Abstract: Embodiments are disclosed for semiconductor manufacturing using disposable test circuitry formed within scribe lanes. The manufacturing steps can include forming device circuitry within a semiconductor die and forming test circuitry within a scribe lane. One or more electrical connection route lines are also formed that connect the device circuitry and test circuitry blocks. Further, each die can be connected to a single test circuitry block, or multiple dice can share common test circuitry blocks. After testing, the electrical connection route line(s) are sealed, and the test circuitry is discarded when the device dice are singulated. For certain embodiments, the edge of the devices dice are encapsulated with a protective metal layer, and certain other embodiments include protective sealrings through which the connection route lines pass to enter the dice from the test circuitry blocks within the scribe lanes.

Abstract: A semiconductor package with an embedded capacitor and corresponding manufacturing methods are described. The semiconductor package with the embedded capacitor includes a semiconductor die having a first metal layer extending across at least a portion of a first side of the semiconductor die and a package structure formed on the first side of the semiconductor die. A first electrical conductor of the embedded capacitor is formed in the first metal layer of the semiconductor die. The package structure includes a second metal layer that has formed therein a second electrical conductor of the embedded capacitor. A dielectric of the embedded capacitor is positioned within either the semiconductor die or the package structure of the semiconductor package to isolate the first electrical conductor from the second electrical conductor of the embedded capacitor.

Abstract: A semiconductor package with an embedded capacitor and corresponding manufacturing methods are described. The semiconductor package with the embedded capacitor includes a semiconductor die having a first metal layer extending across at least a portion of a first side of the semiconductor die and a package structure formed on the first side of the semiconductor die. A first electrical conductor of the embedded capacitor is formed in the first metal layer of the semiconductor die. The package structure includes a second metal layer that has formed therein a second electrical conductor of the embedded capacitor. A dielectric of the embedded capacitor is positioned within either the semiconductor die or the package structure of the semiconductor package to isolate the first electrical conductor from the second electrical conductor of the embedded capacitor.

Abstract: An integrated circuit die includes a first bond pad having a bond contact area at a first depth into a plurality of build-up layers over a semiconductor substrate of the integrated circuit die, having sidewalls that surround the bond contact area, the sidewalls extending from the first depth to a top surface of the plurality of build-up layers, and having a top portion that extends over a portion of a top surface of the plurality of build-up layers.

Abstract: A semiconductor package with an embedded capacitor and corresponding manufacturing methods are described. The semiconductor package with the embedded capacitor includes a semiconductor die having a first metal layer extending across at least a portion of a first side of the semiconductor die and a package structure formed on the first side of the semiconductor die. A first electrical conductor of the embedded capacitor is formed in the first metal layer of the semiconductor die. The package structure includes a second metal layer that has formed therein a second electrical conductor of the embedded capacitor. A dielectric of the embedded capacitor is positioned within either the semiconductor die or the package structure of the semiconductor package to isolate the first electrical conductor from the second electrical conductor of the embedded capacitor.

Abstract: An integrated circuit die includes a first bond pad having a bond contact area at a first depth into a plurality of build-up layers over a semiconductor substrate of the integrated circuit die, having sidewalls that surround the bond contact area, the sidewalls extending from the first depth to a top surface of the plurality of build-up layers, and having a top portion that extends over a portion of a top surface of the plurality of build-up layers.

Abstract: A semiconductor package with an embedded capacitor and corresponding manufacturing methods are described. The semiconductor package with the embedded capacitor includes a semiconductor die having a first metal layer extending across at least a portion of a first side of the semiconductor die and a package structure formed on the first side of the semiconductor die. A first electrical conductor of the embedded capacitor is formed in the first metal layer of the semiconductor die. The package structure includes a second metal layer that has formed therein a second electrical conductor of the embedded capacitor. A dielectric of the embedded capacitor is positioned within either the semiconductor die or the package structure of the semiconductor package to isolate the first electrical conductor from the second electrical conductor of the embedded capacitor.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a packaged semiconductor device includes integrating a plurality of singulated semiconductor die in a die carrier, and forming one or more interconnect layers on the die carrier. The interconnect layers include at least one of conductive intra-layer structures and inter-layer structures coupled to contact pads on the plurality of singulated semiconductor die. A set of landing pads is formed coupled to a first subset of the contact pads via a first set of the conductive intra-layer structures and inter-layer structures. A set of probe pads is formed coupled to a second subset of the contact pads via a second set of the conductive intra-layer structures and inter-layer structures. The die carrier is singulated to form a plurality of packaged semiconductor devices. The set of probe pads is removed during the singulating the die carrier.

Abstract: Embodiments are disclosed for semiconductor manufacturing using disposable test circuitry formed within scribe lanes. The manufacturing steps can include forming device circuitry within a semiconductor die and forming test circuitry within a scribe lane. One or more electrical connection route lines are also formed that connect the device circuitry and test circuitry blocks. Further, each die can be connected to a single test circuitry block, or multiple dice can share common test circuitry blocks. After testing, the electrical connection route line(s) are sealed, and the test circuitry is discarded when the device dice are singulated. For certain embodiments, the edge of the devices dice are encapsulated with a protective metal layer, and certain other embodiments include protective sealrings through which the connection route lines pass to enter the dice from the test circuitry blocks within the scribe lanes.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a packaged semiconductor device includes integrating a plurality of singulated semiconductor die in a die carrier, and forming one or more interconnect layers on the die carrier. The interconnect layers include at least one of conductive intra-layer structures and inter-layer structures coupled to contact pads on the plurality of singulated semiconductor die. A set of landing pads is formed coupled to a first subset of the contact pads via a first set of the conductive intra-layer structures and inter-layer structures. A set of probe pads is formed coupled to a second subset of the contact pads via a second set of the conductive intra-layer structures and inter-layer structures. The die carrier is singulated to form a plurality of packaged semiconductor devices. The set of probe pads is removed during the singulating the die carrier.

Abstract: A semiconductor package includes an electrostatic discharge rail capable of being coupled to a first conductive contact and a second conductive contact, a first portion of a voltage triggerable material between the electrostatic discharge rail and the first conductive contact; and a second portion of the voltage triggerable material between the electrostatic discharge rail and the second conductive contact. The first and second conductive contacts may be coupled to the same semiconductor device or different semiconductor devices.

Abstract: A semiconductor package includes an electrostatic discharge rail capable of being coupled to a first conductive contact and a second conductive contact, a first portion of a voltage triggerable material between the electrostatic discharge rail and the first conductive contact; and a second portion of the voltage triggerable material between the electrostatic discharge rail and the second conductive contact. The first and second conductive contacts may be coupled to the same semiconductor device or different semiconductor devices.

Abstract: An integrated circuit die (10) includes a substrate (64), a plurality of metal interconnect layers (62) formed over the substrate (64), an insulating layer (58), a first pad (12), a second pad (14), and a probe pad (16). The first pad (12) is formed over the insulating layer (58) at an edge (11) of the integrated circuit die (10). The second pad (14) is formed over the insulating layer (58) adjacent to the first pad (12) on a side of the first pad (12) that is opposite to the edge (11). The probe pad (16) is formed over the insulating layer (58) on a side of the second pad (14) that is opposite to the edge (11), wherein the probe pad (16) is electrically connected to the first pad (12). The probe pad (16) may be formed over active circuitry of the substrate instead of over a peripheral area of the die (10), thus reducing the surface area of the die (10).

Abstract: A method for forming an integrated circuit involves forming trench isolation regions (208a) and a damascene gate electrode region (214) simultaneous with one another via overlapping process steps. By performing this simultaneous formation of a trench region (208a) and a damascene gate electrode (214) using a common dielectric layer (208), MOS integrated circuits can be formed with reduced processing steps while simultaneously avoiding adverse polysilicon stringers which are present in prior art damacene-formed gate electrode. A single dielectric layer (208) is deposited in order to provide trench fill material for a trench region (208a) while simultaneously providing the material needed for form an opening (210) which is used to define the dimensions and material content of a gate electrode (214).

Abstract: In one embodiment a non-volatile memory device having improved reliability is formed by oxidizing a first portion of a semiconductor substrate (12) to form a first silicon dioxide layer (14). The first silicon dioxide layer (14) is then annealed and second portion of the silicon substrate, underlying the annealed silicon dioxide layer (16), is then oxidized to form a second silicon dioxide layer (18). The annealed silicon dioxide layer (16) and the second silicon dioxide layer (18) form a pre-oxide layer (20). The pre-oxide layer (20) is then nitrided to form a nitrided oxide dielectric layer (22). A floating gate is then formed overlying the nitrided oxide dielectric layer (22), which serves as the tunnel oxide for the device. Tunnel oxides formed with the inventive process are less susceptible to stress-induced leakage, and therefore, devices with improved data retention and endurance may be fabricated.

Abstract: A method for forming shallow trench isolation (STI) (100) begins by forming an oxidizable layer (106) preferably made of polysilicon. An opening is patterned and etched through this layer (106) to define and form the trench isolation region (108). Silicon sidewalls of the trench (108) and the polysilicon layer (106) are then exposed to an oxidizing ambient to form a thermal oxide trench liner (107a) and an erosion-protection polysilicon-oxide layer (107b). A trench fill material (110a) is then deposited and chemically mechanically polished (CMP) utilizing the polysilicon layer (106) as a polish stop. The final polished trench fill plug comprises an ozone TEOS bulk material (110c) and an annular peripheral upper erosion-protection portion formed of the polysilicon-oxide (107d). The annular polysilicon-oxide protection regions (107d) either reduce or entirely eliminate adverse sidewall parasitic erosion which occurs in conventional trench technology when processing active areas (124).

Abstract: A process for fabricating a MOSFET on an SOI substrate includes the formation of an active region (14) isolated by field isolation regions (16, 18) and by an insulating layer (12). A recess (26) is formed in the active region (14) using a masking layer (22) having an opening (24) therein. A gate dielectric layer (32) is formed in the recess (26) and a polycrystalline silicon layer (34) is deposited to overlie the masking layer (22), and to fill the recess (26). A planarization process is carried out to form a gate electrode (36) in the recess (26), and source and drain regions (40, 42) are formed in a self-aligned manner to the gate electrode (36). A channel region (44) resides intermediate to the source and drain regions (40, 42) and directly below the gate electrode (36).

Abstract: A stack of oxide (16) and silicon nitride (18) is grown/deposited over a patterned polysilicon line, which typically acts as a bottom capacitor plate. A thin layer of amorphous or polycrystalline silicon (20) is deposited over the blanket silicon nitride film. The thickness of the deposited silicon layer must be optimized according to the final amount of oxide desired over the silicon nitride, which will be roughly twice the thickness of the deposited silicon film. The oxide/nitride/silicon stack is then patterned and etched, stopping either at or underneath the bottom oxide. Any subsequent cleaning in potentially oxide-etching chemistries (including HF) is done with the protective silicon deposit on top of the silicon nitride. The entire structure is then thermally oxidized, transforming the deposited silicon into silicon oxide (30). Where the structure has been cleared down to the substrate by etching, a second gate oxide is simultaneously formed.

Abstract: A method for forming an air region or an air bridge overlying a base layer (12). Air regions (20a, 20b, 28a, and 48) are formed overlying the base layer (12) to provide for improved dielectric isolation of adjacent conductive layers, provide air-isolated conductive interconnects, and/or form many other microstructures or microdevices. The air regions (20a, 20b, 28a, and 48) are formed by either selectively removing a sacrificial spacer (16a and 16b) or by selectively removing a sacrificial layer (28, 40). The air regions (20a, 20b, 28a, and 48) are sealed, enclosed, or isolated by either a selective growth process or by a non-conformal deposition technique. The air regions (20a, 20b, 28a, and 48) may be formed under any pressure, gas concentration, or processing condition (i.e. temperature, etc.). The air regions (20a, 20b, 28a, and 48) may be formed at any level within an integrated circuit.

Abstract: A method for forming an air region or an air bridge overlying a base layer (12). Air regions (20a, 20b, 28a, and 48) are formed overlying the base layer (12) to provide for improved dielectric isolation of adjacent conductive layers, provide air-isolated conductive interconnects, and/or form many other microstructures or microdevices. The air regions (20a, 20b, 28a, and 48) are formed by either selectively removing a sacrificial spacer (16a and 16b) or by selectively removing a sacrificial layer (28, 40). The air regions (20a, 20b, 28a, and 48) are sealed, enclosed, or isolated by either a selective growth process or by a non-conformal deposition technique. The air regions (20a, 20b, 28a, and 48) may be formed under any pressure, gas concentration, or processing condition (i.e. temperature, etc.). The air regions (20a, 20b, 28a, and 48) may be formed at any level within an integrated circuit.