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: 8598677
    Abstract: Provided are a semiconductor device and a method for manufacturing the same. Since an additional space for forming a shield line is unnecessary, the critical dimension of metal lines is reduced, thereby improving data transfer characteristics, signaling characteristics and noise characteristics of the metal lines. The semiconductor device includes: a plurality of metal lines disposed on the semiconductor device; a plurality of insulation layers disposed on the metal lines; and a plurality of shield lines disposed between the insulation layers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Assignee: Hynix Semiconductor Inc
    Inventor: Sang Soo Lee
  • Patent number: 8569869
    Abstract: A method of manufacture of an integrated circuit packaging system includes: mounting an integrated circuit over a package carrier; mounting a rounded interconnect on the package carrier; mounting a conductive shield over the package carrier, the conductive shield having an elevated portion and a hole adjacent to the elevated portion with the elevated portion over the integrated circuit and the rounded interconnect exposed from the hole; and forming an encapsulation between the conductive shield and the package carrier with the rounded interconnect exposed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Assignee: Stats Chippac Ltd.
    Inventors: HyungSang Park, A Leam Choi, JoHyun Bae
  • Patent number: 8569860
    Abstract: In a semiconductor device having line type active regions and a method of fabricating the semiconductor device, the semiconductor device includes a device isolation layer which defines the line type active regions in a in a semiconductor substrate. Gate electrodes which are parallel to each other and intersect the line type active regions are disposed over the semiconductor substrate. Here, the gate electrodes include both a device gate electrode and a recessed device isolation gate electrode. Alternatively, each of the gate electrodes is constituted of a device gate electrode and a planar type device isolation gate electrode, and a width of the planar type device isolation gate electrode greater than a width of the device gate electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kye-Hee Yeom
  • Publication number: 20130264676
    Abstract: The invention provides a semiconductor package with a through silicon via (TSV) interconnect and a method for fabricating the same. An exemplary embodiment of the semiconductor package with a TSV interconnect includes a semiconductor substrate. A through hole is formed through the semiconductor substrate. A TSV interconnect is disposed in a through hole. A conductive layer lines a sidewall of the through hole, surrounding the TSV interconnect.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2013
    Publication date: October 10, 2013
    Applicant: MEDIATEK INC.
    Inventors: Ming-Tzong YANG, Cheng-Chou HUNG, Yu-Hua HUANG, Wei-Che HUANG
  • Publication number: 20130256831
    Abstract: A semiconductor memory device that has an isolated area formed from one conductivity and formed in part by a buried layer of a second conductivity that is implanted in a substrate. The walls of the isolated area are formed by implants that are formed from the second conductivity and extend down to the buried layer. The isolated region has implanted source lines and is further subdivided by overlay strips of the second conductivity that extend substantially down to the buried layer. Each isolation region can contain one or more blocks of memory cells.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2013
    Publication date: October 3, 2013
    Applicant: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Frankie F. Roohparvar
  • Publication number: 20130256830
    Abstract: Semiconductor-on-oxide structures and related methods of forming such structures are disclosed. In one case, a method includes: forming a first dielectric layer over a substrate; forming a first conductive layer over the first dielectric layer, the first conductive layer including one of a metal or a silicide; forming a second dielectric layer over the first conductive layer; bonding a donor wafer to the second dielectric layer, the donor wafer including a donor dielectric and a semiconductor layer; cleaving the donor wafer to remove a portion of the donor semiconductor layer; forming at least one semiconductor isolation region from an unremoved portion of the donor semiconductor layer; and forming a contact to the first conductive layer through donor dielectric and the second dielectric layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2012
    Publication date: October 3, 2013
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: John E. Barth, JR., Herbert L. Ho, Babar A. Khan, Kirk D. Peterson
  • Patent number: 8536711
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a through electrode that penetrates through a silicon substrate, an isolation trench provided to penetrate through the silicon substrate to surround the through electrode, a first silicon film in contact with an inner surface of the isolation trench, a second silicon film in contact with an outer surface of the isolation trench, and an insulation film provided between the first and second silicon films.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2013
    Assignee: Elpida Memory, Inc.
    Inventor: Shiro Uchiyama
  • Publication number: 20130234282
    Abstract: A method for fabricating a semiconductor substrate includes defining an active region by forming a device isolation layer over the substrate, forming a first trench dividing the active region into a first active region and a second active region, forming a buried bit line filling a portion of the first trench, forming a gap-filling layer gap-filling an upper portion of the first trench over the buried bit line, forming second trenches by etching the gap-filling layer and the device isolation layer in a direction crossing the buried bit line, and forming a first buried word line and a second buried word line filling the second trenches, wherein the first buried word line and the second buried word line are shaped around sidewalls of the first active region and the second active region, respectively.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2013
    Publication date: September 12, 2013
    Applicant: SK hynix Inc.
    Inventor: Jung-Woo PARK
  • Publication number: 20130234198
    Abstract: A novel electrical circuit protection design with dielectrically-isolated diode configuration and architecture is disclosed. In one embodiment of the invention, a plurality of diodes connected in series is monolithically integrated in a single piece of semiconductor substrates by utilizing dielectrically-isolated trenching and silicon-on-insulator substrates, which enable formation of “silicon islands” to insulate a diode structure electrically from adjacent structures. In one embodiment of the invention, the plurality of diodes connected in series includes at least one Zener diode, which provides a clamping voltage approximately equal to its breakdown voltage value in case of a voltage spike or a power surge event.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2012
    Publication date: September 12, 2013
    Applicant: Manufacturing Networks Incorporated (MNI)
    Inventors: Moiz Khambaty, David Burgess, Vallangiman V. Srinivasan
  • Patent number: 8513782
    Abstract: One aspect of the invention relates to a shielding device for shielding from electromagnetic radiation, including a shielding base element, a shielding cover element and a shielding lateral element for electrically connecting the base element to the cover element in such that a circuit part to be shielded is arranged within the shielding elements. Since at least one partial section of the shielding elements includes a semiconductor material, a shielding device can be realized completely and cost-effectively in an integrated circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventors: Winfried Bakalski, Bernd Eisener, Uwe Seidel, Markus Zannoth
  • Patent number: 8516425
    Abstract: A system and method are provided for reducing signal skew. The method includes receiving a netlist having components and connections among the components. Each connection has at least one signal wire. A plurality of net groups is identified, each net group including at least some of the connections and for which equivalent routing is desired. For each net group, the method includes systematically routing connection paths between the components for the connections, each connection path extending between an output of one of the components and an input to at least one other of the components and including at least one path fragment. Routing includes, for at least one of the connections of the net group, routing at least one grounded shielding wire in a routing channel adjacent and parallel to at least one of the path fragments of the connection path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: LSI Corporation
    Inventors: Andrey Nikitin, Ranko Scepanovic, Igor Kucherenko, William Lau, Cheng-Gang Kong, Hui-Yin Seto, Andrej Zolotykih, Ivan Pavisic, Sandeep Bhutani, Aiguo Lu, Ilya Lyalin
  • Publication number: 20130207227
    Abstract: A method, in one embodiment, can include forming a core trench and a termination trench in a substrate. The termination trench is wider than the core trench. In addition, a first oxide can be deposited that fills the core trench and lines the sidewalls and bottom of the termination trench. A first polysilicon can be deposited into the termination trench. A second oxide can be deposited above the first polysilicon. A mask can be deposited above the second oxide and the termination trench. The first oxide can be removed from the core trench. A third oxide can be deposited that lines the sidewalls and bottom of the core trench. The first oxide within the termination trench is thicker than the third oxide within the core trench.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 9, 2012
    Publication date: August 15, 2013
    Applicant: VISHAY-SILICONIX
    Inventors: Misbah Ul Azam, Kyle Terrill
  • Patent number: 8508018
    Abstract: Methods for fabricating integrated circuit electrical interconnects and electrical interconnects are provided. Methods include providing a substrate having a surface, the surface having a feature formed therein wherein the feature is a trench or via, depositing a metal layer, the metal of the metal layer being selected from the group consisting of Ru, Co, Pt, Ir, Pd, Re, and Rh, onto surfaces of the feature, depositing a copper seed layer wherein the copper seed layer comprises a dopant and the dopant is selected from the group consisting of Mn, Mg, MgB2. P, B, Al, Co and combinations thereof, onto the metal layer, and depositing copper into the feature. Devices comprising copper interconnects having metal liner layers are provided. Devices having liner layers comprising ruthenium are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Rohan N. Akolkar, Sridhar Balakrishnan, James S. Clarke, Christopher J. Jezewski, Philip Yashar
  • Publication number: 20130200487
    Abstract: A pattern structure for a semiconductor device includes a plurality of first patterns, each of the first patterns extending in a first direction in the shape of a line, neighboring first patterns being spaced apart from each other by a gap distance, the plurality of first patterns including a plurality of trenches in parallel with the line shapes, respective trenches being between neighboring first patterns, the plurality of trenches including long trenches and short trenches alternately arranged in a second direction substantially perpendicular to the first direction, and at least a second pattern, the second pattern being coplanar with the first pattern, end portions of the first patterns being connected to the second pattern.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: August 8, 2013
    Applicant: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventor: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
  • Patent number: 8502311
    Abstract: It is disclosed a semiconductor transistor, comprising a semiconductor substrate (111) in which a channel region (115) and a drain extension region (119) connected to the channel region are provided; a gate electrode (127) configured to provide an electric field for influencing the channel region; a first electrically conductive shield element (131) extending in a horizontal direction (103) parallel to a main surface of the semiconductor substrate and being arranged beside the gate electrode spaced apart from the drain extension region in a vertical direction (105) perpendicular to the horizontal direction; and a second electrically conductive shield element (133) arranged spaced apart from the first shield element in the vertical direction, wherein the gate electrode protrudes over the first shield element in the vertical direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: NXP B.V.
    Inventor: Stephan Jo Cecile Henri Theeuwen
  • Patent number: 8502338
    Abstract: A device includes a semiconductor substrate of a first conductivity type, wherein the semiconductor substrate comprises a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface. A through-substrate via (TSV) extends from the first surface to the second surface of the semiconductor substrate. A well region of a second conductivity type opposite the first conductivity type encircles the TSV, and extends from the first surface to the second surface of the semiconductor substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hsiao-Tsung Yen, Hsien-Pin Hu, Chin-Wei Kuo, Sally Liu
  • Patent number: 8502308
    Abstract: A low cost integration method for a plurality of deep isolation trenches on the same chip is provided. The trenches have an additional n-type or p-type doped region surrounding the trench—silicon interface. Providing such variations of doping the trench interface is achieved by using implantation masking layers or doped glass films structured by a simple resist mask. By simple layout variation of the top dimension of the trench various trench depths at the same time can be ensured. Using this method, wider trenches will be deeper and smaller trenches will be shallower.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: AMS AG
    Inventors: Martin Schrems, Jong Mun Park
  • Publication number: 20130193550
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing an integrated circuit, including the steps of forming first transistors on a first semiconductor layer; depositing a first insulating layer above the first semiconductor layer and the first transistors, and leveling the first insulating layer; depositing a conductive layer above the first insulating layer, and covering the conductive layer with a second insulating layer; bonding a semiconductor wafer to the second insulating layer; thinning the semiconductor wafer to obtain a second semiconductor layer; and forming second transistors on the second semiconductor layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2013
    Publication date: August 1, 2013
    Applicants: Commissariat a l'Energie Atomique et aux Energies Alternatives, STMicroelectronics S.A.
    Inventors: STMicroelectronics S.A., Commissariat a l'Energie Atomique et aux Energies Alternatives
  • Publication number: 20130193549
    Abstract: Methods of manufacturing a semiconductor device are provided. The method includes forming an isolation region in a substrate to define active regions extending in a single direction and being spaced apart from each other by the isolation region, forming a conductive layer in the isolation region and the active regions, etching the conductive layer to form bit line trenches extending in a first direction that is non-perpendicular to the single direction, forming bit line patterns in respective ones of the bit line trenches, etching the conductive layer to form a plurality of plug trenches two dimensionally arrayed along the first direction and a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, and filling the plug trenches with an insulation material to define conductive plug patterns in portions of the active regions. Related semiconductor devices are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2012
    Publication date: August 1, 2013
    Applicant: SK HYNIX INC.
    Inventor: Jin Yul LEE
  • Patent number: 8497543
    Abstract: A semiconductor memory device includes a semiconductor substrate, a plurality of element isolations, a plurality of first stacked bodies, a second stacked body, and an interlayer insulating film. Distance between each of the first stacked bodies and the second stacked body is longer than distance between adjacent ones of the first stacked bodies. A first void is formed in the interlayer insulating film between the first stacked bodies. A second void is formed in the interlayer insulating film between one of the first stacked bodies and the second stacked body. And, a lower end of the second void is located above a lower end of the first void.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2013
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Jun Ogi, Takeshi Kamigaichi, Tatsuo Izumi
  • Patent number: 8487400
    Abstract: The present invention extends the above referenced continuation-in-part application by in addition creating high quality electrical components, such as inductors, capacitors or resistors, on a layer of passivation or on the surface of a thick layer of polymer. In addition, the process of the invention provides a method for mounting discrete electrical components at a significant distance removed from the underlying silicon surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2013
    Assignee: Megica Corporation
    Inventor: Mou-Shiung Lin
  • Publication number: 20130175663
    Abstract: A semiconductor memory device includes linear patterns disposed between isolation trenches extending in a first direction in a semiconductor device and having a first crystal direction the same as the semiconductor substrate. A bridge pattern connects at least two adjacent linear patterns and includes a semiconductor material having a second crystal direction different from the first crystal direction. A first isolation layer pattern is disposed in at least one of the isolation trenches in a field region of the semiconductor substrate. Memory cells are disposed on at least one of the linear patterns.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 27, 2012
    Publication date: July 11, 2013
    Applicant: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
  • Patent number: 8482107
    Abstract: A device that comprises a plurality of circuit elements on a substrate; a shielding element between at least two of the plurality of circuit elements; and a bonding element that electrically connects the shielding element to a grounding circuit of a semiconductor chip that is on the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2013
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Shinji Rokuhara, Shuichi Oka, Katsuji Matsumoto, Shusaku Yanagawa
  • Patent number: 8482095
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a plurality of high-voltage insulated-gate field-effect transistors arranged in a matrix form on the main surface of a semiconductor substrate and each having a gate electrode, a gate electrode contact formed on the gate electrode, and a wiring layer which is formed on the gate electrode contacts adjacent in a gate-width direction to electrically connect the gate electrodes arranged in the gate-width direction. And the device includes shielding gates provided on portions of an element isolation region which lie between the transistors adjacent in the gate-width direction and gate-length direction and used to apply reference potential or potential of a polarity different from that of potential applied to the gate of the transistor to turn on the current path of the transistor to the element isolation region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2013
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Kutsukake, Kikuko Sugimae, Takeshi Kamigaichi
  • Patent number: 8481374
    Abstract: A substrate diode of an SOI device may be formed on the basis of contact regions in an early manufacturing stage, i.e., prior to patterning gate electrode structures of transistors, thereby imparting superior stability to the sensitive diode regions, such as the PN junction. In some illustrative embodiments, only one additional deposition step may be required compared to conventional strategies, thereby providing a very efficient overall process flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2013
    Assignee: GLOBALFOUNDRIES Inc.
    Inventor: Thilo Scheiper
  • Publication number: 20130147007
    Abstract: Two trenches having different widths are formed in a semiconductor-on-insulator (SOI) substrate. An oxygen-impermeable layer and a fill material layer are formed in the trenches. The fill material layer and the oxygen-impermeable layer are removed from within a first trench. A thermal oxidation is performed to convert semiconductor materials underneath sidewalls of the first trench into an upper thermal oxide portion and a lower thermal oxide portion, while the remaining oxygen-impermeable layer on sidewalls of a second trench prevents oxidation of the semiconductor materials. After formation of a node dielectric on sidewalls of the second trench, a conductive material is deposited to fill the trenches, thereby forming a conductive trench fill portion and an inner electrode, respectively. The upper and lower thermal oxide portions function as components of dielectric material portions that electrically isolate two device regions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2011
    Publication date: June 13, 2013
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Roger A. Booth, JR., Kangguo Cheng, Joseph Ervin, Chengwen Pei, Ravi M. Todi, Geng Wang
  • Publication number: 20130134548
    Abstract: In a semiconductor device, the thickness of an insulating film formed in a through hole is reduced, while an annular groove having an insulating material embedded therein is provided so as to ensure a sufficient total thickness of the insulator, whereby a through silicon via is provided with an insulating ring which is improved in both processability and functionality.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 8, 2012
    Publication date: May 30, 2013
    Applicant: Elpida Memory, Inc.
    Inventor: Elpida Memory, Inc.
  • Patent number: 8450731
    Abstract: A multi-layer film body comprises a plastic substrate strip conveyed in a first direction in a roll-to-roll process for printing electronic organic components on the substrate. A first electrically conducting layer is on the substrate, a semiconductor layer is on the first layer, an insulator layer is on the semiconductor layer and a second electrically conducting layer is on the insulator layer, the layers comprising a first interconnection assembly portion and a second electronic assembly portion successively positioned in the first direction, each portion comprising a central zone and a respective conductor tract input zone and conductor tract output zone bordering the respective central zones, the input, central and output zones of each portion each comprising parallel conductor tracts in the first conducting layer. Electrical connectors in the second conducting layer interconnect selected ones of the conductor tracts in the two portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2013
    Assignee: PolyIC GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Andreas Ullmann, Alexander Knobloch, Jurgen Krumm
  • Patent number: 8432022
    Abstract: A shielded embedded electronic component substrate includes a core dielectric layer having a die opening. An electrically conductive die shield lines the die opening. An electronic component is mounted within the die opening and to the die shield, where the die shield shields the electronic component. By mounting the electronic component within the die opening, the shielded embedded electronic component substrate is made relatively thin. Further, heat generated by the electronic component is dissipated to the die shield and to the ambient environment. Accordingly, the shielded embedded electronic component substrate is well suited for use when the electronic component generates a significant amount of heat, e.g., in high power applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2013
    Assignee: Amkor Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Ronald Patrick Huemoeller, Brett Dunlap, David Jon Hiner
  • Patent number: 8426941
    Abstract: A technique capable of promoting miniaturization of an RF power module used in a mobile phone etc. is provided. A directional coupler is formed inside a semiconductor chip in which an amplification part of the RF power module is formed. A sub-line of the directional coupler is formed in the same layer as a drain wire coupled to the drain region of an LDMOSFET, which will serve as the amplification part of the semiconductor chip. Due to this, the predetermined drain wire is used as a main line and the directional coupler is configured by a sub-line arranged in parallel to the main line via an insulating film, together with the main line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2013
    Assignee: Renesas Electronics Corporation
    Inventors: Satoshi Sakurai, Satoshi Goto, Toru Fujioka
  • Publication number: 20130093043
    Abstract: An array or moat isolation structure for eDRAM and methods of manufacture is provided. The method includes forming a deep trench for a memory array and an isolation region. The method includes forming a node dielectric on exposed surfaces of the deep trench for the memory array and the isolation region. The method includes filling remaining portions of the deep trench for the memory array with a metal, and lining the deep trench of the isolation region with the metal. The method includes filling remaining portions of the deep trench for the isolation region with a material, on the metal within the deep trench for the memory array. The method includes recessing the metal within the deep trench for the memory array and the isolation region. The metal in the deep trench of the memory array is recessed to a greater depth than the metal in the isolation region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 17, 2011
    Publication date: April 18, 2013
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Naoyoshi KUSABA, Oh-jung KWON, Zhengwen LI, Hongwen YAN
  • Patent number: 8421183
    Abstract: A structure includes a substrate comprising a region having a circuit or device which is sensitive to electrical noise. Additionally, the structure includes a first isolation structure extending through an entire thickness of the substrate and surrounding the region and a second isolation structure extending through the entire thickness of the substrate and surrounding the region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Hanyi Ding, Kai D. Feng, Zhong-Xiang He, Xuefeng Liu
  • Patent number: 8410574
    Abstract: An integrated microelectronic device is formed from a substrate having a first side and a second side and including a doped active zone (2) in the first side of the substrate. A circuit component is situated in the doped active zone. A through silicon via extends between the second side and the first side, the via being electrically isolated from the substrate by an insulating layer. A buffer zone is situated between the insulating layer and the doped active zone. This buffer zone is positioned under a shallow trench isolation zone provided around the doped active zone. The buffer zone functions to reduce the electrical coupling between the through silicon via and the doped active zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2013
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics (Crolles 2) SAS
    Inventors: Alexis Farcy, Maxime Rousseau
  • Patent number: 8410583
    Abstract: A security chip is disclosed. The security chip includes: a substrate; an integrated circuit disposed on the substrate, the integrated circuit including circuit elements, circuit interconnect layers connecting the circuit elements together, and interlayer contacts supporting the circuit interconnect layers; a shield to at least partially shield the integrated circuit; and at least one lightwell in the shield and the integrated circuit, wherein each lightwell has a closed shape formed from parts of the circuit interconnect layers and interlayer contacts, wherein no exploitable voltage can be measured on the parts of the circuit interconnect layers and interlayer contacts, and wherein each lightwell forms a path for light to penetrate to the substrate preventing the light from reaching the circuit elements. Related apparatus and methods are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2013
    Assignee: NDS Limited
    Inventors: John Walker, Tony Boswell
  • Patent number: 8399932
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a silicon substrate; an element isolation region; an element region including a first well; a contact region; a gate electrode extending from the element region to a sub-region of the element isolation region between the element region and the contact region; a source diffusion region; a drain diffusion region; a first insulating region contacting a lower end of the source diffusion region; a second insulating region contacting a lower end of the drain diffusion region; and a via plug configured to electrically connect the gate electrode with the contact region. The first well is disposed below the gate electrode and is electrically connected with the contact region via the silicon substrate under the sub-region. The lower end of the element isolation region except the sub-region is located lower than the lower end of the first well.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2013
    Assignee: Fujitsu Semiconductor Limited
    Inventors: Eiji Yoshida, Akihisa Yamaguchi
  • Patent number: 8386979
    Abstract: Methods and apparatuses to design an Integrated Circuit (IC) with a shielding of wires. In at least one embodiment, a shielding mesh of at least two reference voltages (e.g., power and ground) is used to reduce both the capacitive coupling and the inductive coupling in routed signal wires in IC chips. In some embodiments, a type of shielding mesh (e.g., a shielding mesh with a window surrounded by a power ring, or a window with a parser set of shielding wires) is selected to make more routing area available in locally congested areas. In other embodiments, the shielding mesh is used to create or add bypass capacitance. Other embodiments are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2013
    Assignee: Synopsys, Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth S. McElvain, William Halpin
  • Patent number: 8378445
    Abstract: A semiconductor structure includes a semiconductor substrate of a first conductivity, an epitaxial layer of a second conductivity on the substrate and a buried layer of the second conductivity interposed between the substrate and the epitaxial layer. A first trench structure extends through the epitaxial layer and the buried layer to the substrate and includes sidewall insulation and conductive material in electrical contact with the substrate at a bottom of the first trench structure. A second trench structure extends through the epitaxial layer to the buried layer and includes sidewall insulation and conductive material in electrical contact with the buried layer at a bottom of the second trench structure. A region of insulating material laterally extends from the conductive material of the first trench structure to the conductive material of the second trench structure and longitudinally extends to a substantial depth of the second trench structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventors: Brahim Elattari, Franz Hirler
  • Patent number: 8378490
    Abstract: A method of integrated circuit fabrication is provided, and more particularly fabrication of a semiconductor apparatus with a metallic alloy. An exemplary structure for a semiconductor apparatus comprises a first silicon substrate having a first contact comprising a silicide layer between the substrate and a first metal layer; a second silicon substrate having a second contact comprising a second metal layer; and a metallic alloy between the first metal layer of the first contact and the second metal layer of the second contact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Chyi-Tsong Ni, I-Shi Wang, Hsin-Kuei Lee, Ching-Hou Su
  • Patent number: 8378466
    Abstract: Described herein are wafer-level semiconductor device packages with EMI shielding and related methods. In one embodiment, a semiconductor device package includes: (1) a semiconductor device; (2) a package body covering lateral surfaces of the semiconductor device, a lower surface of the package body and a lower surface of the semiconductor device defining a front surface; (3) a set of redistribution layers disposed adjacent to the front surface, the set of redistribution layers including a grounding element that includes a connection surface electrically exposed adjacent to at least one lateral surface of the set of redistribution layers; and (4) an EMI shield disposed adjacent to the package body and electrically connected to the connection surface of the grounding element. The grounding element provides an electrical pathway to ground electromagnetic emissions incident upon the EMI shield.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Assignee: Advanced Semiconductor Engineering, Inc.
    Inventors: Chi-Tsung Chiu, Kuo-Hsien Liao, Wei-Chi Yih, Yu-Chi Chen, Chen-Chuan Fan
  • Publication number: 20130026599
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes an isolation portion penetrating a semiconductor substrate from a first surface to a second surface positioned opposite the first surface. The isolation portion includes a first insulating film and a second insulating film. The first insulating film has a slit portion at a side of the first surface and the slit portion is buried with the second insulating film. The semiconductor device further includes an electrode penetrating the semiconductor substrate that is surrounded by the isolation portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2012
    Publication date: January 31, 2013
    Applicant: Elpida Memory, Inc.
    Inventors: Nobuyuki NAKAMURA, Takuyuki MURAMOTO, Takeo TSUKAMOTO
  • Publication number: 20130015553
    Abstract: A type of high voltage isolation trench, its fabrication method and an MOS device are disclosed. The isolation trench includes a trench extending to a buried oxide layer of a wafer, with high concentration N+ injected to a side wall of the trench, polysilicon being filled in the trench and oxides are being filled between the side wall of the trench and the polysilicon. Multiple composite structures are used to fill the vacant trench to reduce stress brought by trenching so as to improve performance of the device on one hand and to achieve the purpose of increasing breakdown voltage and improving superficial flatness on the other hand.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 13, 2012
    Publication date: January 17, 2013
    Applicant: NORTH CHINA UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY
    Inventor: Yanfeng Jiang
  • Publication number: 20130015504
    Abstract: A TSV structure includes a wafer including a first side and a second side, a through via connecting the first side and the second side, a through via dielectric layer covering the inner wall of the through via, a conductive layer which fills up the through via and consists of a single material to be a seamless TSV structure, a first dielectric layer covering the first side and surrounding the conductive layer as well as a second dielectric layer covering the second side and part of the through via dielectric layer but partially covered by the conductive layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 11, 2011
    Publication date: January 17, 2013
    Inventors: Chien-Li Kuo, Chin-Sheng Yang, Ming-Tse Lin
  • Patent number: 8354732
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a SOI (silicon on insulator) substrate having a first region and a second region, a multilayer wiring layer formed on the SOI substrate and having an insulating layer and a wiring layer alternately stacked in this order, a first inductor formed over the SOI substrate, and a second inductor formed over the SOI substrate and positioned above the first inductor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2013
    Assignee: Renesas Electronics Corporation
    Inventor: Yasutaka Nakashiba
  • Publication number: 20130001738
    Abstract: A high breakdown voltage integrated circuit isolator device communicates a digital signal from a signal input on one semiconductor die to a signal output on another semiconductor die while providing high voltage isolation between the signal input and the signal output. Each die may include a respective capacitive isolation barrier structure that couple together via a bonding wire between combined top metal/bonding pads of the capacitive isolation barrier structures.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2011
    Publication date: January 3, 2013
    Applicant: SILICON LABORATORIES, INC.
    Inventor: Zhiwei Dong
  • Patent number: 8344479
    Abstract: Integrated circuit inductors (5) are formed by interconnecting various metal layers (10) in an integrated circuit with continuous vias (200). Using continuous vias (200) improves the Q factor over existing methods for high frequency applications. The contiguous length of the continuous vias should be greater than three percent of the length of the inductor (5).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2013
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Robert L. Pitts, Greg C. Baldwin
  • Patent number: 8338952
    Abstract: A method for fabricating an interconnect structure for interconnecting a semiconductor substrate to have three distinct patterned structures such that the interconnect structure provides both a low k and high structural integrity. The method includes depositing an interlayer dielectric onto the semiconductor substrate, forming a first pattern within the interlayer dielectric material by a first lithographic process that results in both via features and ternary features being formed in the interconnect structure. The method further includes forming a second pattern within the interlayer dielectric material by a second lithographic process to form line features within the interconnect structure. Hence the method forms the three separate distinct patterned structures using only two lithographic processes for each interconnect level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2012
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Matthew E. Colburn, Elbert Huang, Satyanarayana V. Nitta, Sampath Purushothaman
  • Patent number: 8338875
    Abstract: Isolation trenches are formed in the main surface of a semiconductor substrate, and isolation regions. are embedded in these trenches. First insulating films, charge storage layers, a second insulating film, and a control gate are formed on the main surface of the semiconductor substrate sectioned by the isolation regions. Shielding layers are arranged in the isolation regions in such a manner that their bottom portions are lower than the channel regions and their upper portions are higher than at least the main surface of the semiconductor substrate to provide an electric and magnetic shield between their storage layers and channel regions of adjacent memory cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2012
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventor: Takashi Nakao
  • Patent number: 8334580
    Abstract: A technique capable of promoting miniaturization of an RF power module used in a mobile phone etc. is provided. A directional coupler is formed inside a semiconductor chip in which an amplification part of the RF power module is formed. A sub-line of the directional coupler is formed in the same layer as a drain wire coupled to the drain region of an LDMOSFET, which will serve as the amplification part of the semiconductor chip. Due to this, the predetermined drain wire is used as a main line and the directional coupler is configured by a sub-line arranged in parallel to the main line via an insulating film, together with the main line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2012
    Assignee: Renesas Electronics Corporation
    Inventors: Satoshi Sakurai, Satoshi Goto, Toru Fujioka
  • Patent number: 8319282
    Abstract: A bipolar transistor structure includes an epitaxial layer on a semiconductor substrate, a bipolar transistor device formed in the epitaxial layer and a trench structure formed in the epitaxial layer adjacent at least two opposing lateral sides of the bipolar transistor device. The trench structure includes a field plate spaced apart from the epitaxial layer by an insulating material. The bipolar transistor structure further includes a base contact connected to a base of the bipolar transistor device, an emitter contact connected to an emitter of the bipolar transistor device and isolated from the base contact and an electrical connection between the emitter contact and the field plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies Austria AG
    Inventors: Christoph Kadow, Thorsten Meyer, Norbert Krischke
  • Patent number: 8309993
    Abstract: A pixel of an image sensor includes a polysilicon layer, and an active region which needs to be electrically coupled with the polysilicon layer, wherein the polysilicon layer extends over a portion of the active region, such that the polysilicon layer and the active region are partially overlapped, and the polysilicon layer and the active region are coupled through a buried contact structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2012
    Assignee: Intellectual Ventures II LLC
    Inventors: Woon-Il Choi, Hyung-Sik Kim, Ui-Sik Kim