Abstract: A semiconductor structure with low resistance conduction paths and methods of manufacture are disclosed. The method includes forming at least one low resistance conduction path on a wafer, and forming an electroplated seed layer in direct contact with the low resistance conduction path.

Abstract: A semiconductor structure with low resistance conduction paths and methods of manufacture are disclosed. The method includes forming at least one low resistance conduction path on a wafer, and forming an electroplated seed layer in direct contact with the low resistance conduction path.

Abstract: Structures and methods of making a dielectric region in a bulk silicon (Si) substrate of a mixed-signal integrated circuit (IC) provide a high-Q passive resonator. Deep trenches within the bulk Si substrate in <100> directions are expanded by wet etching to form contiguous cavities, which are filled by Si oxide to form a dielectric region. The dielectric region enhances the quality (Q) of an overlying passive resonator, formed in metallization layers of the mixed-signal IC.

Abstract: A semiconductor structure with low resistance conduction paths and methods of manufacture are disclosed. The method includes forming at least one low resistance conduction path on a wafer, and forming an electroplated seed layer in direct contact with the low resistance conduction path.

Abstract: Approaches for fabricating copper wires in integrated circuits are provided. A method of manufacturing a semiconductor structure includes forming a wire opening in a mask. The method also includes electroplating a conductive material in the wire opening. The method additionally includes forming a cap layer on the conductive material. The method further includes removing the mask. The method still further includes forming spacers on sides of the conductive material. The method additionally includes forming a dielectric film on surfaces of the cap layer and the sidewall spacers.

Abstract: Disclosed are structures with an optical waveguide having a first segment at a first level and a second segment extending between the first level and a higher second level and further extending along the second level. Specifically, the waveguide comprises a first segment between first and second dielectric layers. The second dielectric layer has a trench, which extends through to the first dielectric layer and which has one side positioned laterally adjacent to an end of the first segment. The waveguide also comprises a second segment extending from the bottom of the trench on the side adjacent to the first segment up to and along the top surface of the second dielectric layer on the opposite side of the trench. A third dielectric layer covers the second segment in the trench and on the top surface of the second dielectric layer. Also disclosed are methods of forming such optoelectronic structures.

Abstract: A through silicon via (TSV), method and 3D integrated circuit are disclosed. The TSV extends through a substrate to a back side of the substrate and includes a body including a first metal for coupling to an interconnect on a front side of the substrate. A dielectric collar insulates the body from the substrate. The TSV also includes an end cap coupled to the body on the back side of the substrate, the end cap including a second metal that is different than the first metal. The end cap acts as a grinding stop indicator during back side grinding for 3D integration processing, preventing damage to the dielectric collar and first metal (e.g., copper) contamination of the substrate.

Abstract: Structures and methods of making a dielectric region in a bulk silicon (Si) substrate of a mixed-signal integrated circuit (IC) provide a high-Q passive resonator. Deep trenches within the bulk Si substrate in <100> directions are expanded by wet etching to form contiguous cavities, which are filled by Si oxide to form a dielectric region. The dielectric region enhances the quality (Q) of an overlying passive resonator, formed in metallization layers of the mixed-signal IC.

Abstract: Disclosed is a semiconductor chip having a dual damascene insulated wire and insulated through-substrate via (TSV) structure and methods of forming the chip. The methods incorporate a dual damascene technique wherein a trench and via opening are formed in dielectric layers above a substrate such that the trench is above a first via and the via opening is positioned adjacent to the first via and extends vertically from the trench and into the substrate. Dielectric spacers are formed on the sidewalls of the trench and via opening. A metal layer is deposited to form an insulated wire in the trench and an insulated TSV in the via opening. Thus, the insulated wire electrically connects the insulated TSV to the first via and, thereby to an on-chip device or lower metal level wire below. Subsequently, the substrate is thinned to expose the insulated TSV at the bottom surface of the substrate.

Abstract: A semiconductor fabrication is described, wherein a MOS device and a MEMS device is fabricated simultaneously in the BEOL process. A silicon layer is deposited and etched to form a silicon film for a MOS device and a lower silicon sacrificial film for a MEMS device. A conductive layer is deposited atop the silicon layer and etched to form a metal gate and a first upper electrode. A dielectric layer is deposited atop the conductive layer and vias are formed in the dielectric layer. Another conductive layer is deposited atop the dielectric layer and etched to form a second upper electrode and three metal electrodes for the MOS device. Another silicon layer is deposited atop the other conductive layer and etched to form an upper silicon sacrificial film for the MEMS device. The upper and lower silicon sacrificial films are then removed via venting holes.

Abstract: Disclosed are semiconductor structures with metal lines and methods of manufacture which reduce or eliminate extrusion formation. The method includes forming a metal wiring comprising a layered structure of metal materials with an upper constraining layer. The method further includes forming a film on the metal wiring which prevents metal extrusion during an annealing process.

Abstract: Disclosed is a semiconductor chip having a dual damascene insulated wire and insulated through-substrate via (TSV) structure and methods of forming the chip. The methods incorporate a dual damascene technique wherein a trench and via opening are formed in dielectric layers above a substrate such that the trench is above a first via and the via opening is positioned adjacent to the first via and extends vertically from the trench and into the substrate. Dielectric spacers are formed on the sidewalls of the trench and via opening. A metal layer is deposited to form an insulated wire in the trench and an insulated TSV in the via opening. Thus, the insulated wire electrically connects the insulated TSV to the first via and, thereby to an on-chip device or lower metal level wire below. Subsequently, the substrate is thinned to expose the insulated TSV at the bottom surface of the substrate.

Abstract: A structure includes a substrate comprising a region having a circuit or device which is sensitive to electrical noise. Additionally, the structure includes a first isolation structure extending through an entire thickness of the substrate and surrounding the region and a second isolation structure extending through the entire thickness of the substrate and surrounding the region.

Abstract: A heterojunction bipolar transistor (HBT) structure, method of manufacturing the same and design structure thereof are provided. The HBT structure includes a semiconductor substrate having a sub-collector region therein. The HBT structure further includes a collector region overlying a portion of the sub-collector region. The HBT structure further includes an intrinsic base layer overlying at least a portion of the collector region. The HBT structure further includes an extrinsic base layer adjacent to and electrically connected to the intrinsic base layer. The HBT structure further includes an isolation region extending vertically between the extrinsic base layer and the sub-collector region. The HBT structure further includes an emitter overlying a portion of the intrinsic base layer. The HBT structure further includes a collector contact electrically connected to the sub-collector region. The collector contact advantageously extends through at least a portion of the extrinsic base layer.

Abstract: Approaches for fabricating copper wires in integrated circuits are provided. A method of manufacturing a semiconductor structure includes forming a wire opening in a mask. The method also includes electroplating a conductive material in the wire opening. The method additionally includes forming a cap layer on the conductive material. The method further includes removing the mask. The method still further includes forming spacers on sides of the conductive material. The method additionally includes forming a dielectric film on surfaces of the cap layer and the sidewall spacers.

Abstract: The disclosure relates generally to integrated circuits (IC), IC interconnects, and methods of fabricating the same, and more particularly, high performance inductors. The IC includes at least one trench within a dielectric layer disposed on a substrate. The trench is conformally coated with a liner and seed layer, and includes an interconnect within. The interconnect includes a hard mask on the sidewalls of the interconnect.

Abstract: Approaches for fabricating copper wires in integrated circuits are provided. A method of manufacturing a semiconductor structure includes forming a wire opening in a mask. The method also includes electroplating a conductive material in the wire opening. The method additionally includes forming a cap layer on the conductive material. The method further includes removing the mask. The method still further includes forming spacers on sides of the conductive material. The method additionally includes forming a dielectric film on surfaces of the cap layer and the sidewall spacers.

Abstract: Various embodiments include interconnect structures and methods of forming such structures. The interconnect structures can include a composite copper wire which includes at least two distinct copper sections. The uppermost copper section can have a thickness of approximately 1 micrometer or less, which inhibits surface roughening in that uppermost section, and helps to enhance cap adhesion with overlying layers.

Abstract: An integrated circuit (IC), design structure, and a method of making the same. In one embodiment, the IC includes: a substrate; a dielectric layer disposed on the substrate; a set of wire components disposed on the dielectric layer, the set of wire components including a first wire component disposed proximate a second wire component; a bond pad disposed on the first wire component, the bond pad including an exposed portion; a passivation layer disposed on the dielectric layer about a portion of the bond pad and the set of wire components, the passivation layer defining a wire structure via connected to the second wire component; and a wire structure disposed on the passivation layer proximate the bond pad and connected to the second wire component through the wire structure via.

Abstract: A semiconductor fabrication is described, wherein a MOS device and a MEMS device is fabricated simultaneously in the BEOL process. A silicon layer is deposited and etched to form a silicon film for a MOS device and a lower silicon sacrificial film for a MEMS device. A conductive layer is deposited atop the silicon layer and etched to form a metal gate and a first upper electrode. A dielectric layer is deposited atop the conductive layer and vias are formed in the dielectric layer. Another conductive layer is deposited atop the dielectric layer and etched to form a second upper electrode and three metal electrodes for the MOS device. Another silicon layer is deposited atop the other conductive layer and etched to form an upper silicon sacrificial film for the MEMS device. The upper and lower silicon sacrificial films are then removed via venting holes.