Abstract: Methods of producing integrated circuits with interposers and integrated circuits produced from such methods are provided. In an exemplary embodiment, a method of producing an integrated circuit includes producing an interposer with an insulation plate and a plurality of through vias passing through the insulation plate. The interposer has a prime area and an in prime area. A prime area test circuit is formed in the prime area, where the prime area test circuit includes a portion of the plurality of through vias that are electrically connected in series.

Abstract: Embodiments of mechanisms for forming power gating cells and virtual power circuits on multiple active device layers are described in the current disclosure. Power gating cells and virtual power circuits are formed on separate active device layers to allow interconnect structure for connecting with the power source be formed on a separate level from the interconnect structure for connecting the power gating cells and the virtual power circuits. Such separation prevents these two types of interconnect structures from competing for the same space. Routings for both types of interconnect structures become easier. As a result, metal lengths of interconnect structures are reduced and the metal widths are increased. Reduced metal lengths and increased metal widths reduce resistance, improves resistance-capacitance (RC) delay and electrical performance, and improves interconnect reliability, such as reducing electro-migration.

Abstract: A display device that includes a first substrate, a plurality of scan lines, a plurality of data lines, a plurality of pixel structures, a passivation layer, a bump, a second substrate, and a spacer is provided. The scan lines, the data lines, the pixel structures, and the passivation layer are all located on the first substrate. The bump is arranged on the first substrate. The second substrate is arranged opposite to the first substrate. The spacer is arranged on the second substrate and at least partially overlapped with the bump. One of the bump and the spacer has a first shape and the other has a second shape. Each of lengths of two end sections of the first shape in a first direction is larger than a length of a middle section of the first shape in the first direction.

Abstract: In an ESD protection device, a first well of a first conductivity type and a second well of a second conductivity type are formed in a substrate to contact each other. A first impurity region of the first conductivity type and a second impurity region of the second conductivity type are formed in the first well, and are electrically connected to a first electrode pad. The second impurity region is spaced apart from the first impurity region in a direction of the second well. A third impurity region is formed in the second well, has the second conductivity type, and is electrically connected to a second electrode pad. A fourth impurity region is formed in the second well, is located in a direction of the first well from the third impurity region to contact the third impurity region, has the first conductivity type, and is electrically floated.

Abstract: An embodiment semiconductor device includes a first conductive feature in a dielectric layer and a second conductive feature over the dielectric layer and electrically connected to the first conductive feature. The second conductive feature includes a dual damascene structure and further includes a top portion within both a line portion and a via portion of the second conductive feature and a bottom portion in the via portion of the second conductive feature. The bottom portion comprises a different conductive material than the top portion, and a thickness of the bottom portion is at least about twenty percent of a total thickness of the via portion of the second conductive feature.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a MIM capacitor that includes a composite capacitor top metal (CTM) electrode and a composite capacitor bottom metal (CBM) electrode. The composite CBM electrode includes a first diffusion barrier layer overlying a first metal layer, and the composite CTM electrode includes a second diffusion barrier layer overlying a second metal layer. A dielectric layer is arranged over the composite CBM electrode, underlying the composite CTM electrode. The first and second diffusion barrier layers protect the first and second metal layers from metal that diffuses or moves from a metal line underlying the MIM capacitor to the composite CTM and CBM electrodes during manufacture. A method of manufacturing the MIM capacitor is also provided.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure are directed toward through-silicon via (TSV)-based devices and associated techniques and configurations. In one embodiment, an apparatus includes a die having active circuitry disposed on a first side of the die and a second side disposed opposite to the first side, a bulk semiconductor material disposed between the first side and the second side of the die and a device including one or more of a capacitor, resistor or resonator disposed in the bulk semiconductor material, the capacitor, resistor or resonator including one or more TSV structures that extend through the bulk semiconductor material, an electrically insulative material disposed in the one or more TSV structures and an electrode material or resistor material in contact with the electrically insulative material within the one or more TSV structures.

Abstract: Avalanche photodiodes (APDs) having at least one top stressor layer disposed on a germanium (Ge) absorption layer are described herein. The top stressor layer can increase the tensile strain of the Ge absorption layer, thus extending the absorption of APDs to longer wavelengths beyond 1550 nm. In one embodiment, the top stressor layer has a four-layer structure, including an amorphous silicon (Si) layer disposed on the Ge absorption layer; a first silicon dioxide (SiO2) layer disposed on the amorphous Si layer, a silicon nitride (SiN) layer disposed on the first SiO2 layer, and a second SiO2 layer disposed on the SiN layer. The Ge absorption layer can be further doped by p-type dopants. The doping concentration of p-type dopants is controlled such that a graded doping profile is formed within the Ge absorption layer to decrease the dark currents in APDs.

Abstract: A semiconductor wafer has a plurality of semiconductor die with contact pads for electrical interconnect. An insulating layer is formed over the semiconductor wafer. A bump structure is formed over the contact pads. The bump structure has a buffer layer formed over the insulating layer and contact pad. A portion of the buffer layer is removed to expose the contact pad and an outer portion of the insulating layer. A UBM layer is formed over the buffer layer and contact pad. The UBM layer follows a contour of the buffer layer and contact pad. A ring-shaped conductive pillar is formed over the UBM layer using a patterned photoresist layer filled with electrically conductive material. A conductive barrier layer is formed over the ring-shaped conductive pillar. A bump is formed over the conductive barrier layer. The buffer layer reduces thermal and mechanical stress on the bump and contact pad.

Abstract: A technique relates to an airgap structure. A dielectric layer is formed on an underlying layer. Copper filled trenches are formed in the dielectric layer, and a metal liner lines the copper filled trenches. An oxide liner lines the metal liner and covers the dielectric layer. One or more airgaps are formed between the copper filled trenches in areas in which the oxide liner was not present on the dielectric layer. A cap layer is formed on top of the one or more airgaps, the copper filled trenches, and portions of the oxide liner.

Abstract: A transistor structure with stress enhancement geometry aligned above the channel region. Also, a transistor structure with stress enhancement geometries located above and aligned with opposite sides of the channel region. Furthermore, methods for fabricating integrated circuits containing transistors with stress enhancement geometries.

Abstract: Disclosed are a light-emitting device and a manufacturing method thereof. A light-emitting device according to a preferred embodiment of the disclosure comprises: a frame portion having a bottom and a sidewall; a light-emitting portion which is disposed on the frame portion and emits light; and a window portion disposed over the frame portion so as to cover the light-emitting portion.

Abstract: A semiconductor structure includes a gate structure disposed on a substrate. At least one lightly doped region adjoins the gate structure in the substrate. The at least one lightly doped region has a first conductivity type. A source feature and a drain feature are on opposite sides of the gate structure in the substrate. The source feature and the drain feature have the first conductivity type. The source feature is in the at least one lightly doped region. A bulk pick-up region adjoins the source feature in the at least one lightly doped region. The bulk pick-up region has a second conductivity type.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a Fin FET includes forming a fin structure including an upper layer. Part of the upper layer is exposed from an isolation insulating layer. A dummy gate structure is formed over part of the fin structure. The dummy gate structure includes a dummy gate electrode layer and a dummy gate dielectric layer. An interlayer insulating layer is formed over the dummy gate structure. The dummy gate structure is removed so that a space is formed. A gate dielectric layer is formed in the space. A first metal layer is formed over the gate dielectric in the space. A second metal layer is formed over the first metal layer in the space. The first and second metal layers are partially removed, thereby reducing a height of the first and second metal layers. A third metal layer is formed over the partially removed first and second metal layers.

Abstract: Semiconductor devices and methods of forming a semiconductor device are disclosed. The device includes a wafer with top and bottom surfaces. The wafer includes edge and non-edge regions. The wafer includes a plurality of devices and partially processed TSV contacts disposed in the non-edge region and a groove disposed at the edge region. The groove enables edges of the wafer to be automatically trimmed off as the wafer is subject to a back-grinding planarization process to expose the TSV contacts in the non-edge region of the wafer.

Abstract: A semiconductor device having a novel structure is provided in which a transistor including an oxide semiconductor and a transistor including a semiconductor material which is not an oxide semiconductor are stacked. Further, a semiconductor device in which a semiconductor element and a capacitor are formed efficiently is provided. In a semiconductor device, a first semiconductor element layer including a transistor formed using a semiconductor material which is not an oxide semiconductor, such as silicon, and a second semiconductor element layer including a transistor formed using an oxide semiconductor are stacked. A capacitor is formed using a wiring layer, or a conductive film or an insulating film which is in the same layer as a conductive film or an insulating film of the second semiconductor element layer.

Abstract: A method includes forming a passivation layer over a metal pad, wherein the metal pad is further overlying a semiconductor substrate of a wafer. A Post-Passivation Interconnect (PPI) is formed to electrically couple to the metal pad, wherein a portion of the PPI is overlying the passivation layer. A metal bump is formed over and electrically coupled to the PPI. The method further includes applying a molding compound over the metal bump and the PPI, applying a release film over the molding compound, pressing the release film against the molding compound, and curing the molding compound when the release film is pressed against the molding compound. The release film is then removed from the molding compound. The wafer is sawed into dies using a blade, with the blade cutting through the molding compound.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes: a nitride semiconductor multilayer; an insulating film disposed on the nitride semiconductor multilayer; and a gate electrode disposed on the insulating film, wherein the nitride semiconductor multilayer has a first oxidized region near an interface with a region of the insulating film below the gate electrode, the first oxidized region having an oxygen concentration higher than an oxygen concentration of a region near an interface with a region of the insulating film other than below the gate electrode.

Abstract: The invention relates to an illumination system comprising a light emitting device and a beam shaping element for generating an angular distribution of the light emitted from the illumination system. The beam shaping element is configured for recycling at least a part of the light emitted from a light emitting surface of the light emitting device via reflection back towards the light emitting surface. The illumination system further comprises a diffuser arranged substantially parallel to the light emitting surface for diffusing at least part of the recycled light. The diffuser is constituted of a translucent diffuser and/or a diffusely reflective electrode layer of the light emitting device. Limiting the angular distribution by recycling light, using the beam shaping element for recycling light via reflection, reduces glare when the illumination system is used in general lighting applications.

Abstract: A method of making a novel STT-MRAM is disclosed, wherein the STT-MRAM comprises a novel apparatus along with a method of operating a spin-torque magnetoresistive memory and a plurality of magnetoresistive memory elements having spin-transfer torques acting on a recording layer from a MTJ stack and a novel magnetoresistance with a spin-valve layer. The spin-valve layer is field-reversible between two stable magnetization states either parallel or anti-parallel to the fixed reference layer magnetization through a set/reset current pulse along a conductive line provided by a control circuitry, accordingly, the magetoresistive element is pre-configured into a reading mode having canceled spin-transfer torques or a recording mode having additive spin-transfer torques.