Abstract: A process and resultant article of manufacture made by such process comprises forming through vias needed to connect a bottom device layer in a bottom silicon wafer to the one in the top device layer in a top silicon wafer comprising a silicon-on-insulator (SOI) wafer. Through vias are disposed in such a way that they extend from the middle of the line (MOL) interconnect of the top wafer to the buried oxide (BOX) layer of the SOI wafer with appropriate insulation provided to isolate them from the SOI device layer.

Abstract: An article of manufacture is formed by preparing a first silicon-on-insulator (SOI) wafer with first bonding pads at a first top or back-end-of-line (BEOL) surface thereof, preparing a second SOI wafer with second bonding pads at a second BEOL surface thereof, and attaching the first and second SOI wafers by bonding their bonding pads together, thereby producing a sandwiched wafer with first and second bottom or front-end-of-line (FEOL) surfaces facing outward and with first and second BEOL surfaces facing each other near the midline of the sandwiched wafer. The first SOI wafer then is prepared for packaging by first removing the silicon substrate from the first FEOL surface to reveal a buried oxide (BOX) layer, then fabricating interconnects atop the BOX layer and forming input output pads atop the interconnects.

Abstract: A process includes forming through vias needed to connect a bottom device layer in a bottom silicon wafer to the one in the top device layer in a top silicon wafer including a silicon-on-insulator (SOI) wafer. Through vias are disposed in such a way that they extend from the middle of the line (MOL) interconnect of the top wafer to the buried oxide (BOX) layer of the SOI wafer with appropriate insulation provided to isolate them from the SOI device layer. A resultant article of manufacture is also disclosed.

Abstract: A three dimensional device stack structure comprises two or more active device and interconnect layers further connected together using through substrate vias. Methods of forming the three dimensional device stack structure comprise alignment, bonding by lamination, thinning and post thinning processing. The via features enable the retention of alignment through the lamination process and any subsequent process steps thus achieving a mechanically more robust stack structure compared to the prior art.

Abstract: A method for cleaning a dielectric and metal structure within a microelectronic structure uses an oxygen containing plasma treatment, followed by an alcohol treatment, in turn followed by an aqueous organic acid treatment. Another method for cleaning a dielectric and metal structure within a microelectronic structure uses an aqueous surfactant treatment followed by an alcohol treatment and finally followed by an aqueous organic acid treatment. The former method may be used to clean a plasma etch residue from a dual damascene aperture. The second method may be used to clean a chemical mechanical polish planarizing residue from a dual damascene structure. The two methods may be used sequentially, absent any intervening or subsequent sputtering method, to provide a dual damascene structure within a microelectronic structure.

Abstract: A process and resultant article of manufacture made by such process comprises forming through vias needed to connect a bottom device layer in a bottom silicon wafer to the one in the top device layer in a top silicon wafer comprising a silicon-on-insulator (SOI) wafer. Through vias are disposed in such a way that they extend from the middle of the line (MOL) interconnect of the top wafer to the buried oxide (BOX) layer of the SOI wafer with appropriate insulation provided to isolate them from the SOI device layer.

Abstract: A three dimensional device stack structure comprises two or more active device and interconnect layers further connected together using through substrate vias. Methods of forming the three dimensional device stack structure comprise alignment, bonding by lamination, thinning and post thinning processing. The via features enable the retention of alignment through the lamination process and any subsequent process steps thus achieving a mechanically more robust stack structure compared to the prior art.

Abstract: A microelectronic structure, and in particular a semiconductor structure, includes a substrate and a dielectric layer located over the substrate. In addition at least one alignment mark is located interposed between the dielectric layer and the substrate. The at least one alignment mark comprises, or preferably consists essentially of, at least one substantially present element having an atomic number at least 5 greater than a highest atomic number substantially present element within materials surrounding the alignment mark Also included within the microelectronic structure is a dual damascene aperture located within the dielectric layer. The dual damascene aperture may be fabricated using, among other methods, a hybrid lithography method that uses direct write lithography and optical lithography, in conjunction with the at least one alignment mark and an electron beam as an alignment beam.

Abstract: A three dimensional device stack structure comprises two or more active device and interconnect layers further connected together using through substrate vias. Methods of forming the three dimensional device stack structure comprise alignment, bonding by lamination, thinning and post thinning processing. The via features enable the retention of alignment through the lamination process and any subsequent process steps thus achieving a mechanically more robust stack structure compared to the prior art.

Abstract: A three dimensional device stack structure comprises two or more active device and interconnect layers further connected together using through substrate vias. Methods of forming the three dimensional device stack structure comprise alignment, bonding by lamination, thinning and post thinning processing. The via features enable the retention of alignment through the lamination process and any subsequent process steps thus achieving a mechanically more robust stack structure compared to the prior art.

Abstract: A three dimensional device stack structure comprises two or more active device and interconnect layers further connected together using through substrate vias. Methods of forming the three dimensional device stack structure comprise alignment, bonding by lamination, thinning and post thinning processing. The via features enable the retention of alignment through the lamination process and any subsequent process steps thus achieving a mechanically more robust stack structure compared to the prior art.

Abstract: A microelectronic structure, and in particular a semiconductor structure, includes a substrate and a dielectric layer located over the substrate. In addition at least one alignment mark is located interposed between the dielectric layer and the substrate. The at least one alignment mark comprises, or preferably consists essentially of, at least one substantially present element having an atomic number at least 5 greater than a highest atomic number substantially present element within materials surrounding the alignment mark Also included within the microelectronic structure is a dual damascene aperture located within the dielectric layer. The dual damascene aperture may be fabricated using, among other methods, a hybrid lithography method that uses direct write lithography and optical lithography, in conjunction with the at least one alignment mark and an electron beam as an alignment beam.

Abstract: A method for cleaning a dielectric and metal structure within a microelectronic structure uses an oxygen containing plasma treatment, followed by an alcohol treatment, in turn followed by an aqueous organic acid treatment. Another method for cleaning a dielectric and metal structure within a microelectronic structure uses an aqueous surfactant treatment followed by an alcohol treatment and finally followed by an aqueous organic acid treatment. The former method may be used to clean a plasma etch residue from a dual damascene aperture. The second method may be used to clean a chemical mechanical polish planarizing residue from a dual damascene structure. The two methods may be used sequentially, absent any intervening or subsequent sputtering method, to provide a dual damascene structure within a microelectronic structure.

Abstract: In a multilevel microelectronic integrated circuit, air comprises permanent line level dielectric and ultra low-K materials are via level dielectric. The air is supplied to line level subsequent to removal of sacrificial material by clean thermal decomposition and assisted diffusion of byproducts through porosities in the IC structure. Optionally, air is also included within porosities in the via level dielectric. By incorporating air to the extent produced in the invention, intralevel and interlevel dielectric values are minimized.

Abstract: A method of making a surface planarization is provided using a separate pre-cut or precured film laminated onto a metallized surface to form planarized dielectric coating. The method comprises the steps of: (a) providing a thin film interconnect module with a polyimide adhesive laminated with a pre-cut or pre-cured polyimide lamination film on the top of the polyimide adhesive, the polyimide lamination film being covered with a glass plate; (b) applying pressure and heat in a synchronized format to ensure a uniform curing and gap filling in the thin film module metal for the adhesive layer; and (c) releasing the glass plate to expose a smooth lamination film surface.

Abstract: An electronic component structure assembly comprising a thin film structure bonded to a multilayer ceramic substrate (MLC) using solder connections and wherein a non-conductive, compliant spacer preferably with a layer of thermoplastic adhesive on each surface thereof is interposed between the underlying MLC carrier and overlying thin film structure. The spacer includes a pattern of through-holes which corresponds to opposing contact pads of the thin film structure and MLC. The contact pads of at least one of the thin film structure or MLC have posts (e.g., metallic) thereon and the posts extend partly into the spacer through-holes whereby the height of the posts are greater than the thickness of the adhesive. The posts of the MLC have solder bumps thereon. After reflow under pressure the thin film structure is electrically and mechanically connected to the MLC and the join method has been found to provide a reliable and cost-effective process. The joined components also have enhanced operating life.