Abstract: A method of forming a bump overlying the copper based contact pad to prevent oxidation of the copper based contact pad. A passivation blanket is deposited over a semiconductor device having a copper based contact pad, the passivation blanket includes a first layer overlying the top surface; a second layer overlying the first layer; a portion of the second layer overlying the copper based contact pad is removed leaving the first layer in place; depositing an under bump metallurgy over the semiconductor device, a portion of the first layer overlying the copper based contact pad is removed so that the copper based contact pad has limited exposure to oxygen; depositing an under bump metallurgy over the semiconductor device; removing excess under bump metallurgy; depositing an electrically conductive material over the under bump metallurgy; reflowing electrically conductive material to form a bump overlying the copper based contact pad.

Abstract: A method of making electrically conductive bumps of improved height on a semiconductor device. The method includes steps of depositing an under bump metallurgy over a semiconductor device onto a contact pad; depositing and patterning a photoresist layer to provide an opening over the under bump metallurgy; depositing a first electrically conductive material into the opening in the photoresist layer; depositing a second electrically conductive material over the first electrically conductive material; removing the photoresist layer and the excess under bump metallurgy; applying a flux agent to the top surface of the second electrically conductive material; hard baking the semiconductor device to remove any oxide; dipping a portion of the semiconductor device in an electroless plating solution; removing the semiconductor device from the electroless plating solution; and reflowing the electrically conductive materials to provide a bump of improved height on the semiconductor device.

Abstract: Disclosed is an ordered microelectronic fabrication sequence in which color filters are formed by conformal deposition directly onto a photodetector array of a CCD, CID, or CMOS imaging device to create a concave-up pixel surface, and, overlayed with a high transmittance planarizing film of specified index of refraction and physical properties which optimize light collection to the photodiode without additional conventional microlenses. The optically flat top surface serves to encapsulate and protect the imager from chemical and thermal cleaning treatment damage, minimizes topographical underlayer variations which aberrate or cause reflection losses of images formed on non-planar surfaces, and, obviates residual particle inclusions induced during dicing and packaging. A CCD imager is formed by photolithographically patterning a planar-array of photodiodes on a semiconductor substrate. The photodiode array is provided with metal photoshields, passivated, and, color filters are formed thereon.

Abstract: A new method and processing sequence is provided for the creation of interconnect bumps. A layer of passivation is deposited over a contact pad and patterned, creating an opening in the layer of passivation that aligns with the contact pad. A layer of UBM metal is deposited over the layer of passivation, the layer of UBM is overlying the contact pad and limited to the immediate surroundings of the contact pad. The central surface of the layer of UBM is selectively electroplated after which a layer of solder or solder alloy is solder printed over the electroplated surface of the layer of UBM. A solder flux or paste is applied over the surface of the solder printed solder compound or solder alloy. Flowing of the solder or solder alloy creates the solder bump of the invention.

Abstract: A new method and processing sequence is provided for the creation of interconnect bumps. A layer of passivation is deposited over a contact pad and patterned, creating an opening in the layer of passivation that aligns with the contact pad. A layer of UBM metal is deposited over the layer of passivation, the layer of UBM is overlying the contact pad and limited to the immediate surroundings of the contact pad. The central surface of the layer of UBM is selectively electroplated after which a layer of solder or solder alloy is solder printed over the electroplated surface of the layer of UBM. A solder flux or paste is applied over the surface of the solder printed solder compound or solder alloy. Flowing of the solder or solder alloy creates the solder bump of the invention.

Abstract: A method for bumping and backlapping a semiconductor wafer that has a multiplicity of solder bumps formed on an active surface of the wafer is disclosed. In the method, a preprocessed wafer that has a multiplicity of bond pads formed on a top surface is first provided, a under-bump-metallurgy (UBM) layer is then sputter deposited on top of the wafer surface, followed by the lamination of a dry film resist layer on top of the UBM layer. The dry film resist layer is then patterned with a multiplicity of openings exposing the multiplicity of bond pads, followed by the deposition of a solder material into the multiplicity of openings to form the solder bump's. A protective tape is then adhesively bonded to the top of the dry film resist layer before the wafer is positioned into a backlapping apparatus for removing of a preselected thickness from the backside of the wafer.

Abstract: A method for bumping and backlapping a semiconductor wafer that has a multiplicity of solder bumps formed on an active surface of the wafer is disclosed. In the method, a preprocessed wafer that has a multiplicity of bond pads formed on a top surface is first provided, a under-bump-metallurgy (UBM) layer is then sputter deposited on top of the wafer surface, followed by the lamination of a dry film resist layer on top of the UBM layer. The dry film resist layer is then patterned with a multiplicity of openings exposing the multiplicity of bond pads, followed by the deposition of a solder material into the multiplicity of openings to form the solder bumps. A protective tape is then adhesively bonded to the top of the dry film resist layer before the wafer is positioned into a backlapping apparatus for removing of a preselected thickness from the backside of the wafer.

Abstract: A method for forming an under bump metal, comprising the following steps. A semiconductor structure is provided having an exposed I/O pad. A patterned passivation layer is formed over the semiconductor structure, the patterned passivation layer having an opening exposing a first portion of the I/O pad. A dry film resistor (DFR) layer is laminated, exposed and developed to form a patterned dry film resistor (DFR) layer over the patterned passivation layer. The patterned dry film resistor (DFR) layer having an opening exposing a second portion of the I/O pad. The patterned dry film resistor (DFR) layer opening having opposing side walls with a predetermined profile with an undercut. A metal layer is formed over the patterned dry film resistor (DFR) layer, the exposed third portion of the I/O pad, and over at least a portion of the opposing side walls of the patterned dry film resistor (DFR) layer opening.

Abstract: A method for removing a multiplicity of solder bodies connected to a semiconductor wafer through a copper wetting layer from the semiconductor wafer is disclosed. In the method, a semiconductor wafer that has on a top surface a multiplicity of solder bodies electrically connected to a multiplicity of bond pads through a multiplicity of copper wetting layers is first provided. When the multiplicity of solder bodies is found out of specification or must be removed for any other quality reasons, the semiconductor wafer is exposed to an etchant that has an etch rate toward the copper wetting layer at least 5 times the etch rate toward a metal that forms the multiplicity of bond pads. The semiconductor wafer may be removed from the etchant when the multiplicity of copper wetting layers is substantially dissolved such that the multiplicity of solder bodies is separated from the multiplicity of bond pads. The multiplicity of solder bodies may be either solder bumps or solder balls.

Abstract: A bipolar transistor is described whose I-V curve is such that it operates in two regions, one having low gain and low power consumption and another having higher gain and better current driving ability. Said transistor has a base region made up of two sub regions, the region closest to the emitter having a resistivity about an order a magnitude lower than the second region (which interfaces with the collector). A key feature of the invention is that the region closest to the collector is very uniformly doped, i.e. there is no gradient or built-in field present. In order to produce such a region, epitaxial growth along with boron doping is used rather than more conventional techniques such as ion implantation and/or diffusion.

Abstract: A bipolar transistor is described whose I-V curve is such that it operates in two regions, one having low gain and low power consumption and another having higher gain and better current driving ability. Said transistor has a base region made up of two sub regions, the region closest to the emitter having a resistivity about an order a magnitude lower than the second region (which interfaces with the collector). A key feature of the invention is that the region closest to the collector is very uniformly doped, i.e. there is no gradient or built-in field present. In order to produce such a region, epitaxial growth along with boron doping is used rather than more conventional techniques such as ion implantation and/or diffusion.