Abstract:
A semiconductor device including a first wafer assembly having a first substrate and a first oxide layer over the first substrate. The semiconductor device further includes a second wafer assembly having a second substrate and a second oxide layer over the second substrate. The first oxide layer and the second oxide layer are bonded together by van der Waals bonds or covalent bonds. A method of bonding a first wafer assembly and a second wafer assembly including forming a first oxide layer over a first substrate. The method further includes forming a second oxide layer over a second wafer assembly. The method further includes forming van der Waals bonds or covalent bonds between the first oxide layer and the second oxide layer.
Abstract:
A wafer including a substrate, a dielectric layer over the substrate, and a conductive layer over the dielectric layer is disclosed. The substrate has a main portion. A periphery of the dielectric layer and the periphery of the main portion of the substrate are separated by a first distance. A periphery of the conductive layer and the periphery of the main portion of the substrate are separated by a second distance. The second distance ranges from about a value that is 0.5% of a diameter of the substrate less than the first distance to about a value that is 0.5% of the diameter greater than the first distance.
Abstract:
A novel test device and method for calibrating the alignment of a laser beam emitted from a laser metrology tool with respect to a target area on a substrate. The test device includes a laser-sensitive material having a calibration pattern that includes a target point. When the tool is properly adjusted, the laser beam strikes the target point and is released to production. If the laser beam misses the target point, the tool is re-adjusted and re-tested until the laser beam strikes the target point.
Abstract:
For 0.18 micron technology, it is common practice to use silicon oxynitride as an anti-reflective layer for defining the via etch patterns. It has however been found that, using current technology, residual particles of oxynitride get left behind. The present invention solves this problem by subjecting the surface from which the silicon oxynitride was removed to a high pressure rinse of an aqueous solution that includes a surfactant such as tetramethyl ammonium hydroxide or isopropyl alcohol. These surfactants serve to modify the hydrophobic behavior of the silicon oxynitride particles so that they no longer cling to the surface.
Abstract:
An apparatus and a method for removing coating layers from the top of alignment marks on a wafer are described. The apparatus includes a cleaning chamber that is a cavity and a lid member suspended in the cavity, a wafer chuck that is rotatably mounted in the lid member for holding a wafer in an upside down position such that the alignment marks are facing downwardly, and at least two solvent dispensing arms mounted in an outer peripheral area of the lid member that are immediately adjacent to the chuck for dispensing a flow of solvent upwardly toward the active surface of the wafer when the wafer is held in a stationary position, each of the at least two solvent dispensing arms are positioned corresponding to a position of one of the alignment marks.
Abstract:
An improved and new process for fabricating a planarized structure of shallow trench isolation (STI) embedded in a silicon substrate has been developed. The planarizing method comprises a two-step CMP process in which the first CMP step comprises chemical-mechanical polishing of silicon oxide using a first polishing slurry which is selective to silicon oxide. The time of the second CMP step is determined by selecting an overpolish thickness based on the percentage of substrate area occupied by the trench. High manufacturing yield and superior planarity for silicon oxide STI are achieved.
Abstract:
A method for improving thickness uniformity on a semiconductor wafer during a chemical mechanical polishing process capable of eliminating a wafer edge collapsing defect is described. In the method, slurry solution is removed from a peripheral edge portion of less than 10 mm wide on the surface of the polishing pad such that a concentration of the slurry can be effectively reduced in the peripheral region. The reduced slurry solution leads to a reduction in the removal rate on the wafer surface. The removal of slurry from the peripheral region can further be achieved by a mechanical means. A suitable width of the peripheral region of the polishing pad to be sprayed by an edge sprayer is less than 10 mm, and preferably between about 3 mm and about 5 mm. A suitable solvent to be sprayed is deionized water.
Abstract:
A method includes forming an opening in a dielectric layer, and forming a silicon rich layer on a surface of the dielectric layer. A portion of the silicon rich layer extends into the opening and contacts the dielectric layer. A tantalum-containing layer is formed over and the contacting the silicon rich layer. An annealing is performed to react the tantalum-containing layer with the silicon rich layer, so that a tantalum-and-silicon containing layer is formed.
Abstract:
An external device includes a controller, a connector, a function circuit, and a storage device. The storage device stores firmware and an image file. The image file includes an installation program and a driver. The external device is coupled to a host via the connector. The firmware can drive the controller to generate a virtual optical disc drive in the host and load the image file to the virtual optical disc drive so as to start the installation program. When the host does not have the driver, the installation program can install the driver in the host. When the host has the driver, the host can drive the function circuit to work.
Abstract:
A new and improved wafer support for supporting wafers in a process chamber such as an edge bead removal (EBR) chamber. The wafer support comprises multiple wafer support units each including a gripper block that engages an edge portion or bevel of the wafer. The gripper block is attached to an engaging and disengaging mechanism for selectively causing engagement of the gripper blocks with the wafer to support the wafer and disengagement of the gripper blocks from the wafer to release the wafer for removal of the wafer from the chamber. The gripper blocks contact little or none of the surface area on the patterned surface of the wafer to prevent or substantially reduce the formation of contact-induced defects on the wafer.