Abstract: The present invention(s) provide an apparatus for forming a rod, which is also sometimes referred to as an ingot or boule, which can be subsequently diced to form multiple substrates that may be utilized to form a solar cell device. The substrate may be a monocrystalline, or polycrystalline, substrate made by use of a CZ type crystal pulling technology. In one embodiment, the crystal pulling apparatus is used to form a substrate used form a solar cell device. In one embodiment, a feed material is delivered to a crucible using a vibratory feeder assembly and is heated using a novel heater assembly to allow a CZ type crystal pulling process to be performed.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for making a multi-crystalline silicon ingot by directional solidification comprising two or more moveable heat shields located beneath the crucible, the heat shields being opened in a controlled manner to remove heat and produce a high quality silicon ingot.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a method including: providing a substrate; and sequentially stacking layers of two or more diamond-like carbon (DLC) films over the substrate to form a composite dielectric film, the composite dielectric film having a k value of about 1.5 or lower, the composite dielectric film having a Young's modulus of elasticity of about 25 GigaPascals or higher.

Abstract: A method of forming a high thermal conductivity diamond film and its associated structures comprising selectively nucleating a region of a substrate, and forming a diamond film on the substrate such that the diamond film has large grains, which are at least about 20 microns in size. Thus, the larger grained diamond film has greatly improved thermal management capabilities and improves the efficiency and speed of a microelectronic device.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of forming a substrate having islands of diamond (or other material, such as diamond-like carbon), as well as integrated circuit devices formed from such a substrate. A diamond island can form part of the thermal solution for an integrated circuit formed on the substrate, and the diamond island can also provide part of a stress engineering solution to improve performance of the integrated circuit. Other embodiments are described and claimed.

Abstract: A method of forming a high thermal conductivity diamond film and its associated structures comprising selectively nucleating a region of a substrate, and forming a diamond film on the substrate such that the diamond film has large grains, which are at least about 20 microns in size. Thus, the larger grained diamond film has greatly improved thermal management capabilities and improves the efficiency and speed of a microelectronic device.

Abstract: An electronic device includes a die further having a first major surface, and a second major surface. The electronic device also includes a plurality of connectors associated with the first major surface of the die, and an integrated heat spreader in thermally conductive relation with the second major surface of the die. The integrated heat spreader also has a layer of silicon, and a layer of diamond attached to the layer of silicon. The first major surface of the die attached to a printed circuit board. A method for forming a heat dissipating device includes placing a layer of diamond on a silicon substrate, and thinning the silicon substrate. The substrate is diced to form a plurality of heat dissipating devices sized to form a thermally conductive connection to a die. A surface of the silicon substrate is placed in thermal communication with a source of heat.

Abstract: A method and apparatus to minimize thermal impedance using copper on the die or chip backside. Some embodiments use deposited copper having a thickness chosen to complement a given chip thickness, in order to reduce or minimize wafer warpage. In some embodiments, the wafer, having a plurality of chips (e.g., silicon), is thinned (e.g., by chemical-mechanical polishing) before deposition of the copper layer, to reduce the thermal resistance of the chip. Some embodiments further deposit copper in a pattern of bumps, raised areas, or pads, e.g., in a checkerboard pattern, to thicken and add copper while reducing or minimizing wafer warpage and chip stress.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of forming a substrate having islands of diamond (or other material, such as diamond-like carbon), as well as integrated circuit devices formed from such a substrate. A diamond island can form part of the thermal solution for an integrated circuit formed on the substrate, and the diamond island can also provide part of a stress engineering solution to improve performance of the integrated circuit. Other embodiments are described and claimed.

Abstract: Processes are described whereby a wafer is manufactured, a die from the wafer, and an electronic assembly including the die. The die has a diamond layer which primarily serves to spread heat from hot spots of an integrated circuit in the die.

Abstract: A plasma tool may be provided to facilitate the deposition of diamond films on substrates. The plasma tool provides a heater in the form of a screen whose position with respect to a substrate may be adjusted. A mixture of hydrocarbon and hydrogen gases may be ejected from a spray shower head type spray nozzle through the screen and onto the substrate. Because of the high speed of the ejected gas mixture, very high flow rates and relatively high reaction rates may be achieved in some embodiments without using excessive temperatures. A chuck may hold the substrate for deposition. The chuck may include a liquid coolant system to cool the substrate to avoid excessive temperatures that might otherwise damage other components on the substrate.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a method including: providing a substrate; and sequentially stacking layers of two or more diamond-like carbon (DLC) films over the substrate to form a composite dielectric film, the composite dielectric film having a k value of about 1.5 or lower, the composite dielectric film having a Young's modulus of elasticity of about 25 GigaPascals or higher.

Abstract: A method of forming a high thermal conductivity diamond film and its associated structures comprising selectively nucleating a region of a substrate, and forming a diamond film on the substrate such that the diamond film has large grains, which are at least about 20 microns in size. Thus, the larger grained diamond film has greatly improved thermal management capabilities and improves the efficiency and speed of a microelectronic device.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a method including: providing a substrate; and sequentially stacking layers of two or more diamond-like carbon (DLC) films over the substrate to form a composite dielectric film, the composite dielectric film having a k value of about 1.5 or lower, the composite dielectric film having a Young's modulus of elasticity of about 25 GigaPascals or higher. The present invention further discloses a structure including: a substrate; a porous diamond-like carbon (DLC) film located over the substrate; an opening located in the porous DLC film; and a conductor located in the opening.

Abstract: A method and structure for using porous diamond interlayer dielectrics (ILDs) in conjunction with carbon nanotube interconnects is herein described. A diamond ILD is deposited on an underlaying layer. The diamond layer is optionally and selectively removed of non-sp3 bond to create a porous diamond film. Trenches and vias are etched in the porous diamond ILD. Carbon nanotubes are deposited on the diamond ILD filling the trenches using a liquid crystal host-carbon nanotube solution. Using methods of nematic liquid crystal alignment, the carbon nanotubes are aligned under the influence of the liquid crystals. At least some of the liquid crystal solution is removed leaving an aligned carbon nanotubes.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide substrate with an insulator layer on the substrate. The insulator layer may include diamond-like carbon. A device, such a tri-gate transistor may be formed on the diamond-like carbon layer.

Abstract: Methods of forming a microelectronic structure are described. Embodiments of those methods include forming a plurality of openings in a portion of a first side of a substrate, bonding a first silicon layer of a silicon on insulator wafer to the first side of the substrate, wherein the silicon on insulator wafer comprises the first silicon layer disposed on an insulator layer disposed on a second silicon layer, forming a plurality of support structures by removing a portion of a second side of the substrate, removing the second silicon layer and removing the insulator layer.

Abstract: A double gate silicon over insulator transistor may be formed wherein the bottom gate electrode is formed of a doped diamond film. The doped diamond film may be formed in the process of semiconductor manufacture resulting in an embedded electrode. The diamond film may be advantageous as a heat spreader.

Abstract: Processes are described whereby a wafer is manufactured, a die from the wafer, and an electronic assembly including the die. The die has a diamond layer which primarily serves to spread heat from hot spots of an integrated circuit in the die.

Abstract: Briefly, test wafer reuse techniques.