Abstract: An array, such as an MRAM (Magnetic Random Access Memory) array formed of a multiplicity of layered thin film devices, such as MTJ (Magnetic Tunnel Junction) devices, can be simultaneously formed in a multiplicity of horizontal widths in the 60 nm range while all having top electrodes with substantially equal thicknesses and coplanar upper surfaces. This allows such a multiplicity of devices to be electrically connected by a common conductor without the possibility of electrical opens and with a resulting high yield.

Abstract: In an embodiment, a package includes a first package structure including a first die having a first active side and a first back-side, the first active side including a first bond pad and a first insulating layer a second die bonded to the first die, the second die having a second active side and a second back-side, the second active side including a second bond pad and a second insulating layer, the second active side of the second die facing the first active side of the first die, the second insulating layer being bonded to the first insulating layer through dielectric-to-dielectric bonds, and a conductive bonding material bonded to the first bond pad and the second bond pad, the conductive bonding material having a reflow temperature lower than reflow temperatures of the first and second bond pads.

Abstract: A stack of connecting metal vias is formed on a bottom electrode by repeating steps of depositing a conductive via layer, patterning and trimming the conductive via layer to form a sub 30 nm conductive via, encapsulating the conductive via with a dielectric layer, and exposing a top surface of the conductive via. A MTJ stack is deposited on the encapsulated via stack. A top electrode layer is deposited on the MTJ stack and patterned and trimmed to form a sub 60 nm hard mask. The MTJ stack is etched using the hard mask to form an MTJ device and over etched into the encapsulation layers but not into the bottom electrode wherein metal re-deposition material is formed on sidewalls of the encapsulation layers underlying the MTJ device and not on sidewalls of a barrier layer of the MTJ device.

Abstract: Methods and systems for capturing a three dimensional image are described. An image capture process is performed while moving a lens to capture image data across a range of focal depths, and a three dimensional image reconstruction process generates a three dimensional image based on the image data. A two-dimensional image is also rendered including focused image data from across the range of focal depths. The two dimensional image and the three dimensional image are fused to generate a focused three dimensional model.

Abstract: A device includes a first conductive feature disposed over a substrate; a second conductive feature disposed directly on and in physical contact with the first conductive feature; a dielectric layer surrounding sidewalls of the second conductive feature; and a first barrier layer interposed between the second conductive feature and the dielectric layer and in physical contact with both the second conductive feature and the dielectric layer. The first barrier layer and the dielectric layer comprise at least two common elements.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for integrating a CMOS image sensor and an image signal processor (ISP) together using an interposer to form a system in package device module are disclosed. The device module may comprise an interposer with a substrate. An interposer contact is formed within the substrate. A sensor device may be bonded to a surface of the interposer, wherein a sensor contact is bonded to a first end of the interposer contact. An ISP may be connected to the interposer, by bonding an ISP contact in the ISP to a second end of the interposer contact. An underfill layer may fill a gap between the interposer and the ISP. A printed circuit board (PCB) may further be connected to the interposer by way of a solder ball connected to another interposer contact. A thermal interface material may be in contact with the ISP and the PCB.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a semiconductor device, including a semiconductive substrate, a dielectric stack disposed over the semiconductive substrate to form a wall of a grating coupler opening, and an etch stopper interfacing with two sublayers of the dielectric stack and partially separating the interface of the two sublayers. The etch stopper has a resistance to a fluorine solution that is higher than that of the two sublayers. A method of manufacturing the semiconductor device is also provided.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a semiconductor structure includes the following operations. A wafer with an orientation mark at a first crystal orientation represented by a family of Miller indices comprising <ijk> is provided, wherein i2+ j2+ k2=2. A first chip and a second chip are connected to a first surface of the wafer. A first edge of the first chip and a second edge of the second chip are adjacent to each other. A boundary extending in a direction between the first edge and the second edge is formed. The direction is not parallel to the first crystal orientation.

Abstract: An integrated circuit package includes a die. An electrically conductive layer comprises a redistribution layer (RDL) in the die, or a micro-bump layer above the die, or both. The micro bump layer comprises at least one micro-bump line. A filter comprises the electrically conductive layer. A capacitor comprises an electrode formed in the electrically conductive layer.

Abstract: A method of forming a semiconductor device includes etching a gate stack to form a trench extending into the gate stack, forming a dielectric layer on a sidewall of the gate stack, with the sidewall exposed to the trench, and etching the dielectric layer to remove a first portion of the dielectric layer at a bottom of the trench. A second portion of the dielectric layer on the sidewall of the gate stack remains after the dielectric layer is etched. After the first portion of the dielectric layer is removed, the second portion of the dielectric layer is removed to reveal the sidewall of the gate stack. The trench is filled with a dielectric region, which contacts the sidewall of the gate stack.

Abstract: A method includes forming a buffer dielectric layer over a carrier, and forming a first dielectric layer and a first redistribution line over the buffer dielectric layer. The first redistribution line is in the first dielectric layer. The method further includes performing a planarization on the first dielectric layer to level a top surface of the first dielectric layer, forming a metal post over and electrically coupling to the first redistribution line, and encapsulating the metal post in an encapsulating material. The encapsulating material contacts a top surface of the planarized top surface of the first dielectric layer.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure include interconnect structures and methods of forming interconnect structures. An embodiment is an interconnect structure including a post-passivation interconnect (PPI) over a first substrate and a conductive connector on the PPI. The interconnect structure further includes a molding compound on a top surface of the PPI and surrounding a portion of the conductive connector, a top surface of the molding compound adjoining the conductive connector at an angle from about 10 degrees to about 60 degrees relative to a plane parallel with a major surface of the first substrate, the conductive connector having a first width at the adjoining top surface of the molding compound, and a second substrate over the conductive connector, the second substrate being mounted to the conductive connector.

Abstract: A standard cell for a semiconductor device includes a plurality of features for performing the functionality of the standard cell. The standard cell further includes a first sensitivity region adjacent to a first edge of the standard cell. The standard cell further includes anchor nodes linked to corresponding features of the plurality of features, wherein a number of anchor nodes linked to each feature of the corresponding features is based on a position of an end of each feature of the corresponding features relative to the first sensitivity region.

Abstract: An embodiment is a structure including a first die having an active surface with a first center point, a molding compound at least laterally encapsulating the first die, and a first redistribution layer (RDL) including metallization patterns extending over the first die and the molding compound. A first portion of the metallization patterns of the first RDL extending over a first portion of a boundary of the first die to the molding compound, the first portion of the metallization patterns not extending parallel to a first line, the first line extending from the first center point of the first die to the first portion of the boundary of the first die.

Abstract: A semiconductor device including multiple fins. At least a first set of fins among the multiple fins is substantially parallel. At least a second set of fins among the multiple fins is substantially collinear. For any given first and second fins of the multiple fins having corresponding first and second fin-thicknesses, the second fin-thickness is less than plus or minus about 50% of the first fin-thickness.

Abstract: An embodiment is MEMS device including a first MEMS die having a first cavity at a first pressure, a second MEMS die having a second cavity at a second pressure, the second pressure being different from the first pressure, and a molding material surrounding the first MEMS die and the second MEMS die, the molding material having a first surface over the first and the second MEMS dies. The device further includes a first set of electrical connectors in the molding material, each of the first set of electrical connectors coupling at least one of the first and the second MEMS dies to the first surface of the molding material, and a second set of electrical connectors over the first surface of the molding material, each of the second set of electrical connectors being coupled to at least one of the first set of electrical connectors.

Abstract: An integrated circuit structure includes a semiconductor substrate, insulation regions extending into the semiconductor substrate, with the insulation regions including first top surfaces and second top surfaces lower than the first top surfaces, a semiconductor fin over the first top surfaces of the insulation regions, a gate stack on a top surface and sidewalls of the semiconductor fin, and a source/drain region on a side of the gate stack. The source/drain region includes a first portion having opposite sidewalls that are substantially parallel to each other, with the first portion being lower than the first top surfaces and higher than the second top surfaces of the insulation regions, and a second portion over the first portion, with the second portion being wider than the first portion.

Abstract: Exemplary methods of patterning a device layer are described, including operations of patterning a protector layer and forming a first opening in a first patterning layer to expose a first portion of the protector layer and a first portion of the hard mask layer, which are then are exposed to a first etch to form a first opening in the first portion of the hard mask layer. A second opening is formed in a second patterning layer to expose a second portion of the protector layer and a second portion of the hard mask layer. The second portion of the protector layer and the second portion of the hard mask layer are exposed to an etch to form a second opening in the second portion of the hard mask layer. Exposed portions of the device layer are then etched through the first opening and the second opening.

Abstract: A device includes a first die, a second die, one or more redistribution layers (RDLs) electrically connected to the first die, a plurality of connectors on a surface of the one or more RDLs and a package substrate electrically connected to the first die and the second die. The package substrate is electrically connected to the first die through the one or more RDLs and the plurality of connectors. The package substrate comprises a cavity, and the second die is at least partially disposed in the cavity.

Abstract: An interconnect structure and a method of forming an interconnect structure are disclosed. The interconnect structure includes a lower etch stop layer (ESL); an upper low-k (LK) dielectric layer over the lower ESL; a first conductive feature in the upper LK dielectric layer, wherein the first conductive feature has a first metal line and a dummy via contiguous with the first metal line, the dummy via extending through the lower ESL; a first gap along an interface of the first conductive feature and the upper LK dielectric layer; and an upper ESL over the upper LK dielectric layer, the first conductive feature, and the first gap.