| Patent application number | Description | Published |
|---|
| 20080203579 | SACRIFICIAL METAL SPACER DUAL DAMASCENE - A method and structure for a dual damascene interconnect structure comprises forming wiring lines in a metallization layer over a substrate, shaping a laminated insulator stack above the metallization layer, patterning a hardmask over the laminated insulator stack, forming troughs in the hardmask, creating sacrificial tungsten sidewall spacers in the troughs, patterning the laminated insulator stack, removing the sacrificial sidewall spacers, forming vias in the patterned laminated insulator stack, and depositing a metal liner and conductive material into the vias and troughs, wherein the laminated insulator stack comprises a dielectric layer further comprising oxide and polyarylene. The step of depositing prevents the laminated insulator stack from sputtering into the vias. Moreover, the step of depositing comprises cleaning the vias and troughs, optionally performing a reactive ion etching or argon sputter cleaning, depositing a plurality of metal layers over the vias and troughs, and depositing copper in the vias and troughs. | 08-28-2008 |
| 20080224259 | METHODS OF FABRICATING PASSIVE ELEMENT WITHOUT PLANARIZING AND RELATED SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICE - Methods of fabricating a passive element and a semiconductor device including the passive element are disclosed including the use of a dummy passive element. A dummy passive element is a passive element or wire which is added to the chip layout to aid in planarization but is not used in the active circuit. One embodiment of the method includes forming the passive element and a dummy passive element adjacent to the passive element; forming a dielectric layer over the passive element and the dummy passive element, wherein the dielectric layer is substantially planar between the passive element and the dummy passive element; and forming in the dielectric layer an interconnect to the passive element through the dielectric layer and a dummy interconnect portion overlapping at least a portion of the dummy passive element. The methods eliminate the need for planarizing. | 09-18-2008 |
| 20080254630 | DEVICE AND METHODOLOGY FOR REDUCING EFFECTIVE DIELECTRIC CONSTANT IN SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES - Method of manufacturing a semiconductor device structure, including the steps of providing a structure having an insulator layer with at least one interconnect, forming a sub lithographic template mask over the insulator layer, and selectively etching the insulator layer through the sub lithographic template mask to form sub lithographic features spanning to a sidewall of the at least one interconnect. | 10-16-2008 |
| 20080261393 | REDUCING WIRE EROSION DURING DAMASCENE PROCESSING - A damascene process incorporating a GCIB step is provided. The GCIB step can replace one or more CMP steps in the traditional damascene process. The GCIB step allows for selectable removal of unwanted material and thus, reduces unwanted erosion of certain nearby structures during damascene process. A GCIB step may also be incorporated in the damascene process as a final polish step to clean up surfaces that have been planarized using a CMP step. | 10-23-2008 |
| 20080293242 | METAL SPACER IN SINGLE AND DUAL DAMASCENE PROCESSING - A method and structure for a single or dual damascene interconnect structure comprises forming wiring lines in a metallization layer over a substrate, shaping a laminated insulator stack above the metallization layer, patterning a hardmask over the laminated insulator stack, forming troughs in the hardmask, patterning the laminated insulator stack, forming vias in the patterned laminated insulator stack, creating sidewall spacers in the bottom portion of the vias, depositing an anti-reflective coating on the sidewall spacers, etching the troughs, removing the anti-reflective coating, depositing a metal layer in the troughs, vias, and sidewall spacers, and applying conductive material in the troughs and the vias. The laminated insulator stack comprises a dielectric layer further comprising oxide and polyarylene. | 11-27-2008 |
| 20080303139 | CHIP-IN-SLOT INTERCONNECT FOR 3D CHIP STACKS - A chip-in-slot interconnect for three-dimensional semiconductor chip stacks, and particularly having the ability of forming edge connections on semiconductor chips, wherein the semiconductor chips are mounted in one or more chip carriers which are capable of being equipped with embedded circuitry. Moreover, provision is made for unique methods for producing the edge connections on the semiconductor chips, for creating a semiconductor chip carrier, and for producing a novel semiconductor and combined chip carrier structure. | 12-11-2008 |
| 20080314754 | INCREASING AN ELECTRICAL RESISTANCE OF A RESISTOR BY NITRIDIZATION - A method for increasing an electrical resistance of a resistor. A fraction F of an exterior surface of a surface layer of a resistor of a semiconductor structure is exposed to the nitrogen-comprising molecules. An anodization electrical circuit is formed and includes: a DC power supply, an electrolytic solution including nitrogen, and the resistor partially immersed in the electrolytic solution. The DC power supply is activated and generates a voltage output, that causes an electrolytic reaction in the electrolytic solution near the resistor. The electrolytic reaction generates nitrogen ions from the nitrogen in the electrolytic solution. The fraction F is exposed to the nitrogen ions. A portion of the surface layer is nitridized by being reacted with the nitrogen ions at a temperature above ambient room temperature such that an electrical resistance of the resistor is increased. | 12-25-2008 |
| 20090008788 | METHOD OF FORMING A SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICE - A method of forming a semiconductor device. A first wiring level is formed on a top surface of a substrate. The first wiring level includes alternating layers of a first dielectric material and a second dielectric material. The layers of the first dielectric material includes at least two layers of the first dielectric material. The layers of the second dielectric material includes at least two layers of the second dielectric material. The first dielectric material includes an organic dielectric material. The second dielectric material includes an inorganic dielectric material. The substrate includes one or more dielectric materials. A first layer of the layers of the first dielectric material includes the organic dielectric material being in direct mechanical contact with the substrate. The layers of the first dielectric material and the layers of the second dielectric material are a same number of layers. | 01-08-2009 |
| 20090011526 | INCREASING AN ELECTRICAL RESISTANCE OF A RESISTOR BY NITRIDIZATION - A method for increasing an electrical resistance of a resistor. A semiconductor structure that includes the resistor is placed in a chamber that includes a gas including nitrogen-containing molecules at an nitrogen concentration. A fraction F of an exterior surface of a surface layer of the resistor is exposed to the nitrogen-comprising molecules. A portion of the surface layer is heated at a heating temperature. A combination of the nitrogen concentration and the heating temperature is sufficient to nitridize the portion of the surface layer by reacting the portion with the nitrogen-containing molecules. Heating the portion of the surface layer includes directing a beam of radiation or particles into the portion of the surface layer heat the portion of the surface layer. The portion of the surface layer is nitridized by being reacted with the nitrogen-containing molecules such that an electrical resistance of the resistor is increased. | 01-08-2009 |
| 20090032959 | ELECTRICAL FUSES AND RESISTORS HAVING SUBLITHOGRAPHIC DIMENSIONS - Electrical fuses and resistors having a sublithographic lateral or vertical dimension are provided. A conductive structure comprising a conductor or a semiconductor is formed on a semiconductor substrate. At least one insulator layer is formed on the conductive structure. A recessed area is formed in the at least one insulator layer. Self-assembling block copolymers are applied into the recessed area and annealed to form a first set of polymer blocks and a second set of polymer blocks. The first set of polymer blocks are etched selective to the second set and the at least one insulator layer. Features having sublithographic dimensions are formed in the at least one insulator layer and/or the conductive structure. Various semiconductor structures having sublithographic dimensions are formed including electrical fuses and resistors. | 02-05-2009 |
| 20090065898 | INTEGRATED BEOL THIN FILM RESISTOR - In the course of forming a resistor in the back end of an integrated circuit, an intermediate dielectric layer is deposited and a trench etched through it and into a lower dielectric layer by a controllable amount, so that the top of a resistor layer deposited in the trench is close in height to the top of the lower dielectric layer; the trench is filled and the resistor layer outside the trench is removed, after which a second dielectric layer is deposited. Vias passing through the second dielectric layer to contact the resistor then have the same depth as vias contacting metal interconnects in the lower dielectric layer. A tri-layer resistor structure is employed in which the resistive film is sandwiched between two protective layers that block diffusion between the resistor and BEOL ILD layers. | 03-12-2009 |
| 20090085152 | THREE DIMENSIONAL VERTICAL E-FUSE STRUCTURES AND METHODS OF MANUFACTURING THE SAME - Three dimensional vertical e-fuse structures and methods of manufacturing the same are provided herein. The method of forming a fuse structure comprises providing a substrate including an insulator layer and forming an opening in the insulator layer. The method further comprises forming a conductive layer along a sidewall of the opening and filling the opening with an insulator material. The vertical e-fuse structure comprises a first contact layer and a second contact layer. The structure further includes a conductive material lined within a via and in electrical contact with the first contact layer and the second contact layer. The conductive material has an increased resistance as a current is applied thereto. | 04-02-2009 |
| 20090121261 | STRUCTURE AND METHOD FOR COMPACT LONG-CHANNEL FETs - A compact semiconductor structure including at least one FET located upon and within a surface of a semiconductor substrate in which the at least one FET includes a long channel length and/or a wide channel width and a method of fabricating the same are provided. In some embodiments, the ordered, nanosized pattern is oriented in a direction that is perpendicular to the current flow. In such an embodiment, the FET has a long channel length. In other embodiments, the ordered, nanosized pattern is oriented in a direction that is parallel to that of the current flow. In such an embodiment, the FET has a wide channel width. In yet another embodiment, one ordered, nanosized pattern is oriented in a direction perpendicular to the current flow, while another ordered, nanosized pattern is oriented in a direction parallel to the current flow. In such an embodiment, a FET having a long channel length and wide channel width is provided. | 05-14-2009 |
| 20090146247 | SEMICONDUCTOR GROUND SHIELD - A ground shield is disclosed that includes a ‘cheesed’ metal positioned within a dielectric layer and a metal region positioned within a first metal level over the cheesed metal. The ground shield can have different forms depending on the metal used, and provisions are made to prevent diffusion of copper (Cu) when that is used as the metal in the cheese metal of the ground shield. The ground shield provides a low resistance, very thick metal at a first metal (M1) level for passive RF elements in conjunction with the standard back-end-of-line (BEOL) integration. The invention also includes a method of forming the ground shield. | 06-11-2009 |
| 20090155993 | TERMINAL PAD STRUCTURES AND METHODS OF FABRICATING SAME - Terminal pads and methods of fabricating terminal pads. The methods including forming a conductive diffusion barrier under a conductive pad in or overlapped by a passivation layer comprised of multiple dielectric layers including diffusion barrier layers. The methods including forming the terminal pads subtractively or by a damascene process. | 06-18-2009 |
| 20090243778 | INDUCTOR HAVING OPENING ENCLOSED WITHIN CONDUCTIVE LINE AND RELATED METHOD - Embodiments of an inductor including a conductive line including at least one turn and an opening positioned within an interior of a region of the conductive line are disclosed. Embodiments of a related method of designing the inductor are also disclosed. | 10-01-2009 |
| 20090260961 | Mems Switches With Reduced Switching Voltage and Methods of Manufacture - MEMS switches and methods of manufacturing MEMS switches is provided. The MEMS switch having at least two cantilevered electrodes having ends which overlap and which are structured and operable to contact one another upon an application of a voltage by at least one fixed electrode. | 10-22-2009 |
| 20090267192 | CMP METHODS AVOIDING EDGE EROSION AND RELATED WAFER - Methods of avoiding chemical mechanical polish (CMP) edge erosion and a related wafer are disclosed. In one embodiment, the method includes providing a wafer; forming a first material across the wafer; forming a second material at an outer edge region of the wafer, leaving a central region of the wafer devoid of the second material; and performing chemical mechanical polishing (CMP) on the wafer. The second material diminishes CMP edge erosion. | 10-29-2009 |
| 20090288869 | CURVILINEAR WIRING STRUCTURE TO REDUCE AREAS OF HIGH FIELD DENSITY IN AN INTEGRATED CIRCUIT - A method for reducing areas of high field density in an integrated circuit is disclosed. In one embodiment, the method includes forming a first curvilinear wiring structure in a first interconnect layer of an integrated circuit. A second curvilinear wiring structure may be formed in a second interconnect layer of the integrated circuit, such that the first and second curvilinear wiring structures are substantially vertically aligned. The first curvilinear wiring structure may then be electrically connected to the second curvilinear wiring structure. | 11-26-2009 |
| 20090316313 | DESIGN STRUCTURE FOR AN ON-CHIP HIGH FREQUENCY ELECTRO-STATIC DISCHARGE DEVICE - A design structure for an on-chip high frequency electro-static discharge device is described. In one embodiment, the electro-static discharge device comprises a substrate and multiple metal level layers disposed on the substrate. Each metal level comprises more than one electrode formed therein and more than one via connecting with some of the electrodes in adjacent metal levels. The device further includes a gap formed about one of the metal level layers, wherein the gap is hermetically sealed to provide electro-static discharge protection for the integrated circuit. | 12-24-2009 |
| 20090316314 | DESIGN STRUCTURE FOR AN ON-CHIP HIGH FREQUENCY ELECTRO-STATIC DISCHARGE DEVICE - A design structure for an on-chip high frequency electro-static discharge device is described. In one embodiment, the electro-static discharge structure comprises a first dielectric layer with more than one electrode formed therein. A second dielectric layer with more than one electrode formed therein is located above the first dielectric layer. At least one via connects the more than one electrode in the first dielectric layer with the more than one electrode in the second dielectric layer. A gap is formed through the first dielectric layer and the second dielectric layer, wherein the gap extends between two adjacent electrodes in both the first dielectric layer and the second dielectric layer. A third dielectric layer is disposed over the second dielectric layer, wherein the third dielectric layer hermetically seals the gap to provide electro-static discharge protection on the integrated circuit. | 12-24-2009 |
| 20090317970 | METHOD FOR FORMING AN ON-CHIP HIGH FREQUENCY ELECTRO-STATIC DISCHARGE DEVICE - A method for forming an on-chip high frequency electro-static discharge device on an integrated circuit is described. In one embodiment of the method, a capped first dielectric layer with more than one electrode formed therein is provided. A second dielectric layer is deposited over the capped first dielectric layer. A first hard mask dielectric layer is deposited over the second dielectric layer. A cavity trench is formed through the first hard mask dielectric layer and the second dielectric layer to the first dielectric layer, wherein the cavity trench is formed in the first dielectric layer between two adjacent electrodes. At least one via is formed through the second dielectric layer about the cavity trench. A metal trench is formed around each of the at least one via. A release opening is formed over the cavity trench. A third dielectric layer is deposited over the second dielectric layer, wherein the third dielectric layer hermetically seals the release opening to provide electro-static discharge protection. | 12-24-2009 |
| 20090317975 | METHOD FOR FORMING AN 0N-CHIP HIGH FREQUENCY ELECTRO-STATIC DISCHARGE DEVICE - A method for forming an on-chip high frequency electro-static discharge device is described. In one embodiment, a wafer with a multi-metal level wiring is provided and a hermetically sealed gap is formed therein to provide electro-static discharge protection for an integrated circuit. | 12-24-2009 |
| 20100009509 | DUAL-DAMASCENE PROCESS TO FABRICATE THICK WIRE STRUCTURE - A method and semiconductor device. In the method, at least one partial via is etched in a stacked structure and a border is formed about the at least one partial via. The method further includes performing thick wiring using selective etching while continuing via etching to at least one etch stop layer. | 01-14-2010 |
| 20100019346 | IC HAVING FLIP CHIP PASSIVE ELEMENT AND DESIGN STRUCTURE - IC and design structure including various ways of raising a passive element such as an inductor off the surface of the substrate to improve the performance of the passive element are presented. A first wafer may be provided, and passive elements diced from a second wafer. The passive elements are flipped, and then aligned to be bonded on the first wafer such that the passive elements are raised a distance off the first wafer because of the presence of chip connections such as C4 solder bumps. A gap between the passive elements and the first wafer can be filled with underfill or air. If air is used, a hermetic seal around the gap can be created using chip connections such as C4 solder bumps or other known bonding means to seal the gap. | 01-28-2010 |
| 20100022063 | METHOD OF FORMING ON-CHIP PASSIVE ELEMENT - Various methods of forming a passive element such as an inductor raised off the surface of the substrate to improve the performance of the passive element are presented. A first wafer may be provided, and passive elements diced from a second wafer. The passive elements are flipped, and then aligned to be bonded on the first wafer such that the passive elements are raised a distance off the first wafer because of the presence of chip connections such as C4 solder bumps. A gap between the passive elements and the first wafer can be filled with underfill or air. If air is used, a hermetic seal around the gap can be created using chip connections such as C4 solder bumps or other known bonding means to seal the gap. | 01-28-2010 |
| 20100025853 | BACK-END-OF-LINE WIRING STRUCTURES WITH INTEGRATED PASSIVE ELEMENTS AND DESIGN STRUCTURES FOR A RADIOFREQUENCY INTEGRATED CIRCUIT - Back-end-of-line (BEOL) wiring structures that include a passive element, such as a thin film resistor or a metal-insulator-metal capacitor, and multiple-height vias in a metallization level, as well as design structures for a radiofrequency integrated circuit. The wiring structures generally include a first metal-filled via in a dielectric layer having sidewalls that intersect the passive element and a second metal-filled via in the dielectric layer with sidewalls that do not intersect the passive element. The bottom of the first via includes a conductive layer that operates as an etch stop to prevent deepening of the sidewalls of the first via into a portion of the passive element when the second via is fully etched through the dielectric layer. A liner is applied to the layer of conductive material and the sidewalls of the first via, and the remaining space is filled with another conductive layer. | 02-04-2010 |
| 20100025857 | IC CHIP AND DESIGN STRUCTURE WITH THROUGH WAFER VIAS DISHING CORRECTION - An IC chip and design structure having a TWV contact contacting the TWV and extending through a second dielectric layer over the TWV. An IC chip may include a substrate; a through wafer via (TWV) extending through at least one first dielectric layer and into the substrate; a TWV contact contacting the TWV and extending through a second dielectric layer over the TWV; and a first metal wiring layer over the second dielectric layer, the first metal wiring layer contacting the TWV contact. | 02-04-2010 |
| 20100029075 | THROUGH WAFER VIAS WITH DISHING CORRECTION METHODS - Methods of forming through wafer vias (TWVs) and standard contacts in two separate processes to prevent copper first metal layer puddling and shorts are presented. In one embodiment, a method may include forming a TWV into a substrate and a first dielectric layer over the substrate; forming a second dielectric layer over the substrate and the TWV; forming, through the second dielectric layer, at least one contact to the TWV and at least one contact to other structures over the substrate; and forming a first metal wiring layer over the second dielectric layer, the first metal wiring layer contacting at least one of the contacts. | 02-04-2010 |
| 20100032809 | METAL WIRING STRUCTURE FOR INTEGRATION WITH THROUGH SUBSTRATE VIAS - An array of through substrate vias (TSVs) is formed through a semiconductor substrate and a contact-via-level dielectric layer thereupon. A metal-wire-level dielectric layer and a line-level metal wiring structure embedded therein are formed directly on the contact-via-level dielectric layer. The line-level metal wiring structure includes cheesing holes that are filled with isolated portions of the metal-wire-level dielectric layer. In one embodiment, the entirety of the cheesing holes is located outside the area of the array of the TSVs to maximize the contact area between the TSVs and the line-level metal wiring structure. In another embodiment, a set of cheesing holes overlying an entirety of seams in the array of TSVs is formed to prevent trapping of any plating solution in the seams of the TSVs during plating to prevent corrosion of the TSVs at the seams. | 02-11-2010 |
| 20100032829 | STRUCTURES AND METHODS FOR IMPROVING SOLDER BUMP CONNECTIONS IN SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES - Structures with improved solder bump connections and methods of fabricating such structures are provided herein. The structure includes a trench formed in a dielectric layer which has at least a portion thereof devoid of a fluorine boundary layer. The structure further includes a copper wire in the trench having at least a bottom portion thereof in contact with the non-fluoride boundary layer of the trench. A lead free solder bump is in electrical contact with the copper wire. | 02-11-2010 |
| 20100052172 | METHOD OF FABRICATING COPPER DAMASCENE AND DUAL DAMASCENE INTERCONNECT WIRING - An integrated circuit and a method of manufacturing the integrated circuit, the method including: (a) providing a substrate; (b) forming a copper diffusion barrier layer on the substrate; (c) forming a dielectric layer on a top surface of the copper diffusion barrier layer; (d) forming a copper damascene or dual damascene wire in the dielectric layer, a top surface of the copper damascene or dual damascene wire coplanar with a top surface of the dielectric layer; (e) forming a first capping layer on the top surface of the wire and the top surface of the dielectric layer; (f) after step (e) performing one or more characterization procedures in relation to said integrated circuit; and (g) after step (e) forming a second capping layer on a top surface of the first capping layer. | 03-04-2010 |
| 20100064273 | Method for Compensating for Variations in Structures of an Integrated Circuit - A method of for compensating for variations in structures of an integrated circuit. The method includes (a) selecting a mask design shape and selecting a region of the mask design shape; (b) applying a model-based optical proximity correction to all of the mask design shape; and after (b), (c) applying a rules-based optical proximity correction to the selected region of the mask design shape. | 03-11-2010 |
| 20100127395 | METHODS FOR SELECTIVE REVERSE MASK PLANARIZATION AND INTERCONNECT STRUCTURES FORMED THEREBY - Methods for planarizing layers of a material, such as a dielectric, and interconnect structures formed by the planarization methods. The method includes depositing a first dielectric layer on a top surface of multiple conductive features and on a top surface of a substrate between the conductive features. A portion of the first dielectric layer is selectively removed from the top surface of at least one of the conductive features without removing a portion the first dielectric layer that is between the conductive features. A second dielectric layer is formed on the top surface of the at least one of the conductive features and on a top surface of the first dielectric layer, and a top surface of the second dielectric layer is planarized. A layer operating as an etch stop is located between the top surface of at least one of the conductive features and the second dielectric layer. | 05-27-2010 |
| 20100155893 | Method for Forming Thin Film Resistor and Terminal Bond Pad Simultaneously - Disclosed are methods for forming a thin film resistor and terminal bond pad simultaneously. A method includes simultaneously forming a terminal bond pad on a terminal wire and a thin film resistor on two other wires. | 06-24-2010 |
| 20100155932 | BONDED SEMICONDUCTOR SUBSTRATE INCLUDING A COOLING MECHANISM - A bonded substrate comprising two semiconductor substrates is provided. Each semiconductor substrate includes semiconductor devices. At least one through substrate via is provided between the two semiconductor substrates to provide a signal path therebetween. The bottom sides of the two semiconductor substrate are bonded by at least one bonding material layer that contains a cooling mechanism. In one embodiment, the cooling mechanism is a cooling channel through which a cooling fluid flows to cool the bonded semiconductor substrate during the operation of the semiconductor devices in the bonded substrate. In another embodiment, the cooling mechanism is a conductive cooling fin with two end portions and a contiguous path therebetween. The cooling fin is connected to heat sinks to cool the bonded semiconductor substrate during the operation of the semiconductor devices in the bonded substrate. | 06-24-2010 |
| 20100237467 | Interconnect Structures, Methods for Fabricating Interconnect Structures, and Design Structures for a Radiofrequency Integrated Circuit - Interconnect structures that include a passive element, such as a thin film resistor or a metal-insulator-metal (MIM) capacitor, methods for fabricating an interconnect structure that includes a passive element, and design structures embodied in a machine readable medium for designing, manufacturing, or testing an integrated circuit, such as a radiofrequency integrated circuit. A top surface of a dielectric layer is recessed relative to a top surface of a conductive feature in the dielectric layer. The passive element is formed on the recessed top surface of the dielectric layer and includes a layer of a conductive material that is coplanar with, or below, the top surface of the conductive feature. | 09-23-2010 |
| 20100243414 | Horizontal Micro-Electro-Mechanical-System Switch - A first dielectric material layer and a second dielectric material layer are formed on a substrate. Three conductive portions are formed within the second dielectric material layer. An optional third dielectric material layer and an optional dielectric capping layer may be formed over the three conductive portions. Portions of the second dielectric material layer and the first dielectric material layer are removed from within an area of a hole in a masking layer. The first dielectric material layer is laterally undercut to provide a micro-electro-mechanical-system (MEMS) switch comprising a conductive cantilever, a conductive plate, and a conductive actuator from the three conductive portions as portions of the first and second dielectric material layers are removed. The MEMS switch may be employed to provide mechanical switchable contact between the conductive cantilever and the conductive plate through an electrical signal on the conductive actuator. | 09-30-2010 |
| 20100248424 | Self-Aligned Chip Stacking - A first semiconductor chip and a second semiconductor chip are provided with a matching pair of hydrophilic top surfaces each including a matched set of conductive contact structures. In one embodiment, the first semiconductor chip, the second semiconductor chip, or both is provided with a mesa of which the periphery coincides with the shape of a hydrophilic top surface. In another embodiment, the first semiconductor chip, the second semiconductor chip, or both is provided with a peripheral hydrophobic top surface that laterally surrounds a hydrophilic top surface. Prior to vertical stacking, a polar liquid coats the hydrophilic top surface of a first semiconductor chip. When a second semiconductor chip is placed on the polar liquid, the matching shapes of two hydrophilic surfaces are self-aligned by moving the second semiconductor chip as needed. | 09-30-2010 |
| 20100263998 | VERTICAL INTEGRATED CIRCUIT SWITCHES, DESIGN STRUCTURE AND METHODS OF FABRICATING SAME - Vertical integrated MEMS switches, design structures and methods of fabricating such vertical switches is provided herein. The method of manufacturing a MEMS switch, includes forming at least two vertically extending vias in a wafer and filling the at least two vertically extending vias with a metal to form at least two vertically extending wires. The method further includes opening a void in the wafer from a bottom side such that at least one of the vertically extending wires is moveable within the void. | 10-21-2010 |
| 20100264545 | Metal Fill Structures for Reducing Parasitic Capacitance - Vertically-staggered-level metal fill structures include inner contiguous metal fill structures and outer contiguous metal fill structures. A dielectric material portion is provided between each contiguous metal fill structure. Vertical extent of each contiguous metal fill structure is limited up to three vertically adjoining metal interconnect levels, thereby limiting the capacitance of each contiguous metal fill structure. Capacitive coupling between the contiguous metal fill structures and the metal interconnect structures is minimized due to the fragmented structure of contiguous metal fill structures. | 10-21-2010 |
| 20100279508 | METHOD FOR REDUCING AMINE BASED CONTAMINANTS - Method for reducing resist poisoning. The method includes the steps of forming a first structure in a dielectric on a substrate, reducing amine related contaminants from the dielectric and the substrate prior to a formation of a second structure on the substrate such that the amine related contaminates will not diffuse out from either the substrate or the dielectric, wherein the reducing utilizes a plasma treatment which one of chemically ties up the amine related contaminates and binds, traps, or consumes the amine related contaminates during subsequent processing steps, forming the second structure on the substrate, and after the forming of the first structure, preventing poisoning of a resist layer in subsequent processing by the reducing. | 11-04-2010 |
| 20100283121 | ELECTRICAL FUSES AND RESISTORS HAVING SUBLITHOGRAPHIC DIMENSIONS - Electrical fuses and resistors having a sublithographic lateral or vertical dimension are provided. A conductive structure comprising a conductor or a semiconductor is formed on a semiconductor substrate. At least one insulator layer is formed on the conductive structure. A recessed area is formed in the at least one insulator layer. Self-assembling block copolymers are applied into the recessed area and annealed to form a fist set of polymer blocks and a second set of polymer blocks. The first set of polymer blocks are etched selective to the second set and the at least one insulator layer. Features having sublithographic dimensions are formed in the at least one insulator layer and/or the conductive structure. Various semiconductor structures having sublithographic dimensions are formed including electrical fuses and resistors. | 11-11-2010 |
| 20100297825 | Passive Components in the Back End of Integrated Circuits - Passive components are formed in the back end by using the same deposition process and materials as in the rest of the back end. Resistors are formed by connecting in series individual structures on the nth, (n+1)th, etc levels of the back end. Capacitors are formed by constructing a set of vertical capacitor plates from a plurality of levels in the back end, the plates being formed by connecting electrodes on two or more levels of the back end by vertical connection members. | 11-25-2010 |
| 20110032659 | COMPLIMENTARY METAL-INSULATOR-METAL (MIM) CAPACITORS AND METHOD OF MANUFACTURE - A high density capacitor and low density capacitor simultaneously formed on a single wafer and a method of manufacture is provided. The method includes depositing a bottom plate on a dielectric material; depositing a low-k dielectric on the bottom plate; depositing a high-k dielectric on the low-k dielectric and the bottom plate; depositing a top plate on the high-k dielectric; and etching a portion of the bottom plate and the high-k dielectric to form a first metal-insulator-metal (MIM) capacitor having a dielectric stack with a first thickness and a second MIM capacitor having a dielectric stack with a second thickness different than the first thickness. | 02-10-2011 |
| 20110032660 | COMPLIMENTARY METAL-INSULATOR-METAL (MIM) CAPACITORS AND METHOD OF MANUFACTURE - A low capacitance density, high voltage MIM capacitor and the high density MIM capacitor and a method of manufacture are provided. The method includes depositing a plurality of plates and a plurality of dielectric layers interleaved with one another. The method further includes etching a portion of an uppermost plate of the plurality of plates while protecting other portions of the uppermost plate. The protected other portions of the uppermost plate forms a top plate of a first metal-insulator-metal (MIM) capacitor and the etching exposes a top plate of a second MIM capacitor. | 02-10-2011 |
| 20110037096 | Heterojunction Bipolar Transistors and Methods of Manufacture - Semiconductor structures and methods of manufacture semiconductors are provided which relate to heterojunction bipolar transistors. The method includes forming two devices connected by metal wires on a same wiring level. The metal wire of a first of the two devices is formed by selectively forming a metal cap layer on copper wiring structures. | 02-17-2011 |
| 20110042826 | SACRIFICIAL INORGANIC POLYMER INTERMETAL DIELECTRIC DAMASCENE WIRE AND VIA LINER - The present invention provides a method of forming a rigid interconnect structure, and the device therefrom, including the steps of providing a lower metal wiring layer having first metal lines positioned within a lower low-k dielectric; depositing an upper low-k dielectric atop the lower metal wiring layer; etching at least one portion of the upper low-k dielectric to provide at least one via to the first metal lines; forming rigid dielectric sidewall spacers in at least one via of the upper low-k dielectric; and forming second metal lines in at least one portion of the upper low-k dielectric. The rigid dielectric sidewall spacers may comprise of SiCH, SiC, SiNH, SiN, or SiO | 02-24-2011 |
| 20110049649 | INTEGRATED CIRCUIT SWITCHES, DESIGN STRUCTURE AND METHODS OF FABRICATING THE SAME - Integrated MEMS switches, design structures and methods of fabricating such switches are provided. The method includes forming at least one tab of sacrificial material on a side of a switching device which is embedded in the sacrificial material. The method further includes stripping the sacrificial material through at least one opening formed on the at least one tab which is on the side of the switching device, and sealing the at least one opening with a capping material. | 03-03-2011 |
| 20110062240 | DEVICE AND METHOD FOR PROVIDING AN INTEGRATED CIRCUIT WITH A UNIQUE INDENTIFICATION - A device and method for providing an integrated circuit with a unique identification. The device is usable on an integrated circuit (IC) for generating an identification (ID) identifying the IC and includes a plurality of identification cells each utilizing one of a four wire resistor, thin film resistors, and an inverter pair. A measurement circuit measures a parameter of each cell and is utilized in generating the ID in response thereto. | 03-17-2011 |
| 20110101534 | AUTOMATED SHORT LENGTH WIRE SHAPE STRAPPING AND METHODS OF FABRICTING THE SAME - An automatic short length wire shape generation and strapping and method of fabricating such wires is provided. The method of manufacturing includes breaking of a wiring into adjacent short length wires which are below a maximum short length effect length. The adjacent short length wires are formed in a same wiring level of an integrated circuit. The method further includes forming a conductive strap in a single deposition process which overlaps and is in contact with the adjacent short length wires. | 05-05-2011 |
| 20110108919 | METHOD OF FABRICATING A PRECISION BURIED RESISTOR - The present invention provides a semiconductor structure including a buried resistor with improved control, in which the resistor is fabricated in a region of a semiconductor substrate beneath a well region that is also present in the substrate. In accordance with the present invention, the inventive structure includes a semiconductor substrate containing at least a well region; and a buried resistor located in a region of the semiconductor substrate that is beneath said well region. The present invention also provides a method of fabricating such a structure in which a deep ion implantation process is used to form the buried resistor and a shallower ion implantation process is used in forming the well region. | 05-12-2011 |
| 20110111590 | DEVICE AND METHODOLOGY FOR REDUCING EFFECTIVE DIELECTRIC CONSTANT IN SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES - Method of manufacturing a structure which includes the steps of providing a structure having an insulator layer with at least one interconnect, forming a sub lithographic template mask over the insulator layer, and selectively etching the insulator layer through the sub lithographic template mask to form sub lithographic features spanning to a sidewall of the plurality of interconnects. | 05-12-2011 |
| 20110115005 | MIM CAPACITOR STRUCTURE IN FEOL AND RELATED METHOD - A capacitor structure includes a semiconductor substrate; a first capacitor plate positioned on the semiconductor substrate, the first capacitor plate including a polysilicon structure having a surrounding spacer; a silicide layer formed in a first portion of an upper surface of the first capacitor plate; a capacitor dielectric layer formed over a second portion of the upper surface of the first capacitor plate and extending laterally beyond the spacer to contact the semiconductor substrate; a contact in an interlayer dielectric (ILD), the contact contacting the silicide layer and a first metal layer over the ILD; and a second capacitor plate over the capacitor dielectric layer, wherein a metal-insulator-metal (MIM) capacitor is formed by the first capacitor plate, the capacitor dielectric layer and the second capacitor plate and a metal-insulator-semiconductor (MIS) capacitor is formed by the second capacitor plate, the capacitor dielectric layer and the semiconductor substrate. | 05-19-2011 |
| 20110127635 | Integrated BEOL Thin Film Resistor - In the course of forming a resistor in the back end of an integrated circuit, an intermediate dielectric layer is deposited and a trench etched through it and into a lower dielectric layer by a controllable amount, so that the top of a resistor layer deposited in the trench is close in height to the top of the lower dielectric layer; the trench is filled and the resistor layer outside the trench is removed, after which a second dielectric layer is deposited. Vias passing through the second dielectric layer to contact the resistor then have the same depth as vias contacting metal interconnects in the lower dielectric layer. A tri-layer resistor structure is employed in which the resistive film is sandwiched between two protective layers that block diffusion between the resistor and BEOL ILD layers. | 06-02-2011 |
| 20110127673 | WIRING STRUCTURE AND METHOD - Disclosed is an improved integrated circuit wiring structure configured to prevent migration of wiring metal ions (e.g., copper (Cu+) ions in the case of a copper interconnect scheme) onto the surface of an interlayer dielectric material at an interface between the interlayer dielectric material and an insulating cap layer. Specifically, the top surfaces of wires and the top surface of a dielectric layer within which the wires sit are not co-planar. Thus, the interfaces between the wires and an insulating cap layer and between the dielectric layer and the same insulating cap layer are also not co-planar. Such a configuration physically prevents migration of wiring metal ions from the top surface of the wires onto the top surface of the dielectric layer at the interface between the dielectric layer and cap layer and, thereby prevents time dependent dielectric breakdown (TDDB) and eventual device failure. Also disclosed herein are embodiments of a method of a forming such an integrated circuit wiring structure. | 06-02-2011 |
