Abstract: A microelectronic assembly is provided, having thermoelectric elements formed on a die so as to pump heat away from the die when current flows through the thermoelectric elements. In one embodiment, the thermoelectric elements are integrated between conductive interconnection elements on an active side of the die. In another embodiment, the thermoelectric elements are on a backside of the die and electrically connected to a carrier substrate on a front side of the die. In a further embodiment, the thermoelectric elements are formed on a secondary substrate and transferred to the die.

Abstract: An embodiment of the present invention is a technique to distribute clock. At least a metal layer is formed to have a standing-wave structure to distribute a clock signal to receiver end points from a clock source such that the receiver end points are substantially electrically equivalent with respect to the clock source. The metal layer is embedded in dielectric layers made of thick film using a wafer-level thick film (WLTF) process.

Abstract: In one embodiment there is provided a method comprising performing a sawing operation on a wafer; and treating the wafer to at least reduce a propagation of micro-cracks formed in the wafer during the sawing. In another embodiment there is provided a semi-conductor die comprising a substrate having a central first portion, and a peripheral second portion around the central first portion; an integrated circuit formed on the central first portion; and a guard ring disposed between the first and second portions of the substrate to prevent a propagation of cracks found in that second portion to the first portion, wherein the second portion includes micro-cracks filled with a crack-healing material to arrest propagation of the micro-cracks beyond the guard ring and into the central first portion.

Abstract: An embodiment of the present invention is a technique to distribute clock. At least a metal layer is formed to have a standing-wave structure to distribute a clock signal to receiver end points from a clock source such that the receiver end points are substantially electrically equivalent with respect to the clock source. The metal layer is embedded in dielectric layers made of thick film using a wafer-level thick film (WLTF) process.

Abstract: In one embodiment there is provided a method comprising performing a singulation operation on a wafer; and treating the wafer to at least reduce a propagation of micro-cracks formed in the wafer during the singulation. In another embodiment there is provided a semi-conductor die comprising a substrate having a central first portion, and a peripheral second portion around the central first portion; an integrated circuit formed on the central first portion; and a guard ring disposed between the first and second portions of the substrate to prevent a propagation of micro-cracks formed in the second portion into the first portion, the micro-cracks having been formed during a singulation operation to separate the semiconductor die from a wafer, wherein the second portion includes micro-cracks filled with a crack-healing material to arrest propagation of the micro-cracks beyond the ring and into the central first portion.

Abstract: An optical or optoelectroronic component is mounted to a substrate, and an optical thumbtack is inserted into a through-hole of the substrate. The optical thumbtack is positioned to receive light from or send light to the optical or optoelectronic component and provide a conditioned, for example collimated or focused, beam. The optical thumbtack comprises a lens portion, a spacer portion, and a foot portion. Light may enter the thumbtack from either direction.

Abstract: A process for forming a thermally stable low-dielectric constant material is provided. A gas mixture is prepared to form a fluorinated amorphous carbon (a-C:F) material. The gas mixture is mixed with a boron-containing gas.

Abstract: A method of forming a carbon doped oxide layer on a substrate is described. That method comprises introducing into a chemical vapor deposition apparatus a source of carbon, silicon, boron, and oxygen. That apparatus is then operated under conditions that cause a boron containing carbon doped oxide layer to form on the substrate.

Abstract: One or more optical or optoelectronic components are mounted to one or more substrates/boards, and an optical assembly is inserted into one or more through-holes in the one or more substrates/boards. The optical assembly is positioned to receive light from or send light to the optical or optoelectronic components and provide a conditioned, for example collimated or focused, beam. The optical assembly comprises at least one lens portion, spacer portion, coupler portion, and a waveguide.

Abstract: An optical or optoelectronic component is mounted to a substrate, and an optical thumbtack is inserted into a through-hole of the substrate. The optical thumbtack is positioned to receive light from or send light to the optical or optoelectronic component and provide a conditioned, for example collimated or focused, beam. The optical thumbtack comprises a lens portion, a spacer portion, and a foot portion. Light may enter the thumbtack from either direction.

Abstract: In one embodiment there is provided a method comprising performing a sawing operation on a wafer; and treating the wafer to at least reduce a propagation of micro-cracks formed in the wafer during the sawing. In another embodiment there is provided a semi-conductor die comprising a substrate having a central first portion, and a peripheral second portion around the central first portion; an integrated circuit formed on the central first portion; and a guard ring disposed between the first and second portions of the substrate to prevent a propagation of cracks found in that second portion to the first portion, wherein the second portion includes micro-cracks filled with a crack-healing material to arrest propagation of the micro-cracks beyond the guard ring and into the central first portion.

Abstract: A method of forming a carbon doped oxide layer on a substrate is described. That method comprises introducing into a chemical vapor deposition apparatus a source of carbon, silicon, boron, and oxygen. That apparatus is then operated under conditions that cause a boron containing carbon doped oxide layer to form on the substrate.

Abstract: A method of forming a carbon doped oxide layer on a substrate is described. That method comprises introducing into a chemical vapor deposition apparatus a source of carbon, silicon, boron, and oxygen. That apparatus is then operated under conditions that cause a boron containing carbon doped oxide layer to form on the substrate.

Abstract: Dual-Damascene processes for difficult to etch low k dielectric such as carbon-doped oxide. First deposition of dielectric is made to thickness of vias only, then etched. Second depositions of dielectric is made to thickness of conductor and then etched.

Abstract: A method of forming a carbon doped oxide dielectric material on a substrate is described. That method comprises introducing into a chemical vapor deposition apparatus an alkyl oxysilane precursor. That apparatus is then operated under conditions that cause a carbon doped oxide to form on the substrate, while maintaining the substrate temperature at less than about 200° C.

Abstract: A process for forming a thermally stable low-dielectric constant material is provided. A gas mixture is prepared to form a fluorinated amorphous carbon (a-C:F) material. The gas mixture is mixed with a boron-containing gas.

Abstract: A process for forming a thermally stable low-dielectric constant material is provided. A gas mixture is prepared to form a fluorinated amorphous carbon (a-C:F) material. The gas mixture is mixed with a boron-containing gas.