Conductive routes for an electronic substrate may be fabricated by forming an opening in a material, using existing laser drilling or lithography tools and materials, followed by selectively plating a metal on the sidewalls of the opening. The processes of the present description may result in significantly higher patterning resolution or feature scaling (up to 2× improvement in patterning density/resolution). In addition to improved patterning resolution, the embodiments of the present description may also result in higher aspect ratios of the conductive routes, which can result in improved signaling, reduced latency, and improved yield.

An integrated circuit (IC) package comprising a die having a front side and a back side. A solder thermal interface material (STIM) comprising a first metal is over the backside. The TIM has a thermal conductivity of not less than 40 W/mK; and a die backside material (DBM) comprising a second metal over the STIM, wherein the DBM has a CTE of not less than 18×10.sup.−6 m/mK, wherein an interface between the STIM and the DBM comprises at least one intermetallic compound (IMC) of the first metal and the second metal.

Semiconductor device packages, packaging methods, and packaged semiconductor devices are disclosed. In some embodiments, a package for a semiconductor device includes an integrated circuit die mounting region and a molding material disposed around the integrated circuit die mounting region. An interconnect structure is disposed over the molding material and the integrated circuit die mounting region. A protection pattern is disposed in a perimeter region of the package. The protection pattern includes a conductive feature.

A gate structure includes a substrate divided into an N-type transistor region and a P-type transistor region. An interlayer dielectric covers the substrate. A first trench is embedded in the interlayer dielectric within the N-type transistor region. A first gate electrode having a bullet-shaped profile is disposed in the first trench. A gate dielectric contacts the first trench. An N-type work function layer is disposed between the gate dielectric layer and the first gate electrode. A second trench is embedded in the interlayer dielectric within the P-type transistor region. A second gate electrode having a first mushroom-shaped profile is disposed in the second trench. The gate dielectric layer contacts the second trench. The N-type work function layer is disposed between the gate dielectric layer and the second gate electrode. A first P-type work function layer is disposed between the gate dielectric layer and the N-type work function layer.

A gate structure includes a substrate divided into an N-type transistor region and a P-type transistor region. An interlayer dielectric covers the substrate. A first trench is embedded in the interlayer dielectric within the N-type transistor region. A first gate electrode having a bullet-shaped profile is disposed in the first trench. A gate dielectric contacts the first trench. An N-type work function layer is disposed between the gate dielectric layer and the first gate electrode. A second trench is embedded in the interlayer dielectric within the P-type transistor region. A second gate electrode having a first mushroom-shaped profile is disposed in the second trench. The gate dielectric layer contacts the second trench. The N-type work function layer is disposed between the gate dielectric layer and the second gate electrode. A first P-type work function layer is disposed between the gate dielectric layer and the N-type work function layer.

A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device is provided. The method may include forming a stack, forming a preliminary stepped structure by patterning the stack, forming a first stepped structure, a second stepped structure, and an opening located between the first stepped structure and the second stepped structure by etching the preliminary stepped structure, forming a passivation layer that fills the opening and covers the first stepped structure, and forming a third stepped structure by etching the second stepped structure using the passivation layer as an etching barrier.

Semiconductor device packages, packaging methods, and packaged semiconductor devices are disclosed. In some embodiments, a package for a semiconductor device includes an integrated circuit die mounting region and a molding material disposed around the integrated circuit die mounting region. An interconnect structure is disposed over the molding material and the integrated circuit die mounting region. A protection pattern is disposed in a perimeter region of the package. The protection pattern includes a conductive feature.

A method is provided, including following operations: obtaining information on gate pitch and a ratio between the gate pitch and a first metal line pitch; comparing a preset metal line end spacing with a second metal line pitch, of multiple metal traces, and a spacing between a metal line layer and a power rail layer; in response to the comparison, defining multiple first metal line patterns overlapping multiple first gate patterns and defining multiple second metal line patterns disposed between two adjacent gate patterns in multiple second gate patterns; placing the first metal line patterns in a first row in a floorplan of an integrated circuit layout design and the second metal line patterns in a second row, adjacent the first row; and manufacturing at least one element in an integrated circuit based on the integrated circuit layout design.

Embodiments herein may describe techniques for an integrated circuit including a metal interconnect above a substrate and coupled to a first contact and a second contact. The first contact and the second contact may be above the metal interconnect and in contact with the metal interconnect. A first resistance may exist between the first contact and the second contact through the metal interconnect. After a programming voltage is applied to the second contact while the first contact is coupled to a ground terminal to generate a current between the first contact and the second contact, a non-conducting barrier may be formed as an interface between the second contact and the metal interconnect. A second resistance may exist between the first contact, the metal interconnect, the second contact, and the non-conducting barrier. Other embodiments may be described and/or claimed.

The present application discloses a method for fabricating a semiconductor device. The method includes providing a first semiconductor structure; and forming a first connecting structure comprising a first connecting insulating layer on the first semiconductor structure, a plurality of first connecting contacts in the first connecting insulating layer, and a plurality of first supporting contacts in the first connecting insulating layer.