3D IC Hybrid Bonding and Dielectric Encapsulation for Compact Stacking

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current 3D integrated circuit (3D-IC) manufacturing techniques face challenges in achieving efficient bonding methods that reduce footprint, power consumption, and fabrication costs while ensuring reliable electrical connections and structural integrity in multi-layered semiconductor devices.

Innovation Solution

The use of hybrid bonding techniques, which involve direct dielectric-to-dielectric and metal-to-metal bonding, along with dielectric encapsulation and conductive feature formation, to align and connect semiconductor wafers and dies, enabling efficient electrical communication and structural support in multi-layered IC components.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If hybrid bonding techniques are used to bond semiconductor wafers, then manufacturing precision and electrical connection reliability are improved, but device complexity and fabrication process difficulty increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebonding alignment precisionVSAvoidbonding process complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by performing alignment mark formation and surface preparation on semiconductor wafers before the actual hybrid bonding process. Alignment marks are deposited and patterned in advance to guide precise positioning during bonding, and surfaces are pre-treated to ensure optimal bonding conditions. This preliminary preparation enables high manufacturing precision while managing process complexity through structured sequential steps.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Area of moving object

If multiple semiconductor dies are stacked to reduce footprint, then area and power consumption are reduced, but structural integrity and assembly difficulty worsen

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice footprintVSAvoidassembly ease
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of moving objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies segmentation by dividing the multi-layer semiconductor structure into individually processable wafers that are subsequently stacked. Each wafer can be independently fabricated, tested, and prepared with bonding interfaces before final assembly. This segmentation enables reduced footprint through compact vertical stacking while managing assembly complexity through standardized interface designs and modular construction approaches.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Reliability

If dielectric encapsulation is formed to protect integrated circuit components, then reliability and structural integrity are improved, but manufacturing time and process steps increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecomponent protectionVSAvoidfabrication throughput
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies merging by combining the dielectric encapsulation process with other fabrication steps that occur at similar stages of wafer processing. The encapsulation layers are integrated into the overall device architecture and formed using deposition processes that can be performed in-line with other manufacturing operations. This merging approach provides reliable component protection while minimizing impact on fabrication throughput by eliminating separate dedicated encapsulation steps.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS12062640B2Semiconductor device and manufacturing method thereof
Publication Date: 2024.08.13 TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO LTD
  • US12062640B2 patent drawing
  • US12062640B2 patent drawing
  • US12062640B2 patent drawing

AI summary

A semiconductor device including a first integrated circuit component, a second integrated circuit component, a third integrated circuit component, and a dielectric encapsulation is provided. The second integrated circuit component is stacked on and electrically coupled to the first integrated circuit component, and the third integrated circuit component is stacked on and electrically coupled to the second integrated circuit component. The dielectric encapsulation is disposed on the second integrated circuit component and laterally encapsulating the third integrated circuit component, where outer sidewalls of the dielectric encapsulation are substantially aligned with sidewalls of the first and second integrated circuit components. A manufacturing method of the above-mentioned semiconductor device is also provided.