Patents Examined by James M. Mitchell
  • Patent number: 7825023
    Abstract: This invention relates to a process for manufacturing interconnection structures, including: a) the formation on a substrate of a first layer comprising one or several conducting zones (24) and one or several insulating zones made of an organic material (26), b) coverage of this first layer by a porous layer (28), c) consumption and elimination of at least part of the organic material through the porous layer, using enzymes and/or proteins.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2010
    Assignee: Commissariat a L'Energie Atomique
    Inventor: Didier Louis
  • Patent number: 7820545
    Abstract: The invention includes methods of electroless plating of nickel selectively on exposed conductive surfaces relative to exposed insulative surfaces. The electroless plating can utilize a bath which contains triethanolamine, maleic anhydride and at least one nickel salt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2010
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Chandra Tiwari
  • Patent number: 7820544
    Abstract: A method for forming a metal wiring of a semiconductor device, includes forming a first metal layer on a wafer, partially etching a portion of the first metal layer where a metal wiring is to be formed, sequentially forming a first copper barrier layer, a copper seed layer, and a copper layer on the first metal layer, annealing the copper layer, polishing the resulting structure until the first metal layer is exposed, patterning the first metal layer and the first copper barrier layer to form a portion of a metal wiring, forming a second copper barrier layer, forming a second metal layer, and patterning the second metal layer and the second copper barrier layer to form the metal wiring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2010
    Assignee: Dongbu HiTek Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Seung Hyun Kim
  • Patent number: 7816754
    Abstract: The present invention provides for a BGA solder ball interconnection to an outer conductive layer of a laminated circuit assembly having an underlying circuit layer. The invention includes a raised BGA solder ball pad substantially co-planar with the outer conductive layer, the raised pad having a raised face and a plurality of vertical conductive walls and a BGA solder ball having an average diameter of greater than the width of the raised face, the BGA solder ball being adhered to the raised face and to a substantial portion of the vertical conductive walls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2010
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventor: Paul Marlan Harvey
  • Patent number: 7803641
    Abstract: A mold structure for packaging LED chips includes a top mold and a bottom mold. The bottom mold is mated with the top mold. The bottom mold has a main flow channel, a plurality of receiving spaces formed beside the main flow channel, a plurality of secondary flow channels for respectively and transversely communicating the receiving spaces with each other, and a plurality of ejection pins penetrating through the bottom mold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2010
    Assignee: Harvatek Corporation
    Inventors: Bily Wang, Jonnie Chuang, Hui-Yen Huang
  • Patent number: 7804178
    Abstract: A semiconductor component including: a substrate, at least one semiconductor chip arranged on the substrate and at least one passive device likewise arranged on the substrate. The passive device is mounted with its underside on the substrate. The semiconductor component further includes an interspace disposed between the underside of the passive device and the substrate. The interspace is filled with an underfilling material. In order to avoid the solder pumping effect, the upper side and the lateral sides of the passive device are also embedded in a plastic compound.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2010
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventors: Erich Syri, Gerold Gruendler, Juergen Hoegerl, Thomas Killer, Volker Strutz
  • Patent number: 7799609
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method of manufacturing dual orientation wafers. A trench is formed in a multi-layer wafer to a silicon substrate with a first crystalline orientation. The trench is filled with a silicon material (e.g., amorphous silicon or polysilicon trench). Isolation structures are formed to isolate the silicon material in the trench from a semiconductor layer with a second crystalline orientation. Additional isolation structures are formed within the silicon material in the trench and within the semiconductor layer. A patterned amorphization process is performed on the silicon material in the trench and followed by a recrystallization anneal such that the silicon material in the trench recrystallizes with the same crystalline orientation as the silicon substrate. The resulting structure is a semiconductor wafer with isolated semiconductor areas on the same plane having different crystalline orientations as well as isolated sections within each semiconductor area for device formation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2010
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Brent A. Anderson, John J. Ellis-Monaghan, Alain Loiseau, Kirk D. Peterson
  • Patent number: 7799661
    Abstract: A device (101) for controlling the treatment of a substrate (102) with a plasma (103) is provided which comprises (a) a plasma chamber (104) adapted to generate a plasma (103); (b) a sensor (113) equipped with first (115) and second (117) electrodes that are exposed to the plasma generated within the chamber, said sensor being adapted to (i) apply a first low frequency voltage V1 to the first electrode, (ii) apply a plurality of high frequency voltages V2 . . . Vn to the first electrode, where n?2, and (iii) measure the respective currents I1 . . . In flowing through the second electrode during application of each of the voltages V1 . . . Vn, respectively; and (c) a data processing device (121) adapted to determine the densities of a plurality of ion species based on currents I1 . . . In and on a mathematical model or on calibration data relating to the plasma chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2010
    Assignee: Freescale Semiconductor, Inc.
    Inventor: Shahid Rauf
  • Patent number: 7795126
    Abstract: A semiconductor device of the invention includes an integrated circuit formed on a semiconductor substrate having first and second surfaces and a notch region along the edges. The first surface includes electrical contact pads electrically connected with the integrated circuit. The first surface of the semiconductor substrate includes a top protective layer that has a surface portion extending beyond the edges of the semiconductor substrate. The second surface of the semiconductor substrate includes a bottom protective layer with electrical connectors. The surface portion of the top protective layer includes electrical contact pads that are electrically interconnected with electrical contact pad extensions. The electrical contact pad extensions are interconnected with electrical connectors via a backside electrical connector that overlaps the electrical contact pad extensions forming a lap connection. Methods for constructing such devices and connections are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2010
    Assignee: National Semiconductor Corporation
    Inventors: Ashok Prabhu, Sadanand R. Patil, Shaw Wei Lee, Alexander H. Owens
  • Patent number: 7795131
    Abstract: A method of fabricating metal interconnects and an inter-metal dielectric layer thereof. A first metal interconnect pattern and a second metal interconnect pattern disposed thereon are formed on a substrate by plating processes. Subsequently, an inter-metal dielectric layer is formed on the substrate, the first metal interconnect pattern and the second metal interconnect pattern. The inter-metal dielectric layer is then planarized and the second metal interconnect pattern is exposed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2010
    Assignee: Touch Micro-System Technology Inc.
    Inventors: Kuan-Jui Huang, Jie-Mei Huang, Chung-Hsiang Wang
  • Patent number: 7795737
    Abstract: Integrated circuits and methods of redistributing bondpad locations are disclosed. In one implementation, a method of redistributing a bondpad location of an integrated circuit includes providing an integrated circuit comprising an inner lead bondpad. A first insulative passivation layer is formed over the integrated circuit. A bondpad-redistribution line is formed over the first insulative passivation layer and in electrical connection with the inner lead bondpad through the first insulative passivation layer. The bondpad-redistribution line includes an outer lead bondpad area. A second insulative passivation layer is formed over the integrated circuit and the bondpad-redistribution line. The second insulative passivation layer is formed to have a sidewall outline at least a portion of which is proximate to and conforms to at least a portion of the bondpad-redistribution line. Other aspects and implementations are contemplated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2010
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Charles M. Watkins
  • Patent number: 7781885
    Abstract: An optoelectronic semiconductor package for packaging a heat source capable of emitting light includes a base, a seal member, and a plurality of heat-dissipation elements. The base carries and touches the heat source and has a plurality of openings formed thereon, and the seal member is used to seal the heat source on the base. Each of the heat-dissipation elements is inserted in one of the corresponding openings, and the heat-dissipation element placed in the corresponding opening is deformed to result in a tight coupling between the heat-dissipation element and the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2010
    Assignee: Young Optics Inc.
    Inventors: Tai-Wei Lin, Chi-Chui Yun, Jia-Bin Huang, Zeu-Chia Tan, Wan-chen Lai
  • Patent number: 7781339
    Abstract: A method of fabricating semiconductor interconnections is provided which can form a Ti-rich layer as a barrier layer and which can embed pure Cu material as interconnection material into every corner of grooves provided in an insulating film even when the grooves have a narrow minimum width and are deep. The method may include the steps of forming one or more grooves in an insulating film on a semiconductor substrate, the recess having a minimum width of 0.15 ?m or less and a ratio of a depth of the groove to the minimum width thereof (depth/minimum width) of 1 or more, forming a Cu alloy thin film containing 0.5 to 10 atomic % of Ti in the groove of the insulated film along a shape of the groove in a thickness of 10 to 50 nm, forming a pure Cu thin film in the groove with the Cu alloy thin film attached thereto, and annealing the substrate with the films at 350° C. or more to allow the Ti to be precipitated between the insulating film and the Cu alloy thin film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2010
    Assignee: Kobe Steel, Ltd.
    Inventors: Takashi Onishi, Mikako Takeda, Masao Mizuno, Susumu Tsukimoto, Tatsuya Kabe, Toshifumi Morita, Miki Moriyama, Kazuhiro Ito, Masanori Murakami
  • Patent number: 7781851
    Abstract: A semiconductor device and a method of manufacturing the same reduce die-warpage. The semiconductor device includes a substrate and a first layer of material extending substantially over the entire surface of the substrate. A stress-relieving pattern exists in and traverses the first layer so as to partition the first layer into at least two discrete sections. The stress-relieving pattern may be in the form of an interface between the discrete sections of the first layer, or a wall of material different from the material of the first layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2010
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hyeoung-won Seo
  • Patent number: 7776736
    Abstract: Disclosed are a substrate for electronic devices such as semiconductor devices and a method for processing the same, In the processing method, firstly a substrate for electronic devices is prepared and an insulating film (I) composed of a fluorocarbon (CF) is formed on the surface of the substrate. Then, fluorine (F) atoms exposed in the surface of the insulating film (I) are removed therefrom by bombarding the surface of the insulating film (I) with, for example, active species (KR+) produced in a krypton (Kr) gas plasma. In this connection, the substrate is kept out of contact with moisture at least from immediately after the insulating film forming step until completion of the fluorine removing step.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2010
    Assignee: Tokyo Electron Limited
    Inventors: Yasuo Kobayashi, Kohei Kawamura
  • Patent number: 7768096
    Abstract: A system for fabricating semiconductor components includes a semiconductor substrate, a thinning system for thinning the semiconductor substrate, an etching system for forming the substrate opening, and a bonding system for bonding the conductive interconnect to the substrate contact. The semiconductor component can be used to form module components, underfilled components, stacked components, and image sensor semiconductor components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2010
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Alan G. Wood, William M. Hiatt, David R. Hembree
  • Patent number: 7768121
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided for thermally coupling a semiconductor chip directly to a heat conducting device (e.g., a copper heat sink) using a thermal joint that provides increased thermal conductivity between the heat conducting device and high power density regions of the semiconductor chip, while minimizing or eliminating mechanical stress due to the relative displacement due to the difference in thermal expansion between the semiconductor chip and the heat conducting device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2010
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Evan George Colgan, Jeffrey D. Gelorme, Kamal K. Sikka, Hilton T. Toy, Jeffrey Allen Zitz
  • Patent number: 7755204
    Abstract: A technique for forming die stacks. Specifically, a stacking tip is provided to facilitate the stacking of die in a desired configuration. A first die is picked up by the stacking tip. The first die is coated with an adhesive on the underside of the die. The first die is brought in contact with a second die via the stacking tip. The second die is coupled to the first die via the adhesive on the underside of the first die. The second die is coated with an adhesive coating on the underside of the die. The second die is then brought in contact with a third die via the stacking tip. The third die is coupled to the second die via the adhesive on the underside of the second die, and so forth. Die stacks are formed without being coupled to a substrate. The die stacks may be functionally and/or environmentally tested before attaching the die stack to a substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2010
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Chad A. Cobbley, Timothy L. Jackson
  • Patent number: 7755194
    Abstract: A composite ?-Ta/graded tantalum nitride/TaN barrier layer is formed in Cu interconnects with a controlled surface roughness for improved adhesion, electromigration resistance and reliability. Embodiments include lining a damascene opening, such as a dual damascene opening in a low-k interlayer dielectric, with an initial layer of TaN, forming a graded tantalum nitride layer on the initial TaN layer and then forming an ?-Ta layer on the graded TaN layer, the composite barrier layer having an average surface roughness (Ra) of about 25 ? to about 50 ?. Embodiments further include controlling the surface roughness of the composite barrier layer by varying the N2 flow rate and/or ratio of the thickness of the combined ?-Ta and graded tantalum nitride layers to the thickness of the initial TaN layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2010
    Assignee: Advanced Micro Devices, Inc.
    Inventors: Amit Marathe, Connie Pin-Chin Wang, Christy Mei-Chu Woo, Paul L. King
  • Patent number: 7745850
    Abstract: A high electron mobility transistor is disclosed which has a triple-layered main semiconductor region formed on a silicon substrate via a multilayered buffer region. The multilayered buffer region is in the form of alternations of an aluminum nitride layer and a gallium nitride layer. Whilst the aluminum nitride layers are of n-like conductivity, the gallium nitride layers are doped into p-type conductivity, with the consequent creation of pn junctions between the two kinds of buffer layers. Another pn junction is formed between one p-type gallium nitride layer and the adjoining n-like electron transit layer included in the main semiconductor region. The pn junctions serve for reduction of current leakage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2010
    Assignee: Sanken Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Koji Otsuka, Emiko Chino, Masataka Yanagihara