Abstract: A semiconductor device a strapped interconnect line, which in turn includes a first interconnect line at a first level above a semiconductor substrate, and a second interconnect line at a second level above the interconnect substrate. A dielectric capping layer is located directly on the first interconnect line. A plurality of strapping vias are connected between the first interconnect line and the second interconnect line. Each of the strapping vias extends from a first side of the first interconnect line to a second side of the second interconnect line.

Abstract: A method includes forming a dielectric layer over a contact pad of a device, forming a first polymer layer over the dielectric layer, forming a first conductive line and a first portion of a second conductive line over the first polymer layer, patterning a photoresist to form an opening over the first portion of the second conductive feature, wherein after patterning the photoresist the first conductive line remains covered by photoresist, forming a second portion of the second conductive line in the opening, wherein the second portion of the second conductive line physically contacts the first portion of the second conductive line, and forming a second polymer layer extending completely over the first conductive line and the second portion of the second conductive line.

Abstract: An integrated circuit has an isolation capacitor structure that reduces the risk of breakdown from high electric fields at the edge of the top metal plate of the capacitor. The capacitor structure includes a bottom metal plate above a substrate. A first dielectric layer of a first dielectric material is formed between the bottom metal plate and the top metal plate. The capacitor structure also includes a thin narrow ring formed of a second dielectric material located under a portion of the top metal plate. The second dielectric material has a higher dielectric constant than the first dielectric material. The thin narrow ring follows the shape of the edge of the top metal plate with a portion of the ring underneath the top metal plate and a portion outside the edge of the top metal plate to thereby be located at a place of the maximum electric field.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a semiconductor device is provided. The method comprises determining a dimensional quantity of a layout pattern having an angle relative to grid lines of a minimum grid. The minimum grid may be defined by a first quantity associated with a first direction and a second quantity associated with a second direction perpendicular to the first direction. The determination of the dimensional quantity of the layout pattern is based on the first quantity, the second quantity and the angle of the layout pattern relative to the grid lines of the minimum grid.

Abstract: A semiconductor memory device, includes: a first region including a first memory cell array; a second region arranged with the first region; and a third region arranged with the second region and including a second memory cell array. Each memory cell array includes: a field effect transistor above a semiconductor substrate, including a gate, a source, and a drain, the gate being connected to a first wiring, and one of the source and the drain being connected to a second wiring; and a capacitor below the transistor, including a first electrode connected to the other of the source and the drain, a second electrode facing the first electrode, and a third electrode connected to the second electrode and extending to the second region. The second region includes a conductor, the conductor connecting the third electrodes of the memory cell arrays.

Abstract: A structure of semiconductor device includes a substrate, having a dielectric layer on top. The structure further includes at least two metal elements being adjacent, disposed in the dielectric layer, wherein an air gap is existing between the two metal elements. The air gap has a cross-section of substantially bottle shape with a flat top. A porous dielectric layer is disposed over the substrate, sealing the flat top of the air gap. An inter-layer dielectric layer disposed on the porous dielectric layer.

Abstract: A method including selecting a plurality of layout patterns, wherein each of the layout patterns comprises a corresponding via pillar structure that satisfies an electromigration (EM) rule, wherein each of the via pillar structures comprises metal layers and at least one via coupled to the metal layers. The method further includes selecting a layout pattern from the plurality of layout patterns having a smallest physical size. The method further includes performing a placement and routing process by using the selected layout pattern.

Abstract: Disclosed are a semiconductor device and a method of fabricating the same. The method includes placing a standard cell, resizing a power via pattern in such a way that the power via pattern has a different width from a width of other via pattern, and applying different design rules to the power via pattern and the other via pattern, respectively, to perform a routing operation on the standard cell.

Abstract: Structures for a non-volatile memory and methods for fabricating such structures. An active array region of a memory structure includes a plurality of active bitcells and a wordline. Dummy bitcells of the memory structure are arranged in a column within the active array region. An interconnect structure includes a metallization level having a wordline strap that extends across the active array region and that is arranged over the active array region.

Abstract: An array of vertically stacked tiers of memory cells includes a plurality of horizontally oriented access lines within individual tiers and a plurality of horizontally oriented global sense lines elevationally outward of the tiers. A plurality of select transistors is elevationally inward of the tiers. A plurality of pairs of local first and second vertical lines extends through the tiers. The local first vertical line within individual of the pairs is in conductive connection with one of the global sense lines and in conductive connection with one of the source/drain regions of one of the select transistors. The local second vertical line is in conductive connection with the other source/drain region of the one select transistor. Individual memory cells include a crossing one of the local second vertical lines and one of the horizontal access lines and programmable material there-between. Other aspects and implementations, including methods, are disclosed.

Abstract: This invention aims to present a smart and dynamic power amplifier module that features both power combining and power sharing capabilities. The proposed flexible power amplifier (PA) module consists of a pre-processor, N PAs, and a post-processor. The pre-processor is an M-to-N wavefront (WF) multiplexer (muxer), while the post processor is a N-to-M WF de-multiplexer (demuxer), where N?M?2. Multiple independent signals can be concurrently amplified by a proposed multi-channel PA module with a fixed total power output, while individual signal channel outputs feature different power intensities with no signal couplings among the individual signals. In addition to basic configurations, some modules can be configured to feature both functions of parallel power amplifiers and also as M-to-M switches. Other programmable features include configurations of power combining and power redistribution functions with a prescribed amplitude and phase distributions, as well as high power PA with a linearizer.

Abstract: An RF communications device may include a circuit board having a dielectric layer and conductive traces, one of the conductive traces defining a transmission line. The RF communications device may also include an RF transmitter carried by the circuit board and coupled to the transmission line, and RF switching circuits, each RF switching circuit including a substrate having a tapered proximal end coupled to the transmission line, and a distal end extending outwardly on the convex side of the transmission line. Each RF switching circuit may include a series diode, and a shunt diode coupled to the series diode, the series diode extending from the tapered proximal end and across an interior of the substrate.

Abstract: A packaged integrated circuit for operating reliably at elevated temperatures is provided. The packaged integrated circuit includes a modified extracted die, which includes one or more extended bond pads, a package comprising a base and a lid, and a plurality of new bond wires. The modified extracted die is placed into a cavity of the base. After the modified extracted die is placed into the cavity, the plurality of new bond wires are bonded between the one or more extended bond pads of the modified extracted die and package leads of the package base or downbonds. After bonding the plurality of new bond wires, the lid is sealed to the base.

Abstract: Circuits and methods for a system on a chip having non-uniform channel spacings is provided. In an example, a chip is provided that includes a first functional block having a rectilinear shape, the first processing unit having on a side a plurality of channel spacings. A first channel spacing of the plurality of channel spacings is positioned in contact with the side and a second functional block. A second channel spacing of the plurality of channel spacings is positioned in contact with the side and the second functional block. The width of the second channel spacing is non-uniform with the width of the first channel spacing.

Abstract: A technique for implementing an clock tree distribution network having a clock buffer and a plurality of LC tanks that each take into \consideration local capacitance distributions and conductor resistances. An AC-based sizing formulation is applied to the buffer and to the LC tanks so as to reduce the total buffer area. The technique is iterative and can be fully automated while also reducing clock distribution power consumption.

Abstract: A system and method for forming a semiconductor die contact structure is disclosed. An embodiment comprises a top level metal contact, such as copper, with a thickness large enough to act as a buffer for underlying low-k, extremely low-k, or ultra low-k dielectric layers. A contact pad or post-passivation interconnect may be formed over the top level metal contact, and a copper pillar or solder bump may be formed to be in electrical connection with the top level metal contact.

Abstract: A redistribution board includes a first conductive layer including a redistribution structure for low voltage signals, a second conductive layer including a redistribution structure for high voltage signals, and a non-conductive layer. The second conductive layer is spaced apart from the first conductive layer by the non-conductive layer. The redistribution board further includes a conductive connector extending from a mounting surface of the redistribution board to the second conductive layer. The conductive connector is surrounded by a low voltage trace of the first conductive layer.

Abstract: A nonvolatile memory device includes multiple variable resistive elements formed on a substrate; multiple bit lines formed on the variable resistive elements, extended in a first direction, and separated from each other by a first pitch; multiple circuit word lines formed on the multiple bit lines, extended in a second direction, and separated from each other by a second pitch; and multiple circuit word lines formed on the multiple bit lines, extended in the first direction, and separated from each other by a third pitch, wherein the third pitch of the multiple circuit word lines is larger than the first pitch of the multiple bit lines.

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: An integrated circuit (IC) having a concentric arrangement of stacked vias is disclosed. The IC includes first and second pluralities of signal lines on first and second metal layers, respectively. The second metal layer is arranged between the first metal layer and a silicon layer. The IC also includes a via structure implemented in a predefined area, and connects each of the first and second pluralities of signal lines to circuitry in the silicon layer through respective first and second pluralities of vias. Each via of the first and second pluralities has a center point that extends along a vertical axis from its respective metal layer to the silicon layer. Centers of each of the second plurality of vias are closer to a perimeter of the predefined area than respective centers of any of the first plurality of vias.

Abstract: A semiconductor device substrate includes a front section and back section that are laminated cores disposed on a front- and back surfaces of a first core. The first core has a cylindrical plated through hole that has been metal plated and filled with air-core material. The front- and back sections have laser-drilled tapered vias that are filled with conductive material and that are coupled to the plated through hole. The back section includes an integral inductor coil that communicates to the front section. The first core and the laminated-cores form a hybrid-core semiconductor device substrate with an integral inductor coil.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a method of creating vias and trenches with different length. The method includes depositing a plurality of dielectric layers on top of a semiconductor structure with the plurality of dielectric layers being separated by at least one etch-stop layer; creating multiple openings from a top surface of the plurality of dielectric layers down into the plurality of dielectric layers by a non-selective etching process, wherein at least one of the multiple openings has a depth below the etch-step layer; and continuing etching the multiple openings by a selective etching process until one or more openings of the multiple openings that are above the etch-stop layer reach and expose the etch-stop layer. Semiconductor structures made thereby are also provided.

Abstract: A semiconductor device, including: a semiconductor layer; a first conductive layer formed above the semiconductor layer and having a first width; a second conductive layer connected to the first conductive layer and having a second width which is smaller than the first width; an interlayer dielectric formed above the first conductive layer and the second conductive layer; and an electrode pad formed above the interlayer dielectric. A connection section at which the first conductive layer and the second conductive layer are connected is disposed in a specific region positioned inward from a line extending vertically downward from an edge of the electrode pad; and a reinforcing section is provided at the connection section.

Abstract: A chip pad structure of an integrated circuit (IC) and the method of forming are disclosed. The chip pad comprises a main pad portion and a ring pad portion. During a charging process involved in forming the chip pad structure, electrical connections from the gate electrodes of MOS transistors in the IC substrate generally are made only to the ring pad portion that has an antenna-to-gate area ratio substantially below a predetermined antenna design rule ratio, and thus is resistant or immune to antenna effect. The main pad portion and the ring pad portion are coupled together through metal bridges formed in an upper interconnect metal layer or in the top conductive pad layer. The chip pad may be used as probe pads on a parametric testline or bonding pads on an IC.

Abstract: Structures and methods of forming metallization layers on a semiconductor component are disclosed. The method includes etching a metal line trench using a metal line mask, and etching a via trench using a via mask after etching the metal line trench. The via trench is etched only in regions common to both the metal line mask and the via mask.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a cross-coupled transistor configuration formed by first and second PMOS transistors defined over first and second p-type diffusion regions, and by first and second NMOS transistors defined over first and second n-type diffusion regions, with each diffusion region electrically connected to a common node. Gate electrodes of the PMOS and NMOS transistors are formed by conductive features which extend in only a first parallel direction. The first and second p-type diffusion regions are formed in a spaced apart manner, such that no single line of extent that extends perpendicular to the first parallel direction intersects both the first and second p-type diffusion regions. The first and second n-type diffusion regions are formed in a spaced apart manner, such that no single line of extent that extends perpendicular to the first parallel direction intersects both the first and second n-type diffusion regions.

Abstract: A first wiring (1) has a bending portion (2), a first wiring region (1a) extending from the bending portion (2) in the X direction, and a second wiring region (1b) extending from the bending portion (2) in the Y direction. A via (3) is formed under the wiring (1). The via (3) is formed so as not to overlap with a region of the bending portion (2) in the first wiring region (1a). The length of the via (3) in the X direction (x) is longer than the length thereof in the Y direction (y) and both ends of the via (3) in the Y direction overlap with both ends of the first wiring region (1a) in the Y direction.

Abstract: A semiconductor device including: a semiconductor substrate; a plurality of interconnect layers disposed at different heights from the semiconductor substrate, each interconnect layer including an interconnection formed therein; and a via formed in a columnar shape extending in the stack direction of the interconnect layers, the via electrically connecting the interconnections of the different interconnect layers, the interconnections including an intermediate interconnection in contact with the via in the intermediate portion thereof, and the intermediate interconnection including a first type intermediate interconnection passing through the via in a direction perpendicular to the stack direction and in contact with the via on the top surface, bottom surface, and both side surfaces thereof.

Abstract: The semiconductor device has insulating films 40, 42 formed over a substrate 10; an interconnection 58 buried in at least a surface side of the insulating films 40, 42; insulating films 60, 62 formed on the insulating film 42 and including a hole-shaped via-hole 60 and a groove-shaped via-hole 66a having a pattern bent at a right angle; and buried conductors 70, 72a buried in the hole-shaped via-hole 60 and the groove-shaped via-hole 66a. A groove-shaped via-hole 66a is formed to have a width which is smaller than a width of the hole-shaped via-hole 66. Defective filling of the buried conductor and the cracking of the inter-layer insulating film can be prevented. Steps on the conductor plug can be reduced. Accordingly, defective contact with the upper interconnection layer and the problems taking place in forming films can be prevented.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes first and second wirings formed in a first wiring layer and extending parallel to an X direction, third and fourth wirings formed in a third wiring layer and extending parallel to a Y direction; fifth and sixth wirings formed in a second wiring layer positioned between the first and second wiring layers, a first contact conductor that connects the first wiring to the third wiring; and a second contact conductor that connects the second wiring to the fourth wiring. The first and second contact conductors are arranged in the X direction. Because the first and second contact conductors that connect wiring layers that are two or more layers apart are arranged in one direction, a prohibited area that is formed in the second wiring layer can be made narrower.

Abstract: In a semiconductor device, parallel first and second conductive lines having a unit width extend from a memory cell region into a connection region. A trim region in the connection region includes pads respectively connected to the first and second conductive lines but are separated by a width much greater than the unit width.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for an improved semiconductor layout are described herein. Embodiments of the present invention provide a microelectronic device including a microelectronic die and one or more redistribution paths formed thereon for electrically interconnecting at least one bond pad with an exposed portion of the redistribution path. The redistribution paths, bond pads, and exposed portions may be configured to result in the device having a width narrowed by at least the width of the bond pads due to their absence on at least one edge.

Abstract: A semiconductor apparatus has a configuration in which multiple copper wiring layers and multiple insulating layers are alternately layered. A low-impedance wiring is formed occupying a predetermined region. A first wiring pattern includes multiple copper wiring members arranged in parallel with predetermined intervals in a first copper wiring layer, each of which has a rectangular shape extending in a first direction. A second wiring pattern includes multiple copper wiring members arranged in parallel with predetermined intervals in a second copper wiring layer adjacent to the first copper wiring layer, each of which has a rectangular shape extending in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction. The region occupied by the first wiring pattern and that occupied by the second wiring pattern are arranged such that they at least overlap. The first wiring pattern and the second wiring pattern are electrically connected so as to have the same electric potential.

Abstract: Semiconductor memory devices having strapping contacts are provided, the devices include cell regions and strapping regions between adjacent cell regions in a first direction. Active patterns, extending in the first direction throughout the cell regions and strapping regions, are spaced apart from one another in a second direction intersecting the first direction. First interconnection lines, extending in the first direction throughout the cell regions and strapping regions, are spaced apart from one another in the second direction while overlapping with the active patterns. Second interconnection lines, extending in the second direction, intersect the active patterns and first interconnection lines in the cell regions. The second interconnection lines are spaced apart from one another in the first direction. Memory cells are positioned at intersection portions of the first and second interconnection lines in the cell regions.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a semiconductor chip with a base support structure having a surface and an opposed surface. At least one device structure extends from the surface of the base support structure. A first conductive region is coupled to the base support structure. At least a portion of the first conductive region extends below the opposed surface.

Abstract: A semiconductor layout structure includes multiple active blocks which are disposed on a substrate, parallel with one another and extending along a first direction, multiple first shallow trench isolations which are disposed on a substrate, parallel with one another and respectively disposed on the multiple active blocks, and multiple second shallow trench isolations which are disposed on a substrate, cutting through multiple active blocks and extending along a second direction. The first direction has an angle about 1 degree to about 53 degrees to the second direction.

Abstract: A semiconductor device according to one embodiment includes: a semiconductor substrate provided with a semiconductor element; a connecting member formed above the semiconductor substrate configured to electrically connect upper and lower conductive members; a first insulating film formed in the same layer as the connecting member; a wiring formed on the connecting member, the wiring including a first region and a second region, the first region contacting with a portion of an upper surface of the connecting member, and the second region located on the first region and having a width greater than that of the first region; and a second insulating film formed on the first insulating film so as to contact with at least a portion of the first region of the wiring and with a bottom surface of the second region.

Abstract: A first gate level feature forms gate electrodes of a first transistor of a first transistor type and a first transistor of a second transistor type. A second gate level feature forms a gate electrode of a second transistor of the first transistor type. A third gate level feature forms a gate electrode of a second transistor of the second transistor type. The gate electrodes of the second transistors of the first and second transistor types are electrically connected to each other. The gate electrodes of the second transistors of the first and second transistor types are positioned on opposite sides of a gate electrode track along which the gate electrodes of the first transistors of the first and second transistor types are positioned.

Abstract: A nitride semiconductor laser device is provided herein that is reduced in capacitance to have a better response. The nitride semiconductor laser device includes: an active layer; an upper cladding layer which is stacked above the active layer; a low dielectric constant insulating film which is stacked above the upper cladding layer; and a pad electrode which is stacked above the low dielectric constant insulating film.

Abstract: A solid-state imaging apparatus comprises: a plurality of photoelectric conversion elements for converting light into an electric charge, including a first photoelectric conversion element; a first semiconductor region from which the electric charge is transferred from a first photoelectric conversion element; an amplifying MOS transistor including a gate electrode connected to the first semiconductor region to amplify the potential of the first semiconductor region; an insulating film; a metal wiring layer above the insulating film; a local interconnect of a first conductor, formed in the insulating film, for connecting the gate electrode of the amplifying MOS transistor to the first semiconductor region not through the metal wiring layer; a second semiconductor region, different from the first semiconductor region; and a second conductor for connecting the second semiconductor region to at least a part of the metal wiring layer.

Abstract: A device includes a first low-k dielectric layer, and a copper-containing via in the first low-k dielectric layer. The device further includes a second low-k dielectric layer over the first low-k dielectric layer, and an aluminum-containing metal line over and electrically coupled to the copper-containing via. The aluminum-containing metal line is in the second low-k dielectric layer.

Abstract: A semiconductor device having a through electrode excellent in performance as for an electrode and manufacturing stability is provided. There is provided a through electrode composed of a conductive small diameter plug and a conductive large diameter plug on a semiconductor device. A cross sectional area of the small diameter plug is made larger than a cross sectional area and a diameter of a connection plug, and is made smaller than a cross sectional area and a diameter of the large diameter plug. In addition, a protruding portion formed in such a way that the small diameter plug is projected from the silicon substrate is put into an upper face of the large diameter plug. Further, an upper face of the small diameter plug is connected to a first interconnect.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a semiconductor memory device includes a substrate, and device regions in the substrate to extend in a first direction. The device further includes select gates on the substrate to extend in a second direction, and a contact region provided between the select gates and including contact plugs on the respective device regions. The contact region includes partial regions, in each of which N contact plugs are disposed on N successive device regions to be arranged on a straight line being non-parallel to the first and second directions, where N is an integer of 2 or more. The contact region includes the partial regions of at least two types whose values of N are different. Further, each of the contact plugs has a planar shape of an ellipse, and is arranged so that a major axis of the ellipse is tilted with respect to the first direction.

Abstract: Substantially simultaneous plasma etching of polysilicon and oxide layers in multilayer lines in semiconductors allows for enhanced critical dimensions and aspect ratios of the multilayer lines. Increasing multilayer line aspect ratios may be possible, allowing for increased efficiency, greater storage capacity, and smaller critical dimensions in semiconductor technologies.

Abstract: A method of manufacture of an integrated circuit system includes: forming reticle data; detecting a sub-geometry, a singularity, or a combination thereof in the reticle data; applying a unit cell, a patch cell, or a combination thereof for removing the sub-geometry, the singularity, or the combination thereof from the reticle data; and fabricating an integrated circuit from the reticle data.

Abstract: It is an object to provide a memory device where an area occupied by a memory cell is small, and moreover, a memory device where an area occupied by a memory cell is small and a data holding period is long. A memory device includes a bit line, a capacitor, a first insulating layer provided over the bit line and including a groove portion, a semiconductor layer, a second insulating layer in contact with the semiconductor layer, and a word line in contact with the second insulating layer. Part of the semiconductor layer is electrically connected to the bit line in a bottom portion of the groove portion, and another part of the semiconductor layer is electrically connected to one electrode of the capacitor in a top surface of the first insulating layer.

Abstract: In accordance with the disclosure, a MEMS substrate is provided that includes: a central planar portion configured to support a MEMS device; and a first electrical pad coplanar with the central planar portion, the first pad being connected to the central planar portion through a first flexure, wherein the first flexure is configured to substantially mechanically isolate the first electrical pad from the central planar portion.

Abstract: A semiconductor integrated circuit device includes plural circuit units each having plural logic circuits; and plural power terminals supplying power source from outside to the semiconductor integrated circuit device, in which the plural circuit units each having plural logic circuits have common packaging design with each other, and lengths in a vertical direction and a lateral direction of the circuit units each having plural logic circuits are equal to an even multiple of a distance between the power terminals adjacent to each other.

Abstract: Alignment tolerances between narrow mask lines, for forming interconnects in the array region of an integrated circuit, and wider mask lines, for forming interconnects in the periphery of the integrated circuit, are increased. The narrow mask lines are formed by pitch multiplication and the wider mask lines are formed by photolithography. The wider mask lines and are aligned so that one side of those lines is flush with or inset from a corresponding side of the narrow lines. Being wider, the opposite sides of the wider mask lines protrude beyond the corresponding opposite sides of the narrow mask lines. The wider mask lines are formed in negative photoresist having a height less than the height of the narrow mask lines. Advantageously, the narrow mask lines can prevent expansion of the mask lines in one direction, thus increasing alignment tolerances in that direction.

Abstract: Electrode pads respectively have a probe region permitting probe contact and a non-probe region. In each of the electrode pads arranged zigzag in two or more rows, a lead interconnect for connecting another electrode pad with an internal circuit is not placed directly under the probe region but placed directly under the non-probe region.