Abstract: A method of annealing a semiconductor and a semiconductor. The method of annealing including heating the semiconductor to a first temperature for a first period of time sufficient to remove physically-adsorbed water from the semiconductor and heating the semiconductor to a second temperature, the second temperature being greater than the first temperature, for a period of time sufficient to remove chemically-adsorbed water from the semiconductor. A semiconductor device including a plurality of metal conductors, and a dielectric including regions separating the plurality of metal conductors, the regions including an upper interface and a lower bulk region, the upper interface having a density greater than a density of the lower bulk region.

Abstract: The present invention discloses methods and apparatuses for the separations of IC fabrication and assembling of separated IC components to form complete IC structures. In an embodiment, the present fabrication separation of an IC structure into multiple discrete components can take advantages of dedicated IC fabrication facilities and achieve more cost effective products. In another embodiment, the present chip assembling provides high density interconnect wires between bond pads, enabling cost-effective assembling of small chip components. In an aspect, the present process provides multiple interconnect wires in the form of a ribbon between the bond pads, and then subsequently separates the ribbon into multiple individual interconnect wires.

Abstract: A fabrication method of a packaging substrate includes: providing a metal board having a first surface and a second surface opposite to the first surface, wherein the first surface has a plurality of first openings for defining a first core circuit layer therebetween, the second surface has a plurality of second openings for defining a second core circuit layer therebetween, each of the first and second openings has a wide outer portion and a narrow inner portion, and the inner portion of each of the second openings is in communication with the inner portion of a corresponding one of the first openings; forming a first encapsulant in the first openings; forming a second encapsulant in the second openings; and forming a surface circuit layer on the first encapsulant and the first core circuit layer.

Abstract: Methods of fabricating a capped interconnect for a microelectronic device which includes a sealing feature for any gaps between a capping layer and an interconnect and structures formed therefrom. The sealing features improve encapsulation of the interconnect, which substantially reduces or prevents electromigration and/or diffusion of conductive material from the capped interconnect.

Abstract: A semiconductor device has a semiconductor die with a plurality of bumps formed over a surface of the semiconductor die. A first conductive layer having first and second segments is formed over a surface of the substrate with a first vent separating an end of the first segment and the second segment and a second vent separating an end of the second segment and the first segment. A second conductive layer is formed over the surface of the substrate to electrically connect the first segment and second segment. The thickness of the second conductive layer can be less than a thickness of the first conductive layer to form the first vent and second vent. The semiconductor die is mounted to the substrate with the bumps aligned to the first segment and second segment. Bump material from reflow of the bumps is channeled into the first vent and second vent.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device, includes: forming a first and second interconnect trenches adjacent to each other in an interlayer insulating film; providing a first interconnect and a space thereon within the first interconnect trench, and a second interconnect and a space thereon within the second interconnect trench; forming a first trench larger in width from the first interconnect trench and a second trench larger in width from the second interconnect trench, by conducting isotropic-etching; and forming a first insulating film within the first trench and a second insulating film within the second trench by filling an insulating material in the first trench and the second trench.

Abstract: A solar cell according to an embodiment of the invention includes a substrate configured to have a plurality of via holes and a first conductive type, an emitter layer placed in the substrate and configured to have a second conductive type opposite to the first conductive type, a plurality of first electrodes electrically coupled to the emitter layer, a plurality of current collectors electrically coupled to the first electrodes through the plurality of via holes, and a plurality of second electrodes electrically coupled to the substrate. The plurality of via holes includes at least two via holes having different angles.

Abstract: A contiguous layer of graphene is formed on exposed sidewall surfaces and a topmost surface of a copper-containing structure that is present on a surface of a substrate. The presence of the contiguous layer of graphene on the copper-containing structure reduces copper oxidation and surface diffusion of copper ions and thus improves the electromigration resistance of the structure. These benefits can be obtained using graphene without increasing the resistance of copper-containing structure.

Abstract: Packaging devices and methods of manufacture thereof for semiconductor devices are disclosed. In some embodiments, a packaging device includes a contact pad disposed over a substrate, and a passivation layer and/or polymer layer disposed over the substrate and a portion of the contact pad. A post passivation interconnect (PPI) line is disposed over the passivation layer and is coupled to an exposed portion of the contact pad. A PPI pad is disposed over the passivation layer. A transition element is disposed over the passivation layer and is coupled between the PPI line and the PPI pad. The transition element includes a stepped region.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a semiconductor element includes a first semiconductor layer, a second semiconductor layer, a first electrode, a second electrode, a control electrode, a pad unit, an insulating layer, and a conductor. The second semiconductor layer is provided on the first semiconductor layer. The first electrode is provided on the second semiconductor layer. The second electrode is provided on the second semiconductor layer. The control electrode is provided on the second semiconductor layer. The pad unit is provided on the second semiconductor layer. The pad unit is electrically connected to the control electrode. The insulating layer is provided on the second semiconductor layer. The insulating layer has an opening. The conductor is provided on the insulating layer. The conductor covers at least a part of the opening.

Abstract: Methods for depositing a metal layer in a feature definition of a semiconductor device are provided. In one implementation, a method for depositing a metal layer for forming a semiconductor device is provided. The method comprises performing a cyclic metal deposition process to deposit a metal layer on a substrate and annealing the metal layer disposed on the substrate. The cyclic metal deposition process comprises exposing the substrate to a deposition precursor gas mixture to deposit a portion of the metal layer on the substrate, exposing the portion of the metal layer to either a plasma treatment process or hydrogen annealing process and repeating the exposing the substrate to a deposition precursor gas mixture and exposing the portion of the metal layer to either a plasma treatment process or hydrogen annealing process until a predetermined thickness of the metal layer is achieved.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device, including forming a molding layer; forming a damascene mask layer and mask layer on the molding layer; forming a mask layer pattern by etching the mask layer; forming a damascene pattern by partially etching the damascene mask layer; forming a damascene mask layer on the mask layer pattern to bury the damascene pattern; forming a damascene pattern partially overlapping the damascene pattern by etching the damascene mask layer and the mask layer pattern; connecting the damascene pattern and the damascene pattern by removing a portion of the mask layer pattern exposed by the damascene pattern; forming a damascene mask layer on the damascene mask layer to bury the damascene pattern; and forming a trench under the damascene patterns by etching the damascene mask layers and the molding layer using remaining portions of the mask layer pattern.

Abstract: Provided are a semiconductor device and a method of fabricating the same. The device may include a substrate including a cell array region and a peripheral circuit region, stacks on the cell array region of the substrate, the stacks having a first height and extending along a direction, a common source structure disposed between adjacent ones of the stacks, a peripheral logic structure disposed on the peripheral circuit region of the substrate and having a second height smaller than the first height, a plurality of upper interconnection lines disposed on the peripheral logic structure and extending parallel to each other, and a interconnection structure disposed between the peripheral logic structure and the upper interconnection lines, when viewed in vertical section, and electrically connected to at least two of the upper interconnection lines.

Abstract: A method for developing a custom device, the method including: programming a programmable device, where the programmable device includes a layer of monocrystalline first transistors and alignment marks, the first layer of monocrystalline first transistors is overlaid by interconnection layers, the interconnection layers are overlaid by a second layer of monocrystalline second transistors, where the interconnection layers include copper or aluminum, where the programming includes use of the second transistors, where the programming includes use of N type transistors and P type transistors, and where the programmable device includes at least one programmable connection; and then a step of producing a volume device according to a specific programmed design of the programmable device, where the volume device includes the at least one programmable connection replaced with a lithography defined connection, and where the volume device does not have the second layer.

Abstract: To form a through-silicon via (TSV) in a silicon substrate without using plating equipment or using sputtering equipment or small metal particles, and form an interlayer connection by stacking a plurality of such silicon substrates, a through hole of a silicon substrate is filled using molten solder itself. In detail, solid solder placed above the through hole of the silicon substrate is molten and the molten solder is guided to and filled in the internal space. A metal layer can be deposited on an internal surface of the through hole beforehand, and also an intermetallic compound (IMC) can be formed in a portion other than the metal layer.

Abstract: Among other things, a semiconductor seal ring and method for forming the same are provided. The semiconductor seal ring comprises a plurality of dielectric layers formed over a semiconductor substrate upon which a semiconductor device is formed. A plurality of conductive layers is arranged among at least some of the plurality of dielectric layers. An upper conductive layer is formed over the plurality of dielectric layers. An upper passivation layer is formed over the upper conductive layer to isolate the upper conductive layer from conductive debris resulting from a die saw process along a die saw cut line. In an example, a first columnar region comprising a first portion of the conductive layers is electrically isolated from the semiconductor device because the first columnar region is disposed relatively close to the die saw cut line and thus can be exposed to conductive debris which can cause undesired short circuits.

Abstract: An interposer structure including a semiconductor substrate, a plurality of shallow trenches, a plurality of deep trenches and a plurality of metal damascene structures is provided. The semiconductor substrate has a first surface and a second surface opposite to each other. The shallow trenches are formed on the first surface in both of a first area and a second area of the semiconductor substrate and correspondingly a plurality of respective openings are formed on the first surface. The deep trenches extend from at least one of the shallow trenches toward the second surface in the second area and correspondingly a plurality of respective openings are formed on the second surface. The metal damascene structures are filled in both of the shallow trenches and the deep trenches. A manufacturing method for the aforementioned interposer structure is also provided.

Abstract: An integrated circuit device package may include a flexible substrate having a first wiring, an integrated circuit device having a second wiring, a flexible insulation structure having a first opening and a second opening exposing the first wiring and the second wiring, respectively, a third wiring electrically connecting the first wiring to the second wiring, and a flexible protection member covering the third wiring. A stacked flexible integrated circuit device package may include a flexible substrate, a first flexible integrated circuit device including a first connection pad, a second flexible integrated circuit device including a second connection pad, a connection wiring electrically connecting the first and the second connection pads to an external device, and a flexible protection member disposed on the second flexible integrated circuit device.

Abstract: Conductors in a 3D circuit that include horizontal lines with a plurality of vertical extensions in high aspect ratio trenches can be formed using a two-step etching procedure. The procedure can comprise providing a substrate having a plurality of spaced-apart stacks; forming a pattern of vertical pillars in a body of conductor material between stacks; and forming a pattern of horizontal lines in the body of conductor material over stacks, the horizontal lines connecting vertical pillars in the pattern of vertical pillars. The body of conductor material can be deposited over the plurality of spaced-apart stacks. A first etch process can be used to form the pattern of vertical pillars. A second etch process can be used to form the pattern of horizontal lines. The conductors can be used as word lines or as bit lines in 3D memory.

Abstract: Methods of forming integrated circuit devices include forming a sacrificial layer on a handling substrate and forming a semiconductor active layer on the sacrificial layer. A step is performed to selectively etch through the semiconductor active layer and the sacrificial layer in sequence to define an semiconductor-on-insulator (SOI) substrate, which includes a first portion of the semiconductor active layer. A multi-layer electrical interconnect network may be formed on the SOI substrate. This multi-layer electrical interconnect network may be encapsulated by an inorganic capping layer that contacts an upper surface of the first portion of the semiconductor active layer. A step can be performed to selectively etch through the capping layer and the first portion of the semiconductor active layer to thereby expose the sacrificial layer.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a substrate including a circuit region where a circuit element is formed, a multilayer wiring layer that is formed on the substrate and composed of a plurality of wiring layers and a plurality of via layers that are laminated, and an electrode pad that is formed on the multilayer wiring layer. An interlayer insulating film is formed in a region of a first wiring layer that is a top layer of the plurality of wiring layers, in the region the electrode pad and the first circuit region overlapping each other in a planar view of the electrode pad.

Abstract: In a particular embodiment, a method includes forming a second hardmask layer adjacent to a first sidewall structure and adjacent to a mandrel of a semiconductor device. A top portion of the mandrel is exposed prior to formation of the second hardmask layer. The method further includes removing the first sidewall structure to expose a first portion of a first hardmask layer. The method also includes etching the first portion of the first hardmask layer to expose a second portion of a dielectric material. The method also includes etching the second portion of the dielectric material to form a first trench. The method also includes forming a first metal structure within the first trench.

Abstract: A complementary back end of line (BEOL) capacitor (CBC) structure includes a metal oxide metal (MOM) capacitor structure. The MOM capacitor structure is coupled to a first upper interconnect layer of an interconnect stack of an integrated circuit (IC) device. The MOM capacitor structure includes at least one lower interconnect layer of the interconnect stack. The CBC structure may also include a second upper interconnect layer of the interconnect stack coupled to the MOM capacitor structure. The CBC structure also includes at least one metal insulator metal (MIM) capacitor layer between the first upper interconnect layer and the second upper interconnect layer. In addition, CBC structure may also include a MIM capacitor structure coupled to the MOM capacitor structure. The MIM capacitor structure includes a first capacitor plate having at least a portion of the first upper interconnect layer, and a second capacitor plate having at least a portion of the MIM capacitor layer(s).

Abstract: Provided is a method of fabricating a multi-chip stack package. The method includes preparing single-bodied lower chips having a single-bodied lower chip substrate having a first surface and a second surface disposed opposite the first surface, bonding unit package substrates onto the first surface of the single-bodied lower chip substrate to form a single-bodied substrate-chip bonding structure, separating the single-bodied substrate-chip bonding structure into a plurality of unit substrate-chip bonding structures, preparing single-bodied upper chips having a single-bodied upper chip substrate, bonding the plurality of unit substrate-chip bonding structures onto a first surface of the single-bodied upper chip substrate to form a single-bodied semiconductor chip stack structure, and separating the single-bodied semiconductor chip stack structure into a plurality of unit semiconductor chip stack structures.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a method of manufacturing a device, includes forming a first core including a line portion extending between first and second regions and having a first width and a fringe having a dimension larger than the first width, forming a mask on the fringe and on a first sidewall on the first core, removing the first core so that a remaining portion having a dimension larger than the first width is formed below the mask, forming a second sidewall on a pattern corresponding the first sidewall and the remaining portion, the second sidewall having a second width less than the first width and facing a first interval less than the first width in the first region and facing a second interval larger than the first interval in the second region.

Abstract: This disclosure provides a method of fabricating a semiconductor stack and associated device, such as a capacitor and DRAM cell. In particular, a bottom electrode has a material selected for lattice matching characteristics. This material may be created from a relatively inexpensive metal oxide which is processed to adopt a conductive, but difficult-to-produce oxide state, with specific crystalline form; to provide one example, specific materials are disclosed that are compatible with the growth of rutile phase titanium dioxide (TiO2) for use as a dielectric, thereby leading to predictable and reproducible higher dielectric constant and lower effective oxide thickness and, thus, greater part density at lower cost.

Abstract: An electronic unit is produced including at least one electronic component at least partially embedded in an insulating material. A film assembly is provided with at least one conductive layer and a carrier layer. The conductive layer includes openings in the form of holes for receiving bumps, which are connected to contact surfaces of the at least one electronic component. The at least one component is placed on the film assembly such that the bumps engage with the openings of the conductive layer. The at least one component is partially embedded from the side opposite of the bumps into a dielectric layer. The carrier layer of the film assembly is removed such that the surface of the bumps is exposed. A metallization layer is then deposited on the side of the remaining conductive layer having the exposed bumps and so as to produce conductor tracks that overlap with the bumps.

Abstract: Some novel features pertain to a substrate that includes a first dielectric layer, a first interconnect, a first cavity, and a second interconnect. The first dielectric layer includes first and second surfaces. The first interconnect is embedded in the first dielectric layer. The first interconnect includes a first side and a second side. The first side is surrounded by the first dielectric layer, where at least a part of the second side is free of contact with the first dielectric layer. The first cavity traverses the first surface of the first dielectric layer to the second side of the first interconnect, where the first cavity overlaps the first interconnect. The second interconnect includes a third side and a fourth side, where the third side is coupled to the first surface of the first dielectric layer.

Abstract: Conductive line structures, and methods of forming the same, include first and second pattern structures, insulation layer patterns and an insulating interlayer. The first pattern structure includes a conductive line pattern and a hard mask stacked, and extends in a first direction. The second pattern structure includes a second conductive line pattern and another hard mask stacked, and at least a portion of the pattern structure extends in the first direction. The insulation layer patterns contact end portions of the pattern structures. The first pattern structure and an insulation layer pattern form a closed curve shape in plan view, and the second pattern structure and another insulation layer pattern form another closed curve shape in plan view. The insulating interlayer covers upper portions of the pattern structures and the insulation layer patterns, an air gap between the pattern structures, and another air gap between the insulation layer patterns.

Abstract: A structure of a memory device and a method for making the memory device structure are described. The memory device includes an array of memory cells in an array level die. The array comprises a plurality of sub-arrays. Each of the sub-arrays comprises respective data lines. The memory device also includes page buffers for corresponding sub-arrays in a page-buffer level die. The memory device also includes inter-die connections that are configured to electrically couple the page buffers in the page-buffer level die to data lines of corresponding sub-arrays in the array level die.

Abstract: An integrated circuit interconnect is fabricated by using a mask to form a via in an insulating layer for a conductive plug. After the plug is formed in the via, a thin (e.g., <100 nm) isolation layer is deposited over the resulting structure. An opening is created in the isolation layer by using the same mask at a different radiation exposure level to make the opening more narrow than the underlying plug. A conductive line is then formed which makes electrical contact with the plug through the opening in the isolation layer. By vertically separating and electrically isolating the conductive plug from adjacent conductive lines, the isolation layer advantageously reduces the likelihood of an undesired electrical short occurring between the conductive plug and a nearby conductive line.

Abstract: Structures, architectures, systems, an integrated circuit, methods and software for configuring an integrated circuit for multiple packaging types and/or selecting one of a plurality of packaging types for an integrated circuit. The structure generally comprises a bump pad, a plurality of bond pads configured for independent electrical connection to the bump pad, and a plurality of conductive traces, each adapted to electrically connect one of the bond pads to the bump pad. The method of configuring generally includes the steps of forming the bump pad, the bond pads, and the conductive traces from an uppermost metal layer, and forming an insulation layer thereover. The method of selecting generally comprises the uppermost metal layer-forming step, and forming either (i) a wire bond to at least one of the bond pads, or (ii) a bumping metal configured to electrically connect at least one of the bond pads to the bump pad.

Abstract: A structure and method for manufacturing the same for manufacturing a contact structure for microelectronics manufacturing including the steps of forming first and second metal sheets to form a plurality of outwardly extending bump each defining a cavity. Symmetrically mating the first and second metal sheets in opposing relation to each other to form upper and lower bumps each defining an enclosure therebetween wherein the mated first and second sheets form a contact structure. Coating the contact structure with an insulating material, and fabricating helix shaped contacts from upper and lower bumps. The helix shaped contacts having first and second portions being in mirror image relationship to each other.

Abstract: A die includes a metal pad, a passivation layer, and a patterned buffer layer over the passivation layer. The patterned buffer layer includes a plurality of discrete portions separated from each other. An under-bump-metallurgy (UBM) is formed in an opening in the patterned buffer layer and an opening in the passivation layer. A metal bump is formed over and electrically coupled to the UBM.

Abstract: Methods for manufacturing the grating sheet and a liquid crystal display panel are provided. The grating sheet comprises a plurality of primary color gratings in parallel, each of which comprises a red R sub-grating, a green G sub-grating and a blue B sub-grating in parallel, and each sub-grating comprises an opening area and a reflective region disposed around the opening area and corresponds to a pixel unit on a sub-array substrate. The methods for manufacturing the grating sheet and a liquid crystal display panel may be applicable to a system with a liquid crystal display.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a semiconductor device of one embodiment of the present invention includes: forming an insulation layer to be processed over a substrate; forming a first sacrificial layer in a first area over the substrate, the first sacrificial layer being patterned to form in the first area a functioning wiring connected to an element; forming a second sacrificial layer in a second area over the substrate, the second sacrificial layer being patterned to form in the second area a dummy wiring; forming a third sacrificial layer at a side wall of the first sacrificial layer and forming a fourth sacrificial layer at a side wall of the second sacrificial layer, the third sacrificial layer and the fourth sacrificial layer being separated; forming a concavity by etching the insulation layer to be processed using the third sacrificial layer and the fourth sacrificial layer as a mask; and filling a conductive material in the concavity.

Abstract: A method of making an integrated circuit includes forming an interconnect structure in an opening in a dielectric layer. The method further includes forming an air gap between the dielectric layer and the interconnect structure, where a first liner layer along a bottom portion of a sidewall of the opening of the dielectric layer is under the air gap, and a top portion of the first liner layer is below a lowest portion of the air gap.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes: an integrated circuit having an electrode pad; a first insulating layer disposed on the integrated circuit; a redistribution layer including a plurality of wirings and disposed on the first insulating layer, at least one of the plurality of wirings being electrically coupled to the electrode pad; a second insulating layer having a opening on at least a portion of the plurality of wirings; a metal film disposed on the opening and on the second insulating layer, and electrically coupled to at least one of the plurality of wirings; and a solder bump the solder bump overhanging at least one of the plurality of wirings not electrically coupled to the metal film.

Abstract: A method for fabricating through-silicon vias (TSVs) for semiconductor devices is provided. Specifically, the method involves utilizing copper contact pads in a back-end-of-line wiring level, wherein the copper contact pads act as cathodes for performing an electroplating technique to fill TSVs with plated-conductive material (e.g., copper) from an electroplating solution. Moreover, the method provides a way to fill high aspect ratio TSVs with minimal additional semiconductor fabrication process steps, which can increase the silicon area that is available for forming additional electronic components on integrated circuits.

Abstract: Described are cleaning methods for removing contaminants from an electrical contact interface of a partially fabricated semiconductor substrate. The methods may include introducing a halogen-containing species into a processing chamber, and forming an adsorption-limited layer, which includes halogen from the halogen-containing species, atop the electrical contact interface and/or the contaminants thereon. The methods may further include thereafter removing un-adsorbed halogen-containing species from the processing chamber and activating a reaction between the halogen of the adsorption-limited layer and the contaminants present on the electrical contact interface. The reaction may then result in the removal of at least a portion of the contaminants from the electrical contact interface. In some embodiments, the halogen adsorbed onto the surface and reacted may be fluorine. Also described herein are apparatuses having controllers for implementing such electrical contact interface cleaning techniques.

Abstract: Semiconductor devices having interconnects incorporating negative expansion (NTE) materials are disclosed herein. In one embodiment a semiconductor device includes a substrate having an opening that extends at least partially through the substrate. A conductive material having a positive coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) partially fills the opening. A negative thermal expansion (NTE) having a negative CTE also partially fills the opening. In one embodiment, the conductive material includes copper and the NTE material includes zirconium tungstate.

Abstract: A semiconductor component having wettable leadframe lead surfaces and a method of manufacture. A leadframe having leadframe leads is embedded in a mold compound. The mold compound is separated to form singulated semiconductor components. A portion of at least one leadframe lead is exposed and an electrically conductive material is formed on the exposed portion using one of a vibratory plating device or a spouted bed electroplating device.

Abstract: A semiconductor structure comprises a top metal layer, a bond pad formed on the top metal layer, a conductor formed below the top metal layer, and an insulation layer separating the conductor from the top metal layer. The top metal layer includes a sub-layer of relatively stiff material compared to the remaining portion of the top metal layer. The sub-layer of relatively stiff material is configured to distribute stresses over the insulation layer to reduce cracking in the insulation layer.

Abstract: A method including forming a tetra-layer hardmask above a substrate, the tetra-layer hardmask including a second hardmask layer above a first hardmask layer; removing a portion of the second hardmask layer of the tetra-layer hardmask within a pattern region of a structure comprising the substrate and the tetra-layer hardmask; forming a set of sidewall spacers above the tetra-layer hardmask to define a device pattern; and transferring a portion of the device pattern into the substrate and within the pattern region of the structure.

Abstract: A resistive memory device capable of implementing a multi-level cell, a method of fabricating the same, and a memory apparatus and data processing system including the same are provided. The resistive memory device includes a lower electrode, a first phase-change material layer formed over the lower electrode, a second phase-change material layer formed to surround an outer sidewall of the first phase-change material layer, and an upper electrode formed over the first phase-change material layer and the second phase-change material layer.

Abstract: Methods of forming coaxial feedthroughs for 3d integrated circuits that provide excellent isolation of signal paths from the substrate and from adjacent feedthroughs. One method is to form a recess in a substrate and deposit alternate layers of insulation and conductive layers and then thin the substrate to make the layers available from both sides of the substrate, with the first metal layer forming the coaxial conductor and the second metal layer forming the central conductor. Alternatively the coaxial feedthroughs may be formed using a modified pillar process to form the coaxial conductor at the same time as the center conductor is formed so that the coaxial feedthrough is formed without requiring extra steps. Both processes are low temperature processes.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a semiconductor substrate structure for use in a semiconductor substrate stack system is presented. The method includes a semiconductor substrate which includes a front-face, a backside, a bulk layer, an interconnect layer that includes a plurality of inter-metal dielectric layers sandwiched between conductive layers, a contact layer that is between the bulk layer and the interconnect layer, and a TSV structure commencing between the bulk layer and the contact layer and terminating at the backside of the substrate. The TSV structure is electrically coupled to the interconnect layer and the TSV structure is electrically coupled to a bonding pad on the backside.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a semiconductor device is provided. An etch-target layer is formed on a substrate. A photoresist layer is formed on the etch-target layer. A first exposure process is performed using a first photo mask to form a plurality of first-irradiated patterns in the photoresist layer. The first photo mask includes a plurality of first transmission regions. Each first transmission region has different optical transmittance. A second exposure process is performed using a second photo mask to form a plurality of second-irradiated patterns in the photoresist layer. The second photo mask includes a plurality of second transmission regions. Each second transmission region has different optical transmittance. A photoresist pattern is formed from the photoresist layer by removing the plurality of first-irradiated and second-irradiated patterns from the photoresist layer. A lower structure is formed from the etch-target layer by etching the etch-target layer using the photoresist pattern.

Abstract: A method for fabricating an integrated device includes the following steps. First, a multi-layered structure is formed on a substrate, wherein the multi-layered structure is embedded in a lower isolation layer. Then, a bottom conductive pattern and a top conductive pattern are formed on a top surface of the lower isolation layer, wherein the top conductive pattern is on a top surface of the bottom conductive pattern. Afterwards, portions of the top conductive pattern are removed to expose portions of the bottom conductive pattern. Subsequently, an upper isolation layer is deposited on the lower isolation layer so that the upper isolation layer can be in direct contact with the portions of the bottom conductive pattern. Finally, portions of the lower isolation layer and the upper isolation layer are removed so as to expose portions of the substrate.

Abstract: Disclosed are a method for metallization during semiconductor wafer processing and the resulting structures. In this method, a passivation layer is patterned with first openings aligned above and extending vertically to metal structures below. A mask layer is formed and patterned with second openings aligned above the first openings, thereby forming two-tier openings extending vertically through the mask layer and passivation layer to the metal structures below. An electrodeposition process forms, in the two-tier openings, both under-bump pad(s) and additional metal feature(s), which are different from the under-bump pad(s) (e.g., a wirebond pad; a final vertical section of a crackstop structure; and/or a probe pad). Each under-bump pad and additional metal feature initially comprises copper with metal cap layers thereon.