Abstract: A semiconductor device includes first and second conductor patterns embedded in a first interlayer insulation film and a third conductor pattern embedded in a second interlayer insulation film, the third conductor pattern including a main part and an extension part, the extension part being electrically connected to the first conductor pattern by a first via-plug, the extension part having a branched pattern closer to the main part compared with the first conductor pattern, the branched pattern making a contact with the second conductor pattern via a second via-plug, each of the main part, extension part including the branched pattern, first via-plug and second via-plug forming a damascene structure.

Abstract: One or more embodiments relate to a semiconductor structure, comprising: a barrier layer overlying a workpiece surface; a seed layer overlying the barrier layer; an inhibitor layer overlying said seed layer, the inhibitor layer having a opening exposing a portion of the seed layer, and a fill layer overlying the exposed portion of the seed layer.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a semiconductor substrate; an insulating film formed over the semiconductor substrate, there being formed in the insulating film a trench that in a sectional view has a stepped shape; and a wiring formed in the trench, wherein the wiring includes, a main portion with a first thickness; and an extended portion with a second thickness that is thinner than the first thickness and that extends outward from a side of the main portion.

Abstract: A substrate for mounting a semiconductor includes a first insulation layer having first and second surfaces on the opposite sides and having a penetrating hole penetrating through the first insulation layer, an electrode formed in the penetrating hole in the first insulation layer and having a protruding portion protruding from the second surface of the first insulation layer, a first conductive pattern formed on the first surface of the first insulation layer and connected to the electrode, a second insulation layer formed on the first surface of the first insulation layer and the first conductive pattern and having a penetrating hole penetrating through the second insulating layer, a second conductive pattern formed on the second insulation layer and for mounting a semiconductor element, and a via conductor formed in the penetrating hole in the second insulation layer and connecting the first and second conductive patterns.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes: a first interlayer insulating film; a first conductive member provided lower than the first interlayer insulating film; a contact plug that penetrates through the first interlayer insulating film, and is electrically connected to the first conductive member, the contact plug including a small-diameter part, and a large-diameter part arranged on the small-diameter part, an outer diameter of the large-diameter part being larger than an outer diameter of the small-diameter part, and the outer diameter of the large-diameter part being larger than an outer diameter of a connection face between the second conductive member and the large-diameter part; and a second conductive member that is provided on the first interlayer insulating film, and is electrically connected to the contact plug.

Abstract: Indexing a plurality of die obtainable from a material wafer comprising a plurality of stacked material layers. Each die is obtained in a respective position of the wafer. A manufacturing stage comprises at least two steps for treating a respective superficial portion of the material wafer that corresponds to a subset of said plurality of dies using the at least one lithographic mask through the exposition to the proper radiation in temporal succession. The method may include providing a die index on each die which is indicative of the position of the respective die by forming an external index indicative of the position of the superficial portion of the material wafer corresponding to the subset of the plurality of dies including said die and may comprise a plurality of electronic components electrically coupled to each other by means of a respective common control line.

Abstract: A semiconductor device is made up of a first insulating layer having a through hole; a first interconnection which includes a first conductive layer, a first barrier layer, and a first main interconnection, and a second interconnection connected to one of the first conductive layer and the first barrier layer. Accordingly, the semiconductor device can avoid a problem where the material of the first main interconnection transfers from a portion connected to the second interconnection due to electromigration to form a void, with the result that the first interconnection is disconnected from the second interconnection.

Abstract: In complex semiconductor devices, sophisticated ULK materials may be used in metal line layers in combination with a via layer of enhanced mechanical stability by increasing the amount of dielectric material of superior mechanical strength. Due to the superior mechanical stability of the via layers, reflow processes for directly connecting the semiconductor die and a package substrate may be performed on the basis of a lead-free material system without unduly increasing yield losses.

Abstract: Disclosed is a semiconductor device provided with an active element in a multilayer interconnect layer and decreased in a chip area. A second interconnect layer is provided over a first interconnect layer. A first interlayer insulating layer is provided in the first interconnect layer. A semiconductor layer is provided in a second interconnect layer and in contact with the first interlayer insulating layer. A gate insulating film is provided over the semiconductor layer. A gate electrode is provided over the gate insulating film. At least two first vias are provided in the first interconnect layer and in contact by way of upper ends thereof with the semiconductor layer.

Abstract: Devices and methods for pattern alignment are disclosed. In one embodiment, a semiconductor device includes a die including an integrated circuit region, an assembly isolation region around the integrated circuit region, and a seal ring region around the assembly isolation region. The device further includes a die alignment mark disposed within the seal ring region or the assembly isolation region.

Abstract: Provided is a semiconductor device including high-frequency interconnect and dummy conductor patterns (second dummy conductor patterns). The dummy conductor patterns are disposed in a interconnect layer different from a interconnect layer in which the high-frequency interconnect is disposed. The dummy conductor patterns are disposed so as to keep away from a region overlapping the high-frequency interconnect in plan view. The semiconductor device further includes dummy conductor patterns (first dummy conductor patterns) in the interconnect layer in which the high-frequency interconnect is disposed.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a Light Emitting Diode (LED) backlight unit without a Printed Circuit board (PCB). The LED backlight unit includes a chassis, insulating resin layer, and one or more light source modules. The insulating resin layer is formed on the chassis. The circuit patterns are formed on the insulating resin layer. The light source modules are mounted on the insulating resin layer and are electrically connected to the circuit patterns. The insulating resin layer has a thickness of 200 ?m or less, and is formed by laminating solid film insulating resin on the chassis or by applying liquid insulating resin to the chassis using a molding method employing spin coating or blade coating. Furthermore, the circuit patterns are formed by filling the engraved circuit patterns of the insulating resin layer with metal material.

Abstract: Also in a semiconductor integrated circuit device including a copper embedded wiring as a main wiring layer, generally, the uppermost-layer wiring layer is often an aluminum-based pad layer in order to ensure wire bonding characteristics. The aluminum-based pad layer is also generally used as a wiring layer (general intercoupling wiring such as power source wiring or signal wiring). However, such a general intercoupling wiring has a relatively large wiring length. This causes a demerit for the device to be susceptible to damages during a plasma treatment due to the antenna effect, and other demerits. With the present invention, in a semiconductor integrated circuit device including a metal multilayer wiring system having a lower-layer embedded type multilayer wiring layer and an upper-layer non-embedded type aluminum-based pad metal layer, the non-embedded type aluminum-based pad metal layer substantially does not have a power supply ring wiring.

Abstract: An interconnection component includes a first support portion has a plurality of first conductive vias extending therethrough substantially perpendicular to surfaces thereof such that each via has a first end adjacent a first surface and a second end adjacent a second surface. A second support portion has a plurality of second conductive vias extending therethrough substantially perpendicular to surfaces thereof such that each via has a first end adjacent the first surface and a second end adjacent the second surface. A redistribution layer is disposed between the second surfaces of the first and second support portions, electrically connecting at least some of the first vias with at least some of the second vias. The first and second support portions can have a coefficient of thermal expansion (“CTE”) of less than 12 parts per million per degree, Celsius (“ppm/° C.”).

Abstract: Disclosed are a method to fabricate interconnection wires of a semiconductor device in a way to utilize benefits of copper interconnection and low k dielectric insulation while avoiding the problem of low k damage due to etching processes, and so fabricated interconnection wires. The method saves fabrication time and cost by reduced number of steps and also resolves metal gap fill issue. The method may comprise providing layers of a substrate, an etch stop layer and a sacrificial layer, forming first spacers, forming first copper interconnecting wires, removing the first spacers; forming polymer-like second spacers by depositing plasma gases in an etching chamber, forming second metal interconnecting wires, removing the second spacers to define channels interwoven with alternating first and second metal interconnecting wires, forming an anti-diffusion barrier around each of the first and second metal interconnecting wires, and filling the channels with a dielectric material for insulation.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a semiconductor device. The semiconductor device includes a first conductive line disposed over a substrate. The first conductive line is located in a first interconnect layer and extends along a first direction. The semiconductor device includes a second conductive line and a third conductive line each extending along a second direction different from the first direction. The second and third conductive lines are located in a second interconnect layer that is different from the first interconnect layer. The second and third conductive lines are separated by a gap that is located over or below the first conductive line. The semiconductor device includes a fourth conductive line electrically coupling the second and third conductive lines together. The fourth conductive line is located in a third interconnect layer that is different from the first interconnect layer and the second interconnect layer.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for flip chip substrates with guard rings. An embodiment comprises a substrate core with a die attach region for attaching an integrated circuit die; at least one dielectric layer overlying a die side surface of the substrate core; and at least one guard ring formed adjacent a corner of the substrate core, the at least one guard ring comprising: a first trace overlying the dielectric layer having rectangular portions extending in two directions from the corner of the substrate core and in parallel to the edges of the substrate core; a second trace underlying the dielectric layer; and at least one via extending through the dielectric layer and coupling the first and second traces; wherein the first trace, the at least one via, and the second trace form a vertical via stack. Methods for forming the flip chip substrates with the guard rings are disclosed.

Abstract: A semiconductor device and method where a side wall insulating layer, extending perpendicular from a top surface of a semiconductor substrate, is prevented from contacting the semiconductor substrate by a barrier layer formed at an interface between the semiconductor substrate and the insulating layer.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed that enable improved shorting margin between unlanded conductive interconnect features and neighboring conductive features. In some embodiments, an etch may be applied to an insulator layer having one or more conductive features therein, such that the insulator layer is recessed below the top of the conductive features and the edges of the conductive features are rounded or otherwise softened. A conformal etch stop layer may then be deposited over the conductive features and the insulator material. A second insulator layer may be deposited above the conformal etch stop layer, and an interconnect feature may pass through the second insulator layer and the conformal etch stop layer to connect with the rounded portion of one of the conductive features. In some embodiments, the interconnect feature is an unlanded via and the unlanded portion of the via may or may not penetrate through the conformal barrier layer.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a circuit includes the step of providing a first wiring level comprising first wiring level conductors separated by a first wiring level dielectric material. A first dielectric layer with a plurality of interconnect openings and a plurality of gap openings is formed above the first wiring level. The interconnect openings and the gap openings are pinched off with a pinching dielectric material to form relatively low dielectric constant (low-k) volumes in the gap openings. Metallic conductors comprising second wiring level conductors and interconnects to the first wiring level conductors are formed at the interconnect openings while maintaining the relatively low-k volumes in the gap openings. The gap openings with the relatively low-k volumes reduce parasitic capacitance between adjacent conductor structures formed by the conductors and interconnects.

Abstract: An interconnect structure and method of fabricating the same is provided. More specifically, the interconnect structure is a defect free capped interconnect structure. The structure includes a conductive material formed in a trench of a planarized dielectric layer which is devoid of cap material. The structure further includes the cap material formed on the conductive material to prevent migration. The method of forming a structure includes selectively depositing a sacrificial material over a dielectric material and providing a metal capping layer over a conductive layer within a trench of the dielectric material. The method further includes removing the sacrificial material with any unwanted deposited or nucleated metal capping layer thereon.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a semiconductor chip and an inner interconnection structure. The semiconductor chip includes a front surface that exposes first connection terminals and a rear surface that is opposite to the front surface and exposes second connection terminals separated from the first connection terminals. The inner interconnection structure includes horizontal buried conductive lines and vertical connection lines disposed to pierce the semiconductor chip to connect the first connection terminals and the second connection terminals.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes: a semiconductor substrate; an underlying wiring on the semiconductor substrate; a resin film extending to the semiconductor substrate and the underlying wiring, and having a first opening on the underlying wiring; a first SiN film on the underlying wiring and the resin film, and having a second opening in the first opening; an upper layer wiring on the underlying wiring and part of the resin film; and a second SiN film on the upper layer wiring and the resin film, and joined to the first SiN film on the resin film. The upper layer wiring includes a Ti film, connected to the underlying wiring via the first and second openings, and an Au film on the Ti film. The first and second SiN films circumferentially protect the Ti film.

Abstract: An integrated circuit as described herein includes an upper interconnect level including a continuous upper interconnect area, the continuous upper interconnect area including a plurality of upper contact openings. The integrated circuit further includes a lower interconnect level including a continuous lower interconnect area, the continuous lower interconnect area including a plurality of lower contact openings. First contacts extend through the lower contact openings to the upper interconnect area and second contact openings extend through the upper contact openings to the lower interconnect area.

Abstract: An integrated circuit is provided having a base with a first dielectric layer formed thereon. A second dielectric layer is formed over the first dielectric layer. A third dielectric layer is formed in spaced-apart strips over the second dielectric layer. A first trench opening is formed through the first and second dielectric layers between the spaced-apart strips of the third dielectric layer. A second trench opening is formed contiguously with the first trench opening through the first dielectric layer between the spaced-apart strips of the third dielectric layer. Conductor metals in the trench openings form self-aligned trench interconnects.

Abstract: Disclosed is a variable interconnect geometry formed on a substrate that allows for increased electrical performance of the interconnects without compromising mechanical reliability. The compliance of the interconnects varies from the center of the substrate to edges of the substrate. The variation in compliance can either be step-wise or continuous. Exemplary low-compliance interconnects include columnar interconnects and exemplary high-compliance interconnects include helix interconnects. A cost-effective implementation using batch fabrication of the interconnects at a wafer level through sequential lithography and electroplating processes may be employed.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a MOSFET includes the steps of preparing a substrate with an epitaxial growth layer made of silicon carbide, performing ion implantation into the substrate with the epitaxial growth layer, forming a protective film made of silicon nitride on the substrate with the epitaxial growth layer into which the ion implantation was performed, and heating the substrate with the epitaxial growth layer on which the protective film was formed to a temperature range of 1600° C. or more in an atmosphere containing gas including a nitrogen atom.

Abstract: Microelectronic elements and methods of their manufacture are disclosed. A microelectronic element may include a substrate including an opening extending through a semiconductor region of the substrate, a dielectric layer cover a wall of the opening within at least a first portion of the opening, a first metal disposed within the first portion of the opening, a second metal disposed within a second portion of the opening. The second metal may form at least part of a contact of the microelectronic element.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a substrate having an insulating surface; a light-transmitting first electrode provided over the substrate; a light-transmitting second electrode provided over the substrate; a light-transmitting semiconductor layer provided so as to be electrically connected to the first electrode and the second electrode; a first wiring electrically connected to the first electrode; an insulating layer provided so as to cover at least the semiconductor layer; a light-transmitting third electrode provided over the insulating layer in a region overlapping with the semiconductor layer; and a second wiring electrically connected to the third electrode.

Abstract: A secure electronic structure including a plurality of sub-lithographic conductor features having non-repeating random shapes as a physical unclonable function (PUF) and an integrated circuit including the same are provided. Some of the conductor features of the plurality of conductor features form ohmic electrical contact to a fraction of regularly spaced array of conductors that are located above or beneath the plurality of conductor features having the non-repeating shapes, while other conductor features of the plurality of conductor features do not form ohmic electrical contact with any of the regularly spaced array of conductors. Thus, a unique signature of electrical continuity is provided which can be used as a PUF within an integrated circuit.

Abstract: A hybrid interconnect structure is provided that includes a dielectric material having a conductive material embedded within at least one opening in the dielectric material, wherein the conductive material is laterally spaced apart from the dielectric material by a diffusion barrier, a dense dielectric spacer and, optionally, an air gap. The presence of the dense dielectric spacer results in a hybrid interconnect structure that has improved reliability and performance. Moreover, the hybrid interconnect structure provides for better process control which leads to the potential for high volume manufacturing.

Abstract: A semiconductor wafer including an electrostatic discharge (ESD) protective device, and methods for fabricating the same. In one aspect, the method includes forming a first semiconductor device in a first semiconductor die region on the semiconductor wafer; forming a second semiconductor device in a second semiconductor die region on the semiconductor wafer; and forming a protective device in a scribe line region between (i) the first semiconductor die region and (ii) the second semiconductor die region.

Abstract: An apparatus comprising connecting IDVMON monitors with through silicon vias (TSV) to allow the monitors to be connected to probe pads located on the backside of the wafer. Because the backside of the wafer have significantly more space than the front side, the probe pads for IDVMON can be accommodated without sacrificing the silicon area.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a recess in a polymer layer between two adjacent metal lines and over passivation layer or anti-electromigration layers on redistribution metal lines to increase the resistance to electromigration.

Abstract: A metal gate process includes the following steps. An isolating layer on a substrate is provided, where the isolating layer has a first recess and a second recess. A first metal layer covering the first recess and the second recess is formed. A material is filled in the first recess but exposing a top part of the first recess. The first metal layer in the top part of the first recess and in the second recess is simultaneously removed. The material is removed. A second metal layer and a metal gate layer in the first recess and the second recess are sequentially filled.

Abstract: An object of the prevent invention is to provide a semiconductor device having a conductive film, which sufficiently serves as an antenna, and a method for manufacturing thereof. The semiconductor device has an element formation layer including a transistor, which is provided over a substrate, an insulating film provided on the element formation layer, and a conductive film serving as an antenna, which is provided on the insulating film. The insulating film has a groove. The conductive film is provided along the surface of the insulating film and the groove. The groove of the insulating film may be provided to pass through the insulating film. Alternatively, a concave portion may be provided in the insulating film so as not to pass through the insulating film. A structure of the groove is not particularly limited, and for example, the groove can be provided to have a tapered shape, etc.

Abstract: A ROM cell comprises a first first-level contact formed on a first active region of a transistor of a memory cell, a first second-level contact formed on the first first-level contact, wherein the first second-level contact shifts in a first direction with reference to the first first-level contact. The ROM cell further comprises a second first-level contact formed on a second active region of the transistor of the memory cell, wherein the second first-level contact is aligned with the first first-level contact and a second second-level formed on the second first-level contact, wherein the second second-level contact shifts in a second direction with reference to the second first-level contact, and wherein the first direction is opposite to the second direction.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes an interlayer insulation film, an underlying line provided in the interlayer insulation film, a liner film overlying the interlayer insulation film, an interlayer insulation film overlying the liner film. The underlying line has a lower hole and the liner film and the interlayer insulation film have an upper hole communicating with the lower hole, and the lower hole is larger in diameter than the upper hole. The semiconductor device further includes a conductive film provided at an internal wall surface of the lower hole, a barrier metal provided along an internal wall surface of the upper hole, and a Cu film filling the upper and lower holes. The conductive film contains a substance identical to a substance of the barrier metal. A highly reliable semiconductor device can thus be obtained.

Abstract: A die includes a seal-ring structure below a substrate. The seal-ring structure is disposed around at least one substrate region. At least one means for substantially preventing ion diffusion into the substrate region. The at least one means is coupled with the seal-ring structure.

Abstract: A semiconductor device having a contact structure is provided. The semiconductor device includes: a conductive region; a first film and a second film which are formed over the conductive region to realize a layer; and a contact electrode which extends through the layer to the conductive region, and is formed so as to replace a portion of the layer with a portion of the contact electrode, where the portion of the layer is constituted by only the first film, only the second film, or both of a portion of the first film and a portion of the second film, and the portion of the first film occupies a major part of the portion of the layer.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process of making a semiconductor device wherein an insulation layer has a copper plug in contact with the last wiring layer of the device. There may also be a barrier layer separating the copper plug from the insulation layer. There may also be a cap layer over the copper plug to protect it from oxidation. There may also be a dielectric layer over the cap layer.

Abstract: According to an embodiment, a semiconductor integrated circuit including first and second lower-layer power supply wires extending in a first direction and first and second upper-layer power supply wires extending in a second direction is provided. First and second connection wires between the upper-layer power supply wires and the lower-layer power supply wires are arranged in a same line along the second direction. First and second position converting wires extending from the connection wires are arranged between the first and second connection wires. First and second upper-side vias provided on the position converting wires are arranged in a same line along the first direction.

Abstract: An electrical circuit includes at least two unit cells configured on a planar substrate which extends in one plane. The unit cells respectively have at least two contact points with a different function and include at least one dielectric layer disposed on the substrate and/or on the unit cells and at least two contact surfaces which are disposed parallel to the plane above the contact points and/or the substrate. The contact points with the same function are connected electrically to at least one common contact surface for at least a part of the contact points of the same function via at least one through-contacting through the dielectric layer and able to be contacted in common from outside via the corresponding contact surfaces.

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 includes a substrate, a first recessed conductive layer embedded and recessed into a first surface of the substrate, and a first raised conductive layer disposed above the first surface. A first vertical offset exists between an upper surface of the first recessed conductive layer and an upper surface of the first raised conductive layer. The device includes a second recessed conductive layer embedded and recessed into a second surface of the substrate. The second surface of the substrate is opposite the first surface. The device includes a second raised conductive layer disposed beneath the second surface and an interconnect structure disposed on the first recessed and raised conductive layers and the second recessed and raised conductive layers. A second vertical offset exists between a lower surface of the second recessed conductive layer and a lower surface of the second recessed conductive layer.

Abstract: A stacked multilayer structure according to an embodiment of the present invention comprises: a stacked layer part including a plurality of conducting layers and a plurality of insulating layers, said plurality of insulating layers being stacked alternately with each layer of said plurality of conducting layers, one of said plurality of insulating layers being a topmost layer among said plurality of conducting layers and said plurality of insulating layers; and a plurality of contacts, each contact of said plurality of contacts being formed from said topmost layer and each contact of said plurality of contacts being in contact with a respective conducting layer of said plurality of conducting layers, a side surface of each of said plurality of contacts being insulated from said plurality of conducting layers via an insulating film.

Abstract: The formation of a seal ring in a semiconductor integrated circuit (IC) die is described. Through-silicon vias (TSVs) are typically formed in a semiconductor IC die to facilitate the formation of a three dimensional (3D) stacking die structure. The TSVs may be utilized to provide electrical connections between components in different dies of the 3D stacking die structure. A seal ring is formed in the inter-metal dielectric (IMD) layers of an IC die, enclosing an active circuit region. The real ring is formed prior to the formation of the TSVs, preventing moistures or other undesired chemical agents from diffusing into the active circuit region during the subsequent processes of forming TSVs.

Abstract: A structure and method of making an offset-trench crackstop, which forms an air gap in a passivation layer that is adjacent to a passivated top metal layer of a metal crackstop in an integrated circuit (IC) die. The offset-trench crackstop may expose a portion of a topmost dielectric layer in the crackstop region, not expose a topmost patterned metal layer of the metal crackstop, and may be interposed between the metal crackstop and an active device region. Alternatively, the offset-trench crackstop may expose a portion of the topmost dielectric layer, which separates an outermost metal layer and an innermost metal layer of the metal crackstop, and does not expose any of the topmost patterned metal layer of the metal crackstop, where the innermost metal layer of the metal crackstop is interposed between the offset-trench crackstop in the crackstop region and the active device region of the IC die.

Abstract: A semiconductor chip suited for being electrically connected to a circuit element includes a line and a bump. The bump is connected to the line and is adapted to be electrically connected to the line. A plane that is horizontal to an active surface of the semiconductor chip is defined. The area that the connection region of the line and the bump is projected on the plane is larger than 30,000 square microns or has an extension distance larger than 500 microns.

Abstract: Openings are formed by lithography and subsequent dry etching at the portions of a first protective film which correspond to connecting holes of second plugs which will be described later, namely at the portions thereof which align with first plugs, wherein the openings have a diameter greater than that of connecting holes by about 0.4 ?m.