With Metallic Conductor Within Isolating Dielectric Or Between Semiconductor And Isolating Dielectric (e.g., Metal Shield Layer Or Internal Connection Layer) Patents (Class 257/508)
  • Patent number: 6710448
    Abstract: A bonding pad structure. The bonding pad structure includes independently built current conduction structure and mechanical support structure between a bonding pad layer and a substrate. The current conduction structure is constructed using a plurality of serially connected conductive metallic layers each at a different height between the bonding pad layer and the substrate. The conductive metallic layers connect with each other via a plurality of plugs. At least one of the conductive metallic layers connects electrically with a portion of the device in the substrate by a signal conduction line. The mechanical support structure is constructed using a plurality of serially connected supportive metallic layers each at a different height between the bonding pad layer and the substrate. The supportive metallic layers connect with each other via a plurality of plugs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2004
    Assignee: United Microelectronics Corp.
    Inventor: Kun-Chih Wang
  • Patent number: 6710443
    Abstract: In one embodiment, an integrated circuit includes a heat generating structure within a dielectric region and one or more substantially horizontally arranged heat dissipation layers within the dielectric region. Each heat dissipation layer includes electrically inactive thermally conductive structures, at least two such structures in at least one such layer being substantially horizontally connected and thermally coupled to one another within the layer. The electrically inactive thermally conductive structures cooperate to facilitate dissipation of heat from the heat generating structure. In another embodiment, an integrated circuit includes one or more heat generating structures within a dielectric region and electrically inactive thermal posts formed at least partially within the dielectric region. At least one such post is substantially horizontally connected and thermally coupled to another such post.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2004
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Timothy A. Rost, William R. Hunter, Bradley S. Young
  • Patent number: 6710421
    Abstract: A semiconductor device may include a first wiring layer 30, an interlayer dielectric layer 40 formed above the first wiring layer 30, a second wiring layer 50 formed above the interlayer dielectric layer 40, a through hole 60 formed in the second wiring layer 50 and the interlayer dielectric layer 40, and a contact layer 70 that is formed in the through hole 60 and electrically connects the first wiring layer 30 and the second wiring layer 50.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2004
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Toshiyuki Kamiya
  • Publication number: 20040032003
    Abstract: In a semiconductor device in which a plurality of field effect transistors are formed on a silicon surface having substantially a <110> orientation, the field effect transistors are disposed on the silicon surface such that a direction connecting a source region and a drain region of the field effect transistor is coincident to a substantially <110> direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2003
    Publication date: February 19, 2004
    Inventors: Tadahiro Ohmi, Shigetoshi Sugawa
  • Publication number: 20040032002
    Abstract: An interconnect structure includes a signal wire and an active shield line adjacent to, but removed from, the signal wire. The interconnect structure also includes another active shield line adjacent to, but removed from, the signal wire. A signal driver is connected to the signal wire. The signal driver drives a pulse on the signal wire. A shield driver is connected to the active shield line. The shield driver asserts a signal on the active shield line substantially simultaneous with the pulse. Another shield driver is connected to the another active shield line. The another shield driver asserts a signal on the another active shield line substantially simultaneous with the pulse. The effect of the simultaneous signals on the signal wire and the active shield lines is to effectively cancel the lateral capacitances between these lines.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 13, 2002
    Publication date: February 19, 2004
    Applicant: Sun Microsystems, Inc.
    Inventors: Edgardo F. Klass, Andrew J. Demas
  • Publication number: 20040021196
    Abstract: A method of forming a via in an integrated circuit is provided. The method includes forming a stack including a first layer, a hard mask layer, and at least one intermediate layer disposed between the first layer and the hard mask layer. The first layer comprises a first metal line. The method further includes forming a channel in the hard mask layer. The channel has a first side and a second side opposite the first side. The method further includes forming a resist layer having an opening extending over both the first and second sides of the channel. The method further includes forming a metal line trench and a via opening aligned with the first and second sides of the channel. The method further includes filling the filling the metal line trench and the via opening with a conductive material to create a second metal line and a via connecting the second metal line with the first metal line.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 5, 2002
    Publication date: February 5, 2004
    Applicant: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Kenneth D. Brennan, Paul M. Gillespie
  • Publication number: 20040021195
    Abstract: A semiconductor device having grooves uniformly filled with semiconductor fillers is provided. Both ends of each of narrow active grooves are connected to an inner circumferential groove surrounding the active grooves. The growth speed of semiconductor fillers on both ends of the active grooves becomes equal to that at their central portions. As a result, a semiconductor device having the active grooves filled with the semiconductor fillers at a uniform height is obtained.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2003
    Publication date: February 5, 2004
    Applicant: SHINDENGEN ELECTRIC MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Toru Kurosaki, Hiroaki Shishido, Mizue Kitada, Shinji Kunori, Kosuke Ohshima
  • Patent number: 6686645
    Abstract: A fuse structure. A first dielectric layer is formed on a substrate, a first conductive layer is formed on part of the first dielectric layer, a second dielectric layer is formed on part of the first dielectric layer and part of the first conductive layer, and a second conductive layer is formed on part of the second dielectric layer. A third dielectric layer is formed on part of the second conductive layer and part of the second dielectric layer, with an opening to expose part of the second conductive layer, to be defined as the laser spot position. A third conductive layer is formed on the third dielectric layer, with at least one conductive plug penetrating the second dielectric layer, to electrically connect the first conductive layer and the second conductive layer, to function as a fuse. Thus, in the present invention, the fuse structure of the third conductive layer can avoid damage to the adjacent fuse structure from the laser blow process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2004
    Assignee: Nanya Technology Corporation
    Inventor: Wu-Der Yang
  • Patent number: 6680517
    Abstract: An anisotropic conductive film which can be appropriately applied for the display apparatus by which the user can directly write characters•figures on the display, or erase characters and figures displayed on the display. The anisotropic conductive film according to the present invention is provided with the transparent insulating film 19 having a plurality of through holes 20 penetrating from one surface to the other surface, transparent conductive particle 21 buried in the through holes 20, and transparent stuffing material 22 stuffed in the void of the through holes 20 in which the conductive particle 21 is buried.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2004
    Assignee: TDK Corporation
    Inventor: Kenryo Namba
  • Patent number: 6677657
    Abstract: A method for forming a component in a portion of a semiconductor substrate on insulator delimited by a lateral wall separated by an insulating layer from a peripheral region internal to the portion and heavily doped of a same first conductivity type as the substrate. A conductive plate is formed at the same time as the wall, on a layer of protection of the substrate surface, in electric contact with the peripheral region, the plate extending above said peripheral region towards the inside of the portion with respect to the wall, beyond the location above the limit between the peripheral region and the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2004
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics A.A.
    Inventor: Pascal Gardes
  • Patent number: 6674146
    Abstract: An apparatus including a contact point on a substrate; a first dielectric layer comprising a material having a dielectric constant less than five formed on the contact point, and a different second dielectric layer formed on the substrate and separated from the contact point by the first dielectric layer. Collectively, the first and second dielectric layers comprise a composite dielectric layer having a composite dielectric constant value. The contribution of the first dielectric layer to the composite dielectric value is up to 20 percent. Also, a method including depositing a composite dielectric layer over a contact point on a substrate, the composite dielectric layer comprising a first material having a dielectric constant less than 5 and a second different second material, and forming a conductive interconnection through the composite dielectric layer to the contact point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2004
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventor: Loren A. Chow
  • Patent number: 6667531
    Abstract: A method of forming a semiconducting wafer is provided that utilizes fewer processing operations, reduces process variation, and lowers cost as well as production time. The method provided further improves via reliability by permitting vias to be formed with consistent aspect ratios. Devices and method are provided that substantially eliminate four way intersections on semiconductor wafers between conducting elements and supplemental elements. The devices and methods provide a more uniform deposition rate of a subsequent dielectric layer. Four way intersections are removed from both conductive element regions as well as supplemental element regions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2003
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Philip J. Ireland, Werner Juengling, Stephen M. Krazit
  • Patent number: 6653221
    Abstract: An SOI device structure is provided which facilitates mitigation of charge build up caused by floating body effects. A ground contact is formed from a top insulating layer to a bottom silicon layer. The ground contact extends through the insulating layer, a stop layer, an isolation region and an oxide layer to the bottom silicon layer. The ground contact is fabricated along with the formation of local interconnects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2003
    Assignee: Advanced Micro Devices, Inc.
    Inventors: Ramkumar Subramanian, Bharath Rangarajan, Bhanwar Singh
  • Publication number: 20030209775
    Abstract: A typical integrated-circuit fabrication requires interconnecting millions of microscopic transistors and resistors with metal wires. Making the metal wires flush, or coplanar, with underlying insulation requires digging trenches in the insulation, and then filling the trenches with metal to form the wires. The invention provides a new “trench-less” or “self-planarizing” method of making coplanar metal wires. Specifically, one embodiment forms a first layer that includes silicon and germanium; oxidizes a region of the first layer to define an oxidized region and a non-oxidized region; and reacts aluminum or an aluminum alloy with the non-oxidized region. The reaction substitutes, or replaces, the non-oxidized region with aluminum to form a metallic wire coplanar with the first layer. Another step removes germanium oxide from the oxidized region to form a porous insulation having a very low dielectric constant, thereby reducing capacitance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 7, 2003
    Publication date: November 13, 2003
    Applicant: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Kie Y. Ahn, Leonard Forbes, Paul A. Farrar
  • Patent number: 6646319
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes an output power device, which generates an electrical noise, and an on-chip circuit, to which the noise is transmitted. The output power device is surrounded by two isolating regions. The area between the two isolating regions is electrically connected to a field ground area by a first wiring line. The field ground area is electrically connected to a point of contact, which has ground potential. The area between the outer isolating region of the two isolating regions and another isolating region around the on-chip circuit is also electrically connected to the field ground area by a second wiring line. The first and second wiring lines are separated from each other. The electrical noise is transmitted to the field ground area and released to the point of contact. Therefore, the noise is attenuated and the transmission of the noise to the on-chip circuit is suppressed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2003
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Hirokazu Itakura, Hiroyuki Ban
  • Patent number: 6635914
    Abstract: A microelectronic programmable structure and methods of forming and programming the structure are disclosed. The programmable structure generally include an ion conductor and a plurality of electrodes. Electrical properties of the structure may be altered by applying a bias across the electrodes, and thus information may be stored using the structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2003
    Assignee: Axon Technologies Corp.
    Inventors: Michael N. Kozicki, Maria Mitkova
  • Publication number: 20030173640
    Abstract: Control of the characteristic impedance of wirings is performed with high accuracy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2003
    Publication date: September 18, 2003
    Applicant: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hideko Ando, Seiji Miyamoto
  • Patent number: 6617666
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a first insulating film comprising an opening, a capacitor formed at a selected position in the opening, a second insulating film formed at least in the opening, and a third insulating film formed on the second insulating film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2003
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Takashi Yoshitomi, Yuichi Nakashima
  • Patent number: 6611059
    Abstract: Integrated circuitry includes a semiconductive substrate, an insulative material over the semiconductive substrate, and a series of alternating first and second conductive lines, the first and second lines being spaced and positioned laterally adjacent one another over the insulating layer. At least some of the laterally adjacent conductive lines may have different cross-sectional shapes in a direction perpendicular to the respective line. Alternatively, or in addition, individual second series conductive lines may be spaced from adjacent first series conductive lines a distance that is less than a minimum width of the first series lines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2003
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Monte Manning
  • Publication number: 20030156378
    Abstract: A method for integrating copper with an MIM capacitor during the formation the MIM capacitor. The MIM capacitor is generally formed upon a substrate and at least one copper layer is deposited upon the substrate and layers thereof to form at least one metal layer from which the MIM capacitor is formed, such that the MIM capacitor may be adapted for use with an embedded DRAM device. The MIM capacitor comprises a low-temperature MIM capacitor. At least one DRAM crown photo layer may be formed upon the substrate and layers thereof to form the MIM capacitor. The number of additional lithographic steps required in BEOL manufacturing operations is thus only one, while the capacitance of the MIM capacitor can be improved greatly because the sequential process of the DRAM crown photo patterning steps may be altered.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 21, 2002
    Publication date: August 21, 2003
    Applicant: Taiwan semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Min-Hsiung Chiang, Chi-Hsin Lo
  • Patent number: 6600207
    Abstract: A structure to reduce line—line capacitance using low dielectric constant (K) materials is provided. Embodiments in accordance with the present invention are semiconductor devices having a single level of interconnection as well as semiconductor devices having multiple levels of interconnection. In embodiments of the present invention, an initial dielectric structure has a first low-K material overlaid with a standard-K material. In subsequent processing, conductive interconnects are formed and the standard-K material replaced with a second low-K material. In some embodiments of the present invention, the first and second low-K materials are the same material, in some embodiments the first and second low-K materials are different materials. Embodiments of the present invention having multiple levels of conductive interconnects are formed by essentially repeating the method employed to form the first level of conductive interconnect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2003
    Assignee: Micron Technology Inc.
    Inventors: Ying Huang, Er-Xuan Ping
  • Patent number: 6597053
    Abstract: An integrated circuit arrangement having a number of structural elements, at least one of which is surrounded by a metallic shielding structure. This structural element is thus protected against interference due to disturbing impulses from its environment. In particular, the structural elements of the circuit arrangement can be arranged next to or on top of one another. To produce the metallic shielding structure of a structural element of the circuit arrangement, at least one depression which surrounds the structural element is created and then lined with metal. The contacts and electrical connections of the structural element are electrically insulated from the metal of the shielding structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2003
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Anton Anthofer, Holger Hübner
  • Publication number: 20030122213
    Abstract: A semiconductor packaging substrate and a process for producing the same is disclosed. An internal circuit is formed by lamination. Then, external circuit is formed on the internal circuit by build-up technology. The substrate can be used as a flip-chip ball grid array packaging substrate with high density and small pitch. Furthermore, the substrate of the invention has a plurality of bonding pads thereon. The bump pads are divided into power/ground bump pads, first signal bump pads, and second signal bump pads. The first signal bump pads surround the power/ground bump pads and are surrounded by the second signal bump pads.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 10, 2002
    Publication date: July 3, 2003
    Inventors: Chi-Hsing Hsu, Wen-Yuan Chang
  • Patent number: 6583489
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method for forming low dielectric constant inter-metal dielectric layer. The method comprises providing a semiconductor substrate and forming a first dielectric layer on the semiconductor substrate. Conductor structures are formed in the first dielectric layer. The partial first dielectric layer is removed by using the conductor structures as etch mask. A second dielectric layer is formed between the conductor structure, which has a dielectric constant smaller than the first dielectric layer. The semiconductor structure comprises a substrate, a first dielectric layer on the substrate, multitude of conductor structures in the first dielectric layer, and multitude of second dielectric structures in the first dielectric layer and between the conductor structures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2003
    Assignee: United Microelectronics Corp.
    Inventors: Sung-Hsiung Wang, Yi-Min Huang, Gwo-Shii Yang, Chiung-Sheng Hsiung, Hsueh-Chung Chen, Chih-Chien Liu
  • Patent number: 6580128
    Abstract: A semiconductor substrate, for forming a circuit pattern of a semiconductor chip, comprised of a substrate, an insulating film formed on the substrate, and a semiconductor layer formed on the insulating film, wherein the semiconductor layer is isolated by the insulating film for every region formed with a circuit pattern of a semiconductor chip, able to be generally used even if a silicon on insulator or semiconductor on insulator (SOI) layer is isolated by an insulating film, and a process of production of an SOI substrate, enabling a reduction of thickness of the SOI layer and able to suppress the manufacturing costs and variation in the thickness of the SOI layer, comprising forming a groove in a first substrate made of a semiconductor, forming a first insulating film in the groove and on the first substrate, injecting hydrogen ions to form a peeling layer, bonding a second substrate, peeling off the first substrate by heat treatment while leaving the semiconductor layer, and polishing the semiconductor la
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2003
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventor: Yasunori Ohkubo
  • Patent number: 6580143
    Abstract: A surface modification layer having a surface modification coefficient of 0.1 to 0.5 is formed on the surface of an organic insulating film on a substrate. A metal wiring is provided on the surface of the organic insulating film having the surface modification layer formed at the surface thereof. Thus, the bonding strength between the metal wiring and the organic insulating film is enhanced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2003
    Assignee: Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Koji Yoshida, Makoto Tose
  • Patent number: 6573147
    Abstract: A semiconductor device having a contact using a crack-protecting layer and a method of forming the same are provided. The crack-protecting layer formed of a dielectric material is formed on an interlayer dielectric layer. The crack-protecting layer relieves or absorbs residual stress generated on a conductive layer used in forming a contact plug. Thus, a contact can be formed without damage to the interlayer dielectric layer due to residual stress.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2003
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kwang-jin Moon, Hee-sook Park, Myoung-bum Lee
  • Publication number: 20030085443
    Abstract: A semiconductor device may include a first wiring layer 30, an interlayer dielectric layer 40 formed above the first wiring layer 30, a second wiring layer 50 formed above the interlayer dielectric layer 40, a through hole 60 formed in the second wiring layer 50 and the interlayer dielectric layer 40, and a contact layer 70 that is formed in the through hole 60 and electrically connects the first wiring layer 30 and the second wiring layer 50.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2002
    Publication date: May 8, 2003
    Inventor: Toshiyuki Kamiya
  • Patent number: 6555892
    Abstract: A transistor device is disclosed, having an insulating material disposed between the gate electrode and the drain and source lines, wherein the dielectric constant of the insulating material is 3.5 or less. Accordingly, the capacitance between the gate electrode and the drain and source lines can be reduced, thereby improving signal performance of the field effect transistor with decreased cross talk noise.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2003
    Assignee: Advanced Micro Devices, Inc.
    Inventors: Manfred Horstmann, Karsten Wieczorek, Frederick N. Hause
  • Patent number: 6545338
    Abstract: A method for making a semiconductor device with integrated CMOS circuitry and RF circuitry fabricated over a semiconductor wafer, and a semiconductor device with integrated CMOS circuitry and RF circuitry fabricated over a semiconductor wafer is provided. The method includes forming a lower metallization layer and a lower dielectric layer over the lower metallization layer. A metallization line is formed over the lower dielectric layer with an upper dielectric layer over the metallization line. An upper metallization layer is then formed over the upper dielectric layer. After this is completed, oxide spacers are formed along the sides of the lower dielectric layer, the metallization line, and the upper dielectric layer. Finally, an encapsulating metallization layer is formed over the oxide spacers such that the lower metallization layer, the upper metallization layer and the encapsulating metallization layer define an outer shield and the metallization line defines an inner conductor of an RF line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2003
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.
    Inventors: Subhas Bothra, Calvin Todd Gabriel, Michael Misheloff, Milind Weling
  • Publication number: 20030057515
    Abstract: One type of electronic interface structure includes a base; at least one elastomeric island supported by the base; and patterned metallization overlying the at least one elastomeric island and including at least one floating pad at least partially overlying the at least one elastomeric island. Another type of electronic interface structure includes a base; a first dielectric layer overlying the base and having at least one first dielectric layer opening therein; a second dielectric layer overlying the first dielectric layer; and patterned metallization overlying the second dielectric layer and including at least one floating pad at least partially overlying the at least one opening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 5, 2002
    Publication date: March 27, 2003
    Inventors: Raymond Albert Fillion, Robert John Wojnarowski, Ronald Frank Kolc
  • Patent number: 6538294
    Abstract: An arrangement in a semiconductor component includes a highly doped layer on a substrate layer and is delimited by at least one trench extending from the surface of the component through the highly doped layer. A sub-layer between the substrate layer and the highly doped layer is doped with the same type of dopant as the buried collector, but to a lower concentration. The sub-layer causes a more even distribution of the potential lines in the substrate and in a sub-collector layer, thereby eliminating areas of dense potential lines and increasing the breakdown voltage of the component, (i.e., because the breakdown voltage is lower in areas with dense potential lines).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2003
    Assignee: Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericson (publ)
    Inventors: Håkan Sjödin, Anders Söderbärg
  • Patent number: 6531755
    Abstract: In a semiconductor device in which an interlayer insulating layer is formed of a low density material (porous silica etc.) and a hole or a trench is formed in the interlayer insulating layer by processing the interlayer insulating layer and an electrically conductive material is coated on the processed surface of the hole or trench for establishing electrical connection, the density of part of the interlayer insulating layer near the processed surface of the hole or trench is increased in comparison with other parts of the interlayer insulating layer. The densification process is conducted by the elimination of microvoids near the processed surface, for example. The densification or the microvoid elimination can be conducted by use of ammonia water, vapor of ammonia water, ammonia plasma treatment, etc. By the densification process, coating of the electrically conductive material (Cu etc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2003
    Assignee: NEC Corporation
    Inventor: Tatsuya Usami
  • Patent number: 6531753
    Abstract: A silicon-on-insulator substrate is disclosed which comprises: a silicon substrate layer; a first insulation layer over the silicon substrate layer; a conductive layer over the first insulation layer comprising at least one metal or metal silicide over the first insulation layer; a second insulation layer over the conductive layer; a silicon device layer comprising silicon over the second insulation layer; at least first conductive plug through the silicon substrate and the first insulation layer contacting the conductive layer; and at least one second conductive plug through the silicon device layer and the second insulation layer contacting the conductive layer. Also disclosed are methods for forming silicon-on-insulator substrates having improved stable ground characteristics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2003
    Assignee: Advanced Micro Devices, Inc.
    Inventor: Ming-Ren Lin
  • Publication number: 20030042567
    Abstract: An interconnect module and a method of manufacturing the same is described comprising: a substrate, an interconnect section formed on the substrate, and a variable passive device section formed on the substrate located laterally adjacent to the interconnect section. The interconnect section has at least two metal interconnect layers separated by a dielectric layer and the variable passive device has at least one moveable element. The moveable element is formed from a metal layer which is formed from the same material and at the same time as one of the two interconnect layers. The moveable element is formed on the dielectric layer and is released by local removal of the dielectric layer. Additional interconnect layers and intermediate dielectric layers may be added.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2002
    Publication date: March 6, 2003
    Inventors: Hendrikus Tilmans, Eric Beyne, Henri Jansen, Walter De Raedt
  • Publication number: 20030038335
    Abstract: A semiconductor rectifier includes an intermediate semiconductor region (29) extending between anode (9) and cathode (7) contacts. A trenched gate (19) with insulated sidewalls (15) and base (17) can deplete the intermediate region. However, a shield region (23) acts to shield the intermediate region (29) from the gate (19) to allow current to flow in dependence on the polarity of the voltage applied between anode and cathode contacts (9, 7).
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2002
    Publication date: February 27, 2003
    Applicant: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS ELECTRONICS N.V.
    Inventors: Eddie Huang, Steven T. Peake
  • Publication number: 20030034542
    Abstract: A driver circuit substrate is prepared and a mirror substrate is so provided as to be placed on the driver circuit substrate. Nine mirror elements are lad out on the mirror substrate in a 3×3 matrix form. The mirror elements are prepared by a microelectromechanical system (MEMS). An insulating substrate is provided on the driver circuit substrate and a driver circuit which drives a light reflecting mirror element is provided on the insulating substrate. The driver circuit substrate is connected to the mirror substrate via a resin layer of a thermosetting adhesive or the like.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2002
    Publication date: February 20, 2003
    Applicant: NEC CORPORATION
    Inventor: Toshiyuki Okumura
  • Patent number: 6521975
    Abstract: An integrated circuit wafer, covered by a protective overcoat, comprising an array of integrated circuit chips bordered by seal regions and separated by dicing lines; at least two sets of substantially parallel structures within each of said seal regions, each set extending along the edge of a chip on opposite sides of each said dicing line, respectively; each of said sets comprising at least one continuous barrier wall adjacent each chip, respectively; at least one sacrificial composite structure in combination therewith, between said wall and the center of said dicing line, said composite structure being a discontinuous barrier wall comprising metal rivets interconnecting electrically conductive layers in an alternating manner, whereby said composite structure provides mechanical strength to said sets and simultaneously disperses the energy associated with crack propagation; and at least one slot opened into said protective overcoat, reaching from the surface of said overcoat at least to the surface-nearest
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2003
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Jeffrey A. West, Paul M. Gillespie
  • Patent number: 6521947
    Abstract: A method for forming a substrate contact in a substrate that includes a silicon on insulator region. A shallow isolation trench is formed in the silicon on insulator substrate. The shallow isolation trench is filled. Photoresist is deposited on the substrate. A contact trench is formed in the substrate through the filled shallow isolation trench, silicon on insulator, and silicon substrate underlying the silicon on insulator region. The contact trench is filled, wherein the material filling the contact trench forms a contact to the silicon substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2003
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Atul Ajmera, Effendi Leobandung, Werner Rausch, Dominic J. Schepis, Ghavam G. Shahidi
  • Patent number: 6521923
    Abstract: A microwave transistor structure comprising: (a) a SiC substrate having a top surface; (b) a silicon semiconductor material of a first conductivity type overlaying the top surface of the semiconductor substrate and having a top surface; (c) a conductive gate overlying and insulated from the top surface of the silicon semiconductor material; (d) a channel region of the first conductivity type formed completely within the silicon semiconductor material including a channel dopant concentration; (e) a drain region of the second conductivity type formed in the silicon semiconductor material and contacting the channel region; (f) a body region of the first conductivity type and having a body region dopant concentration formed in the silicon semiconductor material under the conductive gate region; (g) a source region of the second conductivity type and having a source region dopant concentration formed in the silicon semiconductor material within the body region; (h) a shield plate region being adjacent and being pa
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2003
    Assignee: Sirenza Microdevices, Inc.
    Inventors: Pablo D'Anna, Joseph H. Johnson
  • Patent number: 6515332
    Abstract: An insulated-gate field-effect semiconductor device, preferably of the SOI type, has source (3) and drain (4) regions in a semiconductor body portion (1) at a first major surface of a semiconductor substrate (10). The gate-terminal metallisation (25) is present at an opposite second major surface (12) of the substrate (10). A gate connection (15,55) is present between the gate electrode (5) and the substrate (10) to connect the gate electrode (5) to the gate-terminal metallisation (25). This arrangement permits better use of the layout area for source-terminal and drain-terminal metallisations, and their connections, at the upper major surface (11) of the body portion (1), without introducing an on-resistance penalty. The part of the gate connection provided by the substrate (10) does not increase the on-resistance of the main current path through the device, i.e. between the source (3) and drain (4).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2003
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.
    Inventor: Andrew M. Warwick
  • Patent number: 6512281
    Abstract: A method of forming a multi-layer structure over an insulating layer comprises the steps of: selectively depositing a barrier layer on a predetermined region of an insulating layer by use of a first deposition mask; selectively depositing a metal seed layer made of a metal which is different in substance from the barrier layer by use of a second deposition mask, so that the metal seed layer extends not only on an entire surface of the barrier layer but also a peripheral region positioned outside the predetermined region of the insulating layer; and forming a metal plating layer made of the same metal as the seed layer, so that the metal plating layer is adhered on the metal seed layer whereby the metal plating layer is separated from the barrier layer and also from the insulating layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2003
    Assignee: NEC Corporation
    Inventor: Nobukazu Ito
  • Patent number: 6509590
    Abstract: A typical air bridge is an aluminum conductor suspended across an air-filled cavity to connect two components of an integrated circuit, two transistors for example. The air-filled cavity has a low dielectric constant which reduces cross-talk between neighboring conductors and improves speed and efficiency of the integrated circuit. However, current air bridges must be kept short because typical aluminum conductors sag too much. Accordingly, one embodiment of the invention forms air-bridge conductors from an aluminum-beryllium alloy, which enhances stiffness and ultimately provides a 40-percent improvement in air-bridge lengths.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2003
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Paul A. Farrar
  • Publication number: 20030006474
    Abstract: An inductor for an integrated circuit or integrated circuit package comprises a three-dimensional structure. In one embodiment the inductor is arranged on an integrated circuit substrate in at least two rows, each row comprising upper segments and lower segments, with the upper segments being longer than the lower segments. The upper segments in a first row are offset 180 degrees from those in an adjoining row to provide greater coupling of magnetic flux. The materials and geometry are optimized to provide a low resistance inductor for use in high performance integrated circuits. In another embodiment the inductor is arranged on an integrated circuit package substrate. Also described are methods of fabricating the inductor on an integrated circuit or as part of an integrated circuit package.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2002
    Publication date: January 9, 2003
    Applicant: Intel Corporation
    Inventor: Donald S. Gardner
  • Patent number: 6504229
    Abstract: A semiconductor device comprises a first insulating film, a wiring layer and a second insulating film formed in this order on a semiconductor substrate, the second insulating film being provided with one or more through holes formed onto the wiring layer, wherein the wiring layer is electrically isolated by the first insulating film and the second insulating film at a region other than a region where the through holes are formed, and a ratio between a total of a bottom area of the through holes formed onto the wiring layer and a top surface area of the wiring layer is 1:300 to 10,000.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2003
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hiroshi Yamauchi, Masayuki Satoh
  • Patent number: 6504224
    Abstract: A typical integrated-circuit fabrication requires interconnecting millions of microscopic transistors and resistors with metal wires. Making the metal wires flush, or coplanar, with underlying insulation requires digging trenches in the insulation, and then filling the trenches with metal to form the wires. Trench digging is time consuming and costly. Accordingly, the invention provides a new “trench-less” or “self-planarizing” method of making coplanar metal wires. Specifically, one embodiment forms a first layer that includes silicon and germanium; oxidizes a region of the first layer to define an oxidized region and a non-oxidized region; and reacts aluminum or an aluminum alloy with the non-oxidized region. The reaction substitutes, or replaces, the non-oxidized region with aluminum to form a metallic wire coplanar with the first layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2003
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Kie Y. Ahn, Leonard Forbes, Paul A. Farrar
  • Patent number: 6504225
    Abstract: Various embodiments of a circuit device for detecting the presence of unwanted conductor structures in insulation structure seams and methods of making the same are provided. In one aspect, a circuit device is provided that includes an insulating structure positioned on a substrate and a first conductor structure that has a first member positioned on the insulating structure. A second conductor structure is provided that has a second member positioned on the insulating structure. The second member projects toward the first conductor structure and the first member projects toward the second conductor structure, but the first and second conductor structures are not in physical contact. A current flowing between the first and second conductor structures when a bias is applied between the first and second conductor structures is indicative of a third conductor structure present on the insulating structure and contacting the first and second members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2003
    Assignee: Advanced Micro Devices, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael McCarthy, David E. Cooper, Denise C. Sale
  • Patent number: 6495899
    Abstract: In a semiconductor device including a semiconductor substrate, a well formed on the semiconductor substrate, and a thick field insulating layer for surrounding an active area of the well, a contact structure is buried in a contact hole provided in the thick field insulating layer and connected to the well, so as to fix a voltage at the well.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2002
    Assignee: NEC Corporation
    Inventor: Hidetaka Natsume
  • Publication number: 20020179991
    Abstract: Each connecting pad includes a continuous top metal layer on the top metallization level and having on its top face an area for welding a connecting wire. Also, the pad has a reinforcing structure under the welding area and includes at least one discontinuous metal layer on the immediately next lower metallization level, metal vias connecting the discontinuous metal layer to the bottom surface of the top metal layer, and an isolating cover covering the discontinuous metal layer and its discontinuities as well as the inter-via spaces between the two metallic layers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 14, 2002
    Publication date: December 5, 2002
    Applicant: STMicroelectronics S.A.
    Inventors: Michel Varrot, Guillaume Bouche, Roberto Gonella, Eric Sabouret
  • Patent number: 6479881
    Abstract: A semiconductor wafer having a double inter-metal dielectric layer formed in the gaps of and on closely. spaced metal interconnection circuitry. The double dielectric layer is formed by an in situ low temperature two step deposition HDP-CVD process separated by a cool-down period. The low temperature process mitigates metal line defects such as distortion or warping caused by heat generated during the process of filling gaps having aspect ratios greater than 2. The double dielectric layer is composed of Group IV materials, silicon being the preferred material. These double layers may be individually doped. Titanium nitride layers, present as by-products of seeding and anti-reflective coatings serve to reduce electro-migration of the metal circuitry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2002
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Ying-Lang Wang, Chun-Ching Tsan, Jowei Dun, Hung-Ju Chien