Abstract: Techniques and structure are disclosed for enhancing fracture resistance of back-end interconnects and other such interconnect structures by increasing via density. Increased via density can be provided, for example, within the filler/dummified portion(s) of adjacent circuit layers within a die. In some cases, an electrically isolated (floating) filler line of an upper circuit layer may include a via which lands on a floating filler line of a lower circuit layer in a region corresponding to where the filler lines cross/intersect. In some such cases, the floating filler line of the upper circuit layer may be formed as a dual-damascene structure including such a via. In some embodiments, a via similarly may be provided between a floating filler line of the upper circuit layer and a sufficiently electrically isolated interconnect line of the lower circuit layer. The techniques/structure can be used to provide mechanical integrity for the die.

Abstract: Described herein are techniques related to implementation of a quantum key distribution (QKD) scheme by a photonic integrated circuit (PIC). For example, the PIC is a component in a wireless device that is used for quantum communications in a quantum communications system.

Abstract: A metallization layer including a fully clad interconnect and a method of forming a fully clad interconnect. An opening is formed in a dielectric layer, wherein the dielectric layer has a surface and the opening includes walls and a bottom. A diffusion barrier layer and an adhesion layer are deposited on the dielectric layer. An interconnect material is deposited on the dielectric layer and reflowed into the opening forming an interconnect. An adhesion capping layer and diffusion barrier capping layer are deposited over the interconnect. The interconnect is surrounded by the adhesion layer and the adhesion capping layer and the adhesion layer and the adhesion capping layer are surrounded by the diffusion barrier layer and the diffusion capping layer.

Abstract: Vertical meander inductors for small core voltage regulators and approaches to fabricating vertical meander inductors for small core voltage regulators are described. For example, a semiconductor die includes a substrate. An integrated circuit is disposed on an active surface of the substrate. An inductor is coupled to the integrated circuit. The inductor is disposed conformal with an insulating layer disposed on an essentially planar surface of the substrate. The insulating layer has an undulating topography.

Abstract: Vertical meander inductors for small core voltage regulators and approaches to fabricating vertical meander inductors for small core voltage regulators are described. For example, a semiconductor die includes a substrate. An integrated circuit is disposed on an active surface of the substrate. An inductor is coupled to the integrated circuit. The inductor is disposed conformal with an insulating layer disposed on an essentially planar surface of the substrate. The insulating layer has an undulating topography.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention describe low capacitance interconnect structures for semiconductor devices and methods for manufacturing such devices. According to an embodiment of the invention, a low capacitance interconnect structure comprises an interlayer dielectric (ILD). First and second interconnect lines are disposed in the ILD in an alternating pattern. The top surfaces of the first interconnect lines may be recessed below the top surfaces of the second interconnect lines. Increases in the recess of the first interconnect lines decreases the line-to-line capacitance between neighboring interconnects. Further embodiments include utilizing different dielectric materials as etching caps above the first and second interconnect lines. The different materials may have a high selectivity over each other during an etching process. Accordingly, the alignment budget for contacts to individual interconnect lines is increased.

Abstract: Described herein are technologies related to self-disabling feature of a integrated circuit device to avoid unauthorized access to stored data information.

Abstract: Processes for forming interconnection layers having tight pitch interconnect structures within a dielectric layer, wherein trenches and vias used to formed interconnect structures have relatively low aspect ratios prior to metallization. The low aspect ratios may reduce or substantially eliminated the potential of voids forming within the metallization material when it is deposited. Embodiments herein may achieve such relatively low aspect ratios through processes that allows for the removal of structures, which are utilized to form the trenches and the vias, prior to metallization.

Abstract: An embodiment includes a metal interconnect structure, comprising: a dielectric layer disposed on a substrate; an opening in the dielectric layer, wherein the opening has sidewalls and exposes a conductive region of at least one of the substrate and an interconnect line; an adhesive layer, comprising manganese, disposed over the conductive region and on the sidewalls; and a fill material, comprising cobalt, within the opening and on a surface of the adhesion layer. Other embodiments are described herein.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for forming interconnects in porous dielectric materials. In accordance with some embodiments, the porosity of a host dielectric layer may be reduced temporarily by stuffing its pores with a sacrificial pore-stuffing material, such as titanium nitride (TiN), titanium dioxide (TiO2), or other suitable sacrificial material having a high etch selectivity compared to the metallization and dielectric material of the interconnect. After interconnect formation within the stuffed dielectric layer, the sacrificial pore-stuffing material can be removed from the pores of the host dielectric. In some cases, removal and curing can be performed with minimal or otherwise negligible effect on the dielectric constant (?-value), leakage performance, and/or time-dependent dielectric breakdown (TDDB) properties of the host dielectric layer.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention describe low capacitance interconnect structures for semiconductor devices and methods for manufacturing such devices. According to an embodiment of the invention, a low capacitance interconnect structure comprises an interlayer dielectric (ILD). First and second interconnect lines are disposed in the ILD in an alternating pattern. The top surfaces of the first interconnect lines may be recessed below the top surfaces of the second interconnect lines. Increases in the recess of the first interconnect lines decreases the line-to-line capacitance between neighboring interconnects. Further embodiments include utilizing different dielectric materials as etching caps above the first and second interconnect lines. The different materials may have a high selectivity over each other during an etching process. Accordingly, the alignment budget for contacts to individual interconnect lines is increased.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention describe low capacitance interconnect structures for semiconductor devices and methods for manufacturing such devices. According to an embodiment of the invention, a low capacitance interconnect structure comprises an interlayer dielectric (ILD). First and second interconnect lines are disposed in the ILD in an alternating pattern. The top surfaces of the first interconnect lines may be recessed below the top surfaces of the second interconnect lines. Increases in the recess of the first interconnect lines decreases the line-to-line capacitance between neighboring interconnects. Further embodiments include utilizing different dielectric materials as etching caps above the first and second interconnect lines. The different materials may have a high selectivity over each other during an etching process. Accordingly, the alignment budget for contacts to individual interconnect lines is increased.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure are directed towards passivation techniques and configurations for a flexible display. In one embodiment, a flexible display includes a flexible substrate, an array of display elements configured to emit or modulate light disposed on the flexible substrate, and a passivation layer including molecules of silicon (Si) bonded with oxygen (O) or nitrogen (N), the passivation layer being disposed on the array of display elements to protect the array of display elements from environmental hazards.

Abstract: Vertical meander inductors for small core voltage regulators and approaches to fabricating vertical meander inductors for small core voltage regulators are described. For example, a semiconductor die includes a substrate. An integrated circuit is disposed on an active surface of the substrate. An inductor is coupled to the integrated circuit. The inductor is disposed conformal with an insulating layer disposed on an essentially planar surface of the substrate. The insulating layer has an undulating topography.

Abstract: Vertical meander inductors for small core voltage regulators and approaches to fabricating vertical meander inductors for small core voltage regulators are described. For example, a semiconductor die includes a substrate. An integrated circuit is disposed on an active surface of the substrate. An inductor is coupled to the integrated circuit. The inductor is disposed conformal with an insulating layer disposed on an essentially planar surface of the substrate. The insulating layer has an undulating topography.

Abstract: Techniques and structure are disclosed for enhancing fracture resistance of back-end interconnects and other such interconnect structures by increasing via density. Increased via density can be provided, for example, within the filler/dummified portion(s) of adjacent circuit layers within a die. In some cases, an electrically isolated (floating) filler line of an upper circuit layer may include a via which lands on a floating filler line of a lower circuit layer in a region corresponding to where the filler lines cross/intersect. In some such cases, the floating filler line of the upper circuit layer may be formed as a dual-damascene structure including such a via. In some embodiments, a via similarly may be provided between a floating filler line of the upper circuit layer and a sufficiently electrically isolated interconnect line of the lower circuit layer. The techniques/structure can be used to provide mechanical integrity for the die.

Abstract: A metal interconnect comprising cobalt and method of forming a metal interconnect comprising cobalt are described. In an embodiment, a metal interconnect comprising cobalt includes a dielectric layer disposed on a substrate, an opening formed in the dielectric layer such that the substrate is exposed. The embodiment further includes a seed layer disposed over the substrate and a fill material comprising cobalt formed within the opening and on a surface of the seed layer.

Abstract: Described herein are technologies related to self-disabling feature of a integrated circuit device to avoid unauthorized access to stored data information

Abstract: A wearable image sensor is described. In one example, an apparatus includes a camera to capture images with a wide field of view, a data interface to send camera images to an external device, and a power supply to power the camera and the data interface. The camera, data interface, and power supply are attached to a garment that is wearable.

Abstract: Described herein are techniques related to implementation of a quantum key distribution (QKD) scheme by a photonic integrated circuit (PIC). For example, the PIC is a component in a wireless device that is used for quantum communications in a quantum communications system.