Patent · US Expired

Ultrathin electronics using stacked layers and interconnect vias

US6166438A · kind A · utility

28Cited by
16References
26Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateFeb 26, 1997
Grant dateDec 26, 2000
Priority date
Expiry dateFeb 26, 2017

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY10S438/977
  • WIPO fieldSemiconductors
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

An integrated circuit and associated method for reducing total signal propagation delay as well as power consumption and thermal dissipation. The integrated circuit comprises a plurality of active layers coupled together in close proximity. In order to produce the integrated circuit, at least two active layers are removed from their respective substrate after integrated circuit processing. Some of the methods that may be used include Silicon on Insulator ("SOI") and epitaxial etch stop ("EES") processes. After removal of the active layers, at least one via is implemented on a bottom surface of each active layer in order to establish a mechanical and electrical connection between the via and its associated metal interconnects. Thereafter, the active layers are coupled together by ultrasonic welding or through nitride lamination using Titanium Nitride for conductive regions and Silicon Nitride for insulative regions.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.