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 %.

Abstract: Embodiments of an interconnect structure and methods for forming an interconnect structure are provided. The method includes forming a low-k dielectric layer over a substrate, forming an opening in the low-k dielectric layer, forming a conductor in the opening, forming a capping layer over the conductor, and forming an etch stop layer over the capping layer and the low-k dielectric layer. The etch stop layer includes an N element with a content ratio not less than about 25 at %.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes, on a semiconductor substrate, a gate insulating film, a pMIS metal material or an nMIS metal material, a gate electrode material, and a gate sidewall metal layer.

Abstract: Package substrate, semiconductor packages and methods for forming a semiconductor package are presented. The package substrate includes a base substrate having first and second major surfaces and a plurality of via contacts extending through the first to the second major surfaces of the base substrate. A first conductive layer having a plurality of openings is disposed over the first surface of the base substrate and via contacts. The openings are configured to match conductive trace layout of the package substrate. Conductive traces are disposed over the first conductive layer. The conductive traces are directly coupled to the via contacts through some of the openings of the first conductive layer.

Abstract: An electronic device includes: a base layer; a first layer located at least partially over the base layer; a second layer located at least partially over the first layer; a first metal layer located at least partially over the second layer, wherein one or more signal outputs of the electronic device are formed in the first metal layer; and a second metal layer located at least partially over the first metal layer, wherein one or more gate connection is formed in the second metal layer, wherein removing a portion of the second metal layer disrupts at least one gate connection and deactivates the device.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a lower wiring layer is formed by using a sidewall transfer process for forming a sidewall film having a closed loop along a sidewall of a sacrificed or dummy pattern and, after removing the sacrificed pattern to leave the sidewall film, selectively removing the base material with the sidewall film as a mask. One or more upper wiring layers are formed in an upper layer of the lower wiring layer via another layer using the sidewall transfer process. Etching for cutting each of the lower wiring layer and the upper wiring layers is collectively performed, whereby closed-loop cut is applied to the lower wiring layer and the upper wiring layers.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a first conductive layer, at least one first slit through the first conductive layer, and configured to divide the first conductive layer in the unit of a memory block, second conductive layers stacked on the first conductive layer, and a second slit through the second conductive layers at a different location from the first slit and configured to divide the second conductive layers in the unit of the memory block.

Abstract: A semiconductor device is provided, in which it becomes easy to reliably couple a plug conductive layer and a wiring layer located over the plug conductive layer to each other and falling of the wiring can be suppressed. The plug conductive layer contacts a source/drain region formed over a major surface of the semiconductor substrate. A contact conductive layer is formed so as to contact both the upper surface and the side surface of the plug conductive layer. Wiring layers are formed over the contact conductive layer so as to be electrically coupled to the contact conductive layer.

Abstract: A semiconductor device may include a semiconductor layer including at least one unit device, a first interconnection on the semiconductor layer and electrically connected to the at least one unit device, a diffusion barrier layer on the first interconnection, an intermetallic dielectric layer on the diffusion barrier layer, a plug in a first region of the intermetallic dielectric layer and passing through the diffusion barrier layer so that a bottom surface thereof contacts the first interconnection, and a first dummy plug in a second region of the intermetallic dielectric layer, passing through the diffusion barrier layer, and disposed apart from the first interconnection so that a bottom surface of the first dummy plug does not contact the first interconnection.

Abstract: Contactless differential coupling structures can be used to communicate signals between circuits located on separate chips or from one chip to a probing device. The contactless coupling structures avoid problems (breaks, erosion, corrosion) that can degrade the performance of ohmic-type contact pads. The contactless coupling structures comprise pairs of conductive pads placed in close proximity. Differential signals are applied across a first pair of differential pads, and the signals are coupled wirelessly to a mating pair of conductive pads. Circuitry for generating and receiving differential signals is described.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a first interconnect, a porous dielectric layer formed over the first interconnect, a second interconnect buried in the porous dielectric layer and electrically connected to the first interconnect, and a carbon-containing metal film that is disposed between the porous dielectric layer and the second interconnect and isolates these layers.

Abstract: A method of forming photo masks having rectangular patterns and a method for forming a semiconductor structure using the photo masks is provided. The method for forming the photo masks includes determining a minimum spacing and identifying vertical conductive feature patterns having a spacing less than the minimum spacing value. The method further includes determining a first direction to expand and a second direction to shrink, and checking against design rules to see if the design rules are violated for each of the vertical conductive feature patterns identified. If designed rules are not violated, the identified vertical conductive feature pattern is replaced with a revised vertical conductive feature pattern having a rectangular shape. The photo masks are then formed. The semiconductor structure can be formed using the photo masks.

Abstract: A printed wiring board includes a substrate, a first buildup formed on a first surface of the substrate and including the outermost conductive layer, and a second buildup layer formed on a second surface of the substrate and including the outermost conductive layer. The outermost layer of the first buildup has pads positioned to connect a semiconductor component, the first buildup has a component mounting region directly under the component such that the outermost layer of the first buildup has a portion in the region, the outermost layer of the second buildup has a portion directly under the region, and the portions satisfy the ratio in the range of from 1.1 to 1.35, where the ratio is obtained by dividing a planar area of the portion of the second buildup by a planar area of the portion of the first buildup.

Abstract: A multi layer interconnecting substrate has at least two spaced apart metal layers with a conductive pad on each one of the metal layers. Two different types of insulating layers are placed between the metal layers. The placement is such that one of the two different types of insulating layers is placed between the conductive pads and the other type of insulating layer is placed between the two spaced apart metal layers.

Abstract: A method of manufacture of an integrated circuit packaging system includes: forming a first metal layer on a carrier; forming an insulation layer directly on the first metal layer; exposing a portion of the first metal layer for directly attaching to a die interconnect connecting to an integrated circuit; forming a second metal layer directly on the insulation layer opposite the side of the insulation layer exposed by removing the carrier; and forming a protective layer directly on the insulation layer and the second metal layer, the protective layer exposing a portion of the second metal layer for directly attaching an external interconnect.

Abstract: In a conventional electronic device and a method of manufacturing the same, reduction in cost of the electronic device is hindered because resin used in an interconnect layer on the solder ball side is limited. The electronic device includes an interconnect layer (a first interconnect layer) and an interconnect layer (a second interconnect layer). The second interconnect layer is formed on the undersurface of the first interconnect layer. The second interconnect layer is larger in area seen from the top than the first interconnect layer and is extended to the outside from the first interconnect layer.

Abstract: There is provided a wiring material including a core layer made of metal and a clad layer made of metal and a fiber in which the core layer is copper or an alloy containing copper and the clad layer is formed of copper or the alloy containing copper and the fiber having a thermal expansion coefficient lower than that of copper, the wiring material having a stacked structure in which at least one surface of the core layer is closely adhered to the clad layer, and the fiber in the clad layer is arranged so as to be parallel to the surface of the core layer.

Abstract: A method of making a semiconductor device includes forming a dielectric layer over a semiconductor substrate. The method further includes forming a copper-containing layer in the dielectric layer, wherein the copper-containing layer has a first portion and a second portion. The method further includes forming a first barrier layer between the first portion of the copper-containing layer and the dielectric layer. The method further includes forming a second barrier layer at a boundary between the second portion of the copper-containing layer and the dielectric layer wherein the second barrier layer is adjacent to an exposed portion of the dielectric layer. The first barrier layer is a dielectric layer, and the second barrier layer is a metal oxide layer, and a boundary between a sidewall of the copper-containing layer and the first barrier layer is free of the second barrier layer.

Abstract: A package for holding a plurality of heterogeneous integrated circuits includes a first chip having a first conductive pad and a first substrate including a first semiconductor, and a second chip having a second conductive pad and a second substrate including a second semiconductor. The second semiconductor is different from the first semiconductor. The package also includes a molding structure in which the first chip and the second chip are embedded, a conductive structure over the first chip and conductively coupled to the first conductive pad and over the second chip and conductively coupled to the second conductive pad, and a passivation layer over the conductive structure. The passivation layer comprises an opening defined therein which exposes a portion of the second chip.

Abstract: A method for forming a contact structure includes forming a stack of alternating active layers and insulating layers. The stack includes first and second sub stacks each with active layers separated by insulating layers. The active layers of each sub stack include an upper boundary active layer. A sub stack insulating layer is formed between the first and second sub stacks with an etching time different from the etching times of the insulating layers for a given etching process. The upper boundary active layers are accessed, after which the remainder of the active layers are accessed to create a stairstep structure of landing areas on the active layers. Interlayer conductors are formed to extend to the landing areas, the interlayer conductors separated from one another by insulating material.

Abstract: A semiconductor substrate is provided, including: a substrate; a plurality of conductive through vias embedded in the substrate; a first dielectric layer formed on the substrate; a metal layer formed on the first dielectric layer; and a second dielectric layer formed on the metal layer. As such, when a packaging substrate is disposed on the second dielectric layer, the metal layer provides a reverse stress to balance thermal stresses caused by the first and second dielectric layers, thereby preventing warpage of the semiconductor substrate.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a plurality of electrode structures perpendicularly extending on a substrate, and at least one support unit extending between the plurality of electrode structures. The support unit includes at least one support layer including a noncrystalline metal oxide contacting a part of the plurality of electrode structures. Related devices and fabrication methods are also discussed.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a semiconductor chip includes a semiconductor substrate, a via and an insulating layer. The semiconductor substrate has a first major surface and a second major surface on opposite side from the first major surface. The semiconductor substrate is provided with a circuit section including an element and a wiring and a guard ring structure section surrounding the circuit section on the first major surface side. The via is provided in a via hole extending from the first major surface side to the second major surface side of the semiconductor substrate. The insulating layer is provided in a first trench extending from the first major surface side to the second major surface side of the semiconductor substrate.

Abstract: Some embodiments include semiconductor processing methods in which a copper barrier is formed to be laterally offset from a copper component, and in which nickel is formed to extend across both the barrier and the component. The barrier may extend around an entire lateral periphery of the component, and may be spaced from the component by an intervening ring of electrically insulative material. The copper component may be a bond pad or an interconnect between two levels of metal layers. Some embodiments include semiconductor constructions in which nickel extends across a copper component, a copper barrier is laterally offset from the copper component, and an insulative material is between the copper barrier and the copper component.

Abstract: A semiconductor device is disclosed. The semiconductor device includes a substrate comprises a plurality of metal layers. The semiconductor device also includes dielectric posts disposed in the metal layers. The density of the dielectric posts in the metal layers is equal to about 15-25%.

Abstract: A method of forming an interconnection structure includes forming an opening in an insulation film by a dry etching process that uses an etching gas containing fluorine; cleaning a bottom surface and a sidewall surface of the opening by exposing to a superheated steam; covering the bottom surface and the sidewall surface of the opening with a barrier metal film; depositing a conductor film on the insulation film via the barrier metal film to fill the opening with the conductor film; forming an interconnection pattern by the conductor film in the opening by polishing the conductor film and the barrier metal film underneath the conductor film by a chemical mechanical polishing process until a surface of the insulation film is exposed.

Abstract: A microelectronic assembly may include a substrate containing a dielectric element having first and second opposed surfaces. The dielectric element may include a first dielectric layer adjacent the first surface, and a second dielectric layer disposed between the first dielectric layer and the second surface. A Young's modulus of the first dielectric layer may be at least 50% greater than the Young's modulus of the second dielectric layer, which is less than two gigapascal (GPa). A conductive structure may extend through the first and second dielectric layers and electrically connect substrate contacts at the first surface with terminals at the second surface. The substrate contacts may be joined with contacts of a microelectronic element through conductive masses, and a rigid underfill may be between the microelectronic element and the first surface. The terminals may be usable to bond the microelectronic assembly to contacts of a component external to the microelectronic assembly.

Abstract: A method, and structures for implementing enhanced interconnects for high conductivity applications. An interconnect structure includes an electrically conductive interconnect member having a predefined shape with spaced apart end portions extending between a first plane and a second plane. A winded graphene ribbon is carried around the electrically conductive interconnect member, providing increased electrical current carrying capability and increased thermal conductivity.

Abstract: A DRAM memory device includes at least one memory cell including a transistor having a first electrode, a second electrode and a control electrode. A capacitor is coupled to the first electrode. At least one electrically conductive line is coupled to the second electrode and at least one second electrically conductive line is coupled to the control electrode. The electrically conductive lines are located between the transistor and the capacitor. The capacitor can be provided above a fifth metal level.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes: an integrated circuit having an electrode pad; a first insulating layer disposed on the integrated circuit; a redistribution layer including a plurality of wirings and disposed on the first insulating layer, at least one of the plurality of wirings being electrically coupled to the electrode pad; a second insulating layer having a opening on at least a portion of the plurality of wirings; a metal film disposed on the opening and on the second insulating layer, and electrically coupled to at least one of the plurality of wirings; and a solder bump the solder bump overhanging at least one of the plurality of wirings not electrically coupled to the metal film.

Abstract: Methods for producing air gap-containing metal-insulator interconnect structures for VLSI and ULSI devices using a photo-patternable low k material as well as the air gap-containing interconnect structure that is formed are disclosed. More particularly, the methods described herein provide interconnect structures built in a photo-patternable low k material in which air gaps are defined by photolithography in the photo-patternable low k material. In the methods of the present invention, no etch step is required to form the air gaps. Since no etch step is required in forming the air gaps within the photo-patternable low k material, the methods disclosed in this invention provide highly reliable interconnect structures.

Abstract: Disclosed is a semiconductor device whose reliability can be improved. The semiconductor device includes: first wiring formed over a semiconductor substrate via a first insulating film; a second insulating film that includes an inorganic film covering the first wiring and that has a flat surface on which CMP processing has been performed; a third insulating film that is formed over the second insulating film and includes an inorganic film having moisture resistance higher than that of the second insulating film; and second wiring formed over the third insulating film. The thickness of the second wiring is 10 times or more larger than that of the first wiring, and the second wiring is located over the third insulating film without an organic insulating film being interposed between itself and the third insulating film.

Abstract: A substrate-less interposer for a stacked silicon interconnect technology (SSIT) product, includes: a plurality of metallization layers, at least a bottom most layer of the metallization layers comprising a plurality of metal segments, wherein each of the plurality of metal segments is formed between a top surface and a bottom surface of the bottom most layer of the metallization layers, and the metal segments are separated by dielectric material in the bottom most layer; and a dielectric layer formed on the bottom surface of the bottom most layer, wherein the dielectric layer includes one or more openings for providing contact to the plurality of metal segments in the bottom most layer.

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.

Abstract: A representative filter comprises a silicon-on-insulator substrate having a top surface, a metal shielding positioned above the top surface of the silicon-on-insulator substrate, and a band-pass filter device positioned above the metal shielding. The band-pass filter device includes a first port, a second port, and a coupling metal positioned between the first and second ports.

Abstract: A semiconductor device including a semiconductor substrate, an integrated circuit on the semiconductor substrate, an insulation layer covering the integrated circuit, and a plurality of metal line patterns on the insulation layer. First and second adjacent metal line patterns of the plurality of metal line patterns are spaced apart from each other by a space, and each of the first and second adjacent metal line patterns has at least one slit.

Abstract: A method of forming a semiconductor device, comprising: providing a Si-containing layer; forming a barrier layer over said Si-containing layer, said barrier layer comprising a compound including a metallic element; forming a metallic nucleation_seed layer over said barrier layer, said nucleation_seed layer including said metallic element; and forming a metallic interconnect layer over said nucleation_seed layer, wherein said barrier layer and said nucleation_seed layer are formed without exposing said semiconductor device to the ambient atmosphere.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a chip that comprises a base metal layer formed over a first semiconductor die and a first metal layer formed over the base metal layer. The first metal layer includes a plurality of islands configured to route at least one of (i) a ground signal or (ii) a power signal in the chip. The chip further comprises a second metal layer formed over the first metal layer. The second metal layer includes a plurality of islands configured to route at least one of (i) the ground signal or (ii) the power signal in the chip.

Abstract: A surface mount packaging structure that yields improved thermo-mechanical reliability and more robust second-level package interconnections is disclosed. The surface mount packaging structure includes a sub-module having a dielectric layer, semiconductor devices attached to the dielectric layer, a first level metal interconnect structure electrically coupled to the semiconductor devices, and a second level I/O connection electrically coupled to the first level interconnect and formed on the dielectric layer on a side opposite the semiconductor devices, with the second level I/O connection configured to connect the sub-module to an external circuit. The semiconductor devices of the sub-module are attached to the first surface of a multi-layer substrate structure, with a dielectric material positioned between the dielectric layer and the multi-layer substrate structure to fill in gaps in the surface-mount structure and provide additional structural integrity thereto.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a multi-level integrated inductor that provides for a good inductance and Q-factor. In some embodiments, the integrated inductor has a first inductive structure with a first metal layer disposed in a first spiral pattern onto a first IC die and a second inductive structure with a second metal layer disposed in a second spiral pattern onto a second IC die. The first IC die is vertically stacked onto the second IC die. A conductive interconnect structure is located vertically between the first and second IC die and electrically connects the first metal layer to the second metal layer. The conductive interconnect structure provides for a relatively large distance between the first and second inductive structures that provides for an inductance having a high Q-factor over a large range of frequencies.

Abstract: A metal plate covers an opening on the upper surface of a core substrate and exposes an outer edge of the upper surface of the core substrate. A conductive layer covers the lower surface of the core substrate. A semiconductor chip bonded to a first surface of the metal plate is exposed through the opening. A first insulating layer covers the upper and side surface of the metal plate and the outer edge of the upper surface of the core substrate. A second insulating layer fills the openings of the metal plate and the conductive layer and covers the outer edge of the lower surface of the core substrate, the conductive layer, and the semiconductor chip. The metal plate is thinner than the semiconductor chip. Total thickness of the conductive layer and the core substrate is equal to or larger than the thickness of the semiconductor chip.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a substrate, a plurality of signal lines, and at least one power line. The substrate includes an integrated circuit unit. The signal lines are disposed on the substrate and are configured to provide the integrated circuit unit with signals. The power line is disposed on the substrate and is configured to provide the integrated circuit unit with power supply on the substrate. The power line includes a stacked structure including a first power line and a second power line stacked on the first power line.

Abstract: Semiconductor devices and methods of manufacture thereof are disclosed. In an embodiment, a method of manufacturing a semiconductor device includes forming a first conductive structure over a workpiece in a first metallization layer, the first conductive structure including a first portion having a first width and a second portion having a second width. The second width is different than the first width. The method includes forming a second conductive structure in a second metallization layer proximate the first metallization layer, and coupling a portion of the second conductive structure to the first portion of the first conductive structure.

Abstract: Disclosed are a method for metallization during semiconductor wafer processing and the resulting structures. In this method, a passivation layer is patterned with first openings aligned above and extending vertically to metal structures below. A mask layer is formed and patterned with second openings aligned above the first openings, thereby forming two-tier openings extending vertically through the mask layer and passivation layer to the metal structures below. An electrodeposition process forms, in the two-tier openings, both under-bump pad(s) and additional metal feature(s), which are different from the under-bump pad(s) (e.g., a wirebond pad; a final vertical section of a crackstop structure; and/or a probe pad). Each under-bump pad and additional metal feature initially comprises copper with metal cap layers thereon.

Abstract: A method of forming an insulating spacer is disclosed that includes providing a base layer, providing an intermediate layer above an upper surface of the base layer, etching a first trench in the intermediate layer, depositing a first insulating material portion within the first trench, depositing a second insulating material portion above an upper surface of the intermediate layer, forming an upper layer above an upper surface of the second insulating material portion, etching a second trench in the upper layer, and depositing a third insulating material portion within the second trench and on the upper surface of the second insulating material portion. A wafer is also disclosed.

Abstract: A semiconductor die has multiple discontinuous conductive segments arranged around a periphery of the semiconductor die, and an electrically insulating barrier within discontinuities between the conductive segments. The conductive segments and the barriers form a mechanically continuous seal ring around the semiconductor die.

Abstract: One embodiment includes a metal layer including first and second metal portions; a ferromagnetic layer including a first ferromagnetic portion that directly contacts the first metal portion and a second ferromagnetic portion that directly contacts the second metal portion; and a first metal non-magnetic interconnect coupling the first ferromagnetic portion to the second ferromagnetic portion. The spin interconnect conveys spin polarized current suitable for spin logic circuits. The interconnect may be included in a current repeater such as an inverter or buffer. The interconnect may perform regeneration of spin signals. Some embodiments extend spin interconnects into three dimensions (e.g., vertically across layers of a device) using vertical non-magnetic metal interconnects.

Abstract: A first substrate provided with a receiving area made from a first metallic material is supplied. A second substrate provided with an insertion area comprising a base surface and at least two bumps made from a second metallic material is arranged facing the first substrate. The bumps are salient from the base surface. A pressure is applied between the first substrate and the second substrate so as to make the bumps penetrate into the receiving area. The first metallic material reacts with the second metallic material so as to form a continuous layer of an intermetallic compound having a base formed by the first and second metallic materials along the interface between the bumps and the receiving area.

Abstract: Wire-bonded semiconductor structures using organic insulating material and methods of manufacture are disclosed. The method includes forming a metal wiring layer in an organic insulator layer. The method further includes forming a protective layer over the organic insulator layer. The method further includes forming a via in the organic insulator layer over the metal wiring layer. The method further includes depositing a metal layer in the via and on the protective layer. The method further includes patterning the metal layer with an etch chemistry that is damaging to the organic insulator layer.

Abstract: In one general aspect, an apparatus includes a first capacitor defined by a dielectric disposed between a bump metal and a region of a first conductivity type, and a second capacitor in series with the first capacitor and defined by a PN junction including the region of the first conductivity type and a region of a second conductivity type. The region of the first conductivity type can be configured to be coupled to a first node having a first voltage, and the region of the second conductivity type can be configured to be coupled to a second node having a second voltage different than the first voltage.