Abstract:
PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a structure and a manufacturing method of a microelectric mechanical switch (MEMS) device provided with a self-alignment spacer or a bump. SOLUTION: The spacers arranged having the optimum size so as to make to the minimum a problem caused by stiction by functioning as restricting mechanism concerning the switch are designed. The spacers are manufactured by using the typically standard semi-conductor technology used for manufacturing a CMOS device. This method to manufacture these spacers does not need an additional deposition, excessive lithography process, and an additional etching. COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO
Abstract:
PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a fine electric mechanical switch having a restoring force large enough to overcome static friction. SOLUTION: This fine electric mechanical switch comprises a conductive beam 10 capable of being warped, and a plurality of electrodes which are covered with elastically deformable conductive layers 11. At first, a restoring force is generated by a single spring constant k0 of the beam 10 by applying a control voltage between the beam 10 capable of being warped and a control electrode 12 which is flush with a switch electrode 13. Then, when the fine electric mechanical switch is approached to the closed state and the conductive layers 11 are compressed, restoring forces due to additional spring constants, k1,..., kn of the plurality of deformable conductive layers 11 are sequentially added to the restoring force due to the spring constant k0 of the beam 10. In another embodiment, deformable spring-like elements are used in place of the deformable layers. Furthermore in the other embodiment, compressible layers or the deformable spring-like elements are mounted on the warping beam which is opposed to the switch electrode. COPYRIGHT: (C)2003,JPO
Abstract:
PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a process for removing residual slurry which is generated by chemical mechanical polishing of a workpiece. SOLUTION: This process includes a step for removing the residual slurry resulting from the chemical mechanical polishing which uses composition containing mixture of supercritical fluid, which contains carbon dioxide, co- solvent and a surfactant. It is considered that the supercritical fluid must satisfy two conditions. Firstly, residual slurry removing fluid whose surface tension is sufficiently low must be used, in order to permeate as far as very narrow apertures. Secondly, the fluid must be able to neutralize electric charges applied to slurry particles, in order not only to permeate as far as the narrow apertures but also to remove the residual slurry particles.
Abstract:
A method of forming alignment marks in three dimensional (3D) structures and corresponding structures are disclosed. The method includes forming apertures (126) in a first surface of a first semiconductor substrate; joining the first surface of the first semiconductor substrate to a first surface of a second semiconductor substrate; thinning the first semiconductor on a second surface of the first semiconductor substrate to provide optical contrast between the apertures and the first semiconductor substrate (116); and aligning a feature on the second surface of the first semiconductor substrate using the apertures as at least one alignment mark.
Abstract:
A through-substrate via (TSV) structure that is immune to metal contamination due to a backside planarization process is provided. After forming a through-substrate via (TSV) trench, a diffusion barrier liner is conformally deposited on the sidewalls of the TSV trench. A dielectric liner is formed by depositing a dielectric material on vertical portions of the diffusion barrier liner. A metallic conductive via structure is formed by subsequently filling the TSV trench. Horizontal portions of the diffusion barrier liner are removed. The diffusion barrier liner protects the semiconductor material of the substrate during the backside planarization by blocking residual metallic material originating from the metallic conductive via structure from entering into the semiconductor material of the substrate, thereby protecting the semiconductor devices within the substrate from metallic contamination.
Abstract:
A temporary substrate (901) having an array of first solder pads (192) is bonded to the front side of a first substrate (101) by reflowing an array of first solder balls (250). The first substrate (101) is thinned by removing the back side, and an array of second solder pads (142) is formed on the back side surface of the first substrate (101). The assembly of the first substrate (101) and the temporary substrate (901) is diced to form a plurality of stacks, each including an assembly of a first semiconductor chip (100) and a handle portion (900). A second semiconductor chip (200) is bonded to an assembly through an array of the second solder balls (150). The handle portion (900) is removed from each assembly by reflowing the array of the first solder balls (250), while the array of the second solder balls (150) does not refiow. The assembly is subsequently mounted on a packaging substrate (300) employing the array of the first solder balls (250).
Abstract:
The present disclosure provides a thermo-mechanically reliable copper TSV and a technique to form such TSV during BEOL processing. The TSV constitutes an annular trench which extends through the semiconductor substrate. The substrate defines the inner and outer sidewalls of the trench, which sidewalls are separated by a distance within the range of 5 to 10 microns. A conductive path comprising copper or a copper alloy extends within said trench from an upper surface of said first dielectric layer through said substrate. The substrate thickness can be 60 microns or less. A dielectric layer having interconnect metallization conductively connected to the conductive path is formed directly over said annular trench.
Abstract:
A microelectronic assembly and method of forming a through hole extending through a first and second wafer are provided. The first and second wafer have confronting faces and metallic features at the faces which are joined together to assemble the wafers. A hole can be etched through the first wafer until a gap is exposed between the confronting faces. The hole can have a first wall and a second wall sloping inwardly from the first wall to an opening through which the gap is exposed. Material of the first or second wafers exposed within the hole can then be sputtered creating a wall between the confronting faces. The hole can be etched so as to extend the first wall through the first wafer, such that the wall of the hole extends continuously from the first wafer into the second wafer. An electrically conductive through silicon via can then be formed.
Abstract:
The present disclosure provides a thermo-mechanically reliable copper TSV and a technique to form such TSV during BEOL processing. The TSV constitutes an annular trench which extends through the semiconductor substrate. The substrate defines the inner and outer sidewalls of the trench, which sidewalls are separated by a distance within the range of 5 to 10 microns. A conductive path comprising copper or a copper alloy extends within said trench from an upper surface of said first dielectric layer through said substrate. The substrate thickness can be 60 microns or less. A dielectric layer having interconnect metallization conductively connected to the conductive path is formed directly over said annular trench.
Abstract:
A method of fabricating micro-electromechanical switches (MEMS) integrated with conventional semiconductor interconnect levels, using compatible processes and materials is described. The method is based upon fabricating a capacitive switch that is easily modified to produce various configurations for contact switching and any number of metal-dielectric-metal switches. The process starts with a copper damascene interconnect layer, made of metal conductors inlaid in a dielectric. All or portions of the copper interconnects are recessed to a degree sufficient to provide a capacitive air gap when the switch is in the closed state, as well as provide space for a protective layer of, e.g., Ta/TaN. The metal structures defined within the area specified for the switch act as actuator electrodes to pull down the movable beam and provide one or more paths for the switched signal to traverse. The advantage of an air gap is that air is not subject to charge storage or trapping that can cause reliability and voltage drift problems. Instead of recessing the electrodes to provide a gap, one may just add dielectric on or around the electrode. The next layer is another dielectric layer which is deposited to the desired thickness of the gap formed between the lower electrodes and the moveable beam that forms the switching device. Vias are fabricated through this dielectric to provide connections between the metal interconnect layer and the next metal layer which will also contain the switchable beam. The via layer is then patterned and etched to provide a cavity area which contains the lower activation electrodes as well as the signal paths. The cavity is then back-filled with a sacrificial release material. This release material is then planarized with the top of the dielectric, thereby providing a planar surface upon which the beam layer is constructed.