Abstract:
A method of manufacturing an integrated circuit structure forms a first opening in a substrate (100; Figure 1) and lines the first opening with a protective liner. (102) The method deposits a material into the first opening (104) and forms a protective material over the substrate. The protective material includes a process control mark and includes a second opening above, and aligned with, the first opening. (108) The method removes the material from the first opening through the second opening in the protective material. (110) The process control mark comprises a recess within the protective material that extends only partially through the protective material, such that portions of the substrate below the process control mark are not affected by the process of removing the material.
Abstract:
A chip includes a CMOS structure having a bulk device (20) disposed in a first region (24) of a semiconductor substrate (50) in conductive communication with an underlying bulk region (18) of the substrate, the first region (24) and the bulk region (20) having a first crystal orientation. A SOI device (10) is disposed in a semiconductor-on-insulator ("SOI") layer (14) separated from the bulk region of the substrate by a buried dielectric layer (16), the SOI layer having a different crystal orientation from the first crystal orientation. In one example, the bulk device includes a p-type field effect transistor ("PFET") and the SOI device includes an n-type field effect transistor ("NFET") device. Alternatively, the bulk device can include an NFET and the SOI device can include a PFET. When the SOI device has a gate conductor (11) in conductive communication with a gate conductor (21) of the bulk device, charging damage can occur to the SOI device, except for the presence of diodes in reverse-biased conductive communication with the bulk region. The diodes are operable to conduct a discharge current to the bulk region when either a voltage on the gate conductor or a voltage on the source or drain region of the SOI device exceeds a diode's breakdown voltage.
Abstract:
An image sensor (20) and method of fabrication wherein the sensor includes Copper (Cu) metallization levels (135a, 135b) allowing for incorporation of a thinner interlevel dielectric stack (130a-130c) to result in a pixel array (100) exhibiting increased light sensitivity. The image sensor includes structures having a minimum thickness of barrier layer metal (132a, 132b) that traverses the optical path of each pixel in the sensor array or, that have portions (50) of barrier layer metal selectively removed from the optical paths of each pixel, thereby minimizing reflectance. That is, by implementing various block or single mask methodologies, portions of the barrier layer metal are completely removed at locations of the optical path for each pixel in the array. In a further embodiment, the barrier metal layer (142) may be formed atop the Cu metallization by a self-aligned deposition.
Abstract:
A method of forming a semiconductor device, and the device so formed. Depositing alternating layers of a first dielectric material (12a-f) and a second dielectric material (14a-f), wherein the first and second dielectric materials are selectively etchable at different rates. Forming a first feature (22, 24) within the alternating layers of dielectric material. Selectively etching the alternating layers of dielectric material to remove at least a portion (26) of the first dielectric material in each layer having the first dielectric material and leaving the second dielectric material as essentially unetched.
Abstract:
A method of forming a Micro-Electro-Mechanical System (MEMS) includes forming a lower electrode on a first insulator layer within a cavity of the MEMS. The method further includes forming an upper electrode over another insulator material on top of the lower electrode which is at least partially in contact with the lower electrode. The forming of the lower electrode and the upper electrode includes adjusting a metal volume of the lower electrode and the upper electrode to modify beam bending.
Abstract:
A method of forming at least one Micro-Electro-Mechanical System(MEMS) cavity includes forming a first sacrificial cavity layer over a lower wiring layer. The method further includes forming a layer. The method further includes forming a second sacrificial cavity layer over the first sacrificial layer and in contact with the layer. The method further includes forming a lid on the second sacrificial cavity layer. The method further includes forming at least one vent hole in the lid, exposing a portion of the second sacrificial cavity layer. The method further includes venting or stripping the second sacrificial cavity layer such that a top surface of the second sacrificial cavity layer is no longer touching a bottom surface of the lid, before venting or stripping the first sacrificial cavity layer thereby forming a first cavity and second cavity, respectively.
Abstract:
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. Disclosed are also methods for forming a thin film resistor and a refractory metal cap over an intermediate wiring level simultaneously. A further method includes simultaneously forming a terminal bond pad on a terminal wire, a thin film resistor between two other related wires and a cap on another wire, the wires being formed in an uppermost wiring level.
Abstract:
Embodiments of an inductor (100) including a conductive line (102 A, 102B) including at least one turn (104) and an opening (106) positioned within an interior of a region (122) of the conductive line are disclosed. Embodiments of a related method of designing the inductor are also disclosed.
Abstract:
Self-assembled polymer technology is used to form at least one ordered nanosized pattern within material that is present in a conductive contact region of a semiconductor structure. The material having the ordered, nanosized pattern is a conductive material of an interconnect structure or semiconductor source and drain diffusion regions of a field effect transistor. The presence of the ordered, nanosized pattern material within the contact region increases the overall area (i.e., interface area) for subsequent contact formation which, in turn, reduces the contact resistance of the structure. The reduction in contact resistance in turn improves the flow of current through the structure. In addition to the above, the inventive methods and structures do not affect the junction capacitance of the structure since the junction area remains unchanged.
Abstract:
A chip includes a CMOS structure having a bulk device (20) disposed in a first region (24) of a semiconductor substrate (50) in conductive communication with an underlying bulk region (18) of the substrate, the first region (24) and the bulk region (20) having a first crystal orientation. A SOI device (10) is disposed in a semiconductor-on-insulator ("SOI") layer (14) separated from the bulk region of the substrate by a buried dielectric layer (16), the SOI layer having a different crystal orientation from the first crystal orientation. In one example, the bulk device includes a p-type field effect transistor ("PFET") and the SOI device includes an n-type field effect transistor ("NFET") device. Alternatively, the bulk device can include an NFET and the SOI device can include a PFET. When the SOI device has a gate conductor (11) in conductive communication with a gate conductor (21) of the bulk device, charging damage can occur to the SOI device, except for the presence of diodes in reverse-biased conductive communication with the bulk region. The diodes are operable to conduct a discharge current to the bulk region when either a voltage on the gate conductor or a voltage on the source or drain region of the SOI device exceeds a diode's breakdown voltage.