Abstract: Improvements in a single and dual stage wafer cushion is disclosed where the wafer cushion can use an edge hinge as a single first stage cushion and a second mid span hinge for the dual stage wafer cushion. This dual stage design gives two distinctly different cushioning forces as opposed to using a single stage design where the force is linear with the amount of compression that is being applied to the outer surfaces of the wafer cushion. The outside edge of the ring provides the greatest expansion such that only the outer edge of the ring makes contact with the outer edge of a wafer. The wafer cushion is a material that flexes and absorbs shocks before the shock is transferred to the wafer stack. The material minimizes debris or contaminants from embedding into the wafer cushion and also prevents sheading of material from the wafer cushion.

Abstract: Wafer cassettes and methods of use that provide heating a cooling to a plurality of wafers to decrease time between wafer switching in a processing chamber. Wafers are supported on a wafer lift which can move all wafers together or on independent lift pins which can move individual wafers for heating and cooling.

Abstract: A system for processing a substrate is provided including a first planar motor, a substrate carrier, a first processing chamber, and a first lift. The first planar motor includes a first arrangement of coils disposed along a first horizontal direction, a top surface parallel to the first horizontal direction, a first side, a second side. The substrate carrier has a substrate supporting surface parallel to the first horizontal direction. The first processing chamber has an opening to receive a substrate disposed on the substrate carrier. The first lift includes a second planar motor having a second arrangement of coils disposed along the first horizontal direction. A top surface top surface of the second planar motor is parallel to the first horizontal direction. The first lift is configured to move the top surface of the second planar motor between a first vertical location and a second vertical location.

Abstract: An end effector of a wafer transfer system includes synchronously movable blades operable to hold and release wafers. The end effector comprises an end effector housing including a first blade mount coupled to a first blade, a second blade mount coupled to a second blade, and an actuator operable to move the blade mounts on respective linear rails. The actuator includes a longitudinally movable piston coupled to the respective blade mounts by respective actuator links. The actuator links are pivotally coupled to the longitudinally movable piston at respective first ends thereof and to the first and second blade mounts at respective second ends thereof wherein moving the piston towards a retracted position causes the blades to synchronously move laterally towards each other and moving the piston towards the retracted position causes the blades to synchronously move laterally away from each other so as to hold or release a wafer.

Abstract: A seal belt includes inner and outer belt sections. The inner belt section revolves according to the movable member movement. The outer belt section includes, between the inner belt section and an opening, a first portion in which a first end is retained at a movable member inside section portion, the portion being closer to the opening lower end, and the remaining portion extends along the opening and is retained at a third space position, and a second portion in which a first end is retained at an inside section portion, the portion being closer to the lower end, and the remaining portion extends to a fourth space position along the opening and is retained at the fourth space position. The first portion and second portions lengths are changed in a complementary manner according to the movable member movement. The drive mechanism is surrounded by the inner belt section.

Abstract: Methods for fabricating sub-lithographic, nanoscale microstructures utilizing self-assembling block copolymers, and films and devices formed from these methods are provided.

Abstract: A method of forming a metallization layer over a semiconductor substrate includes depositing a blanket layer of a diffusion barrier liner over an inter level dielectric layer, and depositing a blanket layer of an intermediate layer over the diffusion barrier liner. A blanket layer of a power metal layer including copper is deposited over the intermediate layer. The intermediate layer includes a solid solution of a majority element and copper. The intermediate layer has a different etch selectivity from the power metal layer. After depositing the power metal layer, structuring the power metal layer, the intermediate layer, and the diffusion barrier liner.

Abstract: Methods for fabricating integrated circuits are provided. In one example, a method for fabricating an integrated circuit includes selectively depositing a metal layer overlying a metal line of a metallization layer that is disposed in an ILD layer of dielectric material while an upper surface of the ILD layer that is laterally adjacent to the metal line is exposed. A hard mask layer is formed overlying the upper surface of the ILD layer laterally adjacent to the metal layer. The metal layer is removed to expose the metal line while leaving the hard mask layer intact. An interconnect is formed with the metal line adjacent to the hard mask layer.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides an interconnect structure, including a substrate, a first conductive feature over the substrate, a second conductive feature over the first conductive feature, and a dielectric layer surrounding the first conductive feature and the second conductive feature. A width of the first conductive feature and a width of the second conductive feature are between 10 nm and 50 nm. The present disclosure also provides a method for manufacturing an interconnect structure, including (1) forming a via opening and a line trench in a dielectric layer, (2) forming a 1-dimensional conductive feature in the via opening, (3) forming a conformal catalyst layer over a sidewall of the line trench, a bottom of the line trench, and a top of the 1-dimensional conductive feature, and (4) removing the conformal catalyst layer from the bottom of the line trench and the top of the 1-dimensional conductive feature.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device includes fabricating a transistor, surrounding a gate of the transistor with a spacer, and applying an oxidation operation to a conductive item, e.g., a residue from the fabrication of the gate of the transistor, that extends through the spacer. As such, the occurrence of leak paths in the semiconductor device is reduced.

Abstract: A device manufacturing method according to an embodiment includes forming a film on the side of a second surface of a substrate having a first surface and the second surface, cutting the substrate, cutting the film, and injecting particles onto at least one of a first cut portion formed by the cutting of the substrate and a second cut portion formed by the cutting of the film, to process the at least one of the first cut portion or the second cut portion.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a semiconductor structure and a method of manufacturing a semiconductor structure in which a spacer element is formed adjacent to a metal body embedded in a first dielectric layer of a first interconnect layer. A via which is misaligned relative to an edge of the metal body is formed in a second dielectric material in second interconnect layer disposed over the first interconnect layer and filled with a conductive material which is electrically coupled to the metal body. The method allows for formation of an interconnect structure without encountering the various problems presented by via substructure defects in the dielectric material of the first interconnect layer, as well as eliminating conventional gap-fill metallization issues.

Abstract: A method for handling a product substrate includes bonding a carrier to the product substrate. A layer of a permanent adhesive is applied onto a surface of the carrier. A structured intermediate layer is provided. The applied permanent adhesive bonds the carrier to the product substrate. The structured intermediate layer is arranged between the product substrate and the carrier. A surface of the structured intermediate layer and a surface of the permanent adhesive are in direct contact to a surface of the product substrate. The structured intermediate layer decreases a bonding strength between the product substrate and the carrier.

Abstract: An insulating film and another insulating film are formed over a semiconductor substrate in that order to cover first, second, and third gate electrodes. The another insulating film is etched back to form sidewall spacers over side surfaces of the insulating film. Then, the sidewall spacers over the side surfaces of the insulating films corresponding to the sidewalls of the first and second gate electrodes are removed to leave the sidewall spacers over the side surfaces of the insulating film corresponding to the sidewalls of the third gate electrode. Then, the sidewall spacers and the insulating films are etched back, so that the sidewall spacers are formed of the insulating film over the sidewalls of the first, second, and third gate electrodes.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a semiconductor device includes: providing a semiconductor substrate including a hard mask layer; performing, using the hard mask layer, etching to the semiconductor substrate to form a fin-type structure and a groove; forming an isolation material layer in the regions between adjacent fins of the fin-type structure and in the groove; removing a portion of the isolation material layer that is located above the hard mask layer to form a shallow trench isolation; and forming a second mask layer over the hard mask layer, the second mask layer having an opening above the shallow trench isolation; performing ion implantation to the shallow trench isolation through the opening; removing the second mask layer and the hard mask layer; and removing a portion of the isolation material layer located in the regions between adjacent fins of the fin-type structure and a portion of the shallow trench isolation.

Abstract: A nonplanar circuit device having a strain-producing structure disposed under the channel region is provided. In an exemplary embodiment, the integrated circuit device includes a substrate with a first fin structure and a second fin structure disposed on the substrate. An isolation feature trench is defined between the first fin structure and the second fin structure. The circuit device also includes a strain feature disposed on a horizontal surface of the substrate within the isolation feature trench. The strain feature may be configured to produce a strain on a channel region of a transistor formed on the first fin structure. The circuit device also includes a fill dielectric disposed on the strain feature within the isolation feature trench. In some such embodiments, the strain feature is further disposed on a vertical surface of the first fin structure and on a vertical surface of the second fin structure.

Abstract: Merged and unmerged raised active regions on semiconductor fins can be simultaneously formed on a same substrate by control of growth rates of a deposited semiconductor material on surfaces of the semiconductor fins. In one embodiment, a growth-rate-retarding dopant can be implanted by angled ion implantation onto sidewall surfaces of first semiconductor fins on which retardation of growth rates is desired, while second semiconductor fins are masked by a masking layer. In another embodiment, a growth-rate-enhancing dopant can be implanted by ion implantation onto sidewall surfaces of second semiconductor fins, while first semiconductor fins are masked by a masking layer. The differential growth rates of the deposited semiconductor material can cause raised active regions on the first semiconductor fins to remain unmerged, and raised active regions on the second semiconductor fins to become merged.

Abstract: Device comprising a ductile layer, a method for making a component comprising a ductile layer and a method for testing a component are disclosed. An embodiment includes an electronic device including a first conductive layer, a ductile layer and a brittle layer between the first conductive layer and the ductile layer.

Abstract: A bonded semiconductor device comprising a support substrate, a semiconductor device located with respect to one side of the support substrate, a cap substrate overlying the support substrate and the device, a glass frit bond ring between the support substrate and the cap substrate, an electrically conductive ring between the support substrate and the cap substrate. The electrically conductive ring forms an inner ring around the semiconductor device and the glass frit bond ring forms an outer bond ring around the semiconductor device.

Abstract: A 3D device, including: a first layer including first transistors, the first transistors interconnected by a first layer of interconnection; a second layer including second transistors, the second transistors overlaying the first layer of interconnection, where the first layer includes a first clock distribution structure, where the second layer includes a second clock distribution structure, where the device includes a Phase Lock Loop (“PLL”) circuit, where the second clock distribution structure is connected to the Phase Lock Loop (“PLL”) circuit, and where the second transistors are aligned to the first transistors with less than 200 nm alignment error.

Abstract: In a semiconductor device, a second heat sink and a third heat sink are electrically connected by a joint portion in an alignment direction in which a first switching element and a second switching element are aligned. A second power-supply terminal is disposed in the alignment direction in a region between a first power-supply terminal and an output terminal and between the second heat sink and the third heat sink. In an encapsulation resin body, at least one of a shortest distance between a first potential portion at same potential as the first power-supply terminal and a third potential portion at same potential as the output terminal and a shortest distance between a second potential portion at same potential as the second power-supply terminal and the third potential portion is shorter than a shortest distance between the first potential portion and the second potential portion.

Abstract: Heat spreading device using microfabricated microfluidic structures to cool microelectronic devices.

Abstract: A semiconductor device and method of manufacture is provided. A reflowable material is placed in electrical connection with a through via, wherein the through via extends through an encapsulant. A protective layer is formed over the reflowable material. In an embodiment an opening is formed within the protective layer to expose the reflowable material. In another embodiment the protective layer is formed such that the reflowable material is extending away from the protective layer.

Abstract: A power module includes: an insulating layer; a first metallic plate disposed on the insulating layer; a first semiconductor chip disposed on the first metallic plate; a first adhesive insulating layer and a second adhesive insulating layer disposed on the first metallic plate; a first metallic land for main electrode wiring disposed on the first adhesive insulating layer; and a first metallic land for signal wiring disposed on the second adhesive insulating layer. There can be provided a power module having reduced cost, reduced warpage of the whole of a substrate, stabilized quality, and improved reliability; and a fabrication method for such a power module.

Abstract: A lead frame, as one product unit in a multi-row lead frame sharing a partition frame among other lead frames, has a non-mirrorsymmetric pad region and at least one terminal region arranged inside and held to a rectangular outer frame region, which is a part of the partition frame and forms a boundary of the lead frame as a product unit, via respective suspension leads. Only two suspension leads hold the non-mirrorsymmetric pad region to the outer frame region as extending from opposite sides of the outer frame region to the non-mirrorsymmetric pad region, respectively. This structure decreases stress resulting from holding of the non-mirrorsymmetric pad region to the outer frame region and thus can prevent the outer frame region from deformation without widened connecting bars or dambars, which form the outer frame region.

Abstract: A semiconductor device is provided with a semiconductor element having a plurality of electrodes, a plurality of terminals electrically connected to the plurality of electrodes, and a sealing resin covering the semiconductor element. The sealing resin covers the plurality of terminals such that a bottom surface of the semiconductor element in a thickness direction is exposed. A first terminal, which is one of the plurality of terminals, is disposed in a position that overlaps a first electrode, which is one of the plurality of electrodes, when viewed in the thickness direction. The semiconductor device is provided with a conductive connection member that contacts both the first terminal and the first electrode.

Abstract: A chip-on-film (COF) package includes a base film, a semiconductor chip mounted on a chip mounting region of a top surface of the base film, a plurality of top inner output conductive patterns, a plurality of bottom inner output conductive patterns and a plurality of landing vias. The top inner output conductive patterns are formed on the top surface of the base film and respectively connected to chip inner output pads formed on a bottom surface of the semiconductor chip. The bottom inner output conductive patterns are formed on a bottom surface of the base film. The landing vias are formed to vertically penetrate the base film and to respectively connect the top inner output conductive patterns and the bottom inner output conductive patterns. The landing vias are arranged within the chip mounting region to form a two-dimensional shape.

Abstract: A power supply system has a leadframe with leads and a pad. The pad surface facing a circuit board has a portion recessed with a depth and an outline suitable for attaching side-by-side the sync and the control FET semiconductor chips. The input terminal of the control FET and the grounded output terminal of the sync FET are coplanar with the un-recessed portion of the pad (switch node terminal) so that all terminals can be directly attached to contacts of a circuit board. A driver-and-control chip is vertically stacked to the opposite pad surface and encapsulated in a packaging compound.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a semiconductor package includes a contact pad, a device external to the contact pad and a solder bump on the contact pad. The device has a conductive contact pad corresponding to the contact pad. The solder bump connects the contact pad with the conductive contact pad. The solder bump comprises a height from a top of the solder bump to the contact pad; and a width which is a widest dimension of the solder bump in a direction perpendicular to the height. A junction portion of the solder bump in proximity to the contact pad comprises an hourglass shape.

Abstract: Electronic devices including intermetallic columns within vias are provided. Vias are filled with one or more pastes containing metal particles. Thermal treatment of the pastes within the vias converts the particles within the pastes to one or more intermetallic compounds that do not melt during next level packaging.

Abstract: Interposer circuitry (130) is formed on a possibly sacrificial substrate (210) from a porous core (130?) covered by a conductive coating (130?) which increases electrical conductance. The core is printed from nanoparticle ink. Then a support (120S) is formed, e.g. by molding, to mechanically stabilize the circuitry. A magnetic field can be used to stabilize the circuitry while the circuitry or the support are being formed. Other features are also provided.

Abstract: A semiconductor device and a method of making the same. The device includes a semiconductor substrate provided in a chip-scale package (CSP). The device also includes a plurality of contacts provided on a major surface of the substrate. The device further includes an electrically floating metal layer forming an ohmic contact on a backside of the semiconductor substrate. The device is operable to conduct a current that passes through the substrate from a first of said plurality of contacts to a second of said plurality of contacts via the metal layer on the backside.

Abstract: A contact via cavity can be filled with a lower structure and an upper structure. The lower structure can be a conductive structure that is formed by depositing a conformal conductive material, and subsequently removing an upper portion of the conformal conductive material. A disposable material portion can be formed at a bottom of the cavity to protect the bottom portion of the conformal conductive layer during removal of the upper portion. After removal of the disposable material, at least one conductive material can fill the remainder of the cavity to form the upper structure. The upper structure and the lower structure collectively constitute a contact via structure. Alternatively, the lower structure can be a dielectric spacer with an opening therethrough. The upper structure can be a conductive structure that extends through the dielectric spacer, and provides an electrically conductive vertical connection.

Abstract: An improvement is achieved in the performance of a semiconductor-device. The semiconductor device includes MISFETs formed in the upper surface of a substrate, a plurality of wiring layers stacked over the upper surface of the substrate, and a plurality of plugs each coupling two of the wiring layers to each other. The wiring layers located under the uppermost wiring layer include wires. The uppermost wiring layer includes a pad, an insulating film formed over the pad, and an opening extending through the insulating film and reaching the pad. The MISFETs and the wires overlap the opening in plan view. None of the plurality of plugs overlaps the opening in plan view.

Abstract: A highly reliable semiconductor device. In a configuration where a precharged source line is discharged to a bit line by establishing electrical continuity between the source line and the bit line through a transistor to read a potential retained at a gate of the transistor, the potential of the bit line is switched in accordance with a change in potential of the source line due to the discharge. With this configuration, the voltage between the source and drain of the transistor can be kept lower than a predetermined voltage by discharge. Accordingly, the source-drain voltage of the transistor can be kept lower than its breakdown voltage, so that the semiconductor device can have high reliability.

Abstract: An integrated circuit with copper damascene interconnects includes a thin film resistor. Copper damascene metal lines are formed in a first ILD layer. A dielectric layer including an etch stop layer is formed on the first ILD layer and metal lines. Resistor heads of refractory metal are formed in the dielectric layer so that edges of the resistor heads are substantially coplanar with the adjacent dielectric layer. A thin film resistor layer is formed on the dielectric layer, extending onto the resistor heads. A second ILD layer is formed over the dielectric layer and the thin film resistor layer. Copper damascene vias are formed in the second ILD layer, making contact to the metal lines in the first ILD layer. Connections to the resistor heads are provided by the metal lines and/or the vias.

Abstract: Described herein is a semiconductor device and the manufacturing method thereof, wherein the semiconductor device includes a first die including a first pad and a first passivation layer; a second die including a second pad and a second passivation layer; an encapsulant surrounding the first die and the second die and comprising a first surface; a dielectric layer covering at least a portion of the first passivation layer and at least a portion of the second passivation layer, and further covering the encapsulant between the first die and the second die, wherein the dielectric layer includes: a second surface adjacent to the first passivation layer, the second passivation layer and the encapsulant; and a third surface opposite to the second surface; and a redistribution layer electrically connecting to the first pad and the second pad and disposed above the third surface of the dielectric layer.

Abstract: A semiconductor package may include a lower substrate with one or more electronic components attached to a surface thereof and an upper substrate with one or more cavities wherein the upper substrate is attached to the lower substrate at a plurality of connection points with the one or more electronic components fitting within a single cavity or a separate cavity for each component that allow the overall form factor of the semiconductor package to remain smaller. The plurality of connection points provide a mechanical and electrical connection between the upper and lower substrate and may include solder joints there between as well as conductive filler particles that create an adhesive reinforcement matrix when compressed for assembly.

Abstract: A semiconductor package includes a flexible film substrate including a chip mounting region and a cut-line interposed between an inner region and an outer region of the flexible film substrate, the cut-line partially surrounding the inner region. The semiconductor package further includes first interconnection lines extending in the inner region from a first side of the chip mounting region towards an edge of the inner region of the flexible film substrate, and second interconnection lines extending in the outer region from a second side of the chip mounting region towards an edge of the outer region of the flexible film substrate. The edge of the inner region and the edge of the outer region are located on the first side of the semiconductor chip.

Abstract: A method includes forming a photo resist over a semiconductor substrate of a wafer, patterning the photo resist to form a first opening in the photo resist, and implanting the semiconductor substrate using the photo resist as an implantation mask. An implanted region is formed in the semiconductor substrate, wherein the implanted region is overlapped by the first opening. A coating layer is coated over the photo resist, wherein the coating layer includes a first portion in the first opening, and a second portion over the photo resist. A top surface of the first portion is lower than a top surface of the second portion. The coating layer, the photo resist, and the implanted region are etched to form a second opening in the implanted region.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a substrate, a nitride semiconductor layer formed on the substrate, and a protection layer, comprising carbon, covering a side surface of the nitride semiconductor layer.

Abstract: A semiconductor device, including: an intermediate plate; a semiconductor element connected to one of surfaces of the intermediate plate by a brazing filler metal; a main plate connected to the other one of the surfaces of the intermediate plate by a brazing filler metal; and a resin layer, the intermediate plate having an external region extending to an outer side with respect to a region in which the intermediate plate is connected to the brazing filler metal, a first through-hole extending through the intermediate plate in the external region, the resin layer covering at least the brazing filler metal, the intermediate plate and a surface of the main plate in which the main plate faces the intermediate plate, the resin layer being also arranged inside the first through-hole.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes wiring layers formed over a semiconductor wafer, a via-layer between the wiring layers, conductive films in the wiring layers, and a via-plug in the via-layer connecting the conductive films of the wiring layers above and below, a scribe region at an outer periphery of a chip region along an edge of the semiconductor substrate and including a pad region in the vicinity of the edge, the pad region overlapping the conductive films of the plurality of wiring layers in the plan view, the plurality of wiring layers including first second wiring layers, the conductive film of the first wiring layer includes a first conductive pattern formed over an entire surface of said pad region in a plan view, and the conductive film of the second wiring layer includes a second conductive pattern formed in a part of the pad region in a plan view.

Abstract: Various embodiments facilitate die protection for an integrated circuit. In one embodiment, a multilayer structure is formed in multiple levels and along the edges of a die to prevent and detect damages to the die. The multilayer structure includes a support layer, a first plurality of dielectric pillars overlying the support layer, a metal layer that fills spaces between the first plurality of dielectric pillars, an insulation layer overlying the first plurality of dielectric pillars and the metal layer, a second plurality of dielectric pillars overlying the insulation layer, and a second metal layer that fills spaces between the second plurality of dielectric pillars.

Abstract: An integrated circuit includes a detector circuit including a sensor configured to sense an alteration to a physical characteristic of a substrate and to generate an alarm signal indicating such alteration and a circuit configured to respond to the generation of the alarm signal by implementing countermeasures. A smart card may include such a circuit to counteract a back side attack.

Abstract: An integrated fan-out package having a top-side redistribution wiring structure, a back-side redistribution wiring layer, a ground plane provided in the back-side redistribution wiring layer, and a molding compound layer having a thickness and provided between the back-side redistribution wiring layer and the top-side redistribution wiring structure is disclosed. The package has an RF IC die embedded within the molding compound layer and one or more integrated patch antenna structure provided in the top-side redistribution wiring structure. The one or more integrated patch antenna structure is coupled to the RF IC die and an antenna cavity is provided within the molding compound layer under each of the one or more integrated patch antenna.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a first metal wiring formed on a semiconductor substrate, a first organic insulating film formed on the first metal wiring, and a second metal wiring formed to cover the first organic insulating film and having a via connected to the first metal wiring. The semiconductor device further includes a second organic insulating film formed on the first organic insulating film and having an opening to expose the second metal wiring, a bump formed on an exposed portion of the second metal wiring in the opening, and a tunnel portion formed in contact with the second metal wiring or the first organic insulating film. The tunnel portion overlaps with the second metal wiring in planar view.

Abstract: A method of forming a semiconductor package. Implementations include forming on a die backside an intermediate metal layer having multiple sublayers, each including a metal selected from the group consisting of titanium, nickel, copper, silver, and combinations thereof. A tin layer is deposited onto the intermediate metal layer and is then reflowed with a silver layer of a substrate to form an intermetallic layer having a melting temperature above 260 degrees Celsius and including an intermetallic consisting of silver and tin and/or an intermetallic consisting of copper and tin. Another method of forming a semiconductor package includes forming a bump on each of a plurality of exposed pads of a top side of a die, each exposed pad surrounded by a passivation layer, each bump including an intermediate metal layer as described above and a tin layer coupled to the intermediate metal layer is reflowed to form an intermetallic layer.

Abstract: A semiconductor device including a dielectric layer formed on the surface of a post-passivation interconnect (PPI) structures. A polymer layer is formed on the dielectric layer and patterned with an opening to expose a portion of the dielectric layer. The exposed portion of the dielectric layer is then removed to expose a portion of the PPI structure. A solder bump is then formed over and electrically connected to the first portion of the PPI structure.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a semiconductor device includes a first conductive portion, a second conductive portion, a first layer, and a second layer. The first conductive portion includes a first end portion and a first extending portion. The first extending portion extends in a first direction. The length of the first extending portion in a second direction is shorter than a length of at least a part of the first end portion in the second direction. The first layer includes multiple semiconductor chips, multiple passive chip components, and a resin. The first extending portion includes a first portion and a second portion. The first layer is provided around the first portion. The first layer expands along a first plane. The first plane intersects the first direction. The second layer includes a first multilayer wiring. The second layer expands along a second plane intersecting the first direction.