Patents Issued in June 13, 2017
  • Patent number: 9679809
    Abstract: A method of forming a pattern for interconnect lines in an integrated circuit includes providing a structure having a first lithographic stack, a mandrel layer and a pattern layer disposed over a dielectric stack. Patterning the structure to form mandrels in the mandrel layer and disposing a spacer layer over the mandrels. Etching the spacer layer to form spacers disposed on sidewalls of the mandrels. The spacers and mandrels defining beta and gamma regions. A beta region includes a beta block mask portion and a gamma region includes a gamma block mask portion of the pattern layer. The method also includes etching a beta pillar over the beta block mask portion and etching a gamma pillar over the gamma block mask portion. The method also includes etching the structure to form a pattern in the pattern layer, the pattern including the gamma and beta block mask portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: GLOBALFOUNDRIES INC.
    Inventors: Jongwook Kye, Yan Wang, Chenchen Wang, Wenhui Wang, Lei Yuan, Jia Zeng, Guillaume Bouche
  • Patent number: 9679810
    Abstract: An aspect of the disclosure is directed to a method of forming an interconnect for use in an integrated circuit. The method comprises: forming an opening in a dielectric layer on a substrate; filling the opening with a metal such that an overburden outside of the opening is created; subjecting the metal to a microwave energy dose such that atoms from the overburden migrate to within the opening; and planarizing the metal to a top surface of the opening to remove the overburden, thereby forming the interconnect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: GLOBALFOUNDRIES INC.
    Inventors: Joyeeta Nag, Shishir K. Ray, Andrew H. Simon, Oleg Gluschenkov, Siddarth A. Krishnan, Michael P. Chudzik
  • Patent number: 9679811
    Abstract: A semiconductor device has a semiconductor die having a plurality of die bump pad and substrate having a plurality of conductive trace with an interconnect site. A solder mask patch is formed interstitially between the die bump pads or interconnect sites. A conductive bump material is deposited on the interconnect sites or die bump pads. The semiconductor die is mounted to the substrate so that the conductive bump material is disposed between the die bump pads and interconnect sites. The conductive bump material is reflowed without a solder mask around the die bump pad or interconnect site to form an interconnect structure between the semiconductor die and substrate. The solder mask patch confines the conductive bump material within the die bump pad or interconnect site. The interconnect structure can include a fusible portion and non-fusible portion. An encapsulant is deposited between the semiconductor die and substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: STATS ChipPAC Pte. Ltd.
    Inventor: Rajendra D. Pendse
  • Patent number: 9679812
    Abstract: Self-aligned contacts are provided. In an embodiment the self-aligned contacts are formed by partially removing a first dielectric material from adjacent to a gate electrode and fully removing a second dielectric material from adjacent to the gate electrode. A conductive material is deposited into the regions of the removed first dielectric material and the second dielectric material, and the conductive material and metal gates are recessed below a spacer. A dielectric layer is deposited over the recessed conductive material and the recessed metal gates, and the self-aligned contacts are formed through the dielectric layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Chao-Hsun Wang, Shih-Wen Liu, Fu-Kai Yang, Hsien-Cheng Wang, Mei-Yun Wang
  • Patent number: 9679813
    Abstract: A semiconductor process for forming a plug includes the following steps. A dielectric layer having a recess is formed on a substrate. A titanium layer is formed to conformally cover the recess. A first titanium nitride layer is formed to conformally cover the titanium layer, thereby the first titanium nitride layer having first sidewall parts. The first sidewall parts of the first titanium nitride layer are pulled back, thereby second sidewall parts being formed. A second titanium nitride layer is formed to cover the recess. Moreover, a semiconductor structure formed by said semiconductor process is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: UNITED MICROELECTRONICS CORP.
    Inventors: Pin-Hong Chen, Kuo-Chih Lai, Chia Chang Hsu, Chun-Chieh Chiu, Li-Han Chen, Shu Min Huang, Min-Chuan Tsai, Hsin-Fu Huang, Chi-Mao Hsu
  • Patent number: 9679814
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention generally relate to epitaxial lift off (ELO) thin films and devices and methods used to form such films and devices. In one embodiment, a method for forming an ELO thin film is provided which includes depositing an epitaxial material over a sacrificial layer on a substrate, adhering a flattened, pre-curved support handle onto the epitaxial material, and removing the sacrificial layer during an etching process. The etching process includes bending the pre-curved support handle to have substantial curvature while peeling the epitaxial material from the substrate and forming an etch crevice therebetween. Compression is maintained within the epitaxial material during the etching process. The flattened, pre-curved support handle may be formed by flattening a pre-curved support material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: ALTA DEVICES, INC.
    Inventors: Melissa Archer, Harry Atwater, Thomas Gmitter, Gang He, Andreas Hegedus, Gregg Higashi, Stewart Sonnenfeldt
  • Patent number: 9679815
    Abstract: A semiconductor device fabrication method includes sequentially forming a hard mask layer and a sacrificial layer on a substrate, forming an upper mandrel which includes first to third upper sub-mandrels on the sacrificial layer, the first to third upper sub-mandrels extending in a first direction and being spaced apart from each other in a second direction, a width of the first upper sub-mandrel being smaller than widths of the second and third upper sub-mandrels, forming first spacers on sidewalls of each of the upper sub-mandrels, removing the upper mandrel, etching the sacrificial layer using the first spacers as etching masks to form a lower mandrel that includes a plurality of sub-mandrels, forming second spacers on sidewalls of the lower sub-mandrels, removing the lower mandrel, patterning the hard mask layer and the substrate using the second spacers as etching masks to form first to tenth fins which extend alongside each other in the first direction and are spaced apart from each other in the second
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Dong Hun Lee, Sunhom Steve Paak
  • Patent number: 9679816
    Abstract: A semiconductor device and a method of forming the same, the semiconductor device includes a substrate, a plurality of fin shaped structures and an insulating layer. The substrate has a fin field-effect transistor (finFET) region, a first region, a second region and a third region. The first region, the second region and the third region have a first surface, a second surface, and a third surface, respectively, where the first surface is relatively higher than the second surface and the second surface is relatively higher than the third surface. The fin shaped structures are disposed on a surface of the fin field-effect transistor region. The insulating layer covers the first surface, the second surface and the third surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: UNITED MICROELECTRONICS CORP.
    Inventors: En-Chiuan Liou, Yu-Cheng Tung
  • Patent number: 9679817
    Abstract: A method of forming a semiconductor structure may include: forming a first dielectric layer having a first thickness over a substrate; removing a first portion of the first dielectric layer to expose a second region of the substrate; forming a second dielectric layer having a second thickness over the second region of the substrate; removing a second portion of the first dielectric layer to expose a third region of the substrate; forming a third dielectric layer having a third thickness over the third region of the substrate; and forming a first plurality of gate stacks comprising the first dielectric layer in a first region of the substrate, a second plurality of gate stacks comprising the second dielectric layer in the second region of the substrate, and a third plurality of gate stacks comprising the third dielectric layer in the third region of the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Harry-Hak-Lay Chuang, Po-Nien Chen, Bao-Ru Young
  • Patent number: 9679818
    Abstract: A semiconductor device structure is provided. The semiconductor device structure includes a semiconductor substrate. The semiconductor device structure includes a first gate stack positioned over the semiconductor substrate. The semiconductor device structure includes a first doped structure and a second doped structure positioned at two opposite sides of the first gate stack and embedded in the semiconductor substrate. The semiconductor device structure includes a second gate stack positioned over the semiconductor substrate and adjacent to the second doped structure. The semiconductor device structure includes a third gate stack positioned over the semiconductor substrate. The semiconductor device structure includes an isolation structure embedded in the semiconductor substrate and between the second gate stack and the third gate stack. The isolation structure is wider and thinner than the second doped structure, and the isolation structure is made of an epitaxial material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: An-Lun Lo, Wei-Shuo Ho, Tzong-Sheng Chang, Chrong-Jung Lin, Ya-Chin King
  • Patent number: 9679819
    Abstract: A method for fabricating semiconductor device is disclosed. The method includes the steps of: providing a substrate having a first region and a second region; forming a first fin-shaped structure on the first region and a second fin-shaped structure on the second region; forming a first bump on the first region and a second bump on the second region; forming a first doped layer on the first fin-shaped structure and the first bump; and forming a second doped layer on the second fin-shaped structure and the second bump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: UNITED MICROELECTRONICS CORP.
    Inventor: Yu-Cheng Tung
  • Patent number: 9679820
    Abstract: An evaluation method of a device wafer on which plural devices are formed on a front surface and inside which a gettering layer is formed is provided. In the evaluation method, electromagnetic waves are radiated toward a back surface of the device wafer and excitation light is radiated to generate excess carriers. Furthermore, the gettering capability of the gettering layer formed in the device wafer is determined based on the damping time of reflected electromagnetic waves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: Disco Corporation
    Inventors: Naoya Sukegawa, Seiji Harada
  • Patent number: 9679821
    Abstract: Provided are methods of generating and revising overlay correction data, a method of performing a photolithography process using the overlay correction data, and a method of performing a photolithography process while revising the overlay correction data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Woojin Jung, Sang-Ho Yun, Un Jeon, Byeongsoo Kim, Cheolhong Kim, Taehong Min, Joonsoo Park
  • Patent number: 9679822
    Abstract: A method of monitoring an epitaxial growth geometry shift is disclosed. First, second and third trenches are formed on a semiconductor wafer. An epitaxial layer is grown. The epitaxial layer covers the first trenches and the second trenches but not the third trenches. First and second recesses on a top surface of the epitaxial layer are formed. First and second openings aligned with the first and the second recesses and a third openings aligned with the third trenches are formed in a photoresist layer. A corresponding first offset between a top center and a bottom center of each first recess is measured. An offset value of the top center from the bottom center of said each first recess is determined. A corresponding second offset between a top center of each second recess and a center of corresponding second opening is determined. A corresponding third offset between a center of each third trench and a center of corresponding third opening is measured.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: ALPHA AND OMEGA SEMICONDUCTOR INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Boxiu Cai, Lingbing Chen, Yiming Gu
  • Patent number: 9679823
    Abstract: A method of controlling polishing of a substrate is described. A controller stores a library having a plurality of reference spectra. The controller polishes a substrate and measures a sequence of spectra of light from the substrate during polishing. For each measured spectrum of the sequence of spectra, the controller finds a best matching reference spectrum from the plurality of reference spectra and generates a sequence of best matching reference spectra. The controller uses a cell counting technique for finding the best matching reference spectrum. The controller determines at least one of a polishing endpoint or an adjustment for a polishing rate based on the sequence of best matching reference spectra.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventor: Kiran Lall Shrestha
  • Patent number: 9679824
    Abstract: A semiconductor die has a conductive layer including a plurality of trace lines formed over a carrier. The conductive layer includes a plurality of contact pads electrically continuous with the trace lines. A semiconductor die has a plurality of contact pads and bumps formed over the contact pads. A plurality of conductive pillars can be formed over the contact pads of the semiconductor die. The bumps are formed over the conductive pillars. The semiconductor die is mounted to the conductive layer with the bumps directly bonded to an end portion of the trace lines to provide a fine pitch interconnect. An encapsulant is deposited over the semiconductor die and conductive layer. The conductive layer contains wettable material to reduce die shifting during encapsulation. The carrier is removed. An interconnect structure is formed over the encapsulant and semiconductor die. An insulating layer can be formed over the conductive layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: STATS ChipPAC Pte. Ltd.
    Inventors: Reza A. Pagaila, Rajendra D. Pendse, Jun Mo Koo
  • Patent number: 9679825
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides an array substrate for a display device and a manufacturing method thereof. A transparent electrode pattern (ITO) may be formed between a source/drain metal pattern and a passivation layer located above the source/drain metal pattern, which are formed in a passivation hole area of a non-active area of the array substrate. Accordingly, it may be possible to prevent display failure caused by a delamination phenomenon or peel-off of a material of the passivation layer due to the lack of adhesion strength between a metal layer and the passivation layer in the passivation hole area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: LG Display Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: SunHyun Choi, KiTaeg Shin, ChelHee Jo, TaeYun Roh
  • Patent number: 9679826
    Abstract: A semiconductor package is provided, including a substrate having a top surface, a bottom surface opposing the top surface, a via communicating the top surface with the bottom surface, and a stator set formed by circuits; an axial tube axially installed in the via of the substrate; a plurality of electronic components mounted on the top surface of the substrate and electrically connected to the substrate; an encapsulant formed on the top surface of the substrate for encapsulating the electronic components and the axial tube; and an impeller axially coupled to the axial tube via the bottom surface of the substrate. In the semiconductor package, the stator set is formed in the substrate by a patterning process. Therefore, the thickness of the semiconductor package is reduced significantly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: Amtek Semiconductors Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Chien-Ping Huang
  • Patent number: 9679827
    Abstract: A three-dimensional VLSI integrated circuit apparatus is disclosed having a plurality of VLSI layers. A first VLSI layer includes a first silicon sublayer coupleable to at least one heat sink, and a first active silicon sublayer having a (first) plurality of photonic receivers (or transceivers); and a second VLSI layer including a second silicon sublayer having a first plurality of microfluidic cooling channels, and a second active silicon sublayer of the plurality of second VLSI sublayers having an interconnection network. Additional VLSI layers may also include a third VLSI layer having a third silicon sublayer having a second plurality of microfluidic cooling channels and a third active silicon sublayer having a (second) plurality of photonic transmitters (or transceivers). Additional VLSI layers may also include a third VLSI layer having microfluidic cooling channels and memory circuits, and a fourth VLSI layer having microfluidic cooling channels and parallel processing circuitry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Inventor: Uzi Y. Vishkin
  • Patent number: 9679828
    Abstract: An electronic device may include a first substrate, an electrically conductive feed line on the first substrate, an insulating layer on the first substrate and the electrically conductive feed line, a second substrate on the insulating layer, and an antenna on the second substrate and having nanofilm layers stacked on the second substrate. The antenna is coupled to the feed line through an aperture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Inventor: Amit Verma
  • Patent number: 9679829
    Abstract: Provided are semiconductor devices and methods of fabricating the same. The device may include a substrate including a first surface and a second surface opposing each other, a through-silicon-via (TSV) electrode provided in a via hole that may be formed to penetrate the substrate, and an integrated circuit provided adjacent to the through electrode on the first surface. The through electrode includes a metal layer filling a portion of the via hole and an alloy layer filling a remaining portion of the via hole. The alloy layer contains at least two metallic elements, one of which may be the same as that contained in the metal layer, and the other of which may be different from that contained in the metal layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kwangjin Moon, SungHee Kang, Taeseong Kim, Byung Lyul Park, Yeun-Sang Park, Sukchul Bang
  • Patent number: 9679830
    Abstract: A semiconductor package includes a packaging substrate having a first surface and a second surface opposite to the first surface; and a semiconductor die assembled on the first surface of the packaging substrate. The semiconductor die includes a plurality of first bump pads and second bump pads on an active surface of the semiconductor die, a plurality of first copper pillars on the first bump pads, and a plurality of second copper pillars on the second bump pads. The first copper pillars have a diameter that is smaller than that of the second copper pillars.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: MEDIATEK INC.
    Inventors: Jia-Wei Fang, Tzu-Hung Lin
  • Patent number: 9679831
    Abstract: According to various embodiments, systems and methods for packaging a semiconductor device are provided. The disclosure discusses a semiconductor die having a top side and a bottom side that is disposed on a lead frame. An adhesive paste is then applied to attach the semiconductor die to the lead frame such that the adhesive paste fixes the die to a portion of the lead frame. The adhesive paste may be applied directly between die and the lead frame or may be applied in conjunction with a frame tape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: Cypress Semiconductor Corporation
    Inventors: Lai Nguk Chin, Paphat Phaoharuhan, Sally Foong
  • Patent number: 9679832
    Abstract: One or more embodiments are directed to leadframes and leadframe semiconductor packages. One embodiment is directed to copper leadframes with one or more die pads and one more leads with a roughened surface. Covering the roughened surface of the die pad of the leadframe is nanolayer of Silver (Ag). The thickness of the nanolayer preferably has a thickness that corresponds to the roughened surface of the copper leadframe. For instance, in one embodiment, the copper leadframe is roughened to have peaks and valleys that approximately average 10 nanometers and the thickness of the nanolayer is 10 nanometers. Covering a portion of the nanolayer of Ag is a microlayer of Ag, which provides a suitable bonding surface for coupling a semiconductor die to the die pad by an adhesive material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: STMICROELECTRONICS SDN BHD
    Inventor: Yh Heng
  • Patent number: 9679833
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a semiconductor package having a small gate clip is disclosed. A first and second semiconductor chips, each of which includes a source electrode and a gate electrode at a top surface, are attached on two adjacent lead frame units of a lead frame such that the lead frame unit with the first chip formed thereon is rotated 180 degrees in relation to the other lead frame unit with the second semiconductor chip formed thereon. A first and second clip sets are mounted on the first and second semiconductor chips, wherein the first clip set is connected to the gate electrode of the first chip, the source electrode of the second chip, and their corresponding leads and the second clip set is connected to the gate electrode of the second chip, the source electrode of the first chip and their corresponding leads.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: ALPHA AND OMEGA SEMICONDUCTOR INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Yan Xun Xue, Hamza Yilmaz, Yueh-Se Ho, Jun Lu, Ming-Chen Lu, Hongtao Gao
  • Patent number: 9679834
    Abstract: Semiconductor dies with recesses, associated leadframes, and associated systems and methods are disclosed. A semiconductor system in accordance with one embodiment includes a semiconductor die having a first surface and a second surface facing opposite from the first surface, with the first surface having a die recess. The system can further include a support paddle carrying the semiconductor die, with at least part of the support paddle being received in the die recess. In particular embodiments, the support paddle can form a portion of a leadframe. In other particular embodiments, the support paddle can include a paddle surface that faces toward the semiconductor die and has an opening extending through the paddle surface and through the support paddle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Chua Swee Kwang, Yong Poo Chia
  • Patent number: 9679835
    Abstract: A resin-encapsulated semiconductor device comprises a semiconductor chip mounted on a die pad. A plurality of leads each having an inner lead and an outer lead are arranged in spaced relation from the die pad with the inner leads facing the die pad. A metal plating layer is formed on top surfaces of the inner leads, and the inner leads are connected by metal wires to the semiconductor chip. An encapsulation resin encapsulates the semiconductor chip, die pad, metal wires and inner leads leaving the outer leads exposed. The outer edge of the metal plating layer coincides with the outer surface of the encapsulation resin and with the outer edge of the metal plating layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: SII Semiconductor Corporation
    Inventors: Shinya Kubota, Masaru Akino
  • Patent number: 9679836
    Abstract: A device includes a redistribution line, and a polymer region molded over the redistribution line. The polymer region includes a first flat top surface. A solder region is disposed in the polymer region and electrically coupled to the redistribution line. The solder region includes a second flat top surface not higher than the first flat top surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Ching-Wen Hsiao, Ming-Da Cheng, Chih-Wei Lin, Chen-Shien Chen, Chih-Hua Chen, Chen-Cheng Kuo
  • Patent number: 9679837
    Abstract: An electrical interconnect assembly includes an insulating substrate, upper conductive pads coupled to a top surface of the insulating substrate, and lower conductive pads coupled to a bottom surface of the insulating substrate. The upper conductive pads and the lower conductive pads comprise an electrically conductive material. A metallization layer is deposited on the top surface of the insulating substrate and the upper conductive pads. The metallization layer extends through vias formed through a thickness of the insulating substrate to contact a top surface of the lower conductive pads.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Paul Alan McConnelee, Kevin Matthew Durocher, Scott Smith, Donald Paul Cunningham
  • Patent number: 9679838
    Abstract: A microelectronic package can include a substrate and a microelectronic element having a face and one or more columns of contacts thereon which face and are joined to corresponding contacts on a surface of the substrate. An axial plane may intersect the face along a line in the first direction and centered relative to the columns of element contacts. Columns of package terminals can extend in the first direction. First terminals in a central region of the second surface can be configured to carry address information usable to determine an addressable memory location within the microelectronic element. The central region may have a width not more than three and one-half times a minimum pitch between the columns of package terminals. The axial plane can intersect the central region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: Invensas Corporation
    Inventors: Richard Dewitt Crisp, Wael Zohni, Belgacem Haba, Frank Lambrecht
  • Patent number: 9679839
    Abstract: A system and method for packaging semiconductor device is provided. An embodiment comprises forming vias over a carrier wafer and attaching a first die over the carrier wafer and between a first two of the vias. A second die is attached over the carrier wafer and between a second two of the vias. The first die and the second die are encapsulated to form a first package, and at least one third die is connected to the first die or the second die. A second package is connected to the first package over the at least one third die. Alternatively, instead of forming vias over the carrier wafer, through silicon vias may be formed within a semiconductor substrate and the semiconductor substrate may be attached to the carrier wafer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: An-Jhih Su, Der-Chyang Yeh, Hsien-Wei Chen
  • Patent number: 9679840
    Abstract: A computer implemented layout method for an integrated circuit (IC) structure and IC structure are provided. The layout method can include placing a circuit cell and an inter-layer via together in a first device layer of the IC structure, and placing a metal pattern in a second device layer of the IC structure. The inter-layer via and the metal pattern may be configured to form a direct connection channel for the circuit cell and the metal pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Yi-Lin Chuang, Ching-Fang Chen, Jia-Jye Shen
  • Patent number: 9679841
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for formation of a semiconductor substrate with photoactive dielectric material, embedded traces, a padless skip via extending through two dielectric layers, and a coreless package are provided. In one embodiment, a method for forming a core having a copper layer; laminating the copper layer a photoactive dielectric layer; forming a plurality of trace patterns in the photoactive dielectric layer; plating the plurality of trace patterns to form a plurality of traces; forming an insulating dielectric layer on the photoactive dielectric layer; forming a via through the insulating dielectric layer and the photoactive dielectric layer; forming additional routing patterns on the insulating dielectric layer; removing the core; and applying a solder mask.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: QUALCOMM Incorporated
    Inventors: Houssam Wafic Jomaa, Omar James Bchir, Kuiwon Kang, Chin-Kwan Kim
  • Patent number: 9679842
    Abstract: The invention provides a semiconductor package assembly. The semiconductor package assembly includes a first semiconductor package and a second semiconductor package stacked on the first semiconductor package. The first semiconductor package includes a first redistribution layer (RDL) structure. A first semiconductor die is coupled to the first RDL structure. A first molding compound surrounds the first semiconductor die, and is in contact with the RDL structure and the first semiconductor die. The second semiconductor package includes a second redistribution layer (RDL) structure. A first dynamic random access memory (DRAM) die without through silicon via (TSV) interconnects formed passing therethrough is coupled to the second RDL structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: MEDIATEK INC.
    Inventors: Ming-Tzong Yang, Wei-Che Huang, Tzu-Hung Lin
  • Patent number: 9679843
    Abstract: Embodiments of a system and methods for localized high density substrate routing are generally described herein. In one or more embodiments an apparatus includes a medium, first and second circuitry elements, an interconnect element, and a dielectric layer. The medium can include low density routing therein. The interconnect element can be embedded in the medium, and can include a plurality of electrically conductive members therein, the electrically conductive member can be electrically coupled to the first circuitry element and the second circuitry element. The interconnect element can include high density routing therein. The dielectric layer can be over the interconnect die, the dielectric layer including the first and second circuitry elements passing therethrough.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Robert Starkston, Debendra Mallik, John S. Guzek, Chia-Pin Chiu, Deepak Kulkarni, Ravindranath V. Mahajan
  • Patent number: 9679844
    Abstract: In some embodiments of the present disclosure, a method for manufacturing a thin film resistor after completing a copper chemical mechanical polishing (CMP) process on a copper process module may include: depositing a dielectric barrier layer across at least two structures; depositing a second dielectric layer atop the dielectric barrier as a hard mask; patterning a trench using photo lithography; etching the trench through the hard mask and stopping in or on the dielectric barrier; removing any remaining photoresist from the photo lithography process; etching the trench through the dielectric barrier thereby exposing a copper surface for each of the at least two copper structures; and depositing thin-film resistor material into the trench and bridging across the resulting at least two exposed copper surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: MICROCHIP TECHNOLOGY INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Yaojian Leng, Justin Hiroki Sato
  • Patent number: 9679845
    Abstract: Interconnect fuse structures including a fuse with a necked line segment, as well as methods of fabricating such structures. A current driven by an applied fuse programming voltage may open necked fuse segments to affect operation of an IC. In embodiments, the fuse structure includes a pair of neighboring interconnect lines equidistant from a center interconnect line. In further embodiments, the center interconnect line, and at least one of the neighboring interconnect lines, include line segments of lateral widths that differ by a same, and complementary amount. In further embodiments, the center interconnect line is interconnected at opposite ends of a necked line segment. In further embodiments, the necked line segment is fabricated with pitch-reducing spacer-based patterning process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Zhanping Chen, Andrew W. Yeoh, Seongtae Jeong, Uddalak Bhattacharya, Charles H. Wallace
  • Patent number: 9679846
    Abstract: A semiconductor device has a semiconductor die with a plurality of bumps formed over a surface of the semiconductor die. A first conductive layer having first and second segments is formed over a surface of the substrate with a first vent separating an end of the first segment and the second segment and a second vent separating an end of the second segment and the first segment. A second conductive layer is formed over the surface of the substrate to electrically connect the first segment and second segment. The thickness of the second conductive layer can be less than a thickness of the first conductive layer to form the first vent and second vent. The semiconductor die is mounted to the substrate with the bumps aligned to the first segment and second segment. Bump material from reflow of the bumps is channeled into the first vent and second vent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: STATS ChipPAC Pte. Ltd.
    Inventors: JaeHyun Lee, SunJae Kim, JoongGi Kim
  • Patent number: 9679847
    Abstract: An integrated circuit includes a source-drain region, a channel region adjacent to the source-drain region, a gate structure extending over the channel region and a sidewall spacer on a side of the gate structure and which extends over the source-drain region. A dielectric layer is provided in contact with the sidewall spacer and having a top surface. The gate structure includes a gate electrode and a gate contact extending from the gate electrode as a projection to reach the top surface. The side surfaces of the gate electrode and a gate contact are aligned with each other. The gate dielectric layer for the transistor positioned between the gate electrode and the channel region extends between the gate electrode and the sidewall spacer and further extends between the gate contact and the sidewall spacer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics, Inc.
    Inventor: John Hongguang Zhang
  • Patent number: 9679848
    Abstract: An interconnect and a method of forming an interconnect for a semiconductor device is provided. The interconnect is formed by treating an upper surface of a dielectric layer to create a high density layer. The treatment may include, for example, creating a high density monolayer using hexamethyldisilazane (HMDS), trimethylsilydiethylamine (TMSDEA) or trimethylsilylacetate (OTMSA). After treating, the dielectric layer may be patterned to create openings, which are subsequently filled with a conductive material. Excess conductive material may be removed using, for example, a chemical mechanical polishing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Han-Hsin Kuo, Chung-Chi Ko, Neng-Jye Yang, Fu-Ming Huang, Chi-Ming Tsai, Liang-Guang Chen
  • Patent number: 9679849
    Abstract: Area overhead is reduced between adjacent blocks of a 3D vertical channel memory device. In various embodiments, vertically oriented pillars that intersect layers of string select lines and word lines are arranged at intersections of a regular grid that is rotated, in a “twisted” array of pillars. Sides of shapes of the 3D NAND array structure are undulating, and follow undulating lines in which the outer pillars are disposed. For example, any of the string select lines, word lines, ground select lines, and ground lines have sides with undulating shapes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: MACRONIX INTERNATIONAL CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Shih-Hung Chen
  • Patent number: 9679850
    Abstract: A semiconductor structure having tapered damascene aperture is disclosed. The semiconductor structure including an etching stop layer over an inter-layer dielectric (ILD) layer, a low-k dielectric layer over the etching stop layer, and a tapered aperture at least going into the low-k dielectric layer; wherein the tapered aperture is filled with copper (Cu), a width of a mouth surface portion of the aperture tapers inwardly from a first, wider width to a second, narrower width at a bottom surface portion of the aperture, and the width of the bottom surface portion of the tapered aperture is less than 50 nm. Associated methods of fabricating a semiconductor structure are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY LTD.
    Inventors: Wei Ting Chen, Che-Cheng Chang, Chen-Hsiang Lu, Yu-Cheng Liu
  • Patent number: 9679851
    Abstract: A graphene wring structure of an embodiment includes multilayer graphene, a first interlayer compound existing in an interlayer space of the multilayer graphene, and a second interlayer compound existing in the interlayer space of the multilayer graphene. The second interlayer compound containing at least one of an oxide, a nitride and a carbide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Tadashi Sakai, Hisao Miyazaki, Masayuki Katagiri, Yuichi Yamazaki
  • Patent number: 9679852
    Abstract: Some embodiments include a construction having conductive structures spaced from one another by intervening regions. Insulative structures are within the intervening regions. The insulative structures include dielectric spacers and air gaps between the dielectric spacers. Dielectric capping material is over the air gaps. The dielectric capping material is between the dielectric spacers and not over upper surfaces of the dielectric spacers. Some embodiments include a construction having a first conductive structure with an upper surface, and having a plurality of second conductive structures electrically coupled with the upper surface of the first conductive structure and spaced from one another by intervening regions. Air gap/spacer insulative structures are within the intervening regions. The air gap/spacer insulative structures have dielectric spacers along sidewalls of the second conductive structures and air gaps between the dielectric spacers. Dielectric capping material is over the air gaps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Ashim Dutta, Mohd Kamran Akhtar, Shane J. Trapp
  • Patent number: 9679853
    Abstract: A package-on-package (PoP)-type package includes a first semiconductor package having a first passive element and a first semiconductor device mounted on a first substrate, and a second semiconductor package having a second semiconductor device mounted on a second substrate. The first passive element is electrically connected to the second semiconductor device. Related devices are also discussed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Jong-joo Lee
  • Patent number: 9679854
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a reconfigurable repeater system. A system may comprise a PCB to which devices are coupled. At least one communication channel may convey communications signals between the devices. At least one receptacle may also be coupled to the PCB and may intersect the at least one communication channel so as to separate the at least one communication channel into sections. Inserting at least one extender module into the at least one receptacle may couple the at least one extender module to the sections of the communication module. The at least one extender module may include at least one conductor to convey communication signals between the sections of the at least one communication channel. Another configuration of the at least one extender module may include a repeater to receive, amplify and transmit communication signals between the sections of the at least one communication channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: INTEL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Shaowu Huang, Beom-Taek Lee
  • Patent number: 9679855
    Abstract: Some implementations provide a semiconductor device (e.g., die, wafer) that includes a substrate, that is configured with trenches that are dry-etched into a surface of the substrate inside an area defined by scribe lines of the substrate. A crack stop structure is provided for the semiconductor device that includes a polymer dielectric layer coating that fills the trenches with a polymer dielectric material and provides a dielectric layer over the surface of the substrate inside the area. The polymer dielectric layer coating and trenches are configured to reduce cracking or chipping of the substrate in the area defined by scribe lines after cutting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: QUALCOMM Incorporated
    Inventors: Jae Sik Lee, Hong Bok We, Dong Wook Kim, Jon Aday
  • Patent number: 9679856
    Abstract: According to an embodiment, a micro-fabricated test structure includes a structure mechanically coupled between two rigid anchors and disposed above a substrate. The structure is released from the substrate and includes a test layer mechanically coupled between the two rigid anchors. The test layer includes a first region having a first cross-sectional area and a constricted region having a second cross-sectional area smaller than the first cross-sectional area. The structure also includes a first tensile stressed layer disposed on a surface of the test layer adjacent the first region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventors: Christoph Glacer, Alfons Dehe, John Brueckner
  • Patent number: 9679857
    Abstract: Disclosed is a semiconductor device comprising a stack of patterned metal layers separated by dielectric layers, the stack comprising a first conductive support structure and a second conductive support structure and a cavity in which an inertial mass element comprising at least one metal portion is conductively coupled to the first support structure and the second support structure by respective conductive connection portions, at least one of said conductive connection portions being designed to break upon the inertial mass element being exposed to an acceleration force exceeding a threshold defined by the dimensions of the conductive connection portions. A method of manufacturing such a semiconductor device is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: NXP B.V.
    Inventors: Matthias Merz, Youri Victorovitch Ponomarev, Mark van Dal
  • Patent number: 9679858
    Abstract: To provide a semiconductor device having improved reliability. The semiconductor device is equipped with a first polyimide film, rewirings formed over the first polyimide film, first and second dummy patterns formed over the first polyimide film, a second polyimide film that covers the rewirings and the dummy patterns, and an opening portion that exposes a portion of the rewirings in the second polyimide film. The first dummy pattern is, in plan view, comprised of a closed pattern surrounding the rewirings while having a space therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: RENESAS ELECTRONICS CORPORATION
    Inventor: Hiroaki Sekikawa