Abstract: An integrated circuit includes a semiconductor substrate, contact pads, testing pads, conductive posts, dummy posts, and a protection layer. The contact pads and the testing pads are distributed over the semiconductor substrate. The conductive posts are disposed on the contact pads. The dummy posts are disposed on the testing pads and are electrically floating. The protection layer covers the conductive posts and the dummy posts. A distance between top surfaces of the conductive posts and a top surface of the protection layer is smaller than a distance between top surfaces of the dummy posts and the top surface of the protection layer.

Abstract: Provided is a package structure including a first die and an encapsulant. The first die includes a substrate, a plurality of pads over the substrate, a passivation layer on portions of each of the plurality of pads, a plurality of first die connectors on the plurality of pads, respectively and a dielectric layer laterally encapsulating the plurality of first die connectors. The encapsulant laterally encapsulates the first die. One of the plurality of first die connectors is a taper-shaped die connector. A width of the one of the plurality of first die connectors gradually increases from a top surface of the one of the plurality of first die connectors toward the a top surface of the passivation layer.

Abstract: A method of forming a semiconductor structure includes forming an etch stop layer on a substrate, forming a metal oxide layer over the etch stop layer, and forming an interlayer dielectric (ILD) layer on the metal oxide layer. The method further includes forming a trench etch opening over the ILD layer, forming a capping layer over the trench etch opening, and forming a via etch opening over the capping layer.

Abstract: A method of forming a semiconductor structure includes forming an etch stop layer on a substrate, forming a metal oxide layer over the etch stop layer, and forming an interlayer dielectric (ILD) layer on the metal oxide layer. The method further includes forming a trench etch opening over the ILD layer, forming a capping layer over the trench etch opening, and forming a via etch opening over the capping layer.

Abstract: A dielectric layer is formed over a substrate, an anti-reflective layer is formed over the dielectric layer, and a first hardmask is formed over the anti-reflective layer. A via opening and a trench opening are formed within the dielectric layer using the anti-reflective layer and the first hardmask as masking materials. After the formation of the trench opening and the via opening, the first hardmask is removed. An interconnect is formed within the openings, and the interconnect has a via with a profile angle of between about 70° and about 80° and a depth ratio of between about 65% and about 70%.

Abstract: A dielectric layer is formed over a substrate, an anti-reflective layer is formed over the dielectric layer, and a first hardmask is formed over the anti-reflective layer. A via opening and a trench opening are formed within the dielectric layer using the anti-reflective layer and the first hardmask as masking materials. After the formation of the trench opening and the via opening, the first hardmask is removed. An interconnect is formed within the openings, and the interconnect has a via with a profile angle of between about 70° and about 80° and a depth ratio of between about 65% and about 70%.

Abstract: A method of forming a semiconductor structure includes forming an etch stop layer on a substrate, forming a metal oxide layer over the etch stop layer, and forming an interlayer dielectric (ILD) layer on the metal oxide layer. The method further includes forming a trench etch opening over the ILD layer, forming a capping layer over the trench etch opening, and forming a via etch opening over the capping layer.

Abstract: Implementations of the present disclosure provide methods for preventing contact damage or oxidation after via/trench opening formation. In one example, the method includes forming an opening in a structure on the substrate to expose a portion of a surface of an electrically conductive feature, and bombarding a surface of a mask layer of the structure using energy species formed from a plasma to release reactive species from the mask layer, wherein the released reactive species form a barrier layer on the exposed surface of the electrically conductive feature.

Abstract: Implementations of the present disclosure provide methods for preventing contact damage or oxidation after via/trench opening formation. In one example, the method includes forming an opening in a structure on the substrate to expose a portion of a surface of an electrically conductive feature, and bombarding a surface of a mask layer of the structure using energy species formed from a plasma to release reactive species from the mask layer, wherein the released reactive species form a barrier layer on the exposed surface of the electrically conductive feature.

Abstract: A method of forming a semiconductor structure includes forming an etch stop layer on a substrate, forming a metal oxide layer over the etch stop layer, and forming an interlayer dielectric (ILD) layer on the metal oxide layer. The method further includes forming a trench etch opening over the ILD layer, forming a capping layer over the trench etch opening, and forming a via etch opening over the capping layer.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes an exemplary etch process in a reactor that includes a shower head and an electrostatic chuck configured to receive a radio frequency (RF) power. The shower head includes a top plate and a bottom plate with one or more gas channels that receive incoming gases. The method can include (i) rotating the top plate or the bottom plate of the shower head to a first position to allow a gas to flow through the shower head; (ii) performing a surface modification cycle that includes: applying a negative direct current (DC) bias voltage to the shower head, applying an RF power signal to the wafer chuck; and (iii) performing an etching cycle that includes: removing the negative DC bias voltage from the shower head and lowering the RF power signal applied to the wafer chuck.

Abstract: A method of forming a semiconductor structure includes forming an etch stop layer on a substrate, forming a metal oxide layer over the etch stop layer, and forming an interlayer dielectric (ILD) layer on the metal oxide layer. The method further includes forming a trench etch opening over the ILD layer, forming a capping layer over the trench etch opening, and forming a via etch opening over the capping layer.

Abstract: A wire bonding device of a stator of a motor includes an insulating ring, a conductive wire, and a wire-bonding terminal. The insulating ring includes a bottom, an inner sidewall, and an outer sidewall. The inner sidewall is connected to an inner edge of the bottom. The outer sidewall is connected to an outer edge of the bottom. The conductive wire is accommodated in the insulating ring. The conductive wire is covered with an insulating cladding layer. The wire-bonding terminal includes a clamping portion, a protruding portion, and a wire-bonding segment. The clamping portion clamps the conductive wire. An end of the protruding portion is connected to the clamping portion. Another end of the protruding portion protrudes out of the insulating ring. An end of the wire-bonding segment is connected to said another end of the protruding portion.

Abstract: A dielectric layer is formed over a substrate, an anti-reflective layer is formed over the dielectric layer, and a first hardmask is formed over the anti-reflective layer. A via opening and a trench opening are formed within the dielectric layer using the anti-reflective layer and the first hardmask as masking materials. After the formation of the trench opening and the via opening, the first hardmask is removed. An interconnect is formed within the openings, and the interconnect has a via with a profile angle of between about 70° and about 80° and a depth ratio of between about 65% and about 70%.

Abstract: A method includes mounting a wafer on a chuck disposed within a chamber of an etching system, the wafer being encircled by a focus ring. While etching portions of the wafer, an etch direction is adjusted to a first desired etch direction by adjusting a vertical position of the focus ring relative to the wafer to a first desired vertical position. While etching portions of the wafer, the etch direction is adjusted to a second desired etch direction by adjusting the vertical position of the focus ring relative to the wafer to a second desired vertical position. The second desired vertical position is different from the first desired vertical position. The second desired etch direction is different from the first desired etch direction.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a semiconductor device and a manufacturing method, and more particularly to a semiconductor device having reduced trench loading effect. The present disclosure provides a novel multi-layer cap film incorporating one or more oxygen-based layers for reducing trench loading effects in semiconductor devices. The multi-layer cap film can be made of a metal hard mask layer and one or more oxygen-based layers. The metal hard mask layer can be formed of titanium nitride (TiN). The oxygen-based layer can be formed of tetraethyl orthosilicate (TEOS).

Abstract: An interconnect structure and a method of forming are provided. The method includes forming an opening in a dielectric layer and an etch stop layer, wherein the opening extends only partially through the etch stop layer. The method also includes creating a vacuum environment around the device. After creating the vacuum environment around the device, the method includes etching through the etch stop layer to extend the opening and expose a first conductive feature. The method also includes forming a second conductive feature in the opening.

Abstract: A dielectric layer is formed over a substrate, an anti-reflective layer is formed over the dielectric layer, and a first hardmask is formed over the anti-reflective layer. A via opening and a trench opening are formed within the dielectric layer using the anti-reflective layer and the first hardmask as masking materials. After the formation of the trench opening and the via opening, the first hardmask is removed. An interconnect is formed within the openings, and the interconnect has a via with a profile angle of between about 70° and about 80° and a depth ratio of between about 65% and about 70%.

Abstract: A wire bonding device of a stator of a motor includes an insulating ring, a conductive wire, and a wire-bonding terminal. The insulating ring includes a bottom, an inner sidewall, and an outer sidewall. The inner sidewall is connected to an inner edge of the bottom. The outer sidewall is connected to an outer edge of the bottom. The conductive wire is accommodated in the insulating ring. The conductive wire is covered with an insulating cladding layer. The wire-bonding terminal includes a clamping portion, a protruding portion, and a wire-bonding segment. The clamping portion clamps the conductive wire. An end of the protruding portion is connected to the clamping portion. Another end of the protruding portion protrudes out of the insulating ring. An end of the wire-bonding segment is connected to said another end of the protruding portion.

Abstract: A plasma processing apparatus is provided. The apparatus includes a lower sheltering module. The apparatus further includes an upper sheltering module arranged adjacent to the lower sheltering module. The apparatus includes an upper plate and an upper PEZ ring positioned around the upper plate. The apparatus also includes a shadowing unit that includes a number of engaging parts in the form of arcs detachably positioned on the upper PEZ ring. In addition, the apparatus includes a plasma generation module for generating plasma in the peripheral region of the lower sheltering module and the upper sheltering module.