For Electrical Parameters, E.g., Resistance, Deep-levels, Cv, Diffusions By Electrical Means (epo) Patents (Class 257/E21.531)
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Patent number: 9825018Abstract: An IC includes first and second designs of experiments (DOEs), each comprised of at least two fill cells. The fill cells contain structures configured to obtain in-line data via non-contact electrical measurements (“NCEM”). The first DOE contains fill cells configured to enable non-contact (NC) detection of tip-to-tip shorts, and the second DOE contains fill cells configured to enable NC detection of chamfer shorts.Type: GrantFiled: March 30, 2017Date of Patent: November 21, 2017Assignee: PDF Solutions, Inc.Inventors: Stephen Lam, Dennis Ciplickas, Tomasz Brozek, Jeremy Cheng, Simone Comensoli, Indranil De, Kelvin Doong, Hans Eisenmann, Timothy Fiscus, Jonathan Haigh, Christopher Hess, John Kibarian, Sherry Lee, Marci Liao, Sheng-Che Lin, Hideki Matsuhashi, Kimon Michaels, Conor O'Sullivan, Markus Rauscher, Vyacheslav Rovner, Andrzej Strojwas, Marcin Strojwas, Carl Taylor, Rakesh Vallishayee, Larg Weiland, Nobuharu Yokoyama
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Patent number: 9818660Abstract: An IC includes first and second designs of experiments (DOEs), each comprised of at least two fill cells. The fill cells contain structures configured to obtain in-line data via non-contact electrical measurements (“NCEM”). The first DOE contains fill cells configured to enable non-contact (NC) detection of via opens, and the second DOE contains fill cells configured to enable NC detection of metal island opens.Type: GrantFiled: June 27, 2017Date of Patent: November 14, 2017Assignee: PDF Solutions, Inc.Inventors: Stephen Lam, Dennis Ciplickas, Tomasz Brozek, Jeremy Cheng, Simone Comensoli, Indranil De, Kelvin Doong, Hans Eisenmann, Timothy Fiscus, Jonathan Haigh, Christopher Hess, John Kibarian, Sherry Lee, Marci Liao, Sheng-Che Lin, Hideki Matsuhashi, Kimon Michaels, Conor O'Sullivan, Markus Rauscher, Vyacheslav Rovner, Andrzej Strojwas, Marcin Strojwas, Carl Taylor, Rakesh Vallishayee, Larg Weiland, Nobuharu Yokoyama
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Patent number: 9818738Abstract: An IC includes first and second designs of experiments (DOES), each comprised of at least two fill cells. The fill cells contain structures configured to obtain in-line data via non-contact electrical measurements (“NCEM”). The first DOE contains fill cells configured to enable non-contact (NC) detection of tip-to-side shorts, and the second DOE contains fill cells configured to enable NC detection of chamfer shorts.Type: GrantFiled: March 30, 2017Date of Patent: November 14, 2017Assignee: PDF Solutions, Inc.Inventors: Stephen Lam, Dennis Ciplickas, Tomasz Brozek, Jeremy Cheng, Simone Comensoli, Indranil De, Kelvin Doong, Hans Eisenmann, Timothy Fiscus, Jonathan Haigh, Christopher Hess, John Kibarian, Sherry Lee, Marci Liao, Sheng-Che Lin, Hideki Matsuhashi, Kimon Michaels, Conor O'Sullivan, Markus Rauscher, Vyacheslav Rovner, Andrzej Strojwas, Marcin Strojwas, Carl Taylor, Rakesh Vallishayee, Larg Weiland, Nobuharu Yokoyama
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Patent number: 9799575Abstract: Wafers, chips, or dies that contain fill cells with structures configured to obtain in-line data via non-contact electrical measurements (“NCEM”). Such NCEM-enabled fill cells may target/expose a variety of open-circuit, short-circuit, leakage, or excessive resistance failure modes. Such wafers, chips, or dies may include Designs of Experiments (“DOEs”), comprised of multiple NCEM-enabled fill cells, in at least two variants, all targeted to the same failure mode(s).Type: GrantFiled: April 4, 2016Date of Patent: October 24, 2017Assignee: PDF Solutions, Inc.Inventors: Stephen Lam, Dennis Ciplickas, Tomasz Brozek, Jeremy Cheng, Simone Comensoli, Indranil De, Kelvin Doong, Hans Eisenmann, Timothy Fiscus, Jonathan Haigh, Christopher Hess, John Kibarian, Sherry Lee, Marci Liao, Sheng-Che Lin, Hideki Matsuhashi, Kimon Michaels, Conor O'Sullivan, Markus Rauscher, Vyacheslav Rovner, Andrzej Strojwas, Marcin Strojwas, Carl Taylor, Rakesh Vallishayee, Larg Weiland, Nobuharu Yokoyama
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Patent number: 9799640Abstract: An IC includes first and second designs of experiments (DOES), each comprised of at least two fill cells. The fill cells contain structures configured to obtain in-line data via non-contact electrical measurements (“NCEM”). The first DOE contains fill cells configured to enable non-contact (NC) detection of chamfer shorts, and the second DOE contains fill cells configured to enable NC detection of corner shorts.Type: GrantFiled: March 30, 2017Date of Patent: October 24, 2017Assignee: PDF Solutions, Inc.Inventors: Stephen Lam, Dennis Ciplickas, Tomasz Brozek, Jeremy Cheng, Simone Comensoli, Indranil De, Kelvin Doong, Hans Eisenmann, Timothy Fiscus, Jonathan Haigh, Christopher Hess, John Kibarian, Sherry Lee, Marci Liao, Sheng-Che Lin, Hideki Matsuhashi, Kimon Michaels, Conor O'Sullivan, Markus Rauscher, Vyacheslav Rovner, Andrzej Strojwas, Marcin Strojwas, Carl Taylor, Rakesh Vallishayee, Larg Weiland, Nobuharu Yokoyama
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Patent number: 9785496Abstract: Improved processes for manufacturing semiconductor wafers, chips, or dies utilize in-line data obtained from non-contact electrical measurements (“NCEM”) of fill cells that contain structures configured to target/expose a variety of open-circuit, short-circuit, leakage, and/or excessive resistance failure modes. Such processes include evaluating one or more Designs of Experiments (“DOEs”), each comprised of multiple NCEM-enabled fill cells, in at least two variants, targeted to the same failure mode. Such DOEs include multiple means/steps for enabling non-contact (NC) detection of AACNT-TS via opens.Type: GrantFiled: March 11, 2017Date of Patent: October 10, 2017Assignee: PDF Solutions, Inc.Inventors: Stephen Lam, Dennis Ciplickas, Tomasz Brozek, Jeremy Cheng, Simone Comensoli, Indranil De, Kelvin Doong, Hans Eisenmann, Timothy Fiscus, Jonathan Haigh, Christopher Hess, John Kibarian, Sherry Lee, Marci Liao, Sheng-Che Lin, Hideki Matsuhashi, Kimon Michaels, Conor O'Sullivan, Markus Rauscher, Vyacheslav Rovner, Andrzej Strojwas, Marcin Strojwas, Carl Taylor, Rakesh Vallishayee, Larg Weiland, Nobuharu Yokoyama
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Patent number: 9786648Abstract: An IC includes logic cells, selected from a standard cell library, and fill cells, configured for compatibility with the standard logic cells. The fill cells contain structures configured to obtain in-line data via non-contact electrical measurements (“NCEM”). The IC includes such NCEM-enabled fill cells configured to enable detection and/or measurement of a variety of short-circuit failure modes, including at least one chamfer-short-related failure mode, one AACNT-short-related failure mode, one GATECNT-short-related failure mode, and one TS-short-related failure mode.Type: GrantFiled: December 30, 2016Date of Patent: October 10, 2017Assignee: PDF Solutions, Inc.Inventors: Stephen Lam, Dennis Ciplickas, Tomasz Brozek, Jeremy Cheng, Simone Comensoli, Indranil De, Kelvin Doong, Hans Eisenmann, Timothy Fiscus, Jonathan Haigh, Christopher Hess, John Kibarian, Sherry Lee, Marci Liao, Sheng-Che Lin, Hideki Matsuhashi, Kimon Michaels, Conor O'Sullivan, Markus Rauscher, Vyacheslav Rovner, Andrzej Strojwas, Marcin Strojwas, Carl Taylor, Rakesh Vallishayee, Larg Weiland, Nobuharu Yokoyama
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Patent number: 9786649Abstract: A process for making and using a semiconductor wafer includes instantiating first and second designs of experiments (DOES), each comprised of at least two fill cells. The fill cells contain structures configured to obtain in-line data via non-contact electrical measurements (“NCEM”). The first DOE contains fill cells configured to enable non-contact (NC) detection of via opens, and the second DOE contains fill cells configured to enable NC detection of stitch opens. The process may further include obtaining NC measurements from the first and/or second DOE(s) and using such measurements, at least in part, to selectively perform additional processing, metrology or inspection steps on the wafer, and/or on other wafer(s) currently being manufactured.Type: GrantFiled: June 27, 2017Date of Patent: October 10, 2017Assignee: PDF Solutions, Inc.Inventors: Stephen Lam, Dennis Ciplickas, Tomasz Brozek, Jeremy Cheng, Simone Comensoli, Indranil De, Kelvin Doong, Hans Eisenmann, Timothy Fiscus, Jonathan Haigh, Christopher Hess, John Kibarian, Sherry Lee, Marci Liao, Sheng-Che Lin, Hideki Matsuhashi, Kimon Michaels, Conor O'Sullivan, Markus Rauscher, Vyacheslav Rovner, Andrzej Strojwas, Marcin Strojwas, Carl Taylor, Rakesh Vallishayee, Larg Weiland, Nobuharu Yokoyama
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Patent number: 9786650Abstract: A process for making and using a semiconductor wafer includes instantiating first and second designs of experiments (DOES), each comprised of at least two fill cells. The fill cells contain structures configured to obtain in-line data via non-contact electrical measurements (“NCEM”). The first DOE contains fill cells configured to enable non-contact (NC) detection of snake opens, and the second DOE contains fill cells configured to enable NC detection of metal island opens. The process may further include obtaining NC measurements from the first and/or second DOE(s) and using such measurements, at least in part, to selectively perform additional processing, metrology or inspection steps on the wafer, and/or on other wafer(s) currently being manufactured.Type: GrantFiled: June 28, 2017Date of Patent: October 10, 2017Assignee: PDF Solutions, Inc.Inventors: Stephen Lam, Dennis Ciplickas, Tomasz Brozek, Jeremy Cheng, Simone Comensoli, Indranil De, Kelvin Doong, Hans Eisenmann, Timothy Fiscus, Jonathan Haigh, Christopher Hess, John Kibarian, Sherry Lee, Marci Liao, Sheng-Che Lin, Hideki Matsuhashi, Kimon Michaels, Conor O'Sullivan, Markus Rauscher, Vyacheslav Rovner, Andrzej Strojwas, Marcin Strojwas, Carl Taylor, Rakesh Vallishayee, Larg Weiland, Nobuharu Yokoyama
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Patent number: 9780083Abstract: An IC includes logic cells, selected from a standard cell library, and fill cells, configured for compatibility with the standard logic cells. The fill cells contain structures configured to obtain in-line data via non-contact electrical measurements (“NCEM”). The IC includes such NCEM-enabled fill cells configured to enable detection and/or measurement of a variety of open-circuit and short-circuit failure modes, including at least one via-open-related failure mode, one TS-short-related failure mode, one metal-short-related failure mode, and one AA-short-related failure mode.Type: GrantFiled: December 28, 2016Date of Patent: October 3, 2017Assignee: PDF Solutions, Inc.Inventors: Stephen Lam, Dennis Ciplickas, Tomasz Brozek, Jeremy Cheng, Simone Comensoli, Indranil De, Kelvin Doong, Hans Eisenmann, Timothy Fiscus, Jonathan Haigh, Christopher Hess, John Kibarian, Sherry Lee, Marci Liao, Sheng-Che Lin, Hideki Matsuhashi, Kimon Michaels, Conor O'Sullivan, Markus Rauscher, Vyacheslav Rovner, Andrzej Strojwas, Marcin Strojwas, Carl Taylor, Rakesh Vallishayee, Larg Weiland, Nobuharu Yokoyama
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Patent number: 9778974Abstract: An IC includes first and second designs of experiments (DOEs), each comprised of at least two fill cells. The fill cells contain structures configured to obtain in-line data via non-contact electrical measurements (“NCEM”). The first DOE contains fill cells configured to enable non-contact (NC) detection of snake opens, and the second DOE contains fill cells configured to enable NC detection of metal island opens.Type: GrantFiled: June 28, 2017Date of Patent: October 3, 2017Assignee: PDF Solutions, Inc.Inventors: Stephen Lam, Dennis Ciplickas, Tomasz Brozek, Jeremy Cheng, Simone Comensoli, Indranil De, Kelvin Doong, Hans Eisenmann, Timothy Fiscus, Jonathan Haigh, Christopher Hess, John Kibarian, Sherry Lee, Marci Liao, Sheng-Che Lin, Hideki Matsuhashi, Kimon Michaels, Conor O'Sullivan, Markus Rauscher, Vyacheslav Rovner, Andrzej Strojwas, Marcin Strojwas, Carl Taylor, Rakesh Vallishayee, Larg Weiland, Nobuharu Yokoyama
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Patent number: 9773773Abstract: An IC includes logic cells, selected from a standard cell library, and fill cells, configured for compatibility with the standard logic cells. The fill cells contain structures configured to obtain in-line data via non-contact electrical measurements (“NCEM”). The IC includes such NCEM-enabled fill cells configured to enable detection and/or measurement of a variety of short-circuit failure modes, including at least one chamfer-short-related failure mode, one AACNT-short-related failure mode, one GATE-short-related failure mode, and one GATECNT-short-related failure mode.Type: GrantFiled: December 30, 2016Date of Patent: September 26, 2017Assignee: PDF Solutions, Inc.Inventors: Stephen Lam, Dennis Ciplickas, Tomasz Brozek, Jeremy Cheng, Simone Comensoli, Indranil De, Kelvin Doong, Hans Eisenmann, Timothy Fiscus, Jonathan Haigh, Christopher Hess, John Kibarian, Sherry Lee, Marci Liao, Sheng-Che Lin, Hideki Matsuhashi, Kimon Michaels, Conor O'Sullivan, Markus Rauscher, Vyacheslav Rovner, Andrzej Strojwas, Marcin Strojwas, Carl Taylor, Rakesh Vallishayee, Larg Weiland, Nobuharu Yokoyama
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Patent number: 9773775Abstract: An IC includes first and second designs of experiments (DOES), each comprised of at least two fill cells. The fill cells contain structures configured to obtain in-line data via non-contact electrical measurements (“NCEM”). The first DOE contains fill cells configured to enable non-contact (NC) detection of merged-via opens, and the second DOE contains fill cells configured to enable NC detection of snake opens.Type: GrantFiled: June 27, 2017Date of Patent: September 26, 2017Assignee: PDF Solutions, Inc.Inventors: Stephen Lam, Dennis Ciplickas, Tomasz Brozek, Jeremy Cheng, Simone Comensoli, Indranil De, Kelvin Doong, Hans Eisenmann, Timothy Fiscus, Jonathan Haigh, Christopher Hess, John Kibarian, Sherry Lee, Marci Liao, Sheng-Che Lin, Hideki Matsuhashi, Kimon Michaels, Conor O'Sullivan, Markus Rauscher, Vyacheslav Rovner, Andrzej Strojwas, Marcin Strojwas, Carl Taylor, Rakesh Vallishayee, Larg Weiland, Nobuharu Yokoyama
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Patent number: 9773774Abstract: A process for making and using a semiconductor wafer includes instantiating first and second designs of experiments (DOEs), each comprised of at least two fill cells. The fill cells contain structures configured to obtain in-line data via non-contact electrical measurements (“NCEM”). The first DOE contains fill cells configured to enable non-contact (NC) detection of chamfer shorts, and the second DOE contains fill cells configured to enable NC detection of corner shorts. The process may further include obtaining NC measurements from the first and/or second DOE(s) and using such measurements, at least in part, to selectively perform additional processing, metrology or inspection steps on the wafer, and/or on other wafer(s) currently being manufactured.Type: GrantFiled: March 31, 2017Date of Patent: September 26, 2017Assignee: PDF Solutions, Inc.Inventors: Stephen Lam, Dennis Ciplickas, Tomasz Brozek, Jeremy Cheng, Simone Comensoli, Indranil De, Kelvin Doong, Hans Eisenmann, Timothy Fiscus, Jonathan Haigh, Christopher Hess, John Kibarian, Sherry Lee, Marci Liao, Sheng-Che Lin, Hideki Matsuhashi, Kimon Michaels, Conor O'Sullivan, Markus Rauscher, Vyacheslav Rovner, Andrzej Strojwas, Marcin Strojwas, Carl Taylor, Rakesh Vallishayee, Larg Weiland, Nobuharu Yokoyama
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Patent number: 9768083Abstract: A process for making and using a semiconductor wafer includes instantiating first and second designs of experiments (DOEs), each comprised of at least two fill cells. The fill cells contain structures configured to obtain in-line data via non-contact electrical measurements (“NCEM”). The first DOE contains fill cells configured to enable non-contact (NC) detection of merged-via opens, and the second DOE contains fill cells configured to enable NC detection of snake opens. The process may further include obtaining NC measurements from the first and/or second DOE(s) and using such measurements, at least in part, to selectively perform additional processing, metrology or inspection steps on the wafer, and/or on other wafer(s) currently being manufactured.Type: GrantFiled: June 27, 2017Date of Patent: September 19, 2017Assignee: PDF Solutions, Inc.Inventors: Stephen Lam, Dennis Ciplickas, Tomasz Brozek, Jeremy Cheng, Simone Comensoli, Indranil De, Kelvin Doong, Hans Eisenmann, Timothy Fiscus, Jonathan Haigh, Christopher Hess, John Kibarian, Sherry Lee, Marci Liao, Sheng-Che Lin, Hideki Matsuhashi, Kimon Michaels, Conor O'Sullivan, Markus Rauscher, Vyacheslav Rovner, Andrzej Strojwas, Marcin Strojwas, Carl Taylor, Rakesh Vallishayee, Larg Weiland, Nobuharu Yokoyama
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Patent number: 9766970Abstract: An IC includes first and second designs of experiments (DOES), each comprised of at least two fill cells. The fill cells contain structures configured to obtain in-line data via non-contact electrical measurements (“NCEM”). The first DOE contains fill cells configured to enable non-contact (NC) detection of merged-via opens, and the second DOE contains fill cells configured to enable NC detection of metal island opens.Type: GrantFiled: June 28, 2017Date of Patent: September 19, 2017Assignee: PDF Solutions, Inc.Inventors: Stephen Lam, Dennis Ciplickas, Tomasz Brozek, Jeremy Cheng, Simone Comensoli, Indranil De, Kelvin Doong, Hans Eisenmann, Timothy Fiscus, Jonathan Haigh, Christopher Hess, John Kibarian, Sherry Lee, Marci Liao, Sheng-Che Lin, Hideki Matsuhashi, Kimon Michaels, Conor O'Sullivan, Markus Rauscher, Vyacheslav Rovner, Andrzej Strojwas, Marcin Strojwas, Carl Taylor, Rakesh Vallishayee, Larg Weiland, Nobuharu Yokoyama
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Patent number: 9761502Abstract: An IC includes first and second designs of experiments (DOEs), each comprised of at least two fill cells. The fill cells contain structures configured to obtain in-line data via non-contact electrical measurements (“NCEM”). The first DOE contains fill cells configured to enable non-contact (NC) detection of via opens, and the second DOE contains fill cells configured to enable NC detection of merged-via opens.Type: GrantFiled: June 26, 2017Date of Patent: September 12, 2017Assignee: PDF Solutions, Inc.Inventors: Stephen Lam, Dennis Ciplickas, Tomasz Brozek, Jeremy Cheng, Simone Comensoli, Indranil De, Kelvin Doong, Hans Eisenmann, Timothy Fiscus, Jonathan Haigh, Christopher Hess, John Kibarian, Sherry Lee, Marci Liao, Sheng-Che Lin, Hideki Matsuhashi, Kimon Michaels, Conor O'Sullivan, Markus Rauscher, Vyacheslav Rovner, Andrzej Strojwas, Marcin Strojwas, Carl Taylor, Rakesh Vallishayee, Larg Weiland, Nobuharu Yokoyama
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Patent number: 9761575Abstract: An IC includes logic cells, selected from a standard cell library, and fill cells, configured for compatibility with the standard logic cells. The fill cells contain structures configured to obtain in-line data via non-contact electrical measurements (“NCEM”). The IC includes such NCEM-enabled fill cells configured to enable detection and/or measurement of a variety of short-circuit failure modes, including at least one chamfer-short-related failure mode, one AACNT-short-related failure mode, one GATE-short-related failure mode, and one TS-short-related failure mode.Type: GrantFiled: December 30, 2016Date of Patent: September 12, 2017Assignee: PDF Solutions, Inc.Inventors: Stephen Lam, Dennis Ciplickas, Tomasz Brozek, Jeremy Cheng, Simone Comensoli, Indranil De, Kelvin Doong, Hans Eisenmann, Timothy Fiscus, Jonathan Haigh, Christopher Hess, John Kibarian, Sherry Lee, Marci Liao, Sheng-Che Lin, Hideki Matsuhashi, Kimon Michaels, Conor O'Sullivan, Markus Rauscher, Vyacheslav Rovner, Andrzej Strojwas, Marcin Strojwas, Carl Taylor, Rakesh Vallishayee, Larg Weiland, Nobuharu Yokoyama
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Patent number: 9761574Abstract: An IC includes logic cells, selected from a standard cell library, and fill cells, configured for compatibility with the standard logic cells. The fill cells contain structures configured to obtain in-line data via non-contact electrical measurements (“NCEM”). The IC includes such NCEM-enabled fill cells configured to enable detection and/or measurement of a variety of open-circuit and short-circuit failure modes, including at least one via-open-related failure mode, one GATECNT-short-related failure mode, one metal-short-related failure mode, and one AA-short-related failure mode.Type: GrantFiled: December 28, 2016Date of Patent: September 12, 2017Assignee: PDF Solutions, Inc.Inventors: Stephen Lam, Dennis Ciplickas, Tomasz Brozek, Jeremy Cheng, Simone Comensoli, Indranil De, Kelvin Doong, Hans Eisenmann, Timothy Fiscus, Jonathan Haigh, Christopher Hess, John Kibarian, Sherry Lee, Marci Liao, Sheng-Che Lin, Hideki Matsuhashi, Kimon Michaels, Conor O'Sullivan, Markus Rauscher, Vyacheslav Rovner, Andrzej Strojwas, Marcin Strojwas, Carl Taylor, Rakesh Vallishayee, Larg Weiland, Nobuharu Yokoyama
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Patent number: 9748153Abstract: A process for making and using a semiconductor wafer includes instantiating first and second designs of experiments (DOEs), each comprised of at least two fill cells. The fill cells contain structures configured to obtain in-line data via non-contact electrical measurements (“NCEM”). The first DOE contains fill cells configured to enable non-contact (NC) detection of side-to-side shorts, and the second DOE contains fill cells configured to enable NC detection of tip-to-side shorts. The process may further include obtaining NC measurements from the first and/or second DOE(s) and using such measurements, at least in part, to selectively perform additional processing, metrology or inspection steps on the wafer, and/or on other wafer(s) currently being manufactured.Type: GrantFiled: March 31, 2017Date of Patent: August 29, 2017Assignee: PDF Solutions, Inc.Inventors: Stephen Lam, Dennis Ciplickas, Tomasz Brozek, Jeremy Cheng, Simone Comensoli, Indranil De, Kelvin Doong, Hans Eisenmann, Timothy Fiscus, Jonathan Haigh, Christopher Hess, John Kibarian, Sherry Lee, Marci Liao, Sheng-Che Lin, Hideki Matsuhashi, Kimon Michaels, Conor O'Sullivan, Markus Rauscher, Vyacheslav Rovner, Andrzej Strojwas, Marcin Strojwas, Carl Taylor, Rakesh Vallishayee, Larg Weiland, Nobuharu Yokoyama
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Patent number: 9741703Abstract: An IC includes logic cells, selected from a standard cell library, and fill cells, configured for compatibility with the standard logic cells. The fill cells contain structures configured to obtain in-line data via non-contact electrical measurements (“NCEM”). The IC includes such NCEM-enabled fill cells configured to enable detection and/or measurement of a variety of open-circuit and short-circuit failure modes, including at least one via-open-related failure mode, one GATE-short-related failure mode, one TS-short-related failure mode, and one AA-short-related failure mode.Type: GrantFiled: December 28, 2016Date of Patent: August 22, 2017Assignee: PDF Solutions, Inc.Inventors: Stephen Lam, Dennis Ciplickas, Tomasz Brozek, Jeremy Cheng, Simone Comensoli, Indranil De, Kelvin Doong, Hans Eisenmann, Timothy Fiscus, Jonathan Haigh, Christopher Hess, John Kibarian, Sherry Lee, Marci Liao, Sheng-Che Lin, Hideki Matsuhashi, Kimon Michaels, Conor O'Sullivan, Markus Rauscher, Vyacheslav Rovner, Andrzej Strojwas, Marcin Strojwas, Carl Taylor, Rakesh Vallishayee, Larg Weiland, Nobuharu Yokoyama
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Patent number: 9741741Abstract: An IC includes logic cells, selected from a standard cell library, and fill cells, configured for compatibility with the standard logic cells. The fill cells contain structures configured to obtain in-line data via non-contact electrical measurements (“NCEM”). The IC includes such NCEM-enabled fill cells configured to enable detection and/or measurement of a variety of open-circuit and short-circuit failure modes, including at least one via-open-related failure mode, one AACNT-short-related failure mode, one GATE-short-related failure mode, and one GATECNT-short-related failure mode.Type: GrantFiled: December 7, 2016Date of Patent: August 22, 2017Assignee: PDF Solutions, Inc.Inventors: Stephen Lam, Dennis Ciplickas, Tomasz Brozek, Jeremy Cheng, Simone Comensoli, Indranil De, Kelvin Doong, Hans Eisenmann, Timothy Fiscus, Jonathan Haigh, Christopher Hess, John Kibarian, Sherry Lee, Marci Liao, Sheng-Che Lin, Hideki Matsuhashi, Kimon Michaels, Conor O'Sullivan, Markus Rauscher, Vyacheslav Rovner, Andrzej Strojwas, Marcin Strojwas, Carl Taylor, Rakesh Vallishayee, Larg Weiland, Nobuharu Yokoyama
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Patent number: 9733297Abstract: An observation apparatus includes a laser light source, a scanning optical system irradiating a semiconductor device with laser light output from the laser light source, a bias power supply applying a reverse bias voltage of a predetermined voltage between electrodes of the semiconductor device, a sensor detecting an electrical property occurring in the semiconductor device in response to the laser light, and a control system generating an electrical property image of the semiconductor device based on a detection signal from the sensor. The bias power supply gradually increases a magnitude of the predetermined voltage until the predetermined voltage reaches a voltage at which avalanche amplification occurs in the semiconductor device. When the predetermined voltage is increased, the scanning optical system irradiates with the laser light, the sensor detects the electrical property, and the control system generates the electrical property image.Type: GrantFiled: February 13, 2014Date of Patent: August 15, 2017Assignee: HAMAMATSU PHOTONICS K.K.Inventor: Tomonori Nakamura
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Patent number: 9721937Abstract: An IC includes first and second designs of experiments (DOEs), each comprised of at least two fill cells. The fill cells contain structures configured to obtain in-line data via non-contact electrical measurements (“NCEM”). The first DOE contains fill cells configured to enable non-contact (NC) detection of side-to-side shorts, and the second DOE contains fill cells configured to enable NC detection of tip-to-tip shorts.Type: GrantFiled: March 29, 2017Date of Patent: August 1, 2017Assignee: PDF Solutions, Inc.Inventors: Stephen Lam, Dennis Ciplickas, Tomasz Brozek, Jeremy Cheng, Simone Comensoli, Indranil De, Kelvin Doong, Hans Eisenmann, Timothy Fiscus, Jonathan Haigh, Christopher Hess, John Kibarian, Sherry Lee, Marci Liao, Sheng-Che Lin, Hideki Matsuhashi, Kimon Michaels, Conor O'Sullivan, Markus Rauscher, Vyacheslav Rovner, Andrzej Strojwas, Marcin Strojwas, Carl Taylor, Rakesh Vallishayee, Larg Weiland, Nobuharu Yokoyama
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Patent number: 9711496Abstract: An IC includes first and second designs of experiments (DOES), each comprised of at least two fill cells. The fill cells contain structures configured to obtain in-line data via non-contact electrical measurements (“NCEM”). The first DOE contains fill cells configured to enable non-contact (NC) detection of side-to-side shorts, and the second DOE contains fill cells configured to enable NC detection of tip-to-side shorts.Type: GrantFiled: March 29, 2017Date of Patent: July 18, 2017Assignee: PDF Solutions, Inc.Inventors: Stephen Lam, Dennis Ciplickas, Tomasz Brozek, Jeremy Cheng, Simone Comensoli, Indranil De, Kelvin Doong, Hans Eisenmann, Timothy Fiscus, Jonathan Haigh, Christopher Hess, John Kibarian, Sherry Lee, Marci Liao, Sheng-Che Lin, Hideki Matsuhashi, Kimon Michaels, Conor O'Sullivan, Markus Rauscher, Vyacheslav Rovner, Andrzej Strojwas, Marcin Strojwas, Carl Taylor, Rakesh Vallishayee, Larg Weiland, Nobuharu Yokoyama
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Patent number: 9653446Abstract: An IC includes logic cells, selected from a standard cell library, and fill cells, configured for compatibility with the standard logic cells. The fill cells contain structures configured to obtain in-line data via non-contact electrical measurements (“NCEM”). The IC includes such NCEM-enabled fill cells configured to enable detection and/or measurement of a variety of open-circuit and short-circuit failure modes, including at least one via-open-related failure mode, one AACNT-short-related failure mode, one TS-short-related failure mode, and one AA-short-related failure mode.Type: GrantFiled: December 27, 2016Date of Patent: May 16, 2017Assignee: PDF Solutions, Inc.Inventors: Stephen Lam, Dennis Ciplickas, Tomasz Brozek, Jeremy Cheng, Simone Comensoli, Indranil De, Kelvin Doong, Hans Eisenmann, Timothy Fiscus, Jonathan Haigh, Christopher Hess, John Kibarian, Sherry Lee, Marci Liao, Sheng-Che Lin, Hideki Matsuhashi, Kimon Michaels, Conor O'Sullivan, Markus Rauscher, Vyacheslav Rovner, Andrzej Strojwas, Marcin Strojwas, Carl Taylor, Rakesh Vallishayee, Larg Weiland, Nobuharu Yokoyama
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Patent number: 9594101Abstract: Apparatus for measuring the local electrical resistance of a surface, the apparatus comprising: a DC voltage source for applying a bias voltage (Vpol) to the sample (E) for characterizing; a measurement circuit (CM) capable of being connected to a conductive probe suitable for coming into contact with a surface (SE) of said sample in order to generate a signal (S) representative of a contact resistance between said conductive probe and said surface of the sample; and a control device (CMD) for controlling said measurement circuit; the apparatus being characterized in that said measurement circuit comprises: a measurement resistive two-terminal network (DM) presenting variable resistance and connected between said conductive probe and a ground of the circuit; and a calculation unit (UC) for generating said signal representative of a contact resistance between said conductive probe and said surface of the sample as a function of a voltage (Vs) across the terminals of said measurement resistive two-terminal nType: GrantFiled: May 3, 2011Date of Patent: March 14, 2017Assignees: Centre National De La Recherche Scientifique, Ecole Superieure D'ElectriciteInventors: Olivier Schneegans, Pascal Chretien, Frédéric Houzé
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Patent number: 9543113Abstract: The present invention explains a charged-particle beam device for the purpose of highly accurately measuring electrostatic charge of a sample in a held state by an electrostatic chuck (105). In order to attain the object, according to the present invention, there is proposed a charged-particle beam device including an electrostatic chuck (105) for holding a sample on which a charged particle beam is irradiated and a sample chamber (102) in which the electrostatic chuck (105) is set. The charged-particle beam device includes a potential measuring device that measures potential on a side of an attraction surface for the sample of the electrostatic chuck (105) and a control device that performs potential measurement by the potential measuring device in a state in which the sample is attracted by the electrostatic chuck (105).Type: GrantFiled: January 10, 2014Date of Patent: January 10, 2017Assignee: Hitachi High-Technologies CorporationInventors: Yasushi Ebizuka, Seiichiro Kanno, Naoya Ishigaki, Masashi Fujita
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Patent number: 9500694Abstract: Provided is a method for evaluating defects in a wafer. The method for evaluating the wafer defects includes preparing a wafer sample, forming an oxidation layer on the wafer sample, measuring a diffusion distance of a minority carrier using a surface photovoltage (SPV), and determining results of a contamination degree.Type: GrantFiled: July 3, 2012Date of Patent: November 22, 2016Assignee: LG Siltron Inc.Inventor: Ho-Chan Ham
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Patent number: 9406571Abstract: A method for manufacturing a semiconductor device includes: forming a semiconductor wafer including a plurality of semiconductor devices sandwiching a dicing region and an inline inspection monitor arranged in the dicing region; after forming the semiconductor wafer, conducting an inline inspection of the semiconductor device by using the inline inspection monitor; and after the inline inspection, dicing the semiconductor wafer along the dicing region to separate the semiconductor devices individually. The step of forming the semiconductor wafer includes: simultaneously forming a first diffusion layer of the semiconductor device and a second diffusion layer of the inline inspection monitor; forming a metal layer on the first and second diffusion layer; and at least partly removing the metal layer on the second diffusion layer. When the semiconductor wafer is diced, a portion from which the metal layer has been removed is cut by a dicing blade on the second diffusion layer.Type: GrantFiled: September 15, 2014Date of Patent: August 2, 2016Assignee: MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORPORATIONInventors: Takuya Yoshida, Kazutoyo Takano
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Patent number: 9372223Abstract: An aspect of the present invention relates to a method of evaluating metal contamination in a semiconductor sample by DLTS method, which includes obtaining a first DLTS spectrum by measuring a DLTS signal while varying a temperature, the DLTS signal being generated by alternatively and cyclically applying to a semiconductor junction on a semiconductor sample a reverse voltage VR to form a depletion layer and a weak voltage V1 to trap carriers in the depletion layer; obtaining a second DLTS spectrum by measuring a DLTS signal while varying a temperature, the DLTS signal is being generated by cyclically applying the VR to the semiconductor junction; obtaining a differential spectrum of the first DLTS spectrum with a correction-use spectrum in the form of the second DLTS spectrum or a spectrum that is obtained by approximating the second DLTS spectrum as a straight line or as a curve.Type: GrantFiled: June 14, 2012Date of Patent: June 21, 2016Assignee: SUMCO CORPORATIONInventors: Kei Matsumoto, Ryuji Ohno
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Patent number: 9329223Abstract: A method for detecting surface and bulk deep states in semiconductor materials is provided. In various embodiments, the method comprises configuring a detection circuit of charge based deep level transient spectrometer in one of a parallel mode and a series mode by controlling the configuration of a switching circuit of the detection circuit. The method additionally comprises generating digitized voltage charge outputs of a device under test utilizing the detection circuit as controlled via execution of an analog-to-digital conversion and timing program by a control system of the charge based deep level transient spectrometer. Furthermore, the method comprises obtaining desired information about deep level transients of the device under test based on the digitized voltage charge outputs via execution of a control system operable to execute a Q-DLTS data analysis program by the control system.Type: GrantFiled: July 2, 2012Date of Patent: May 3, 2016Assignee: The Curators of the University of MissouriInventors: Daniel E. Montenegro, Jason B. Rothenberger, Mark A. Prelas, Robert V Tompson, Jr., Annie Tipton
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Patent number: 9316673Abstract: A device and method of determining a capacitance of a device is provided, which in one embodiment includes connecting a first terminal of a capacitor having a known capacitance to the first terminal of the device, applying an AC voltage to the first terminal of the device and the first terminal of the capacitor, measuring a current through the capacitor, measuring a current through the device, determining a first voltage across the device as a function of time, computing a capacitance of the device as a function of time by multiplying the capacitance of the capacitor by the ratio of the current through the device to the current through the capacitor, determining a capacitance of the device as a function of voltage based on the capacitance as a function of time and the first voltage across the device as a function of time, and outputting data of the first capacitance of the device as a function of voltage.Type: GrantFiled: July 2, 2014Date of Patent: April 19, 2016Assignee: SEMICONDUCTOR COMPONENTS INDUSTRIES, LLCInventor: Robert A. Ashton
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Patent number: 9310396Abstract: Methods and apparatus for measuring minority carrier lifetimes using liquid probes are provided. In one embodiment, a method of measuring the minority carrier lifetime of a semiconductor material comprises: providing a semiconductor material having a surface; forming a rectifying junction at a first location on the surface by temporarily contacting the surface with a conductive liquid probe; electrically coupling a second junction to the semiconductor material at a second location, wherein the first location and the second location are physically separated; applying a forward bias to the rectifying junction causing minority carrier injection in the semiconductor material; measuring a total capacitance as a function of frequency between the rectifying junction and the second junction; determining an inflection frequency of the total capacitance; and determining a minority lifetime of the semiconductor material from the inflection frequency.Type: GrantFiled: March 5, 2014Date of Patent: April 12, 2016Assignee: Alliance For Sustainable Energy, LLCInventor: Jian Li
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Patent number: 9112099Abstract: A treatment of thin layers for forming a connection of a photovoltaic cell including the thin layers, which includes a first layer, having photovoltaic properties, deposited on a second layer, and the second layer, which is a metal contact layer, deposited on a substrate, the treatment including etching, in the first layer, at least one first trench having a first width so as to expose the second layer; and etching, in the first trench, a second trench so as to expose the substrate, the second trench having a second width less than the first width.Type: GrantFiled: January 28, 2013Date of Patent: August 18, 2015Assignee: NEXCISInventor: Brendan Dunne
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Patent number: 8969104Abstract: A physical test integrated circuit has a plurality of repeating circuit portions corresponding to an integrated circuit design. A first of the portions is fabricated with a nominal block mask location, and additional ones of the portions are deliberately fabricated with predetermined progressive increased offset of the block mask location from the nominal block mask location. For each of the portions, the difference in threshold voltage between a first field effect transistor and a second field effect transistor is determined. The predetermined progressive increased offset of the block mask location is in a direction from the first field effect transistor to the second field effect transistor. The block mask overlay tolerance is determined at a value of the progressive increased offset corresponding to an inflection of the difference in threshold voltage from a zero difference. A method for on-chip monitoring, and corresponding circuits, are also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: June 5, 2012Date of Patent: March 3, 2015Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Emrah Acar, Aditya Bansal, Dureseti Chidambarrao, Liang-Teck Pang, Amith Singhee
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Patent number: 8963820Abstract: A semiconductor device includes: a trimming object circuit configured to use a trimming circuit to adjust an output based on a trimming value; and a trimming value setting circuit configured to set the trimming value. The trimming value setting circuit includes: a register configured to volatilely store a pseudo-trimming value set with reference to a trimming table such that an output value of the trimming object circuit becomes equal to a target value; a trimming value storage configured to non-volatilely store a final trimming value, wherein the final trimming value is set by correcting the pseudo-trimming value with reference to a trimming value correction table such that the output value of the trimming object circuit, which is obtained based on the pseudo-trimming value, becomes equal to the target value; and a selector configured to select one of the pseudo-trimming value and the final trimming value as the trimming value.Type: GrantFiled: July 3, 2013Date of Patent: February 24, 2015Assignee: Rohm Co., Ltd.Inventors: Takateru Yamamoto, Dai Onimatsu
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Patent number: 8937310Abstract: Integrated circuit layers to be stacked on top of each other are formed with a plurality of inspection rectifier device units, respectively. The inspection rectifier device units including rectifier devices are connected between a plurality of connection terminals and a positive power supply lead and a grounding lead and emit light in response to a current. After electrically connecting the plurality of connection terminals to each other, a bias voltage is applied between the positive power supply lead and the grounding lead, and the connection state between the connection terminals is inspected according to a light emission of the inspection rectifier device unit. This makes it possible to inspect, in a short time every time a layer is stacked, whether or not an interlayer connection failure exists in a semiconductor integrated circuit device constructed by stacking a plurality of integrated circuit layers in their thickness direction.Type: GrantFiled: June 13, 2011Date of Patent: January 20, 2015Assignee: Hamamatsu Photonics K.K.Inventor: Tomonori Nakamura
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Patent number: 8932884Abstract: Structures and methods are disclosed for evaluating the effect of a process environment variation. A structure and related method are disclosed including a plurality of electrical structures arranged in a non-collinear fashion for determining a magnitude and direction of a process environment variation in the vicinity of the plurality of electrical structures. The plurality of structures may include a first polarity FET coupled to a second polarity FET, each of the first polarity FET and the second polarity FET are coupled to a first pad and a second pad such that the structure allows independent measurement of the first polarity FET and the second polarity FET using only the first and second pads. Alternatively, the electrical structures may include resistors, diodes or ring oscillators. Appropriate measurements of each electrical structure allow a gradient field including a magnitude and direction of the effect of a process environment variation to be determined.Type: GrantFiled: August 27, 2010Date of Patent: January 13, 2015Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Brent A. Anderson, Edward J. Nowak, Noah D. Zamdmer
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Patent number: 8872348Abstract: A stack type semiconductor device may include a first type well formed at a first height from a bottom of a semiconductor substrate; second type doping regions formed within the first type well at bottoms of regions where vias are expected to be formed; and a first type doping region formed within the first type well at a bottom of a region where bias contacts are expected to be formed. The stack type semiconductor device comprises the vias connected to the second type doping regions; the bias contacts connected to the first type doping region; contact pads electrically connected to the vias; and bias pads electrically connected to the bias contacts.Type: GrantFiled: August 31, 2012Date of Patent: October 28, 2014Assignee: SK Hynix Inc.Inventor: Sun Jong Yoo
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Patent number: 8860035Abstract: Disclosed is an organic light emitting diode display including: a substrate including a display area configured to display an image and a peripheral area surrounding the display area; a plurality of pad wires at the peripheral area of the substrate; and an inspection wire having a zigzag form on the plurality of pad wires.Type: GrantFiled: April 19, 2013Date of Patent: October 14, 2014Assignee: Samsung Display Co., Ltd.Inventors: Han-Sung Bae, Won-Kyu Kwak
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Patent number: 8846417Abstract: An optoelectronic device including at least one of a solar device, a semiconductor device, and an electronic device. The device includes a semiconductor unit. A plurality of metal fingers is disposed on a surface of the semiconductor unit for electrical conduction. Each of the metal fingers includes a pad area for forming an electrical contact. The optoelectronic device includes a plurality of pad areas that is available for connection to a bus bar, wherein each of the metal fingers is connected to a corresponding pad area for forming an electrical contact.Type: GrantFiled: August 31, 2011Date of Patent: September 30, 2014Assignee: Alta Devices, Inc.Inventor: Andreas Hegedus
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Patent number: 8846448Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a tool arrangement and method to reduce warpage within a package-on-package semiconductor structure, while minimizing void formation within an electrically-insulating adhesive which couples the packages. A pressure generator and a variable frequency microwave source are coupled to a process chamber which encapsulates a package-on-package semiconductor structure. The package-on-package semiconductor structure is simultaneously heated by the variable frequency microwave source at variable frequency, variable temperature, and variable duration and exposed to an elevated pressure by the pressure generator. This combination for microwave heating and elevated pressure limits the amount of warpage introduced while preventing void formation within an electrically-insulating adhesive which couples the substrates of the package-on-package semiconductor structure.Type: GrantFiled: August 10, 2012Date of Patent: September 30, 2014Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.Inventors: Meng-Tse Chen, Wei-Hung Lin, Kuei-Wei Huang, Tsai-Tsung Tsai, Ai-Tee Ang, Ming-Da Cheng, Chung-Shi Liu
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Patent number: 8835194Abstract: A method of testing a semiconductor substrate having through substrate vias for current leakage which includes: forming a current leakage measurement structure that includes substrate contacts, sensing circuits to sense current leakage from the through substrate vias, the sensing circuits connected to the through substrate vias and to the substrate contacts so that there is a one-to-one correspondence of a substrate contact and sensing circuit to each through substrate via, and a built-in self test (BIST) engine to sense one of the through substrate vias for current leakage. A reference current is applied to the sensing circuits to set a current leakage threshold for the through substrate vias. A through substrate via is selected for sensing for current leakage. The sensing circuit senses the selected through substrate via to determine whether there is current leakage from the selected through substrate via.Type: GrantFiled: November 13, 2013Date of Patent: September 16, 2014Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Bhavana Bhoovaraghan, Mukta G. Farooq, Emily R. Kinser, Sudesh Saroop
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Patent number: 8828749Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a structure comprising 1. an electrically conductive substrate having carbon nanotubes grown thereon; 2. a cured polymeric fill matrix comprising at least one latent photoacid generator embedded around the carbon nanotubes but allowing tips of the carbon nanotubes to be exposed; 3. a layer of patterned and cured photosensitive dielectric material on the cured polymeric fill matrix, wherein tips of the carbon nanotubes are exposed within the patterns; and 4. an electrically conductive material filled into the interconnect pattern and in contact with the exposed tips of the carbon nanotubes; and to methods of making the structure and using the structure to measure the electrical characteristics of carbon nanotubes.Type: GrantFiled: August 8, 2012Date of Patent: September 9, 2014Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Maxime Darnon, Gerald W. Gibson, Pratik P. Joshi, Qinghuang Lin
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Patent number: 8828771Abstract: A sensor manufacturing method and a microphone structure produced by using the same. Wherein, thermal oxidation method is used to form a sacrifice layer of an insulation layer on a silicon-on-insulator (SOI) substrate or a silicon substrate, to fill patterned via in said substrate. Next, form a conduction wiring layer on the insulation layer. Since the conduction wiring layer is provided with holes, thus etching gas can be led in through said hole, to remove filling in the patterned via, to obtain an MEMS sensor. Or after etching of the conduction wiring layer, deep reactive-ion etching is used to etch the silicon substrate into patterned via, to connect the substrate electrically to a circuit chip. The manufacturing process is simple and the technology is stable and mature, thus the conduction wiring layer and the insulation layer are used to realize electrical isolation.Type: GrantFiled: November 16, 2012Date of Patent: September 9, 2014Inventor: Chuan-Wei Wang
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Patent number: 8822993Abstract: An Integrated Circuit (IC) and a method of making the same. In one embodiment, an integrated circuit includes: a substrate; a first metal layer disposed on the substrate and including a sensor structure configured to indicate a crack in a portion of the integrated circuit; and a second metal layer disposed proximate the first metal layer, the second metal layer including a wire component disposed proximate the sensor structure.Type: GrantFiled: July 17, 2012Date of Patent: September 2, 2014Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Edward C. Cooney, III, Jeffrey P. Gambino, Zhong-Xiang He, Tom C. Lee
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Patent number: 8815739Abstract: One illustrative device disclosed herein includes at least one fin comprised of a semiconducting material, a layer of gate insulation material positioned adjacent an outer surface of the fin, a gate electrode comprised of graphene positioned on the layer of gate insulation material around at least a portion of the fin, and an insulating material formed on the gate electrode.Type: GrantFiled: July 10, 2012Date of Patent: August 26, 2014Assignee: GLOBALFOUNDRIES Inc.Inventors: Zoran Krivokapic, Bhagawan Sahu
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Patent number: 8785930Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: December 29, 2009Date of Patent: July 22, 2014Assignee: STMicroelectronics S.r.l.Inventors: Daniele Alfredo Brambilla, Fausto Redigolo
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Patent number: 8754412Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: January 3, 2012Date of Patent: June 17, 2014Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Xiaojun Yu, Anda C. Mocuta, Toshiaki Kirihata