Abstract:
A method of producing deep submicron vias is described in which a metal blanket layer is formed on a premetal dielectric and patterned to form line elements. An intermetal dielectric is then deposited over the patterned metal and chemically mechanically polished down to the top of the line elements. A second metal blanket layer is then deposited and patterned to form via studs. An intermetal dielectric is also deposited over the patterned metal via studs and polished down to the tops of the studs. The process is repeated until a multilevel integrated circuit is formed.
Abstract:
A resistive load structure and method for making a resistive load structure for an integrated circuit includes the use of an amorphous silicon "antifuse" material. The resistive load structure can be used in an SRAM cell to provide a load to counteract charge leakage at the drains of two pull-down transistors and two pass transistors of the SRAM cell. The resistive load structure is advantageously formed by depositing an amorphous silicon pad over a conductive via, and the resistance of the resistive load structure is controlled by adjusting the thickness of the amorphous silicon pad and varying the diameter of the underlying conductive via.
Abstract:
A photo alignment structure integral with a substrate enables the alignment apparatus to receive a reflected light signature of the surface topography of the alignment structure. As the circuit is constructed, the alignment target may be built in tandem with the process. The alignment structure is constructed so that its surface will retain sufficient topography to enable the alignment apparatus to properly align.
Abstract:
A method of forming sharp oxide peaks on the surface of a semiconductor wafer for the purpose of conditioning polishing pads used during a Chemical Mechanical Polishing process is disclosed. In order to create oxide peaks on the surface of a wafer, additional elements are added to a trace layer of the wafer. An oxide layer is deposited over the additional elements using an Electron Cyclotron Resonance Chemical Vapor Deposition process, which includes a sputtering step, in order to create sharp peaks in the oxide layer over the additional lines. In some embodiments, the additional elements may be formed from a multiplicity of rectangular blocks over which pyramid-like oxide peaks are created. In others, they may be formed from a multiplicity of rectangular blocks connected by narrow lines over which pyramid-like oxide peaks and knife-edged peaks, respectively, are created.
Abstract:
An inductor circuit is disclosed. The inductor circuit includes a first in-silicon inductor and a second in-silicon inductor each having multiple turns. A portion of the multiple turns of the second in-silicon inductor is formed between turns of the first in-silicon inductor. The first and second in-silicon inductors are configured such that a differential current flowing through the first in-silicon inductor and the second in-silicon inductor flows in a same direction in corresponding turns of inductors.
Abstract:
An inductor circuit is disclosed. The inductor circuit includes a first in-silicon inductor and a second in-silicon inductor each having multiple turns. A portion of the multiple turns of the second in-silicon inductor is formed between turns of the first in-silicon inductor. The first and second in-silicon inductors are configured such that a differential current flowing through the first in-silicon inductor and the second in-silicon inductor flows in a same direction in corresponding turns of inductors.
Abstract:
A method for making a semiconductor device with integrated CMOS circuitry and RF circuitry fabricated over a semiconductor wafer, and a semiconductor device with integrated CMOS circuitry and RF circuitry fabricated over a semiconductor wafer is provided. The method includes forming a lower metallization layer and a lower dielectric layer over the lower metallization layer. A metallization line is formed over the lower dielectric layer with an upper dielectric layer over the metallization line. An upper metallization layer is then formed over the upper dielectric layer. After this is completed, oxide spacers are formed along the sides of the lower dielectric layer, the metallization line, and the upper dielectric layer. Finally, an encapsulating metallization layer is formed over the oxide spacers such that the lower metallization layer, the upper metallization layer and the encapsulating metallization layer define an outer shield and the metallization line defines an inner conductor of an RF line.
Abstract:
A method of manufacturing semiconductors is provided which avoids metal deposition in voids formed in the dielectric between interconnects. In a preferred embodiment, an etch stop recess portion is provided over the dielectric which encloses the interconnects to prevent via openings from extending into the voids during the etching of the via openings. Accordingly, metal deposition of the voids during metal deposition of the vias is avoided. As a result, the semiconductors so formed has reduced capacitance between the interconnects and improved reliability since the voids are cleared of any metal deposition.
Abstract:
Disclosed is a semiconductor diode structure, and method for making semiconductor diode structures for suppressing transistor gate oxide plasma charging damage. The semiconductor diode structure includes a shallow trench isolation region that is configured to isolate an active region of a semiconductor substrate. A doped polysilicon electrode having a first end and a second end. The doped polysilicon electrode is defined in the shallow trench isolation region and the first end is configured to be in electrical contact with the semiconductor substrate. The diode structure further includes a polysilicon gate that has an underlying gate oxide. The polysilicon gate is defined over the active region and extends over part of the shallow trench isolation region so as to make electrical interconnection between the polysilicon gate and the second end of the doped polysilicon electrode.
Abstract:
Disclosed is a method for checking integrated circuit layout design files. The method includes identifying a via geometry that is laid out on a via mask file. Identifying a metallization geometry that is laid out on a metallization mask file. Shifting the via geometry in a first orientation to produce a first shifted via geometry. Performing a logical AND between the first shifted via geometry and the metallization geometry. The method further includes determining whether the logical AND produces a value indicative of a sufficient overlap between the identified metallization geometry and the first shifted via geometry.