Backside Wiring Feedthroughs for Low-Resistance Semiconductor Routing

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Solution Overview

Problem

As semiconductor devices become smaller, the backside conductive patterns, which are wider and thicker than the frontside patterns, provide lower electrical resistance, posing challenges in signal routing and integration with frontside circuits.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of a backside wiring structure that includes a first and second backside wiring layer coupled by a via, along with a frontside wiring structure, allows for efficient signal routing through feedthrough vias, integrating with frontside circuits to enhance electrical connectivity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If backside conductive patterns are made wider and thicker to reduce electrical resistance, then electrical resistance decreases, but device complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelectrical resistanceVSAvoidbackside wiring structure
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent utilizes the backside of the semiconductor substrate as a new dimension for wiring routing. By forming backside conductive patterns on the rear surface of the substrate and connecting them to frontside patterns through through-substrate vias, the invention creates a three-dimensional wiring architecture that reduces resistance without increasing planar complexity on the frontside.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The wiring structure is segmented into frontside conductive patterns, backside conductive patterns, and connecting via structures. This segmentation allows independent optimization of each component: frontside patterns maintain standard dimensions, backside patterns provide low-resistance paths with greater width and thickness, and vias provide vertical interconnection, thereby resolving the contradiction between resistance reduction and complexity management.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If backside conductive patterns are used for signal routing, then electrical connectivity improves, but manufacturing precision requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelectrical connectivityVSAvoidvia alignment
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent forms the backside conductive patterns and via structures before finalizing the frontside wiring. The backside patterns are deposited and patterned first, establishing a stable foundation that guides subsequent via formation and frontside pattern integration. This preliminary action reduces the precision burden on later manufacturing steps.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The via structures serve as intermediaries that connect the frontside and backside conductive patterns. These vias are designed with sufficient diameter and optimized positioning to tolerate normal manufacturing variations, acting as robust mediators that ensure reliable electrical connectivity without requiring extreme alignment precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS12550370B2Semiconductor device and manufacturing method thereof
Publication Date: 2026.02.10 TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO LTD
  • US12550370B2 patent drawing
  • US12550370B2 patent drawing
  • US12550370B2 patent drawing

AI summary

In a method of manufacturing a semiconductor device, a field effect transistor (FET) having a metal gate structure, a source and a drain over a substrate is formed. A first frontside contact disposed between dummy metal gate structures is formed over an isolation insulating layer. A frontside wiring layer is formed over the first frontside contact. A part of the substrate is removed from a backside of the substrate so that a bottom of the isolation insulating layer is exposed. A first opening is formed in the isolation insulating layer from the bottom of the isolation insulating layer to expose a bottom of the first frontside contact. A first backside contact is formed by filling the first opening with a conductive material to connect the first frontside contact.