Abstract: A bond pad structure of an integrated circuit includes a conductive pad disposed on a first dielectric layer, a first conductive block formed in a second dielectric layer below the first dielectric layer and electrically connected to the conductive pad through a first via plug formed in the first dielectric layer, and an electrically floating first conductive plate situated under the conductive pad.

Abstract: A seal ring structure for an integrated circuit includes a seal ring being disposed along a periphery of the integrated circuit and being divided into at least a first portion and a second portion, wherein the second portion is positioned facing an analog and/or RF circuit block and is different from the first portion in structure. A P+ region is provided in a P substrate and positioned under the second portion. A shallow trench isolation (STI) structure surrounds the P+ region and laterally extends underneath a conductive rampart of the second portion.

Abstract: An integrated circuit chip includes a semiconductor substrate; a first interconnection wire having a first portion and a second portion on the semiconductor substrate, wherein the second portion is separated from the first portion; a second interconnection wire situated under the first interconnection wire; a first conductive via electrically coupling the first portion with the second interconnection wire; a conductive layer situated between the first interconnection wire and the second interconnection wire; and a second conductive via electrically coupling the conductive layer with the second portion.

Abstract: An integrated circuit chip includes an analog and/or RF circuit block and a seal ring structure surrounding the analog and/or RF circuit block. The seal ring structure comprises a continuous outer seal ring and an inner seal ring, wherein the inner seal ring comprises a gap that is situated in front of the analog and/or RF circuit block.

Abstract: A method for including decoupling capacitors into a semiconductor circuit having at least a logic circuit therein, includes: arranging a first decoupling capacitor and a second decoupling capacitor into a first area and a second area around the logic circuit respectively, wherein a gate oxide thickness of the first decoupling capacitor is different from a gate oxide thickness of the second decoupling capacitor.

Abstract: An integrated circuit chip includes an analog and/or RF circuit block, a digital circuit, and a seal ring structure surrounding and protecting the analog and/or RF circuit block. The seal ring structure comprises a continuous outer seal ring, and a discontinuous inner seal ring divided into at least a first portion and a second portion. The second portion is situated in front of the analog and/or RF circuit block for shielding a noise from interfering the analog and/or RF circuit block.

Abstract: A semiconductor device with dummy patterns for alleviating micro-loading effect includes a semiconductor substrate having thereon a middle annular region between an inner region and an outer region; a SiGe device on the semiconductor substrate within the inner region; and a plurality of dummy patterns provided on the semiconductor substrate within the middle annular region. At least one of the dummy patterns contains SiGe.

Abstract: An integrated circuit chip includes an analog and/or RF circuit block, a digital circuit, and a seal ring structure surrounding and protecting the analog and/or RF circuit block. The seal ring structure comprises a continuous outer seal ring, and a discontinuous inner seal ring divided into at least a first portion and a second portion. The second portion is situated in front of the analog and/or RF circuit block for shielding a noise from interfering the analog and/or RF circuit block.

Abstract: A bond pad structure of an integrated circuit includes a conductive pad disposed on a first dielectric layer, a first conductive block formed in a second dielectric layer below the first dielectric layer and electrically connected to the conductive pad through a first via plug formed in the first dielectric layer, and an electrically floating first conductive plate situated under the conductive pad.

Abstract: A seal ring structure disposed along a periphery of an integrated circuit. The seal ring is divided into at least a first portion and a second portion. The second portion is positioned facing and shielding an analog and/or RF circuit block from a noise. A deep N well is disposed in a P substrate and is positioned under the second portion. The deep N well reduces the substrate noise coupling.

Abstract: A seal ring structure for an integrated circuit includes a seal ring disposed along a periphery of the integrated circuit, wherein the seal ring is divided into at least a first portion and a second portion, and wherein the second portion is positioned facing and shielding an analog and/or RF circuit block from a noise. A P+ region is provided in a P substrate and positioned under the second portion. A shallow trench isolation (STI) structure surrounds the P+ region and laterally extends underneath a conductive rampart of the second portion.

Abstract: A dual CESL process includes: (1) providing a substrate having thereon a first device region, a second device region and a shallow trench isolation (STI) region between the first and second device regions; (2) forming a first-stress imparting film with a first stress over the substrate, wherein the first-stress imparting film does not cover the second device region; and (3) forming a second-stress imparting film with a second stress over the substrate, wherein the second-stress imparting film does not cover the first device region, an overlapped boundary between the first- and second-stress imparting films is created directly above the STI region, and wherein the overlapped boundary is placed in close proximity to the second device region in order to induce the first stress to a channel region thereof in a transversal direction.

Abstract: A semiconductor device with dummy patterns for alleviating micro-loading effect includes a semiconductor substrate having thereon a middle annular region between an inner region and an outer region; a SiGe device on the semiconductor substrate within the inner region; and a plurality of dummy patterns provided on the semiconductor substrate within the middle annular region. At least one of the dummy patterns contains SiGe.

Abstract: An interconnection structure includes an inter-layer dielectric; a topmost copper metal layer inlaid into the inter-layer dielectric; an insulating layer disposed on the inter-layer dielectric and the topmost copper metal layer; a via opening in the insulating layer for exposing a top surface of the topmost copper metal layer, wherein the via opening consists of an inwardly tapered upper via portion and a lower via portion having a substantially vertical sidewall profile; and an aluminum layer filling into the via opening.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of ion implantation, comprising forming a shield layer over a provided substrate. After forming the shield layer, a photoresist layer is formed over the substrate and then patterned by photolithography and etching. Using the patterned photoresist layer as a mask, an ion implantation step is performed with a tilt angle of zero degree. Next, the shield layer can be removed simultaneously during the process of removing the photoresist layer.