Warping Of Semiconductor Substrate Patents (Class 438/457)
  • Patent number: 7432174
    Abstract: A method is provided for fabricating a differential semiconductor substrate. A first structure is provided which comprises a first semiconductor substrate including a first semiconductor region, and a first oxide layer overlying a surface of the first semiconductor substrate. The first semiconductor substrate has a first crystallographic orientation. A second structure is provided which includes a second semiconductor substrate comprising a first layer and a second layer, and a second oxide layer which overlies a surface of the first layer. The second semiconductor substrate has a second crystallographic orientation different than the first crystallographic orientation. The first layer includes a second semiconductor region. The first layer and the second oxide layer are removed from the second structure, and assembled to the first semiconductor substrate to form a composite structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2008
    Assignee: Advanced Micro Devices, Inc.
    Inventor: Igor Peidous
  • Publication number: 20080242049
    Abstract: In a method for manufacturing a micromechanical structure, first a two-dimensional structure is formed in a substrate. The two-dimensional structure is deflected from the substrate plane by action of force and fixed in the deflected state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2008
    Publication date: October 2, 2008
    Applicant: Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft zur Forderung der angewandten Forschung e.V.
    Inventors: Denis JUNG, Christian DRABE, Thilo SANDNER, Harald SCHENK, Thomas KLOSE, Alexander WOLTER
  • Patent number: 7427554
    Abstract: A method for forming a strained silicon layer of semiconductor material. The method includes providing a deformable surface region having a first predetermined radius of curvature, which is defined by R(1) and is defined normal to the surface region. A backing plate is coupled to the deformable surface region to cause the deformable surface region to be substantially non-deformable. The method includes providing a first substrate (e.g., silicon wafer) having a first thickness. Preferably, the first substrate has a face, a backside, and a cleave plane defined within the first thickness. The method includes a step of overlying the backside of the first substrate on a portion of the surface region having the predetermined radius of curvature to cause a first bend within the thickness of material to form a first strain within a portion of the first thickness. The method provides a second substrate having a second thickness, which has a face and a backside.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2008
    Assignee: Silicon Genesis Corporation
    Inventors: Francois J. Henley, Harry R. Kirk
  • Patent number: 7410880
    Abstract: In a method for measuring the bonding quality of bonded substrates, such as bonded SOI wafers, a plurality of marks are created at a first side of a top substrate after, or before, the bonding of the top substrate onto a bottom substrate. Then, the positions of the plurality of marks are measured using a metrology tool. Next, for each of the marks, a difference between a measured position and an expected position is calculated. These differences can be used to determine delamination between the top substrate and the bottom substrate. By displaying a vector field representing the differences, and by not showing vectors that exceed a certain threshold, the delamination areas can be made visible.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2008
    Assignee: ASML Netherlands B.V.
    Inventors: Keith Frank Best, Joseph J. Consolini, Alexander Friz
  • Patent number: 7387945
    Abstract: A semiconductor chip is provided that is highly packageable and particularly well suited for mounting on a circuit board having a curved surface. The semiconductor chip comprises a warpage control film that controls the warpage of a substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2008
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Kazumi Hara
  • Publication number: 20080138936
    Abstract: A supporting substrate is laminated on a wafer in such a manner that the supporting substrate locked in peripheral edges with a plurality of locking claws is disposed in proximity to and facing to an adhering surface of a double-sided adhesive sheet on the workpiece, the supporting substrate is pressed by a pressing member made of an approximately hemispherical elastic body from an approximate center of a non-adhering surface of this supporting substrate, the supporting substrate is laminated by elastically deforming this pressing member on the wafer while making the supporting substrate surface contact in a flat condition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2007
    Publication date: June 12, 2008
    Inventors: Masayuki YAMAMOTO, Yukitoshi HASE
  • Patent number: 7341924
    Abstract: A method of separating a lamination body with high yield without damaging the lamination body is provided. Further, a method of manufacturing a lightweight, flexible semiconductor device, which is thin in total is provided. The method of manufacturing the semiconductor device includes: a first step of laminating a metal layer, an oxide layer, a layer containing no hydrogen element, and a lamination body on a first substrate; a second step of forming a photocatalytic layer on a transparent substrate; and a third step of attaching the photocatalytic layer to the surface of the lamination body by using a first adhesive material after the first and second steps, separating the metal layer from the oxide layer, and irradiating light from a side of the transparent substrate so that an interface between the photocatalytic layer and the first adhesive material is separated to remove the first adhesive material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2008
    Assignee: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Toru Takayama, Yasuyuki Arai, Yukie Suzuki
  • Patent number: 7307004
    Abstract: A method with a mechanically strained silicon for enhancing the speeds of integrated circuits or devices is disclosed. The method with a mechanically strained silicon for enhancing the speeds of integrated circuits or devices includes the following steps: (a) providing a substrate, (b) fixing the substrate, (c) applying a stress upon the substrate, and (d) inducing a strain in one of a device and a circuit by stressing the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2007
    Assignee: National Taiwan University
    Inventors: Cheng-Ya Yu, Sun-Rong Jan, Shu-Tong Chang, Chee-Wee Liu
  • Patent number: 7307005
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a method that includes: providing two wafers; forming raised contacts on the two wafers; aligning the two wafers; bringing together the raised contacts; locally deflecting the two wafers; and bonding the raised contacts. The present invention also discloses a bonded-wafer structure that includes: a first wafer, the first wafer being locally deflected, the first wafer including a first raised contact; and a second wafer, the second wafer being locally deflected, the second wafer including a second raised contact, wherein the second raised contact is bonded to the first raised contact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2007
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Mauro J. Kobrinsky, Shriram Ramanathan, Scott (Richard) List
  • Patent number: 7303976
    Abstract: One embodiment of a micro-electronic device includes a substrate including micro-electronic components thereon, and a cover including a ring of sealing material secured to the substrate and a raised ring of material positioned opposite the cover from the ring of sealing material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2007
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventor: Kirby Sand
  • Patent number: 7276429
    Abstract: A method for producing an ultra-thin semiconductor chip and an ultra-thin back-illuminated solid-state image pickup device utilizing a semiconductor layer formed on a support substrate via an insulating layer to improve separation performance of a semiconductor layer from a support substrate and thereby improve the productivity and quality. The method uses two porous peeling layers on opposite sides of a substrate to produce an ultra-thin substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2007
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventor: Hideo Yamanaka
  • Patent number: 7265028
    Abstract: A method for forming dislocation-free strained silicon thin film includes the step of providing two curved silicon substrates. One substrate is curved by the presence of silicon dioxide on a back surface. The other substrate is curved by the presence of a silicon nitride layer. One of the substrates is subject to hydrogen implantation and the two substrates are bonded to one another in an annealing process. The two substrates are separated, thereby leaving a layer of strained silicon on a front side of one of the substrates. A back side layer of silicon dioxide or silicon nitride is then removed to restore the substrate to a substantially planar state. The method may be employed to form dislocation-free strained silicon thin films. The films may be under tensile or compressive strain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2007
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventor: Ya-Hong Xie
  • Patent number: 7262112
    Abstract: A method for forming dislocation-free strained silicon thin film includes the step of providing two curved silicon substrates. One substrate is curved by the presence of silicon dioxide on a back surface. The other substrate is curved by the presence of a silicon nitride layer. One of the substrates is subject to hydrogen implantation and the two substrates are bonded to one another in an annealing process. The two substrates are separated, thereby leaving a layer of strained silicon on a front side of one of the substrates. A back side layer of silicon dioxide or silicon nitride is then removed to restore the substrate to a substantially planar state. The method may be employed to form dislocation-free strained silicon thin films. The films may be under tensile or compressive strain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2007
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventor: Ya-Hong Xie
  • Patent number: 7259080
    Abstract: The invented method is distinguished by a combination of the following method steps: provision of a semiconductor planar substrate composed of a semiconductor material, reduction of the thickness of the semiconductor planar substrate inside at least one surface region of the semiconductor planar substrate in order to form a raised surface region in relation to the surface planar region of reduced thickness, structuring the raised surface region of the semiconductor planar substrate by means of local mechanical removal of material in order to place impressions inside the raised surface regions, joining the structured surface of the semiconductor planar substrate with the glasslike planar substrate in such a manner that the glasslike planar substrate at least partially covers the surface planar region of reduced thickness, tempering the joined planar substrates in such a manner that in a first tempering phase, which is conducted under vacuum conditions, the glasslike planar substrate covering the surface reg
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2007
    Assignee: Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft zur Forderung der Angewandten Forschung e.V.
    Inventors: Hans-Joachim Quenzer, Arne-Veit Schulz, Peter Merz
  • Patent number: 7256108
    Abstract: An anti-warpage backgrinding tape (11) is secured to the circuit side (12) of a semiconductor wafer (14). The backside (16) of the wafer is background. The backside of the wafer is secured to dicing tape (18) so that the anti-warpage backgrinding tape is exposed. The wafer is diced to create individual die structure (34). The die structure comprises semiconductor die (22) with anti-warpage tape elements (36) on circuit sides of the semiconductor die. A die structure is removed from the dicing tape. The backside of the die of the die structure is adhered to a substrate (24). The anti-warpage tape element is removed from the die. The anti-warpage backgrinding tape is preferably partially or fully transparent to permit sensing of guide markings on the wafer during wafer dicing. The adhesive is preferably a curable adhesive. The adhesion between the anti-warpage tape element and the chosen die may be reduced by the application of heat (38).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2007
    Assignee: Chippac, Inc.
    Inventors: Seung Wook Park, Tae Woo Lee, Hyun Jin Park
  • Patent number: 7244636
    Abstract: A semiconductor device with a chip (505), its position defining a plane, and an insulating substrate (503) with first and second surfaces; the substrate is substantially coplanar with the chip, without warpage. One of the chip sides is attached to the first substrate surface using adhesive material (504), which has a thickness. The thickness of the adhesive material is distributed so that the thickness (504b) under the central chip area is equal to or smaller than the material thickness (504a) under the peripheral chip areas. Encapsulation compound (701) is embedding all remaining chip sides and the portions of the first substrate surface, which are not involved in the chip attachment. When reflow elements (720) are attached to the substrate contact pads, they are substantially coplanar with the chip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2007
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Patricio V. Ancheta, Jr., Ramil A. Viluan, James R. M. Baello, Elaine B. Reyes
  • Patent number: 7235462
    Abstract: A method is provided for fabricating a substrate for optics, electronics, or opto-electronics. This method includes the steps of implanting atomic species into a face of a source substrate to form a weakened zone therein corresponding to the depth of penetration of the atomic species; transferring the seed layer on to a support substrate by bonding a face of the support substrate to the face of the source substrate and detaching the seed layer from the source substrate; depositing a working layer on the seed layer to form a composite substrate comprising the support substrate, seed layer and working layer; and detaching the seed layer and the working layer from the support substrate to form a substrate. Advantageously, the support substrate comprises a material having a thermal expansion value of about 0.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2007
    Assignee: S.O.I.Tec Silicon on Insulator Technologies
    Inventors: Fabrice Letertre, Bruno Ghyselen
  • Patent number: 7235427
    Abstract: An embodiment of a multilayer wafer according to the invention includes a base substrate, a first layer associated with the base substrate, and a second layer on the first layer on side opposite from the base substrate in an axial direction and having a lateral edge. The first layer includes a ridge that protrudes axially and is disposed laterally adjacent the second layer measured in a direction normal to the axial direction for protecting the lateral edge. This ridge can surround portion the lateral edge in an axial cross-section for preventing edge falls. Also, the ridge can have an axial height greater than the axial thickness of the second layer. In one embodiment, the second layer includes an oxydizable semiconductor and the first layer includes an oxidized insulator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2007
    Assignee: S.O.I.Tec Silicon on Insulator Technologies
    Inventors: Thierry Barge, Bruno Ghyselen, Toshiaki Iwamatsu, Hideki Naruoka, Junichiro Furihata, Kiyoshi Mitani
  • Patent number: 7220656
    Abstract: One aspect of the present invention relates to a method for forming a strained semiconductor structure. In various embodiments, at least two strong bonding regions are defined for a desired bond between a crystalline semiconductor membrane and a crystalline semiconductor substrate. The two strong bonding regions are separated by a weak bonding region. The membrane is bonded to the substrate at a predetermined misorientation. The membrane is pinned to the substrate in the strong bonding regions. The predetermined misorientation provides the membrane in the weak bonding region with a desired strain. In various embodiments, the membrane is bonded to the substrate at a predetermined twist angle to biaxially strain the membrane in the weak bonding region. In various embodiments, the membrane is bonded to the substrate at a predetermined tilt angle to uniaxially strain the membrane in the weak bonding region. Other aspects are provided herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2007
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Leonard Forbes
  • Patent number: 7199025
    Abstract: The present invention provides for a common substrate with multiple sections, each constituting a separate layer of a memory device. Fold lines are arranged on the substrate to define separate sections and to provide a means for folding the sections on each other to form a multiple-layer memory device. In one application, a substrate has a fold line formed by alterations to the substrate material to form a fold line on the substrate. A first conductor section is formed with an array of parallel conductors or wires spaced across the section. A second section on the common substrate has an array of parallel conductors or wires spaced across the second section, the conductors being perpendicular to the conductors on the first section. The first and second sections are folded along the fold line over on top of each other, after a semiconductor layer has been deposited on one or both of the conductor layers, thereby forming a matrix of memory cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2007
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Craig M Perlov, Christopher A Schantz
  • Patent number: 7192841
    Abstract: A method of bonding two components by depositing an amorphous and non-hydrogenated intermediate layer (2) on one of the components (1,4) and arranging the components (1,4) in spaced relationship with the intermediate layer (2) therebetween. The method further comprises heating one or both of the components (1,4) before bringing the components (1,4) into contact. Finally, a voltage is applied to the components (1,4) to create a permanent bond between the two components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2007
    Assignee: Agency for Science, Technology and Research
    Inventors: Jun Wei, Zhiping Wang, Hong Xie
  • Patent number: 7163872
    Abstract: An active type tunable wavelength optical filter having a Fabry-Perot structure is disclosed. A tunable wavelength optical filter which comprises a lower mirror in which silicon films and oxide films are sequentially laminated in a multi-layer and the silicon film is laminated on the highest portion; an upper mirror in which silicon films and oxide films are sequentially laminated in a multi-layer and the silicon film is laminated on the highest portion and which is spaced away from the lower mirror by a predetermined distance; a connecting means for connecting and supporting the lower mirror and the upper mirror to a semiconductor substrate; and electrode pads for controlling the gap between the lower mirror and the upper mirror by an electrostatic force and the method of manufacturing the same are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2007
    Assignee: Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute
    Inventors: Chang Auck Choi, Myung Lae Lee, Chang Kyu Kim, Chi Hoon Jun, Youn Tae Kim
  • Patent number: 7160476
    Abstract: The electronic device (100) comprises an electrical element (30), for instance a MEMS capacitor or a BAW filter in a cavity (37) that is protected from the environment by a cover (38). The cover (38) is a patterned layer which is mechanically embedded in isolating material (7) present beside the cavity (37) and may further include contact pads (41). The device (100) may be suitably manufactured from an accurately folded foil including a patterned layer and a sacrifice layer. After applying the foil to the cavity (37) the isolating material (7) is provided and the sacrifice layer is removed. The patterned layer, or part thereof, stays behind and forms the cover (38).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2007
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.
    Inventor: Johannus Wilhelmus Weekamp
  • Patent number: 7144791
    Abstract: The present invention is a process for transfer of a pattern of material from a donor substrate to a receiver substrate by lamination. The pattern of the transferred material is defined by an aperture in a mask interposed between the donor and receiver during lamination. The technique is compatible with flexible polymer receiver substrates and is useful in fabricating thin film transistors for flexible displays.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2006
    Assignee: E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company
    Inventors: Jeffrey Scott Meth, Irina Malajovich
  • Patent number: 7135383
    Abstract: A composite structure is disclosed that includes a support wafer and a layered structure on the support wafer. The layered structure includes at least one layer of a monocrystalline material and at least one layer of a dielectric material. In addition, the layered structure materials and the thickness of each layer are chosen such that the thermal impedance between ambient temperature and 600° K of the composite structure is a value that is no greater than about 1.3 times the thermal impedance of a monocrystalline bulk SiC wafer having the same dimensions as the composite structure. The composite structure provides sufficient heat dissipation properties for manufacturing optical, electronic, or optoelectronic components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2006
    Assignee: S.O.I.Tec Silicon on Insulator Technologies S.A.
    Inventors: Bruce Faure, Alice Boussagol
  • Patent number: 7115480
    Abstract: One aspect disclosed herein relates to a method for forming a strained semiconductor structure. In various embodiments of the method, a number of recesses are formed in a surface of a first semiconductor wafer such that the surface of the first semiconductor wafer has a number of raised areas and a number of recessed areas. A surface of a second semiconductor wafer is bonded to the raised areas of the first semiconductor wafer in an environment having a first pressure. The surface of the second semiconductor wafer is bonded to the recessed areas of the first semiconductor wafer in an environment having a second pressure. The second pressure is greater than the first pressure to influence the second semiconductor wafer into contact with the first semiconductor wafer in the recesses in the surface of the first semiconductor wafer. Other aspects are provided herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2006
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Leonard Forbes
  • Patent number: 7105421
    Abstract: A field effect transistor (FET) is formed on a silicon on insulator (SOI) substrate in the thin silicon layer above the insulating buried oxide layer. The channel region is lightly doped with a first impurity to increase free carrier conductivity of a first type. The source region and the drain region are heavily dopes with the first impurity. A gate and a back gate are positioned along the side of the channel region and extending from the source region and is implanted with a second semiconductor with an energy gap greater than silicon and is implanted with an impurity to increase free carrier flow of a second type.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2006
    Assignee: Advanced Micro Devices, Inc.
    Inventors: Qi Xiang, Matthew S. Buynoski
  • Patent number: 7094666
    Abstract: A method for forming a strained layer of semiconductor material, e.g., silicon, germanium, Group III/V, silicon germanium alloy. The method includes providing a non-deformable surface region having a first predetermined radius of curvature, which is defined by R(1) and is defined normal to the surface region. The method includes providing a first substrate (e.g., silicon wafer) having a first thickness. Preferably, the first substrate has a face, a backside, and a cleave plane defined within the first thickness. The method includes a step of overlying the backside of the first substrate on a portion of the surface region having the predetermined radius of curvature to cause a first bend within the thickness of material to form a first strain within a portion of the first thickness. The method provides a second substrate having a second thickness, which has a face and a backside.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2006
    Assignee: Silicon Genesis Corporation
    Inventors: Francois J. Henley, Philip James Ong, Igor J. Malik, Harry R. Kirk
  • Patent number: 7084045
    Abstract: A method of separating a lamination body with high yield without damaging the lamination body is provided. Further, a method of manufacturing a lightweight, flexible semiconductor device, which is thin in total is provided. The method of manufacturing the semiconductor device includes: a first step of laminating a metal layer, an oxide layer, a layer containing no hydrogen element, and a lamination body on a first substrate; a second step of forming a photocatalytic layer on a transparent substrate; and a third step of attaching the photocatalytic layer to the surface of the lamination body by using a first adhesive material after the first and second steps, separating the metal layer from the oxide layer, and irradiating light from a side of the transparent substrate so that an interface between the photocatalytic layer and the first adhesive material is separated to remove the first adhesive material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2006
    Assignee: Seminconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Toru Takayama, Yasuyuki Arai, Yukie Suzuki
  • Patent number: 7078317
    Abstract: A system for in-situ plasma treatment. The system has a processing chamber, e.g., plasma chamber. The system has a first susceptor coupled within the chamber and a second susceptor facing the first susceptor and being within the chamber. The system has one or more power sources. Preferably, a first power source is characterized by a first frequency. The first power source is coupled to the first susceptor and the second susceptor. A second power source is characterized by a second frequency. The second power source is coupled to the first susceptor and the second susceptor. A switching device is coupled to the first power source and is coupled the second power source. The switching device is configured to selectively apply the first frequency to the first susceptor while the second frequency is applied to the second susceptor and is alternatively configured to selectively apply the first frequency to the second susceptor while the second frequency is applied to the first susceptor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2006
    Assignee: Silicon Genesis Corporation
    Inventor: Francois J. Henley
  • Patent number: 7067352
    Abstract: A method of fabricating integrated circuits from a plurality of semiconductor dice, each semiconductor die defining a top side and a bottom side, includes the steps of attaching the bottom sides of the plurality of semiconductor dice to a substrate so that the plurality of semiconductor dice are in adjacent disposition and define one or more bending regions; creating a thin film interconnect on the top sides of the plurality of semiconductor dice and over one or more die gap regions so that the plurality of semiconductor dice are electrically interconnected; removing the substrate from the bottom sides of the plurality of semiconductor dice; and bending the thin film interconnect at the one or more die gap regions so that the bottom sides and the top sides of the semiconductor dice overlap to form a stacked plurality of semiconductor dice.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2006
    Inventor: David Ralph Scheid
  • Patent number: 7060592
    Abstract: An image sensor comprising an image sensing device layer, a silicon-on-insulator (SOI) layer, an optical device array and a substrate is provided. The SOI layer has a first surface and a second surface. The image sensing device layer is formed on the first surface of the SOI layer. The optical device array is formed on the second surface of the SOI layer. The substrate is disposed above the second surface of the SOI layer and the optical device array is disposed between the substrate and the SOI layer. An incident light coming from the outside environment, passes through the optical device array and the SOI layer, and is received by sensing devices formed in the image sensing device layer. In this manner, the probability of absorption or reflection of the incident light is reduced. Therefore, the sensing performance and the yield of the image sensor of the present invention is improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2006
    Assignee: United Microelectronics Corp.
    Inventors: Jui-Hsiang Pan, Cheng-Kuang Sun, Kuang-Chih Cheng, Kuang-Shin Lee
  • Patent number: 7060591
    Abstract: The object of the invention is to provide a method for fabricating a semiconductor device having a peeled layer bonded to a base material with curvature. Particularly, the object is to provide a method for fabricating a display with curvature, more specifically, a light emitting device having an OLED bonded to a base material with curvature. An external force is applied to a support originally having curvature and elasticity, and the support is bonded to a peeled layer formed over a substrate. Then, when the substrate is peeled, the support returns into the original shape by the restoring force, and the peeled layer as well is curved along the shape of the support. Finally, a transfer object originally having curvature is bonded to the peeled layer, and then a device with a desired curvature is completed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2006
    Assignee: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shunpei Yamazaki, Masakazu Murakami, Toru Takayama, Junya Maruyama
  • Patent number: 7049207
    Abstract: A method of isolating semiconductor devices by wet etching of a semiconductor laminate structure formed on a substrate includes providing an etching stop layer having at least two layers between the substrate and the semiconductor laminate structure. The semiconductor laminate structure is etched to isolate the semiconductor devices, the substrate is then etched away, followed by sequentially etching away of the etching stop layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2006
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventor: Katsuhiro Tomoda
  • Patent number: 7049624
    Abstract: A porous structure with high uniformity is provided even when evaluated at a high resolution (high evaluation standard) of several or several ten nm or less. By applying this porous structure to the manufacture of an SOI substrate, an SOI substrate which has an SOI layer with a small number of defects is provided. In a region at a depth of 5 to 10 nm from the surface of a porous Si layer, values of parameters such as porosity and the like which represent a porous structure are uniformed. The manufacture of an SOI substrate using this porous Si layer reduces recessed defects in an SOI layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2006
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hajime Ikeda, Nobuhiko Sato, Kiyofumi Sakaguchi
  • Patent number: 7037804
    Abstract: A three-dimensional (3-D) integrated chip system is provided with a first wafer including one or more integrated circuit (IC) devices; a second wafer including one or more integrated circuit (IC) devices; and a metal bonding layer deposited on opposing surfaces of the first and second wafers at designated locations to establish electrical connections between active IC devices on the first and second wafers and to provide metal bonding between the adjacent first and second wafers, when the first wafer is pressed against the second wafer using a flexible bladder press to account for height differences of the metal bonding layer across the opposing surfaces of the first and second wafers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2006
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Scot A. Kellar, Sarah E. Kim, R. Scott List
  • Patent number: 7033868
    Abstract: A high-speed, low-power-consumption semiconductor device has a thin-film Si layer with a source/drain formed therein. The thin-film Si layer is curved from a region directly below a gate electrode toward a region near the source/drain. The curved thin-film Si layer develops strains in a channel region disposed directly below the gate electrode sandwiched by the source/drain in the thin-film Si layer, for thereby increasing a carrier mobility. A cavity is defined below the curved thin-film Si layer for reducing a parasitic capacitance due to a pn junction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2006
    Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
    Inventors: Shunji Nakamura, Yosuke Shimamune
  • Patent number: 7026706
    Abstract: An electronic packaging structure and method of forming thereof wherein the structure is constituted of a modular arrangement which reduces stresses generated in a chip, underfill, and ball grid array connection with a flexible substrate in the form of an organic material, which stresses may result in potential delamination due to thermally-induced warpage between the components of the modular arrangement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2006
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: William Infantolino, Li Li, Steven G. Rosser, Sanjeev Balwant Sathe
  • Patent number: 6991948
    Abstract: A method of characterizing a silicon-on-insulator (SOI) wafer, comprised of an insulating layer sandwiched between a semiconductor top layer and a semiconductor substrate, includes moving a pair of spaced conductors into contact with a surface of the wafer exposed on a side thereof opposite the substrate. First and second biases are applied to the substrate and at least one of the conductors. At least one of the first and second biases are swept from a first value toward a second value and the current flowing through the SOI wafer in response to said sweep is measured. At least one characteristic of the wafer is determined from the measured current as a function of the one swept bias.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2006
    Assignee: Solid State Measurements, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert J. Hillard
  • Patent number: 6989291
    Abstract: Priorly, semiconductor devices wherein a flexible sheet with a conductive pattern was employed as a supporting substrate, a semiconductor element was mounted thereon, and the ensemble was molded have been developed. In this case, problems occur that a multilayer wiring structure cannot be formed and warping of the insulating resin sheet in the manufacturing process is prominent. In order to solve these problems, a laminated plate 10 in which a first conductive film 11 and a second conductive film 12 have been laminated via a third conductive film 13 is used. After forming a conductive pattern layer 11A by etching the first conductive film 11, anchor portions 15 are formed by overetching the third conductive film 13 by use of the conductive pattern layer 11A as a mask, and a sealing resin layer 22 is made to bite into the anchor portions 15 so as to strengthen bonding of the sealing resin layer 22 with the conductive pattern layer 11A.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2006
    Assignees: Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd., Kanto Sanyo Semiconductor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yusuke Igarashi, Hideki Mizuhara, Noriaki Sakamoto
  • Patent number: 6958535
    Abstract: A semiconductor module includes a circuit substrate composed of a wiring pattern, an electrical insulating layer and a thermal radiation board, and in use is fixed to an external thermal radiation member, in which the electrical insulating layer is composed of a thermal conductive mixture containing 70-95 wt % of an inorganic filler and 5-30 wt % of a thermosetting resin. A warping degree of the circuit substrate with respect to the external thermal radiation member is at most 1/500 of a length of the substrate, and the circuit substrate warps to protrude toward the thermal radiation board as the temperature rises. Accordingly, the thermal radiation property does not deteriorate even when the temperature rises in use. At a time of fixing the circuit substrate to the external thermal radiation member, the thermal resistance is kept to be a sufficiently low level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2005
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Koichi Hirano, Yoshihisa Yamashita, Seiichi Nakatani
  • Patent number: 6953735
    Abstract: The object of the invention is to provide a method for fabricating a semiconductor device having a peeled layer bonded to a base material with curvature. Particularly, the object is to provide a method for fabricating a display with curvature, more specifically, a light emitting device having an OLED bonded to a base material with curvature. An external force is applied to a support originally having curvature and elasticity, and the support is bonded to a peeled layer formed over a substrate. Then, when the substrate is peeled, the support returns into the original shape by the restoring force, and the peeled layer as well is curved along the shape of the support. Finally, a transfer object originally having curvature is bonded to the peeled layer, and then a device with a desired curvature is completed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2005
    Assignee: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shunpei Yamazaki, Masakazu Murakami, Toru Takayama, Junya Maruyama
  • Patent number: 6946365
    Abstract: A method for making a thin layer from a structure. A stacked structure is made of a first part designed to facilitate the introduction of gaseous species and of a second part, the second part having a first free face and a second face integral with the first part. A gaseous species is introduced into the structure, from the first part, to create an embrittled zone, a thin layer being thus delimited between the first face of the second part and the embrittled zone. The thin layer is separated from the remaining of the structure at the level of the embrittled zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2005
    Assignee: Commissariat a l'Energie Atomique
    Inventors: Bernard Aspar, Michel Bruel
  • Patent number: 6939778
    Abstract: Bonding methods and articles produced thereby are provided wherein an insulator, such as glass, is bonded to a solder with the assistance of an electric field.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2005
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of Michigan
    Inventors: Timothy J. Harpster, Khalil Najafi
  • Patent number: 6908828
    Abstract: Processes that may be used in producing electronic, optoelectronic, or optical components may be provided. The processes may involve preparing a reusable donor wafer for donating a thin layer of semiconductor material by assembling a donor layer of a semiconductor material having a thickness of plural thin layers onto a support layer of. The semiconductor material for the support layer may be selected to be less precious or to have a lower quality than the donor layer. The support layer may have sufficient mechanical characteristics for supporting the donor layer during desired semiconductor processing treatments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2005
    Assignee: S.O.I. TEC Silicon on Insulator Technologies S.A.
    Inventors: Fabrice Letertre, Thibaut Maurice
  • Patent number: 6905911
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes projecting electrodes formed on one surface of a wiring substrate so as to have a prescribed height, a semiconductor chip having a thickness smaller than the height of the projecting electrodes, and an electronic component having a thickness larger than that of the semiconductor chip and mounted on the other surface of the wiring substrate so that the wiring substrate is warped to be recessed at the one surface. Thus, the rigidity as well as the spacing between the semiconductor chip and the mounting board are assured. Moreover, the semiconductor device having a logic LSI mounted on both surfaces of a wiring substrate is mounted on a mounting board in a housing with projecting electrodes having a prescribed height interposed therebetween, wherein the wiring substrate is warped to be recessed on the side having the projecting electrodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2005
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tsuneo Hamaguchi, Kenji Kagata
  • Patent number: 6900113
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method for producing a bonded wafer comprising at least an ion implantation process where at least either hydrogen ions or rare gas ions are implanted into a first wafer from its surface to form a micro bubble layer (implanted layer) in the first wafer, a bonding process where the surface subjected to the ion implantation of the first wafer is bonded to a surface of a second wafer, and a delamination process where the first wafer is delaminated at the micro bubble layer, wherein the ion implantation process is performed in divided multiple steps, and a bonded wafer. Thus, there are provided a method for producing a bonded wafer, which is for reducing micro-voids generated in the ion implantation and delamination method and a bonded wafer free from micro-voids.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2005
    Assignee: Shin-Etsu Handotai Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masatake Nakano, Isao Yokokawa, Kiyoshi Mitani
  • Patent number: 6890834
    Abstract: An Al film is formed on a cap wafer and the Al film is patterned into a ring-shaped film. Dry etching is performed by using the ring-shaped film as a mask to form a drum portion enclosing a recess portion to provide a vacuum dome. After forming a depth of cut into the substrate portion of the cap wafer, the cap wafer is placed on a main body wafer having an infrared area sensor formed thereon. Then, the ring-shaped film of the cap wafer and the ring-shaped film of the main body wafer are joined to each other by pressure bonding to form a ring-shaped joining portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2005
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroyoshi Komobuchi, Minoru Kubo, Masahiko Hashimoto, Michio Okajima, Shinichi Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 6884718
    Abstract: An apparatus and process for depositing a barrier film on a substrate is disclosed. In particular, deposition of the barrier film is carried out on the substrate having an applied pressure. This applied pressure flexes the substrate to reduce in-plane stresses, wherein removal of the applied pressure after deposition of the barrier film modifies the in-film stress for the thin-film. With the above-described arrangement, it is possible to minimize the deterioration of electric characteristics of a semiconductor device and the occurrence of defects, such as film delamination, substrate cracks, and the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2005
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Cem Basceri
  • Patent number: 6865065
    Abstract: A method and system for processing wafers is disclosed. According to one embodiment (100) a chuck system (102) may be situated opposite to an input source (104). A chuck system (102) may apply a force (e.g., mechanical and/or electromagnetic) that deforms a substrate (108). Once deformed, essentially all of a substrate (108) may be oriented at a predetermined angle (e.g., 90°) with respect to an input source (104).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2005
    Assignee: Advanced Ion Beam Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Jiong Chen, Jihliang Chen, Jianmin Qiao