Abstract: A mask is formed over a first conductive portion of a conductive layer to expose a second conductive portion of the conductive layer. An electrolytic process is performed to remove conductive material from a first region and a second region of the second conductive portion. The second region is aligned with the mask relative to an electric field applied by the electrolytic process. The second region separates the first region of the second conductive portion from the first conductive portion. The electrolytic process is concentrated relative to the second region such that removal occurs at a relatively higher rate in the second region than in the first region.

Abstract: In a microelectronic component having conductive vias (114) passing through a substrate (104) and protruding above the substrate, conductive features (120E.A, 120E.B) are provided above the substrate that wrap around the conductive vias' protrusions (114?) to form capacitors, electromagnetic shields, and possibly other elements. Other features and embodiments are also provided.

Abstract: An apparatus relates generally to a three-dimensional stacked integrated circuit. In such an apparatus, the three-dimensional stacked integrated circuit has at least a first die and a second die interconnected to one another using die-to-die interconnects. A substrate of the first die has at least one thermal via structure extending from a lower surface of the substrate toward a well of the substrate without extending to the well and without extending through the substrate. A first end of the at least one thermal via structure is at least sufficiently proximate to the well of the substrate for conduction of heat away therefrom. The substrate has at least one through substrate via structure extending from the lower surface of the substrate to an upper surface of the substrate. A second end of the at least one thermal via structure is coupled to at least one through die via structure of the second die for thermal conductivity.

Abstract: An interconnect (124) suitable for attachment of integrated circuit assemblies to each other comprises a polymer member (130) which is conductive and/or is coated with a conductive material (144). Such interconnects replace metal bond wires in some embodiments. Other features are also provided.

Abstract: An apparatus relates generally to a microelectronic device. In such an apparatus, a first substrate has a first surface with first interconnects located on the first surface, and a second substrate has a second surface spaced apart from the first surface with a gap between the first surface and the second surface. Second interconnects are located on the second surface. Lower surfaces of the first interconnects and upper surfaces of the second interconnects are coupled to one another for electrical conductivity between the first substrate and the second substrate. A conductive collar is around sidewalls of the first and second interconnects, and a dielectric layer is around the conductive collar.

Abstract: Two microelectronic components (110, 120), e.g. a die and an interposer, are bonded to each other. One of the components' contact pads (110C) include metal, and the other component has silicon (410) which reacts with the metal to form metal silicide (504). Then a hole (510) is made through one of the components to reach the metal silicide and possibly even the unreacted metal (110C) of the other component. The hole is filled with a conductor (130), possibly metal, to provide a conductive via that can be electrically coupled to contact pads (120C.B) attachable to other circuit elements or microelectronic components, e.g. to a printed circuit board.

Abstract: Interposer circuitry (130) is formed on a possibly sacrificial substrate (210) from a porous core (130?) covered by a conductive coating (130?) which increases electrical conductance. The core is printed from nanoparticle ink. Then a support (120S) is formed, e.g. by molding, to mechanically stabilize the circuitry. A magnetic field can be used to stabilize the circuitry while the circuitry or the support are being formed. Other features are also provided.

Abstract: In a microelectronic component having conductive vias (114) passing through a substrate (104) and protruding above the substrate, conductive features (120E.A, 120E.B) are provided above the substrate that wrap around the conductive vias' protrusions (114?) to form capacitors, electromagnetic shields, and possibly other elements. Other features and embodiments are also provided.

Abstract: An interconnect (124) suitable for attachment of integrated circuit assemblies to each other comprises a polymer member (130), possibly dielectric, coated with a conductive material (144) which provides one or more conductive lines. In some embodiments, the conductive material covers a part, but not all, of the polymer member. In some embodiments, multiple conductive lines are formed on the polymer member. In some embodiments, the polymer member is conductive. Such interconnects replace metal bond wires in some embodiments. Other features are also provided.

Abstract: An apparatus relates generally to a three-dimensional stacked integrated circuit. In such an apparatus, the three-dimensional stacked integrated circuit has at least a first die and a second die interconnected to one another using die-to-die interconnects. A substrate of the first die has at least one thermal via structure extending from a lower surface of the substrate toward a well of the substrate without extending to the well and without extending through the substrate. A first end of the at least one thermal via structure is at least sufficiently proximate to the well of the substrate for conduction of heat away therefrom. The substrate has at least one through substrate via structure extending from the lower surface of the substrate to an upper surface of the substrate. A second end of the at least one thermal via structure is coupled to at least one through die via structure of the second die for thermal conductivity.

Abstract: Die (110) and/or undiced wafers and/or multichip modules (MCMs) are attached on top of an interposer (120) or some other structure (e.g. another integrated circuit) and are covered by an encapsulant (160). Then the interposer is thinned from below. Before encapsulation, a layer (410) more rigid than the encapsulant is formed on the interposer around the die to reduce or eliminate interposer dishing between the die when the interposer is thinned by a mechanical process (e.g. CMP). Other features are also provided.

Abstract: Semiconductor integrated circuits (110) or assemblies are disposed at least partially in cavities between two interposers (120). Conductive vias (204M) pass through at least one of the interposers or at least through the interposer's substrate, and reach a semiconductor integrated circuit or an assembly. Other conductive vias (204M.1) pass at least partially through multiple interposers and are connected to conductive vias that reach, or are capacitively coupled to, a semiconductor IC or an assembly. Other features are also provided.

Abstract: An apparatus relates generally to a microelectronic device. In such an apparatus, a first substrate has a first surface with first interconnects located on the first surface, and a second substrate has a second surface spaced apart from the first surface with a gap between the first surface and the second surface. Second interconnects are located on the second surface. Lower surfaces of the first interconnects and upper surfaces of the second interconnects are coupled to one another for electrical conductivity between the first substrate and the second substrate. A conductive collar is around sidewalls of the first and second interconnects, and a dielectric layer is around the conductive collar.

Abstract: An interconnect (124) suitable for attachment of integrated circuit assemblies to each other comprises a polymer member (130) which is conductive and/or is coated with a conductive material (144). Such interconnects replace metal bond wires in some embodiments. Other features are also provided.

Abstract: Semiconductor integrated circuits (110) or assemblies are disposed at least partially in cavities between two interposers (120). Conductive vias (204M) pass through at least one of the interposers or at least through the interposer's substrate, and reach a semiconductor integrated circuit or an assembly. Other conductive vias (204M.1) pass at least partially through multiple interposers and are connected to conductive vias that reach, or are capacitively coupled to, a semiconductor IC or an assembly. Other features are also provided.

Abstract: Semiconductor integrated circuits (110) or assemblies are disposed at least partially in cavities between two interposers (120). Conductive vias (204M) pass through at least one of the interposers or at least through the interposer's substrate, and reach a semiconductor integrated circuit or an assembly. Other conductive vias (204M.1) pass at least partially through multiple interposers and are connected to conductive vias that reach, or are capacitively coupled to, a semiconductor IC or an assembly. Other features are also provided.

Abstract: An integrated circuit (IC) package includes a first substrate having a backside surface and a top surface with a cavity disposed therein. The cavity has a floor defining a front side surface. A plurality of first electroconductive contacts are disposed on the front side surface, and a plurality of second electroconductive contacts are disposed on the back side surface. A plurality of first electroconductive elements penetrate through the first substrate and couple selected ones of the first and second electroconductive contacts to each other. A first die containing an IC is electroconductively coupled to corresponding ones of the first electroconductive contacts. A second substrate has a bottom surface that is sealingly attached to the top surface of the first substrate, and a dielectric material is disposed in the cavity so as to encapsulate the first die.

Abstract: A method of forming a semiconductor package comprises forming one or more first vias in a first side of a substrate and attaching a first side of a first microelectronic element to the first side of the substrate. The first microelectronic element is electrically coupled to at least one of the one or more first vias. The method further comprise obtaining a second microelectronic element including one or more second vias in a first side of the second microelectronic element, and attaching a second side of the substrate to the first side of the second microelectronic element. The second microelectronic element is electrically coupled to at least one of the one or more first vias. Each of one or more connecting elements has a first end attached to a first side of the second microelectronic element and a second end extends beyond a second side of the first microelectronic element.

Abstract: Dies (110) with integrated circuits are attached to a wiring substrate (120), possibly an interposer, and are protected by a protective substrate (410) attached to a wiring substrate. The dies are located in cavities in the protective substrate (the dies may protrude out of the cavities). In some embodiments, each cavity surface puts pressure on the die to strengthen the mechanical attachment of the die the wiring substrate, to provide good thermal conductivity between the dies and the ambient (or a heat sink), to counteract the die warpage, and possibly reduce the vertical size. The protective substrate may or may not have its own circuitry connected to the dies or to the wiring substrate. Other features are also provided.

Abstract: Electrical shorts and leakage paths are virtually eliminated by recessing conductive nodules (52) away from a conductor (72) or not forming the conductive nodules at all. In one embodiment, the refractory metal containing material (52) is recessed from the edge of the opening (32). When forming a nitride layer (54) within the opening (32), conductive nodules (52) are formed from a portion of the refractory metal containing material (20) such that the conductive nodules (52) lie within the recession (42). In another embodiment, an oxide layer (82, 102) is formed adjacent to the refractory metal containing material (20) before forming a nitride layer (84, 112).