Abstract: An optical apparatus is provided comprising: first and second optical waveguides disposed in a substrate such that light reflected by a beam splitting optical element of the first waveguide passes between beam splitting elements of the second waveguide.

Abstract: It is highly desirable in electronic systems to conserve space on printed circuit boards (PCB). This disclosure describes voltage regulation in electronic systems, and more specifically to integrating voltage regulators and associated passive components into semiconductor packages with at least a portion of the circuits whose voltage(s) they are regulating.

Abstract: Some embodiments of the invention provide a three-dimensional (3D) circuit that is formed by stacking two or more integrated circuit (IC) dies to at least partially overlap and to share one or more interconnect layers that distribute power, clock and/or data-bus signals. The shared interconnect layers include interconnect segments that carry power, clock and/or data-bus signals. In some embodiments, the shared interconnect layers are higher level interconnect layers (e.g., the top interconnect layer of each IC die). In some embodiments, the stacked IC dies of the 3D circuit include first and second IC dies. The first die includes a first semiconductor substrate and a first set of interconnect layers defined above the first semiconductor substrate. Similarly, the second IC die includes a second semiconductor substrate and a second set of interconnect layers defined above the second semiconductor substrate.

Abstract: An integrated circuit and a method for designing an IC wherein the base or host chip is bonded to smaller chiplets via DBI technology. The bonding of chip to chiplet creates an uneven or multi-level surface of the overall chip requiring a releveling for future bonding. The uneven surface is built up with plating of bumps and subsequently releveled with various methods including planarization.

Abstract: A bonded structure can include a first reconstituted element comprising a first element and having a first side comprising a first bonding surface and a second side opposite the first side. The first reconstituted element can comprise a first protective material disposed about a first sidewall surface of the first element. The bonded structure can comprise a second reconstituted element comprising a second element and having a first side comprising a second bonding surface and a second side opposite the first side. The first reconstituted element can comprise a second protective material disposed about a second sidewall surface of the second element. The second bonding surface of the first side of the second reconstituted element can be directly bonded to the first bonding surface of the first side of the first reconstituted element without an intervening adhesive along a bonding interface.

Abstract: Representative implementations of techniques and devices provide seals for sealing the joints of bonded microelectronic devices as well as bonded and sealed microelectronic assemblies. Seals are disposed at joined surfaces of stacked dies and wafers to seal the joined surfaces. The seals may be disposed at an exterior periphery of the bonded microelectronic devices or disposed within the periphery using the various techniques.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed herein for creating over and under interconnects. Using techniques described herein, over and under interconnects are created on an IC. Instead of creating signaling interconnects and power/ground interconnects on a same side of a chip assembly, the signaling interconnects can be placed on an opposing side of the chip assembly as compared to the power interconnects.

Abstract: Apparatuses relating to a microelectronic package are disclosed. In one such apparatus, a substrate has first contacts on an upper surface thereof. A microelectronic die has a lower surface facing the upper surface of the substrate and having second contacts on an upper surface of the microelectronic die. Wire bonds have bases joined to the first contacts and have edge surfaces between the bases and corresponding end surfaces. A first portion of the wire bonds are interconnected between a first portion of the first contacts and the second contacts. The end surfaces of a second portion of the wire bonds are above the upper surface of the microelectronic die. A dielectric layer is above the upper surface of the substrate and between the wire bonds. The second portion of the wire bonds have uppermost portions thereof bent over to be parallel with an upper surface of the dielectric layer.

Abstract: Some embodiments of the invention provide a three-dimensional (3D) circuit that is formed by stacking two or more integrated circuit (IC) dies to at least partially overlap and to share one or more interconnect layers that distribute power, clock and/or data-bus signals. The shared interconnect layers include interconnect segments that carry power, clock and/or data-bus signals. In some embodiments, the shared interconnect layers are higher level interconnect layers (e.g., the top interconnect layer of each IC die). In some embodiments, the stacked IC dies of the 3D circuit include first and second IC dies. The first die includes a first semiconductor substrate and a first set of interconnect layers defined above the first semiconductor substrate. Similarly, the second IC die includes a second semiconductor substrate and a second set of interconnect layers defined above the second semiconductor substrate.

Abstract: A bonded structure can include a first reconstituted element comprising a first element and having a first side comprising a first bonding surface and a second side opposite the first side. The first reconstituted element can comprise a first protective material disposed about a first sidewall surface of the first element. The bonded structure can comprise a second reconstituted element comprising a second element and having a first side comprising a second bonding surface and a second side opposite the first side. The first reconstituted element can comprise a second protective material disposed about a second sidewall surface of the second element. The second bonding surface of the first side of the second reconstituted element can be directly bonded to the first bonding surface of the first side of the first reconstituted element without an intervening adhesive along a bonding interface.

Abstract: Some embodiments of the invention provide a three-dimensional (3D) circuit that is formed by stacking two or more integrated circuit (IC) dies to at least partially overlap and to share one or more interconnect layers that distribute power, clock and/or data-bus signals. The shared interconnect layers include interconnect segments that carry power, clock and/or data-bus signals. In some embodiments, the shared interconnect layers are higher level interconnect layers (e.g., the top interconnect layer of each IC die). In some embodiments, the stacked IC dies of the 3D circuit include first and second IC dies. The first die includes a first semiconductor substrate and a first set of interconnect layers defined above the first semiconductor substrate. Similarly, the second IC die includes a second semiconductor substrate and a second set of interconnect layers defined above the second semiconductor substrate.

Abstract: Layer structures for making direct metal-to-metal bonds at low temperatures and shorter annealing durations in microelectronics are provided. Example bonding interface structures enable direct metal-to-metal bonding of interconnects at low annealing temperatures of 150° C. or below, and at a lower energy budget. The example structures provide a precise metal recess distance for conductive pads and vias being bonded that can be achieved in high volume manufacturing. The example structures provide a vertical stack of conductive layers under the bonding interface, with geometries and thermal expansion features designed to vertically expand the stack at lower temperatures over the precise recess distance to make the direct metal-to-metal bonds. Further enhancements, such as surface nanotexture and copper crystal plane selection, can further actuate the direct metal-to-metal bonding at lowered annealing temperatures and shorter annealing durations.

Abstract: In various embodiments, a bonded structure is disclosed. The bonded structure can include an element and a passive electronic component having a first surface bonded to the element and a second surface opposite the first surface. The passive electronic component can comprise a first anode terminal bonded to a corresponding second anode terminal of the element and a first cathode terminal bonded to a corresponding second cathode terminal of the element. The first anode terminal and the first cathode terminal can be disposed on the first surface of the passive electronic component.

Abstract: A nanowire bonding interconnect for fine-pitch microelectronics is provided. Vertical nanowires created on conductive pads provide a debris-tolerant bonding layer for making direct metal bonds between opposing pads or vias. Nanowires may be grown from a nanoporous medium with a height between 200-1000 nanometers and a height-to-diameter aspect ratio that enables the nanowires to partially collapse against the opposing conductive pads, creating contact pressure for nanowires to direct-bond to opposing pads. Nanowires may have diameters less than 200 nanometers and spacing less than 1 ?m from each other to enable contact or direct-bonding between pads and vias with diameters under 5 ?m at very fine pitch. The nanowire bonding interconnects may be used with or without tinning, solders, or adhesives.

Abstract: It is highly desirable in electronic systems to conserve space on printed circuit boards (PCB). This disclosure describes voltage regulation in electronic systems, and more specifically to integrating voltage regulators and associated passive components into semiconductor packages with at least a portion of the circuits whose voltage(s) they are regulating.

Abstract: Some embodiments of the invention provide a three-dimensional (3D) circuit that is formed by stacking two or more integrated circuit (IC) dies to at least partially overlap and to share one or more interconnect layers that distribute power, clock and/or data-bus signals. The shared interconnect layers include interconnect segments that carry power, clock and/or data-bus signals. In some embodiments, the shared interconnect layers are higher level interconnect layers (e.g., the top interconnect layer of each IC die). In some embodiments, the stacked IC dies of the 3D circuit include first and second IC dies. The first die includes a first semiconductor substrate and a first set of interconnect layers defined above the first semiconductor substrate. Similarly, the second IC die includes a second semiconductor substrate and a second set of interconnect layers defined above the second semiconductor substrate.

Abstract: Representative implementations of techniques and devices provide seals for sealing the joints of bonded microelectronic devices as well as bonded and sealed microelectronic assemblies. Seals are disposed at joined surfaces of stacked dies and wafers to seal the joined surfaces. The seals may be disposed at an exterior periphery of the bonded microelectronic devices or disposed within the periphery using the various techniques.

Abstract: It is highly desirable in electronic systems to conserve space on printed circuit boards (PCB). This disclosure describes voltage regulation in electronic systems, and more specifically to integrating voltage regulators and associated passive components into semiconductor packages with at least a portion of the circuits whose voltage(s) they are regulating.

Abstract: Apparatuses relating to a microelectronic package are disclosed. In one such apparatus, a substrate has first contacts on an upper surface thereof. A microelectronic die has a lower surface facing the upper surface of the substrate and having second contacts on an upper surface of the microelectronic die. Wire bonds have bases joined to the first contacts and have edge surfaces between the bases and corresponding end surfaces. A first portion of the wire bonds are interconnected between a first portion of the first contacts and the second contacts. The end surfaces of a second portion of the wire bonds are above the upper surface of the microelectronic die. A dielectric layer is above the upper surface of the substrate and between the wire bonds. The second portion of the wire bonds have uppermost portions thereof bent over to be parallel with an upper surface of the dielectric layer.

Abstract: A bonded structure can include a first reconstituted element comprising a first element and having a first side comprising a first bonding surface and a second side opposite the first side. The first reconstituted element can comprise a first protective material disposed about a first sidewall surface of the first element. The bonded structure can comprise a second reconstituted element comprising a second element and having a first side comprising a second bonding surface and a second side opposite the first side. The first reconstituted element can comprise a second protective material disposed about a second sidewall surface of the second element. The second bonding surface of the first side of the second reconstituted element can be directly bonded to the first bonding surface of the first side of the first reconstituted element without an intervening adhesive along a bonding interface.