Abstract: Semiconductor integrated thermoelectric devices are provided, which are formed having high-density arrays of thermoelectric (TE) elements using semiconductor thin-film and VLSI (very large scale integration) fabrication processes. Thermoelectric devices can be either separately formed and bonded to semiconductor chips, or integrally formed within the non-active surface of semiconductor chips, for example.

Abstract: Methods for manufacturing an integrated wafer scale package that reduces a potential misalignment between a chip and a pocket of a carrier substrate. According to one aspect of the present invention, a method for manufacturing a semiconductor device includes a photoresist layer disposed on a carrier substrate, a chip placed onto a surface of the photoresist layer. The photoresist layer is patterned using the chip as a mask. The chip is removed from the photoresist layer after the patterning step. A pocket is formed in the carrier substrate, and the chip that was removed is placed into the pocket formed in the carrier substrate.

Abstract: A semiconductor processing method includes providing a substrate, forming a plurality of semiconductor layers in the substrate, each of the semiconductor layers being distinct and selected from different groups of semiconductor element types. The semiconductor layers include a first, second, and third semiconductor layers. The method further includes forming a plurality of lateral void gap isolation regions for isolating portions of each of the semiconductor layers from portions of the other semiconductor layers.

Abstract: Economical methods for forming a co-planar multi-chip wafer-level packages are proposed. Partial wafer bonding and partial wafer dicing techniques are used to create chips as well as pockets. The finished chips are then mounted in the corresponding pockets of a carrier substrate, and global interconnects among the chips are formed on the top planar surface of the finished chips. The proposed methods facilitate the integration of chips fabricated with different process steps and materials. There is no need to use a planarization process such as chemical-mechanical polish to planarize the top surfaces of the chips. Since the chips are precisely aligned to each other and all the chips are mounted facing up, the module is ready for global wiring, which eliminates the need to flip the chips from an upside-down position.

Abstract: A semiconductor package includes an SOI wafer having a first side including an integrated circuit system, and a second side, opposite the first side, forming at least one cavity. At least one chip or component is placed in the cavity. An optical through via is formed through a buried oxide which optically connects the chip(s) to the integrated circuit system.

Abstract: Semiconductor integrated thermoelectric devices are provided, which are formed having high-density arrays of thermoelectric (TE) elements using semiconductor thin-film and VLSI (very large scale integration) fabrication processes. Thermoelectric devices can be either separately formed and bonded to semiconductor chips, or integrally formed within the non-active surface of semiconductor chips, for example.

Abstract: Semiconductor integrated thermoelectric devices are provided, which are formed having high-density arrays of thermoelectric (TE) elements using semiconductor thin-film and VLSI (very large scale integration) fabrication processes. Thermoelectric devices can be either separately formed and bonded to semiconductor chips, or integrally formed within the non-active surface of semiconductor chips, for example.

Abstract: A semiconductor processing method includes providing a substrate, forming a plurality of semiconductor layers in the substrate, each of the semiconductor layers being distinct and selected from different groups of semiconductor element types. The semiconductor layers include a first, second, and third semiconductor layers. The method further includes forming a plurality of lateral void gap isolation regions for isolating portions of each of the semiconductor layers from portions of the other semiconductor layers.

Abstract: A cooling system for a semiconductor substrate includes a plurality of trenches formed from a backside of the semiconductor substrate, and thermally conductive material deposited in the plurality of trenches. A method of forming cooling elements in a semiconductor substrate, includes coating a backside of the semiconductor substrate with a first mask layer, forming a plurality of trench patterns in the first mask layer, etching the semiconductor substrate to form a plurality of trenches along the plurality of trench patterns, and depositing thermally conductive material in the plurality of trenches. Trenches constructed from the backside of a wafer improve efficiency of heat transfer from a front-side to the backside of an integrated-circuit chip. The fabrication of trenches from the backside of the wafer allows for increases in the depth and number of trenches, and provides a means to attach passive and active cooling devices directly to the backside of a wafer.

Abstract: A semiconductor package includes an SOI wafer having a first side including an integrated circuit system, and a second side, opposite the first side, forming at least one cavity. At least one chip or component is placed in the cavity. An optical through via is formed through a buried oxide which optically connects the chip(s) to the integrated circuit system.

Abstract: Methods for manufacturing an integrated wafer scale package that reduces a potential misalignment between a chip and a pocket of a carrier substrate. According to one aspect of the present invention, a method for manufacturing a semiconductor device includes a photoresist layer disposed on a carrier substrate, a chip placed onto a surface of the photoresist layer. The photoresist layer is patterned using the chip as a mask. The chip is removed from the photoresist layer after the patterning step. A pocket is formed in the carrier substrate, and the chip that was removed is placed into the pocket formed in the carrier substrate.

Abstract: A semiconductor package includes an SOI wafer having a first side including an integrated circuit system, and a second side, opposite the first side, forming at least one cavity. At least one chip or component is placed in the cavity. An optical through via is formed through a buried oxide which optically connects the chip(s) to the integrated circuit system.

Abstract: Economical methods for forming a co-planar multi-chip wafer-level packages are proposed. Partial wafer bonding and partial wafer dicing techniques are used to create chips as well as pockets. The finished chips are then mounted in the corresponding pockets of a carrier substrate, and global interconnects among the chips are formed on the top planar surface of the finished chips. The proposed methods facilitate the integration of chips fabricated with different process steps and materials. There is no need to use a planarization process such as chemical-mechanical polish to planarize the top surfaces of the chips. Since the chips are precisely aligned to each other and all the chips are mounted facing up, the module is ready for global wiring, which eliminates the need to flip the chips from an upside-down position.

Abstract: Methods for manufacturing an integrated wafer scale package that reduces a potential misalignment between a chip and a pocket of a carrier substrate. According to one aspect of the present invention, a method for manufacturing a semiconductor device includes a photoresist layer disposed on a carrier substrate, a chip placed onto a surface of the photoresist layer. The photoresist layer is patterned using the chip as a mask. The chip is removed from the photoresist layer after the patterning step. A pocket is formed in the carrier substrate, and the chip that was removed is placed into the pocket formed in the carrier substrate.

Abstract: Economical methods for forming a co-planar multi-chip wafer-level packages are proposed. Partial wafer bonding and partial wafer dicing techniques are used to create chips as well as pockets. The finished chips are then mounted in the corresponding pockets of a carrier substrate, and global interconnects among the chips are formed on the top planar surface of the finished chips. The proposed methods facilitate the integration of chips fabricated with different process steps and materials. There is no need to use a planarization process such as chemical-mechanical polish to planarize the top surfaces of the chips. Since the chips are precisely aligned to each other and all the chips are mounted facing up, the module is ready for global wiring, which eliminates the need to flip the chips from an upside-down position.

Abstract: A semiconductor processing method includes providing a substrate, forming a plurality of semiconductor layers in the substrate, each of the semiconductor layers being distinct and selected from different groups of semiconductor element types, the semiconductor layers comprising first, second, and third semiconductor layers. The method further includes forming a nitride cap layer on the second semiconductor layer prior to forming the third semiconductor layer. Semiconductor structure formed by the above method is also described.

Abstract: A semiconductor processing method includes providing a substrate, forming a plurality of semiconductor layers in the substrate, each of the semiconductor layers being distinct and selected from different groups of semiconductor element types. The semiconductor layers include a first, second, and third semiconductor layers. The method further includes forming a plurality of lateral void gap isolation regions for isolating portions of each of the semiconductor layers from portions of the other semiconductor layers.

Abstract: An on-chip temperature control system includes a temperature sensor, which monitors a temperature of a chip, and a hysteresis comparator which checks whether the temperature is in an acceptable range. A reference adjustment circuit is responsive to the hysteresis comparator to adjust an on-chip voltage to control the temperature locally by adjusting a local supply voltage, if the temperature is out of range.

Abstract: A cooling system for a semiconductor substrate incudes a plurality of trenches formed from a backside of the semiconductor substrate, and thermally conductive material deposited in the plurality of trenches. A method of forming cooling elements in a semiconductor substrate, includes coating a backside of the semiconductor substrate with a first mask layer, forming a plurality of trench patterns in the first mask layer, etching the semiconductor substrate to form a plurality of trenches along the plurality of trench patterns, and depositing thermally conductive material in the plurality of trenches. Trenches constructed from the backside of a wafer improve efficiency of heat transfer from a front-side to the backside of an integrated-circuit chip. The fabrication of trenches from the backside of the wafer allows for increases in the depth and number of trenches, and provides a means to attach passive and active cooling devices directly to the backside of a wafer.

Abstract: A semiconductor package includes an SOI wafer having a first side including an integrated circuit system, and a second side, opposite the first side, forming at least one cavity. At least one chip or component is placed in the cavity. A through buried oxide via connects the chip(s) to the integrated circuit system.