Electrical Characteristic Sensed Patents (Class 438/17)
  • Patent number: 9298950
    Abstract: Methods and circuits for undiscoverable physical chip identification are disclosed. Embodiments of the present invention provide an intrinsic bit element that comprises two transistors. The two transistors form a pair in which one transistor has a wide variability in threshold voltage and the other transistor has a narrow variability in threshold voltage. The wide variability is achieved by making a transistor with a smaller width and length than the other transistor in the pair. The variation of the threshold voltage of the wide variability transistor means that in the case of copies of intrinsic bit elements being made, some of the “copied” wide variability transistors will have significantly different threshold voltages, causing some of the intrinsic bit elements of a copied chip to read differently than in the original chip from which they were copied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2016
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Daniel Jacob Fainstein, Chandrasekharan Kothandaraman
  • Patent number: 9279849
    Abstract: A method for atom probe tomography (APT) sample preparation from a three-dimensional (3D) field effect transistor device formed within a semiconductor structure is provided. The method may include measuring a capacitance-voltage (C-V) characteristic for the 3D field effect transistor device and identifying, based on the measured capacitance-voltage (C-V) characteristic, a Fin structure corresponding to the 3D field effect transistor device. The identified Fin structure is detached from the 3D field effect transistor device using a nanomanipulator probe tip. The detached Fin is then welded to the nanomanipulator probe tip using an incident focused ion beam having a voltage of less than about 1000 eV. The incident focused ion beam having a voltage of less than about 1000 eV is applied to a tip of the Fin that is welded to the nanomanipulator probe tip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Terence L. Kane, John M. Walsh
  • Patent number: 9269639
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method of detecting and measuring the alignment shift of the contacts relative to the gate structures. The method comprises: designing a test model array having different test model regions on the substrate; forming second conductivity type doped well regions, gate structures, and first conductivity type doped active regions in each of the test model regions; forming contacts in each of the test model region; scanning the test model array by an electron-beam inspector to obtain light-dark patterns of the contacts; and detecting and measuring the alignment shift of the contacts relative to the gate structures according to the light-dark patterns of the contacts and the critical dimensions of the transistors in the test model regions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2016
    Assignee: Shanghai Huali Microelectronics Corporation
    Inventors: Rongwei Fan, Feijue Liu, Yin Long, Qiliang Ni, Hunglin Chen
  • Patent number: 9269632
    Abstract: A semiconductor device and method for fabricating a semiconductor device is disclosed. An exemplary semiconductor device includes a substrate including a fin structure disposed over the substrate. The fin structure includes one or more fins. The semiconductor device further includes an insulation material disposed on the substrate. The semiconductor device further includes a gate structure disposed on a portion of the fin structure and on a portion of the insulation material. The gate structure traverses each fin of the fin structure. The semiconductor device further includes a source and drain feature formed from a material having a continuous and uninterrupted surface area. The source and drain feature includes a surface in a plane that is in direct contact with a surface in a parallel plane of the insulation material, each of the one or more fins of the fin structure, and the gate structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2016
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Chi-Wen Liu, Chao-Hsiung Wang
  • Patent number: 9269622
    Abstract: A semiconductor device and method of making a semiconductor device is described. An embedded die panel comprising a plurality of semiconductor die separated by saw streets is provided. A conductive layer is formed by an electroless plating process, the conductive layer comprising bussing lines disposed in the saw streets and a redistribution layer (RDL) coupled to the semiconductor die and bussing lines. An insulating layer is formed over the conductive layer and embedded die panel, the insulating layer comprising openings disposed over the conductive layer outside a footprint of the semiconductor die. Interconnect structures are formed in the openings in the insulating layer by using the conductive layer as part of an electroplating process. The embedded die panel is singulated through the saw streets after forming the interconnect structures to remove the bussing lines and to from individual fan-out wafer level packages (FOWLPs).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2016
    Assignee: DECA Technologies Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher M. Scanlan, Timothy L. Olson
  • Patent number: 9263525
    Abstract: The present invention includes an n+ type substrate, a drift epitaxial layer formed on the n+ type substrate and having a lower concentration of impurity than the n+ type substrate, a Schottky electrode formed on the drift epitaxial layer, and a PI formed as an insulating film by covering at least an end of the Schottky electrode and an end and a side surface of the drift epitaxial layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventor: Yoshinori Matsuno
  • Patent number: 9240384
    Abstract: A semiconductor device has a first conductive layer formed over a substrate. A first insulating layer is formed over the substrate and first conductive layer. A second conductive layer is formed over the first conductive layer and first insulating layer. A second insulating layer is formed over the first insulating layer and second conductive layer. The second insulating layer has a sidewall between a surface of the second insulating material and surface of the second conductive layer. A protective layer is formed over the second insulating layer and surface of the second conductive layer. The protective layer follows a contour of the surface and sidewall of the second insulating layer and second conductive layer. A bump is formed over the surface of the second conductive layer and a portion of the protective layer adjacent to the second insulating layer. The protective layer protects the second insulating layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2016
    Assignee: STATS ChipPAC, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yaojian Lin, Qing Zhang, Haijing Cao
  • Patent number: 9202684
    Abstract: A system and method for forming graphene layers on a substrate. The system and methods include direct growth of graphene on diamond and low temperature growth of graphene using a solid carbon source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2015
    Assignee: UChicago Argonne, LLC
    Inventors: Anirudha V. Sumant, Alexander Balandin
  • Patent number: 9190392
    Abstract: A 3D stacked sASIC is provided that includes a plurality of 2D reconfigurable structured structured ASIC (sASIC) levels interconnected through hard-wired arrays of 3D vias. The 2D sASIC levels may contain logic, memory, analog functions, and device input/output pad circuitry. During fabrication, these 2D sASIC levels are stacked on top of each other and fused together with 3D metal vias. Such 3D vias may be fabricated as through-silicon vias (TSVs). They may connect to the back-side of the 2D sASIC level, or they may be connected to top metal pads on the front-side of the 2D sASIC level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2015
    Assignee: Sandia Corporation
    Inventors: Subhash L. Shinde, John Teifel, Richard S. Flores, Robert L. Jarecki, Jr., Todd Bauer
  • Patent number: 9165831
    Abstract: A method including forming a plurality of dicing channels in a front side of a wafer; the plurality of dicing channels including a depth at least greater than a desired final thickness of the wafer, filling the plurality of dicing channels with a fill material and removing a portion of the wafer from a back side of the wafer until the desired final thickness is achieved, where a portion of the fill material within the plurality of dicing channel is exposed. The method further including depositing a metal layer on the back side of the wafer; removing the fill material from within the plurality of dicing channels to expose the metal layer at a bottom of the plurality of dicing channels, and removing a portion of the metal layer located at the bottom of the plurality of dicing channels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2015
    Assignee: GLOBALFOUNDRIES INC.
    Inventors: Timothy H. Daubenspeck, Jeffrey P. Gambino, Charles F. Musante, Christopher D. Muzzy, Wolfgang Sauter, Timothy D. Sullivan
  • Patent number: 9142505
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed for the back end of line process for fabrication of integrated circuits (ICs). A barrier layer comprising a bottom part and a side part is formed within an opening for a metal contact, wherein the bottom part comprises a graphene material, the side part comprises an amorphous carbon material and covers a sidewall of the opening, and the bottom part and the side part are formed at a same time. A capping layer comprising a first part and a second part is formed on a dielectric layer and a metal contact, wherein the first part comprises a graphene material, the second part of the capping layer comprises an amorphous carbon material on the dielectric layer, and the first part and the second part are formed at a same time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2015
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Shin-Yi Yang, Hsiang-Huan Lee, Ming Han Lee, Ching-Fu Yeh, Pei-Yin Liou
  • Patent number: 9136188
    Abstract: Provided is a test method by which a transistor whose reliability is low can be detected with low stress and high accuracy in a shorter period of time than a BT test. Provided is to detect a transistor whose reliability is high in a shorter period of time than a BT test and manufacture an electronic device with high reliability efficiently. Hysteresis characteristics revealed in the result of the Vg-Id measurement with light irradiation to the transistor correlate with the result of a BT test; whether the reliability of the transistor is Good or Not-Good can be judged. Accordingly, the test method by which a transistor whose reliability is low can be detected with low stress and high accuracy in a shorter period of time than a BT test can be provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2015
    Assignee: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiromichi Godo, Shuhei Yoshitomi
  • Patent number: 9122829
    Abstract: A computer-implemented method of configuring a semiconductor device includes identifying an interconnect having an interconnect path length greater than a stress-induced void formation characteristic length of the semiconductor device, and placing, with a processor, a conductive structure adjacent the interconnect to define a pair of segments of the interconnect. Each segment has a length no greater than the stress-induced void formation characteristic length of the interconnect, and the conductive structure is selected from the group consisting of a decoy via connected to the interconnect, a floating tile disposed along the interconnect, a tab that laterally extends outward from the interconnect, and a jumper from a first metal layer in which the interconnect is disposed to a second metal layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2015
    Assignee: Freescale Semiconductor, Inc.
    Inventors: Douglas M. Reber, Mehul D. Shroff, Edward O. Travis
  • Patent number: 9111895
    Abstract: An embodiment of a testing system for carrying out electrical testing of at least one first through via extending, at least in part, through a substrate of a first body of semiconductor material. The testing system has a first electrical test circuit integrated in the first body and electrically coupled to the first through via and to electrical-connection elements carried by the first body for electrical connection towards the outside; the first electrical test circuit enables detection of at least one electrical parameter of the first through via through the electrical-connection elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2015
    Assignee: STMicroelectonics S.r.l.
    Inventor: Alberto Pagani
  • Patent number: 9099488
    Abstract: Metal gate high-k capacitor structures with lithography patterning are used to extract gate work function using a combinatorial workflow. Oxide terracing, together with high productivity combinatorial process flow for metal deposition can provide optimum high-k gate dielectric and metal gate solutions for high performance logic transistors. Surface treatments can be inserted at three possible steps during the formation of the MOSCAP structures. The high productivity combinatorial technique can provide an evaluation of effective work function for given high-k dielectric metal gate stacks for PMOS and NMOS transistors, which is critical in identifying and selecting the right materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2015
    Assignee: Intermolecular, Inc.
    Inventors: Sandip Niyogi, Dipankar Pramanik
  • Patent number: 9099517
    Abstract: New designs for silicon carbide (SiC) bipolar junction transistors (BJTs) and new methods of manufacturing such SiC BJTs are described. The SiC BJT comprises a collector region, a base region and an emitter region disposed as a stack, the emitter region and part of the base region forming a mesa. The intrinsic part of the base region includes a first portion having a first doping concentration and a second portion having a second doping concentration lower than the first doping concentration. Further, the second portion is vertically disposed between the first portion and the emitter region in the stack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2015
    Assignee: Fairchild Semiconductor Corporation
    Inventor: Andrei Konstantinov
  • Patent number: 9090014
    Abstract: Systems for controlling velocity of a contact line and height profile between a template and a substrate during imprinting of polymerizable material are described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2015
    Assignees: Canon Nanotechnologies, Inc., Molecular Imprints, Inc.
    Inventors: Xiaoming Lu, Philip D. Schumaker
  • Patent number: 9082660
    Abstract: A method of controlling a threshold voltage is provided. The method of controlling a threshold voltage includes performing a film-thickness measuring step to measure the thickness of a film layer on a wafer to obtain a film-thickness value. Then, at least one parameter is decided, selected, or generated according to the film-thickness value. Next, an ion implantation process is performed on the wafer, wherein the ion implantation process is executed according to the parameter to form a threshold voltage adjustment region in the wafer below the film layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2015
    Assignee: United Microelectronics Corp.
    Inventors: Ji Feng, Hai-Long Gu, Ying-Tu Chen
  • Patent number: 9047949
    Abstract: A reversible resistance-switching metal-insulator-metal (MIM) stack is provided which can be set to a low resistance state with a first polarity signal and reset to a higher resistance state with a second polarity signal. The first polarity signal is opposite in polarity than the second polarity signal. In one approach, the MIM stack includes a carbon-based reversible resistivity switching material such as a carbon nanotube material. The MIM stack can further include one or more additional reversible resistivity switching materials such as metal oxide above and/or below the carbon-based reversible resistivity switching material. In another approach, a metal oxide layer is between separate layers of carbon-based reversible resistivity switching material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2015
    Assignee: SanDisk 3D LLC
    Inventors: Jingyan Zhang, Utthaman Thirunavukkarasu, April D Schricker
  • Publication number: 20150147830
    Abstract: A method comprising processing a substrate exposed to a plasma in a processing chamber, obtaining a metric indicative of a parameter of the plasma during the processing of the substrate, and determining a defect in the substrate by comparing the metric to a predefined criteria.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 26, 2013
    Publication date: May 28, 2015
    Inventors: Ilias ILIOPOULOS, Shuo NA, Kelby YANCY
  • Patent number: 9041209
    Abstract: In a disclosed embodiment, a method for tiling selected vias in a semiconductor device having a plurality of vias comprises generating a layout database for the semiconductor device; creating zones around the plurality of vias; measuring density of covering metal in each zone; selecting a low density zone as being a zone that has a metal density less than a threshold metal density; and adding at least one tiling feature on a metal layer above the plurality of vias in the low density zone so that metal density of the low density zone increases to at least the same as the threshold metal density.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2015
    Assignee: FREESCALE SEMICONDUCTOR, INC.
    Inventors: Douglas M. Reber, Lawrence N. Herr
  • Patent number: 9040317
    Abstract: A method includes performing a patterning step on a layer using a process gas. When the patterning step is performed, a signal strength is monitored, wherein the signal strength is from an emission spectrum of a compound generated from the patterning step. The compound includes an element in the patterned layer. At a time the signal strength is reduced to a pre-determined threshold value, the patterning step is stopped.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2015
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Keng-Ying Liao, Szu-Hung Yang, Chiung Wen Hsu
  • Publication number: 20150140696
    Abstract: One or more small spot showerhead apparatus are used to provide dopant exposure and/or to deposit materials using CVD, PECVD, ALD, or PEALD on small spots in a site isolated, combinatorial manner. The small spot showerheads may be configured within a larger combinatorial showerhead to allow multi-layer film stacks to be deposited in a combinatorial manner. Anneal processes where the area of the process can be controlled such as laser annealing or site-isolated rapid thermal processing (RTP) can be used to vary the annealing conditions in a combinatorial manner.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2013
    Publication date: May 21, 2015
    Applicant: Intermolecular, Inc.
    Inventor: Khaled Ahmed
  • Patent number: 9035306
    Abstract: In a sophisticated semiconductor device, FINFET elements may be provided with individually accessible semiconductor fins which may be connected to a controllable interconnect structure for appropriately adjusting the transistor configuration, for instance with respect to current drive capability, replacing defective semiconductor fins and the like. Consequently, different transistor configurations may be obtained on the basis of a standard transistor cell architecture, which may result in increased production yield of highly complex manufacturing strategies in forming non-planar transistor devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2015
    Assignee: GLOBALFOUNDRIES Inc.
    Inventors: Jan Hoentschel, Robert Mulfinger, Vassilios Papageorgiou
  • Patent number: 9034666
    Abstract: Some embodiments provide methods, process, systems and apparatus for use in testing multi-axis Micro Electro Mechanical Systems (MEMS) devices. In some embodiments, methods of testing are provided, comprising: selecting, according to a test specification and a test program, at least a first MEMS device on a substrate comprising a plurality of MEMS formed relative to the substrate and applying one or more electrical probes to the first MEMS device; providing power to the first MEMS device through the one or more electrical probes; measuring output signals of the first MEMS device; applying a force to the first MEMS device using a force actuator; measuring a set of output signals of the first MEMS device based on the applied force; and processing test data and generating output test results according to the test specification and test program.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2015
    Inventors: Vladimir Vaganov, Nickolai Belov
  • Patent number: 9034668
    Abstract: Device for forming, on a nanowire made of a semiconductor, an alloy of this semiconductor with a metal or metalloid by bringing this nanowire into contact with electrically conductive metal or metalloid probes and Joule heating the nanowire at the points of contact with the probes so as to form an alloy such as a silicide. Application to the production of controlled-channel-length metal-silicide transistors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2015
    Assignee: COMMISSARIAT À L'ÉNERGIE ATOMIQUE ET AUX ÉNERGIES ALTERNATIVES
    Inventors: Massimo Mongillo, Silvano De Franceschi, Panayotis Spathis
  • Publication number: 20150132865
    Abstract: A semiconductor substrate is secured by suction to a rear face of a supporting face of a substrate supporting table. In this event, the thickness of the semiconductor substrate is made fixed by planarization on the rear face, and the rear face is forcibly brought into a state free from undulation by the suction to the supporting face, so that the rear face becomes a reference face for planarization of a front face. In this state, a tool is used to cut surface layers of Au projections and a resist mask on the front face, thereby planarizing the Au projections and the resist mask so that their surfaces become continuously flat. This can planarize the surfaces of fine bumps formed on the substrate at a low cost and a high speed in place of CMP.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 20, 2015
    Publication date: May 14, 2015
    Applicant: FUJITSU LIMITED
    Inventors: Masataka Mizukoshi, Yoshiharu Ishizuki, Kanae Nakagawa, Keishiro Okamoto, Kazuo Teshirogi, Taiji Sakai
  • Publication number: 20150132868
    Abstract: A lead frame strip includes a plurality of connected unit lead frames, each unit lead frame having a die paddle and a plurality of leads connected to a periphery of the unit lead frame. The lead frame strip is processed by attaching a semiconductor die to each of the die paddles and covering the unit lead frames with a molding compound after the semiconductor dies are attached to the die paddles. Spaced apart cuts are formed in the periphery of each unit lead frame that sever the leads from the periphery of each unit lead frame and extend at least partially into the molding compound in regions of the periphery where the leads are located so that the molding compound remains intact between the cuts. The lead frame strip is processed after the cuts are formed, and the unit lead frames are later separated into individual packages.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2013
    Publication date: May 14, 2015
    Inventors: Nee Wan Khoo, Vigneswaran Letcheemana
  • Publication number: 20150132869
    Abstract: Methods of fabricating multi-die assemblies including a base semiconductor die bearing a peripherally encapsulated stack of semiconductor dice of lesser lateral dimensions, the dice vertically connected by conductive elements between the dice, resulting assemblies, and semiconductor devices comprising such assemblies.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 20, 2015
    Publication date: May 14, 2015
    Inventors: Luke G. England, Paul A. Silvestri, Michel Koopmans
  • Patent number: 9029173
    Abstract: A method for formation of a semiconductor device, the method including: providing a first mono-crystalline layer including first transistors and first alignment marks; providing an interconnection layer including aluminum or copper on top of the first mono-crystalline layer; and then forming a second mono-crystalline layer on top of the first mono-crystalline layer interconnection layer by using a layer transfer step, and then processing second transistors on the second mono-crystalline layer including a step of forming a gate dielectric, where at least one of the second transistors is a p-type transistor and at least one of the second transistors is an n-type transistor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Assignee: Monolithic 3D Inc.
    Inventors: Zvi Or-Bach, Deepak C. Sekar, Brian Cronquist, Ze'ev Wurman
  • Publication number: 20150123694
    Abstract: An inspection apparatus for inspecting output signal of a semiconductor device is provided with a monitor device configured to sense a signal on the monitor line and a plurality of inspection circuits connected to the monitor line. Each inspection circuit is provided with a semiconductor device support allowing a semiconductor device to be set thereon and including a signal terminal to which a signal is input from the set semiconductor device, a first resistor connected between the signal terminal and the monitor line, a selector terminal, and a first diode connected between the signal terminal and the selector terminal so that a cathode of the first diode is connected to a selector terminal side.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 18, 2012
    Publication date: May 7, 2015
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yosuke Osanai, Takashi Ushijima
  • Publication number: 20150123283
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a semiconductor package includes: forming a strip substrate including a plurality of unit substrates, each being provided with a first connection pad and a second connection pad on a first surface of the unit substrate and each unit substrate being electrically and physically isolated from each other with the intervention of saw lines, first ground connection pads formed on the respective unit substrates, each of the first ground connection pads being electrically coupled with the first connection pad over the respective unit substrates, second ground connection pads formed on the saw line on the first surface side of the unit substrates and electrically isolated from the unit substrates, and test wiring formed on the saw line, the test wiring being electrically isolated from the unit substrates and electrically coupled with the second ground connection pads; and attaching semiconductor chips onto the respective unit substrates.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 22, 2014
    Publication date: May 7, 2015
    Applicant: SK hynix Inc.
    Inventors: Jin Ho BAE, Qwan Ho CHUNG, Seong Kweon HA, Jong Hyun KIM, Bok Gyu MIN, Jae Won SHIN
  • Patent number: 9023677
    Abstract: A method for producing a spot size converter includes the steps of forming a first insulator mask on a stacked semiconductor layer; forming first and second terraces, and a waveguide mesa disposed between the first and second terraces by etching the stacked semiconductor layer using the first insulator mask, the first terrace having first to fourth terrace portions, the second terrace having fifth to eighth terrace portions, the waveguide mesa having first to fourth mesa portions; forming a second insulator mask including a first pattern on the first terrace portion, a second pattern on the fifth terrace portion, a third pattern on the third and fourth mesa portions, and a fourth pattern that integrally covers a region extending from the fourth terrace portion to the eighth terrace portion through the fourth mesa portion; and selectively growing a semiconductor layer by using the second insulator mask.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Assignee: Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Naoko Konishi, Hideki Yagi, Ryuji Masuyama, Yoshihiro Yoneda
  • Patent number: 9012246
    Abstract: According to an embodiment, a method of manufacturing a semiconductor device includes forming a wiring groove on an insulating film; forming a barrier metal layer and a metal layer; polishing the metal layer by applying a first load on the metal layer; and subsequently polishing the metal layer while applying a second load larger than the first load on the metal layer and spraying a gas onto a polishing pad. The polishing pad is in contact with the metal layer. The barrier metal layer covers an upper surface of the insulating film and an inner surface of the wiring groove, and the metal layer fills an inside of the wiring groove and covers the barrier metal layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Hajime Eda, Gaku Minamihaba, Yukiteru Matsui, Akifumi Gawase
  • Publication number: 20150102459
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes one or more metal-insulator-metal (MiM) capacitors. The semiconductor device includes a bottom electrode, a dielectric layer located above, and in physical contact with, the bottom electrode, a top electrode located above, and in physical contact with, the dielectric layer, a first top contact contacting the top electrode, a first bottom contact contacting the bottom electrode from a top electrode direction, a first metal bump connecting to the top contact, and a second metal bump connecting to the bottom contact. The top electrode has a smaller area than the bottom electrode. The bottom electrode, the dielectric layer, and the top electrode is a MiM capacitor. Top electrodes of a number of MiM capacitors and bottom electrodes of a number of MiM capacitors are daisy chained to allow testing of the conductivity of the electrodes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2013
    Publication date: April 16, 2015
    Applicant: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yu-Chia Lai, Tung-Liang Shao, Ching-Jung Yang
  • Patent number: 9006739
    Abstract: A method of testing an integrated circuit (IC) chip and a related test structure are disclosed. A test structure includes a monitor chain proximate to at least one solder bump pad, the monitor chain including at least one metal via stack, each metal via stack extending from a lower metal layer in the IC chip to an upper metal layer in the IC chip, such that the monitor chain forms a continuous circuit proximate to the at least one solder bump pad, and where each metal via stack is positioned substantially under the solder bump. A method for testing to detect boundaries of safe effective modulus includes performing a stress test on an IC chip containing the test structure joined to a semiconductor package.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: James V. Crain, Jr., Mark C. H. Lamorey, Christopher D. Muzzy, Thomas M. Shaw, David B. Stone
  • Patent number: 9006003
    Abstract: A method of detecting bitmap failure associated with physical coordinates is provided. In the method, data of wafer mapping inspection are obtained first, and the data include images of defects in each of layers within a wafer and a plurality of physical coordinates of the defects. Thereafter, a bitmap failure detection is performed to obtain digital coordinates of failure bits within the wafer. The digital coordinates are converted into a plurality of physical locations, and the physical locations are overlapped with the physical coordinates so as to rapidly obtain correlations between the failure bits and the defects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: MACRONIX International Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tuung Luoh, Chi-Min Chen, Ling-Wuu Yang, Ta-Hone Yang, Kuang-Chao Chen
  • Patent number: 9006028
    Abstract: This document describes the fabrication and use of multilayer ceramic substrates, having one or more levels of internal thick film metal conductor patterns, wherein any or all of the metal vias intersecting one or both of the major surface planes of the substrates, extend out of the surface to be used for making flexible, temporary or permanent interconnections, to terminals of an electronic component. Such structures are useful for wafer probing, and for packaging, of semiconductor devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Inventors: Ananda H. Kumar, Ashish Asthana, Farooq Quadri
  • Publication number: 20150099315
    Abstract: Embodiments of mechanisms of monitoring metal impurity in a high-k dielectric film are provided. The method includes forming an interfacial layer over a substrate. The method also includes forming a high-k dielectric film on the interfacial layer, and the interfacial layer and the high-k dielectric film form a stacked structure over the substrate. The method further includes conducting the first thickness measurement on the stacked structure. In addition, the method includes performing a treatment to the stacked structure after the first thickness measurement, and the treatment includes an annealing process. The method also includes conducting the second thickness measurement on the stacked structure after the treatment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 9, 2013
    Publication date: April 9, 2015
    Applicant: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Wei-Jen CHEN, Yen-Yu CHEN, Chang-Sheng LEE, Wei ZHANG
  • Patent number: 8993354
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a method for manufacturing a semiconductor device is disclosed. The method includes heating a resistor pattern by scanning the resistor pattern with a first beam. The resistor pattern includes resistors, and a connection structure connecting the resistors in series. The resistors is arranged in matrix of two or more rows and two or more columns. The method includes further heating the resistor pattern by scanning the resistor pattern with a second beam having a different scan direction as that of the first beam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventor: Kenji Kojima
  • Publication number: 20150087090
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for estimating a height of an epitaxially grown semiconductor material in other semiconductor devices. The method includes epitaxially growing first, second, and third portions of semiconductor material on a first semiconductor device, measuring a height of the third portion of semiconductor material and a height of the first or second portion of semiconductor material, measuring a first saturation current through the first and second portions of semiconductor material, measuring a second saturation current through the first and third portions of semiconductor material, and preparing a model of the first saturation current relative to the height of the first or second portion of semiconductor material and the second saturation current relative to an average of the height of the first and third portions of semiconductor material. The model is used to estimate the height of an epitaxially grown semiconductor material in the other semiconductor devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 26, 2014
    Publication date: March 26, 2015
    Inventors: Chih-Sheng Chang, Chia-Cheng Ho, Yi-Tang Lin
  • Publication number: 20150087091
    Abstract: Provided is a test method by which a transistor whose reliability is low can be detected with low stress and high accuracy in a shorter period of time than a BT test. Provided is to detect a transistor whose reliability is high in a shorter period of time than a BT test and manufacture an electronic device with high reliability efficiently. Hysteresis characteristics revealed in the result of the Vg-Id measurement with light irradiation to the transistor correlate with the result of a BT test; whether the reliability of the transistor is Good or Not-Good can be judged. Accordingly, the test method by which a transistor whose reliability is low can be detected with low stress and high accuracy in a shorter period of time than a BT test can be provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 2, 2014
    Publication date: March 26, 2015
    Inventors: Hiromichi GODO, Shuhei YOSHITOMI
  • Patent number: 8987010
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for developing usable chip images in order to detect and screen defects or anomalies in a manufacturing environment. More specifically, a method is provided for manufacturing at least one wafer or chip. The method includes obtaining image data of the at least one wafer or chip. The method further includes correcting the image data to remove normal variation within the image data. The method further includes comparing the corrected image data to image data for at least one other wafer or chip to determine whether the corrected image data for the at least one wafer or chip shows a defect or anomaly beyond that of the normal variation. The method further includes placing the at least one wafer or chip into a category of fabrication based on the comparison.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Stephen P. Ayotte, Nicholas G. Clore, Andrew H. Norfleet, Jared P. Yanofsky
  • Patent number: 8987011
    Abstract: A method for determining the structure of a transistor having at least one first layer including GaN, one second layer including AlxGa1-xN disposed on the first layer, and one fourth layer including a metal or an alloy disposed on the second layer. The method includes setting the layer thickness of the second layer, setting the aluminum content x of the second layer, producing at least the second layer and the first layer, determining the surface potential of formula (I) and/or the charge carrier density n, and/or the charge carrier motility ? after producing the second layer and the first layer, and selecting the material of the fourth layer as a function of the at least one measurement result.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft zur Förderung der angewandten Forschung e.V.
    Inventors: Klaus Köhler, Stefan Müller, Patrick Waltereit
  • Patent number: 8987012
    Abstract: A method of testing a semiconductor package is provided, including: disposing at least an interposer on a top surface of an adhesive layer, the interposer having a first surface and a second surface opposite to the first surface, a plurality of conductive elements disposed between the second surface of the interposer and the adhesive layer; disposing at least a semiconductor chip on the first surface of the interposer, and performing an electrical test on the semiconductor chip via the conductive elements, wherein if there are a plurality of semiconductor chips that are disposed on the first surface of the interposer, the step of disposing the semiconductor chip and performing the electrical test on the semiconductor chip is iterated; and removing the adhesive layer. By using the method, the fabrication cost and equipment cost of the semiconductor package are reduced, and product yield is increased.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: Siliconwave Precision Industries Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Pin-Cheng Huang, Chun-Tang Lin, Wen-Tsung Tseng, Yi-Che Lai
  • Patent number: 8987013
    Abstract: A method of inspecting misalignment of a polysilicon gate is disclosed, characterized in forming only NMOS devices in P-wells in a test wafer and utilizing an advanced electron beam inspection tool operating with a positive mode to carry out electrical defect inspection. The method can be applied in precisely figuring out the in-plane misalignment of the polysilicon gates of an in-process semiconductor product and identifying a misalignment tendency therebetween across a wafer by verifying all locations of interest thereon, thus providing a methodology for process window optimization and on-line monitoring and contributing to the manufacturing process and yield improvement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: Shanghai Huali Microelectronics Corporation
    Inventors: Rongwei Fan, Hunglin Chen, Yin Long, Qiliang Ni
  • Publication number: 20150079705
    Abstract: A method of measuring a contamination level of an ion implanting apparatus is disclosed. The method may include the steps of providing a wafer, forming a first layer on the wafer, injecting impurities into the first layer, preparing an analysis sample by removing the first layer and concurrently collecting the impurities captured in the first layer from the wafer, and analyzing the analysis sample.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2014
    Publication date: March 19, 2015
    Inventors: Sooman Kim, Wonseok Yang
  • Publication number: 20150076549
    Abstract: In at least one embodiment of the method, the method is used to produce optoelectronic semiconductor components. A lead frame assemblage includes a plurality of lead frames. The lead frames each includes at least two lead frame parts and the lead frames in the lead frame assemblage are electrically connected to one another by connecting webs. The lead frame assemblage is fitted on an intermediate carrier. At least a portion of the connecting webs is removed and/or interrupted. Additional electrical connecting elements are fitted between adjacent lead frames and/or lead frame parts. A potting body mechanically connects the lead frame parts of the individual lead frames to one another. The resulting structure is singulated to form the semiconductor components.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2012
    Publication date: March 19, 2015
    Inventors: Tobias Gebuhr, Michael Zitzlsperger
  • Publication number: 20150079706
    Abstract: A device for monitoring charging effects includes a semiconductor substrate having a surface region. The device also includes first, second, and third doped regions spaced apart in the semiconductor substrate and a dielectric layer overlying the surface region. The device also includes a first gate overlying a first portion of the dielectric layer disposed between the first and the second doped regions, and a second gate overlying a second portion of the dielectric layer disposed between the second and the third doped regions, the second gate being characterized by a first surface area. Moreover, the device has a conductive layer electrically coupled to the second gate for collecting plasma charges. The conductive layer is characterized by a second surface area. The first gate is connected to a conductor that is coupled to a bias voltage, and the second gate is a floating gate that is not connected to any voltage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 3, 2014
    Publication date: March 19, 2015
    Inventor: Jiuun-Jer Yang
  • Patent number: 8980653
    Abstract: The embodiments describe methods and apparatuses for combinatorial optimization of interlayer parameters for capacitor stacks. The capacitor stacks may include a substrate, an insulating layer disposed on the substrate, a ruthenium disposed electrode on the insulating layer, and an interlayer disposed on the ruthenium electrode, where the interlayer is configured to prevent etching of the electrode when growing a high-k dielectric using an ozone-based precursor. The parameters for forming the interlayer may include interlayer thickness, precursor chemistry, oxidant strength, precursor purge times, oxidant purge times, and other suitable parameters. Each of these parameters may be evaluated through deposition of the capacitor stacks through a combinatorial optimization process. Thus, a plurality of different parameters may be evaluated with a single substrate to ascertain associated properties of Ruthenium electrode etching in a combinatorial manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: Intermolecular, Inc.
    Inventor: Venkat Ananthan