Abstract: Assemblies including a device layer of a silicon-on-insulator (SOI) substrate and a replacement substrate replacing a handle wafer of the SOI substrate, and methods for transferring the device layer of the SOI substrate from the handle wafer to the replacement substrate. A device structure is formed in a first section of the handle wafer, and a second section of the handle wafer adjoining the first section of the handle wafer is removed to expose a surface of the buried dielectric layer of the silicon-on-insulator substrate. A permanent substrate is attached to the surface of the buried dielectric layer. When the permanent substrate is attached to the surface of the buried dielectric layer, the section of the handle wafer is received inside a cavity defined in the permanent substrate.

Abstract: An SOI semiconductor device includes a first wafer having an active semiconductor layer and a first oxide layer and a second wafer having a semiconductor substrate and a second oxide layer, the first oxide layer being bonded to the second oxide layer, and one of the first wafer and the second wafer includes a nitride layer. The nitride layer can be formed between the semiconductor substrate and the second oxide layer. A third oxide layer can be formed on the semiconductor substrate and the nitride layer is formed between the second oxide layer and the third oxide layer. The nitride layer can be formed between the active semiconductor layer and the first oxide layer. The first wafer can include a third oxide layer formed on the active semiconductor layer and the nitride layer is formed between the third oxide layer and the first oxide layer.

Abstract: A foot massaging assembly for massaging a foot includes a base that may be positioned on a support surface. A pair of mounts is provided and each of the mounts is coupled to the base. A massage unit is rotatably coupled between the mounts. The massage unit may have a foot rolled thereon thereby facilitating the massage unit to massage the foot.

Abstract: The present invention provides a stabilized fine textured metal microstructure that constitutes a durable activated surface usable for bonding a 3D stacked chip. A fine-grain layer that resists self anneal enables metal to metal bonding at moderate time and temperature and wider process flexibility.

Abstract: Wafer to wafer alignment which includes a first semiconductor wafer and a second semiconductor wafer. The first and second semiconductor wafers have selectively-activated alignment arrays for aligning the first semiconductor wafer with the second semiconductor wafer. Each of the alignment arrays include an alignment structure which includes an antenna connected to a semiconductor device. The antenna in each of the alignment arrays is selectively activated to act as a charge source or as a charge sensing receptor. The alignment arrays are located in the kerf areas of the semiconductor wafers. The semiconductor wafers are aligned when the charge sources on one semiconductor wafer match with the charge sensing receptors on the other semiconductor wafer.

Abstract: The present invention provides a stabilized fine textured metal microstructure that constitutes a durable activated surface usable for bonding a 3D stacked chip. A fine-grain layer that resists self anneal enables metal to metal bonding at moderate time and temperature and wider process flexibility.

Abstract: The present invention provides a stabilized fine textured metal microstructure that constitutes a durable activated surface usable for bonding a 3D stacked chip. A fine-grain layer that resists self anneal enables metal to metal bonding at moderate time and temperature and wider process flexibility.

Abstract: The present invention provides a stabilized fine textured metal microstructure that constitutes a durable activated surface usable for bonding a 3D stacked chip. A fine-grain layer that resists self anneal enables metal to metal bonding at moderate time and temperature and wider process flexibility.

Abstract: An IC structure including: a first replacement gate stack for the pFET, the first replacement gate stack including: an interfacial layer in a first opening in the dielectric layer; a high-k layer over the interfacial layer in the first opening; a pFET work function metal layer over the high-k layer in the first opening; and a first gate electrode layer over the pFET work function metal layer and substantially filling the first opening; and a second replacement gate stack for the nFET, the second gate stack laterally adjacent to the first gate stack and including: the interfacial layer in a second opening in the dielectric layer; the high-k layer over the interfacial layer in the second opening; a nFET work function metal layer over the high-k layer in the second opening; and a second gate electrode layer over the nFET work function metal layer and substantially filling the second opening.

Abstract: Strain detection structures used with bonded wafers and chips and methods of manufacture are disclosed. The method includes forming lower metal wiring structures associated with a lower wafer structure. The method further includes bonding the lower wafer structure to an upper wafer structure and thinning the upper wafer, and forming upper metal wiring structures. The method further includes electrically linking the lower metal wiring structures to the upper metal wiring structures by formation of through silicon via structures to form an electrically connected chain extending between multiple wafer structures. The method further includes forming contacts to an outside environment which electrically contact two of the lower metal wiring structures.

Abstract: Embodiments of present invention provide a method of forming a semiconductor structure. The method includes forming a semiconductor structure having a first metal layer and a plurality of dielectric layers on top of the first metal layer; creating one or more openings through the plurality of dielectric layers to expose the first metal layer underneath the plurality of dielectric layers; causing the one or more openings to expand downward into the first metal layer and expand horizontally into areas underneath the plurality of dielectric layers; applying a layer of lining material in lining sidewalls of the one or more openings inside the plurality of dielectric layers; and filling the expanded one or more openings with a conductive material.

Abstract: The present invention provides a stabilized fine textured metal microstructure that constitutes a durable activated surface usable for bonding a 3D stacked chip. A fine-grain layer that resists self anneal enables metal to metal bonding at moderate time and temperature and wider process flexibility.

Abstract: Embodiments of present invention provide a method of forming a semiconductor structure. The method includes forming a semiconductor structure having a first metal layer and a plurality of dielectric layers on top of the first metal layer; creating one or more openings through the plurality of dielectric layers to expose the first metal layer underneath the plurality of dielectric layers; causing the one or more openings to expand downward into the first metal layer and expand horizontally into areas underneath the plurality of dielectric layers; applying a layer of lining material in lining sidewalls of the one or more openings inside the plurality of dielectric layers; and filling the expanded one or more openings with a conductive material.

Abstract: An electronic package comprising a plurality of vertically stacked integrated circuit (IC) devices including a first IC device and a second IC device is provided. The electronic package also includes a first bonding layer coupling one side of the first IC device entirely to a portion of a side of the second IC device. The remaining portion of the side of the second IC device that is not coupled to the one side of the first IC device, includes an antenna.

Abstract: An electronic package comprising a plurality of vertically stacked integrated circuit (IC) devices including a first IC device and a second IC device is provided. The electronic package also includes a first bonding layer coupling one side of the first IC device entirely to a portion of a side of the second IC device. The remaining portion of the side of the second IC device that is not coupled to the one side of the first IC device, includes an antenna.

Abstract: Provided are methods for processing semiconductor substrates or, more specifically, etching silicon containing antireflective coatings (SiARCs) from the substrates while preserving silicon oxides layers disposed on the same substrates. An etching solution including sulfuric acid and hydrofluoric acid may be used for these purposes. In some embodiments, the weight ratio of sulfuric acid to hydrofluoric acid in the etching solution is between about 15:1 and 100:1 (e.g., about 60:1). The temperature of the etching solution may be between about 30° C. and 50° C. (e.g., about 40° C., during etching). It has been found that such processing conditions provide a SiARC etching rate of at least about 50 nanometers per minute and selectivity of SiARC over silicon oxide of greater than about 10:1 or even greater than about 50:1. The same etching solution may be also used to remove photoresist, organic dielectric, and titanium nitride.

Abstract: Wafer to wafer alignment which includes a first semiconductor wafer and a second semiconductor wafer. The first and second semiconductor wafers have selectively-activated alignment arrays for aligning the first semiconductor wafer with the second semiconductor wafer. Each of the alignment arrays include an alignment structure which includes an antenna connected to a semiconductor device. The antenna in each of the alignment arrays is selectively activated to act as a charge source or as a charge sensing receptor. The alignment arrays are located in the kerf areas of the semiconductor wafers. The semiconductor wafers are aligned when the charge sources on one semiconductor wafer match with the charge sensing receptors on the other semiconductor wafer.

Abstract: Strain detection structures used with bonded wafers and chips and methods of manufacture are disclosed. The method includes forming lower metal wiring structures associated with a lower wafer structure. The method further includes bonding the lower wafer structure to an upper wafer structure and thinning the upper wafer, and forming upper metal wiring structures. The method further includes electrically linking the lower metal wiring structures to the upper metal wiring structures by formation of through silicon via structures to form an electrically connected chain extending between multiple wafer structures. The method further includes forming contacts to an outside environment which electrically contact two of the lower metal wiring structures.

Abstract: The present invention provides a stabilized fine textured metal microstructure that constitutes a durable activated surface usable for bonding a 3D stacked chip. A fine-grain layer that resists self anneal enables metal to metal bonding at moderate time and temperature and wider process flexibility.

Abstract: The present invention provides a stabilized fine textured metal microstructure that constitutes a durable activated surface usable for bonding a 3D stacked chip. A fine-grain layer that resists self anneal enables metal to metal bonding at moderate time and temperature and wider process flexibility.