Multiple Metal Levels On Semiconductor, Separated By Insulating Layer (e.g., Multiple Level Metallization For Integrated Circuit) Patents (Class 257/758)
  • Patent number: 9177866
    Abstract: A power transistor includes a plurality of transistor cells. Each transistor cell has a first electrode coupled to a first electrode interconnection region overlying a first major surface, a control electrode coupled to a control electrode interconnection region overlying the first major surface, and a second electrode coupled to a second electrode interconnection region overlying a second major surface. Each transistor cell has an approximately constant doping concentration in the channel region. A dielectric platform is used as an edge termination of an epitaxial layer to maintain substantially planar equipotential lines therein. The power transistor finds particular utility in radio frequency applications operating at a frequency greater than 500 megahertz and dissipating more than 5 watts of power. The semiconductor die and package are designed so that the power transistor can efficiently operate under such severe conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2015
    Assignee: ESTIVATION PROPERTIES LLC
    Inventor: Robert Bruce Davies
  • Patent number: 9169556
    Abstract: A method for selectively controlling deposition rate of a catalytic material during a catalytic bulk CVD deposition is disclosed herein. The method can include positioning a substrate in a processing chamber including both surface regions and gap regions, depositing a first nucleation layer comprising tungsten conformally over an exposed surface of the substrate, treating at least a portion of the first nucleation layer with activated nitrogen, wherein the activated nitrogen is deposited preferentially on the surface regions, reacting a first deposition gas comprising tungsten halide and hydrogen-containing gas to deposit a tungsten fill layer preferentially in gap regions of the substrate, reacting a nucleation gas comprising a tungsten halide to form a second nucleation layer, and reacting a second deposition gas comprising tungsten halide and a hydrogen-containing gas to deposit a tungsten field layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2015
    Assignee: APPLIED MATERIALS, INC.
    Inventors: Kai Wu, Kiejin Park, Sang Ho Yu, Sang-Hyeob Lee, Kazuya Daito, Joshua Collins, Benjamin C. Wang
  • Patent number: 9173284
    Abstract: A planarized cover layer structure of a flexible circuit board includes an insulation layer bonded through a first adhesive layer to a surface of each one of conductive signal lines laid on a substrate of a flexible circuit board. Separation areas respectively formed between adjacent ones of the conductive signal lines are each formed with a filling layer, so that the filling layer provides the first adhesive layer with a planarization height in the separation areas and the planarization height is substantially equal to the height of the conductive signal lines. The filling layer can alternatively be of a height that is higher than the surface of the conductor layer by a covering height so that the first adhesive layer has a planarization height in the separation areas and the planarization height is substantially equal to the sum of the height of the conductive signal lines and the covering height.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2015
    Assignee: Advanced Flexible Circuits Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kuo-Fu Su, Gwun-Jin Lin
  • Patent number: 9165914
    Abstract: Methods of forming a microelectronic packaging structure and associated structures formed thereby are described. Those methods may include attaching a patterned die backside film (DBF) on a backside of a die, wherein the patterned DBF comprises an opening surrounding at least one through silicon via (TSV) pad disposed on the backside of the die.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2015
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Rahul N. Manepalli, Mohit Mamodia, David Xu, Javier Soto Gonzalez, Edward R. Prack
  • Patent number: 9159669
    Abstract: In various embodiments a method for manufacturing a metallization layer on a substrate is provided, wherein the method may include forming a plurality of groups of nanotubes over a substrate, wherein the groups of nanotubes may be arranged such that a portion of the substrate is exposed and forming metal over the exposed portion of the substrate between the plurality of groups of nanotubes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2015
    Assignee: INFINEON TECHNOLOGIES AG
    Inventors: Ravi Joshi, Juergen Steinbrenner
  • Patent number: 9153544
    Abstract: A semiconductor wafer has a plurality of semiconductor die separated by a saw street. The wafer is mounted to dicing tape. The wafer is singulated through the saw street to expose side surfaces of the semiconductor die. An ESD protection layer is formed over the semiconductor die and around the exposed side surfaces of the semiconductor die. The ESD protection layer can be a metal layer, encapsulant film, conductive polymer, conductive ink, or insulating layer covered by a metal layer. The ESD protection layer is singulated between the semiconductor die. The semiconductor die covered by the ESD protection layer are mounted to a temporary carrier. An encapsulant is deposited over the ESD protection layer covering the semiconductor die. The carrier is removed. An interconnect structure is formed over the semiconductor die and encapsulant. The ESD protection layer is electrically connected to the interconnect structure to provide an ESD path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2015
    Assignee: STATS ChipPAC, Ltd.
    Inventors: Reza A. Pagaila, Jose A. Caparas, Pandi C. Marimuthu
  • Patent number: 9147691
    Abstract: Methods of fabricating multi-tiered semiconductor devices are described, along with apparatus and systems that include them. In one such method, a first dielectric is formed, and a second dielectric is formed in contact with the first dielectric. A channel is formed through the first dielectric and the second dielectric with a first etch chemistry, a void is formed in the first dielectric with a second etch chemistry, and a device is formed at least partially in the void in the first dielectric. Additional embodiments are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2015
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Nishant Sinha
  • Patent number: 9136203
    Abstract: To provide a semiconductor device comprising a first layer that is provided on a semiconductor substrate and includes a first wiring pattern planarized by CMP and a plurality of first dummy patterns made of a same material as the first wiring pattern and a second layer that is provided above the semiconductor substrate and includes a second wiring pattern planarized by CMP and a plurality of second dummy patterns made of a same material as the second wiring pattern. A central axis of each of the second dummy patterns coincides with that of a corresponding one of the first dummy patterns in a direction perpendicular to the semiconductor substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2015
    Assignee: PS4 Luxco S.a.r.l.
    Inventors: Yorio Takada, Kazuteru Ishizuka
  • Patent number: 9129966
    Abstract: One wiring width of upper and lower wiring paths formed facing each other sandwiching an interlayer insulating film is large, and another wiring width is small; and the wiring widths of mutually adjacent wiring paths are formed to be large and small in alternating fashion on the same wiring layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2015
    Assignee: LAPIS Semiconductor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kenji Nagasaki
  • Patent number: 9129953
    Abstract: A method of making a gate structure includes forming a trench in a dielectric layer. The method further includes forming a gate dielectric layer in the trench. The gate dielectric layer defines an opening in the dielectric layer. The method includes forming a gate electrode in the opening. Forming the gate electrode includes filling a width of a bottom portion of the opening with a first metal material. The first metal material has a recess. Forming the gate electrode includes filling an entire width of a top portion of the opening with a homogeneous second metal material. The homogeneous second metal material has a protrusion extending into the recess, and a maximum width of the homogeneous second metal material is equal to a maximum width of the first metal material. A top surface of the gate dielectric layer is co-planar with a top surface of the homogeneous second metal material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2015
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Peng-Soon Lim, Da-Yuan Lee, Kuang-Yuan Hsu
  • Patent number: 9117882
    Abstract: An integrated circuit structure includes a semiconductor substrate, and a first metal layer over the semiconductor substrate. The first metal layer has a first minimum pitch. A second metal layer is over the first metal layer. The second metal layer has a second minimum pitch smaller than the first minimum pitch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2015
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Lee-Chung Lu, Yuan-Te Hou, Shyue-Shyh Lin, Li-Chun Tien, Dian-Hau Chen
  • Patent number: 9111931
    Abstract: A method of forming an interconnect structure with high process margin. The present invention provides higher aligning margin for the connection of via parts and line parts. The method for forming the interconnect structure includes the steps of: forming a first mask layer with a plurality of first openings over the first insulating layer; forming a second insulating layer over the mask layer; forming a second mask layer with a plurality of second openings over the second insulating layer; performing an etching process by using the second mask layer to form a plurality of cavities penetrating through the second insulating layer, the first mask layer, and the first insulating layer; and filling the plurality of cavities with at least one conductive material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2015
    Assignee: NANYA TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventor: Zai Long Bian
  • Patent number: 9111902
    Abstract: A portion of a conductive layer (310, 910) provides a capacitor electrode (310.0, 910.0). Dielectric trenches (410, 414, 510) are formed in the conductive layer to insulate the capacitor electrode from those portions of the conductive layer which are used for conductive paths passing through the electrode but insulated from the electrode. Capacitor dielectric (320) can be formed by anodizing tantalum while a nickel layer (314) protects an underlying copper (310) from the anodizing solution. This protection allows the tantalum layer to be made thin to obtain large capacitance. Chemical mechanical polishing of a layer (610) is made faster, and hence possibly less expensive, by first patterning the layer photolithographically to form, and/or increase in height, upward protrusions of this layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2015
    Assignee: Invensas Corporation
    Inventors: Sergey Savastiouk, Valentin Kosenko, James J. Roman
  • Patent number: 9111917
    Abstract: A low cost and high performance method for bonding a wafer to an interposer is provided. The technology provides designs and metallization techniques for through via glass applications that is thermal coefficient expansion matched to the glass or synthetic fused quartz substrates. An off-the-shelf glass, such as borosilicate based or Fused Synthetic Quartz, is used with a thick film Cu or Ag and/or a Sodium Ion Enriched (SIE) coating or glass, which may be applied or fired onto the substrate or wafer. Polymer based coatings can be applied in a sequential build-up process for purposes of redistribution of signals from a silicon integrated circuit to the opposite side of the substrate or wafer. Additionally, metallizations can be applied on top of the polymers and patterned to create a multilayer circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2015
    Assignee: TRITON MICROTECHNOLOGIES
    Inventor: Tim Mobley
  • Patent number: 9107324
    Abstract: Manufacturing method and circuit module, which comprises an insulator layer and, inside the insulator layer, at least one component, which comprises contact areas, the material of which contains a first metal. On the surface of the insulator layer are conductors, which comprise at least a first layer and a second layer, in such a way that at least the second layer contains a second metal. The circuit module comprises contact elements between the contact areas and the conductors for forming electrical contacts. The contact elements, for their part, comprise, on the surface of the material of the contact area, an intermediate layer, which contains a third metal, in such a way that the first, second, and third metals are different metals and the contact surface area (ACONT 1), between the intermediate layer and the contact area is less that the surface area (APAD) of the contact area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2015
    Assignee: GE Embedded Electronics Oy
    Inventors: Petteri Palm, Risto Tuominen, Antti Iihola
  • Patent number: 9093381
    Abstract: A method for forming, on a substrate, a seed layer enabling the subsequent deposition of a metal layer, including the step of immersing the substrate in a bath containing a material from the ethoxysilane or siloxane family and a copper or nickel amidinate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2015
    Assignees: STMICROELECTRONICS (TOURS) SAS, CENTRE NATIONAL DE LA RECHERCHE SCIENTIFIQUE
    Inventors: Clément Barriere, Pierre Fau, Bruno Chaudret, Olivier Margeat
  • Patent number: 9093327
    Abstract: A display panel device includes: a gate electrode above a substrate; a gate insulator above the gate electrode; a first source electrode and a first drain electrode above the gate insulator; a second source electrode and a second drain electrode above the first source electrode and the first drain electrode respectively; a first partition wall part having an opening in which the second source electrode and the second drain electrode are exposed; a semiconductor layer in the opening; an insulation layer above the semiconductor layer; a lower electrode above the insulation layer; and a contact hole in the insulation layer, for connecting the lower electrode and the second drain electrode or the second source electrode, wherein a film structure of each of the second source electrode and the second drain electrode is sparser than a film structure of each of the first source electrode and the first drain electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2015
    Assignee: PANASONIC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kouhei Koresawa, Yuko Okumoto, Kenichi Sasai, Takaaki Ukeda
  • Patent number: 9093308
    Abstract: A double seal ring for an integrated circuit, the double seal ring includes a first seal ring surrounding the integrated circuit and a second seal ring spaced from the first seal ring. The double seal ring further includes two connectors connecting the first seal ring and the second seal ring, wherein the first seal ring, the second seal ring, and the two connectors form a closed loop. A method of forming a double seal ring for an integrated circuit includes forming a first seal ring surrounding the integrated circuit and forming a second seal ring spaced from the first seal ring. The method further includes forming two connectors connecting the first seal ring and the second seal ring, wherein the first seal ring, the second seal ring, and the two connectors form a closed loop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2015
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Ming-Hui Yang, Hsin Wei Chiu
  • Patent number: 9082830
    Abstract: A method of patterning a metal layer is disclosed. The method includes providing a substrate and forming a material layer over the substrate. The method includes forming a second material layer over the first material layer. The method includes performing a first patterning process to the second material layer to form a trench in the second material layer. The first patterning process defines a width size of the trench, the width size being measured in a first direction. The method includes performing a second patterning process to the trench to transform the trench. The second patterning process defines a length size of the transformed trench. The length size is measured in a second direction different from the first direction. The method also includes filling the transformed trench with a conductive material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2015
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventor: Cheng-Hao Yeh
  • Patent number: 9082643
    Abstract: A semiconductor device is provided which includes an N-type semiconductor layer and a P-type semiconductor layer coexisting in the same wiring layer without influences on the properties of a semiconductor layer. The semiconductor device includes a first wiring layer with a first wiring, a second wiring layer with a second wiring, and first and second transistors provided in the first and second wiring layers. The first transistor includes a first gate electrode, a first gate insulating film, a first oxide semiconductor layer, a first hard mask layer, and first insulating sidewall films covering the sides of the first oxide semiconductor layer. The second transistor includes a second gate electrode, a second gate insulating film, a second oxide semiconductor layer, and a second hard mask layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2015
    Assignee: Renesas Electronics Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroshi Sunamura, Kishou Kaneko, Naoya Furutake, Shinobu Saitou, Yoshihiro Hayashi
  • Patent number: 9082781
    Abstract: A semiconductor article which includes a semiconductor base portion including a semiconductor material; a back end of the line (BEOL) wiring portion on the semiconductor base portion and comprising a plurality of wiring layers having metallic wiring and insulating material, said BEOL wiring portion excluding a semiconductor material; and a guard ring in the BEOL wiring portion and surrounding a structure in the semiconductor chip, the guard ring having a zig-zag configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2015
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Ronald G. Filippi, Erdem Kaltalioglu, Xiao Hu Liu, Thomas M. shaw, Ping-Chuan Wang, Bucknell C. Webb, Lijuan Zhang
  • Patent number: 9070674
    Abstract: A silicon interconnect structure includes a peripheral outer via in a silicon substrate, a solid core inner via in the silicon substrate, the solid core inner via coaxial with the peripheral outer via to form a coaxial via structure, a metal interconnect stack formed over a first surface of the peripheral outer via and the solid core inner via, at least portions of the metal interconnect stack forming an electrical connection with the peripheral outer via and the solid core inner via, first contact pads on a surface of the metal interconnect stack, and second contact pads on an exposed surface of the peripheral outer via and the solid core inner via.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2015
    Assignee: Avago Technologies General IP (Singapore) Pte. Ltd.
    Inventors: Adam E. Gallegos, Thomas E. Cynkar
  • Patent number: 9070618
    Abstract: A resistance structure including: a conductive layer provided at a surface layer portion of a semiconductor substrate; a first resistance element having long sides and short sides provided over the conductive layer with an insulating film interposed; a second resistance element having long sides and short sides provided over the conductive layer with the insulating film interposed and disposed such that one long side thereof opposes one long side of the first resistance element; first wiring that is connected to one end of the first resistance element; second wiring that is connected to one end of the second resistance element; third wiring that connects the other end of the first resistance element with the other end of the second resistance element; and a connection portion that connects any of the first wiring, the second wiring and the third wiring with the conductive layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2015
    Assignee: LAPIS Semiconductor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hisao Ohtake
  • Patent number: 9064870
    Abstract: The reliability of wirings, each of which includes a main conductive film containing copper as a primary component, is improved. On an insulating film including the upper surface of a wiring serving as a lower layer wiring, an insulating film formed of a silicon carbonitride film having excellent barrier properties to copper is formed; on the insulating film, an insulating film formed of a silicon carbide film having excellent adhesiveness to a low dielectric constant material film is formed; on the insulating film, an insulating film formed of a low dielectric constant material as an interlayer insulating film is formed; and thereafter a wiring as an upper layer wiring is formed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2015
    Assignee: Renesas Electronics Corporation
    Inventors: Junji Noguchi, Takayuki Oshima, Noriko Miura, Kensuke Ishikawa, Tomio Iwasaki, Kiyomi Katsuyama, Tatsuyuki Saito, Tsuyoshi Tamaru, Hizuru Yamaguchi
  • Patent number: 9059028
    Abstract: The objective of the present invention is to provide a semiconductor device provided with a resistance-variable element having sufficient switching property and exhibiting high reliability and high densification as well as good insulating property. The present invention provides a semiconductor device comprising a resistance-variable element provided within multiple wiring layers on a semiconductor substrate, wherein the resistance-variable element comprises a laminated structure in which a first electrode, a first ion-conductive layer of valve-metal oxide film, a second ion-conductive layer containing oxygen and a second electrode are laminated in this order, and the wiring of the multiple wiring layers also serves as the first electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2015
    Assignee: NEC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Munehiro Tada, Toshitsugu Sakamoto, Hiromitsu Hada
  • Patent number: 9054164
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention describe low capacitance interconnect structures for semiconductor devices and methods for manufacturing such devices. According to an embodiment of the invention, a low capacitance interconnect structure comprises an interlayer dielectric (ILD). First and second interconnect lines are disposed in the ILD in an alternating pattern. The top surfaces of the first interconnect lines may be recessed below the top surfaces of the second interconnect lines. Increases in the recess of the first interconnect lines decreases the line-to-line capacitance between neighboring interconnects. Further embodiments include utilizing different dielectric materials as etching caps above the first and second interconnect lines. The different materials may have a high selectivity over each other during an etching process. Accordingly, the alignment budget for contacts to individual interconnect lines is increased.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2015
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Christopher J. Jezewski, Jasmeet S. Chawla
  • Patent number: 9048297
    Abstract: An integrated circuit containing a vertical interconnect that includes a region of interconnect metal continuously surrounding one or more dielectric pillars. The vertical interconnect electrically contacts a top surface of a lower conductive structure. An upper conductive structure contacts a top surface of the vertical interconnect. A process of forming an integrated circuit that includes forming a vertical interconnect that has a region of interconnect metal continuously surrounding one or more dielectric pillars. The vertical interconnect electrically contacts a top surface of a lower conductive structure, and an upper conductive structure contacts a top surface of the vertical interconnect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2015
    Assignee: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATED
    Inventor: Scott R. Summerfelt
  • Publication number: 20150145135
    Abstract: Some embodiments include electrical interconnects. The interconnects may contain laminate structures having a graphene region sandwiched between non-graphene regions. In some embodiments the graphene and non-graphene regions may be nested within one another. In some embodiments an electrically insulative material may be over an upper surface of the laminate structure, and an opening may extend through the insulative material to a portion of the laminate structure. Electrically conductive material may be within the opening and in electrical contact with at least one of the non-graphene regions of the laminate structure. Some embodiments include methods of forming electrical interconnects in which non-graphene material and graphene are alternately formed within a trench to form nested non-graphene and graphene regions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 2, 2015
    Publication date: May 28, 2015
    Inventor: Gurtej S. Sandhu
  • Patent number: 9041204
    Abstract: A bonding pad structure includes a substrate and a first conductive island formed in a first dielectric layer and disposed over the substrate. A first via array having a plurality of vias is formed in a second dielectric layer and disposed over the first conductive island. A second conductive island is formed in a third dielectric layer and disposed over the first via array. A bonding pad is disposed over the second conductive island. The first conductive island, the first via array, and the second conductive island are electrically connected to the bonding pad. The first via array is connected to no other conductive island in the first dielectric layer except the first conductive island. No other conductive island in the third dielectric layer is connected to the first via array except the second conductive island.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2015
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Tsung-Han Tsai, Jung-Chi Jeng, Yueh-Ching Chang, Volume Chien, Huang-Ta Huang, Chi-Cherng Jeng
  • Patent number: 9041216
    Abstract: An interconnect structure and a method of forming an interconnect structure are disclosed. The interconnect structure includes a lower conductive feature in a lower low-k (LK) dielectric layer; a first etch stop layer (ESL) over the lower conductive feature, wherein the first ESL comprises a metal compound; an upper LK dielectric layer over the first ESL; and an upper conductive feature in the upper LK dielectric layer, wherein the upper conductive feature extends through the first ESL and connected to the lower conductive feature. The interconnect structure may further include a second ESL between the upper LK dielectric layer and the first ESL, or between the first ESL and the lower conductive feature, wherein the second ESL comprises a silicon compound.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2015
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Su-Jen Sung, Yi-Nien Su
  • Patent number: 9041205
    Abstract: A semiconductor apparatus includes a semiconductor die having a surface with an integrated circuit thereon coupled to contact pads of an uppermost metallization layer of a semiconductor package substrate by a plurality of conductive contacts. A plurality of discrete metal planes is disposed at the uppermost metallization layer of the semiconductor package substrate, each metal plane located, from a plan view perspective, at a corner of a perimeter of the semiconductor die. Microstrip routing is disposed at the uppermost metallization layer of the semiconductor package substrate, from the plan view perspective, outside of the perimeter of the semiconductor die.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2015
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Omkar G. Karhade, Nevin Altunyurt, Kyu Oh Lee, Krishna Bharath
  • Patent number: 9041203
    Abstract: A system and method for manufacturing a semiconductor device including multi-layer bitlines. The location of the bitlines in multiple layers provides for increased spacing and increased width thereby overcoming the limitations of the pitch dictated by the semiconductor fabrication process used. The bitlines locations in multiple layers thus allows the customization of the spacing and width according to the use of a semiconductor device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2015
    Assignee: CYPRESS SEMICONDUCTOR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Zubin Patel, Nian Yang, Fan Wan Lai, Alok Nandini Roy
  • Publication number: 20150137377
    Abstract: A structure including a first metal line in a first interconnect level, the first metal line comprising one or more graphene portions, a second metal line in a second interconnect level above the first interconnect level, the second metal line comprising one or more graphene portions, and a metal via comprising a palladium liner extends vertically and electrically connects the first metal line with the second metal line, the via is at least partially embedded in the first metal line such that the palladium liner is in direct contact with at least an end portion of the one or more graphene portions of the first metal line.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 4, 2014
    Publication date: May 21, 2015
    Inventors: Junjing Bao, Griselda Bonilla, Samuel S. Choi, Ronald G. Filippi, Naftali E. Lustig, Andrew H. Simon
  • Patent number: 9035458
    Abstract: An integrated circuit contains lower components in the substrate, a PMD layer, upper components over the PMD layer, lower contacts in the PMD layer connecting some upper components to some lower components, an ILD layer over the upper components, metal interconnect lines over the ILD layer, and upper contacts connecting some upper components to some metal interconnect lines, and also includes annular stacked contacts of lower annular contacts aligned with upper annular contacts. The lower contacts and upper contacts each have a metal liner and a contact metal on the liner. The lower annular contacts have at least one ring of liner metal and contact metal surrounding a pillar of PMD material, and the upper contacts have at least one ring of liner metal and contact metal surrounding a pillar of ILD material. The annular stacked contacts connect the metal interconnects to the lower components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2015
    Assignee: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Scott Robert Summerfelt, Hasibur Rahman, John Paul Campbell
  • Patent number: 9035194
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure are directed towards a circuit board having integrated passive devices such as inductors, capacitors, resistors and associated techniques and configurations. In one embodiment, an apparatus includes a circuit board having a first surface and a second surface opposite to the first surface and a passive device integral to the circuit board, the passive device having an input terminal configured to couple with electrical power of a die, an output terminal electrically coupled with the input terminal, and electrical routing features disposed between the first surface and the second surface of the circuit board and coupled with the input terminal and the output terminal to route the electrical power between the input terminal and the output terminal, wherein the input terminal includes a surface configured to receive a solder ball connection of a package assembly including the die. Other embodiments may be described and/or claimed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2015
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: M D Altaf Hossain, Jin Zhao, John T. Vu
  • Patent number: 9030029
    Abstract: An integrated chip package structure and method of manufacturing the same is by adhering dies on a silicon substrate and forming a thin-film circuit layer on top of the dies and the silicon substrate. Wherein the thin-film circuit layer has an external circuitry, which is electrically connected to the metal pads of the dies, that extends to a region outside the active surface of the dies for fanning out the metal pads of the dies. Furthermore, a plurality of active devices and an internal circuitry is located on the active surface of the dies. Signal for the active devices are transmitted through the internal circuitry to the external circuitry and from the external circuitry through the internal circuitry back to other active devices. Moreover, the chip package structure allows multiple dies with different functions to be packaged into an integrated package and electrically connecting the dies by the external circuitry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Assignee: Qualcomm Incorporated
    Inventors: Mou-Shiung Lin, Jin-Yuan Lee, Ching-Cheng Huang
  • Patent number: 9030013
    Abstract: A structure includes a substrate, a low-k dielectric layer over the substrate, and a conductive barrier layer extending into the low-k dielectric layer. The conductive barrier layer includes a sidewall portion. A metal line in the low-k dielectric layer adjoins the conductive barrier layer. An organic buffer layer is between the sidewall portion of the conductive barrier layer and the low-k dielectric layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Chao-Hsien Peng, Hsin-Yen Huang, Hsiang-Huan Lee, Shau-Lin Shue
  • Patent number: 9030014
    Abstract: An upper surface of a plug (PL1) is formed so as to be higher than an upper surface of an interlayer insulating film (PIL) by forming the interlayer insulating film (PIL) on a semiconductor substrate (1S), completing a CMP method for forming the plug (PL1) inside the interlayer insulating film (PIL), and then, making the upper surface of the interlayer insulating film (PIL) to recede. In this manner, reliability of connection between the plug (PL1) and a wiring (W1) in a vertical direction can be ensured. Also, the wiring (W1) can be formed so as not to be embedded inside the interlayer insulating film (PIL), or a formed amount by the embedding can be reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Assignee: Renesas Electronics Corporation
    Inventor: Takeshi Kawamura
  • Patent number: 9030019
    Abstract: A semiconductor device and a method of making a semiconductor device are disclosed. The semiconductor device comprises a redistribution layer arranged over a chip, the redistribution layer comprising a first redistribution line. The semiconductor further comprises an isolation layer disposed over the redistribution layer, the isolation layer having a first opening forming a first pad area and a first interconnect located in the first opening and in contact with the first redistribution line. The redistribution line in the first pad area is arranged orthogonal to a first direction to a neutral point of the semiconductor device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventors: Thorsten Meyer, Ludwig Heitzer
  • Patent number: 9030015
    Abstract: A 3-D chip stacked structure is disclosed. Each chip layer is provided with plural single-layered conductive members where among the same chip layer the two adjacent conductive members are structurally formed in mirror symmetric way with each other along a chip longitudinal direction and the arrangements of the single-layered conductive members of the two adjacent chip layers are shifted by a test pad distance. The single-layered conductive members of the two adjacent chip layers are communicated through a vertical TSV (through silicon via). Therefore, a selection signal or an enabling signal might be transferred through this specific metal layer and related TSV to reach targeting chip layer and targeting circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Inventors: Tsai-Yu Huang, Yi-Feng Huang
  • Patent number: 9030017
    Abstract: An assembly includes a substrate having a substrate conductor and a contact at a first surface and a terminal at a second surface for electrically interconnecting the assembly with a component external to the assembly, at least one of the substrate conductor or the contact being electrically connected with the terminal; a first element having a first surface facing the first surface of the substrate and having a first conductor at the first surface and a second conductor at a second surface, an interconnect structure extending through the first element electrically connecting the first and second conductors; an adhesive layer bonding the first surfaces of the first element and the substrate, at least portions of the first conductor and the substrate conductor being disposed beyond an edge of the adhesive layer; and a continuous electroless plated metal region extending between the first conductor and the substrate conductor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Assignee: Invensas Corporation
    Inventors: Belgacem Haba, Cyprian Emeka Uzoh
  • Patent number: 9024443
    Abstract: A semiconductor device according to the present embodiment includes a semiconductor substrate. A lower-layer wiring is provided above a surface of the semiconductor substrate. An interlayer dielectric film is provided on the lower-layer wiring and includes a four-layer stacked structure. A contact plug contains aluminum. The contact plug is filled in a contact hole formed in the interlayer dielectric film in such a manner that the contact plug reaches the lower-layer wiring. Two upper layers and two lower layers in the stacked structure respectively have tapers on an inner surface of the contact hole. The taper of two upper layers and the taper of two lower layers have different angles from each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Merii Inaba, Takeshi Hizawa
  • Patent number: 9018752
    Abstract: Provided is a circuit board, which may include a base layer, an adhesive film, a conductive circuit, and a through via. The adhesive film and the conductive circuit may be provided in plurality to be alternately stacked on the base layer. The through via may be formed through soldering. Since the base layer is not damaged during the soldering, the through via may include various conductive materials. The through via makes it possible to easily connect the conductive circuits having different functions to one another. Accordingly, the circuit board may have multi functions. Thicknesses of the conductive circuits may be adjusted to protect the conductive circuits from folding or bending of the base layer. The circuit board having a multi-layered structure can function not only as a fabric or clothes but also as an electronic circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute
    Inventors: Ji Eun Kim, Yong Ki Son, Baesun Kim, Il Yeon Cho
  • Patent number: 9018768
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a circuit pattern over a first surface of a substrate, an insulating interlayer covering the circuit pattern, a TSV structure filling a via hole through the insulating interlayer and the substrate, an insulation layer structure on an inner wall of the via hole and on a top surface of the insulating interlayer, a buffer layer on the TSV structure and the insulation layer structure, a conductive structure through the insulation layer structure and a portion of the insulating interlayer to be electrically connected to the circuit pattern, a contact pad onto a bottom of the TSV structure, and a protective layer structure on a second surface the substrate to surround the contact pad.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Byung-lyul Park, Gil-heyun Choi, Suk-chul Bang, Kwang-jin Moon, Dong-chan Lim, Deok-young Jung
  • Patent number: 9006897
    Abstract: An integrated circuit includes a number of metallization levels separated by an insulating region disposed over a substrate. A housing includes walls formed from metal portions produced in various metallization levels. A metal device is housed in the housing. An aperture is produced in at least one wall of the housing. An external mechanism outside of the housing is configured so as to form an obstacle to diffusion of a fluid out of the housing through the at least one aperture. At least one through-metallization passes through the external mechanism and penetrates into the housing through the aperture in order to make contact with at least one element of the metal device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics (Rousset) SAS
    Inventor: Antonio Di-Giacomo
  • Patent number: 9006896
    Abstract: An embodiment of the invention provides a chip package which includes: a semiconductor substrate having a first surface and a second surface; a device region formed in the semiconductor substrate; a dielectric layer disposed on the first surface of the semiconductor substrate; a conducting pad structure located in the dielectric layer and electrically connected to the device region, wherein the conducting pad structure comprises a stacked structure of a plurality of conducting pad layers; a support layer disposed on a top surface of the conducting pad structure; and a protection layer disposed on the second surface of the semiconductor substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Xintec Inc.
    Inventors: Yu-Lung Huang, Tsang-Yu Liu, Shu-Ming Chang
  • Patent number: 9000594
    Abstract: A contiguous layer of graphene is formed on exposed sidewall surfaces and a topmost surface of a copper-containing structure that is present on a surface of a substrate. The presence of the contiguous layer of graphene on the copper-containing structure reduces copper oxidation and surface diffusion of copper ions and thus improves the electromigration resistance of the structure. These benefits can be obtained using graphene without increasing the resistance of copper-containing structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: John A. Ott, Ageeth A. Bol
  • Patent number: 8999838
    Abstract: A method for patterning a multi-layer film in a semiconductor device is provided. The semiconductor device comprises a substrate and a multi-layer film on the substrate. The multi-layer film comprises N conductive layers and N dielectric layers alternatingly stacked, and 2N contact plugs. The Nth dielectric layer is formed at the top of the multi-layer film. The distances between the centers of each adjacent contact plugs are the same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Macronix International Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Chin-Cheng Yang
  • Patent number: 9000593
    Abstract: A substrate for a semiconductor device is provided. The substrate includes a first metal line, a second metal line, a metal support part, a first insulating part, and a second insulating part. The first metal line is electrically connected to a first electrode of the semiconductor device. The second metal line is electrically connected to a second electrode of the semiconductor device and spaced apart from the first metal line. The metal support part is disposed between the first metal line and the second metal line. The first insulating part is disposed between the first metal line and the metal support part and configured to electrically insulate the first metal line from the metal support part. The second insulating part is disposed between the second metal line and the metal support part and configured to electrically insulate the second metal line from the metal support part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Research & Business Foundation Sungkyunkwan University
    Inventors: Su Jeong Suh, Hwa Sun Park, Hyeong Chul Youn
  • Patent number: 8994178
    Abstract: A interconnect structure includes a first etch stop layer over a substrate, a dielectric layer over the first etch stop layer, a conductor in the dielectric layer, and a second etch stop layer over the dielectric layer. The dielectric layer contains carbon and has a top portion and a bottom portion. A difference of C content in the top portion and the bottom portion is less than 2 at %. An oxygen content in a surface of the conductor is less than about 1 at %.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Po-Cheng Shih, Hui-Chun Yang, Chih-Hung Sun, Joung-Wei Liou