Abstract: Backside integrated circuit capacitor structures. In an example, a capacitor structure includes a layer of ferroelectric material between first and second electrodes. The first electrode can be connected to a transistor terminal by a backside contact that extends downward from a bottom surface of the transistor terminal to the first electrode. The transistor terminal can be, for instance, a source or drain region, and the backside contact can be self-aligned with the source or drain region. The second electrode can be connected to a backside interconnect feature. In some cases, the capacitor has a height that extends through at least one backside interconnect layer. In some cases, the capacitor is a multi-plate capacitor in which the second conductor is one of a plurality of plate line conductors arranged in a staircase structure. The capacitor structure may be, for example, part of a non-volatile memory device or the cache of a processor.

Abstract: Laser welding is accomplished in a laser welding arrangement by positioning a plurality of workpieces to be joined next to one another so as to form an assembly having at least one interface between the workpieces, by simultaneously directing two laser beams from opposite sides of the assembly against effective welding regions of the workpieces that adjoin the interface and are substantially aligned with one another across the interface, and by effecting relative movement between the assembly and the two laser beams along the interface while maintaining the substantial alignment of the effective welding regions.

Abstract: A novel multiple spot laser welding apparatus includes a bendable mirror capable of deformation, which receives a laser beam at a single reflective surface thereof. A deformation device deforms the single reflective surface of the bendable mirror to provide a plurality of laser sub-beams to a workpiece, generating laser spots on surfaces thereof. The apparatus can be used in a laser welding method that provides a common weld pool formed by laser spots transverse to the weld seam. Another laser welding method provides multiple laser spots oriented along a weld seam producing a common weld pool therebetween. Still another laser welding method provides multiple laser spots along a weld seam producing distinct weld pools.