Devices and methods related to radio-frequency (RF) switches having reduced-resistance metal layout. In some embodiments, a field-effect transistor (FET) based RF switch device can include a plurality of fingers arranged in an interleaved configuration such that a first group of the fingers are electrically connected to a source contact and a second group of the fingers are electrically connected to a drain contact. At least some of the fingers can have a current carrying capacity that varies as a function of location along a direction in which the fingers extend. Such a configuration of the fingers can desirably reduce the on-resistance (Ron) of the FET based RF switch device.

An X-ray source is disposed and a detector is disposed adjacent to the X-ray source. A test specimen holder is disposed between the X-ray source and the detector. A filter is disposed between the X-ray source and the test specimen holder. The filter has a plate-shaped semiconductor, a granular semiconductor, or a combination thereof.

An object of the present invention is to improve the reliability of a semiconductor device having an imaging function. A semiconductor device includes a package having a cavity and terminals (TE1), a semiconductor chip that has an imaging unit and is arranged in the cavity, and a cap material with which the cavity is sealed and which has translucency. In addition, the semiconductor device includes a mounting board that has a through-hole and terminals (TE2) and is arranged so as to electrically couple the terminals (TE1) to the terminals (TE2), a heat transfer member that is inserted into the through-hole and is coupled to the package, and a heat sink coupled to the heat transfer member.

Methods for making semiconductor devices are disclosed herein. A method configured in accordance with a particular embodiment includes forming a spacer material on an encapsulant such that the encapsulant separates the spacer material from an active surface of a semiconductor device and at least one interconnect projecting away from the active surface. The method further includes molding the encapsulant such that at least a portion of the interconnect extends through the encapsulant and into the spacer material. The interconnect can include a contact surface that is substantially co-planar with the active surface of the semiconductor device for providing an electrical connection with the semiconductor device.

Microelectronic devices, stacked microelectronic devices, and methods for manufacturing microelectronic devices are described herein. In one embodiment, a set of stacked microelectronic devices includes (a) a first microelectronic die having a first side and a second side opposite the first side, (b) a first substrate attached to the first side of the first microelectronic die and electrically coupled to the first microelectronic die, (c) a second substrate attached to the second side of the first microelectronic die, (d) a plurality of electrical couplers attached to the second substrate, (e) a third substrate coupled to the electrical couplers, and (f) a second microelectronic die attached to the third substrate. The electrical couplers are positioned such that at least some of the electrical couplers are inboard the first microelectronic die.

Field-effect transistor (FET) stack voltage compensation. In some embodiments, a switching device can include a first terminal and a second terminal, and a plurality of switching elements connected in series between the first and terminal and the second terminal. Each switching element has a parameter that is configured to yield a desired voltage drop profile among the connected switching elements. Such a desired voltage drop profile can be achieved by some or all FETs in a stack having variable dimensions such as variable gate width or variable numbers of fingers associated with the gates.

Packaged microelectronic devices and methods for manufacturing packaged microelectronic devices are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method for forming a microelectronic device includes attaching a microelectronic die to a support member by forming an attachment feature on at least one of a back side of the microelectronic die and the support member. The attachment feature includes a volume of solder material. The method also includes contacting the attachment feature with the other of the microelectronic die and the support member, and reflowing the solder material to join the back side of the die and the support member via the attachment feature. In several embodiments, the attachment feature is not electrically connected to internal active structures of the die.

Stacked microelectronic devices and methods for manufacturing such devices are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a stacked microelectronic device assembly can include a first known good packaged microelectronic device including a first interposer substrate. A first die and a first through-casing interconnects are electrically coupled to the first interposer substrate. A first casing at least partially encapsulates the first device such that a portion of each first interconnect is accessible at a top portion of the first casing. A second known good packaged microelectronic device is coupled to the first device in a stacked configuration. The second device can include a second interposer substrate having a plurality of second interposer pads and a second die electrically coupled to the second interposer substrate. The exposed portions of the first interconnects are electrically coupled to corresponding second interposer pads.

Disclosed herein are systems and method for voltage clamping in semiconductor circuits using through-silicon via (TSV) positioning. A semiconductor die is disclosed that includes a silicon substrate, a bipolar transistor having collector, emitter, base and sub-collector regions disposed on the substrate, and a through-silicon via (TSV) positioned within 35 μm of the sub-collector region in order to clamp a peak voltage of the bipolar transistor at a voltage limit level.

A molded interconnection substrate system in package is achieved comprising a molding compound having redistribution layers therein, at least one first active or passive component mounted on one side of the molded interconnection substrate and embedded in a top molding compound, at least one second active or passive component mounted in a cavity on an opposite side of the molded interconnection substrate wherein electrical connections are made between the at least one first active or passive component and the at least one second active or passive component through the redistribution layers and solder balls mounted in openings in the molded interconnection substrate to the redistribution layers wherein the solder balls provide package output.