-10 times the surface non-planarity of the material on which they are formed. Any number of devices may be bonded together, and the devices may be different types of devices or different technologies.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 11, 2002
    Publication date: November 21, 2002
    Applicant: ZIPTRONIX
    Inventor: Paul M. Enquist