Abstract: A memory structure is provided, including a NAND block comprising a plurality of oxide layers, the plurality of layers forming a staircase structure at a first edge of the NAND block, a plurality of vias disposed on the staircase structure of NAND block, two or more of plurality of vias terminating along a same plane, a plurality of first bonding interconnects disposed on the plurality of vias, a plurality of bitlines extending across the NAND block, and a plurality of second bonding interconnects disposed along the bitlines. The memory structure may be stacked on another of the memory structure to form a stacked memory device.

Abstract: An element that is configured to bond to another element is disclosed. A first element that can include a first plurality of contact pads on a first surface. The first plurality of contact pads includes a first contact pad and a second contact pad that are spaced apart from one another. The first and second contact pads are electrically connected to one another for redundancy. The first element can be prepared for direct bonding. The first element can be bonded to a second element to form a bonded structure. The second element has a second plurality of contact pads on a second surface. At least one of the second plurality of contact pads is bonded and electrically connected to at least one of the first plurality of contact pads.

Abstract: Structures and techniques provide bond enhancement in microelectronics by trapping contaminants and byproducts during bonding processes, and arresting cracks. Example bonding surfaces are provided with recesses, sinks, traps, or cavities to capture small particles and gaseous byproducts of bonding that would otherwise create detrimental voids between microscale surfaces being joined, and to arrest cracks. Such random voids would compromise bond integrity and electrical conductivity of interconnects being bonded. In example systems, a predesigned recess space or predesigned pattern of recesses placed in the bonding interface captures particles and gases, reducing the formation of random voids, thereby improving and protecting the bond as it forms. The recess space or pattern of recesses may be placed where particles collect on the bonding surface, through example methods of determining where mobilized particles move during bond wave propagation.

Abstract: A bonded structure is disclosed. The bonded structure can include a first element that has a first bonding surface. The bonded structure can further include a second element that has a second bonding surface. The first and second bonding surfaces are bonded to one another along a bonding interface. The bonded structure can also include an integrated device that is coupled to or formed with the first element or the second element. The bonded structure can further include a channel that is disposed along the bonding interface around the integrated device to define an effectively closed profile The bonded structure can also include a getter material that is disposed in the channel. The getter material is configured to reduce the diffusion of gas into an interior region of the bonded structure.

Abstract: A bonded structure is disclosed. The bonded structure includes a first element and a second element that is bonded to the first element along a bonding interface. The bonding interface has an elongate conductive interface feature and a nonconductive interface feature. The bonded structure also includes an integrated device that is coupled to or formed with the first element or the second element. The elongate conductive interface feature has a recess through a portion of a thickness of the elongate conductive interface feature. A portion of the nonconductive interface feature is disposed in the recess.

Abstract: Representative techniques and devices including process steps may be employed to mitigate the potential for delamination of bonded microelectronic substrates due to metal expansion at a bonding interface. For example, a metal pad having a larger diameter or surface area (e.g., oversized for the application) may be used when a contact pad is positioned over a TSV in one or both substrates.

Abstract: Direct bonded stack structures for increased reliability and improved yields in microelectronics are provided. Structural features and stack configurations are provided for memory modules and 3DICs to reduce defects in vertically stacked dies. Example processes alleviate warpage stresses between a thicker top die and direct bonded dies beneath it, for example. An etched surface on the top die may relieve warpage stresses. An example stack may include a compliant layer between dies. Another stack configuration replaces the top die with a layer of molding material to circumvent warpage stresses. An array of cavities on a bonding surface can alleviate stress forces. One or more stress balancing layers may also be created on a side of the top die or between other dies to alleviate or counter warpage. Rounding of edges can prevent stresses and pressure forces from being destructively transmitted through die and substrate layers. These measures may be applied together or in combinations in a single package.

Abstract: Devices and techniques including process steps make use of recesses in conductive interconnect structures to form reliable low temperature metallic bonds. A fill layer is deposited into the recesses prior to bonding. First conductive interconnect structures are bonded at ambient temperatures to second metallic interconnect structures using direct bonding techniques, with the fill layers in the recesses in one or both of the first and second interconnect structures.

Abstract: A bonded structure is disclosed. The bonded structure can include a first element that has a first bonding surface. The bonded structure can further include a second element that has a second bonding surface. The first and second bonding surfaces are bonded to one another along a bonding interface. The bonded structure can also include an integrated device that is coupled to or formed with the first element or the second element. The bonded structure can further include a channel that is disposed along the bonding interface around the integrated device to define an effectively closed profile The bonded structure can also include a getter material that is disposed in the channel. The getter material is configured to reduce the diffusion of gas into an interior region of the bonded structure.

Abstract: A bonded optical device is disclosed. The bonded optical device can include a first optical element, a second optical element, and an optical pathway. The first optical element has a first array of optical emitters configured to emit light of a first color. The first optical element is bonded to at least one processor element, the at least one processor element including active circuitry configured to control operation of the first optical element. The second optical element has a second array of optical emitters configured to emit light of a second color different from the first color. The second optical element is bonded to the at least one processor element. The optical pathway is optically coupled with the first and second optical elements. The optical pathway is configured to transmit a superposition of light from the first and second optical emitters to an optical output to be viewed by users.

Abstract: A bonded structure is disclosed. The bonded structure can include a semiconductor element comprising active circuitry. The bonded structure can include a protective element directly bonded to the semiconductor element without an adhesive along a bonding interface. The protective element can include an obstructive material disposed over at least a portion of the active circuitry. The obstructive material can be configured to obstruct external access to the active circuitry. The bonded structure can include a disruption structure configured to disrupt functionality of the at least a portion of the active circuitry upon debonding of the protective element from the semiconductor element.

Abstract: Methods of forming a back side image sensor device, as well as back side image sensor devices formed, are disclosed. In one such a method, an image sensor wafer having a first dielectric layer with a first surface is obtained. A reconstituted wafer having a processor die and a second dielectric layer with a second surface is obtained. The reconstituted wafer and the image sensor wafer are bonded to one another including coupling the first surface of the first dielectric layer and the second surface of the second dielectric layer. In another method, such formation is for a processor die bonded to an image sensor wafer. In yet another method, such formation is for a processor die bonded to an image sensor die.

Abstract: Representative techniques and devices including process steps may be employed to mitigate the potential for delamination of bonded microelectronic substrates due to metal expansion at a bonding interface. For example, a through-silicon via (TSV) may be disposed through at least one of the microelectronic substrates. The TSV is exposed at the bonding interface of the substrate and functions as a contact surface for direct bonding.

Abstract: Bonded structures and methods of direct hybrid bonding are disclosed. Non-conductive regions of two elements, such as dies or wafers, are first bonded together to form a bonded structure. Aligned conductive regions of the bonded structure, such as metal pads or traces, are then annealed to expand and bridge a gap between them. The anneal includes rapid thermal processing (RTP), such as with radiant heating. The bond interface between the first and second conductive features includes rapid growth structure(s) indicative of the inclusion of RTP in the anneal. Additional non-RTP anneal phases can also be employed.

Abstract: A bonded structure is disclosed. The bonded structure can include a semiconductor element comprising active circuitry. The bonded structure can include an obstructive element bonded to the semiconductor element along a bond interface, the obstructive element including an obstructive material disposed over the active circuitry, the obstructive material configured to obstruct external access to the active circuitry. The bonded element can include an artifact structure indicative of a wafer-level bond in which the semiconductor element and the obstructive element formed part of respective wafers directly bonded prior to singulation.

Abstract: An optical apparatus is provided comprising: first and second optical waveguides disposed in a substrate such that light reflected by a beam splitting optical element of the first waveguide passes between beam splitting elements of the second waveguide.

Abstract: Direct-bonded LED arrays and applications are provided. An example process fabricates a LED structure that includes coplanar electrical contacts for p-type and n-type semiconductors of the LED structure on a flat bonding interface surface of the LED structure. The coplanar electrical contacts of the flat bonding interface surface are direct-bonded to electrical contacts of a driver circuit for the LED structure. In a wafer-level process, micro-LED structures are fabricated on a first wafer, including coplanar electrical contacts for p-type and n-type semiconductors of the LED structures on the flat bonding interface surfaces of the wafer. At least the coplanar electrical contacts of the flat bonding interface are direct-bonded to electrical contacts of CMOS driver circuits on a second wafer.

Abstract: A first conductive material having a first hardness is disposed within a recess or opening of a microelectronic component, in a first preselected pattern, and forms a first portion of an interconnect structure. A second conductive material having a second hardness different from the first hardness is disposed within the recess or opening in a second preselected pattern and forms a second portion of the interconnect structure.

Abstract: Embodiments herein provide for fluidic cooling assemblies embedded within a device package and related manufacturing methods. In one embodiment, the cooling assembly includes a cold plate body attached to a singulated device and a manifold lid attached to the cold plate body. The cold plate body has a first side adjacent to the singulated device and an opposite second side, and the manifold lid is attached to the second side. In some embodiments, the first side of the cold plate body and the backside of the singulated device each comprise a dielectric material surface, the cold plate body is attached to the singulated device by direct dielectric bonds formed between the dielectric material surfaces, the cold plate body, and the manifold lid define one or more cavities, and the one or more cavities form at least a portion of a fluid flow path from an inlet to an outlet of the manifold lid.

Abstract: A memory structure is provided, including a NAND block comprising a plurality of oxide layers, the plurality of layers forming a staircase structure at a first edge of the NAND block, a plurality of vias disposed on the staircase structure of NAND block, two or more of plurality of vias terminating along a same plane, a plurality of first bonding interconnects disposed on the plurality of vias, a plurality of bitlines extending across the NAND block, and a plurality of second bonding interconnects disposed along the bitlines. The memory structure may be stacked on another of the memory structure to form a stacked memory device.