Abstract: The method of manufacturing a semiconductor device according to the present invention includes: a step of forming a semiconductor laminate on a growth substrate with a lift-off layer therebetween; a step of providing grooves in a grid pattern in the semiconductor laminate, thereby forming a plurality of semiconductor structures each having a nearly quadrangular transverse cross-sectional shape; a step of forming a conductive support body; and a step of removing the lift-off layer using a chemical lift-off process, in which step, in supplying an etchant to the grooves via through-holes provided in a portion above the grooves, the lift-off layer is etched from only one side surface of each semiconductor structure.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a semiconductor device is disclosed in which the probability of occurrence of a crack is reduced and in which manufacturing cost is also reduced. An exposure mask used in the method is disclosed. Protrusion portions are formed in intersections of scribe lines in an outermost periphery of a scribe line pattern of a surface protection film of the exposure mask, to thereby stick out toward an outer circumference. In this manner, the probability of occurrence of a crack occurring in a device formation section can be reduced so that a reduction in the manufacturing cost can be achieved.

Abstract: In one or more embodiments, a semiconductor structure is provided that includes a plurality of interposer dice on an un-singulated segment of a semiconductor wafer. Scribe lanes circumscribing each of the plurality of interposer dice have widths of at least 2.5% of the width of each interposer die. Each interposer die includes a first contact array formed on a first side of the interposer die, a plurality of vias formed through the interposer die, one or more wiring layers formed on the first side of the interposer die and electrically coupling the first contact array to the plurality of vias, and a second contact array formed on a second side of the interposer die and electrically coupled to the plurality of vias.

Abstract: A method of singulating semiconductor devices in the close proximity to active structures by controlling interface charge of semiconductor device sidewalls is provided that includes forming a scribe on a surface of a semiconductor devices, where the scribe is within 5 degrees of a crystal lattice direction of the semiconductor device, cleaving the semiconductor device along the scribe, where the devices are separated, using a coating process to coat the sidewalls of the cleaved semiconductor device with a passivation material, where the passivation material is disposed to provide a fixed charge density at a semiconductor interface of the sidewalls, and where the fixed charge density interacts with charge carriers in the bulk of the material.

Abstract: In an aspect, an array substrate for a flexible display device and a method of manufacturing the array substrate, the method including operations of arranging at least one lower protective film on which a plurality of display units that are covered by thin-film encapsulation (TFE) units are arrayed; performing half cutting and full cutting on the at least one lower protective film; and completing the manufacture of each of the plurality of display units by removing remaining parts on the at least one lower protective film from the half cutting and full cutting is provided.

Abstract: A semiconductor apparatus includes a semiconductor substrate having a main surface, a multilayer structure circuit formed over the main surface of the semiconductor substrate, a protective wall formed in the same layer as an uppermost layer of the multilayer structure circuit so as to surround the multilayer structure circuit in plan view, and an alignment mark formed in the same layer as the uppermost layer. The alignment mark is formed so as to contact at least part of the protective wall.

Abstract: A wafer has a number of IC areas and a kerf area arranged between the IC areas. The kerf area has a dicing area, a crack stop structure arranged between an IC area and a dicing area, and a trench arranged between the crack stop structure and the dicing area. The crack stop structure includes an extended layer extending beyond the crack stop structure towards the dicing area.

Abstract: Accessing a workpiece object in semiconductor processing is disclosed. The workpiece object includes a mechanical support substrate, a release layer over the mechanical support substrate, and an integrated circuit substrate coupled over the release layer. The integrated circuit substrate includes a device layer having semiconductor devices. The method also includes etching through-substrate via (TSV) openings through the integrated circuit substrate that have buried ends at or within the release layer including using the release layer as an etch stop. TSVs are formed by introducing one or more conductive materials into the TSV openings. A die singulation trench is etched at least substantially through the integrated circuit substrate around a perimeter of an integrated circuit die. The integrated circuit die is at least substantially released from the mechanical support substrate.

Abstract: Methods of dicing substrates having a plurality of ICs. A method includes forming a mask comprising a laser energy absorbing material layer soluble in water over the semiconductor substrate. The laser energy absorbing material layer may be UV curable, and either remain uncured or be cured prior to removal with a water rinse. The mask is patterned with a laser scribing process to provide a patterned mask with gaps. The patterning exposes regions of the substrate between the ICs. The substrate may then be plasma etched through the gaps in the patterned mask to singulate the IC with the laser energy absorbing mask protecting the ICs for during the plasma etch. The soluble mask is then dissolved subsequent to singulation.

Abstract: Consistent with an example embodiment, there is a method for assembling a wafer level chip scale processed (WLCSP) device from a wafer substrate, the method comprises grinding the back-side of the wafer substrate to a prescribed thickness. A plurality of trenches is sawed along a plurality of device die boundaries on a back-side surface of the wafer, the trenches having a bevel profile. The plurality of trenches is etched until the bevel profile of the plurality of trenches is rounded.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method of forming a stress relieved film stack, the method comprising forming a film stack on a first side of a substrate, the film stack comprising a plurality of film layers and creating a plurality of film stack openings according to a cutting pattern and along at least a portion of a buffer region. The plurality of film stack openings extend from a top surface of the film stack to the substrate. A deflection of the substrate may be determined, and the cutting pattern selected prior to creating the film stack openings based on the deflection of the substrate. The substrate may have a deflection of less than about 2 ?m after the creating the plurality of film stack openings. And at least one of the plurality of film layers may comprise one of titanium nitride, silicon carbide and silicon dioxide.

Abstract: Embodiments of a semiconductor wafer having wafer-level die attach metallization on a back-side of the semiconductor wafer, resulting semiconductor dies, and methods of manufacturing the same are disclosed. In one embodiment, a semiconductor wafer includes a semiconductor structure and a front-side metallization that includes front-side metallization elements for a number of semiconductor die areas. The semiconductor wafer also includes vias that extend from a back-side of the semiconductor structure to the front-side metallization elements. A back-side metallization is on the back-side of the semiconductor structure and within the vias. For each via, one or more barrier layers are on a portion of the back-side metallization that is within the via and around a periphery of the via. The semiconductor wafer further includes wafer-level die attach metallization on the back-side metallization other than the portions of the back-side metallization that are within the vias and around the peripheries of the vias.

Abstract: A crack prevention structure that reduces integrated circuit corner peeling and reduces cracking is disclosed. The crack prevention structure comprises a semiconductor substrate; a first plurality of dielectric layers of a first material disposed over the semiconductor substrate; a second plurality of dielectric layers of a second material different than the first material, disposed on the first plurality of dielectric layers, wherein the first plurality of dielectric layers and the second plurality of dielectric layers meet at an interface; and a plurality of metal structures and a plurality of via structures formed through the interface of the first plurality of dielectric layers and the second plurality of dielectric layers.

Abstract: A semiconductor substrate is provided in which an alignment mark is formed that can be used for an alignment even after the formation of an impurity diffused layer by the planarization of an epitaxial film. A trench is formed in an alignment region of an N+-type substrate. This trench is used to leave voids after the formation of an N?-type layer. Then, the voids formed in the N+-type substrate can be used as an alignment mark. Thus, such a semiconductor substrate can be used to provide an alignment in the subsequent step of manufacturing the semiconductor apparatus. Thus, the respective components constituting the semiconductor apparatus can be formed at desired positions accurately.

Abstract: A fabrication method for producing semiconductor chips with enhanced die strength comprises following steps: forming a semiconductor wafer with enhanced die strength by comprising the substrate, the active layer on the front side of the substrate and the backside metal layer on the backside of the substrate, wherein at least one integrated circuit forms in the active layer; forming a protection layer on a front side of the semiconductor wafer; dicing the semiconductor wafer by at least one laser dicing process and removing the laser dicing residues and removing said protection layer by at least one etching process, whereby plural semiconductor chips with enhanced die strength are produced, and wherein the backside metal layer of said semiconductor chip fully covers the backside of said semiconductor chip after dicing.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a semiconductor stacked package is provided. A singulation process is performed on a wafer and a substrate, on which the wafer is stacked. A portion of the wafer on a cutting region is removed, to form a stress concentrated region on an edge of a chip of the wafer. The wafer and the substrate are then cut, and a stress is forced to be concentrated on the edge of the chip of the wafer. As a result, the edge of the chip is warpaged. Therefore, the stress is prevented from extending to the inside of the chip. A semiconductor stacked package is also provided.

Abstract: In an exemplary implementation, a method includes growing a III-Nitride body over a group IV substrate in a semiconductor wafer. The method includes forming at least one device layer over the III-Nitride body. The method also includes etching grid array trenches in the III-Nitride body, where the etching of the grid array trenches may extend into the group IV substrate. The method can also include forming an edge trench around a perimeter of the semiconductor wafer. The method further includes forming separate dies by cutting the semiconductor wafer approximately along the grid array trenches.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a semiconductor light emitting device, includes: forming a light emitting structure having a first conductivity-type semiconductor layer, an active layer, and a second conductivity-type semiconductor layer on a growth substrate. A trench is formed in a portion to divide the light emitting structure into individual light emitting structures. The trench has a depth such that the growth substrate is not exposed. A support substrate is provided on the light emitting structure. The growth substrate is separated from the light emitting structure. The light emitting structure is cut into individual semiconductor light emitting devices.

Abstract: A die having a ledge along a sidewall, and a method of forming the die, is provided. A method of packaging the die is also provided. A substrate, such as a processed wafer, is diced by forming a first notch having a first width, and then forming a second notch within the first notch such that the second notch has a second width less than the first width. The second notch extends through the substrate, thereby dicing the substrate. The difference in widths between the first width and the second width results in a ledge along the sidewalls of the dice. The dice may be placed on a substrate, e.g., an interposer, and underfill placed between the dice and the substrate. The ledge prevents or reduces the distance the underfill is drawn up between adjacent dice. A molding compound may be formed over the substrate.

Abstract: The disclosed WLCSP solution overcomes the limitations of fan-out WLCSP solutions, and other conventional solutions for WLCSP for small, high volume die, by increasing the width of scribe regions between die on a semiconductor substrate to accommodate bonding structures (e.g., solder balls) that partially extend beyond peripheral edges of the die. The scribe regions can be widened in x and y directions on the wafer. The widened scribe regions can be incorporated into the design of the mask set.

Abstract: A working object cutting method capable of cutting a working object precisely is provided. The working object cutting method comprises irradiating a working object 1 with a laser beam while locating a converging point at the working object, so as to form a reformed region in the working object 1 along a reformed-region forming line 15 set at a predetermined distance inside from an outer edge E of the working object 1 along the outer edge, forming a cutting reformed region in the working object 1 along a cutting-scheduled line 5, and cutting the working object 1 along the cutting-scheduled line 5 from a cutting reformed region acting as a start point.

Abstract: A processing method for a wafer which has, on a surface thereof, a device region in which a plurality of devices are formed and partitioned by division lines and an outer periphery excess region surrounding the device region, includes a dividing groove formation step of irradiating a laser beam of a wavelength having absorbability by a wafer along the division lines to form dividing grooves serving as start points of cutting, and a dividing step of applying external force to the wafer on which the dividing grooves are formed to cut the wafer into the individual devices. At the dividing groove formation step, the dividing grooves are formed along the division lines in the device region while a non-processed region is left in the outer periphery excess region on extension lines of the division lines.

Abstract: A wafer of passive components is diced to leave a flat passive chip. The flat passive chip has bond pads for passive components on a same side of the flat passive chip. The flat passive chip is stacked onto an active chip. The passive components are wirebonded together to connect the passive components in series or parallel, resulting in the flat passive chip having an overall passive characteristic equal to a target characteristic.

Abstract: A method for fabrication of a III-nitride film over a silicon wafer that includes forming control joints to allow for overall stress relief in the III-nitride film during the growth thereof.

Abstract: A light-emitting diode (LED) device is provided. The LED device is formed by forming an LED structure on a first substrate. A portion of the first substrate is converted to a porous layer, and a conductive substrate is formed over the LED structure on an opposing surface from the first substrate. The first substrate is detached from the LED structure along the porous layer and any remaining materials are removed from the LED structure.

Abstract: A multi-chip stacking method to reduce voids between stacked chips is revealed. A first chip is disposed on a substrate, and a plurality of first bonding wires are formed by wire bonding to electrically connect the first chip and the substrate. A second chip is disposed on an active surface of the first chip where a FOW (film over wire) adhesive is formed on a back surface of the second chip. The FOW adhesive partially encapsulates the first bonding wires and adheres to the active surface of the first chip. Then, the substrate is placed in a pressure oven to provide a positive pressure greater than one atm during thermally curing the FOW adhesive with exerted pressures. Accordingly, voids can be reduced inside the FOW adhesive during the multi-chip stacked processes where issues of poor adhesion and popcorn between chips can be avoided.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method of forming a semiconductor device includes forming openings in a substrate. The method includes forming a dummy fill material within the openings and thinning the substrate to expose the dummy fill material. The dummy fill material is removed.

Abstract: Embodiments of methods and systems for processing a semiconductor wafer are described. In one embodiment, a method for processing a semiconductor wafer involves performing laser stealth dicing on the semiconductor wafer to form a stealth dicing layer within the semiconductor wafer and after performing laser stealth dicing, cleaning the semiconductor wafer from a back-side surface of the semiconductor wafer with a blade to remove at least a portion of the stealth dicing layer. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: A method of dividing a two dimensional array of encapsulated integrated circuits into individual integrated circuit packages uses a first series of parallel cuts (32) extending fully through the leadframe (16) and encapsulation layer (14), and defining rows of the array. The cuts terminate before the beginning and end of the rows such that the integrity of the array is maintained by edge portions (34) at the ends of the rows. After plating contact pads (18), a second series of parallel cuts (36) is made extending fully through the leadframe (16) and encapsulation layer (14). This separates the array into columns thereby providing singulation of packages between the edge portions (34).

Abstract: The invention provides a semiconductor device and a method of automatically inspecting the appearance, which achieves proper recognition of the size of a chipping occurring from an end portion of the semiconductor device toward the element forming region by an automatic appearance inspection machine, and prevents a problem of judging an appearance non-defective product as an appearance defective product. A semiconductor device includes a resin layer extending from an element forming region over a guard ring surrounding the element forming region so as to cover these except a plurality of portions of the guard ring, and a chipping extending from a chip end portion of a semiconductor device toward the end portion of the resin layer.

Abstract: Fractures (17a, 17b) are generated from modified regions (7a, 7b) to front and rear faces (12a, 12b) of a object to be processed (1), respectively, while an unmodified region (2) is interposed between the modified regions (7a, 7b). This can prevent fractures from continuously advancing in the thickness direction of a silicon substrate (12) when forming a plurality of rows of modified regions (7). By generating a stress in the object (1), the fractures (17a, 17b) are connected to each other in the unmodified region (2), so as to cut the object (1). This can prevent fractures from meandering in the rear face (12b) of the object (1) and so forth, whereby the object (1) can be cut accurately along a line to cut the object (5).

Abstract: The amount of signal propagation and moisture penetration and corresponding reliability problems due to moisture penetration degradation in an IC can be reduced by fabricating two seal rings with non-adjacent gaps. In one embodiment, the same effect can be achieved by fabricating a wide seal ring with a channel having offset ingress and egress portions. Either of these embodiments can also have grounded seal ring segments which further reduce signal propagation.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for plasma dicing a substrate. The method comprising providing a process chamber having a wall; providing a plasma source adjacent to the wall of the process chamber; providing a work piece support within the process chamber; placing the substrate onto a support film on a frame to form a work piece work piece; loading the work piece onto the work piece support; providing a cover ring disposed above the work piece; generating a plasma through the plasma source; and etching the work piece through the generated plasma.

Abstract: Semiconductor die break strength and yield are improved with a combination of laser dicing and etching, which are followed by dicing an underlying layer of material, such as die attach film (DAF) or metal. A second laser process or a second etch process may be used for dicing of the underlying layer of material. Performing sidewall etching before cutting the underlying layer of material reduces or prevents debris on the kerf sidewalls during the sidewall etching process. A thin wafer dicing laser system may include either a single laser process head solution or a dual laser process head solution to meet throughput requirements.

Abstract: A method for the separation of multiple dies during semiconductor fabrication is described. On an upper surface of a semiconductor wafer containing multiple dies, metal layers are deposited everywhere except where a block of stop electroplating material exists. The stop electroplating material is obliterated, and a barrier layer is formed above the entire remaining structure. A sacrificial metal element is added above the barrier layer, and then the substrate is removed. After the semiconductor material between the individual dies is eradicated, any desired bonding pads and patterned circuitry are added to the semiconductor surface opposite the sacrificial metal element, a passivation layer is added to this surface, and then the sacrificial metal element is removed. Tape is added to the now exposed barrier layer, the passivation layer is removed, the resulting structure is flipped over, and the tape is expanded to separate the individual dies.

Abstract: A processing method for a wafer on which a plurality of devices are formed and partitioned by scheduled division lines includes a dividing groove by irradiating a laser beam of a wavelength to which the wafer has absorbency along the scheduled division lines to form dividing grooves which are to be used as start points of division. An external force divides the wafer into individual devices. The dividing grooves are formed by irradiating a laser beam of a first energy which is comparatively low upon a selected scheduled division line to form a first dividing groove which is to be used as a start point of division, and irradiating another laser beam of a second energy which is higher than the first energy upon scheduled division lines other than the selected scheduled division line to form second dividing grooves which are to be used as start points of division.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a solar cell includes forming a front contact layer over a substrate, and the front contact layer is optically transparent at specified wavelengths and electrically conductive. A first scribed area is scribed through the front contact layer to expose a portion of the substrate. A buffer layer doped with an n-type dopant is formed over the front contact layer and the first scribed area. An absorber layer doped with a p-type dopant is formed over the buffer layer. A back contact layer that is electrically conductive is formed over the absorber layer.

Abstract: A method of forming a three-dimensional electronic device includes forming at least one electronic device on a two-dimensional, flexible substrate, the electronic device being formed according to a three-dimensional structure, cutting the two-dimensional, flexible substrate, the cuts being located to allow the two-dimensional substrate to be shaped, the cuts having at least one stress relief feature, and shaping the two-dimensional, flexible substrate to form the three-dimensional structure, the stress relief features arranged to alleviate stress in the three-dimensional structure.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for plasma dicing a substrate. The method comprising providing a process chamber having a wall; providing a plasma source adjacent to the wall of the process chamber; providing a work piece support within the process chamber; placing the substrate onto a support film on a frame to form a work piece work piece; loading the work piece onto the work piece support; providing a cover ring disposed above the work piece; generating a plasma through the plasma source; and etching the work piece through the generated plasma.

Abstract: The cost associated with alignment in a stacked IC device can be reduced by aligning multiple die instead of a single die during the alignment step. In one embodiment, the alignment structures are placed in the scribe line instead of within the die itself. Aligning four die instead of one eliminates the need for as many alignment indicators and thus more silicon on the wafer can be used for active areas. In addition, this method allows for yield improvement through binning of dies having the same yield configuration.

Abstract: A laser processing method for performing laser processing to a workpiece. The laser processing method includes: a filament forming step of applying a first pulsed laser beam having a transmission wavelength to the workpiece to thereby form a filament as an optical transmission line in the workpiece so that the filament extends from the surface of the workpiece to be irradiated with the first pulsed laser beam to the inside of the workpiece, the filament having a refractive index higher than that of the workpiece; and a laser processing step of applying a second pulsed laser beam to the filament after performing the filament forming step to thereby transmit the second pulsed laser beam along the filament, thereby processing the workpiece with the second pulsed laser beam.

Abstract: Laser and plasma etch wafer dicing where a mask is formed covering ICs formed on the wafer, as well as any bumps providing an interface to the ICs. The semiconductor wafer is coupled to a film frame by an adhesive film. The mask is patterned by laser scribing to provide a patterned mask with gaps. The laser scribing exposes regions of the semiconductor wafer, below thin film layers from which the ICs are formed. The semiconductor wafer is plasma etched through the gaps in the patterned mask while the film frame is maintained at an acceptably low temperature with a chamber shield ring configured to sit beyond the wafer edge and cover the frame. The shield ring may be raised and lowered, for example, on lifter pins to facilitate transfer of the wafer on frame.

Abstract: Methods of dicing substrates having a plurality of ICs. A method includes forming a mask, patterning the mask with a femtosecond laser scribing process to provide a patterned mask with gaps, and ablating through an entire thickness of a semiconductor substrate to singulate the IC. Following laser-based singulation, a plasma etch is performed to remove a layer of semiconductor sidewall damaged by the laser scribe process. In the exemplary embodiment, a femtosecond laser is utilized and a 1-3 ?m thick damage layer is removed with the plasma etch. Following the plasma etch, the mask is removed, rendering the singulated die suitable for assembly/packaging.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a substrate processing method is disclosed. The above method includes: grinding an outer edge portion on a back surface of a semiconductor wafer with a semiconductor element formed on its front surface with a first grindstone or blade to thereby form an annular groove; grinding a projecting portion on an inner side of the groove with a second grindstone to thereby form a recessed portion integrally with the groove on the back surface of the semiconductor wafer; and grinding a bottom surface of the recessed portion including a ground surface made by the second grindstone with a third grindstone.

Abstract: Methods of processing a device substrate are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a method of processing a device substrate can include bonding a first surface of a device substrate to a carrier with a polymeric material. The device substrate may have a plurality of first openings extending from the first surface towards a second surface of the device substrate opposite from the first surface. Then, material can be removed at the second surface of the device substrate, wherein at least some of the first openings communicate with the second surface at least one of before or after performing the removal of the material. Then, at least a portion of the polymeric material disposed between the first surface and the carrier substrate can be exposed to a substance through at least some first openings to debond the device substrate from the carrier substrate.

Abstract: A semiconductor wafer, includes: a plurality of element regions; a surface electrode that is disposed in each of the plurality of element regions; an insulating layer that is disposed in each of the plurality of element regions and of which height from a front side surface of the semiconductor wafer is higher than that of the surface electrode in a periphery of the surface electrode; and a dicing line groove that is formed in a front side surface of the semiconductor wafer, that surrounds the surface electrode with the insulating layer therebetween, of which height from the front side surface of the semiconductor wafer is lower than that of the insulating layer, and that extends to a perimeter of the semiconductor wafer; in which the insulating layer is formed with a communication passage that extends from a side of the surface electrode to the dicing line groove.

Abstract: A wafer processing method divides a wafer into individual devices along crossing streets formed on the front side of the wafer. The wafer has a substrate and a functional layer formed on the substrate, the individual devices being formed from the functional layer and partitioned by the streets. In a functional layer dividing step, a laser beam is applied along both sides of each street to form two parallel grooves. Each groove reaches the substrate, thereby dividing the functional layer. In a division groove forming step, a division groove is formed in the functional layer and the substrate along each street so that the division groove extends between the two grooves. The wavelength of the laser beam in the functional layer dividing step is 300 nm or less, at an absorption wavelength of a passivation film.

Abstract: A chip package includes: a substrate; a signal pad and a ground pad disposed on the substrate; a first and a second conducting layers disposed on the substrate and electrically connected to the signal pad and the ground pad, respectively, wherein the first and the second conducting layers extend from an upper surface of the substrate towards a lower surface of the substrate along a first and a second side surfaces of the substrate, respectively, and the first and the second conducting layers protrude from the lower surface; and a protection layer disposed on the substrate, wherein the protection layer completely covers the entire portion of the first conducting layer located on the first side surface of the substrate, and the entire portion of the second conducting layer located on the second side surface of the substrate is not covered by the protection layer.

Abstract: A method of singulating a semiconductor wafer having two surfaces separated by a thickness T<200 ?m includes partitioning it along a network of scribelines on one side. The other side is secured to an elastic foil, which is clamped to a wafer table. A radiative scribing tool is used to produce at least one laser beam having a pulse duration P?75 ps, and causing the laser beam to scan along each of the scribelines so as to create a scribe with a depth D<T, thereby leaving the second surface intact. The foil is laterally stretched to sever the second major surface along the path of the scribes. In an embodiment, P<CPP, the Time Constant of phonon-phonon coupling in the wafer at the location of incidence of the laser beam.

Abstract: A packaging method with backside wafer dicing includes the steps of forming a support structure at the front surface of the wafer then depositing a metal layer on a center area of the backside of the wafer after grinding the wafer backside to reduce the wafer thickness; detecting from the backside of the wafer sections of scribe lines formed in the front surface in the region between the edge of the metal layer and the edge of the wafer and cutting the wafer and the metal layer from the wafer backside along a straight line formed by extending a scribe line section detected from the wafer backside.