Passivation method and structure using hard ceramic materials or the like
US5578867A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 27, 1995 |
| Grant date | Nov 26, 1996 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 27, 2015 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10S438/958
- WIPO fieldSemiconductors
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A method for passivating an integrated circuit includes the RF sputtering of a hard passivation layer on the surface of the integrated circuit. The hard passivation layer can be a ceramic material such as various doped and undoped titanates, zirconates, niobates, tantalates, stanates, hafnates, and manganates, in either their ferroelectric or non-ferroelectric phases. Other exotic, hard, and usually non-ferroelectric materials not normally found in integrated circuit processing such as carbides may also be used. If the integrated circuit sought to be passivated contains ferroelectric devices, the hard passivation layer can be fabricated out of the same material used in the integrated ferroelectric devices. An optional silicon dioxide insulating layer can be deposited on the surface of the integrated circuit before the hard passivation layer is deposited. The optional silicon dioxide layer is used to prevent any possible contamination of the integrated circuit by the passivation layer. Similarly, an optional sealing layer such as silicon dioxide, silicon nitride, or polymer based materials can be deposited on top of the passivation layer to prevent any possible contamination of the …
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.