Patents Issued in March 21, 2017
  • Patent number: 9601369
    Abstract: A semiconductor wafer has a plurality of semiconductor die separated by a peripheral region. A trench is formed in the peripheral region of the wafer. A via is formed on the die. The trench extends to and is continuous with the via. A first conductive layer is deposited in the trench and via to form conductive TSV. The first conductive layer is conformally applied or completely fills the trench and via. The trench has a larger area than the vias which accelerates formation of the first conductive layer. A second conductive layer is deposited over a front surface of the die. The second conductive layer is electrically connected to the first conductive layer. The first and second conductive layers can be formed simultaneously. A portion of a back surface of the wafer is removed to expose the first conductive layer. The die can be electrically interconnected through the TSVs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: STATS ChipPAC Pte. Ltd.
    Inventors: Byung Tai Do, Reza A. Pagaila
  • Patent number: 9601370
    Abstract: The memory cell array includes a memory string and a select transistor. The memory string includes plural memory cells connected in series, the memory string being formed to extend in a first direction as a lengthwise direction. The select transistor is connected to one end of the memory string. In the wiring section, a conductive layer and an interlayer insulating layer are laminated alternately to form plural layers. The conductive layer functions as a gate electrode of the memory cells and the select transistor. One select transistor includes plural conductive layers, and the plural conductive layers are connected in common by a common first contact. The plurality of the conductive layers and the first contact include a barrier metal formed in a periphery thereof. The plurality of the conductive layers and the first contact are in contact without the barrier metal therebetween at a boundary thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA
    Inventors: Hisashi Kato, Murato Kawai, Toru Matsuda, Takeshi Sonehara, Katsumi Iyanagi
  • Patent number: 9601371
    Abstract: Low capacitance and high reliability interconnect structures and methods of manufacture are disclosed. The method includes forming a copper based interconnect structure in an opening of a dielectric material. The method further includes forming a capping layer on the copper based interconnect structure. The method further includes oxidizing the capping layer and any residual material formed on a surface of the dielectric material. The method further includes forming a barrier layer on the capping layer by outdiffusing a material from the copper based interconnect structure to a surface of the capping layer. The method further includes removing the residual material, while the barrier layer on the surface of the capping layer protects the capping layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Daniel C. Edelstein, Son V. Nguyen, Takeshi Nogami, Deepika Priyadarshini, Hosadurga K. Shobha
  • Patent number: 9601372
    Abstract: A device includes a metal pad, and a passivation layer including portions overlapping edge portions of the metal pad. A Post-Passivation-Interconnect (PPI) includes a trace portion overlying the passivation layer, and a pad portion connected to the trace portion. A polymer layer includes an upper portion over the PPI, and a plug portion extending into, and encircled by, the pad portion of the PPI.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Shuo-Mao Chen, Yu-Ting Huang
  • Patent number: 9601373
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a semiconductor device is provided. The method includes the following operations: (i) forming a transistor having a source, a drain and a gate on a semiconductor substrate; (ii) forming a conductive contact located on and in contact with at least one of the source and the drain; and (iii) forming a capacitor having a first electrode and a second electrode on the semiconductor substrate, in which at least one of the first and second electrodes is formed using front-end-of line (FEOL) processes or middle-end-of line (MEOL) processes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Chin-Shan Wang, Jian-Hong Lin, Shun-Yi Lee
  • Patent number: 9601374
    Abstract: A semiconductor die assembly having a solderball wirebonded to a substrate. As an example, the semiconductor die assembly may include the solderball attached to a bond pad on a face surface of a memory die. A non-face surface of the memory die can be attached to the substrate. A wire can be wirebonded to the solderball at a first end of the wire and connected to the substrate at a second end of the wire.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Owen R. Fay, Liana Foster
  • Patent number: 9601375
    Abstract: Methods of dicing semiconductor wafers, each wafer having a plurality of integrated circuits, are described. In an example, a method of dicing a semiconductor wafer having a plurality of integrated circuits on a front side of the semiconductor wafer includes adhering a back side the semiconductor wafer on the dicing tape of a substrate carrier. Subsequent to adhering the semiconductor wafer on a dicing tape, the dicing tape is treated with a UV-cure process. Subsequent to treating the dicing tape with the UV-cure process, a dicing mask is formed on the front side of the semiconductor wafer, the dicing mask covering and protecting the integrated circuits. The dicing mask is patterned with a laser scribing process to provide gaps in the dicing mask, the gaps exposing regions of the semiconductor wafer between the integrated circuits. The semiconductor wafer is plasma etched through the gaps in the dicing mask layer to singulate the integrated circuits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Wei-Sheng Lei, Brad Eaton, Jungrae Park, Ajay Kumar, James S. Papanu, Prabhat Kumar
  • Patent number: 9601376
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a glass piece and an active semiconductor element formed in a single-crystalline semiconductor portion. The single-crystalline semiconductor portion has a working surface, a rear side surface opposite to the working surface and an edge surface connecting the working and rear side surfaces. The glass piece has a portion extending along and in direct contact with the edge surface of the single-crystalline semiconductor portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventors: Alexander Breymesser, Andre Brockmeier, Francisco Javier Santos Rodriguez, Hans-Joachim Schulze, Carsten von Koblinski, Gerhard Schmidt
  • Patent number: 9601377
    Abstract: A FinFET and methods for forming a FinFET are disclosed. In a method, first trenches are formed in a substrate. First isolation regions are then formed in the first trenches. An epitaxial region is epitaxially grown between the first isolation regions. A second trench is formed by etching in the epitaxial region, forming a plurality of fins. A second isolation region is formed in the second trench. A structure includes a substrate, a first fin on the substrate, a gate dielectric over the first fin, and a gate electrode over the gate dielectric. The first fin comprises an epitaxial layer having a stacking fault defect density less than 1*104 cm?3.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Tsung-Yao Wen, Sai-Hooi Yeong, Sheng-Chen Wang
  • Patent number: 9601378
    Abstract: A method of forming a semiconductor structure includes providing a semiconductor substrate, forming at least one precursor semiconductor fin from the semiconductor substrate, etching through at least a portion of the at least one precursor semiconductor fin to form at least one patterned precursor semiconductor fin having a gap therein. The at least one patterned precursor semiconductor fin includes a first vertical surface and a second vertical surface with the gap therebetween. In addition, the method further includes forming a semiconductor material in the gap of the at least one patterned precursor semiconductor fin, in which the first vertical surface and the second vertical surface laterally surround the semiconductor material, and transforming the at least one patterned precursor semiconductor fin into at least one semiconductor fin including the semiconductor material therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Veeraraghavan S. Basker, Kangguo Cheng, Theodorus E. Standaert
  • Patent number: 9601379
    Abstract: In one example, the method disclosed herein includes, among other things, forming a sacrificial structure around a plurality of stacked substantially un-doped nanowires at a location that corresponds to the channel region of the device, performing a selective etching process through a cavity to remove a second plurality of nanowires from the channel region and the source/drain regions of the device while leaving a first plurality of nanowires in position, and forming a metal conductive source/drain contact structure in each of the source/drain regions, wherein each of the metal conductive source/drain contact structures is positioned all around the first plurality of nanowires positioned in the source/drain regions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignees: GLOBALFOUNDRIES Inc., IMEC VZW
    Inventors: Bartlomiej Jan Pawlak, Dmitry Yakimets, Pieter Schuddinck
  • Patent number: 9601380
    Abstract: After formation of gate structures over semiconductor fins and prior to formation of raised active regions, a directional ion beam is employed to form a dielectric material portion on end walls of semiconductor fins that are perpendicular to the lengthwise direction of the semiconductor fins. The angle of the directional ion beam is selected to be with a vertical plane including the lengthwise direction of the semiconductor fins, thereby avoiding formation of the dielectric material portion on lengthwise sidewalls of the semiconductor fins. Selective epitaxy of semiconductor material is performed to grow raised active regions from sidewall surfaces of the semiconductor fins. Optionally, horizontal portions of the dielectric material portion may be removed prior to the selective epitaxy process. Further, the dielectric material portion may optionally be removed after the selective epitaxy process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Emre Alptekin, Sameer H. Jain, Viraj Y. Sardesai, Cung D. Tran, Reinaldo A. Vega
  • Patent number: 9601381
    Abstract: Elongated fins of a first semiconductor material are insulated from and formed over an underlying substrate layer. Elongated gates of a second semiconductor material are then formed to cross over the elongated fins at channel regions, and the gate side walls are covered by sidewall spacers. A protective material is provided to cover the underlying substrate layer and define sidewall spacers on side walls of the elongated fins between the elongated gates. The first semiconductor material and insulating material of the elongated fins located between the protective material sidewall spacers (but not under the elongated gates) is removed to form trenches aligned with the channel regions. Additional semiconductor material is then epitaxially grown inside each trench between the elongated gates to form source-drain regions adjacent the channel regions formed by the elongated fins of the first semiconductor material located under the elongated gates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignees: STMICROELECTRONICS (CROLLES 2) SAS, STMICROELECTRONICS, INC.
    Inventors: Nicolas Loubet, Stephane Monfray, Ronald Kevin Sampson
  • Patent number: 9601382
    Abstract: Elongated fins of a first semiconductor material are insulated from and formed over an underlying substrate layer (of either SOI or bulk type). Elongated gates of a second semiconductor material are then formed to cross over the elongated fins at channel regions, and the gate side walls are covered by sidewall spacers. A protective material is provided to cover the underlying substrate layer and define sidewall spacers on side walls of the elongated fins between the elongated gates. The first semiconductor material and insulating material of the elongated fins located between the protective material sidewall spacers (but not under the elongated gates) is removed to form trenches aligned with the channel regions. Additional semiconductor material is then epitaxially grown inside each trench between the elongated gates to form source-drain regions adjacent the channel regions formed by the elongated fins of the first semiconductor material located under the elongated gates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignees: STMICROELECTRONICS (CROLLES 2) SAS, STMICROELECTRONICS, INC.
    Inventors: Stephane Monfray, Ronald K. Sampson, Nicolas Loubet
  • Patent number: 9601383
    Abstract: A semiconductor structure for a FinFET in fabrication is provided, the structure including a bulk semiconductor substrate initially with a hard mask over the substrate. Isolation trenches between regions of the structure where the fins will be are formed prior to the fins, and filled with selectively removable sacrificial isolation material. Remains of the hard mask are removed and another hard mask formed over the structure with filled isolation trenches. Fins are then formed throughout the structure, including the regions of sacrificial isolation material, which is thereafter selectively removed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: GLOBALFOUNDRIES INC.
    Inventor: Murat Kerem Akarvardar
  • Patent number: 9601384
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a first well and a second well provided within a semiconductor substrate, an isolation region disposed between the first well and the second well within the semiconductor substrate, a first wiring disposed on the first well, a second wiring disposed on the second well, a concave third wiring disposed on the isolation region, a buried insulating film disposed on the third wiring so as to fill the concave portion thereof, a plurality of fourth wirings disposed on the buried insulating film, and a contact plug disposed so as to electrically connect to at least one of the first and second wells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Kanta Saino
  • Patent number: 9601385
    Abstract: A method of forming a semiconductor device includes forming on a substrate mandrels made from a semiconductor material. A semiconductor material having a lattice constant that is different than the mandrel semiconductor material is deposited onto sidewalls of the mandrels to form strained semiconductor layers. The mandrels are at least partially removed to form free-standing or partially-supported fins that include the strained semiconductor layers. The strained semiconductor layers may include tensile silicon or compressive silicon germanium, which can be used to form a dual strained channel semiconductor device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventor: Effendi Leobandung
  • Patent number: 9601386
    Abstract: A method for forming a semiconductor device includes etching first fins into a bulk semiconductor substrate and exposing a portion of the first fins through a first dielectric layer formed over the first fins. A first film is deposited over the first fins in a region for n-type devices. and a second film is deposited over the first fins in a region for p-type devices. The first film and the second film are etched to form second fins in the regions for n-type devices and for the region for p-type devices. The second fins are protected. The first fins are removed from the first dielectric layer to form an isolation layer separating the second fins from the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Hong He, Juntao Li, Junli Wang, Chih-Chao Yang
  • Patent number: 9601387
    Abstract: Methods of forming a PFET dielectric cap with varying concentrations of H2 reactive gas and the resulting devices are disclosed. Embodiments include forming p-type and n-type metal gate stacks, each surrounded by SiN spacers; forming an ILD surrounding the SiN spacers; planarizing the ILD, the metal gate stacks, and the SiN spacers; determining at least one desired threshold voltage for the p-type metal gate stack; forming a first cavity in the p-type metal gate stack for each desired threshold voltage and a second cavity in the n-type metal gate stack; selecting a first nitride layer for each first cavity, the first nitride layer for each cavity having a concentration of hydrogen reactive gas based on the desired threshold voltage associated with the cavity; forming the first nitride layers in the respective first cavities; and forming a second nitride layer, with a hydrogen rich reactive gas, in the second cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: GLOBALFOUNDRIES INC.
    Inventors: Xiuyu Harry Cai, Chanro Park, Hoon Kim
  • Patent number: 9601388
    Abstract: A method of fabricating a semiconductor device includes providing a semiconductor substrate having a first region and a second region, forming a first dielectric layer over the semiconductor substrate, forming a first metal layer over the first dielectric layer, the first metal layer having a first work function, removing at least a portion of the first metal layer in the second region, and thereafter, forming a semiconductor layer over the first metal layer in the first region and over the at least partially removed first metal layer in the second region. The method further includes removing the semiconductor layer and forming a second metal layer on the first metal layer in the first region and on the at least partially removed first metal layer in the second region, the second metal layer having a second work function that is different than the first work function.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Ryan Chia-Jen Chen, Jr-Jung Lin, Chien-Hao Chen, Yi-Hsing Chen, Kuo-Tai Huang, Yih-Ann Lin, Yi-Shien Mor
  • Patent number: 9601389
    Abstract: A method for local thinning of a top silicon layer of a SOI wafer includes the consecutive steps of: providing a SOI wafer which successively includes a bottom silicon layer, a buried oxide layer and a top silicon layer; successively forming a silicon dioxide layer and a polysilicon layer over the top silicon layer; etching the silicon dioxide layer and the polysilicon layer until a top surface of the top silicon layer is exposed, such that a pattern is formed in the silicon dioxide layer and the polysilicon layer; oxidizing the silicon dioxide layer and the polysilicon layer and concurrently oxidizing the exposed portion of the top silicon layer until the polysilicon layer has been completely converted to an oxide, thereby forming a cap oxide layer; and removing the cap oxide layer, so that a locally thinned area is formed in the top surface of the top silicon layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: Shanghai Huahong Grace Semiconductor Manufacturing Corporation
    Inventor: Zhangli Liu
  • Patent number: 9601390
    Abstract: A method of forming a finFET device comprises forming a fin in a silicon layer of a substrate, forming a hardmask layer on a top surface of the fin, forming an insulating layer over the fin and the hardmask layer, removing a portion of the insulating layer to expose a portion of the hardmask layer, removing the exposed portion of the hardmask layer to form a cavity that exposes a portion of the silicon layer of the fin, epitaxially growing a silicon germanium (SiGe) material on exposed portions of the silicon layer of the fin in the cavity, and annealing the grown SiGe to drive germanium atoms into the silicon layer of the fin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Bruce B. Doris, Rajasekhar Venigalla
  • Patent number: 9601391
    Abstract: A method and system are provided for determining mechanical stress experienced by a film during fabrication thereof on a substrate positioned in a vacuum deposition chamber. The substrate's first surface is disposed to have the film deposited thereon and the substrate's opposing second surface is a specular reflective surface. A portion of the substrate is supported. An optical displacement sensor is positioned in the vacuum deposition chamber in a spaced-apart relationship with respect to a portion of the substrate's second surface. During film deposition on the substrate's first surface, displacement of the portion of the substrate's second surface is measured using the optical displacement sensor. The measured displacement is indicative of a radius of curvature of the substrate, and the radius of curvature is indicative of mechanical stress being experienced by the film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: The United States of America as Represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
    Inventor: David M. Broadway
  • Patent number: 9601392
    Abstract: A method and device for characterizing a DC parameter of a SRAM device based on TDCD are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: GLOBALFOUNDRIES INC.
    Inventors: Ming Lei, Byoung-Gi Min, Xusheng Wu
  • Patent number: 9601393
    Abstract: Computer-implemented methods, computer-readable media, and systems for selecting one or more parameters for inspection of a wafer are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: KLA-Tencor Corp.
    Inventors: Chris Lee, Lisheng Gao, Tao Luo, Kenong Wu, Tommaso Torelli, Michael J. Van Riet, Brian Duffy
  • Patent number: 9601394
    Abstract: A substrate processing system includes a film-forming device to form photosensitive film on substrate, an exposure device to expose the film on the substrate, a relay device to transfer the substrate between the film-forming and exposure devices, a warping data acquisition device to acquire measured warping data of the substrate, a communication device to perform data communication with the exposure device, and a control device including film-forming, relay, measuring, and communication control sub-devices. The film-forming sub-device controls the film-forming device to form the film on the substrate, the relay sub-device controls the relay device to transfer the substrate to the exposure device, the measuring sub-device controls the warping data acquisition device to acquire the data after the controlling by the film-forming sub-device prior to the controlling by the relay sub-device, and the communication sub-device controls the communication device to transmit the data to the exposure device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: TOKYO ELECTRON LIMITED
    Inventors: Teruhiko Kodama, Masashi Enomoto
  • Patent number: 9601395
    Abstract: In one aspect, a method of predicting warp in a plurality of wafers after an epitaxial layer deposition process is provided. The method includes receiving, by a processor, a measured resistivity of a first wafer of the plurality of wafers, receiving, by the processor, a measured shape of the first wafer after at least one of a grinding process and an etching process, and calculating, using the processor, a change in wafer shape during the epitaxial layer deposition process. The method further includes superposing, using the processor, the calculated shape change onto the measured shape of the first wafer to determine a post-epitaxial wafer shape and calculating, using the processor, a post-epitaxial warp value based on the determined post-epitaxial wafer shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: SunEdison Semiconductor Limited (UEN201334164H)
    Inventors: Sumeet S. Bhagavat, Roland R. Vandamme
  • Patent number: 9601396
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure provide methods for forming stair-like structures in manufacturing three dimensional (3D) stacking of semiconductor chips. In one example, a method includes performing a trimming process on a substrate to trim a patterned photoresist layer disposed on a film stack from a first width to a second width in a processing chamber, performing an etching process to etch a portion of the film stack exposed by the trimmed patterned photoresist layer, directing an optical signal to a surface of the trimmed patterned photoresist layer continuously during the trimming and the etching process, collecting a return reflected optical signal reflected from the trimmed patterned photoresist layer, determining a change of reflected intensify of the return reflected optical signal as collected; and calculating a photoresist thickness loss based on the change of the reflected intensity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventor: Lei Lian
  • Patent number: 9601397
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are a microwave probe capable of precisely detecting a plasma state in a plasma process, a plasma monitoring system including the probe, and a method of fabricating a semiconductor device using the system. The microwave probe includes a body extending in one direction and a head which is connected to one end of the body and has a flat plate shape. In addition, in the plasma process, the microwave probe is non-invasively coupled to a chamber such that a surface of the head contacts an outer surface of a viewport of the chamber, and the microwave probe applies a microwave into the chamber through the head and receives signals generated inside the chamber through the head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Se-jin Oh, Woong Ko, Vasily Pashkovskiy, Doug-yong Sung, Ki-ho Hwang
  • Patent number: 9601398
    Abstract: A method of attaching a microelectronic element to a substrate can include aligning the substrate with a microelectronic element, the microelectronic element having a plurality of spaced-apart electrically conductive bumps each including a bond metal, and reflowing the bumps. The bumps can be exposed at a front surface of the microelectronic element. The substrate can have a plurality of spaced-apart recesses extending from a first surface thereof. The recesses can each have at least a portion of one or more inner surfaces that are non-wettable by the bond metal of which the bumps are formed. The reflowing of the bumps can be performed so that at least some of the bond metal of each bump liquefies and flows at least partially into one of the recesses and solidifies therein such that the reflowed bond material in at least some of the recesses mechanically engages the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: Invensas Corporation
    Inventors: Charles G. Woychik, Se Young Yang, Pezhman Monadgemi, Terrence Caskey, Cyprian Emeka Uzoh
  • Patent number: 9601399
    Abstract: A module arrangement for power semiconductor devices, including one or more power semiconductor modules, wherein the one or more power semiconductor modules include a substrate with a first surface and a second surface being arranged opposite to the first surface, wherein the substrate is at least partially electrically insulating, wherein a conductive structure is arranged at the first surface of the substrate, wherein at least one power semiconductor device is arranged on the conductive structure and electrically connected thereto, wherein the one or more modules includes an inner volume for receiving the at least one power semiconductor device which volume is hermetically sealed from its surrounding by a module enclosure, wherein the module arrangement includes an arrangement enclosure at least partly defining a volume for receiving the one or more modules, and wherein the arrangement enclosure seals covers the volume.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: ABB Schweiz AG
    Inventors: Munaf Rahimo, Hamit Duran
  • Patent number: 9601400
    Abstract: A high temperature, non-cavity package for non-axial electronics is designed using a glass ceramic compound with that is capable of being assembled and operating continuously at temperatures greater that 300-400° C. Metal brazes, such as silver, silver colloid or copper, are used to connect the semiconductor die, lead frame and connectors. The components are also thermally matched such that the packages can be assembled and operating continuously at high temperatures and withstand extreme temperature variations without the bonds failing or the package cracking due to a thermal mismatch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: Semtech Corporation
    Inventors: Victor Hugo Cruz, David Francis Courtney
  • Patent number: 9601401
    Abstract: The present invention is a solventless one liquid type cyanate ester-epoxy resin composition having high thermal resistance as well as excellent storage stability and curing properties, which contains (A) cyanate ester, (B) epoxy resin, (C) guanidine compounds and (D) at least one kind of phenol compounds selected from a group consisting of phenol compounds represented by the following general formulae. In the general formulae, 1 is an integer selected from 0 to 4, R1 represents an unsubstituted or fluorine-substituted monovalent hydrocarbon group.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: Adeka Corporation
    Inventors: Ryo Ogawa, Shinsuke Yamada
  • Patent number: 9601402
    Abstract: A package apparatus comprises a first wiring layer, a metal layer, a conductive pillar layer, a passive component, a first molding compound layer, a second wiring layer, and a protection layer. The first wiring layer has a first surface and a second surface opposite to each other. The metal layer is disposed on the first surface of the first wiring layer. The conductive pillar layer is disposed on the second surface of the first wiring layer. The passive component is disposed on the second surface of the first wiring layer. The first molding compound layer is disposed within a part of the zone of the first wiring layer and the conductive pillar layer. The second wiring layer is disposed on the first molding compound layer and one end of the conductive pillar layer. The protection layer is disposed on the first molding compound layer and the second wiring layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: PHOENIX PIONEER TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: E-Tung Chou, Chu-Chin Hu, Shih-Ping Hsu
  • Patent number: 9601403
    Abstract: An electronic package is provided, which includes: a first circuit structure; at least first electronic element disposed on a surface of the first circuit structure; at least a first conductive element formed on the surface of the first circuit structure; a first encapsulant encapsulating the first electronic element and the first conductive element; and a second circuit structure formed on the first encapsulant and electrically connected to the first conductive element. By directly disposing the electronic element having high I/O functionality on the circuit structure, the invention eliminates the need of a packaging substrate having a core layer and thus reduces the thickness of the electronic package. The invention further provides a method for fabricating the electronic package.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: Siliconware Precision Industries Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Lu-Yi Chen, Guang-Hwa Ma, Shih-Ching Chen, Chang-Lun Lu
  • Patent number: 9601404
    Abstract: A temperature of a semiconductor element is measured based on a temperature coefficient of a voltage between the first electrode and the second electrode when no heat is generated when causing a constant current of an extent such that the semiconductor element does not generate heat to be input wherein current is caused to flow from a third electrode to a second electrode in accordance with voltage applied between a first electrode and the second electrode. Also, a constant current such that the semiconductor element generates heat is input into the third electrode, with voltage applied between the first electrode and second electrode of the semiconductor element kept constant, and power is measured based on the current such that the semiconductor element generates heat and on voltage when heat is generated between the third electrode and second electrode when the semiconductor element generates heat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: FUJI ELECTRIC CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Toshiyuki Miyanagi, Yuichiro Hinata
  • Patent number: 9601405
    Abstract: A semiconductor package having a substrate, a thermal pad, and a semiconductor die is disclosed. The thermal pad may have a heat conductive body extending through the substrate. The semiconductor die may be disposed on the thermal pad and in thermal communication with the thermal pad. The thermal pad of the semiconductor package may also have an interlock structure. The interlock structure may provide a mechanical interlock between the thermal pad and the substrate. In addition, a wireless communication device is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: Avago Technologies General IP (Singapore) Pte. Ltd.
    Inventors: Wing Hung Thong, Liu Mei Lee, Chee Wei Ong Khaw, Ewe Lee Lim
  • Patent number: 9601406
    Abstract: A copper nanorod thermal interface material (TIM) is described. The copper nanorod TIM includes a plurality of copper nanorods having a first end thermally coupled with a first surface, and a second end extending toward a second surface. A plurality of copper nanorod branches are formed on the second end. The copper nanorod branches are metallurgically bonded to a second surface. The first surface may be the back side of a die. The second surface may be a heat spread or a second die. The TIM may include a matrix material surrounding the copper nanorods. In an embodiment, the copper nanorods are formed in clusters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Chandra M. Jha, Feras Eid, Johanna M. Swan, Ashish Gupta
  • Patent number: 9601407
    Abstract: A system-in-package (SiP) module is disclosed. The SiP module includes a substrate and a dam on the substrate. The dam defines a cavity. At least one chip is on the substrate inside the cavity. A printed circuit board (PCB) is bonded to the dam and covers the cavity. A thermal conductive sheet is in the cavity and is disposed between the chip and the PCB. The chip is in thermal contact with the PCB through the thermal conductive sheet. The disclosure also provides a method for manufacturing the SiP module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: QUANTA COMPUTER INC.
    Inventor: Li-Cheng Shen
  • Patent number: 9601408
    Abstract: A semiconductor device of the present invention includes a semiconductor element having an upper surface and a lower surface, a metal plate thermally connected to the lower surface, an upper surface electrode soldered to the upper surface, an insulating sheet formed on the upper surface electrode so as to be in surface contact with the upper surface electrode, a shielding plate formed on the insulating sheet so as to be in surface contact with the insulating sheet, the shielding plate shielding against radiation noise, and a resin with which the semiconductor element is covered, while a portion of the upper surface electrode, a portion of the shielding plate and a lower surface of the metal plate are exposed to the outside, wherein the heat conductivity of the insulating sheet is higher than the heat conductivity of the resin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Shoji Saito, Khalid Hassan Hussein, Arata Iizuka
  • Patent number: 9601409
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method of forming a back-end-of-the-line metal contact that eliminates RC opens caused by metal dishing during chemical mechanical polishing. The method is performed by depositing a sacrificial UV/thermal decomposition layer (UTDL) above an inter-level dielectric (ILD) layer. A metal contact is formed that extend through the ILD layer and the sacrificial UTDL. A chemical mechanical polishing (CMP) process is performed to generate a planar surface comprising the sacrificial UTDL. The sacrificial UTDL is then removed through an ultraviolet exposure or a thermal anneal, so that the metal contact protrudes from the ILD layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hsin-Hsien Lu, Chia-Fang Tsai
  • Patent number: 9601410
    Abstract: A semiconductor device and method are provided which utilizes a single mask to form openings for both a through substrate via as well as for a through dielectric via. In an embodiment a contact etch stop layer is deposited over and between a first semiconductor device and a second semiconductor device. A dielectric material is deposited over the contact etch stop layer between the first semiconductor device and the second semiconductor device. The different materials of the contact etch stop layer and the dielectric material is utilized such that a single mask may be used to form a through substrate via through the first semiconductor device and also to form a through dielectric via through the dielectric material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Cheng-Chun Tsai, Hung-Pin Chang, Ku-Feng Yang, Yi-Hsiu Chen, Wen-Chih Chiou
  • Patent number: 9601411
    Abstract: A semiconductor structure and a method for fabricating the same are provided. The semiconductor structure includes a wafer substrate having a top surface and a bottom surface, and a conductive pillar in the wafer substrate defined by a deep trench insulator through the top surface and the bottom surface of the wafer substrate. The method for fabricating the semiconductor structure includes following steps. A deep trench is formed from a top surface of a wafer substrate to define a conductive region in the wafer substrate. The conductive region is doped with a dopant. The deep trench is filled with an insulation material to form a deep trench insulator. And the wafer substrate is thinned from a bottom surface of the wafer substrate to expose the deep trench insulator and isolate the conductive region to form a conductive pillar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Alexander Kalnitsky, Hsiao-Chin Tuan, Shih-Fen Huang, Hsin-Li Cheng, Felix Ying-Kit Tsui
  • Patent number: 9601412
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a three-dimensional package structure. The first conductive element comprises a top surface, a bottom surface and a lateral surface. The conductive pattern disposed on the top surface of the first conductive element. A second conductive element is disposed on the conductive pattern. The first conductive element is electrically connected to the conductive pattern, and the second conductive element is electrically connected to the conductive pattern. In one embodiment, the shielding layer is a portion of the patterned conductive layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: CYNTEC CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Da-Jung Chen, Chun-Tiao Liu, Chau-Chun Wen
  • Patent number: 9601413
    Abstract: A cavity package is provided. The package can include a metal leadframe and a substrate attached to an interposer formed as part of the leadframe. The substrate typically has a coefficient of thermal expansion matched to the coefficient of thermal expansion of a semiconductor device to be affixed to the substrate. The semiconductor device is typically attached to an exposed top surface of the substrate. The cavity package also includes a plastic portion molded to the leadframe forming a substrate cavity. The substrate cavity allows access to the exposed top surface of the substrate for affixing the semiconductor device. The cavity package also include a connective element for grounding a lid through an electrical path from the lid to the interposer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: UBOTIC COMPANY LIMITED
    Inventor: Chun Ho Fan
  • Patent number: 9601414
    Abstract: The invention is directed to a method for inhibiting or preventing delamination at the interface of the die attach/mold compound and the die pad of a semiconductor device and a semiconductor device formed by such method. The method includes providing a leadframe having a top surface; coating the top surface of the leadframe with first and second silane coating; heating the silane coatings to form a porous layer having a porosity of at least 10%; applying a die to the porous layer; securing the die to the porous layer by a die attaching compound; and after the curing of die attach material and wire bonding, a mold compound is applied through molding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Rongwei Zhang, Abram Castro
  • Patent number: 9601415
    Abstract: In a method of manufacturing a semiconductor device according to an embodiment, a lead frame is provided, the lead frame having a trench part formed thereon so as to communicate bottom surfaces of a first lead and a second lead, which are coupled to each other between device regions adjacent to each other. Then, after a part of a coupling part between the first and second leads is cut by using a first blade, metal wastes formed inside the trench part are removed. Then, after the metal wastes are removed, a metal film is formed on exposed surfaces of the first and second leads by a plating method, and then, a remaining part of the coupling part between the first and second leads is cut by using a second blade. At this time, the cutting is performed so that the second blade does not contact the trench part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: RENESAS ELECTRONICS CORPORATION
    Inventor: Yasutomo Makino
  • Patent number: 9601416
    Abstract: A lead frame includes one metal plate 10 having a terminal 15, and the other metal plate 50 joined to the one metal plate 10, on which a mounted component 91 is placed. The one metal plate 10 includes a first connection portion 11 connected to the terminal 15, a first extension portion 12 disposed on one end of the first connection portion 11, and a second extension portion 13 disposed on the other end of the first connection portion 11. The other metal plate 50 includes a pair of first clamping portions 62 configured to clamp the first extension portion 12, and a pair of second clamping portions 63 configured to clamp the second extension portion 13.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: Shindengen Electric Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yohei Shinotake
  • Patent number: 9601417
    Abstract: Various aspects provide for bending a bending a lead frame of a semiconductor device package into a shape of an ā€œLā€ and mounting the package on a substrate. A horizontal portion of the bent lead-frame is about parallel with a surface of the package. A vertical portion of the bent lead frame is configured to extend the horizontal portion beyond the surface of the package. A device may be mounted between the substrate and the package.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: Unigen Corporation
    Inventors: Hanjoo Na, Santosh Kumar
  • Patent number: 9601418
    Abstract: According to an exemplary embodiment, a stacked half-bridge package includes a control transistor having a control drain for connection to a high voltage input, a control source coupled to an output terminal, and a control gate for being driven by a driver IC. The stacked half-bridge package also includes a sync transistor having a sync drain for connection to the output terminal, a sync source coupled to a low voltage input, and a sync gate for being driven by the driver IC. A current carrying layer is situated on the sync drain; the control transistor and the sync transistor being stacked on one another, where the current carrying layer provides a high current connection between the sync drain and the control source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies Americas Corp.
    Inventors: Eung San Cho, Chuan Cheah, Andrew N. Sawle