Abstract:
An apparatus includes a robot arm, and a plurality of guide pins mounted on the robot arm. Each of the plurality of guide pins includes a plurality of wafer supports at different levels, with each of the plurality of wafer supports configured to support and center a wafer having a size different from wafers configured to be supported and centered by remaining ones of the plurality of wafer supports
Abstract:
A composite carrier structure for manufacturing semiconductor devices is provided. The composite carrier structure utilizes multiple carrier substrates, e.g., glass or silicon substrates, coupled together by interposed adhesive layers. The composite carrier structure may be attached to a wafer or a die for, e.g., backside processing, such as thinning processes. In an embodiment, the composite carrier structure comprises a first carrier substrate having through-substrate vias formed therethrough. The first substrate is attached to a second substrate using an adhesive such that the adhesive may extend into the through-substrate vias.
Abstract:
A system and method for determining underfill expansion is provided. An embodiment comprises forming cover marks along a top surface of a substrate, attaching a semiconductor substrate to the top surface of the substrate, placing an underfill material between the semiconductor substrate and the substrate, and then using the cover marks to determine the expansion of the underfill over the top surface of the substrate. Additionally, cover marks may also be formed along a top surface of the semiconductor substrate, and the cover marks on both the substrate and the semiconductor substrate may be used together as alignment marks during the alignment of the substrate and the semiconductor substrate.
Abstract:
In accordance with an embodiment, a molding apparatus comprises a screen having a planar top surface; a recess in the screen and extending below the planar top surface; a blade capable of traversing the planar top surface; and a molding compound applicator. Another embodiment is a method for molding. The method comprises providing a substrate in a confined volume with an open top surface, applying molding compound in the confined volume, and traversing the open top surface with a blade thereby forming the molding compound to have a planar surface that is co-planar with the open top surface. The substrate has at least one semiconductor die adhered to the substrate.
Abstract:
An apparatus for supporting a wafer includes a base, and a gas-penetration layer. The gas-penetration layer and a portion of the base directly underlying the gas-penetration layer form a gas passage therebetween. The gas passage is configured to be sealed by the wafer placed directly over the gas-penetration layer. The apparatus further includes a valve connected to the gas passage.
Abstract:
A device includes a substrate, and a plurality of dielectric layers over the substrate. A plurality of metallization layers is formed in the plurality of dielectric layers, wherein at least one of the plurality of metallization layers comprises a metal pad. A through-substrate via (TSV) extends from the top level of the plurality of the dielectric layers to a bottom surface of the substrate. A deep conductive via extends from the top level of the plurality of dielectric layers to land on the metal pad. A metal line is formed over the top level of the plurality of dielectric layers and interconnecting the TSV and the deep conductive via.
Abstract:
A method of forming an integrated circuit structure includes forming a first insulation region and a second insulation region in a semiconductor substrate and facing each other; and forming an epitaxial semiconductor region having a reversed T-shape. The epitaxial semiconductor region includes a horizontal plate including a bottom portion between and adjoining the first insulation region and the second insulation region, and a fin over and adjoining the horizontal plate. The bottom of the horizontal plate contacts the semiconductor substrate. The method further includes forming a gate dielectric on a top surface and at least top portions of sidewalls of the fin; and forming a gate electrode over the gate dielectric.
Abstract:
A semiconductor device and a method of manufacturing are provided. A substrate has a gate stack formed thereon. Ultra-shallow junctions are formed by depositing an atomic layer of a dopant and performing an anneal to diffuse the dopant into the substrate on opposing sides of the gate stack. The substrate may be recessed prior to forming the atomic layer and the recess may be filled by an epitaxial process. The depositing, annealing, and, if used, epitaxial growth may be repeated a plurality of times to achieve the desired junctions. Source/drain regions are also provided on opposing sides of the gate stack.
Abstract:
A process for improving the adhesion between an underlying copper structure, and overlying materials and structures, has been developed. The process features formation of a tantalum nitride layer on a copper structure, wherein the copper structure is located in a damascene type opening. To obtain the maximum adhesion benefit the tantalum nitride layer is formed via an atomic deposition layer procedure, performed at specific deposition conditions. The adhesion between the underlying copper structure and overlying materials such as a silicon nitride etch stop layer, as well the adhesion between the lower level copper structure and overlying upper level metal interconnect structures, is improved as a result of the presence of the atomic layer deposited tantalum nitride layer.
Abstract:
It is a general object of the present invention to provide an improved method of fabrication in the formation of an improved copper metal diffusion barrier layer having the structure, W/WSiN/WN, in single and dual damascene interconnect trench/contact via processing with 0.10 micron nodes for MOSFET and CMOS applications. The diffusion barrier is formed by depositing a tungsten nitride bottom layer, followed by an in situ SiH4/NH3 or SiH4/H2 soak forming a WSiN layer, and depositing a final top layer of tungsten. This invention is used to manufacture reliable metal interconnects and contact vias in the fabrication of MOSFET and CMOS devices for both logic and memory applications and the copper diffusion barrier formed, W/WSiN/WN, passes a stringent barrier thermal reliability test at 400° C. Pure single barrier layers, i.e., single layer WN, exhibit copper punch through or copper spiking during the stringent barrier thermal reliability test at 400° C.