Patent ID: 7482272
Filing Date: 2009-01-27
Classification: H01L,H01S

Abstract:
1. A method of forming an electrically conductive path through a portion of a semiconductor material, wherein the semiconductor material abuts a substrate having a substrate thickness, and wherein the semiconductor material comprises multiple electronic devices, the method comprising: forming an annular trench in the portion of the semiconductor material, wherein the annular trench has a depth sufficient to pass through the semiconductor material and into the substrate by a first amount, and wherein the first amount is less than the substrate thickness, to form an island of semiconductor material within the annular trench; filling the annular trench with an electrically insulating material; removing at least some of the island of semiconductor material to a removal depth, wherein the removal depth is sufficient to extend into the substrate by a second amount, and wherein an inner surface of the electrically insulating material is exposed; metalizing at least a portion of the exposed inner surface of the electrically insulating material with a material so that the material extends along the inner surface from at least an outer surface of the semiconductor material to a location within the substrate; and thinning an outer surface side of the substrate until at least the material from the metalizing is exposed on the outer surface side of the substrate.