Abstract: A method for stacking integrated circuit substrates and the substrates used therein are disclosed. In the method, an integrated circuit substrate having top and bottom surfaces is provided. The substrate is divided vertically into a plurality of layers including an integrated circuit layer having integrated circuit elements constructed therein and a buffer layer adjacent to the bottom surface. An alignment fiducial mark extending from the top surface of the wafer into the substrate to a depth below that of the circuit layer is constructed. The vias are arranged in a pattern that provides a fiducial mark when viewed from the bottom surface of the substrate. The pattern can be chosen such that it is recognized by a commercial stepper/scanner/contact mask aligner when viewed from said backside of said wafer. After the substrate is thinned, the alignment fiducial mark is then used to position a mask used in subsequent processing.

Abstract: A basic building block for wafer scale stacked integrated circuits is disclosed. The building block includes an integrated circuit device having an integrated circuit substrate having a circuit layer sandwiched between a buffer layer and a dielectric layer. The dielectric layer has a top side and a bottom side, the bottom side being in contact with the circuit layer. The top surface of the dielectric layer includes a plurality of pads. Each pad extends above the top surface by a predetermined distance. The pads have dimensions that reduce irregularities in the top surface of the pads. In addition, the pads are arranged in a manner to promote planarization of the surface of the wafer via CMP.

Abstract: A method for stacking integrated circuit substrates and the substrates used therein are disclosed. In the method, an integrated circuit substrate having top and bottom surfaces is provided. The substrate is divided vertically into a plurality of layers including an integrated circuit layer having integrated circuit elements constructed therein and a buffer layer adjacent to the bottom surface. An alignment fiducial mark extending from the top surface of the wafer into the substrate to a depth below that of the circuit layer is constructed. The vias are arranged in a pattern that provides a fiducial mark when viewed from the bottom surface of the substrate. The pattern can be chosen such that it is recognized by a commercial stepper/scanner/contact mask aligner when viewed from said backside of said wafer. After the substrate is thinned, the alignment fiducial mark is then used to position a mask used in subsequent processing.

Abstract: A basic building block for wafer scale stacked integrated circuits is disclosed. The building block includes an integrated circuit device having an integrated circuit substrate having a circuit layer sandwiched between a buffer layer and a dielectric layer. The dielectric layer has a top side and a bottom side, the bottom side being in contact with the circuit layer. The top surface of the dielectric layer includes a plurality of pads. Each pad extends above the top surface by a predetermined distance. The pads have dimensions that reduce irregularities in the top surface of the pads. In addition, the pads are arranged in a manner to promote planarization of the surface of the wafer via CMP.