Abstract: Method and structure for optimizing and controlling diffusional creep at metal contact interfaces are disclosed. Embodiments of the invention accommodate height variations in adjacent contacts, decrease planarization uniformity requirements, and facilitate contact bonding at lower temperatures and pressures by employing shapes and materials that respond predictably to compressive interfacing loads.

Abstract: Method and structure for optimizing and controlling diffusional creep at metal contact interfaces are disclosed. Embodiments of the invention accommodate height variations in adjacent contacts, decrease planarization uniformity requirements, and facilitate contact bonding at lower temperatures and pressures by employing shapes and materials that respond predictably to compressive interfacing loads.

Abstract: A method of vertically stacking wafers is provided to form three-dimensional (3D) wafer stack. Such method comprising: selectively depositing a plurality of metallic lines on opposing surfaces of adjacent wafers; bonding the adjacent wafers, via the metallic lines, to establish electrical connections between active devices on vertically stacked wafers; and forming one or more vias to establish electrical connections between the active devices on the vertically stacked wafers and an external interconnect. Metal bonding areas on opposing surfaces of the adjacent wafers can be increased by using one or more dummy vias, tapered vias, or incorporating an existing copper (Cu) dual damascene process.

Abstract: Methods for thinning wafer-to-wafer vertical stacks in the fabrication of stacked microelectronic devices. The methods include physically removing unsupported portions of a wafer to be thinned in the vertical stack. The removal of the unsupported portions substantially eliminates potential cracking and chipping of the wafer, which can occur during the thinning process when the unsupported portions exist.

Abstract: A three dimensional capacitor fabricated as part of a dual damascene process is disclosed. The capacitor structure comprises two barrier metal layers separated by a high k dielectric and is formed in all the via and trench openings. The upper barrier layer and dielectric is selectively removed from those openings which will have ordinary vias and conductors, the other opening remains as capaitor.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates generally to microelectronic technology, and more specifically, to an apparatus used for the cooling of active electronic devices utilizing micro-channels or micro-trenches, and a technique for fabricating the same.

Abstract: A three-dimensional (3-D) integrated chip system is provided with a first wafer including one or more integrated circuit (IC) devices; a second wafer including one or more integrated circuit (IC) devices; and a metal bonding layer deposited on opposing surfaces of the first and second wafers at designated locations to establish electrical connections between active IC devices on the first and second wafers and to provide metal bonding between the adjacent first and second wafers, when the first wafer is pressed against the second wafer using a flexible bladder press to account for height differences of the metal bonding layer across the opposing surfaces of the first and second wafers.

Abstract: A method of vertically stacking wafers is provided to form three-dimensional (3D) wafer stack. Such method comprising: selectively depositing a plurality of metallic lines on opposing surfaces of adjacent wafers; bonding the adjacent wafers, via the metallic lines, to establish electrical connections between active devices on vertically stacked wafers; and forming one or more vias to establish electrical connections between the active devices on the vertically stacked wafers and an external interconnect. Metal bonding areas on opposing surfaces of the adjacent wafers can be increased by using one or more dummy vias, tapered vias, or incorporating an existing copper (Cu) dual damascene process.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a method including providing a substrate; forming a lower conductor over the substrate; forming a conducting nanostructure over the lower conductor; forming a thin dielectric over the conducting nanostructure; and forming an upper conductor over the thin dielectric.

Abstract: Method and structure for vertically stacking microelectronic devices are disclosed. Subsequent to appropriate deposition, patterning, trenching, and passivation subprocesses, a conductive layer is formed wherein one end comprises an external contact portion for C4 interfacing, and another end establishes electrical contact with an internal contact at the bonding interface between the two interfaced devices. The conductive layer may be formed using electroplating, and may be formed in a single electroplating treatment, to form a continuous structure from via portion to external contact portion.

Abstract: Method and structure for optimizing and controlling chemical mechanical planarization are disclosed. Embodiments of the invention include planarization techniques to make nonplanar surfaces comprising alternating metal and intermetal layers. Relative protrusion dimensions and uniformity of various layers may be accurately controlled using the disclosed techniques.

Abstract: Methods for thinning wafer-to-wafer vertical stacks in the fabrication of stacked microelectronic devices. The methods include physically removing unsupported portions of a wafer to be thinned in the vertical stack. The removal of the unsupported portions substantially eliminates potential cracking and chipping of the wafer, which can occur during the thinning process when the unsupported portions exist.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates generally to microelectronic technology, and more specifically, to an apparatus used for the cooling of active electronic devices utilizing electro-osmotic pumps and micro-channels.

Abstract: Methods for thinning wafer-to-wafer vertical stacks in the fabrication of stacked microelectronic devices. The methods include etching away unsupported portions of a wafer to be thinned in the vertical stack. The removal of the unsupported portions substantially eliminates potential cracking and chipping of the wafer, which can occur during the thinning process when the unsupported portions exist.

Abstract: Arrangements having increased on-die capacitance.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a method including providing a substrate; forming a lower conductor over the substrate; forming a conducting nanostructure over the lower conductor; forming a thin dielectric over the conducting nanostructure; and forming an upper conductor over the thin dielectric.

Abstract: A three-dimensional (3-D) integrated chip system is provided with a first wafer including one or more integrated circuit (IC) devices, metallic lines deposited via an interlevel dielectric (ILD) on a surface, and at least one barrier line deposited on an outer edge of the surface; and a second wafer including one or more integrated circuit (IC) devices, metallic lines deposited via an interlevel dielectric (ILD) on a surface, and at least one barrier line deposited on an outer edge of the surface, wherein the metallic lines and the barrier line deposited on the surface of the second wafer are bonded with the metallic lines and the barrier line deposited on the surface of the first wafer to establish electrical connections between active IC devices on adjacent wafers and to form a barrier structure on the outer edge of the adjacent wafers.

Abstract: A three-dimensional (3-D) integrated chip system is provided with a first wafer including one or more integrated circuit (IC) devices, metallic lines deposited via an interlevel dielectric (ILD) on a surface, and at least one barrier line deposited on an outer edge of the surface; and a second wafer including one or more integrated circuit (IC) devices, metallic lines deposited via an interlevel dielectric (ILD) on a surface, and at least one barrier line deposited on an outer edge of the surface, wherein the metallic lines and the barrier line deposited on the surface of the second wafer are bonded with the metallic lines and the barrier line deposited on the surface of the first wafer to establish electrical connections between active IC devices on adjacent wafers and to form a barrier structure on the outer edge of the adjacent wafers.

Abstract: A method of forming a silicon (Si) via in vertically stacked wafers is provided with a contact plug extending from selected metallic lines of a top wafer and an etch stop layer formed prior to the contact plug. Such a method comprises selectively etching through the silicon (Si) of the top wafer until stopped by the etch stop layer to form the Si via; depositing an oxide layer to insulate a sidewall of the Si via; forming a barrier layer on the oxide layer and on the bottom of the Si via; and depositing a conduction metal into the Si via to provide electrical connection between active IC devices located on vertically stacked wafers and an external interconnect.

Abstract: A method of forming a silicon (Si) via in vertically stacked wafers is provided with a contact plug extending from selected metallic lines of a top wafer and an etch stop layer formed prior to the contact plug. Such a method comprises selectively etching through the silicon (Si) of the top wafer until stopped by the etch stop layer to form the Si via; depositing an oxide layer to insulate a sidewall of the Si via; forming a barrier layer on the oxide layer and on the bottom of the Si via; and depositing a conduction metal into the Si via to provide electrical connection between active IC devices located on vertically stacked wafers and an external interconnect.