Patent application number | Description | Published |
20090283871 | System, Structure, and Method of Manufacturing a Semiconductor Substrate Stack - 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. | 11-19-2009 |
20090289097 | Wafer Leveling-Bonding System Using Disposable Foils - A leveling-bonding method and an apparatus for performing the same are provided. The method includes providing a bond support for supporting a wafer; providing a bond head over the bond support; dispatching a foil over the wafer; placing the wafer on the bond support; and using the bond support and the bond head to apply a force on the foil and the wafer. | 11-26-2009 |
20090311829 | Performing Die-to-Wafer Stacking by Filling Gaps Between Dies - An integrated circuit structure includes a bottom semiconductor chip; a top die bonded onto the bottom semiconductor chip; a protecting material encircling the bottom die and on the bottom semiconductor chip; and a planar dielectric layer over the top die and the protecting material. The protecting material has a top surface leveled with a top surface of the top die. | 12-17-2009 |
20100009518 | Particle Free Wafer Separation - A method for singulating semiconductor wafers is disclosed. A preferred embodiment comprises forming scrub lines on one side of the wafer and filling the scrub lines with a temporary fill material. The wafer is then thinned by removing material from the opposite side of the wafer from the scrub lines, thereby exposing the temporary fill material on the opposite side. The temporary fill material is then removed, and the individual die are removed from the wafer. | 01-14-2010 |
20100050423 | Apparatus and Method of Substrate to Substrate Bonding for Three Dimensional (3D) IC Interconnects - An apparatus including a bond head, a supplemental support, a reduction module, and a transducer is provided. The bond head holds a first substrate that contains a first set of metal pads. The supplemental support holds a second substrate that contains a second set of metal pads. The aligner forms an aligned set of metal pads by aligning the first substrate to the second substrate. The reduction module contains the aligned substrates and a reduction gas flows into the reduction module. The transducer provides repeated relative motion to the aligned set of metal pads. | 03-04-2010 |
20100096760 | Bond Pad Design with Reduced Dishing Effect - An integrated circuit structure includes a semiconductor chip, which further includes a first surface; and a patterned bond pad exposed through the first surface. The patterned bond pad includes a plurality of portions electrically connected to each other, and at least one opening therein. The integrated circuit further includes a dielectric material filled into at least a portion of the at least one opening. | 04-22-2010 |
20100140767 | Component Stacking Using Pre-Formed Adhesive Films - A method of forming integrated circuits includes laminating a patterned film including an opening onto a wafer, wherein a bottom die in the wafer is exposed through the opening. A top die is placed into the opening. The top die fits into the opening with substantially no gap between the patterned film and the top die. The top die is then bonded onto the bottom die, followed by curing the patterned film. | 06-10-2010 |
20100144068 | High Throughput Die-to-Wafer Bonding Using Pre-Alignment - A method of forming integrated circuits includes providing a wafer that includes a plurality of dies; aligning a first top die to a first bottom die in the wafer; recording a first destination position of the first top die after the first top die is aligned to the first bottom die; bonding the first top die onto the first bottom die; calculating a second destination position of a second top die using the first destination position; moving the second top die to the second destination position; and bonding the second top die onto a second bottom die without any additional alignment action. | 06-10-2010 |
20100144118 | Method for Stacking Semiconductor Dies - A system and method for stacking semiconductor dies is disclosed. A preferred embodiment comprises forming through-silicon vias through the wafer, protecting a rim edge of the wafer, and then removing the unprotected portions so that the rim edge has a greater thickness than the thinned wafer. This thickness helps the fragile wafer survive further transport and process steps. The rim edge is then preferably removed during singulation of the individual dies from the wafer. | 06-10-2010 |
20100164109 | Backside Metal Treatment of Semiconductor Chips - An integrated circuit structure includes a semiconductor substrate having a front side and a backside. A through-silicon via (TSV) penetrates the semiconductor substrate. The TSV 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. A silicide layer is over and contacting the RDL. | 07-01-2010 |
20100187694 | Through-Silicon Via Sidewall Isolation Structure - A system and method for an improved through-silicon via isolation structure is provided. An embodiment comprises a semiconductor device having a substrate with electrical circuitry formed thereon. One or more dielectric layers are formed over the substrate, and an opening is etched into the structure extending from a surface of the one or more dielectric layers through the one or more dielectric layers into the substrate; the opening having sidewalls. A low-K dielectric layer is formed over the sidewalls of the opening. The opening is filled with a conductive material and/or a barrier layer creating a through-silicon via that is isolated from the surrounding substrate by the low-K dielectric layer. | 07-29-2010 |
20100193954 | Barrier Structures and Methods for Through Substrate Vias - Through substrate via barrier structures and methods are disclosed. In one embodiment, a semiconductor device includes a first substrate including an active device region disposed within isolation regions. A through substrate via is disposed adjacent to the active device region and within the first substrate. A buffer layer is disposed around at least a portion of the through substrate via, wherein the buffer layer is disposed between the isolation regions and the through substrate via. | 08-05-2010 |
20100237502 | Barrier for Through-Silicon Via - A system and a method for protecting through-silicon vias (TSVs) is disclosed. An embodiment comprises forming an opening in a substrate. A liner is formed in the opening and a barrier layer comprising carbon or fluorine is formed along the sidewalls and bottom of the opening. A seed layer is formed over the barrier layer, and the TSV opening is filled with a conductive filler. Another embodiment includes a barrier layer formed using atomic layer deposition. | 09-23-2010 |
20100267217 | Backside Process for a Substrate - A method of forming a semiconductor device is presented. A conductor is embedded within a substrate, wherein the substrate contains a non-conducting material. The backside of the substrate is ground to a thickness wherein at least | 10-21-2010 |
20100330743 | Three-Dimensional Integrated Circuits with Protection Layers - A semiconductor structure includes a first die comprising a first substrate and a first bonding pad over the first substrate, a second die having a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface, wherein the second die is stacked on the first die and a protection layer having a vertical portion on a sidewall of the second die, and a horizontal portion extending over the first die. | 12-30-2010 |
20110177655 | Formation of Through Via before Contact Processing - 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 contact or metallization processing. Contacts and bonding pads may then be fabricated after the TSVs are already in place, which allows the TSV to be more dense and allows more freedom in the overall TSV design. By providing a denser connection between TSVs and bonding pads, individual wafers and dies may be bonded directly at the bonding pads. The conductive bonding material, thus, maintains an electrical connection to the TSVs and other IC components through the bonding pads. | 07-21-2011 |
20110186967 | Component Stacking Using Pre-Formed Adhesive Films - A method of forming integrated circuits includes laminating a patterned film including an opening onto a wafer, wherein a bottom die in the wafer is exposed through the opening. A top die is placed into the opening. The top die fits into the opening with substantially no gap between the patterned film and the top die. The top die is then bonded onto the bottom die, followed by curing the patterned film. | 08-04-2011 |
20110248409 | Method for Stacking Semiconductor Dies - A system and method for stacking semiconductor dies is disclosed. A preferred embodiment comprises forming through-silicon vias through the wafer, protecting a rim edge of the wafer, and then removing the unprotected portions so that the rim edge has a greater thickness than the thinned wafer. This thickness helps the fragile wafer survive further transport and process steps. The rim edge is then preferably removed during singulation of the individual dies from the wafer. | 10-13-2011 |
20110309647 | Vacuum Wafer Carriers for Strengthening Thin Wafers - An apparatus for supporting a wafer includes a base, and a gas-penetration layer. The gas-penetration layer and a portion of the base directly underlying the gas-penetration layer form a gas passage therebetween. The gas passage is configured to be sealed by the wafer placed directly over the gas-penetration layer. The apparatus further includes a valve connected to the gas passage. | 12-22-2011 |
20120001337 | Alignment Mark and Method of Formation - In accordance with an embodiment, a structure comprises a substrate having a first area and a second area; a through substrate via (TSV) in the substrate penetrating the first area of the substrate; an isolation layer over the second area of the substrate, the isolation layer having a recess; and a conductive material in the recess of the isolation layer, the isolation layer being disposed between the conductive material and the substrate in the recess. | 01-05-2012 |
20120018876 | Multi-Die Stacking Using Bumps with Different Sizes - A device includes a first die having a first side and a second side opposite to first side, the first side includes a first region and a second region, and a first metal bump of a first horizontal size formed on the first region of the first side of the first die. A second die is bonded to the first side of the first die through the first metal bump. A dielectric layer is formed over the first side of the first die and includes a first portion directly over the second die, a second portion encircling the second die, and an opening exposing the second region of the first side of the first die. A second metal bump of a second horizontal size is formed on the second region of the first side of the first die and extending into the opening of the dielectric layer. The second horizontal size is greater than the first horizontal size. An electrical component is bonded to the first side of the first die through the second metal bump. | 01-26-2012 |
20120021604 | Controlling Defects in Thin Wafer Handling - A method includes bonding a wafer on a carrier through an adhesive, and performing a thinning process on the wafer. After the step of performing the thinning process, a portion of the adhesive not covered by the wafer is removed, while the portion of the adhesive covered by the wafer is not removed. | 01-26-2012 |
20120032348 | THREE-DIMENSIONAL INTEGRATED CIRCUITS WITH PROTECTION LAYERS - A semiconductor structure includes a first die comprising a first substrate and a first bonding pad over the first substrate, a second die having a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface, wherein the second die is stacked on the first die and a protection layer having a vertical portion on a sidewall of the second die, and a horizontal portion extending over the first die. | 02-09-2012 |
20120045611 | Composite Carrier Structure - A composite carrier structure for manufacturing semiconductor devices is provided. The composite carrier structure utilizes multiple carrier substrates, e.g., glass or silicon substrates, coupled together by interposed adhesive layers. The composite carrier structure may be attached to a wafer or a die for, e.g., backside processing, such as thinning processes. In an embodiment, the composite carrier structure comprises a first carrier substrate having through-substrate vias formed therethrough. The first substrate is attached to a second substrate using an adhesive such that the adhesive may extend into the through-substrate vias. | 02-23-2012 |
20120145204 | Spin Chuck for Thin Wafer Cleaning - A device and system for thin wafer cleaning is disclosed. A preferred embodiment comprises a spin chuck having at least three holding clamps. A thin wafer with a wafer frame is mounted on the spin chuck through a tape layer. When the holding clamps are unlocked, there is no interference with the removal and placement of the wafer frame. On the other hand, when the holding clamps are locked, the holding clamps are brought into contact with the outer edge of the wafer frame so as to prevent the wafer frame from moving laterally. Furthermore, the shape of the holding clamps in a locked position is capable of preventing the wafer frame from moving vertically. | 06-14-2012 |
20120187576 | Three-Dimensional Integrated Circuits with Protection Layers - A semiconductor structure includes a first die comprising a first substrate and a first bonding pad over the first substrate, a second die having a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface, wherein the second die is stacked on the first die and a protection layer having a vertical portion on a sidewall of the second die, and a horizontal portion extending over the first die. | 07-26-2012 |
20130056865 | Method of Three Dimensional Integrated Circuit Assembly - A method of fabricating a three-dimensional integrated circuit comprises attaching a wafer to a carrier, mounting a plurality of semiconductor dies on top of the wafer to form a wafer stack. The method further comprises forming a molding compound layer on top of the wafer, attaching the wafer stack to a tape frame and dicing the wafer stack to separate the wafer stack into a plurality of individual packages. | 03-07-2013 |
20130075892 | Method for Three Dimensional Integrated Circuit Fabrication - A method for fabricating three dimensional integrated circuits comprises providing a wafer stack wherein a plurality of semiconductor dies are mounted on a first semiconductor die, forming a molding compound layer on the first side of the first semiconductor die, wherein the plurality of semiconductor dies are embedded in the molding compound layer. The method further comprises grinding a second side of the first semiconductor die until a plurality of through vias become exposed, attaching the wafer stack to a tape frame and dicing the wafer stack to separate the wafer stack into a plurality of individual packages. | 03-28-2013 |
20130113105 | Barrier For Through-Silicon Via - A system and a method for protecting vias is disclosed. An embodiment comprises forming an opening in a substrate. A barrier layer disposed in the opening including along the sidewalls of the opening. The barrier layer may include a metal component and an alloying material. A conductive material is formed on the barrier layer and fills the opening. The conductive material to form a via (e.g., TSV). | 05-09-2013 |
20130122700 | Multi-Die Stacking Using Bumps with Different Sizes - A device includes a first die having a first side and a second side opposite to first side, the first side includes a first region and a second region, and a first metal bump of a first horizontal size formed on the first region of the first side of the first die. A second die is bonded to the first metal bump at the first side of the first die. A dielectric layer is formed over the first side of the first die and includes a first portion directly over the second die, a second portion covering the second die. A second metal bump of a second horizontal size greater than the first horizontal size is formed on the second region of the first side of the first die. An electrical component is bonded to the first side of the first die through the second metal bump. | 05-16-2013 |
20130137222 | Method for Stacking Semiconductor Dies - A system and method for stacking semiconductor dies is disclosed. A preferred embodiment comprises forming through-silicon vias through the wafer, protecting a rim edge of the wafer, and then removing the unprotected portions so that the rim edge has a greater thickness than the thinned wafer. This thickness helps the fragile wafer survive further transport and process steps. The rim edge is then preferably removed during singulation of the individual dies from the wafer. | 05-30-2013 |
20130320071 | Apparatus and Method of Substrate to Substrate Bonding for Three Dimensional (3D) IC Interconnects - An apparatus including a bond head, a supplemental support, a reduction module, and a transducer is provided. The bond head holds a first substrate that contains a first set of metal pads. The supplemental support holds a second substrate that contains a second set of metal pads. The aligner forms an aligned set of metal pads by aligning the first substrate to the second substrate. The reduction module contains the aligned substrates and a reduction gas flows into the reduction module. The transducer provides repeated relative motion to the aligned set of metal pads. | 12-05-2013 |
20140175652 | Barrier for Through-Silicon Via - A system and a method for protecting vias is disclosed. An embodiment comprises forming an opening in a substrate. A barrier layer disposed in the opening including along the sidewalls of the opening. The barrier layer may include a metal component and an alloying material. A conductive material is formed on the barrier layer and fills the opening. The conductive material to form a via (e.g., TSV). | 06-26-2014 |
20140232013 | Backside Through Vias in a Bonded Structure - A wafer thinning system and method are disclosed that includes grinding away substrate material from a backside of a semiconductor device. A current change is detected in a grinding device responsive to exposure of a first set of device structures through the substrate material, where the grinding is stopped in response to the detected current change. Polishing repairs the surface and continues to remove an additional amount of the substrate material. Exposure of one or more additional sets of device structures through the substrate material is monitored to determine the additional amount of substrate material to remove, where the additional sets of device structures are located in the semiconductor device at a known depth different than the first set. | 08-21-2014 |
20150024546 | System, Structure, and Method of Manufacturing a Semiconductor Substrate Stack - 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. | 01-22-2015 |
20150069580 | Alignment Mark and Method of Formation - In accordance with an embodiment, a structure comprises a substrate having a first area and a second area; a through substrate via (TSV) in the substrate penetrating the first area of the substrate; an isolation layer over the second area of the substrate, the isolation layer having a recess; and a conductive material in the recess of the isolation layer, the isolation layer being disposed between the conductive material and the substrate in the recess. | 03-12-2015 |