Abstract:
A semiconductor article which includes a semiconductor base portion including a semiconductor material; a back end of the line (BEOL) wiring portion on the semiconductor base portion and comprising a plurality of wiring layers having metallic wiring and insulating material, said BEOL wiring portion excluding a semiconductor material; and a guard ring in the BEOL wiring portion and surrounding a structure in the semiconductor chip, the guard ring having a zig-zag configuration.
Abstract:
A through-silicon via (TSV) capacitive test structure and method of determining TSV depth based on capacitance is disclosed. The TSV capacitive test structure is formed from a plurality of TSV bars that are evenly spaced. A first group of bars are electrically connected to form a first capacitor node, and a second group of bars is electrically connected to form a second capacitor node. The capacitance is measured, and a TSV depth is computed, prior to backside thinning. The computed TSV depth may then be fed to downstream grinding and/or polishing tools to control the backside thinning process such that the semiconductor wafer is thinned such that the backside is flush with the TSV.
Abstract:
A semiconductor structure, method of manufacturing the same and design structure thereof are provided. The semiconductor structure includes a substrate including a semiconductor layer and a plurality of TSVs embedded therein. At least one TSV has a TSV tip extending from a backside surface of the substrate. The semiconductor structure further includes a multilayer metal contact structure positioned on the backside surface of the substrate. The multilayer metal contact structure includes at least a conductive layer covering the backside surface of the substrate and covering protruding surfaces of the TSV tip. The conductive layer has a non-planar first surface and a substantially planar second surface opposite of the first surface.
Abstract:
A wafer probing system includes a probe card assembly having a plurality of individual probe structures configured make contact with a semiconductor wafer mounted on a motor driven wafer chuck, with each probe structure configured with a pressure sensing unit integrated therewith; and a controller configured to drive the probe card assembly with one or more piezoelectric driver units response to feedback from the pressure sensing units of the individual probe structures.
Abstract:
The present disclosure generally provides for integrated circuit (IC) structures with through-semiconductor vias (TSV). In an embodiment, an IC structure may include a through-semiconductor via (TSV) embedded in a substrate, the TSV having a cap; a dielectric layer adjacent to the substrate; a metal layer adjacent to the dielectric layer; a plurality of vias each embedded within the dielectric layer and coupling the metal layer to the cap of the TSV at respective contact points, wherein the plurality of vias is configured to create a substantially uniform current density throughout the TSV.
Abstract:
An electronic interconnect structure having a hybridized metal structure near regions of high operating temperature on an integrated circuit, and methods of making the same. The hybridized metal structure features at least two different metals in a single metallization level. The first metal is in a region of high operating temperature and the second region is in a region of normal operating temperatures. In a preferred embodiment the first metal includes aluminum and is in a first level metallization over an active area of the device while the second metal includes copper. In some embodiments, the first and second metals are not in direct physical contact. In other embodiments the first and second metals physically contact each other. In a preferred embodiment, a top surface of the first metal is not co-planar with a top surface of the second metal, despite being in the same metallization level.
Abstract:
A back end of the line (BEOL) fuse structure having a stack of vias. The stacking of vias leads to high aspect ratios making liner and seed coverage inside the vias poorer. The weakness of the liner and seed layers leads to a higher probability of electromigration (EM) failure. The fuse structure addresses failures due to poor liner and seed coverage. Design features permit determining where failures occur, determining the extent of the damaged region after fuse programming and preventing further propagation of the damaged dielectric region.
Abstract:
A through-silicon-via (TSV) structure is formed within a trench located within a semiconductor structure. The TSV structure may include a first electrically conductive liner layer located on an outer surface of the trench and a first electrically conductive structure located on the first electrically conductive liner layer, whereby the first electrically conductive structure partially fills the trench. A second electrically conductive liner layer is located on the first electrically conductive structure, a dielectric layer is located on the second electrically conductive liner layer, while a third electrically conductive liner layer is located on the dielectric layer. A second electrically conductive structure is located on the third electrically conductive liner layer, whereby the second electrically conductive structure fills a remaining opening of the trench.
Abstract:
A wafer probing system includes a probe card assembly having a plurality of individual probe structures configured make contact with a semiconductor wafer mounted on a motor driven wafer chuck, with each probe structure configured with a pressure sensing unit integrated therewith; and a controller configured to drive the probe card assembly with one or more piezoelectric driver units response to feedback from the pressure sensing units of the individual probe structures.
Abstract:
An improved interconnect structure including a dielectric layer having a conductive feature embedded therein, the conductive feature having a first top surface that is substantially coplanar with a second top surface of the dielectric layer; a metal cap layer located directly on the first top surface, wherein the metal cap layer does not substantially extend onto the second top surface; a first dielectric cap layer located directly on the second top surface, wherein the first dielectric cap layer does not substantially extend onto the first top surface and the first dielectric cap layer is thicker than the metal cap layer; and a second dielectric cap layer on the metal cap layer and the first dielectric cap layer. A method of forming the interconnect structure is also provided.