Abstract:
Embodiments of the invention include inductors integrated into a package substrate that have increased thicknesses due to the use of shaped vias, and methods of forming such packages. In an embodiment of the invention an inductor may be formed in a package substrate may include a first inductor line formed on the package substrate. In some embodiments, a shaped via may be formed over the first inductor line. Additional embodiments may include a dielectric layer that is formed over the package substrate, the first inductor line and around the shaped via. In one embodiment, a second inductor line may also be formed over the shaped via. Some embodiments of the invention may include an inductor that is a spiral inductor.
Abstract:
An inductor (1) for an integrated circuit or integrated circuit package comprises a three-dimensional structure. In one embodiment the inductor is arranged on an integrated circuit substrate in at least two rows (2, 3), each row comprising upper segments (32) and lower segments (34), with the upper segments being longer than the lower segments. The upper segments in a first row are offset 180 degrees from those in an adjoining row to provide greater coupling of magnetic flux. The materials and geometry are optimized to provide a low resistance inductor for use in high performance integrated circuits. In another embodiment the inductor is arranged on an integrated circuit package substrate. Also described are methods of fabricating the inductor on an integrated circuit or as part of an integrated circuit package.
Abstract:
The invention relates to a flat coil and to a lithographic method for producing microcomponents with metal component structures in the sub-millimeter range. According to the inventive method, a resist material is structured by means of selective exposition and removing the unexposed zones and filling in the gaps between the resist structures with metal by means of a galvanic method to produce the metal component structures. The aim of the invention is to improve such a method so that the microcomponents can be subdivided during said process. To this end, a structured three-dimensional sacrificial metal layer is produced during the production of the microcomponent, said sacrificial layer delimiting the microcomponent and being removed once the microcomponent is due to be subdivided. The invention also relates to a method for producing microcomponents with component structures of cross-linkable resist material and to a flat coil for micromotors with at least one coil layer with strip conductors in the sub-millimeter range.
Abstract:
Techniques for fabrication of small-scale metallic structures such as microinductors, microtransformers and stents are described. A chemically active agent such as a catalyst is applied from an applicator in a pattern to an exterior surface of an article, metal is deposited according to the pattern and optionally, removed from the substrate. Where the substrate is cylindrical, the pattern can serve as a stent. Alternatively, a pattern of a self-assembled monolayer can be printed on a surface, which pattern can dictate metal plating or etching resulting in a patterned metal structure that can be cylindrical. In another embodiment, a structure is patterned on a surface that serves as a phase-modulating pattern or amplitude-modulating pattern. The article subsequently is exposed to radiation that can induce a change in refractive index within the article, and the phase-modulating or amplitude-modulating pattern results in different indices of refraction being created in different portions of the article. By this technique, a grating can be written into a core of an optical fiber.
Abstract:
A micro-relay has a flexible monocrystalline structure which is moved by an electromagnetic force to establish a connection between relay contact elements. The micro-relay includes a substrate having a magnetic pathway and one or more coils located over the magnetic pathway. A first contact pad is coupled to the substrate. The monocrystalline structure is suspended over the substrate. A second contact pad and pole pieces are coupled to the monocrystalline structure such that the second contact pad is positioned over the first contact pad, and the pole pieces are located over the coils. A current is applied to the coils to generate an electromagnetic force which flexes the monocrystalline structure toward the substrate, thereby causing the second contact pad to touch the first contact pad. In one embodiment, the coils include insulating spacers located adjacent to the innermost and outermost traces to prevent shorting. 00000
Abstract:
A method for producing a thin-film coil involves first the making of a flat coil layer in which counterpart spiral conductor patterns having the same winding direction are fitted together so as to obtain adjacent whorls (11, 16), secondly the making of a further flat coil layer in a similar way so as to obtain adjacent whorls (28, 40) wound in the opposite direction, and then placing the second flat coil layer on the first. The conductor patterns of the first layer are individually connected to the conductor patterns of the second layer so as to make up a coil.
Abstract:
A transformer (100, 180, 500) is described. The transformer comprises a top conductive coil (106, 206, 506), a bottom conductive coil (102), and a dielectric layer (104, 504) separating the top conductive coil from the bottom conductive coil. The top conductive coil comprises an outermost portion (110, 510) having multiple segments (142, 144, 148). The segments are configured to reduce the peak electric field in a region of the dielectric layer near the outer edge of the top conductive coil. The top conductive coil may comprise a first lateral segment (142), and a second lateral segment (144) that is laterally offset with respect to the first lateral segment. The first lateral segment may be closer to the center of the top conductive coil than the second lateral segment, and may be closer to the bottom conductive coil than the second lateral segment. The transformer may be formed using microfabrication techniques.