Abstract: A method of manufacturing a bond pad structure may include depositing an aluminum-copper (Al—Cu) layer over a dielectric layer; and depositing an aluminum-chromium (Al—Cr) layer directly over the Al—Cu layer.

Abstract: Methods and structures for shielding optical waveguides are provided. A method includes forming a first optical waveguide core and forming a second optical waveguide core adjacent to the first optical waveguide core. The method also includes forming an insulator layer over the first optical waveguide core and the second optical waveguide core. The method further includes forming a shielding structure in the insulator layer between the first optical waveguide core and the second optical waveguide core.

Abstract: An apparatus and an associated method. The apparatus includes a chuck, an array of three or more ultrasonic sensors, a ceramic ring surrounding the chuck, and a controller connected to the ultrasonic sensors. The chuck is configured to removeably hold a substrate for processing. Each ultrasonic sensor may send a respective ultrasonic sound wave to a respective preselected peripheral region of the substrate and receive a respective return ultrasonic sound wave from the preselected peripheral region. The controller may compare a measured position of the substrate on the chuck to a specified placement of the substrate on the chuck based on a measured elapsed time between sending the ultrasonic sound wave and receiving the return ultrasonic sound wave for each ultrasonic sensor. The method compares a measured position of the substrate on the chuck to a specified position on the chuck.

Abstract: A back-side device structure with a silicon-on-insulator substrate that includes: a first dielectric layer that includes a first via that communicates with a trench, a contact plug that fills the trench, and a first contact formed in a second dielectric layer. The first contact fills the first via and connects with the contact plug and a wire formed in a third dielectric layer. A final substrate is connected to a buried insulator layer of the silicon-on-insulator substrate such that the contact plug contacts metallization of the final substrate.

Abstract: Various aspects include an integrated circuit (IC), design structure, and a method of making the same. In one embodiment, the IC includes: a substrate; a dielectric layer disposed on the substrate; a set of wire components disposed on the dielectric layer, the set of wire components including a first wire component disposed proximate a second wire component; a bond pad disposed on the first wire component, the bond pad including an exposed portion; a passivation layer disposed on the dielectric layer about a portion of the bond pad and the set of wire components, the passivation layer defining a wire structure via connected to the second wire component; and a wire structure disposed on the passivation layer proximate the bond pad and connected to the second wire component through the wire structure via.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a bond pad structure may include depositing an aluminum-copper (Al—Cu) layer over a dielectric layer; and depositing an aluminum-chromium (Al—Cr) layer directly over the Al—Cu layer.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a pillar-type connection includes forming a first conductive layer. A second conductive layer is formed on the first conductive layer to define a conductive pillar that includes a top surface defining a recess aligned with a hollow core of the first conductive layer. A conductive via that terminates at a top surface of the first conductive layer is formed.

Abstract: Methods and structures for shielding optical waveguides are provided. A method includes forming a first optical waveguide core and forming a second optical waveguide core adjacent to the first optical waveguide core. The method also includes forming an insulator layer over the first optical waveguide core and the second optical waveguide core. The method further includes forming a shielding structure in the insulator layer between the first optical waveguide core and the second optical waveguide core.

Abstract: Photodiode structures and methods of manufacture are disclosed. The method includes forming a waveguide structure in a dielectric layer. The method further includes forming a Ge material in proximity to the waveguide structure in a back end of the line (BEOL) metal layer. The method further includes crystallizing the Ge material into a crystalline Ge structure by a low temperature annealing process with a metal layer in contact with the Ge material.

Abstract: A semiconductor structure with low resistance conduction paths and methods of manufacture are disclosed. The method includes forming at least one low resistance conduction path on a wafer, and forming an electroplated seed layer in direct contact with the low resistance conduction path.

Abstract: A method for fabricating a backside device contact using a silicon-on-insulator substrate that includes a device layer, a buried insulator layer, and a handle wafer, includes forming a trench in the device layer. A trench is formed in the device layer. A sacrificial plug is formed in the trench. The handle wafer is removed to reveal the buried insulator layer. The buried insulator layer is partially removed to expose the sacrificial plug at a bottom of the trench. The sacrificial plug is removed. Backside processing of the buried insulator layer is performed. The trench is filled with a conductor to form a contact plug. A final substrate is connected to the buried insulator layer such that the contact plug contacts metallization of the final substrate.

Abstract: A structure and method for fabricating a laterally configured thin film varistor surge protection device using low temperature sputtering techniques which do not damage IC device components contiguous to the varistor being fabricated. The lateral thin film varistor may include a continuous layer of alternating regions of a first metal oxide layer and a second metal oxide layer formed between two laterally spaced electrodes using a low temperature sputtering process followed by a low temperature annealing process.

Abstract: The embodiments of the present invention relate to semiconductor device manufacturing, and more particularly, a method of temporarily bonding a semiconductor wafer to a wafer carrier with a multi-layered contact layer as well as a structure. A method is disclosed that includes: forming a first layer on a surface of a semiconductor wafer; forming a second layer on the first layer; bonding a perforated carrier to the second layer; and removing the semiconductor wafer from the perforated carrier. The first layer may be composed of an adhesive. The second layer may be composed of a material having a higher outgassing temperature than the first layer.

Abstract: A method for fabricating a backside device contact using a silicon-on-insulator substrate that includes a device layer, a buried insulator layer, and a handle wafer, includes forming a trench in the device layer. The trench is filled with a contact plug. The backside device contact includes the contact plug. After the trench is filled with the contact plug, the handle wafer is removed to reveal the buried insulator layer. The buried insulator layer is partially removed to expose the trench containing the contact plug. A final substrate is connected to the buried insulator layer such that the contact plug contacts metallization of the final substrate. A device structure is formed using the device layer.

Abstract: Moisture detection and ingression monitoring systems and methods of manufacture are provided. The moisture detection structure includes chip edge sealing structures including at least one electrode forming a capacitor structured to detect moisture ingress within an integrated circuit. The at least one electrode and a second electrode of the capacitor is biased to ground and to a moisture detection circuit or vice versa, respectively.

Abstract: A method of forming a metal silicide nanowire network that includes multiple metal silicide nanowires fused together in an orderly arrangement on a substrate. The metal silicide nanowire network can be formed by printing a first set of multiple parallel silicon nanowires on the substrate and printing a second set of multiple parallel silicon nanowires over the first set of multiple parallel silicon nanowires such that said first set is perpendicular to said second set. A metal layer can be formed on the silicon nanowires. A silicidation anneal process is performed such that metal silicide nanowires are formed and fused together in an orderly arrangement, forming a grid network. After the silicidation anneal is performed, any unreacted silicon or metal can be selectively removed.

Abstract: Moisture detection and ingression monitoring systems and methods of manufacture are provided. The moisture detection structure includes chip edge sealing structures including at least one electrode forming a capacitor structured to detect moisture ingress within an integrated circuit. The at least one electrode and a second electrode of the capacitor is biased to ground and to a moisture detection circuit or vice versa, respectively.

Abstract: A method of forming a metal silicide nanowire network that includes multiple metal silicide nanowires fused together in a disorderly arrangement on a substrate. The metal silicide nanowire network can be formed by applying a solution that contains silicon nanowires onto the substrate, forming a metal layer on the silicon nanowires, and performing a silicidation anneal such that the metal silicide nanowires are fused together in a disorderly arrangement, forming a mesh. After the silicidation anneal is performed, any unreacted silicon or metal can be selectively removed.

Abstract: A method of forming a metal silicide nanowire network that includes multiple metal silicide nanowires fused together in a disorderly arrangement on a substrate. The metal silicide nanowire network can be formed by applying a solution that contains silicon nanowires onto the substrate, forming a metal layer on the silicon nanowires, and performing a silicidation anneal such that the metal silicide nanowires are fused together in a disorderly arrangement, forming a mesh. After the silicidation anneal is performed, any unreacted silicon or metal can be selectively removed.

Abstract: Photodiode structures and methods of manufacture are disclosed. The method includes forming a waveguide structure in a dielectric layer. The method further includes forming a Ge material in proximity to the waveguide structure in a back end of the line (BEOL) metal layer. The method further includes crystallizing the Ge material into a crystalline Ge structure by a low temperature annealing process with a metal layer in contact with the Ge material.