Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
170 words
A method of forming through-substrate vias in a substrate, comprising the steps of: forming a first hollow region through a first substrate; depositing a first dielectric layer on a first surface of said first substrate and on inner surfaces of said first hollow region; depositing a first conductive layer through said first hollow region to form a first through-substrate via; removing said first conductive layer and said first dielectric layer from said first surface of said first substrate to leave said first through-substrate via isolated from said first substrate by said first dielectric layer; forming a first IC device layer on said first surface of said first substrate with circuit nodes electrically coupled to the through-substrate vias; forming a first interconnect layer on said first IC device layer; forming first inter-chip interconnects on said first interconnect layer; patterning a second dielectric layer on a second surface of said first substrate to provide access to said first through-substrate via; and forming a first bump making contact to said first through-substrate via.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
170 words
A method of forming through-substrate vias in a substrate, comprising the steps of: forming a first hollow region through a first substrate; depositing a first dielectric layer on a first surface of said first substrate and on inner surfaces of said first hollow region; depositing a first conductive layer through said first hollow region to form a first through-substrate via; removing said first conductive layer and said first dielectric layer from said first surface of said first substrate to leave said first through-substrate via isolated from said first substrate by said first dielectric layer; forming a first IC device layer on said first surface of said first substrate with circuit nodes electrically coupled to the through-substrate vias; forming a first interconnect layer on said first IC device layer; forming first inter-chip interconnects on said first interconnect layer; patterning a second dielectric layer on a second surface of said first substrate to provide access to said first through-substrate via; and forming a first bump making contact to said first through-substrate via.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
182 words
The method of claim 1 further including the steps of: forming a second region through a second substrate; depositing a third dielectric layer on a first surface of said second substrate and on inner surfaces of said second region; depositing a second conductive layer through said second region; removing said second conductive layer and said third dielectric layer from said first surface of said second substrate to leave a second through-substrate via isolated from said second substrate by said third dielectric layer; forming a second IC device layer on said first surface of said second substrate with circuit nodes electrically coupled to the through-substrate vias; forming a second interconnect layer on said second IC device layer; forming second inter-chip interconnects on said second interconnect layer; patterning a fourth dielectric layer on a second surface of said second substrate to provide access to said second through-substrate via; forming a second bump making contact to said second through-substrate via; and joining said first and second bumps of said first and second substrates to provide electrical connectivity between said first and second IC device layers.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
159 words
A method of forming through-substrate vias in a substrate, comprising the steps of: forming a first IC device layer on a first surface of a first substrate; forming a first dielectric layer within said first IC device layer; forming a first pad within said first IC device layer isolated from said first substrate by said first dielectric layer; depositing a second dielectric layer on a second surface of said first substrate; etching a first region through said first substrate; depositing a third dielectric layer on said second dielectric layer and on inner surfaces of said first region for isolation; selectively removing portions of said first, second and third dielectric layers to expose said first pad; depositing a first conductive layer through said first region and contacting said first pad to form a first through-substrate via; and selectively removing said first conductive layer from said second surface of said first substrate to provide electrical isolation for said first through-substrate via.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
159 words
A method of forming through-substrate vias in a substrate, comprising the steps of: forming a first IC device layer on a first surface of a first substrate; forming a first dielectric layer within said first IC device layer; forming a first pad within said first IC device layer isolated from said first substrate by said first dielectric layer; depositing a second dielectric layer on a second surface of said first substrate; etching a first region through said first substrate; depositing a third dielectric layer on said second dielectric layer and on inner surfaces of said first region for isolation; selectively removing portions of said first, second and third dielectric layers to expose said first pad; depositing a first conductive layer through said first region and contacting said first pad to form a first through-substrate via; and selectively removing said first conductive layer from said second surface of said first substrate to provide electrical isolation for said first through-substrate via.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of claim 3 further including the steps of: depositing a fourth dielectric layer on said second dielectric layer; and forming a first bump making contact to said first through-substrate via.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
201 words
The method of claim 4 further including the steps of: forming a second IC device layer on a first surface of a second substrate; forming a fifth dielectric layer within said second IC device layer; forming a second pad within said second IC device layer isolated from said second substrate by said fifth dielectric layer; depositing a sixth dielectric layer on a second surface of said second substrate; etching a second region through said second substrate; depositing a seventh dielectric layer on said sixth dielectric layer and on inner surfaces of said second region for isolation; selectively removing portions of said fifth, sixth and seventh dielectric layers to expose said second pad; depositing a second conductive layer through said second region and contacting said second pad to form a second through-substrate via; selectively removing said second conductive layer from said second surface of said second substrate to provide electrical isolation for said second through-substrate via; depositing an eighth dielectric layer on said sixth dielectric layer; forming a second bump making contact to said second through-substrate via; and joining said first and second bumps of said first and second substrates to provide electrical connectivity between said first and second IC device layers.