| Patent application number | Description | Published |
|---|
| 20080283959 | Tapered through-silicon via structure - An integrated circuit structure includes a substrate; a through-silicon via (TSV) in the substrate, the TSV being tapered; a hard mask region extending from a top surface of the substrate into the substrate, wherein the hard mask encircles a top portion of the TSV; dielectric layers over the substrate; and a metal post extending from a top surface of the dielectric layers to the TSV, wherein the metal post comprises same materials as the TSV. | 11-20-2008 |
| 20080296763 | Multi-Die Wafer Level Packaging - A semiconductor die package is provided. The semiconductor die package includes a plurality of dies arranged in a stacked configuration. Through-silicon vias are formed in the lower or intermediate dies to allow electrical connections to dies stacked above. The lower die is positioned face up and has redistribution lines electrically coupling underlying semiconductor components to the through-silicon vias. The dies stacked above the lower die may be oriented face up such that the contact pads are facing away from the lower die or flipped such that the contact pads are facing the lower die. The stacked dies may be electrically coupled to the redistribution lines via wire bonding or solder balls. Additionally, the lower die may have another set of redistribution lines on an opposing side from the stacked dies to reroute the vias to a different pin-out configuration. | 12-04-2008 |
| 20090263214 | FIXTURE FOR P-THROUGH SILICON VIA ASSEMBLY - A silicon-based wafer such as a TSV interposer wafer having a first and second surfaces wherein a glass carrier is mounted on the second surface by a UV tape is held by a vacuum holder applied on the first surface and the glass carrier is removed from the silicon-based wafer by irradiating the UV tape with a UV light through the glass carrier. The silicon-based wafer is then flipped and placed onto a vacuum plate and secured to the vacuum plate by applying vacuum to the vacuum plate. The vacuum holder is then released from the silicon-based wafer leaving the silicon-based wafer secured to the vacuum plate for subsequent processing steps. | 10-22-2009 |
| 20090269905 | Tapered Through-Silicon Via Structure - An integrated circuit structure includes a substrate; a through-silicon via (TSV) in the substrate, the TSV being tapered; a hard mask region extending from a top surface of the substrate into the substrate, wherein the hard mask encircles a top portion of the TSV; dielectric layers over the substrate; and a metal post extending from a top surface of the dielectric layers to the TSV, wherein the metal post comprises same materials as the TSV. | 10-29-2009 |
| 20090321948 | METHOD FOR STACKING DEVICES - A method for fabricating a semiconductor device is provided which includes providing a first device, a second device, and a third device, providing a first coating material between the first device and the second device, the first coating material being uncured, providing a second coating material between the second device and the third device, the second coating material being uncured, and thereafter, curing the first and second coating materials in a same process. | 12-31-2009 |
| 20100032843 | Through Silicon Via Layout - A system and method for forming under bump metallization layers that reduces the overall footprint of UBMs, through silicon vias, and trace lines is disclosed. A preferred embodiment comprises forming an under bump metallization layer over a plurality of through silicon vias, whereas the UBM is connected to only a portion of the total number of through silicon vias over which it is located. The trace lines connected to the through silicon vias may additionally be formed beneath the UBM to save even more space on the surface of the die. | 02-11-2010 |
| 20100047963 | Through Silicon Via Bonding Structure - System and method for bonding semiconductor substrates is presented. A preferred embodiment comprises forming a buffer layer over a surface of a semiconductor substrate while retaining TSVs that protrude from the buffer layer in order to prevent potential voids that might form. A protective layer is formed on another semiconductor substrate that will be bonded to the first semiconductor substrate. The two substrates are aligned and bonded together, with the buffer layer preventing any short circuit contacts to the surface of the original semiconductor substrate. | 02-25-2010 |
| 20100084747 | Zigzag Pattern for TSV Copper Adhesion - A system and method for forming a TSV contact is presented. A preferred embodiment includes a TSV in contact with a portion of the uppermost metal layer of a semiconductor die. The interface between the TSV conductor and the contact pad is preferably characterized by a non-planar zigzag pattern that forms a grid pattern of contacts. Alternatively, the contacts may form a plurality of metal lines that make contact with the contact pad. | 04-08-2010 |
| 20100090304 | BONDING PROCESS FOR CMOS IMAGE SENSOR - The present disclosure provides a method of making an integrated circuit (IC). The method includes forming an electric device on a front side of a substrate; forming a top metal pad on the front side of the substrate, the top metal pad being coupled to the electric device; forming a passivation layer on the front side of the substrate, the top metal pad being embedded in the passivation layer; forming an opening in the passivation layer, exposing the top metal pad; forming a deep trench in the substrate; filling a conductive material in the deep trench and the opening, resulting in a though-wafer via (TWV) feature in the deep trench and a pad-TWV feature in the opening, where the top metal pad being connected to the TWV feature through the pad-TWV feature; and applying a polishing process to remove excessive conductive material, forming a substantially planar surface. | 04-15-2010 |
| 20100090318 | Backside Connection to TSVs Having Redistribution Lines - An integrated circuit structure includes a semiconductor substrate including a front side and a backside. A through-silicon via (TSV) penetrates the semiconductor substrate, and has a back end extending to the backside of the semiconductor substrate. A redistribution line (RDL) is over the backside of the semiconductor substrate and connected to the back end of the TSV. The integrated circuit structure further includes a passivation layer over the RDL; an opening in the passivation layer, wherein a portion of the RDL is exposed through the opening; and a nickel layer in the opening and contacting the RDL. | 04-15-2010 |
| 20100090319 | Bond Pad Connection to Redistribution Lines Having Tapered Profiles - An integrated circuit structure includes a semiconductor substrate having a front side and a backside. A through-silicon via (TSV) penetrates the semiconductor substrate, wherein the TSV has a back end extending to the backside of the semiconductor substrate. A redistribution line (RDL) is formed over the backside of the semiconductor substrate and connected to the back end of the TSV. A passivation layer is over the RDL with an opening formed in the passivation layer, wherein a portion of a top surface of the RDL and a sidewall of the RDL are exposed through the opening. A metal finish is formed in the opening and contacting the portion of the top surface and the sidewall of the RDL. | 04-15-2010 |
| 20100102453 | Three-Dimensional Integrated Circuit Stacking-Joint Interface Structure - A system, a structure and a method of manufacturing stacked semiconductor substrates is presented. A first substrate includes a first side and a second side. A through substrate via (TSV) protrudes from the first side of the first substrate. A first protruding portion of the TSV has a conductive protective coating and a second protruding portion of the TSV has an isolation liner. The system further includes a second substrate and a joint interface structure that bonds the second substrate to the first substrate at the conductive protective coating of the first protruding portion of the TSV. | 04-29-2010 |
| 20100117201 | Cooling Channels in 3DIC Stacks - An integrated circuit structure includes a die including a semiconductor substrate; dielectric layers over the semiconductor substrate; an interconnect structure including metal lines and vias in the dielectric layers; a plurality of channels extending from inside the semiconductor substrate to inside the dielectric layers; and a dielectric film over the interconnect structure and sealing portions of the plurality of channels. The plurality of channels is configured to allow a fluid to flow through. | 05-13-2010 |
| 20100140805 | Bump Structure for Stacked Dies - A bump structure that may be used for stacked die configurations is provided. Through-silicon vias are formed in a semiconductor substrate. A backside of the semiconductor substrate is thinned to expose the through-silicon vias. An isolation film is formed over the backside of the semiconductor substrate and the exposed portion of the through-silicon vias. The isolation film is thinned to re-expose the through-silicon vias. Bump pads and redistribution lines are formed on the backside of the semiconductor substrate providing an electrical connection to the through-silicon vias. Another isolation film is deposited and patterned, and a barrier layer is formed to provide contact pads for connecting to an external device, e.g., another die/wafer or circuit board. | 06-10-2010 |
| 20100144094 | Method of Forming Stacked Dies - The formation of through silicon vias (TSVs) in an integrated circuit (IC) die or wafer is described in which the TSV is formed in the integration process prior to metallization processing. TSVs may be fabricated with increased aspect ratio, extending deeper in a wafer substrate. The method generally reduces the risk of overly-thinning a wafer substrate in a wafer back-side grinding process typically used to expose and make electrical contacts to the TSVs. By providing deeper TSVs and bonding pads, individual wafers and dies may be bonded directly between the TSVs and bonding pads on an additional wafer. | 06-10-2010 |
| 20100171197 | Isolation Structure for Stacked Dies - An isolation structure for stacked dies is provided. A through-silicon via is formed in a semiconductor substrate. A backside of the semiconductor substrate is thinned to expose the through-silicon via. An isolation film is formed over the backside of the semiconductor substrate and the exposed portion of the through-silicon via. The isolation film is thinned to re-expose the through-silicon via, and conductive elements are formed on the through-silicon via. The conductive element may be, for example, a solder ball or a conductive pad. The conductive pad may be formed by depositing a seed layer and an overlying mask layer. The conductive pad is formed on the exposed seed layer. Thereafter, the mask layer and the unused seed layer may be removed. | 07-08-2010 |
| 20100171223 | Through-Silicon Via With Scalloped Sidewalls - A semiconductor device having one or more through-silicon vias (TSVs) is provided. The TSVs are formed such that sidewalls of the TSVs have a scalloped surface. In an embodiment, the sidewalls of the TSVs are sloped wherein a top and bottom of the TSVs have different dimensions. The TSVs may have a V-shape wherein the TSVs have a wider dimension on a circuit side of the substrate, or an inverted V-shape wherein the TSVs have a wider dimension on a backside of the substrate. The scalloped surfaces of the sidewalls and/or sloped sidewalls allow the TSVs to be more easily filled with a conductive material such as copper. | 07-08-2010 |
| 20100174858 | EXTRA HIGH BANDWIDTH MEMORY DIE STACK - A system includes a central processing unit (CPU); a memory device in communication with the CPU, and a direct memory access (DMA) controller in communication with the CPU and the memory device. The memory device includes a plurality of vertically stacked chips and a plurality of input/output (I/O) ports. Each of the I/O ports connected to at least one of the plurality of chips through a through silicon via. The DMA controller is configured to manage to transfer of data to and from the memory device. | 07-08-2010 |
| 20100276787 | Wafer Backside Structures Having Copper Pillars - An integrated circuit structure includes a semiconductor substrate having a front side and a backside, and a conductive via penetrating the semiconductor substrate. The conductive via includes a back end extending to the backside of the semiconductor substrate. A redistribution line (RDL) is on the backside of the semiconductor substrate and electrically connected to the back end of the conductive via. A passivation layer is over the RDL, with an opening in the passivation layer, wherein a portion of the RDL is exposed through the opening. A copper pillar has a portion in the opening and electrically connected to the RDL. | 11-04-2010 |
| 20100279463 | METHOD OF FORMING STACKED-DIE PACKAGES - A method of forming a stacked die structure is disclosed. A plurality of dies are respectively bonded to a plurality of semiconductor chips on a first surface of a wafer. An encapsulation structure is formed over the plurality of dies and the first surface of the wafer. The encapsulation structure covers a central portion of the first surface of the wafer and leaves an edge portion of the wafer exposed. A protective material is formed over the first surface of the edge portion of the wafer. | 11-04-2010 |
| 20100330788 | THIN WAFER HANDLING STRUCTURE AND METHOD - A thin wafer handling structure includes a semiconductor wafer, a release layer that can be released by applying energy, an adhesive layer that can be removed by a solvent, and a carrier, where the release layer is applied on the carrier by coating or laminating, the adhesive layer is applied on the semiconductor wafer by coating or laminating, and the semiconductor wafer and the carrier is bonded together with the release layer and the adhesive layer in between. The method includes applying a release layer on a carrier, applying an adhesive layer on a semiconductor wafer, bonding the carrier and the semiconductor wafer, releasing the carrier by applying energy on the release layer, e.g. UV or laser, and cleaning the semiconductor's surface by a solvent to remove any residue of the adhesive layer. | 12-30-2010 |
| 20100330798 | Formation of TSV Backside Interconnects by Modifying Carrier Wafers - An integrated circuit structure includes a semiconductor wafer, which includes a first notch extending from an edge of the semiconductor wafer into the semiconductor wafer. A carrier wafer is mounted onto the semiconductor wafer. The carrier wafer has a second notch overlapping at least a portion of the first notch. A side of the carrier wafer facing the semiconductor wafer forms a sharp angle with an edge of the carrier wafer. The carrier wafer has a resistivity lower than about 1×10 | 12-30-2010 |
| 20110006416 | STRUCTURE AND METHOD FOR FORMING PILLAR BUMP STRUCTURE HAVING SIDEWALL PROTECTION - A method for forming a metal pillar bump structure is provided. In one embodiment, a passivation layer is formed over a semiconductor substrate and a conductive layer is formed over the passivation layer. A patterned and etched photoresist layer is provided above the conductive layer, the photoresist layer defining at least one opening therein. A metal layer is deposited in the at least one opening. Portions of the photoresist layer are etched along one or more interfaces between the photoresist layer and the metal layer to form cavities. A solder material is deposited in the at least one opening, the solder material filling the cavities and a portion of the opening above the metal layer. The remaining photoresist layer and the conductive layer not formed under the copper layer are removed. The solder material is then reflown to encapsulate the metal layer. | 01-13-2011 |
| 20110049706 | Front Side Copper Post Joint Structure for Temporary Bond in TSV Application - An integrated circuit structure includes a semiconductor substrate; a conductive via (TSV) passing through the semiconductor substrate; and a copper-containing post overlying the semiconductor substrate and electrically connected to the conductive via. | 03-03-2011 |
| 20110095436 | THROUGH SILICON VIA WITH DUMMY STRUCTURE AND METHOD FOR FORMING THE SAME - A through silicon via structure includes a top pad and a vertical conductive post that is connected to the top pad. The top pad covers a wider area than the cross section of the vertical conductive post. An interconnect pad is formed at least partially below the top pad. An under layer is also formed at least partially below the top pad. At least one dummy structure connects the top pad and the under layer to fasten the top pad and the interconnect pad. | 04-28-2011 |
| 20110101519 | Robust Joint Structure for Flip-Chip Bonding - An integrated circuit structure includes a first work piece and a second work piece. The first work piece includes a copper bump at a main surface of the first work piece and having a first dimension; and a nickel-containing barrier layer over and adjoining the copper bump. The second work piece is bonded to the first work piece and includes a bond pad at a main surface of the second work piece; and a solder mask at the main surface of the second work piece and having a solder resist opening with a second dimension exposing a portion of the bond pad. A ratio of the first dimension to the second dimension is greater than about 1. Further, a solder region electrically connects the copper bump to the bond pad, with a vertical distance between the bond pad and the copper bump being greater than about 30 μm. | 05-05-2011 |
| 20110101526 | Copper Bump Joint Structures with Improved Crack Resistance - An integrated circuit structure includes a first work piece and a second work piece. The first work piece includes a semiconductor substrate, and a copper bump over the semiconductor substrate. The second work piece includes a bond pad. A solder is between and adjoining the first work piece and the second work piece, wherein the solder electrically connects the copper bump to the bond pad. The solder includes palladium. | 05-05-2011 |
| 20110165776 | Bond Pad Connection to Redistribution Lines Having Tapered Profiles - An integrated circuit structure includes a semiconductor substrate having a front side and a backside. A through-silicon via (TSV) penetrates the semiconductor substrate, wherein the TSV has a back end extending to the backside of the semiconductor substrate. A redistribution line (RDL) is formed over the backside of the semiconductor substrate and connected to the back end of the TSV. A passivation layer is over the RDL with an opening formed in the passivation layer, wherein a portion of a top surface of the RDL and a sidewall of the RDL are exposed through the opening. A metal finish is formed in the opening and contacting the portion of the top surface and the sidewall of the RDL. | 07-07-2011 |
