Abstract:
A semiconductor structure includes a semiconductor substrate, one or more interconnect layers provided over the substrate and a circuit. The circuit includes a plurality of circuit elements formed at the substrate and a plurality of electrical connections provided in the one or more interconnect layers. A die seal is provided in the one or more interconnect layers. A die seal leakage detection material is arranged in the one or more interconnect layers between the die seal and the plurality of electrical connections. The die seal provides a protection of the die seal leakage detection material from moisture if the die seal is intact. The die seal leakage detection material is adapted for providing a detectable modification of the circuit after an exposure of the die seal leakage detection material to moisture.
Abstract:
Disclosed herein is an illustrative semiconductor device that includes a transistor having drain and source regions and a gate electrode structure. The disclosed semiconductor device also includes a contact bar formed in a first dielectric material that connects to one of the drain and source regions and includes a first conductive material, the contact bar extending along a width direction of the transistor. Moreover, the illustrative device further includes, among other things, a conductive line formed in a second dielectric material, the conductive line including an upper portion having a top width extending along a length direction of the transistor and a lower portion having a bottom width extending along the length direction that is less than the top width of the upper portion, wherein the conductive line connects to the contact bar and includes a second conductive material that differs from the first conductive material.
Abstract:
In sophisticated semiconductor devices, an efficient stress decoupling may be accomplished between neighboring transistor elements of a densely packed device region by providing a gap or a stress decoupling region between the corresponding transistors. For example, a gap may be formed in the stress-inducing material so as to reduce the mutual interaction of the stress-inducing material on the closely spaced transistor elements. In some illustrative aspects, the stress-inducing material may be provided as an island for each individual transistor element.
Abstract:
In a method of forming a three-dimensional semiconductor device, a first chip is provided that includes a first substrate, a first device layer positioned on and covering the first substrate, and a first metallization system positioned on and covering the first device layer, wherein the first device layer includes a plurality of first transistor elements. A second chip is also provided and includes a second substrate, a second device layer positioned on and covering the second substrate, and a second metallization system positioned on and covering the second device layer, wherein the second device layer includes a plurality of second transistor elements. The second chip is attached to the first chip so that a heat spreading material is positioned between the first chip and the second chip and covers at least a portion of the first metallization system.
Abstract:
A semiconductor wafer is provided including a plurality of dies, each of the plurality of dies including a plurality of semiconductor devices, a plurality of die seals, each of the plurality of die seals being formed at a perimeter of one of the plurality of dies, and a plurality of electrically conductive links, each of the plurality of conductive links connecting one of the plurality of die seals with another one of the plurality of die seals.
Abstract:
In sophisticated semiconductor devices, an efficient stress decoupling may be accomplished between neighboring transistor elements of a densely packed device region by providing a gap or a stress decoupling region between the corresponding transistors. For example, a gap may be formed in the stress-inducing material so as to reduce the mutual interaction of the stress-inducing material on the closely spaced transistor elements. In some illustrative aspects, the stress-inducing material may be provided as an island for each individual transistor element.
Abstract:
Generally, the present disclosure is related to various techniques that may be used for forming metallization systems in a highly efficient manner by filling via openings and trenches in a common fill process, while reducing negative effects during the patterning of the via opening and the trenches. One illustrative method disclosed herein includes, among other things, forming a via opening in a first dielectric material of a metallization layer of a semiconductor device. Moreover, a second dielectric material is formed above the first dielectric material, wherein the second dielectric material fills the via opening. Furthermore, the method also includes forming a trench in the second dielectric material so as to connect to the via opening, and filling the trench and the via opening with a metal in a common fill process.
Abstract:
A semiconductor wafer is provided including a plurality of dies, each of the plurality of dies including a plurality of semiconductor devices, a plurality of die seals, each of the plurality of die seals being formed at a perimeter of one of the plurality of dies, and a plurality of electrically conductive links, each of the plurality of conductive links connecting one of the plurality of die seals with another one of the plurality of die seals.
Abstract:
A semiconductor structure includes a semiconductor substrate, one or more interconnect layers provided over the substrate and a circuit. The circuit includes a plurality of circuit elements formed at the substrate and a plurality of electrical connections provided in the one or more interconnect layers. A die seal is provided in the one or more interconnect layers. A die seal leakage detection material is arranged in the one or more interconnect layers between the die seal and the plurality of electrical connections. The die seal provides a protection of the die seal leakage detection material from moisture if the die seal is intact. The die seal leakage detection material is adapted for providing a detectable modification of the circuit after an exposure of the die seal leakage detection material to moisture.
Abstract:
In a method of forming a three-dimensional semiconductor device, a first chip is provided that includes a first substrate, a first device layer positioned on and covering the first substrate, and a first metallization system positioned on and covering the first device layer, wherein the first device layer includes a plurality of first transistor elements. A second chip is also provided and includes a second substrate, a second device layer positioned on and covering the second substrate, and a second metallization system positioned on and covering the second device layer, wherein the second device layer includes a plurality of second transistor elements. The second chip is attached to the first chip so that a heat spreading material is positioned between the first chip and the second chip and covers at least a portion of the first metallization system.