Abstract: Apparatus and methods are disclosed, including transistors, semiconductor devices and systems. Example semiconductor devices and methods include a first transmission line and a second transmission line located over one another. A via is shown connecting the first transmission line and a second transmission line wherein a first side of the via and a side of the second transmission line are coplanar. A via is also shown connecting the first transmission line and a second transmission line wherein the second transmission line tapers downward from a line width to a via width.

Abstract: An apparatus includes an active region; a scribe region surrounding the active region; a test component in the scribe region; a pad electrode in the active region; and a power supply wiring of an upper wiring layer in the active region, the power supply wiring extending between the test component and the pad electrode; and an interconnection structure coupling the test component and the pad electrode across a border between the active region and the scribe region, the interconnection structure including a wiring portion of a lower wiring layer crossing the power supply wiring.

Abstract: According to one or more embodiments, a method of manufacturing a semiconductor device including a plurality of main circuit regions arranged in a matrix and a scribe region provided between the main circuit regions is provided. The method includes: forming a first insulating film; forming a low-k film; forming a plurality of penetrating portions penetrating through the low-k film; and forming a second insulating film under low-coverage film-forming conditions to form cavities in the plurality of through-holes.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a semiconductor substrate having a semiconductor substrate having a main surface including a first portion; a redistribution layer provided over the first portion of the main surface of the semiconductor substrate; an insulating layer covering the first portion of the main surface of the semiconductor substrate and the redistribution layer; and a first polyimide film covering the insulating layer; wherein the polyimide film has a substantially flat upper surface.

Abstract: An apparatus that includes a first conductive pattern positioned at a first wiring layer and extending in a first direction, a second conductive pattern positioned at a second wiring layer located above the first wiring layer and extending in a second direction crossing the first direction, and a contact plug connecting the first conductive pattern with the second conductive pattern. The contact plug includes a lower conductive section contacting the first conductive pattern and an upper conductive section contacting the second conductive pattern. A maximum width of the upper conductive section in the first direction is smaller than a maximum width of the lower conductive section in the first direction.

Abstract: According to one or more embodiments of the disclosure, an apparatus comprising a metal layer and a redistribution layer on the metal layer is provided. The redistribution layer includes an insulating layer, a via, and a redistribution metal layer. The via is in the insulating layer and has a rectangular shape in a plan view. The redistribution metal layer has a first thickness on a shorter side of the rectangular shape of the via and a second thickness on a longer side of the rectangular shape of the via. The second thickness is greater than the first thickness.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are disclosed, including stacked die devices and systems. Example stacked die devices and methods include an array of interconnect pillars that includes more than one pillar height. Example stacked die devices and methods include an array of interconnect pillars that includes a pillar height distribution mapped to a known warpage profile.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are disclosed, including transistors, semiconductor devices and systems. Example semiconductor devices and methods include a first transmission line and a second transmission line located over one another. A via is shown connecting the first transmission line and a second transmission line wherein a first side of the via and a side of the second transmission line are coplanar. A via is also shown connecting the first transmission line and a second transmission line wherein the second transmission line tapers downward from a line width to a via width.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for controlling hydrogen supply in manufacturing memory devices are described. An example apparatus includes: a first capacitor disposed above a substrate; a hydrogen supply film above the first capacitor; a second capacitor above the hydrogen supply film; and a barrier film between the hydrogen supply film and the second capacitor. The hydrogen supply film provides hydrogen and/or hydrogen ions. The barrier film is hydrogen-impermeable.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method that includes: forming a mask layer on a semiconductor substrate; forming a photoresist on the mask layer; performing non-uniform exposure on the photoresist to provide a first patterned photoresist which includes a first region where the photoresist is removed to expose the mask layer and a second region where a part of the photoresist remains; first etching using the first patterned photoresist to remove the mask layer in the first region and form a first trench in the first region of the semiconductor substrate; second etching to provide a second patterned photoresist which includes the second region where the photoresist is removed; third etching using the second patterned photoresist to remove the mask layer in the second region; and fourth etching to deepen the first trench in the first region and form a second trench shallower than the first trench in the second region.

Abstract: Apparatuses including structures in scribe lines are described. An example apparatus includes: a first chip and a second chip; a scribe region between the first chip and the second chip; a crack guide region in the scribe region, the crack guide region including a dicing line along which the first chip and the second chip are to be divided; and a structure disposed in the crack guide region and extending along the dicing line.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for manufacturing chips are described. An example method includes: forming at least one first dielectric layer above a substrate; forming at least one second dielectric layer above the first dielectric layer; forming a cover layer above the at least one second dielectric layer; forming a groove above the substrate by etching; covering at least an edge surface of the at least one first dielectric layer in the groove with a liner including polymer; forming a hole through the cover layer and a portion of the at least one second dielectric layer; depositing a conductive layer in the hole, on the cover layer and the liner; and forming a conductive pillar on the conductive layer in the hole by electroplating.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a semiconductor substrate; and a multilevel wiring structure on the semiconductor substrate, the multilevel wiring structure including at least an intermediate metal layer over the semiconductor substrate and an uppermost metal layer over the intermediate metal layer, and the multilevel wiring structure being divided into a main circuit portion and a scribe portion surrounding the main circuit portion; wherein the scribe portion of the multilevel wiring layer includes at least a metal pad exposed in the intermediate metal layer.

Abstract: A semiconductor structure includes an opening formed in a surface of an insulating layer, and a lower metal layer on the surface of the insulating layer, and sidewalls and a bottom surface of the opening in the surface of the insulating layer. The sidewalls are tapered inwardly from the surface of the insulating layer to the bottom surface of the opening by a taper angle of between 10 degrees and 45 degrees.

Abstract: An apparatus includes an active region; a scribe region surrounding the active region; a test component in the scribe region; a pad electrode in the active region; and a power supply wiring of an upper wiring layer in the active region, the power supply wiring extending between the test component and the pad electrode; and an interconnection structure coupling the test component and the pad electrode across a border between the active region and the scribe region, the interconnection structure including a wiring portion of a lower wiring layer crossing the power supply wiring.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a semiconductor substrate; a first insulating film and a second insulating film provided above the semiconductor substrate; a low-k film provided between the first insulating film and the second insulating film; an element formation region in which elements included in an electric circuit are formed in the semiconductor substrate; a scribe region provided around the element formation region; a cut portion provided on the outer periphery of the scribe region; and a groove formed between the cut portion and the element formation region, wherein the groove penetrates through the low-k film.

Abstract: An apparatus comprising first and second interconnections spaced apart from one another, an interlayer insulating material over the first and second interconnections, first and second contacts in the interlayer insulating material and spaced apart from one another, third and fourth interconnections over the interlayer insulating material and spaced apart from one another, and compensation capacitors in a capacitor region. The third interconnections are coupled with the first interconnections through the first contacts and the fourth interconnections are coupled with the second interconnections through the second contacts. The compensation capacitors comprise lower electrodes over the interlayer insulating material, dielectric materials over the lower electrodes, and upper electrodes over the dielectric materials. The lower electrodes comprise edge portions in contact with the second contacts.

Abstract: Semiconductor devices having metallization structures including crack-inhibiting structures, and associated systems and methods, are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a semiconductor device includes a metallization structure formed over a semiconductor substrate. The metallization structure can include a bond pad electrically coupled to the semiconductor substrate via one or more layers of conductive material, and an insulating material—such as a low-? dielectric material—at least partially around the conductive material. The metallization structure can further include a crack-inhibiting structure positioned beneath the bond pad between the bond pad and the semiconductor substrate. The crack-inhibiting structure can include (a) a metal lattice extending laterally between the bond pad and the semiconductor substrate and (b) barrier members extending vertically between the metal lattice and the bond pad.

Abstract: Apparatuses including structures in scribe lines are described. An example apparatus includes: a first chip and a second chip; a scribe region between the first chip and the second chip; a crack guide region in the scribe region, the crack guide region including a dicing line along which the first chip and the second chip are to be divided; and a structure disposed in the crack guide region and extending along the dicing line.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for manufacturing chips are described. An example method includes: removing a first portion of a cover layer and at least one dielectric layer under the first portion of the cover layer in a cut region between chips to form a groove, and forming a support structure including a second portion of the cover layer and the at least one dielectric layer under the second portion of the cover layer in the cut region; removing a third portion of the cover layer in one of the chips and a portion of the at least one dielectric layer under the third portion of the cover layer to form an hole on the first chip; depositing a conductive layer to cover the cover layer and the hole; forming a conductive pillar on the conductive layer in the hole; and removing the conductive layer on the cover layer and an edge surface of the hole.