Details Not Otherwise Provided For, E.g., Protection Against Moisture (epo) Patents (Class 257/E23.002)
  • Patent number: 8264064
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a semiconductor substrate on which an internal circuit is formed in a central position an insulating layer formed over the semiconductor substrate, and a moisture-resistant ring formed by a metal plug embedded in the insulating layer, the moisture-resistant ring surrounding the internal circuit, the moisture-resistant ring extending over the semiconductor substrate in a shape, the moisture-resistant ring including a first extending portion linearly extending in a first direction in parallel to the surface of the semiconductor substrate, a vertical portion connected to the first extending portion extending in a second direction orthogonal to the first extending portion, and a second extending portion orthogonal to the vertical portion and parallel to the surface of the semiconductor substrate, the second extending portion spaced apart from the first extending portion, the second extending portion crossing the vertical portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2012
    Assignee: Fujitsu Semiconductor Limited
    Inventor: Kenichi Watanabe
  • Publication number: 20120223325
    Abstract: A microelectronic assembly and a method for forming a microelectronic assembly are provided. A semiconductor substrate is provided. The semiconductor substrate has first and second opposing sides and first and second portions. A tuning depression is formed on the second opposing side and the second portion of the semiconductor substrate. A radio frequency conductor is formed on the first opposing side of the first semiconductor substrate. The radio frequency conductor has a first end on the first portion of the first semiconductor substrate and a second end on the second portion of the first semiconductor substrate. A microelectronic die having an integrated circuit formed therein is attached to the first opposing side and the first portion of the semiconductor substrate such that the integrated circuit is electrically connected to the first end of the radio frequency conductor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2012
    Publication date: September 6, 2012
    Applicant: FREESCALE SEMICONDUCTOR, INC.
    Inventor: Jinbang Tang
  • Publication number: 20120223309
    Abstract: By providing a test structure for evaluating the patterning process and/or the epitaxial growth process for forming embedded semiconductor alloys in sophisticated semiconductor devices, enhanced statistical relevance in combination with reduced test time may be accomplished.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 18, 2012
    Publication date: September 6, 2012
    Inventors: Anthony Mowry, Casey Scott, Vassilios Papageorgiou, Andy Wei, Markus Lenski, Andreas Gehring
  • Patent number: 8258805
    Abstract: A test device and a semiconductor integrated circuit are provided. The test device may include a first test region and a second test region defined on a semiconductor substrate. The first test region may include a first test element and the second region may include a second test element. The first test element may include a pair of first secondary test regions in the semiconductor substrate extending in a first direction. The second test element may include structures corresponding to the first test element except the second test element does not include structures corresponding to the pair of first secondary test regions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Sang-Jin Lee, Gin-Kyu Lee
  • Publication number: 20120217541
    Abstract: A power semiconductor device comprising a trench IGBT, a trench MOSFET and a fast switching diode for reduction of turn-on loss is disclosed. The inventive semiconductor power device employs a fast switching diode instead of body diode in the prior art. Furthermore, the inventive semiconductor power device further comprises an additional ESD protection diode between emitter metal and gate metal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2011
    Publication date: August 30, 2012
    Applicant: FORCE MOS TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Fu-Yuan HSIEH
  • Publication number: 20120217497
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a manufacturing method for a semiconductor device includes: forming a test pattern with a metal film embedded therein through a plating process; detecting a characteristic of the test pattern; and adjusting a condition for the plating process based on the detected characteristic of the test pattern. The test pattern is formed over three or more wiring layers and includes a stacked via in an intermediate layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 17, 2012
    Publication date: August 30, 2012
    Applicant: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA
    Inventors: Fumito Shoji, Noriteru Yamada
  • Publication number: 20120212245
    Abstract: An integrated circuit is disclosed. The integrated circuit includes an insulating material layer. The integrated circuit also includes a metal structure. Furthermore, the integrated circuit includes a via through the insulating material layer that is coupled to the metal structure for testing insulating material by applying dynamic voltage switching to two adjacent metal components of the metal structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2012
    Publication date: August 23, 2012
    Applicant: QUALCOMM Incorporated
    Inventors: Angelo Pinto, Martin L. Villafana, You-Wen Yau, Homyar C. Mogul, Lavakumar Ranganathan, Rohan V. Gupte, Weijia Qi, Kent J. Pingrey, Carlos P. Aguilar, Paul J. Giotta, Leon Y. Leung, Jina M. Antosz, Bhupen M. Shah, Choh fei Yeap, Michael J. Campbell, Lawrence A. Elugbadebo, Allen A.B. Hogan
  • Publication number: 20120212251
    Abstract: Disclosed is a signal transmission circuit device (200) including a feedback signal transmission unit (210) that feeds back a control output signal (Sout) as a feedback signal (Sf) to an input side circuit (200A). A logical comparison circuit (212) detects “mismatch” between input and output by performing logical comparison between a control input signal (Sin) and the feedback signal (Sf). When a state of “mismatch” between input and output occurs, a first pulse generating circuit (202) or a second pulse generating circuit (204) outputs a first correction signal (Sa1) or a second correction signal (Sa2) corresponding to a potential (high level or low level) of the control input signal (Sin), and corrects the control output signal (Sout) to the same potential (high level or low level) as the control input signal (Sin). With such configuration, the mismatch between input and output can be automatically corrected.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 13, 2010
    Publication date: August 23, 2012
    Applicant: ROHM CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Daiki Yanagishima, Toshiyuki Ishikawa, Hirotaka Takihara
  • Patent number: 8247876
    Abstract: A seal ring structure is formed through a multilayer structure of a plurality of dielectric films in a peripheral part of a chip region to surround the chip region. A dual damascene interconnect in which an interconnect and a plug connected to the interconnect are integrated is formed in at least one of the dielectric films in the chip region. Part of the seal ring structure formed in the dielectric film in which the dual damascene interconnect is formed is continuous. A protection film formed on the multilayer structure has an opening on the seal ring. A cap layer connected to the seal ring is formed in the opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Makoto Tsutsue, Masaki Utsumi
  • Patent number: 8247888
    Abstract: Provided is a semiconductor device capable of preventing a semiconductor chip from being damaged by any sharp burrs of a metallic shielding plate. The semiconductor device includes a semiconductor chip and a metallic shielding plate provided on a circuit surface of the semiconductor chip. The metallic shielding plate is disposed in such a manner that a second surface of a shielding plate body is directed towards the circuit surface of the semiconductor chip, and burrs are positioned contiguous to the second surface of the shielding plate body. At distal ends of the burrs, cutting burrs are formed in a direction orthogonal to the second surface. The sharp burrs extend in a direction opposite to the semiconductor chip, so that the sharp burrs are prevented from damaging the circuit surface of the semiconductor chip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Assignee: Dai Nippon Printing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masachika Masuda, Kazunori Oda, Koji Tomita, Kazuyuki Miyano
  • Patent number: 8247882
    Abstract: Provided is a method of fabricating a semiconductor device that includes providing a semiconductor substrate having a front side and a back side, forming a first circuit and a second circuit at the front side of the semiconductor substrate, bonding the front side of the semiconductor substrate to a carrier substrate, thinning the semiconductor substrate from the back side, and forming an trench from the back side to the front side of the semiconductor substrate to isolate the first circuit from the second circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Ching-Chun Wang, Tzu-Hsuan Hsu
  • Publication number: 20120205785
    Abstract: A process is disclosed for sectioning by etching of monolayers and multilayers using an RIE technique with fluorine-based chemistry. In one embodiment, the process uses Reactive Ion Etching (RIE) alone or in combination with Inductively Coupled Plasma (ICP) using fluorine-based chemistry alone and using sufficient power to provide high ion energy to increase the etching rate and to obtain deeper anisotropic etching. In a second embodiment, a process is provided for sectioning of WSi2/Si multilayers using RIE in combination with ICP using a combination of fluorine-based and chlorine-based chemistries and using RF power and ICP power. According to the second embodiment, a high level of vertical anisotropy is achieved by a ratio of three gases; namely, CHF3, Cl2, and O2 with RF and ICP. Additionally, in conjunction with the second embodiment, a passivation layer can be formed on the surface of the multilayer which aids in anisotropic profile generation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 10, 2012
    Publication date: August 16, 2012
    Applicant: Brookhaven Science Associates, LLC
    Inventors: Nathalie C.D. Bouet, Raymond P. Conley, Ralu Divan, Albert Macrander
  • Patent number: 8242613
    Abstract: A semiconductor die has rows of bond pads along the edges of a major surface. The corners of the die are designated as keep out areas, with design layout rules prohibiting a probe-able bond pad from being placed in the keep out areas so that a minimum distance may be maintained between distal ends of adjacent rows of bond pads (i.e., bond pads along adjacent edges). The bond pads of each row have IO pad areas that are aligned with each other and IO probe areas that are aligned with each other. A generally L-shaped bond pad includes a first, vertical part that extends inwardly from an edge of the semiconductor die and a second, horizontal part connected to the vertical part. The L-shaped bond pad may be placed between a last bond pad in a row and a corner keep out area, and the second part of the L-shaped bond pad extends into the corner keep out area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Assignee: Freescale Semiconductor, Inc.
    Inventors: Chetan Verma, Shailesh Kumar, Meng Kong Lye
  • Patent number: 8242582
    Abstract: A semiconductor package includes a semiconductor chip possessing a shape with corners and has a circuit section. The semiconductor chip has one or more chamfered portions which are formed in a first corner group that includes one or more of the corners. Data bonding pads are disposed on the semiconductor chip and are electrically connected to the circuit section. A chip selection pad is disposed adjacent to a second corner group that includes at least one of the corners which is not formed with a chamfered portion. The chip selection pad is electrically connected to the circuit section. A plurality of the semiconductor packages may be stacked so that the chip selection pad of one of the semiconductor packages is left exposed when another semiconductor package is stacked thereover due to the chamfered portion of the other semiconductor package.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Assignee: Hynix Semiconductor Inc.
    Inventors: Bok Gyu Min, Jae Myun Kim, Da Un Nah
  • Publication number: 20120199955
    Abstract: A manufacturing method of a package carrier is provided. A first opening communicating an upper surface and a lower surface of a substrate is formed. A heat-conducting element having a top surface and a bottom surface is configured in the first opening and fixed into the first opening via an insulation material. A first insulation layer and a first metal layer are laminated onto the upper surface. A second insulation layer and a second metal layer are laminated onto the lower surface. A second opening and a third opening respectively exposing portions of the top and the bottom surfaces are formed. At least one through via passing through the first metal layer, the first insulation layer, the substrate, the second insulation layer and the second metal layer is formed. A third metal layer covering the first and second metal layers and an inner wall of the through via is formed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 8, 2011
    Publication date: August 9, 2012
    Applicant: SUBTRON TECHNOLOGY CO. LTD.
    Inventor: Shih-Hao Sun
  • Publication number: 20120193766
    Abstract: Disclosed are a semiconductor device wherein warping of a semiconductor chip due to a sudden temperature change can be prevented without increasing the thickness, and a semiconductor device assembly. The semiconductor device comprises a semiconductor chip, a front side resin layer formed on the front surface of the semiconductor chip by using a first resin material, and a back side resin layer formed on the back surface of the semiconductor chip by using a second resin material having a higher thermal expansion coefficient than the first resin material. The back side resin layer is formed thinner than the front side resin layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 6, 2012
    Publication date: August 2, 2012
    Applicant: ROHM CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Masaki Kasai, Osamu Miyata
  • Publication number: 20120193746
    Abstract: A semiconductor chip includes: a semiconductor substrate; an interface member formed through the semiconductor substrate and electrically coupled to an external signal transfer terminal; and a backward diode formed between the semiconductor substrate and the interface member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2011
    Publication date: August 2, 2012
    Applicant: HYNIX SEMICONDUCTOR INC.
    Inventor: Ji Tai SEO
  • Publication number: 20120193767
    Abstract: A carbon-rich silicon carbide-like dielectric film having a carbon concentration of greater than, or equal to, about 30 atomic % C and a dielectric constant of less than, or equal to, about 4.5 is provided. The dielectric film may optionally include nitrogen. When nitrogen is present, the carbon-rich silicon carbide-like dielectric film has a concentration nitrogen that is less than, or equal, to about 5 atomic % nitrogen. The carbon-rich silicon carbide-like dielectric film can be used as a dielectric cap layer in an interconnect structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2012
    Publication date: August 2, 2012
    Applicants: Globalfoundries Inc., International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Alfred Grill, Joshua L. Herman, Son Nguyen, E. Todd Ryan, Hosadurga K. Shobha
  • Publication number: 20120187977
    Abstract: Provided is a semiconductor device capable of effectively testing whether memory cells and a memory cell array are defective. The semiconductor device may include a memory cell array having a plurality of memory cells and an external test pad connected to an internal test pad. A test voltage may be applied to the plurality of word lines connected to the plurality of memory cells via the external test pad and the internal test pad in a test mode, wherein the test voltage disables the plurality of word lines.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 2, 2012
    Publication date: July 26, 2012
    Inventors: Hee-Il Hong, Kang-Young Cho
  • Publication number: 20120187526
    Abstract: At least one exemplary embodiment is directed to a semiconductor edge termination structure, where the edge termination structure comprises several conductivity layers and a buffer layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 21, 2011
    Publication date: July 26, 2012
    Inventors: Jaume Roig-Guitart, Zia Hossain, Peter Moens
  • Publication number: 20120181535
    Abstract: A photoelectric conversion module includes a circuit board including a plurality of first board-side electrodes and a plurality of second board-side electrodes that are alternately arranged on a mounting surface of the circuit board in an array direction and each extend into strips in a direction orthogonal to the array direction, a photoelectric conversion array element mounted on the circuit board and including, on a surface facing the mounting surface, a plurality of light receiving/emitting portions, first element-side electrodes connected to the first board-side electrodes and second element-side electrodes connected to the second board-side electrodes, and an IC chip mounted on the circuit board. The circuit board further includes, on the mounting surface, a connecting portion for connecting the first board-side electrodes to each other and a first electrode land portion connected to the first board-side electrode or the connecting portion to contact with a first test electrode probe.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 12, 2012
    Publication date: July 19, 2012
    Applicant: HITACHI CABLE, LTD.
    Inventors: Masanobu ITO, Hiroki YASUDA, Kouki HIRANO
  • Publication number: 20120175750
    Abstract: An electronic device (10, 20, 30, 40) is provided which comprises a substrate (16) supporting an inorganic layer (11) and a joint (13), mechanically coupling a contacting element (14) to the inorganic layer (11). At least a first load distributing layer (12a) is arranged in direct contact with the inorganic layer (11) at a position of the joint (13) for relieving stress caused by an elastic mismatch between the substrate (16) and the inorganic layer (11).
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2010
    Publication date: July 12, 2012
    Applicants: NEDERLANDSE ORGANISATIE VOOR TOEGEPAST- NATUURWETENSCHAPPELIJK ONDERZOEK, KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS ELECTRONICS N.V.
    Inventor: Petrus Cornelis Paulus Bouten
  • Publication number: 20120176149
    Abstract: A substrate includes a join-structure including a semiconductor package, first electrode pad, bump, second electrode pad, and circuit substrate joined in the order named. The substrate also includes a first wire and a second wire formed in a region bellow a corner of the semiconductor package. The first and second wires are configured to detect a change in electrical resistance value when the first wire or the second wire is disconnected. One of the first and second wires is connected to the first electrode pad or the second electrode pad. A break strength of each of the first wire and the second wire is lower than a break strength of the join-structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2012
    Publication date: July 12, 2012
    Applicant: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA
    Inventors: Yuu YAMAYOSE, Kenji HIROHATA
  • Publication number: 20120176708
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a device that includes a signal input that is in electrical communication with an electrostatic discharge (ESD) protection device, wherein the ESD protection device includes a gated diode arranged as a polygon.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 6, 2011
    Publication date: July 12, 2012
    Applicant: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventor: Ming Hsien Tsai
  • Patent number: 8217514
    Abstract: A method of manufacture of an integrated circuit packaging system is provided including: providing a substrate; placing a patterned layer over the substrate for substantially removing crying warpage from the substrate, the patterned layer having an opening surrounded by other openings with the substrate exposed from the patterned layer within the other openings; mounting a semiconductor chip within the opening; and attaching a component directly over the other openings, the component having a horizontal length greater than horizontal lengths of the other openings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Assignee: Stats Chippac Ltd.
    Inventor: Rajendra D. Pendse
  • Publication number: 20120171844
    Abstract: A dicing die bonding film including a bonding layer; and a pressure-sensitive adhesive layer adjoining the bonding layer, the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer having a storage modulus of about 400 to about 600 kPa at 25° C. and a peel strength of about 200 to about 350 mN/25 mm with respect to the bonding layer as measured according to KS-A-01107 standard.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 2, 2011
    Publication date: July 5, 2012
    Inventors: Min Kyu HWANG, Ji Ho Kim, Ki Tae Song
  • Publication number: 20120168751
    Abstract: A device includes a test unit in a die. The test unit includes a physical test region including an active region, and a plurality of conductive lines over the active region and parallel to each other. The plurality of conductive lines has substantially a uniform spacing, wherein no contact plugs are directly over and connected to the plurality of conductive lines. The test unit further includes an electrical test region including a transistor having a gate formed of a same material, and at a same level, as the plurality of conductive lines; and contact plugs connected to a source, a drain, and the gate of the transistor. The test unit further includes an alignment mark adjacent the physical test region and the electrical test region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2010
    Publication date: July 5, 2012
    Applicant: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Huan-Chi Tseng, Heng-Hsin Liu, Shu-Cheng Kuo, Chien-Chang Lee, Chun-Hung Lin
  • Publication number: 20120168897
    Abstract: Methods of forming a semiconductor trench and forming dual trenches and a structure for isolating devices are provided. The structure for isolating devices is disposed in a substrate having a periphery area and an array area. The structure for isolating devices includes a first isolation structure and a second isolation structure. The first isolation structure has a profile with at least three steps and is disposed in the substrate in the periphery area. The second isolation structure has a profile with at least two steps and is disposed in the substrate in the array area.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2010
    Publication date: July 5, 2012
    Applicant: MACRONIX International Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chu-Ming Ma, Tin-Wei Wu, Chih-Hsiang Yang
  • Publication number: 20120168900
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a transient voltage suppressing (TVS) array substantially following a manufacturing process for manufacturing a vertical semiconductor power device. The method includes a step of opening a plurality of isolation trenches in an epitaxial layer of a first conductivity type in a semiconductor substrate followed by applying a body mask for doping a body region having a second conductivity type between two of the isolation trenches. The method further includes a step of applying an source mask for implanting a plurality of doped regions of the first conductivity type constituting a plurality of diodes wherein the isolation trenches isolating and preventing parasitic PNP or NPN transistor due to a latch-up between the doped regions of different conductivity types.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2012
    Publication date: July 5, 2012
    Inventor: Madhur Bobde
  • Patent number: 8212370
    Abstract: The die bonding resin paste of the invention comprises a polyurethaneimide resin represented by the following general formula (I), a thermosetting resin, a filler and a printing solvent. [wherein R1 represents a divalent organic group containing an aromatic ring or aliphatic ring, R2 represents a divalent organic group with a molecular weight of 100-10,000, R3 represents a tetravalent organic group containing 4 or more carbon atoms, and n and m each independently represent an integer of 1-100.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Assignee: Hitachi Chemical Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Syuichi Mori, Yuji Hasegawa, Minoru Sugiura
  • Publication number: 20120161297
    Abstract: In a semiconductor integrated circuit sandwiched between a pair of a first impact resistance layer and a second impact resistance layer, an impact diffusion layer is provided between the semiconductor integrated circuit and the second impact resistance layer. By provision of the impact resistance layer against the external stress and the impact diffusion layer for diffusing the impact, force applied to the semiconductor integrated circuit per unit area is reduced, so that the semiconductor integrated circuit is protected. The impact diffusion layer preferably has a low modulus of elasticity and high breaking modulus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 9, 2012
    Publication date: June 28, 2012
    Applicant: SEMICONDUCTOR ENERGY LABORATORY CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Shingo EGUCHI
  • Publication number: 20120161216
    Abstract: One embodiment of the disclosure provides an electrostatic discharge protection circuit, including a first resistor, a p-type field effect transistor, a capacitance device and an n-type field effect transistor. The first resistor has a first terminal coupled to a first rail and a second terminal coupled to a first node. The p-type field effect transistor has a source coupled to the first rail, a gate coupled to the first node and a drain coupled to a second node. The capacitance device has a first terminal coupled to a second rail or the second node and a second terminal coupled to the first node. The n-type field effect transistor has a source coupled to the second rail, a gate coupled to the second node and a drain coupled to the first node.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2011
    Publication date: June 28, 2012
    Applicant: INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGY RESEARCH INSTITUTE
    Inventors: Yung-Chih Liang, Chih-Ting Yeh
  • Publication number: 20120153279
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a semiconductor sensor reliability system and method. Specifically, the present invention provides in-situ positioning of a reliability sensor (hereinafter sensors) within each functional block, as well as at critical locations, of a semiconductor system. The quantity and location of the sensors are optimized to have maximum sensitivity to known process variations. In general, the sensor models a behavior (e.g., aging process) of the location (e.g., functional block) in which it is positioned and comprises a plurality of stages connected as a network and a self-digitizer. Each sensor has a mode selection input for selecting a mode thereof and an operational trigger input for enabling the sensor to model the behavior. The model selection input and operation trigger enable the sensor to have an operational mode in which the plurality of sensors are subject to an aging process, as well as a measurement mode in which an age of the plurality of sensors is outputted.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2010
    Publication date: June 21, 2012
    Applicant: IP Cube Partners (ICP) Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Moon J. Kim
  • Publication number: 20120153442
    Abstract: Provided is a process of forming a silicon nitride film having concentration of hydrogen atoms below or equal to 9.9×1020 atoms/cm3 in the silicon nitride film by using a plasma CVD device, which generates plasma by introducing microwaves into a process chamber by using a planar antenna having a plurality of apertures, by setting the pressure inside a process chamber within a range from 0.1 Pa to 6.7 Pa and by performing a plasma CVD by using a raw material gas for film formation including SiCl4 gas and nitrogen gas.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2011
    Publication date: June 21, 2012
    Applicant: TOKYO ELECTRON LIMITED
    Inventors: Minoru Honda, Masayuki Kohno
  • Publication number: 20120154690
    Abstract: This disclosure provides systems, processes, and apparatus implementing and using techniques for fabricating flexible integrated circuit (IC) device layers. In one implementation, a sacrificial layer is deposited on a substrate. The sacrificial layer can include amorphous silicon or molybdenum, by way of example. One or more electronic components are formed on the sacrificial layer. A polymer coating is provided on the one or more electronic components to define a coated device layer. The sacrificial layer is removed to release the coated device layer from the substrate. The sacrificial layer can be removed using a xenon difluoride gas or by etching, for example. Coated device layers made in accordance with this process can be stacked. The substrate can be formed of glass, silicon, a plastic, a ceramic, a compound semiconductor, and/or a metal, depending on the desired implementation. The electronic component(s) can include a passive component such as a resistor, an inductor, or a capacitor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2010
    Publication date: June 21, 2012
    Applicant: QUALCOMM MEMS TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Teruo Sasagawa, Brian Arbuckle
  • Publication number: 20120153409
    Abstract: Ultra-thin semiconductor devices, including piezo-resistive sensing elements can be formed a wafer stack that facilitates handling many thin device dice at a wafer level. Three embodiments are provided to form the thin dice in a wafer stack using three different fabrication techniques that include anodic bonding, adhesive bonding and fusion bonding. A trench is etched around each thin die to separate the thin die from others in the wafer stack. A tether layer, also known as a tether, is used to hold thin dice or dice in a wafer stack. Such as wafer stack holds many thin dice together at a wafer level for handling and enables easier die picking in packaging processes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2012
    Publication date: June 21, 2012
    Applicant: CONTINENTAL AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventors: Xiaoyi Ding, Jeffrey J. Frye, Gregory A. Miller
  • Publication number: 20120153390
    Abstract: A transistor device is described that includes a source, a gate, a drain, a semiconductor material which includes a gate region between the source and the drain, a plurality of channel access regions in the semiconductor material on either side of the gate, a channel in the semiconductor material having an effective width in the gate region and in the channel access regions, and an isolation region in the gate region. The isolation region serves to reduce the effective width of the channel in the gate region without substantially reducing the effective width of the channel in the access regions. Alternatively, the isolation region can be configured to collect holes that are generated in the transistor device. The isolation region may simultaneously achieve both of these functions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2010
    Publication date: June 21, 2012
    Applicant: TRANSPHORM INC.
    Inventors: Umesh Mishra, Srabanti Chowdhury
  • Publication number: 20120146150
    Abstract: Disclosed are embodiments of a self-protected electrostatic discharge field effect transistor (SPESDFET). In the SPESDFET embodiments, a resistance region is positioned laterally between two discrete sections of a deep source/drain region: a first section that is adjacent to the channel region and a second section that is contacted. The second section of the deep source/drain region is silicided, but the first section adjacent to the channel region and the resistance region are non-silicided. Additionally, the gate structure can be either silicided or non-silicided. With such a configuration, the disclosed SPESDFET provides robust ESD protection without consuming additional area and without altering the basic FET design (e.g., without increasing the distance between the deep source/drain regions and the channel region).
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2010
    Publication date: June 14, 2012
    Applicant: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Robert J. Gauthier, JR., Mahender Kumar, Junjun Li, Dustin K. Slisher
  • Publication number: 20120146176
    Abstract: A semiconductor device receiving as input a radio frequency signal having a frequency of 500 MHz or more and a power of 20 dBm or more is provided. The semiconductor device includes: a silicon substrate; a silicon oxide film formed on the silicon substrate; a radio frequency interconnect provided on the silicon oxide film and passing the radio frequency signal; a fixed potential interconnect provided on the silicon oxide film and placed at a fixed potential; and an acceptor-doped layer. The acceptor-doped layer is formed in a region of the silicon substrate. The region is in contact with the silicon oxide film. The acceptor-doped layer is doped with acceptors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 17, 2012
    Publication date: June 14, 2012
    Applicant: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA
    Inventors: Yoshitomo Sagae, Fumio Sasaki, Ryoichi Ohara
  • Publication number: 20120146179
    Abstract: Electrical fuses and methods for forming an electrical fuse. The electrical fuse includes a current shunt formed by patterning a first layer comprised of a first conductive material and disposed on a top surface of a dielectric layer. A layer stack is formed on the current shunt and the top surface of the dielectric layer surrounding the current shunt. The layer stack includes a second layer comprised of a second conductive material and a third layer comprised of a third conductive material. The layer stack may be patterned to define a fuse link as a first portion of the layer stack directly contacting the top surface of the dielectric layer and a terminal as a second portion separated from the top surface of the dielectric layer by the current shunt.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2010
    Publication date: June 14, 2012
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Tom C. Lee, Thomas L. McDevitt, William J. Murphy
  • Publication number: 20120146151
    Abstract: An electrostatic discharge (ESD) protection device including a substrate, a first doped region, a second doped region, and a third doped region, a gate and a plurality of contacts is disclosed. The substrate includes a first conductive type. The first doped region is formed in the substrate and includes a second conductive type. The second doped region is formed in the substrate and includes the second conductive type. The third doped region is formed in the substrate, includes the first conductive type and is located between the first and the second doped regions. The gate is formed on the substrate, located between the first and the second doped regions and comprises a first through hole. The contacts pass through the first through hole to contact with the third doped region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 4, 2011
    Publication date: June 14, 2012
    Inventors: Yeh-Jen HUANG, Yeh-Ning Jou, Ming-Dou Ker, Wen-Yi Chen, Chia-Wei Hung, Hwa-Chyi Chiou
  • Publication number: 20120146682
    Abstract: A set of first substrate and second substrate are manufactured with a built-in N-fold rotational symmetry around the center axis of each substrate, wherein N is an integer greater than 1. A set of N different interposers is provided such that an i-th interposer provides electrical connection between the first substrate and the second substrate with a rotational angle of (i?1)/N×2?. The first and second substrates are tested with each of the N different interposers therebetween. Once the rotational angle that provides the highest stacked chip yield is determined, the first and the second substrates can be bonded with an azimuthal rotation that provides the highest stacked chip yield.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 16, 2012
    Publication date: June 14, 2012
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Oleg Gluschenkov, Muthukumarasamy Karthikeyan, Yunsheng Song, Tso-Hui Ting, Richard P. Volant, Ping-Chuan Wang
  • Publication number: 20120138927
    Abstract: A semiconductor device having a stacked structure including through-silicon-vias (TSVs) and a method of testing the semiconductor device. The semiconductor device includes a first semiconductor layer, one or more second semiconductor layers stacked on the first semiconductor layer, and a plurality of input through-silicon-vias (TSVs) to transmit signals from a plurality of input pads, respectively. In a test mode, a test signal from the plurality of input pads is transmitted through at least two test paths, and the test signal transmitted through each of the test paths is output as a test result with respect to each of the plurality of input TSVs through an output pad.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2011
    Publication date: June 7, 2012
    Applicant: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Uk-song KANG
  • Patent number: 8193614
    Abstract: A semiconductor device provided on a semiconductor substrate includes an element region including an element, a moisture-resistant frame surrounding the element region, an insulating layer provided between the moisture-resistant frame and an outer peripheral edge of the semiconductor device and on the semiconductor substrate, a first metal line extending along the outer peripheral edge and provided in the insulating layer, and a groove provided in the insulating layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2012
    Assignee: Fujitsu Semiconductor Limited
    Inventors: Tomoyuki Yamada, Fumio Ushida, Shigetoshi Takeda, Tomoharu Awaya, Koji Banno, Takayoshi Minami
  • Publication number: 20120126358
    Abstract: A method for tone inversion for integrated circuit fabrication includes providing a substrate with an underlayer on top of the substrate; creating a first pattern, the first pattern being partially etched into a portion of the underlayer such that a remaining portion of the underlayer is protected and forms a second pattern, and such that the first pattern does not expose the substrate located underneath the underlayer; covering the first pattern with a layer of image reverse material (IRM); and etching the second pattern into the substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 23, 2010
    Publication date: May 24, 2012
    Applicant: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: John C. Arnold, Sean D. Burns, Matthew E. Colburn, Steven J. Holmes, Yunpeng Yin
  • Publication number: 20120119778
    Abstract: A test structure for testing transistor gate structures in an IC device includes one or more probe pads formed at an active area of the IC device; one or more first conductive lines formed at the active area of the IC device, in electrical contact with the one or more probe pads; one or more second conductive lines formed at a gate conductor level of the IC device, in electrical contact with the one or more first conductive lines; and a gate electrode structure to be tested in electrical contact with the one or more second conductive lines; wherein the electrical contact between the one or more second conductive lines and the one or more first conductive lines is facilitated by a localized dielectric breakdown of a gate dielectric material disposed between the one or more second conductive lines and the one or more first conductive lines.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2010
    Publication date: May 17, 2012
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Ishtiaq Ahsan, David M. Fried, Lidor Goren, Jiun-Hsin Liao
  • Publication number: 20120119284
    Abstract: Semiconductor structures and methods of manufacture semiconductors are provided which relate to transistors. The method of forming a transistor includes thermally annealing a selectively patterned dopant material formed on a high-k dielectric material to form a high charge density dielectric layer from the high-k dielectric material. The high charge density dielectric layer is formed with thermal annealing-induced electric dipoles at locations corresponding to the selectively patterned dopant material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 26, 2012
    Publication date: May 17, 2012
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Brent A. Anderson, Edward J. Nowak
  • Publication number: 20120112289
    Abstract: A semiconductor device structure includes a substrate having a transistor thereon; a multi-layer contact etching stop layer (CESL) structure covering the transistor, the multi-layer CESL structure comprising a first CESL and a second CESL; and a dielectric layer on the second CESL. The first CESL is made of a material different from that of the second CESL, and the second CESL is made of a material different from that of the dielectric layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 4, 2010
    Publication date: May 10, 2012
    Inventors: Tien-Chang Chang, Jing-Hao Chen, Ming-Tzong Yang
  • Publication number: 20120104568
    Abstract: To provide a method for manufacturing a large-area semiconductor device, to provide a method for manufacturing a semiconductor device with high efficiency, and to provide a highly-reliable semiconductor device in the case of using a large-area substrate including an impurity element. A plurality of single crystal semiconductor substrates are concurrently processed to manufacture an SOI substrate, so that an area of a semiconductor device can be increased and a semiconductor device can be manufactured with improved efficiency. In specific, a series of processes is performed using a tray with which a plurality of semiconductor substrates can be concurrently processed. Here, the tray is provided with at least one depression for holding single crystal semiconductor substrates.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 11, 2012
    Publication date: May 3, 2012
    Applicant: SEMICONDUCTOR ENERGY LABORATORY CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Shunpei YAMAZAKI
  • Publication number: 20120104499
    Abstract: A semiconductor device including a well, at least a first transistor region formed over the well, a gate electrode formed over the transistor region, a well guard disposed to include an open region while surrounding the transistor region, a diode disposed in the open region, and a metal line configured to electrically connect the gate electrode and the diode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2011
    Publication date: May 3, 2012
    Inventor: Yong-Ho KIM