Physical Configuration Of Semiconductor (e.g., Mesa, Bevel, Groove, Etc.) Patents (Class 257/618)
  • Publication number: 20140327114
    Abstract: A semiconductor component includes a two-sided semiconductor body, an inner zone with a basic doping of a first conduction type, and two semiconductor zones. The first zone, disposed between the first side and inner zone, is of the first conduction type with a doping concentration higher than that of the inner zone. The second zone, disposed between the second side and inner zone, is of a second conduction type complementary to the first type with a doping concentration higher than that of the inner zone. At least one first edge chamfer extends at a first angle to the extension plane of the transition from the second zone to the inner zone at least along the edge of the second zone and inner zone. At least one buried zone of the second conduction type is provided between the first zone and inner zone, and extends substantially parallel to the first zone.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 6, 2012
    Publication date: November 6, 2014
    Applicant: INFINEON TECHNOLOGIES BIPOLAR GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventors: Reiner Barthelmess, Hans-Joachim Schulze, Uwe Kellner-Werdehausen, Josef Lutz, Thomas Basler
  • Publication number: 20140312464
    Abstract: In a method of manufacturing a semiconductor device, a molding die for molding a resin case for a semiconductor device is prepared such that the molding die has protrusions to fix each of a plurality of terminals having a leg portion in a predetermined position. Each of the plurality of terminals is held to the corresponding protrusions in the molding die, and resin is injected into the molding die to integrally mold the plurality of terminals and the resin case.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2014
    Publication date: October 23, 2014
    Applicant: FUJI ELECTRIC CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kazunaga ONISHI, Rikihiro MARUYAMA, Masafumi TEZUKA, Masahiro KIKUCHI
  • Publication number: 20140312301
    Abstract: Described is a method for producing a semiconductor device (100), in which at least one column-shaped or wall-shaped semiconductor device (10, 20) extending in a main direction (z) is formed on a substrate (30), wherein at least two sections (11, 13, 21, 23) of a first crystal type and one section (12, 22) of a second crystal type therebetween are formed in an active region (40), each section with a respective predetermined height (h1, h2), wherein the first and second crystal types have different lattice constants and each of the sections of the first crystal type has a lattice strain which depends on the lattice constants in the section of the second crystal type.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 9, 2012
    Publication date: October 23, 2014
    Applicant: Forschungsverbund Berlin e.V.
    Inventors: Oliver Brandt, Lutz Geelhaar, Vladimir Kaganer, Martin Woelz
  • Patent number: 8866266
    Abstract: A nanotubular MOSFET device extends a scaling roadmap while maintaining good short channel effects and providing competitive drive current. The nanotubular MOSFET device includes a concentric tubular inner and outer gate separated from each other by a tubular shaped epitaxially grown silicon layer, and a source and drain respectively separated by spacers surrounding the tubular inner and outer gates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Daniel Tekleab, Hung H. Tran, Jeffrey W. Sleight, Dureseti Chidambarrao
  • Patent number: 8866488
    Abstract: A device, such as a 3DIC stacked device includes a first device under test (DUT) connected to a first force pad by a first through substrate via (TSV) stack and connected to a first sense pad by a second TSV stack. The device further includes a second DUT stacked above the first DUT and connected to a second force pad and a second force pad by a second third TSV and connected to a second sense pad by a fourth TSV. Functional blocks on either the first or second blocks can be accessed for testing by way of the TSVs. In some applications the TSVs are vertically aligned to form TSV stacks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Mill-Jer Wang, Ching Nen Peng, Hung-Chih Lin, Hao Chen
  • Patent number: 8866204
    Abstract: A method for fabricating a finFET device having an insulating layer that insulates the fin from a substrate is described. The insulating layer can prevent leakage current that would otherwise flow through bulk semiconductor material in the substrate. The structure may be fabricated starting with a bulk semiconductor substrate, without the need for a semiconductor-on-insulator substrate. Fin structures may be formed by epitaxial growth, which can improve the uniformity of fin heights in the devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignees: STMicroelectronics, Inc., International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Qing Liu, Junli Wang
  • Patent number: 8865288
    Abstract: A micro-needle array having tips disposed along a non-planar surface is formed by shaping the wafer surface into a non-planar surface to define the tips of the micro-needles. A plurality of trenches are cut into the wafer to form a plurality of columns having tops corresponding to the non-planar surface. The columns are rounded and sharpened by etching to form the micro-needles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: University of Utah Research Foundation
    Inventors: Rajmohan Bhandari, Sandeep Negi, Florian Solzbacher, Richard A. Normann
  • Publication number: 20140306321
    Abstract: There is provided a method of fabricating a semiconductor device, the method including: forming a semiconductor component portion at a first surface of a substrate; applying a grinding treatment to a second surface of the substrate that is opposite from the first surface to form a fracture surface; applying a fracture surface removal treatment to predetermined positions of the fracture surface of the second surface; and forming an electrode at the second surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2014
    Publication date: October 16, 2014
    Applicant: LAPIS SEMICONDUCTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventor: YUICHI KANEKO
  • Patent number: 8859399
    Abstract: A method of at least partially releasing an epitaxial layer of a material from a substrate. The method comprises the steps of: forming a patterned sacrificial layer on the substrate such that the substrate is partially exposed and partially covered by the sacrificial layer; growing the epitaxial layer on the patterned sacrificial layer by nano-epitaxial lateral overgrowth such that the epitaxial layer is formed above an intermediate layer comprising the patterned sacrificial layer and said material; and selectively etching the patterned sacrificial layer such that the epitaxial layer is at least partially released from the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: Agency for Science, Technology and Research
    Inventors: Keyan Zang, Jinghua Teng, Soo Jin Chua
  • Patent number: 8860184
    Abstract: Spacer-based pitch division lithography techniques are disclosed that realize pitches with both variable line widths and variable space widths, using a single spacer deposition. The resulting feature pitches can be at or below the resolution limit of the exposure system being used, but they need not be, and may be further reduced (e.g., halved) as many times as desired with subsequent spacer formation and pattern transfer processes as described herein. Such spacer-based pitch division techniques can be used, for instance, to define narrow conductive runs, metal gates and other such small features at a pitch smaller than the original backbone pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Swaminathan Sivakumar, Elliot N. Tan
  • Publication number: 20140299968
    Abstract: A method of making a semiconductor device comprises : providing a semiconductor wafer having a semiconductor layer; forming a first mask layer over the semiconductor layer; forming a second mask layer over the first mask layer; annealing the second mask layer to form islands; etching through the first mask layer and the semiconductor layer using the islands as a mask to form an array of pillars; and growing semiconductor material between the pillars and then over the tops of the pillars.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 29, 2012
    Publication date: October 9, 2014
    Applicant: SEREN PHOTONICS LIMITED
    Inventor: Tao Wang
  • Publication number: 20140299967
    Abstract: A physical structure and a method for forming a electronic devices on a substrate comprising: providing a substrate; forming a plurality of layers on the substrate, the layers comprising at least two layers of conducting material and a layer of insulating material therebetween; depositing photoresist material onto predetermined regions of the plurality of layers, the photoresist material varying in thickness; utilizing gray scale illumination on the photoresist material; removing a portion of the layers using physical etching to expose predetermined portions of the conducting layers. Optionally, the photoresist may be utilized on a plurality of discrete electronic devices concurrently, such that the gray scale illumination is conducted on a plurality of discrete electronic devices concurrently. Similarly, the physical etching may be conducted on the discrete electronic devices concurrently; removing different thicknesses of material concurrently. Also claimed is a product made by the claimed method.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 5, 2013
    Publication date: October 9, 2014
    Applicant: U.S. Army Research Laboratory ATTN: RDRL-LOC-I
    Inventors: GABRIEL l. Smith, BRENDAN HANRAHAN, CHRISTOPHER M. WAITS, RONALD G. POLCAWICH, LUZ SANCHEZ, SARAH SALAH BEDAIR
  • Publication number: 20140299971
    Abstract: A method of forming a reversed pattern in a substrate. A resist on a substrate is exposed and developed to form a pattern therein, the patterned resist having a first polarity. The polarity of the patterned resist is reversed to a second polarity, and a reversal film is formed over the patterned resist having the second polarity. The patterned resist having the second polarity is removed, forming a pattern in the reversal film. The pattern in the reversal film is then transferred to the substrate. Additional methods of forming a reversed pattern in a substrate are disclosed, as is a semiconductor structure formed during the methods.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2014
    Publication date: October 9, 2014
    Inventors: Kaveri Jain, Anton J. deVilliers
  • Publication number: 20140299969
    Abstract: Compositions for directed self-assembly (DSA) patterning techniques are provided. Methods for directed self-assembly are also provided in which a DSA composition comprising a block copolymer is applied to a substrate and then self-assembled to form the desired pattern. The block copolymer includes at least two blocks of differing etch rates, so that one block (e.g., polymethylmethacrylate) is selectively removed during etching. Because the slower etching block (e.g., polystyrene) is modified with an additive to further slow the etch rate of that block, more of the slow etching block remains behind to fully transfer the pattern to underlying layers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 1, 2014
    Publication date: October 9, 2014
    Applicant: Brewer Science Inc.
    Inventors: Kui Xu, Mary Ann Hockey, Douglas Guerrero
  • Publication number: 20140299970
    Abstract: A semiconductor integrated circuit device includes: a rectangular shaped semiconductor substrate; a metal wiring layer formed on or over the semiconductor substrate; and a passivation layer covering the metal wiring layer. A corner non-wiring region where no portion of the metal wiring layer is formed is disposed in a corner of the semiconductor substrate. A slit is formed in a portion of the metal wiring layer which is close to the corner of the semiconductor substrate. The passivation layer includes a first passivation layer which is formed on the metal wiring layer and a second passivation layer which is formed on the first passivation layer. The first passivation layer is formed of a material that is softer than a material of the second passivation layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2014
    Publication date: October 9, 2014
    Inventors: Mitsuru Okazaki, Youichi Kajiwara, Naoki Takahashi, Akira Shimizu
  • Publication number: 20140291812
    Abstract: Embodiments are directed to a package that includes an electric device having a recess. In one embodiment, the electric device is a sensor and the recess reduces signal drift of the sensor caused by thermal expansion of the package. In another embodiment, the recess is substantially filled with adhesive material, thus increasing adhesion between the electric device and a substrate of the package while at the same time allowing for lower adhesive fillets.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2013
    Publication date: October 2, 2014
    Applicant: STMicroelectronics Pte Ltd.
    Inventors: Kim-Yong Goh, Xueren Zhang, Yiyi Ma
  • Publication number: 20140292430
    Abstract: An electronic device according to an aspect of the invention include: a substrate; an underlayer having an opening and being formed on the substrate; a functional element provided on the underlayer; and a surrounding wall forming a cavity that accommodates the functional element, at least a part of the surrounding wall being disposed in the opening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2014
    Publication date: October 2, 2014
    Applicant: SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION
    Inventor: Takahiko YOSHIZAWA
  • Publication number: 20140291813
    Abstract: While reliably cutting an object to be processed, the strength of the resulting chips is improved. An object to be processed 1 is irradiated with laser light L, so as to form modified regions 17, 27, 37, 47 extending along lines to cut 5 and aligning in the thickness direction in the object 1. Here, modified regions 17 are formed such that modified region formed parts 17a and modified region unformed parts 17b alternate along the lines, and modified regions 47 are formed such that modified region formed parts 47a and modified region unformed parts 47b alternate along the lines. This can inhibit formed modified regions 7 from lowering the strengths on the rear face 21 side and front face 3 side of chips obtained by cutting. On the other hand, modified regions 27, 37 located between the modified regions 17, 47 are formed continuously from one end side of the lines 5 to the other end side thereof, whereby the cuttability of the object 1 can be secured reliably.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 16, 2014
    Publication date: October 2, 2014
    Inventors: Aiko Nakagawa, Takeshi Sakamoto
  • Publication number: 20140285980
    Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for converting a strain-inducing semiconductor buffer layer into an electrical insulator at one or more locations of the buffer layer, thereby allowing an above device layer to have a number of benefits, which in some embodiments include those that arise from being grown on a strain-inducing buffer and having a buried electrical insulator layer. For instance, having a buried electrical insulator layer (initially used as a strain-inducing buffer during fabrication of the above active device layer) between the Fin and substrate of a non-planar integrated transistor circuit may simultaneously enable a low-doped Fin with high mobility, desirable device electrostatics and elimination or otherwise reduction of substrate junction leakage. Also, the presence of such an electrical insulator under the source and drain regions may further significantly reduce junction leakage. In some embodiments, substantially the entire buffer layer is converted to an electrical insulator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 13, 2012
    Publication date: September 25, 2014
    Inventors: Annalisa Cappellani, Van H. Le, Glenn A. Glass, Kelin J. Kuhn, Stephen M. Cea
  • Publication number: 20140284770
    Abstract: The method of manufacturing a semiconductor device according to the present invention includes: a step of forming a semiconductor laminate on a growth substrate with a lift-off layer therebetween; a step of providing grooves in a grid pattern in the semiconductor laminate, thereby forming a plurality of semiconductor structures each having a nearly quadrangular transverse cross-sectional shape; a step of forming a conductive support body; and a step of removing the lift-off layer using a chemical lift-off process, in which step, in supplying an etchant to the grooves via through-holes provided in a portion above the grooves, the lift-off layer is etched from only one side surface of each semiconductor structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2011
    Publication date: September 25, 2014
    Applicants: DOWA ELECTRONICS MATERIALS CO., LTD., BBSA LIMITED
    Inventors: Meoung Whan Cho, Seog Woo Lee, Ryuichi Toba, Yoshitaka Kadowaki
  • Patent number: 8841751
    Abstract: The present invention provides a semiconductor wafer, a semiconductor chip and a semiconductor package. The semiconductor wafer includes a first pad, a first inter-layer dielectric and a second pad. The first pad is disposed on a top surface of a semiconductor substrate and has a solid portion and a plurality of through holes. The first inter-layer dielectric covers the first pad. The second pad is disposed on the first inter-layer dielectric and has a solid portion and a plurality of through holes, wherein the through holes of the first pad correspond to the solid portion of the second pad.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2014
    Assignee: Advanced Semiconductor Engineering, Inc.
    Inventors: Chen-Chao Wang, Ying-Te Ou
  • Publication number: 20140264762
    Abstract: A semiconductor wafer stack and a method of forming a semiconductor device is disclosed. The method includes providing first and second wafers with top and bottom surfaces. The wafers include edge and non-edge regions, and the first wafer includes devices formed in the non-edge region. A first protection seal may be formed at the edge region of the first wafer. The first and second wafers may further be bonded to form a device stack. The protection seal in the device stack contacts the first and second wafers to form a seal, and protects the devices in subsequent processing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 10, 2014
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: GLOBAL FOUNDRIES Singapore Pte. Ltd.
    Inventors: Ranjan RAJOO, Kai Chong CHAN
  • Publication number: 20140264765
    Abstract: A wafer surface of a semiconductor wafer to be used as a device active region is mirror-polished, and an outer peripheral portion of the mirror-polished wafer surface is further polished, thereby forming an edge roll-off region between the device active region of the wafer surface and a beveled portion formed at the wafer edge. The edge roll-off region has a specific roll-off shape corresponding to an edge roll-off of the oxide film to be formed in a device fabrication process. Thus, a semiconductor wafer can be provided in which reduction in the thickness of an oxide film on the outer peripheral portion of the wafer in a CMP process can be prevented while maintaining high flatness of the wafer surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2014
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: SUMCO CORPORATION
    Inventor: Sumihisa Masuda
  • Publication number: 20140264758
    Abstract: One method disclosed herein includes forming a layer of insulating material above a semiconductor substrate, forming a hard mask layer comprised of a metal-containing material above the layer of insulating material, forming a blanket protection layer on the hard mask layer, forming a masking layer above the protection layer, performing at least one etching process on the masking layer to form a patterned masking layer having an opening that stops on and exposes a portion of the blanket protection layer, confirming that the patterned masking layer is properly positioned relative to at least one underlying structure or layer and, after confirming that the patterned masking layer is properly positioned, performing at least one etching process through the patterned masking layer to pattern at least the blanket protection layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: GLOBALFOUNDRIES INC.
    Inventors: Torsten Huisinga, Keith Donegan, Robert Seidel
  • Publication number: 20140264761
    Abstract: In one embodiment, methods for making semiconductor devices are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2014
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: SEMICONDUCTOR COMPONENTS INDUSTRIES, LLC
    Inventors: Jan Sik, Petr Kostelník, Lukás Válek, Michal Lorenc, Milos Pospìsil, David Lysácek, John Michael Parsey, JR.
  • Publication number: 20140264763
    Abstract: In a method for fabricating an engineered substrate for semiconductor epitaxy, an array of seed structures is assembled on a surface of the substrate. The seed structures in the array have substantially similar directional orientations of their crystal lattices, and are spatially separated from each other. Semiconductor materials are selectively epitaxially grown on the seed structures, such that a rate of growth of the semiconductor materials on the seed structures is substantially higher than a rate of growth of the semiconductor materials on regions of the surface. The semiconductor materials assume a lattice constant and directional orientation of crystal lattice that are substantially similar or identical to those of the seed structures. Related devices and methods are also discussed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2014
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: Semprius, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew Meitl, Scott Burroughs
  • Publication number: 20140264775
    Abstract: A transient voltage suppression (TVS) device and a method of forming the device are provided. The device includes a first layer of wide band gap semiconductor material formed of a first conductivity type material, a second layer of wide band gap semiconductor material formed of a second conductivity type material over at least a portion of the first layer and comprising an ion implanted material structure between 0.1 micrometers (?m) and 22.0 ?m thick, the second layer operating using punch-through physics, and a third layer of wide band gap semiconductor material formed of the first conductivity type material over at least a portion of the second layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Avinash Srikrishnan Kashyap, Peter Micah Sandvik, Stephen Daley Arthur
  • Publication number: 20140264569
    Abstract: In one general aspect, an apparatus can include a semiconductor region, and a trench defined within the semiconductor region. The trench can have a depth aligned along a vertical axis and have a length aligned along a longitudinal axis orthogonal to the vertical axis. The trench can have a first portion of the length included in a termination region of the semiconductor region and can have a second portion of the length included in an active region of the semiconductor region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2014
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: Fairchild Semiconductor Corporation
    Inventors: Joseph A. YEDINAK, Dean E. PROBST, Richard STOKES, Suku KIM, Jason HIGGS, Fred SESSION, Hui CHEN, Steven P. SAPP, Jayson PREECE, Mark L. Rinehimer
  • Publication number: 20140264764
    Abstract: A layer arrangement in accordance with various embodiments may include: a first layer having a side; one or more nanoholes in the first layer that are open towards the side of the first layer; a second layer filling at least part of the nanoholes and covering at least part of the side of the first layer, the second layer including at least one of the following materials: a metal or metal alloy, a glass material, a polymer material, a ceramic material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 27, 2014
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventors: Gopalakrishnan TRICHY RENGARAJAN, Christian FACHMANN
  • Publication number: 20140264760
    Abstract: A method for feature pattern modification includes extracting both a main pattern and a cut pattern from a design pattern, the main pattern being laid out under a set of process guidelines that improve the process window during formation of the main pattern, and modifying at least one of: the main pattern and the cut pattern if either feature pattern is in violation of a layout rule.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Shih-Ming Chang, Kuei-Liang Lu
  • Publication number: 20140264759
    Abstract: A wafer assembly with internal fluid channels. The assembly is fabricated by creating one or more channels in a first surface of a first semiconductor wafer and creating an oxide surface on the first surface of the first semiconductor wafer. An oxide surface is also created on a first surface of a second semiconductor wafer. The assembly is fabricated by bonding the oxide surface of the first surface of the first semiconductor wafer to the oxide surface of the first surface of the second semiconductor wafer to create a wafer assembly and to seal the one or more channels at edges defined by the bonded first and second surfaces.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Inventors: Christopher R. KOONTZ, Tse E. WONG, Jason G. MILNE
  • Patent number: 8836082
    Abstract: A novel reversal lithography process without etch back is described. The reversal material comprises nanoparticles that are selectively deposited into the gaps between features without overcoating the tops of the features. As a result, a patterned imaging layer can be removed using solvent, blanket exposure followed by developer washing, or dry etching directly, without an etch-back process, and the original bright field lithography pattern can be reversed into dark field features, and transferred into subsequent layers using the nanoparticle reversal material as an etch mask.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: Brewer Science Inc.
    Inventors: Qin Lin, Daniel M. Sullivan, Hao Xu, Tony D. Flaim
  • Patent number: 8836083
    Abstract: A method of forming features on a target layer. The features have a critical dimension that is triple- or quadruple-reduced compared to the critical dimension of portions of a resist layer used as a mask. An intermediate layer is deposited over a target layer and the resist layer is formed over the intermediate layer. After patterning the resist layer, first spacers are formed on sidewalls of remaining portions of the resist layer, masking portions of the intermediate layer. Second spacers are formed on sidewalls of the portions of the intermediate layer. After removing the portions of the intermediate layer, the second spacers are used as a mask to form the features on the target layer. Integrated circuit devices are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Baosuo Zhou
  • Publication number: 20140252557
    Abstract: Semiconductor device structures and methods for forming a semiconductor device are provided. In embodiments, one or more fins are provided, each of the one or more fins having a lower portion and an upper portion disposed on the lower portion. The lower portion is embedded in a first insulating material. The shape of the upper portion is at least one of a substantially triangular shape and a substantially rounded shape and a substantially trapezoidal shape. Furthermore, a layer of a second insulating material different from the first insulating material is formed on the upper portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2013
    Publication date: September 11, 2014
    Applicant: GLOBALFOUNDRIES INC.
    Inventors: Stefan Flachowsky, Jan Hoentschel, Ralf Richter, Peter Javorka
  • Publication number: 20140252558
    Abstract: A semiconductor device comprises a substrate, a bond pad above the substrate, a guard ring above the substrate, and an alignment mark above the substrate, between the bond pad and the guard ring. The device may comprise a passivation layer on the substrate, a polymer layer, a post-passivation interconnect (PPI) layer in contact with the bond pad, and a connector on the PPI layer, wherein the connector is between the bond pad and the guard ring, and the alignment mark is between the connector and the guard ring. The alignment mark may be at the PPI layer. There may be multiple alignment marks at different layers. There may be multiple alignment marks for the device around the corners or at the edges of an area surrounded by the guard ring.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2013
    Publication date: September 11, 2014
    Inventor: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
  • Publication number: 20140252556
    Abstract: A method for fabricating semiconductor features. The method includes forming a first layer over a substrate. Forming a plurality of first holes in the first layer. The first layer includes sidewalls separating at least a portion of each first hole. The first holes include overlapping holes that are not separated by the sidewalls. Forming a plurality of spacers on the substrate and first layer. The spacers include spacer sidewalls separating adjacent overlapping holes. Etching exposed portions of the substrate to form a plurality of second holes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2013
    Publication date: September 11, 2014
    Applicant: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Chung H. Lam, Jing Li
  • Publication number: 20140252559
    Abstract: Provided is an alignment mark having a plurality of sub-resolution elements. The sub-resolution elements each have a dimension that is less than a minimum resolution that can be detected by an alignment signal used in an alignment process. Also provided is a semiconductor wafer having first, second, and third patterns formed thereon. The first and second patterns extend in a first direction, and the third pattern extend in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction. The second pattern is separated from the first pattern by a first distance measured in the second direction. The third pattern is separated from the first pattern by a second distance measured in the first direction. The third pattern is separated from the second pattern by a third distance measured in the first direction. The first distance is approximately equal to the third distance. The second distance is less than twice the first distance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 19, 2014
    Publication date: September 11, 2014
    Applicant: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Ming-Feng Shieh, YA HUI CHANG, RU-GUN LlU, TSONG-HUA OU, KEN-HSIEN HSIEH, BURN JENG LIN
  • Patent number: 8829617
    Abstract: A method including providing a plurality of fins etched from a semiconductor substrate and covered by an oxide layer and a nitride layer, the oxide layer being located between the plurality of fins and the nitride layer, removing a portion of the plurality of fins to form an opening, and forming a dielectric spacer on a sidewall of the opening. The method may also include filling the opening with a fill material, wherein a top surface of the fill material is substantially flush with a top surface of the nitride layer, removing the nitride layer to form a gap between the plurality of fins and the fill material, wherein the fill material has re-entrant geometry extending over the gap, and removing the re-entrant geometry and causing the gap between the plurality of fins and the fill material to widen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Balasubramanian S. Haran, Sanjay Mehta, Shom Ponoth, Ravikumar Ramachandran, Stefan Schmitz, Theodorus E. Standaert
  • Patent number: 8829679
    Abstract: A semiconductor device wherein destruction of a sealing ring caused by cracking of an interlayer dielectric film is difficult to occur, as well as a method for manufacturing the semiconductor device, are provided. A first laminate comprises first interlayer dielectric films having a first mechanical strength. A second laminate comprises second interlayer dielectric films having a mechanical strength higher than the first mechanical strength. A first region includes first metallic layers and vias provided within the first laminate. A second region includes second metallic layers and vias provided within the second laminate. When seen in plan, the second region overlaps at least a part of the first region, is not coupled with the first region by vias, and sandwiches the second interlayer dielectric film between it and the first region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: Renesas Electronics Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Chibahara, Atsushi Ishii, Naoki Izumi, Masahiro Matsumoto
  • Publication number: 20140246756
    Abstract: Lithography methods and devices are shown that include a semiconductor structure such as a mask. Methods and devices are shown that include a pattern of mask features and a composite feature. Selected mask features include doubled mask features. Methods and devices shown may provide varied feature sizes (including sub-resolution) with a small number of processing steps.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 12, 2014
    Publication date: September 4, 2014
    Applicant: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Durga Prasanna Panda
  • Patent number: 8823044
    Abstract: A light emitting diode includes a substrate, graphene layer, a first semiconductor layer, an active layer, a second semiconductor layer, a first electrode and a second electrode. The first semiconductor layer is on the epitaxial growth layer of the substrate. The active layer is between the first semiconductor layer and the second semiconductor layer. The first electrode is electrically connected with the second semiconductor layer and the second electrode electrically is connected with the second part of the carbon nanotube layer. The graphene layer is located on at least one of the first semiconductor layer and the second semiconductor layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignees: Tsinghua University, Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yang Wei, Shou-Shan Fan
  • Patent number: 8823045
    Abstract: A light emitting diode includes a graphene layer, a first semiconductor layer, an active layer, a second semiconductor layer, a first electrode and a second electrode. The first semiconductor layer, the active layer, and the second semiconductor layer are stacked with each other in sequence. The first electrode is located on and electrically connected with the second semiconductor layer. The second electrode is located on and electrically connected with the first semiconductor layer. The graphene layer is located on at least one of the first semiconductor layer and the second semiconductor layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignees: Tsinghua University, Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yang Wei, Shou-Shan Fan
  • Patent number: 8822320
    Abstract: A method for fabricating the device includes patterning a first structure and a second structure on a semiconductor device. A first angled ion implantation is applied to the second structure such that the first structure is protected and a second angled ion implantation is applied to the first structure such that the second structure is protected, wherein exposed portions of the first and second structures have an altered rate of oxidation. Oxidation is performed to form thicker or thinner oxide portions on the exposed portions of the first and second structures relative to unexposed portions of the first and second structures. Oxide portions are removed to an underlying layer of the first and second structures. The first and second structures are removed. Spacers are formed about a periphery of remaining oxide portions. The remaining oxide portions are removed. A layer below the spacers is patterned to form integrated circuit features.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Kangguo Cheng, Bruce B. Doris, Ali Khakifirooz, Ghavam G. Shahidi
  • Patent number: 8822284
    Abstract: A method for fabricating FinFETs is described. A semiconductor substrate is patterned to form odd fins. Spacers are formed on the substrate and on the sidewalls of the odd fins, wherein each spacer has a substantially vertical sidewall. Even fins are then formed on the substrate between the spacers. A semiconductor structure for forming FinFETs is also described, which is fabricated using the above method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: United Microelectronics Corp.
    Inventors: Chin-Fu Lin, Chin-Cheng Chien, Chun-Yuan Wu, Teng-Chun Tsai, Chih-Chien Liu
  • Publication number: 20140239453
    Abstract: Multiple bonding layer schemes that temporarily join semiconductor substrates are provided. In the inventive bonding scheme, at least one of the layers is directly in contact with the semiconductor substrate and at least two layers within the scheme are in direct contact with one another. The present invention provides several processing options as the different layers within the multilayer structure perform specific functions. More importantly, it will improve performance of the thin-wafer handling solution by providing higher thermal stability, greater compatibility with harsh backside processing steps, protection of bumps on the front side of the wafer by encapsulation, lower stress in the debonding step, and fewer defects on the front side.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 8, 2014
    Publication date: August 28, 2014
    Applicant: Brewer Science Inc.
    Inventors: Rama Puligadda, Xing-Fu Zhong, Tony D. Flaim, Jeremy McCutcheon
  • Publication number: 20140240704
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a measurement mark includes: a first line pattern, first lines extending in a first direction, the first lines arranged in a second direction in the first line pattern, the first line pattern capable of forming a first moire pattern by overlapping with an arrangement pattern including a pattern, and a first polymer and a second polymer being alternately arranged in the pattern; a second line pattern, second lines extending in the first direction, the second lines being arranged in the second direction in the second line pattern, the second line pattern capable of forming a second moire pattern by overlapping with the arrangement pattern; and a reference pattern with a reference position configured to assess a first shift amount from the reference position of the first moire pattern and a second shift amount from the reference position of the second moire pattern.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 17, 2013
    Publication date: August 28, 2014
    Inventors: Nobuhiro KOMINE, Yosuke OKAMOTO
  • Patent number: 8815730
    Abstract: A method for forming bond pads on a semiconductor die includes forming a dielectric stack including a bottom and top dielectric layer having a contact hole therethrough over a bond pad. An outer edge of the bottom dielectric layer within the contact hole extends beyond an outer edge of the top dielectric layer to define a bond pad edge. A second metal layer on a first metal layer is deposited. A first photoresist layer is formed exclusively within the contact hole. The second metal layer is wet etched to recess the second metal layer from sidewalls of the bottom dielectric layer in the contact hole. A second photoresist layer is formed exclusively within the contact hole. The first metal layer is wet etched to recess the first metal layer from the top dielectric layer. The first metal layer extends over the bond pad edge onto the bottom dielectric layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Jing Wang, Lin Lin, Qiuling Jia, Qi Yang, Jianxin Liu
  • Patent number: 8816374
    Abstract: A light emitting diode includes a substrate, graphene layer, a first semiconductor layer, an active layer, a second semiconductor layer, a first electrode, a second electrode, and a reflection layer. The first semiconductor layer, the active layer, and the second semiconductor layer are stacked on the substrate in sequence. The first electrode is electrically connected with the second semiconductor layer and the second electrode electrically is connected with the second part of the carbon nanotube layer. The graphene layer is located on at least one of the first semiconductor layer and the second semiconductor layer. The reflection layer covers the second semiconductor layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignees: Tsinghua University, Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yang Wei, Shou-Shan Fan
  • Publication number: 20140231965
    Abstract: Provided are a method for forming a microfine structure and a microfine structure forming body prepared by the method. The method allows a remaining film part to be formed thinner and more uniform on a substrate than the conventional techniques. The method comprises the steps of: forming an oxide layer on a metallic thin film; a photocurable resin layer via first and second adhesive layers over the oxide layer; and transferring a microfine structure formed on a mold by pressing the mold onto the photocurable resin layer. The first adhesive layer includes a compound having at least two hydrolysable functional groups, and the second adhesive layer includes a compound having at least a hydrolysable functional group and a reactive functional group.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2013
    Publication date: August 21, 2014
    Applicant: Hitachi Media Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ryuta WASHIYA, Masahiko OGINO, Shiro NAGASHIMA, Akio YABE, Masaki SUGITA, Akihiro MIYAUCHI
  • Patent number: 8802541
    Abstract: A low temperature wafer bonding method and a bonded structure are provided. The method includes: providing a first substrate having a plurality of metal pads and a first dielectric layer close to the metal pads, where the metal pads and the first dielectric layer are on a top surface of the first substrate; providing a second substrate having a plurality of semiconductor pads and a second dielectric layer close to the semiconductor pads, where the semiconductor pads and the second dielectric layer are on a top surface of the second substrate; disposing at least one of the metal pads in direct contact with at least one of the semiconductor pads, and disposing the first dielectric layer in direct contact with the second dielectric layer; and bonding the metal pads with the semiconductor pads, and bonding the first dielectric layer with the second dielectric layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: Lexvu Opto Microelectronics Technology (Shanghai) Ltd.
    Inventors: Zhiwei Wang, Jianhong Mao, Lei Zhang, Deming Tang