Abstract: Methods and apparatus for forming a semiconductor device are provided which may include any number of features. One feature is a method of forming an interconnect structure that results in the interconnect structure having a co-planar or flat top surface. Another feature is a method of forming an interconnect structure that results in the interconnect structure having a surface that is angled upwards greater than zero with respect to a top surface of the substrate. The interconnect structure can comprise a damascene structure, such as a single or dual damascene structure, or alternatively, can comprise a silicon-through via (TSV) structure.

Abstract: Inverted optical device. In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, a plurality of piggyback substrates are attached to a carrier wafer. The plurality of piggyback substrates are dissimilar in composition to the carrier wafer. The plurality of piggyback substrates are processed, while attached to the carrier wafer, to produce a plurality of integrated circuit devices. A flip wafer is attached to the plurality of light emitting diodes, away from the carrier wafer and the carrier wafer is removed. The plurality of light emitting diodes may be singulated to form individual light emitting diode devices.

Abstract: A capacitor can include a substrate having a first surface, a second surface remote from the first surface, and a through opening extending between the first and second surfaces, first and second metal elements, and a capacitor dielectric layer separating and insulating the first and second metal elements from one another at least within the through opening. The first metal element can be exposed at the first surface and can extend into the through opening. The second metal element can be exposed at the second surface and can extend into the through opening. The first and second metal elements can be electrically connectable to first and second electric potentials. The capacitor dielectric layer can have an undulating shape.

Abstract: A microelectronic assembly can be made by joining first and second subassemblies by electrically conductive masses to connect electrically conductive elements on support elements of each subassembly. A patterned layer of photo-imageable material may overlie a surface of one of the support elements and have openings with cross-sectional dimensions which are constant or monotonically increasing with height from the surface of that support element, where the masses extend through the openings and have dimensions defined thereby. An encapsulation can be formed by flowing an encapsulant into a space between the joined first and second subassemblies.

Abstract: A method for making an interposer includes forming a plurality of wire bonds bonded to one or more first surfaces of a first element. A dielectric encapsulation is formed contacting an edge surface of the wire bonds which separates adjacent wire bonds from one another. Further processing comprises removing at least portions of the first element, wherein the interposer has first and second opposite sides separated from one another by at least the encapsulation, and the interposer having first contacts and second contacts at the first and second opposite sides, respectively, for electrical connection with first and second components, respectively, the first contacts being electrically connected with the second contacts through the wire bonds.

Abstract: Cavities of possibly different widths can be etched in a stack of conductive layers (such as metal) using the same lithographic mask. Dielectric can be formed in the cavities. The cavities may contain voids. Other embodiments are also provided.

Abstract: A microelectronic package can include a substrate having first and second opposed surfaces, at least two pairs of microelectronic elements, and a plurality of terminals exposed at the second surface. Each pair of microelectronic elements can include an upper microelectronic element and a lower microelectronic element. The pairs of microelectronic elements can be fully spaced apart from one another in a horizontal direction parallel to the first surface of the substrate. Each lower microelectronic element can have a front surface facing the first surface of the substrate and a plurality of contacts at the front surface. A surface of each of the upper microelectronic elements can at least partially overlie a rear surface of the lower microelectronic element in its pair. The microelectronic package can also include electrical connections extending from at least some of the contacts of each lower microelectronic element to at least some of the terminals.

Abstract: Embodiments relate generally to electrical and electronic hardware, computer software, wired and wireless network communications, and computing devices, and, in particular, to a wearable device implementing a touch-sensitive interface in a metal pod cover and/or bioimpedance sensing to determine physiological characteristics, such as heart rate. According to an embodiment, a wearable device includes a selectably opaque surface configured to emit arrangements of light to form a display, and a touch-sensitive I/O control circuit coupled to the selectably opaque surface to detect a capacitance value as an input signal to modify the display. Also, the wearable device can include one or more straps coupled to a wearable pod, at least one of the one or more straps including electrodes for sensing a physiological characteristic. A display controller can be configured to display a representation as a function of a value of the physiological characteristic via the selectably opaque surface.

Abstract: A method of making a microelectronic assembly can include molding a dielectric material around at least two conductive elements which project above a height of a substrate having a microelectronic element mounted thereon, so that remote surfaces of the conductive elements remain accessible and exposed within openings extending from an exterior surface of the molded dielectric material. The remote surfaces can be disposed at heights from said surface of said substrate which are lower or higher than a height of the exterior surface of the molded dielectric material from the substrate surface. The conductive elements can be arranged to simultaneously carry first and second different electric potentials: e.g., power, ground or signal potentials.

Abstract: A microelectronic assembly is provided which includes a first element consisting essentially of at least one of semiconductor or inorganic dielectric material having a surface facing and attached to a major surface of a microelectronic element at which a plurality of conductive pads are exposed, the microelectronic element having active semiconductor devices therein. A first opening extends from an exposed surface of the first element towards the surface attached to the microelectronic element, and a second opening extends from the first opening to a first one of the conductive pads, wherein where the first and second openings meet, interior surfaces of the first and second openings extend at different angles relative to the major surface of the microelectronic element. A conductive element extends within the first and second openings and contacts the at least one conductive pad.

Abstract: A method for making a microelectronic unit includes forming a plurality of wire bonds on a first surface in the form of a conductive bonding surface of a structure comprising a patternable metallic element. The wire bonds are formed having bases joined to the first surface and end surfaces remote from the first surface. The wire bonds have edge surfaces extending between the bases and the end surfaces. The method also includes forming a dielectric encapsulation layer over a portion of the first surface of the conductive layer and over portions of the wire bonds such that unencapsulated portions of the wire bonds are defined by end surfaces or portions of the edge surfaces that are uncovered by the encapsulation layer. The metallic element is patterned to form first conductive elements beneath the wire bonds and insulated from one another by portions of the encapsulation layer.

Abstract: Interposers and methods of making the same are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, an interposer includes a region having first and second oppositely facing surfaces and a plurality of pores, each pore extending in a first direction from the first surface towards the second surface, wherein alumina extends along a wall of each pore; a plurality of electrically conductive connection elements extending in the first direction, consisting essentially of aluminum and being electrically isolated from one another by at least the alumina; a first conductive path provided at the first surface for connection with a first component external to the interposer; and a second conductive path provided at the second surface for connection with a second component external to the interposer, wherein the first and second conductive paths are electrically connected through at least some of the connection elements.

Abstract: A microelectronic package may include a first microelectronic unit including a semiconductor chip having first chip contacts, an encapsulant contacting an edge of the semiconductor chip, and first unit contacts exposed at a surface of the encapsulant and electrically connected with the first chip contacts. The package may include a second microelectronic unit including a semiconductor chip having second chip contacts at a surface thereof, and an encapsulant contacting an edge of the chip of the second unit and having a surface extending away from the edge. The surfaces of the chip and the encapsulant of the second unit define a face of the second unit. Package terminals at the face may be electrically connected with the first unit contacts through bond wires electrically connected with the first unit contacts, and the second chip contacts through metallized vias and traces formed in contact with the second chip contacts.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for forming a semiconductor device are provided which may include any number of features. One feature is a method of forming an interconnect structure that results in the interconnect structure having a co-planar or flat top surface. Another feature is a method of forming an interconnect structure that results in the interconnect structure having a surface that is angled upwards greater than zero with respect to a top surface of the substrate. The interconnect structure can comprise a damascene structure, such as a single or dual damascene structure, or alternatively, can comprise a silicon-through via (TSV) structure.

Abstract: Microelectronic assemblies and methods of making the same are disclosed.

Abstract: A microelectronic assembly may include a substrate including a rigid dielectric layer having electrically conductive elements, a microelectronic element having a plurality of contacts exposed at a face thereof, and conductive vias extending through a compliant dielectric layer overlying the rigid dielectric layer. The vias electrically connect the substrate contacts respectively to the conductive elements, and the substrate contacts are joined respectively to the contacts of the microelectronic element. The vias, compliant layer and substrate contacts are adapted to appreciably relieve stress at the substrate contacts associated with differential thermal contact and expansion of the assembly.

Abstract: A method of making a microelectronic package includes forming a dielectric encapsulation layer on an in-process unit having a substrate having a first surface and a second surface remote therefrom. A microelectronic element is mounted to the first surface of the substrate, and a plurality of conductive elements exposed at the first surface, at least some of which are electrically connected to the microelectronic element. Wire bonds have bases joined to the conductive elements and end surfaces remote from the bases and define an edge surface extending away between the base and the end surface. The encapsulation layer is formed to at least partially cover the first surface and portions of the wire bonds with unencapsulated portions of the wire bonds being defined by at least one of the end surface or a portion of the edge surface that is uncovered thereby.

Abstract: Interposers and methods of making the same are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, an interposer includes a region having first and second oppositely facing surfaces and a plurality of pores, each pore extending in a first direction from the first surface towards the second surface, wherein alumina extends along a wall of each pore; a plurality of electrically conductive connection elements extending in the first direction, consisting essentially of aluminum and being electrically isolated from one another by at least the alumina; a first conductive path provided at the first surface for connection with a first component external to the interposer; and a second conductive path provided at the second surface for connection with a second component external to the interposer, wherein the first and second conductive paths are electrically connected through at least some of the connection elements.

Abstract: A microelectronic assembly includes a substrate and an electrically conductive element. The substrate can have a CTE less than 10 ppm/° C., a major surface having a recess not extending through the substrate, and a material having a modulus of elasticity less than 10 GPa disposed within the recess. The electrically conductive element can include a joining portion overlying the recess and extending from an anchor portion supported by the substrate. The joining portion can be at least partially exposed at the major surface for connection to a component external to the microelectronic unit.

Abstract: A chip package has multiple chips that may be arranged side-by-side or in a staggered, stair step arrangement. The contacts of the chips are connected to interconnect pads carried on the chips themselves or on a redistribution substrate. The interconnect pads desirably are arranged in a relatively narrow interconnect zone, such that the interconnect pads can be readily wire-bonded or otherwise connected to a package substrate.