Abstract: A microelectronic assembly is provided which includes a first element consisting essentially of at least one of semiconductor or inorganic dielectric material having a surface facing and attached to a major surface of a microelectronic element at which a plurality of conductive pads are exposed, the microelectronic element having active semiconductor devices therein. A first opening extends from an exposed surface of the first element towards the surface attached to the microelectronic element, and a second opening extends from the first opening to a first one of the conductive pads, wherein where the first and second openings meet, interior surfaces of the first and second openings extend at different angles relative to the major surface of the microelectronic element. A conductive element extends within the first and second openings and contacts the at least one conductive pad.

Abstract: An electrical connection structure includes a variable-composition nickel alloy layer with a minor constituent selected from a group consisting of boron, carbon, and tungsten, wherein at least over a portion of a conductive substrate, the concentration of the minor constituent varies throughout the variable-composition nickel alloy layer in a direction from the bottom surface of the variable-composition nickel alloy layer to the top surface of the variable-composition nickel alloy layer.

Abstract: A sensor package that includes a substrate with opposing first and second surfaces. A plurality of photo detectors are formed on or under the first surface and configured to generate one or more signals in response to light incident on the first surface. A plurality of contact pads are formed at the first surface and are electrically coupled to the plurality of photo detectors. A plurality of holes are each formed into the second surface and extending through the substrate to one of the contact pads. Conductive leads each extend from one of the contact pads, through one of the plurality of holes, and along the second surface. The conductive leads are insulated from the substrate. One or more trenches are formed into a periphery portion of the substrate each extending from the second surface to the first surface. Insulation material covers sidewalls of the one or more trenches.

Abstract: A packaged sensor assembly and method of forming that includes a first substrate having opposing first and second surfaces and a plurality of conductive elements each extending between the first and second surfaces. A second substrate comprises opposing front and back surfaces, one or more detectors formed on or in the front surface, and a plurality of contact pads formed at the front surface which are electrically coupled to the one or more detectors. A third substrate is mounted to the front surface to define a cavity between the third substrate and the front surface, wherein the third substrate includes a first opening extending from the cavity through the third substrate. The back surface is mounted to the first surface. A plurality of wires each extend between and electrically connecting one of the contact pads and one of the conductive elements.

Abstract: A sensor device includes a first substrate of semiconductor material having opposing first and second surfaces, photodetectors configured to receive light impinging on the first surface, and first contact pads each exposed at both the first and second surfaces and electrically coupled to at least one of the photodetectors. A second substrate comprises opposing first and second surfaces, electrical circuits, a second contact pads each disposed at the first surface of the second substrate and electrically coupled to at least one of the electrical circuits, and a plurality of cooling channels formed as first trenches extending into the second surface of the second substrate but not reaching the first surface of the second substrate. The first substrate second surface is mounted to the second substrate first surface such that each of the first contact pads is electrically coupled to at least one of the second contact pads.

Abstract: A sensor device includes a first substrate of semiconductor material having opposing first and second surfaces, photodetectors configured to receive light impinging on the first surface, and first contact pads each exposed at both the first and second surfaces and electrically coupled to at least one of the photodetectors. A second substrate comprises opposing first and second surfaces, electrical circuits, a second contact pads each disposed at the first surface of the second substrate and electrically coupled to at least one of the electrical circuits, and a plurality of cooling channels formed as first trenches extending into the second surface of the second substrate but not reaching the first surface of the second substrate. The first substrate second surface is mounted to the second substrate first surface such that each of the first contact pads is electrically coupled to at least one of the second contact pads.

Abstract: An electrical connection structure includes a variable-composition nickel alloy layer with a minor constituent selected from a group consisting of boron, carbon, phosphorus, and tungsten, wherein at least over a portion of a conductive substrate, the concentration of the minor constituent decreases throughout the variable-composition nickel alloy layer in a direction from the bottom surface of the variable-composition nickel alloy layer to the top surface of the variable-composition nickel alloy layer.

Abstract: In interconnect fabrication (e.g. a damascene process), a conductive layer is formed over a substrate with holes, and is polished to provide interconnect features in the holes. To prevent erosion/dishing of the conductive layer at the holes, the conductive layer is covered by a sacrificial layer (possibly conformal) before polishing; then both layers are polished. Initially, before polishing, the conductive layer and the sacrificial layer are recessed over the holes, but the sacrificial layer is polished at a lower rate to result in a protrusion of the conductive layer at a location of each hole. The polishing can continue to remove the protrusions and provide a planar surface.

Abstract: An interconnect element 130 can include a dielectric layer 116 having a top face 116b and a bottom face 116a remote from the top face, a first metal layer defining a plane extending along the bottom face and a second metal layer extending along the top face. One of the first or second metal layers, or both, can include a plurality of conductive traces 132, 134. A plurality of conductive protrusions 112 can extend upwardly from the plane defined by the first metal layer 102 through the dielectric layer 116. The conductive protrusions 112 can have top surfaces 126 at a first height 115 above the first metal layer 132 which may be more than 50% of a height of the dielectric layer. A plurality of conductive vias 128 can extend from the top surfaces 126 of the protrusions 112 to connect the protrusions 112 with the second metal layer.

Abstract: A chip-sized, wafer level packaged device including a portion of a semiconductor wafer including a device, at least one packaging layer containing silicon and formed over the device, a first ball grid array formed over a surface of the at least one packaging layer and being electrically connected to the device and a second ball grid array formed over a surface of the portion of the semiconductor wafer and being electrically connected to the device.

Abstract: A sensor package that includes a substrate with opposing first and second surfaces. A plurality of photo detectors are formed on or under the first surface and configured to generate one or more signals in response to light incident on the first surface. A plurality of contact pads are formed at the first surface and are electrically coupled to the plurality of photo detectors. A plurality of holes are each formed into the second surface and extending through the substrate to one of the contact pads. Conductive leads each extend from one of the contact pads, through one of the plurality of holes, and along the second surface. The conductive leads are insulated from the substrate. One or more trenches are formed into a periphery portion of the substrate each extending from the second surface to the first surface. Insulation material covers sidewalls of the one or more trenches.

Abstract: A sensor device and method of making same that includes a silicon substrate with opposing first and second surfaces, a sensor formed at or in the first surface, a plurality of first contact pads formed at the first surface which are electrically coupled to the sensor, and a plurality of cooling channels formed as first trenches extending into the second surface but not reaching the first surface. The cooling channels instead can be formed on one or more separate substrates that are attached to the silicon substrate for cooling the silicon substrate.

Abstract: A semiconductor device that includes a semiconductor chip having a first silicon substrate with opposing first and second surfaces, a semiconductor device formed at or in the first surface, a plurality of first contact pads formed at the first surface which are electrically coupled to the semiconductor device, a layer of thermal conductive material on the second surface, and a plurality of first vias formed partially through the layer of thermal conductive material.

Abstract: A sensor device includes a first substrate of semiconductor material having opposing first and second surfaces, photodetectors configured to receive light impinging on the first surface, and first contact pads each exposed at both the first and second surfaces and electrically coupled to at least one of the photodetectors. A second substrate comprises opposing first and second surfaces, electrical circuits, a second contact pads each disposed at the first surface of the second substrate and electrically coupled to at least one of the electrical circuits, and a plurality of cooling channels formed as first trenches extending into the second surface of the second substrate but not reaching the first surface of the second substrate. The first substrate second surface is mounted to the second substrate first surface such that each of the first contact pads is electrically coupled to at least one of the second contact pads.

Abstract: A camera module and method of making same, includes a substrate of conductive silicon having top and bottom surfaces, a sensor device, and an LED device. The substrate includes a first cavity formed into the bottom surface of the substrate and has an upper surface, an aperture extending from the first cavity upper surface to the top surface of the substrate, and a second cavity formed into the top surface of the substrate and having a lower surface. The sensor device includes at least one photodetector, is disposed at least partially in the first cavity, and is mounted to the first cavity upper surface. The LED device includes at least one light emitting diode, is disposed at least partially in the second cavity, and is mounted to the second cavity lower surface.

Abstract: A component includes a substrate and a capacitor formed in contact with the substrate. The substrate can consist essentially of a material having a coefficient of thermal expansion of less than 10 ppm/° C. The substrate can have a surface and an opening extending downwardly therefrom. The capacitor can include at least first and second pairs of electrically conductive plates and first and second electrodes. The first and second pairs of plates can be connectable with respective first and second electric potentials. The first and second pairs of plates can extend along an inner surface of the opening, each of the plates being separated from at least one adjacent plate by a dielectric layer. The first and second electrodes can be exposed at the surface of the substrate and can be coupled to the respective first and second pairs of plates.

Abstract: A sensor device and method of making same that includes a silicon substrate with opposing first and second surfaces, a sensor formed at or in the first surface, a plurality of first contact pads formed at the first surface which are electrically coupled to the sensor, and a plurality of cooling channels formed as first trenches extending into the second surface but not reaching the first surface. The cooling channels instead can be formed on one or more separate substrates that are attached to the silicon substrate for cooling the silicon substrate.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a semiconductor assembly can include providing a semiconductor element having a front surface, a rear surface, and a plurality of conductive pads, forming at least one hole extending at least through a respective one of the conductive pads by processing applied to the respective conductive pad from above the front surface, forming an opening extending from the rear surface at least partially through a thickness of the semiconductor element, such that the at least one hole and the opening meet at a location between the front and rear surfaces, and forming at least one conductive element exposed at the rear surface for electrical connection to an external device, the at least one conductive element extending within the at least one hole and at least into the opening, the conductive element being electrically connected with the respective conductive pad.

Abstract: A capacitor can include a substrate having a first surface, a second surface remote from the first surface, and a through opening extending between the first and second surfaces, first and second metal elements, and a capacitor dielectric layer separating and insulating the first and second metal elements from one another at least within the through opening. The first metal element can be exposed at the first surface and can extend into the through opening. The second metal element can be exposed at the second surface and can extend into the through opening. The first and second metal elements can be electrically connectable to first and second electric potentials. The capacitor dielectric layer can have an undulating shape.

Abstract: A component includes a substrate and a capacitor formed in contact with the substrate. The substrate can consist essentially of a material having a coefficient of thermal expansion of less than 10 ppm/° C. The substrate can have a surface and an opening extending downwardly therefrom. The capacitor can include at least first and second pairs of electrically conductive plates and first and second electrodes. The first and second pairs of plates can be connectable with respective first and second electric potentials. The first and second pairs of plates can extend along an inner surface of the opening, each of the plates being separated from at least one adjacent plate by a dielectric layer. The first and second electrodes can be exposed at the surface of the substrate and can be coupled to the respective first and second pairs of plates.