A method for forming openings in an underlayer includes: forming a photoresist layer on an underlayer formed on a substrate; exposing the photoresist layer; forming photoresist patterns by developing the exposed photoresist layer, the photoresist patterns covering regions of the underlayer in which the openings are to be formed; forming a liquid layer over the photoresist patterns; after forming the liquid layer, performing a baking process so as to convert the liquid layer to an organic layer in a solid form; performing an etching back process to remove a portion of the organic layer on a level above the photoresist patterns; removing the photoresist patterns, so as to expose portions of the underlayer by the remaining portion of the organic layer; forming the openings in the underlayer by using the remaining portion of the organic layer as an etching mask; and removing the remaining portion of the organic layer.

A semiconductor structure includes a first passivation layer disposed over a metal line, a copper-containing RDL disposed over the first passivation layer, where the copper-containing RDL is electrically coupled to the metal line and where a portion of the copper-containing RDL in contact with a top surface of the first passivation layer forms an acute angle, and a second passivation layer disposed over the copper-containing RDL, where an interface between the second passivation layer and a top surface of the copper-containing RDL is curved. The semiconductor structure may further include a polymeric layer disposed over the second passivation layer, where a portion of the polymeric layer extends to contact the copper-containing RDL, a bump electrically coupled to the copper-containing RDL, and a solder layer disposed over the bump.

A method of selectively etching a metal component of a workpiece further comprising a ferromagnetic insulator component. The method comprises contacting the metal component with an etchant solution. The etchant solution comprises a basic etchant and a solvent. The method is useful in the context of the fabrication of semiconductor-superconductor-ferromagnetic insulator hybrid devices, for example. The etchant solution may not attack the ferromagnetic insulator component. Also provided is a composition for etching a metal, and a kit comprising the composition and a composition for depositing a styrene-acrylate co-polymer on a surface.

Chip sealing structures and methods of manufacture are described. In an embodiment, a chip structure includes a main body area formed of a substrate, a back-end-of-the-line (BEOL) build-up structure spanning over the substrate, and chip edge sidewalls extending from a back surface of the substrate to a top surface of the BEOL build-up structure and laterally surrounding the substrate and the BEOL build-up structure. In accordance with embodiments, the chip structure may further include a conformal sealing layer covering at least a first chip edge sidewall of the chip edge sidewalls and a portion of the top surface of the BEOL build-up structure, and forming a lip around the top surface of the BEOL build-up structure.

A semiconductor device and a process of forming the semiconductor device are disclosed. The semiconductor device type of a high electron mobility transistor (HEMT) has double SiN films on a semiconductor layer, where the first SiN film is formed by the lower pressure chemical vapor deposition (LPCVD) technique, while, the second SiN film is deposited by the plasma assisted CVD (p-CVD) technique. Moreover, the gate electrode has an arrangement of double metals, one of which contains nickel (Ni) as a Schottky metal, while the other is free from Ni and covers the former metal. A feature of the invention is that the first metal is in contact with the semiconductor layer but apart from the second SiN film.

A semiconductor device such as a chip-scale package is provided. Aspects of the present disclosure further relate to a method for manufacturing such a device. According to an aspect of the present disclosure, a semiconductor device is provided that includes a conformal coating arranged on its sidewalls and on the perimeter part of the semiconductor die of the semiconductor device. To prevent the conformal coating from covering unwanted areas, such as electrical terminals, a sacrificial layer is arranged prior to arranging the conformal coating. By removing the sacrificial layer, the conformal coating can be removed locally. The conformal coating covers the perimeter part of the semiconductor die by the semiconductor device, in which part a remainder of a sawing line or dicing street is provided.

Ultra-compact inductor devices for use in integrated circuits (e.g., RF ICs) that use 3-dimensional Dirac materials for providing the inductor. Whereas inductors currently require significant real estate on an integrated circuit, because they require use of an electrically conductive winding around an insulative core, or such metal deposited in a spiral geometry, the present devices can be far more compact, occupying significantly less space on an integrated circuit. For example, an ultra-compact inductor that could be included in an integrated circuit may include a 3-dimensional Dirac material formed into a geometric shape capable of inductance (e.g., as simple as a stripe or series of stripes of such material), deposited on a substantially non-conductive (i.e., insulative) substrate, on which the Dirac material in the selected geometric shape is positioned. Low temperature manufacturing methods compatible with CMOS manufacturing are also provided.

A method for preparing a semiconductor device structure includes forming a target layer over a semiconductor substrate, and forming a first energy-sensitive pattern over the target layer. The method also includes forming a lining layer covering the first energy-sensitive pattern, and forming a second energy-sensitive pattern over the lining layer. The first energy-sensitive pattern and the second energy-sensitive pattern are staggered. The method further includes performing an etching process to form a first opening and a second opening in the target layer. The first opening and the second opening have different depths.

A method for preparing a semiconductor device structure includes forming a target layer over a semiconductor substrate, and forming a first energy-sensitive pattern over the target layer. The method also includes performing an energy treating process to transform an upper portion of the first energy-sensitive pattern into a treated portion, forming a lining layer covering the first energy-sensitive pattern, and forming a second energy-sensitive pattern over the lining layer. The first energy-sensitive pattern and the second energy-sensitive pattern are staggered. The method further includes performing an etching process to form a first opening and a second opening in the target layer. The first opening and the second opening have different depths.

A method for preparing a semiconductor device structure with features at different levels. The method includes forming a target layer over a semiconductor substrate; forming a plurality of first energy-sensitive patterns over the target layer; performing an energy treating process to transform at least a portion of each of the first energy-sensitive patterns into a first treated portion; forming a lining layer conformally covering the first energy-sensitive patterns, wherein a first opening is formed over the lining layer and between the first energy-sensitive patterns; filling the first opening with a second energy-sensitive pattern; and performing an etching process to form a plurality of second openings and a third opening in the target layer, wherein the third opening is between the second openings, and the second openings and the third opening have different depths.