Patents Examined by David A. Zameke
  • Patent number: 7893536
    Abstract: A multilayer interconnect configuration is formed on a semiconductor substrate where a semiconductor integrated circuit is provided. Each layer of the multilayer interconnect configuration has a plurality of pads. Except for the pads of the top layer, the area of the pads is reduced relative to the pads of the top layer. The pad area is reduced by forming a plurality of openings in the pads, or by forming a plurality of notches in the pads whereby the pads have a comb configuration. The capacitance can be significantly reduced by decreasing the area. The reduction of capacitance allows for significantly reducing the effect of a low-pass filter produced from the interconnect metal resistance and the pad capacitance, which slows down the circuit operation. Therefore the high-speed operation can avoid degradation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2011
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Shuichi Takada, Shinya Kawakami
  • Patent number: 7858505
    Abstract: A gate electrode is formed overlying a substrate. A first angled metal implant is performed at a first angle into the substrate followed by performing a second angled metal implant at a second angle. The first angled metal implant and the second angled metal implant form a first current electrode and a second current electrode. Each of the first current electrode and the second current electrode has at least two regions of differing metal composition. A metal layer is deposited overlying the gate electrode, the first current electrode and the second current electrode. The metal layer is annealed to form two Schottky junctions in each of the first current electrode and the second current electrode. The two Schottky junctions have differing barrier levels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2010
    Assignee: Freescale Semiconductor, Inc.
    Inventor: Byoung W. Min
  • Patent number: 7855124
    Abstract: A method for forming a semiconductor device, includes the steps of providing a substrate; forming a patterned stack on the substrate including a first dielectric layer on the substrate, a first conductive layer on the first dielectric layer and a mask layer on the first conductive layer, wherein a width of the mask layer is smaller than a width of the first conductive layer; forming a second dielectric layer on the sidewall of the patterned stack; forming a third dielectric layer on the substrate; forming a second conductive layer over the substrate; and removing the mask layer and a portion of the first conductive layer covered by the mask layer to form an opening so as to partially expose the first conductive layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2010
    Assignee: Nanya Technology Corp.
    Inventors: Hung-Ming Tsai, Ching-Nan Hsiao, Chung-Lin Huang
  • Patent number: 7851258
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing an RFID tag that includes forming an antenna pattern and a reinforcing layer on one surface of a film made of a resin material, applying a thermosetting adhesive onto the reinforcing layer and the antenna pattern, mounting a circuit chip on the antenna pattern via the thermosetting adhesive, pinching the circuit chip and the other surface of the film, and fixing the circuit chip to the antenna pattern by hardening the thermosetting adhesive. The reinforcing layer is formed within a region where the circuit chip is mounted and the circuit chip includes a first protrusion contacting the antenna pattern and a second protrusion contacting the reinforcing layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2010
    Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
    Inventor: Hiroshi Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 7820529
    Abstract: A method for separating an integrated circuit formed by a thin film having a novel structure or a method for transferring the integrated circuit to another substrate, that is, so-called transposing method, has not been proposed. According to the present invention, in the case that an integrated circuit having a thin film having a novel structure formed over a substrate via a release layer is separated, the release layer is removed in the state that the thin film integrated circuit is fixated, the thin film integrated circuit is transposed to a supporting substrate having an adhesion surface, and the thin film integrated circuit is transposed to another substrate having an adhesion surface with higher strength of adhesion than that of the supporting substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2010
    Assignee: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takuya Tsurume, Junya Maruyama, Yoshitaka Dozen
  • Patent number: 7781895
    Abstract: An integration approach to improve electromigration resistance in a semiconductor device is described. A via hole is formed in a stack that includes an upper dielectric layer, a middle TiN ARC, and a lower first metal layer and is filled with a conformal diffusion barrier layer and a second metal layer. A key feature is that the etch process can be selected to vary the shape and location of the via bottom. A round or partially rounded bottom is formed in the first metal layer to reduce mechanical stress near the diffusion barrier layer. On the other hand, a flat bottom which stops on or in the TiN ARC is selected when exposure of the first metal layer to subsequent processing steps is a primary concern. Electromigration resistance is found to be lower than for a via structure with a flat bottom formed in a first metal layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2010
    Assignee: Chartered Semiconductor Manufacturing Ltd.
    Inventors: Bei Chao Zhang, Chun Hui Low, Hong Lim Lee, Sang Yee Loong, Qiang Guo
  • Patent number: 7741702
    Abstract: A semiconductor structure is provided which eliminates the contact resistance traditionally associated with a junction between one or more contacts and a buried conductive structure formed in the semiconductor structure. The semiconductor structure includes a first insulating layer formed on a semiconductor layer and a conductive structure formed on at least a portion of the first insulating layer. A second insulating layer is formed on at least a portion of the conductive structure. At least one contact is formed through the second insulating layer and electrically connected to the conductive structure. The contact and the conductive structure are formed as a substantially homogeneous structure in a same processing step.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2010
    Assignee: Agere Systems Inc.
    Inventors: Bailey R. Jones, Sean Lian, Simon John Molloy
  • Patent number: 7667335
    Abstract: A flip chip style semiconductor package has a substrate with a plurality of active devices formed thereon. A contact pad is formed on the substrate. An under bump metallization (UBM) layer is in electrical contact with the contact pad. A passivation layer is formed over the substrate. In one case, the UBM layer is disposed above the passivation layer. Alternatively, the passivation layer is disposed above the UBM layer. A portion of the passivation layer is removed to create a passivation island. The passivation island is centered with respect to the contact pad with its top surface devoid of the UBM layer. A solder bump is formed over the passivation island in electrical contact with the UBM layer. The passivation island forms a void in the solder bump for stress relief. The UBM layer may include a redistribution layer such that the passivation island is offset from the contact pad.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2010
    Assignee: STATS ChipPAC, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yaojian Lin, Xu Sheng Bao
  • Patent number: 7645700
    Abstract: A method and structure for a composite stud contact interface with a decreased contact resistance and improved reliability. A selective dry etch is used which comprises a fluorine containing gas. The contact resistance is reduced by partially dry-etching back the tungsten contact after or during the M1 RIE process. The recessed contact is then subsequently metalized during the M1 liner/plating process. The tungsten contact height is reduced after it has been fully formed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2010
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Theodorus E Standaert, William H Brearley, Stephen E Greco, Sujatha Sankaran
  • Patent number: 7635606
    Abstract: According to one exemplary embodiment, a method for forming a wafer level package includes fabricating an active device on a substrate in a semiconductor wafer, forming polymer walls around the active device, and applying a blanket film over the semiconductor wafer and the polymer walls to house the active device in a substantially enclosed cavity formed by the polymer walls and the blanket film. By way of examples and without limitation, the active device can be a microelectromechanical systems (“MEMS”) device, a bulk acoustic wave (“BAW”) filter, or a surface acoustic wave (“SAW”) filter. According to one embodiment, solder bumps can be applied to interconnect traces of the active device, and the semiconductor wafer can then be diced to form an individual die. According to another embodiment, the semiconductor wafer can be diced to form an individual die, then the individual die is wire bonded to a circuit board.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2009
    Assignee: Skyworks Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert W. Warren, Gene Gan, Tony LoBianco
  • Patent number: 7612434
    Abstract: An electronic device includes: a first substrate and a second substrate; a lead frame disposed between the first and the second substrates for electrically connecting therebetween; and a first groove and a second groove disposed on the first and the second substrates, respectively. The first and the second grooves correspond to a connection portion between the first and the second substrates and the lead frame. The lead frame is connected to the first and the second substrates in such a manner that one end of the lead frame is engaged in both of the first and the second grooves through a conductive bonding material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2009
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Norihisa Imaizumi, Yuuki Sanada, Takeshi Ishikawa
  • Patent number: 7595255
    Abstract: A strip level substrate is manufactured by: applying solder resist on a substrate including a plurality of unit substrate divided by a scribe line; and patterning the applied solder resist to expose an electrode terminal and a ball land in each unit substrate, wherein the patterning of the solder resist is performed to be removed together with a solder resist part applied on the scribe line in order to reduce an early warpage of the strip level substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2009
    Assignee: Hynix Semiconductor Inc.
    Inventors: Seong Cheol Kim, Myung Geun Park
  • Patent number: 7541218
    Abstract: A wafer-level chip package process is provided. First, a transparent substrate having a chip sealing layer and a transparent layer is provided. Then, the chip sealing layer is cut to form a first groove of a predetermined depth, and an adhesive is formed on the chip sealing layer. Next, a wafer having a back surface and an active surface is provided, and the transparent substrate is disposed on the active surface of the wafer, wherein the chip sealing layer is adhered to the active surface by the adhesive. Next, the transparent layer is cut to form a second groove corresponding to the first groove. Next, the back surface of the wafer is cut to form a third groove corresponding to the first groove. After that, the wafer and the transparent substrate are singulated to form a plurality of chip package structures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2009
    Assignee: Advanced Semiconductor Engineering, Inc.
    Inventor: Chain-Hau Hsu
  • Patent number: 7534724
    Abstract: As a semiconductor device, specifically, a pixel portion included in a semiconductor device is made to have higher precision and higher aperture ratio, it is required to form a smaller wiring in width. In the case of forming a wiring by using an ink-jet method, a dot spreads on a wiring formation surface, and it is difficult to narrow width of a wiring. In the present invention, a photocatalytic substance typified by TiO2 is formed on a wing formation surface, and a wiring is formed by utilizing photocatalytic activity of the photocatalytic substance. According to the present invention, a narrower wiring, that is, a smaller wiring in width than a diameter of a dot formed by an ink-jet method can be formed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2009
    Assignee: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Osamu Nakamura, Kiyofumi Ogino
  • Patent number: 7459349
    Abstract: A stackable semiconductor package includes a substrate with a first side surface that includes circuit patterns. Each circuit pattern includes a pad. A semiconductor die is electrically coupled to the circuit patterns. An encapsulant covers the semiconductor die and the first side surface of the substrate inward of the pads. A layer of a solder is fused to each of the pads. A lateral distance between immediately adjacent pads is selected to be greater than a lateral distance between sidewalls of the encapsulant and immediately adjacent pads, and a height of the solder layers relative to the first side surface is selected to be less than a height of the sidewalls of the encapsulant, so that misalignment of a semiconductor package stacked on the solder layers/pads is self-correcting when juxtaposed ones of the solder layers and respective solder balls of the second semiconductor package are reflowed and fused together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2008
    Assignee: Amkor Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Akito Yoshida, Young Wook Heo
  • Patent number: 7411297
    Abstract: Microfeature devices, microfeature workpieces, and methods for manufacturing microfeature devices and microfeature workpieces are disclosed herein. The microfeature workpieces have an integrated circuit, a surface, and a plurality of interconnect elements projecting from the surface and arranged in arrays on the surface. In one embodiment, a method includes forming a coating on the interconnect elements of the microfeature workpiece, producing a layer over the surface of the microfeature workpiece after forming the coating, and removing the coating from at least a portion of the individual interconnect elements. The coating has a surface tension less than a surface tension of the interconnect elements to reduce the extent to which the material in the layer wicks up the interconnect elements and produces a fillet at the base of the individual interconnect elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2008
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Shijian Luo, Tongbi Jiang
  • Patent number: 7393716
    Abstract: A semiconductor device comprising organic semiconductor material (14) has one or more barrier layers (16) disposed at least partially thereabout to protect the organic semiconductor material (14) from environment-driven changes that typically lead to inoperability of a corresponding device. If desired, the barrier layer can be comprised of partially permeable material that allows some substances therethrough to thereby effect disabling of the encapsulated organic semiconductor device after a substantially predetermined period of time. Getterers (141) may also be used to protect, at least for a period of time, such organic semiconductor material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2008
    Assignee: Motorola, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven Scheifers, Daniel Gamota, Andrew Skipor, Krishna Kalyanasundaram
  • Patent number: 7371662
    Abstract: A method for forming three-dimensional (3D) integrated circuits includes providing a first wafer comprising a silicon layer on a top surface of the first wafer, providing a second wafer comprising a silicon oxide layer on a top surface of the second wafer, bonding the first and the second wafers by placing a top surface of the silicon oxide layer against a top surface of the silicon layer and applying a pressure, and forming vias electrically interconnecting integrated circuits in the first and second wafers. The bonding is preferably preformed using a low pressure. A CMP and a plasma treatment are preferably performed to substantially flatten the surface of the silicon oxide layer before bonding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2008
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventor: Wen-Chih Chiou
  • Patent number: 7361996
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes: a semiconductor substrate; a base member; a tin-based solder layer; a first metal layer; and a first alloy layer. The semiconductor substrate is bonded to the base member through the first metal layer, the first alloy layer and the tin-based solder layer in this order. The first alloy layer is made of a first metal in the first metal layer and tin in the tin-based solder layer. The first metal layer is made of at least one of material selected from the group consisting of titanium, aluminum, iron, molybdenum, chromium, vanadium and iron-nickel-chromium alloy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2008
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kimiharu Kayukawa, Akira Tanahashi, Chikage Noritake, Shoji Miura
  • Patent number: 7323410
    Abstract: A method and structure for a composite stud contact interface with a decreased contact resistance and improved reliability. A selective dry etch is used which comprises a fluorine containing gas. The contact resistance is reduced by partially dry-etching back the tungsten contact after or during the M1 RIE process. The recessed contact is then subsequently metalized during the M1 liner/plating process. The tungsten contact height is reduced after it has been fully formed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2008
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Theodorus E. Standaert, William H. Brearley, Stephen E. Greco, Sujatha Sankaran