Abstract: The present disclosure relates to semiconductor structures and, more particularly, to a moisture seal for photonic devices and methods of manufacture. The structure includes: a first trench in at least one substrate material; a guard ring structure with an opening and which at least partially surrounds the first trench; and a second trench at a dicing edge of the substrate, the second trench being lined on sidewalls with barrier material and spacer material over the barrier material.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a conductive line disposed within a dielectric layer, a metal layer disposed over and in direct contact with the conductive line, and a metallization layer disposed over the metal layer such that a protruding segment of the metal layer acts as an interface between the conductive line and the metallization layer. The conductive line is copper (Cu) and the metal layer is ruthenium (Ru). The Ru metal layer includes an upper metal layer section and a lower metal layer section.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to semiconductor structures and, more particularly, to a moisture seal for photonic devices and methods of manufacture. The structure includes: a first trench in at least one substrate material; a guard ring structure with an opening and which at least partially surrounds the first trench; and a second trench at a dicing edge of the substrate, the second trench being lined on sidewalls with barrier material and spacer material over the barrier material.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to semiconductor structures and, more particularly, to a moisture seal for photonic devices and methods of manufacture. The structure includes: a first trench in at least one substrate material; a guard ring structure with an opening and which at least partially surrounds the first trench; and a second trench at a dicing edge of the substrate, the second trench being lined on sidewalls with barrier material and spacer material over the barrier material.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to semiconductor structures and, more particularly, to a moisture seal for photonic devices and methods of manufacture. The structure includes: a first trench in at least one substrate material; a guard ring structure with an opening and which at least partially surrounds the first trench; and a second trench at a dicing edge of the substrate, the second trench being lined on sidewalls with barrier material and spacer material over the barrier material.

Abstract: Insulating a via in a semiconductor substrate, including: depositing, in the via, a dielectric layer; depositing, in the via, a barrier layer; allowing the barrier layer to oxidize; and depositing, in the via, a conducting layer.

Abstract: Insulating a via in a semiconductor substrate, including: depositing, in the via, a dielectric layer; depositing, in the via, a barrier layer; allowing the barrier layer to oxidize; and depositing, in the via, a conducting layer.

Abstract: Through-substrate vias (TSVs) include a strain engineering layer configured to minimize or otherwise control local stress fields. The strain engineering layer can be separate from and in addition to a TSV sidewall isolation layer that is deposited along the via sidewall surface for the purpose of electric isolation. For instance, the strain engineering layer can be a partial depth layer that extends over only a portion of the TSV sidewall.

Abstract: Insulating a via in a semiconductor substrate, including: depositing, in the via, a dielectric layer; depositing, in the via, a barrier layer; allowing the barrier layer to oxidize; and depositing, in the via, a conducting layer.

Abstract: Through-substrate vias (TSVs) include a strain engineering layer configured to minimize or otherwise control local stress fields. The strain engineering layer can be separate from and in addition to a TSV sidewall isolation layer that is deposited along the via sidewall surface for the purpose of electric isolation. For instance, the strain engineering layer can be a partial depth layer that extends over only a portion of the TSV sidewall.

Abstract: Method for forming a through semiconductor via (TSV) in a semiconductor wafer comprising: etching an annular recess into a front side of the semiconductor wafer, the annular recess surrounding a pillar of the semiconductor material; filling the annular recess with an insulative material to form an insulative annulus; etching a recess into the front side in the pillar of the semiconductor material; filling the recess in the portion of the semiconductor material with a metal to form a through semiconductor via (TSV); thinning the semiconductor wafer from a backside of the semiconductor wafer and stopping on the insulative annulus to expose the pillar of the semiconductor material; recessing the pillar of the semiconductor material from the back side to form a recess that exposes an end of the TSV; and filling the recess with a metal to a level at least even with a level of the insulative annulus.

Abstract: A method of forming through silicon vias (TSVs) on integrated circuit (IC) chips and the IC chips. A TSV pattern on a stack of wiring layers on the surface of the IC chip identifies TSV locations. Etching the IC chip TSV pattern opens a cup shaped through hole through the stack to the silicon substrate at each TSV pattern location. The etched stack forms a TSV hard mask open (HMO) for the silicon substrate. Via through holes etched through the silicon substrate masked by the HMO are filled with conductor connecting IC circuits, e.g., to signal lines on the bottom of the chip.

Abstract: Insulating a via in a semiconductor substrate, including: applying a first dielectric layer to the semiconductor substrate; and applying a second dielectric layer to the semiconductor substrate, wherein the second dielectric layer is applied on the first dielectric layer, wherein the second dielectric layer is more conformal than the first dielectric layer.

Abstract: Insulating a via in a semiconductor substrate, including: depositing, in the via, a dielectric layer; depositing, in the via, a barrier layer; allowing the barrier layer to oxidize; and depositing, in the via, a conducting layer.

Abstract: A method of forming through silicon vias (TSVs) on integrated circuit (IC) chips and the IC chips. A TSV pattern on a stack of wiring layers on the surface of the IC chip identifies TSV locations. Etching the IC chip TSV pattern opens a cup shaped through hole through the stack to the silicon substrate at each TSV pattern location. The etched stack forms a TSV hard mask open (HMO) for the silicon substrate. Via through holes etched through the silicon substrate masked by the HMO are filled with conductor connecting IC circuits, e.g., to signal lines on the bottom of the chip.

Abstract: Method for forming a through semiconductor via (TSV) in a semiconductor wafer comprising: etching an annular recess into a front side of the semiconductor wafer, the annular recess surrounding a pillar of the semiconductor material; filling the annular recess with an insulative material to form an insulative annulus; etching a recess into the front side in the pillar of the semiconductor material; filling the recess in the portion of the semiconductor material with a metal to form a through semiconductor via (TSV); thinning the semiconductor wafer from a backside of the semiconductor wafer and stopping on the insulative annulus to expose the pillar of the semiconductor material; recessing the pillar of the semiconductor material from the back side to form a recess that exposes an end of the TSV; and filling the recess with a metal to a level at least even with a level of the insulative annulus.

Abstract: A semiconductor structure having a through semiconductor via (TSV) which includes a semiconductor wafer of a semiconductor material and having a front side and a back side; front end of the line (FEOL) components; an insulative annulus extending from the front side to the back side, the insulative annulus having a center including the semiconductor material such that the semiconductor material in the center of the insulative annulus is recessed from the back side to form a recess; a metal filling the recess; a through silicon via (TSV) extending in a straight line from the metal-filled recess, through the center of the semiconductor material in the center of the insulative annulus and into the FEOL components such that there is semiconductor material between the TSV and the insulative annulus.