Abstract: Barrier layers, barrier stacks, and seed layers for small-scale interconnects (e.g., copper) are combinatorially screened using test structures sputtered or co-sputtered through apertures of varying size. Various characteristics (e.g., resistivity, crystalline morphology, surface roughness) related to conductivity, diffusion blocking, and adhesion are measured before and/or after annealing and compared to arrive at materials and process parameters for low diffusion with high conductivity through the interconnect. Example results show that some formulations of tantalum-titanium barriers may replace thicker tantalum/tantalum-nitride stacks, in some cases with a Cu—Mn seed layer between the Ta—Ti and copper.

Abstract: Barrier layers, barrier stacks, and seed layers for small-scale interconnects (e.g., copper) are combinatorially screened using test structures sputtered or co-sputtered through apertures of varying size. Various characteristics (e.g., resistivity, crystalline morphology, surface roughness) related to conductivity, diffusion blocking, and adhesion are measured before and/or after annealing and compared to arrive at materials and process parameters for low diffusion with high conductivity through the interconnect. Example results show that some formulations of tantalum-titanium barriers may replace thicker tantalum/tantalum-nitride stacks, in some cases with a Cu—Mn seed layer between the Ta—Ti and copper.

Abstract: A barrier film including at least one ferromagnetic metal (e.g., nickel) and at least one refractory metal (e.g., tantalum) effectively blocks copper diffusion and facilitates uniform contiguous (non-agglomerating) deposition of copper layers less than 100 ? thick. Methods of forming the metal barrier include co-sputtering the component metals from separate targets. Using high-productivity combinatorial (HPC) apparatus and methods, the proportions of the component metals can be optimized. Gradient compositions can be deposited by varying the plasma power or throw distance of the separate targets.

Abstract: An integrated circuit die includes a substrate having an upper surface, at least one active device formed in a first area of the upper surface of the substrate, and a plurality of layers formed on the upper surface of the substrate above the at least one active device. A first stacked heat conducting structure is provided, spanning from a point proximate the first area of the upper surface of the substrate through the plurality of layers. A lateral heat conducting structure is formed above the uppermost layer of the plurality of layers and in thermal contact with the first stacked heat conducting structure. The invention advantageously facilitates the dissipation of heat from the integrated circuit die, particularly from high-power sources or other localized hot spots.

Abstract: The invention, in one aspect, provides a semiconductor device (100), including transistors (105), dielectric layers (115, 120) located over the transistors (105), interconnects (122) formed within the dielectric layers (115, 120), and a test structure (130) located adjacent a hot-spot (125) of the semiconductor device (100) and configured to monitor a real-time operational parameter of at least one of the transistors (105) or interconnects (122).

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide methods and apparatus for managing temperature in integrated circuits. In accordance with an aspect of the invention, an integrated circuit comprises a monitored region defined by three or more edges. What is more, the integrated circuit comprises at least two temperature sensors for each of the three or more edges. The temperature sensors are arranged along the three or more edges such that each edge has substantially the same arrangement of temperature sensors. Thermal management of the integrated circuit may be accomplished by modifying functional aspects of the integrated circuit in response to measurements provided by the temperature sensors.

Abstract: An integrated circuit die includes a substrate having a front surface and a back surface, wherein the substrate front surface has electrical circuits formed thereon, and the substrate back surface has a plurality of metal layers formed thereon. The plurality of metal layers comprises at least one layer having a thickness of greater than about ten micrometers. The outermost metal layer may be mechanically and thermally bonded to a package using a die attach layer comprising a thermally conductive reflowable material. The invention advantageously facilitates the dissipation of heat from the integrated circuit die.

Abstract: An integrated circuit having an integrated circuit die and at least one height-sensing pad disposed on a top surface of the integrated circuit die and electrically isolated from the die circuitry. At least one bond pad is disposed on a top surface of the integrated circuit die and electrically connected to the die circuitry. The at least one bond pad is configured for wire-bonding to a lead of a leadframe utilizing a height coordinate of the at least one height-sensing pad.

Abstract: The invention, in one aspect, provides a semiconductor device (100), including transistors (105), dielectric layers (115, 120) located over the transistors (105), interconnects (122) formed within the dielectric layers (115, 120), and a test structure (130) located adjacent a hot-spot (125) of the semiconductor device (100) and configured to monitor a real-time operational parameter of at least one of the transistors (105) or interconnects (122).

Abstract: The specification describes an improved mechanical electrode structure for MOS transistor devices with elongated runners. It recognizes that shrinking the geometry increases the likelihood of mechanical failure of comb electrode geometries. The mechanical integrity of a comb electrode is improved by interconnecting the electrode fingers in a cross-connected grid. In one embodiment, the transistor device is interconnected with gate fingers on a lower metaliization level, typically the first level metal, with the drain interconnected at a higher metal level. That allows the drain fingers to be cross-connected with a vertical separation between drain and gate comb electrodes. The cross-connect members may be further stabilized by adding beam extensions to the cross-connect members. The beam extensions may be anchored in an interlevel dielectric layer for additional support.

Abstract: An integrated circuit includes active circuitry and at least one bond pad. The at least one bond pad, in turn, comprises a metallization layer and a capping layer having one or more grooves. The metallization layer is in electrical contact with at least a portion of the active circuitry. In addition, the capping layer is formed over at least a portion of the metallization layer and is in electrical contact with the metallization layer. The grooves in the capping layer may be located only proximate to the edges of the bond pad or may run throughout the bond pad depending on the application.

Abstract: An integrated circuit device incorporating a metallurgical bond to enhance thermal conduction to a heat sink. In a semiconductor device, a surface of an integrated circuit die is metallurgically bonded to a surface of a heat sink. In an exemplary method of manufacturing the device, the upper surface of a package substrate includes an inner region and a peripheral region. The integrated circuit die is positioned over the substrate surface and a first surface of the integrated circuit die is placed in contact with the package substrate. A metallic layer is formed on a second opposing surface of the integrated circuit die. A preform is positioned on the metallic layer and a heat sink is positioned over the preform. A joint layer is formed with the preform, metallurgically bonding the heat sink to the second surface of the integrated circuit die.

Abstract: Phenomena such as electromigration and stress-induced migration occurring in metal interconnects of devices such as integrated circuits are inhibited by use of underlying non-planarities. Thus the material underlying the interconnect is formed to have non-planarities typically of at least 0.02 ?m in height and advantageously within 100 ?m of another such non-planarity. Such non-planarities, it is contemplated, reduce grain boundary movement in the overlying interconnect with a concomitant reduction in void aggregation.

Abstract: An integrated circuit device incorporating a metallurgical bond to enhance thermal conduction to a heat sink. In a semiconductor device, a surface of an integrated circuit die is metallurgically bonded to a surface of a heat sink. In an exemplary method of manufacturing the device, the upper surface of a package substrate includes an inner region and a peripheral region. The integrated circuit die is positioned over the substrate surface and a first surface of the integrated circuit die is placed in contact with the package substrate. A metallic layer is formed on a second opposing surface of the integrated circuit die. A preform is positioned on the metallic layer and a heat sink is positioned over the preform. A joint layer is formed with the preform, metallurgically bonding the heat sink to the second surface of the integrated circuit die.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide methods and apparatus for managing temperature in integrated circuits. In accordance with an aspect of the invention, an integrated circuit comprises a monitored region defined by three or more edges. What is more, the integrated circuit comprises at least two temperature sensors for each of the three or more edges. The temperatures sensors are arranged along the three or more edges such that each edge has substantially the same arrangement of temperature sensors. Thermal management of the integrated circuit may be accomplished by modifying functional aspects of the integrated circuit in response to measurements provided by the temperature sensors.

Abstract: An integrated circuit device incorporating a metallurgical bond to enhance thermal conduction to a heat sink. In a semiconductor device, a surface of an integrated circuit die is metallurgically bonded to a surface of a heat sink. In an exemplary method of manufacturing the device, the upper surface of a package substrate includes an inner region and a peripheral region. The integrated circuit die is positioned over the substrate surface and a first surface of the integrated circuit die is placed in contact with the package substrate. A metallic layer is formed on a second opposing surface of the integrated circuit die. A preform is positioned on the metallic layer and a heat sink is positioned over the preform. A joint layer is formed with the preform, metallurgically bonding the heat sink to the second surface of the integrated circuit die.

Abstract: An integrated circuit includes active circuitry and at least one bond pad. The at least one bond pad, in turn, comprises a metallization layer and a capping layer having one or more grooves. The metallization layer is in electrical contact with at least a portion of the active circuitry. In addition, the capping layer is formed over at least a portion of the metallization layer and is in electrical contact with the metallization layer. The grooves in the capping layer may be located only proximate to the edges of the bond pad or may run throughout the bond pad depending on the application.

Abstract: An integrated circuit device incorporating a metallurgical bond to enhance thermal conduction to a heat sink. In a semiconductor device, a surface of an integrated circuit die is metallurgically bonded to a surface of a heat sink. In an exemplary method of manufacturing the device, the upper surface of a package substrate includes an inner region and a peripheral region. The integrated circuit die is positioned over the substrate surface and a first surface of the integrated circuit die is placed in contact with the package substrate. A metallic layer is formed on a second opposing surface of the integrated circuit die. A preform is positioned on the metallic layer and a heat sink is positioned over the preform. A joint layer is formed with the preform, metallurgically bonding the heat sink to the second surface of the integrated circuit die.

Abstract: The present invention provides a semiconductor device, a method of manufacture therefor, and an integrated circuit including the same. In one aspect, the present invention provides a semiconductor device having a dielectric layer located over a conductive feature and a conductive via located within the dielectric layer and contacting the conductive feature. The semiconductor device, among other elements, may further include a dummy conductive via located proximate the conductive via and contacting the conductive feature. One of the intents of the dummy conductive via is to attempt to trap vacancies associated with the conductive feature or the conductive via.

Abstract: An integrated circuit die includes a substrate having an upper surface, at least one active device formed in a first area of the upper surface of the substrate, and a plurality of layers formed on the upper surface of the substrate above the at least one active device. A first stacked heat conducting structure is provided, spanning from a point proximate the first area of the upper surface of the substrate through the plurality of layers. A lateral heat conducting structure is formed above the uppermost layer of the plurality of layers and in thermal contact with the first stacked heat conducting structure. The invention advantageously facilitates the dissipation of heat from the integrated circuit die, particularly from high-power sources or other localized hot spots.