Abstract: Structures and methods for high speed interconnection in photonic systems are described herein. In one embodiment, a photonic device is disclosed. The photonic device includes: a substrate; a plurality of metal layers on the substrate; a photonic material layer comprising graphene over the plurality of metal layers; and an optical routing layer comprising a waveguide on the photonic material layer.

Abstract: A structure includes an optical interposer attached to a package substrate, wherein the optical interposer includes a silicon waveguide, a first photonic component optically coupled to the silicon waveguide, a second photonic component optically coupled to the silicon waveguide, and an interconnect structure extending over the silicon waveguide, over the first photonic component, and over the second photonic component, wherein the interconnect structure is electrically connected to the first photonic component and to the second photonic component, a first semiconductor device attached to the interconnect structure, wherein the first semiconductor device is electrically connected to the first photonic component through the interconnect structure, and a second semiconductor device attached to the interconnect structure, wherein the second semiconductor device is electrically connected to the second photonic component through the interconnect structure.

Abstract: A structure includes an optical interposer attached to a package substrate, wherein the optical interposer includes a silicon waveguide, a first photonic component optically coupled to the silicon waveguide, a second photonic component optically coupled to the silicon waveguide, and an interconnect structure extending over the silicon waveguide, over the first photonic component, and over the second photonic component, wherein the interconnect structure is electrically connected to the first photonic component and to the second photonic component, a first semiconductor device attached to the interconnect structure, wherein the first semiconductor device is electrically connected to the first photonic component through the interconnect structure, and a second semiconductor device attached to the interconnect structure, wherein the second semiconductor device is electrically connected to the second photonic component through the interconnect structure.

Abstract: An integrated circuit design method includes receiving an integrated circuit design, and determining a floor plan for the integrated circuit design. The floor plan includes an arrangement of a plurality of functional cells and a plurality of tap cells. Potential latchup locations in the floor plan are determined, and the arrangement of at least one of the functional cells or the tap cells is modified based on the determined potential latchup locations.

Abstract: A copper interconnect polishing process begins by polishing (17) a bulk thickness of copper (63) using a first platen. A second platen is then used to remove (19) a thin remaining interfacial copper layer to expose a barrier film (61). Computer control (21) monitors polish times of the first and second platen and adjusts these times to improve wafer throughput. One or more platens and/or the wafer is rinsed (20) between the interfacial copper polish and the barrier polish to reduce slurry cross contamination. A third platen and slurry is then used to polish away exposed portions of the barrier (61) to complete polishing of the copper interconnect structure. A holding tank that contains anti-corrosive fluid is used to queue the wafers until subsequent scrubbing operations (25). A scrubbing operation (25) that is substantially void of light is used to reduce photovoltaic induced corrosion of copper in the drying chamber of the scubber.

Abstract: A dual inlaid copper interconnect structure uses a plasma enhanced nitride (PEN) bottom capping layer and a silicon rich silicon oxynitride intermediate etch stop layer. The interfaces (16a, 16b, 20a, and 20b) between these layers (16 and 20) and their adjacent dielectric layers (18 and 22) are positioned in the stack (13) independent of the desired aspect ratio of trench openings of the copper interconnect in order to improve optical properties of the dielectric stack (13). Etch processing is then used to position the layers (16) and (20) at locations within the inlaid structure depth that result in one or more of reduced DC leakage current, improved optical performance, higher frequency of operation, reduced cross talk, increased flexibility of design, or like improvements.

Abstract: A copper interconnect polishing process begins by polishing (17) a bulk thickness of copper (63) using a first platen. A second platen is then used to remove (19) a thin remaining interfacial copper layer to expose a barrier film (61). Computer control (21) monitors polish times of the first and second platen and adjusts these times to improve wafer throughput. One or more platens and/or the wafer is rinsed (20) between the interfacial copper polish and the barrier polish to reduce slurry cross contamination. A third platen and slurry is then used to polish away exposed portions of the barrier (61) to complete polishing of the copper interconnect structure. A holding tank that contains anti-corrosive fluid is used to queue the wafers until subsequent scrubbing operations (25). A scrubbing operation (25) that is substantially void of light is used to reduce photovoltaic induced corrosion of copper in the drying chamber of the scubber.

Abstract: A copper interconnect polishing process begins by polishing (17) a bulk thickness of copper (63) using a first platen. A second platen is then used to remove (19) a thin remaining interfacial copper layer to expose a barrier film (61). Computer control (21) monitors polish times of the first and second platen and adjusts these times to improve wafer throughput. One or more platens and/or the wafer is rinsed (20) between the interfacial copper polish and the barrier polish to reduce slurry cross contamination. A third platen and slurry is then used to polish away exposed portions of the barrier (61) to complete polishing of the copper interconnect structure. A holding tank that contains anti-corrosive fluid is used to queue the wafers until subsequent scrubbing operations (25). A scrubbing operation (25) that is substantially void of light is used to reduce photovoltaic induced corrosion of copper in the drying chamber of the scubber.

Abstract: A dual inlaid copper interconnect structure uses a plasma enhanced nitride (PEN) bottom capping layer and a silicon rich silicon oxynitride intermediate etch stop layer. The interfaces (16a, 16b, 20a, and 20b) between these layers (16 and 20) and their adjacent dielectric layers (18 and 22) are positioned in the stack (13) independent of the desired aspect ratio of trench openings of the copper interconnect in order to improve optical properties of the dielectric stack (13). Etch processing is then used to position the layers (16) and (20) at locations within the inlaid structure depth that result in one or more of reduced DC leakage current, improved optical performance, higher frequency of operation, reduced cross talk, increased flexibility of design, or like improvements.

Abstract: A dual inlaid copper interconnect structure uses a plasma enhanced nitride (PEN) bottom capping layer and a silicon rich silicon oxynitride intermediate etch stop layer. The interfaces (16a, 16b, 20a, and 20b) between these layers (16 and 20) and their adjacent dielectric layers (18 and 22) are positioned in the stack (13) independent of the desired aspect ratio of trench openings of the copper interconnect in order to improve optical properties of the dielectric stack (13). Etch processing is then used to position the layers (16) and (20) at locations within the inlaid structure depth that result in one or more of reduced DC leakage current, improved optical performance, higher frequency of operation, reduced cross talk, increased flexibility of design, or like improvements.

Abstract: A copper interconnect polishing process begins by polishing (17) a bulk thickness of copper (63) using a first platen. A second platen is then used to remove (19) a thin remaining interfacial copper layer to expose a barrier film (61). Computer control (21) monitors polish times of the first and second platen and adjusts these times to improve wafer throughput. One or more platens and/or the wafer is rinsed (20) between the interfacial copper polish and the barrier polish to reduce slurry cross contamination. A third platen and slurry is then used to polish away exposed portions of the barrier (61) to complete polishing of the copper interconnect structure. A holding tank that contains anti-corrosive fluid is used to queue the wafers until subsequent scrubbing operations (25). A scrubbing operation (25) that is substantially void of light is used to reduce photovoltaic induced corrosion of copper in the drying chamber of the scubber.

Abstract: A method for electroplating a copper layer (118) over a wafer (20) powers a cathode of an electroplating system (10) in a manner that obtains improved copper interconnects. A control system (34) powers the cathode of the system (10) with a mix of two or more of: (i) positive low-powered DC cycles (201 or 254); (ii) positive high-powered DC cycles (256 or 310); (iii) low-powered, pulsed, positive-power cycles (306 or 530); (iv) high-powered, pulsed, positive-powered cycles (212, 252, 302, or 352); and/or (v) negative pulsed cycles (214, 304, 510, 528, or 532). The collection of these cycles functions to electroplate copper or a like metal (118) onto the wafer (20). During electroplating, insitu process control and/or endpointing (506, 512, or 520) is performed to further improve the resulting copper interconnect.

Abstract: A copper interconnect polishing process begins by polishing (17) a bulk thickness of copper (63) using a first platen. A second platen is then used to remove (19) a thin remaining interfacial copper layer to expose a barrier film (61). Computer control (21) monitors polish times of the first and second platen and adjusts these times to improve wafer throughput. One or more platens and/or the wafer is rinsed (20) between the interfacial copper polish and the barrier polish to reduce slurry cross contamination. A third platen and slurry is then used to polish away exposed portions of the barrier (61) to complete polishing of the copper interconnect structure. A holding tank that contains anti-corrosive fluid is used to queue the wafers until subsequent scrubbing operations (25). A scrubbing operation (25) that is substantially void of light is used to reduce photovoltaic induced corrosion of copper in the drying chamber of the scrubber.