Abstract: A structure for a semiconductor device includes a dielectric layer and a metal layer. The structure also includes a plurality of unit cells. Each unit cell is formed of interconnected segments. The plurality of unit cells forms a lattice. The lattice is between the dielectric layer and the metal layer.

Abstract: A structure for a semiconductor device includes a copper (Cu) layer and a first nickel (Ni) alloy layer with a Ni grain size a1. The structure also includes a second Ni alloy layer with a Ni grain size a2, wherein a1<a2. The first Ni alloy layer is between the Cu layer and the second Ni alloy layer. The structure further includes a tin (Sn) layer. The second Ni alloy layer is between the first Ni alloy layer and the Sn layer.

Abstract: Described examples provide microelectronic devices and fabrication methods, including fabricating a contact structure by forming a titanium or titanium tungsten barrier layer on a conductive feature, forming a tin seed layer on the barrier layer, forming a copper structure on the seed layer above the conductive feature of the wafer or die, heating the seed layer and the copper structure to form a bronze material between the barrier layer and the copper structure, removing the seed layer using an etching process that selectively removes an exposed portion of the seed layer, and removing an exposed portion of the barrier layer.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a metal substrate including a through-hole aperture having a multi-size cavity including a larger area first cavity portion above a smaller area second cavity portion that defines a first ring around the second cavity portion, where the first cavity portion is sized with area dimensions to receive a semiconductor die having a top side with circuitry coupled to bond pads thereon and a back side with a metal (BSM) layer thereon. The semiconductor die is mounted top side up with the BSM layer on the first ring. A metal die attach layer directly contacts the BSM layer, sidewalls of the bottom cavity portion, and a bottom side of the metal substrate.

Abstract: A packaged semiconductor device includes a metal substrate having a first and second through-hole aperture having an outer ring, and metal pads around the apertures on dielectric pads. A first and second semiconductor die have a back side metal (BSM) layer on its bottom side are mounted top side up on a top portion of the apertures. A metal die attach layer is directly between the BSM layer and walls of the metal substrate bounding the apertures to provide a die attachment for the first and the second semiconductor die that fills a bottom portion of the apertures. Leads contact the metal pads, wherein the leads include a distal portion that extends beyond the metal substrate. Bondwires are between the metal pads and bond pads on the first and second semiconductor die, and a mold compound provides encapsulation for the packaged semiconductor device.

Abstract: In a described example, a method is described including: depositing a zinc seed layer on a substrate; forming a photoresist pattern on the zinc seed layer, with openings in the photoresist pattern exposing portions of the zinc seed layer; electroplating a copper structure onto the exposed portions of the zinc seed layer; stripping the photoresist; annealing the substrate to form copper/zinc alloy between the copper structure and the substrate; and etching away the unreacted portions of the zinc seed layer.

Abstract: An integrated circuit (IC) includes a substrate with a semiconductor surface layer including circuitry configured for realizing at least one circuit function including a plurality of transistors, including at least one dielectric layer having a first and a second through-via over the plurality of transistors. The through-vias include a first top level via and at least a second top level via lateral to the first top level via. A composite layer includes copper (Cu), a first metal including zinc, and a second metal, wherein the composite layer is on a barrier layer that is on the first top level via and on the second top level. A plurality of Cu traces includes a first Cu top metal trace on the composite layer contacting the first top level via and a second Cu metal trace on the composite layer contacting the second top level via.

Abstract: A switchable array micro-lattice comprises a plurality of interconnected units wherein the units are formed of graphene tubes. JFET gates are provided in selected members of the micro-lattice. Gate connectors are routed from an external surface of an integrated circuit (IC) through openings in the micro-lattice to permit control of the JFET gates.

Abstract: A microelectronic device is formed by forming a seed layer that contains primarily zinc. A plating mask is formed over the seed layer, and a copper strike layer is formed on the seed layer using a neutral pH copper plating bath. A main copper layer is formed on the copper strike layer by plating copper on the copper strike layer. The plating mask is subsequently removed. The main copper layer, the copper strike layer, and the seed layer are heated to diffuse copper and zinc, and form a brass layer under the main copper layer, consuming the seed layer between the main copper layer and the substrate. Remaining portions of the seed layer are removed by a wet etch process. The main copper layer and the underlying brass layer provide a conductor structure.

Abstract: A nanostructure barrier for copper wire bonding includes metal grains and inter-grain metal between the metal grains. The nanostructure barrier includes a first metal selected from nickel or cobalt, and a second metal selected from tungsten or molybdenum. A concentration of the second metal is higher in the inter-grain metal than in the metal grains. The nanostructure barrier may be on a copper core wire to provide a coated bond wire. The nanostructure barrier may be on a bond pad to form a coated bond pad. A method of plating the nanostructure barrier using reverse pulse plating is disclosed. A wire bonding method using the coated bond wire is disclosed.

Abstract: Described examples include a process that includes forming a diffusion barrier layer on a backside of a semiconductor wafer. The process also includes forming a seed copper layer on the diffusion barrier layer. The process also includes forming a copper layer on the seed copper layer. The process also includes immersion plating a silver layer on the copper layer.

Abstract: A system and method for bonding an electrically conductive mechanical interconnector (e.g., a bonding wire, solder, etc.) to an electrical contact (e.g., contact pad, termination on a printed circuit board (PCB), etc.) made from an electrically conductive metal (e.g., aluminum) on an electronic device (e.g., integrated circuit (IC), die, wafer, PCB, etc.) is provided. The electrical contact is chemically coated with a metal (e.g., cobalt) that provides a protective barrier between the mechanical interconnector and the electrical contact. The protective barrier provides a diffusion barrier to inhibit galvanic corrosion (i.e. ion diffusion) between the mechanical interconnector and the electrical contact.

Abstract: A packaged semiconductor device includes a metal substrate having a center aperture with a plurality of raised traces around the center aperture including a metal layer on a dielectric base layer. A semiconductor die that has a back side metal (BSM) layer is mounted top side up in a top portion of the center aperture. A single metal layer directly between the BSM layer and walls of the metal substrate bounding the center aperture to provide a die attachment that fills a bottom portion of the center aperture. Leads having at least one bend that contact the metal layer are on the plurality of traces and include a distal portion that extends beyond the metal substrate. Bond wires are between the traces and bond pads on the semiconductor die. A mold compound provides encapsulation.

Abstract: A device and method for fabrication thereof is provided which results in corrosion resistance of metal flanges of a semiconductor package, such as a quad flat no-lead package (QFN). Using metal electroplating (such as electroplating of nickel (Ni) or nickel alloys on copper flanges of the QFN package), corrosion resistance for the flanges is provided using a process that allows an electric current to reach the entire backside of a substrate to permit electroplating. In addition, the method may be used to directly connect a semiconductor die to the metal substrate of the package.

Abstract: A switchable array micro-lattice comprises a plurality of interconnected units wherein the units are formed of graphene tubes. JFET gates are provided in selected members of the micro-lattice. Gate connectors are routed from an external surface of an integrated circuit (IC) through openings in the micro-lattice to permit control of the JFET gates.

Abstract: A structure for a semiconductor device includes a copper (Cu) layer and a first nickel (Ni) alloy layer with a Ni grain size a1. The structure also includes a second Ni alloy layer with a Ni grain size a2, wherein a1<a2. The first Ni alloy layer is between the Cu layer and the second Ni alloy layer. The structure further includes a tin (Sn) layer. The second Ni alloy layer is between the first Ni alloy layer and the Sn layer.

Abstract: A packaged semiconductor device includes a metal substrate having a center aperture with a plurality of raised traces around the center aperture including a metal layer on a dielectric base layer. A semiconductor die that has a back side metal (BSM) layer is mounted top side up in a top portion of the center aperture. A single metal layer directly between the BSM layer and walls of the metal substrate bounding the center aperture to provide a die attachment that fills a bottom portion of the center aperture. Leads having at least one bend that contact the metal layer are on the plurality of traces and include a distal portion that extends beyond the metal substrate. Bond wires are between the traces and bond pads on the semiconductor die. A mold compound provides encapsulation.

Abstract: A microelectronic device is formed by thinning a substrate of the microelectronic device from a die attach surface of the substrate, and forming a copper-containing layer on the die attach surface of the substrate. A protective metal layer is formed on the copper-containing layer. Subsequently, the copper-containing layer is attached to a package member having a package die mount area. The protective metal layer may optionally be removed prior to attaching the copper-containing layer to the package member. Alternatively, the protective metal layer may be left on the copper-containing layer when the copper-containing layer is attached to the package member. A structure formed by the method is also disclosed.

Abstract: A composite can include a substrate and a conversion coating overlying the substrate and comprising at least one of a zirconium oxide, a hafnium oxide, or a combination thereof. The conversion coating can be formed from a zirconia or hafnia-based complex obtained by reacting at least one of a zirconium ion source, a hafnium ion source, or a combination thereof, with a chelating compound in a reaction and another chelating compound in another reaction.

Abstract: A semiconductor package including a semiconductor die and at least one bondline positioned on the semiconductor die, the at least one bondline comprising a nickel lanthanide alloy diffusion barrier layer abutting a gold layer.