Abstract:
Some embodiments relate to a manufacturing process that combines a MEMS capacitor of a microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) microphone and an integrated circuit (IC) onto a single substrate. A dielectric is formed over a device substrate. A conductive diaphragm and a conductive backplate are formed within the dielectric, with a sacrificial portion of the dielectric between them. A first recess is formed, which extends through the dielectric to an upper surface of the conductive diaphragm. A second recess is formed, which extends through the substrate and dielectric to a lower surface of the conductive backplate. The sacrificial layer is removed to create an air gap between the conductive diaphragm and the conductive backplate. The air gap joins the first and second recesses to form a cavity that extends continuously through the dielectric and the substrate. The present disclosure is also directed to the semiconductor structure of the MEMS microphone resulting from the manufacturing process.
Abstract:
In a wafer level chip scale packaging technique for MEMS devices, a deep trench is etched on a scribe line area between two CMOS devices of a CMOS substrate at first. After bonding of the CMOS substrate with a MEMS substrate, the deep trench is opened by thin-down process so that CMOS substrate is singulated while MEMS substrate is not (partial singulation). Electrical test pad on MEMS substrate is exposed and protection material can be filled through the deep trench around bonding layers. After filling the protection material, the wafer is diced to form packaged individual chips with protection from environment outside bonding layer.
Abstract:
In an embodiment, a method includes performing a first plasma deposition to form a buffer layer over a first side of a first integrated circuit device, the first integrated circuit device comprising a first substrate and a first interconnect structure; performing a second plasma deposition to form a first bonding layer over the buffer layer, wherein a plasma power applied during the second plasma deposition is greater than a plasma power applied during the first plasma deposition; planarizing the first bonding layer; forming a second bonding layer over a second substrate; pressing the second bonding layer onto the first bonding layer; and removing the first substrate.
Abstract:
Some embodiments relate to a manufacturing process that combines a MEMS capacitor of a microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) microphone and an integrated circuit (IC) onto a single substrate. A dielectric is formed over a device substrate. A conductive diaphragm and a conductive backplate are formed within the dielectric, with a sacrificial portion of the dielectric between them. A first recess is formed, which extends through the dielectric to an upper surface of the conductive diaphragm. A second recess is formed, which extends through the substrate and dielectric to a lower surface of the conductive backplate. The sacrificial layer is removed to create an air gap between the conductive diaphragm and the conductive backplate. The air gap joins the first and second recesses to form a cavity that extends continuously through the dielectric and the substrate. The present disclosure is also directed to the semiconductor structure of the MEMS microphone resulting from the manufacturing process.
Abstract:
Test pad structures and methods of forming a test pad are described herein. A method for forming a test pad includes forming a device element over a substrate, depositing a dielectric layer over the device element and the substrate, and etching openings in the dielectric layer to a first depth. Once the openings have been formed, a conductive material is deposited in the openings and followed by a chemical mechanical planarization to form a first grid feature and a panel region of the test pad, the first grid feature extending lengthwise from the panel region to a perimeter of the test pad. Once formed, a probe may be used to contact the panel region of the test pad during a wafer acceptance test (WAT) and/or a process control monitoring (PCM) test of the device element.
Abstract:
Semiconductor devices and methods of manufacturing the semiconductor devices are described herein. A method includes forming an interconnect structure over a device wafer. The device wafer includes a first integrated circuit, a semiconductor substrate, and a redistribution structure. The method further includes forming a metallization layer and a group of dummy insertion structures having a stepped pattern density in a topmost dielectric layer of the interconnect structure. The group of dummy insertion structures and the metallization layer are planarized with the dielectric layer. The method further includes forming a first bonding layer over the group of dummy insertion structures, the metallization layer, and the dielectric layer. The method further includes bonding a carrier wafer to the first bonding layer, forming an opening through the semiconductor substrate, and forming a conductive via in the opening and electrically coupled to the redistribution structure.
Abstract:
In an embodiment, a method includes performing a first plasma deposition to form a buffer layer over a first side of a first integrated circuit device, the first integrated circuit device comprising a first substrate and a first interconnect structure; performing a second plasma deposition to form a first bonding layer over the buffer layer, wherein a plasma power applied during the second plasma deposition is greater than a plasma power applied during the first plasma deposition; planarizing the first bonding layer; forming a second bonding layer over a second substrate; pressing the second bonding layer onto the first bonding layer; and removing the first substrate.
Abstract:
A method includes forming a first electrode layer having a first opening, with the first opening having a first lateral dimension, forming a first capacitor insulator over the first electrode layer, and forming a second electrode layer over the first capacitor insulator, with the second electrode layer having a second opening. The first opening is directly underlying the second opening. The second opening has a second lateral dimension greater than the first lateral dimension. The method further includes depositing a dielectric layer over the second electrode layer, and forming a contact opening, which comprises a first portion including the first opening, and a second portion including the second opening. A conductive plug is formed in the contact opening.
Abstract:
Test pad structures and methods of forming a test pad are described herein. A method for forming a test pad includes forming a device element over a substrate, depositing a dielectric layer over the device element and the substrate, and etching openings in the dielectric layer to a first depth. Once the openings have been formed, a conductive material is deposited in the openings and followed by a chemical mechanical planarization to form a first grid feature and a panel region of the test pad, the first grid feature extending lengthwise from the panel region to a perimeter of the test pad. Once formed, a probe may be used to contact the panel region of the test pad during a wafer acceptance test (WAT) and/or a process control monitoring (PCM) test of the device element.
Abstract:
A method includes forming a first electrode layer having a first opening, with the first opening having a first lateral dimension, forming a first capacitor insulator over the first electrode layer, and forming a second electrode layer over the first capacitor insulator, with the second electrode layer having a second opening. The first opening is directly underlying the second opening. The second opening has a second lateral dimension greater than the first lateral dimension. The method further includes depositing a dielectric layer over the second electrode layer, and forming a contact opening, which comprises a first portion including the first opening, and a second portion including the second opening. A conductive plug is formed in the contact opening.