Patent Abstract:
A semiconductor die including strain relief for through substrate vias (TSVs). The semiconductor die includes a semiconductor substrate having an active face. The semiconductor substrate includes conductive layers connected to the active face, The semiconductor die also includes a through substrate via extending only through the substrate. The through substrate via may include a substantially constant diameter through a length of the through substrate via. The through substrate via may be filled with a conductive filler material. The semiconductor die also includes an isolation layer surrounding the through substrate via. The isolation layer may include two portions: a recessed portion near the active face of the substrate capable of relieving stress from the conductive filler material, and a dielectric portion. A composition of the recessed portion may differ from the dielectric portion.

Full Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0001]    The present disclosure generally relates to integrated circuits (ICs). More specifically, the present disclosure relates to strain relief for through substrate vias (ISVs). 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    When a TSV (through substrate via) is filled with a material that has a coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) mismatch relative to its substrate (e.g., silicon), the TSV incurs high compressive stress. In particular, the compressive stress may be transmitted through the surrounding substrate to neighboring devices. The transferred. compressive stress may cause a shift in the parameters of the devices that surround the TSV. 
         [0003]    Conventional techniques for addressing compressive stress include a “Keep-Out Region” surrounding the TSV. The Keep-Out Region defines an area surrounding the TSV in which sensitive devices cannot be placed. Unfortunately, a Keep-Out Region results in a circuit layout area penalty. For example, a Keep-Out Region can be as large as five to ten micro-meters (5-1.0 um) in radius, depending on the particular device sensitivity. 
         [0004]    Copper is an example of a material that has a CTE mismatch to silicon. When a TSV confined by silicon is thermal cycled, the copper filling material within the TSVs may expand upwardly and out of the TSV. The pumping of the copper upwardly and out of the ISV may disrupt any circuits near the TSV. Although described with reference to copper, the expansion of any filling material that has a CTE mismatch with respect to its substrate, when used to fill a TSV, causes the above-noted problems. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0005]    According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a semiconductor die including strain relief for through substrate vias (TSVs) is described. The semiconductor die includes a semiconductor substrate having an active face. The semiconductor substrate includes conductive layers connected to the active face. The semiconductor die also includes a through substrate via extending only through the substrate. In one configuration, the through substrate via includes a substantially constant diameter through a length of the through substrate via. The through substrate via may be filled with a conductive filler material. The semiconductor die also includes an isolation layer surrounding the through substrate via. In this configuration, the isolation layer includes two portions: a recessed portion near the active face of the substrate capable of relieving stress from the conductive filler material, and a dielectric portion. A composition of the recessed portion may differ from the dielectric portion. 
         [0006]    In a further aspect of the disclosure, a method. for strain relief of through substrate vias (TSVs) is described. The method includes defining a through substrate via cavity in a substrate, The method also includes depositing an isolation layer in the cavity. The method further includes filling the cavity with a conductive material. The method. also includes removing a portion of the isolation layer to create a recessed portion. 
         [0007]    In another aspect of the disclosure, a semiconductor die including means for providing strain relief of through substrate vias (TSVs) is described. The semiconductor die includes a semiconductor substrate. The semiconductor die also includes a through substrate via extending only through the substrate. In one configuration, the through substrate via includes a substantially constant diameter through a length of the through substrate via. The through substrate via may be filled with a conductive filler material. The semiconductor die also includes means for relieving stress from the conductive filler material 
         [0008]    In a further aspect of the disclosure, a method for a method for strain relief of through substrate vias (TSVs) is described. The method includes the step of defining a through substrate via cavity in a substrate. The method also includes the step of depositing an isolation layer in the cavity. The method further includes the step of filling the cavity with a conductive material. The method also includes the step of removing a portion of the isolation layer to create a recessed portion. 
         [0009]    Additional features and advantages of the disclosure will be described below. It should. be appreciated by those skilled in the art that this disclosure may be readily utilized as a basis for modifying or designing other structures for carrying out the same purposes of the present disclosure. It should also be realized by those skilled in the art that such equivalent constructions do not depart from the teachings of the disclosure as set forth in the appended claims. The novel features, which are believed to be characteristic of the disclosure, both as to its organization and method of operation, together with further advantages, will be better understood from the following description when considered in connection with the accompanying figures. It is to be expressly understood, however, that each of the figures is provided for the purpose of illustration and description only and is not intended as a definition of the limits of the present disclosure. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0010]    For a more complete understanding of the present disclosure, reference is now made to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 
           [0011]      FIG. 1  shows a cross-sectional view illustrating an integrated circuit (IC) device including active devices according to one aspect of the disclosure. 
           [0012]      FIG. 2  shows a cross-sectional view illustrating the IC device of  FIG. 1 , including a photo resist layer to provide an increased size opening for a through substrate via (TSV) according to one aspect of the disclosure. 
           [0013]      FIG. 3  shows a cross-sectional view illustrating the IC device of  FIG. 2 , including a liner isolation layer according to one aspect of the disclosure. 
           [0014]      FIG. 4  shows a cross-sectional view of the IC device of  FIG. 3 , illustrating a through substrate via (TSV) surrounded by the liner isolation layer according to one aspect of the disclosure. 
           [0015]      FIG. 5  shows a cross-sectional view illustrating the IC device of  FIG. 4 , including an isolation recess formed within the liner isolation layer according to one aspect of the disclosure. 
           [0016]      FIG. 6  shows a cross-sectional view illustrating the IC device of  FIG. 5 , including an isolation recess and the liner isolation layer formed on a sidewall of a TSV cavity according to one aspect of the disclosure. 
           [0017]      FIG. 7  shows a cross-sectional view illustrating the IC device of  FIG. 6 , following a back-end of line (BEOL) stack fabrication according to one aspect of the disclosure. 
           [0018]      FIG. 8  shows a cross-sectional view illustrating the IC device of  FIG. 7 , including a through substrate via having a liner isolation layer and a back-fill material within a side-wall isolation recess according to one aspect of the disclosure. 
           [0019]      FIG. 9  shows a cross-sectional view illustrating the IC device of  FIG. 1 , illustrating first and second liner isolation layers according to one aspect of the disclosure. 
           [0020]      FIG. 10  shows a cross-sectional view illustrating the IC device of  FIG. 9 , illustrating a through substrate via (TSV) surrounded by the first and second liner isolation layers according to one aspect of the disclosure. 
           [0021]      FIG. 11  shows a cross-sectional vie illustrating the IC device of  FIG. 10 , including an isolation recess formed within the second liner isolation layer according to one aspect of the disclosure. 
           [0022]      FIG. 12  shows a cross-sectional view illustrating the IC device of  FIG. 11 , following a back-end of line (BEOL) stack fabrication according to one aspect of the disclosure. 
           [0023]      FIG. 13  shows a cross-sectional view illustrating the IC device of  FIG. 12 , including a back-fill material within an isolation recess of a multi-layer liner isolation according to one aspect of the disclosure. 
           [0024]      FIG. 14  shows a cross-sectional view illustrating an IC device of  FIG. 9 , including a through substrate via (TSV) surrounded by the first, second, and third liner isolation layers according to one aspect of the disclosure. 
           [0025]      FIG. 15  shows a cross-sectional view illustrating the IC device of  FIG. 14 , including an isolation recess formed within the second liner isolation layer according to one aspect of the disclosure. 
           [0026]      FIG. 16  shows a cross-sectional view illustrating the IC device of  FIG. 15 , following a back-end of line (BEOL) stack fabrication according to one aspect of the disclosure. 
           [0027]      FIG. 17  shows a cross-sectional view illustrating the IC device of  FIG. 16 , including a back-fill material within an isolation recess of a multi-layer liner isolation according to one aspect of the disclosure. 
           [0028]      FIG. 18  is a block diagram illustrating a method for forming a through substrate vias (TSVs) including one or more liner isolation layers and an isolation recess on a sidewall of the TSV, according to one aspect of the disclosure. 
           [0029]      FIG. 19  is a block diagram showing a wireless communication system in which a configuration of the disclosure may be advantageously employed. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0030]    Various aspects of the disclosure provide techniques to mitigate problems relating to the impact of TSV (through substrate via) stress on neighboring devices. According to one aspect of the disclosure, a liner isolation film is described that separates a conductive portion of a through substrate via (TSV) from a substrate (e.g., silicon) layer. In one configuration, a liner isolation layer is recessed around the TSV to a depth in the range of a few microns. In another configuration, the isolation recess void is back-filed with a compliant material. Example compliant materials include, but are not limited to, polyimide and. other like compliant materials. in a another aspect of the disclosure, following the TSV formation process, back-end of line (BEOL) interconnect layers are fabricated on the wafer to complete an IC device. 
         [0031]    Advantageously, the recess opened up between the TSV and the substrate layer allows for strain relief of the TSV and. reduces the strain transmitted to the neighboring devices within the substrate. Likewise, by allowing a pathway for the TSV fill material to expand into a recess cavity, filler material pump-out can be reduced. Varying a composition of the liner isolation layer provides different advantages. Back-filling the recess with a compliant material may provide similar advantages with a more robust integration scheme. 
         [0032]      FIG. 1  shows a cross-sectional view illustrating an integrated circuit (IC) device  100  including active devices  112 - 116  according to one aspect of the disclosure. Representatively, the IC device  100  includes a substrate e.g., a silicon wafer)  102  including a shallow trench isolation (STI) region  130 . In this configuration, the STI region  130  is a semi-metallic or other like material. Above the STI region  130  is an inter-layer dielectric (ILD) layer  120  including a front-end of line (FEOL) interconnect layer  110 , The TED  120  may include active devices  112 - 116  and conducive wires (e.g., vias)  1 . 21 - 128 . In this configuration, the  - FM layer  120  is a contact ILD formed of a silicon oxide or other like material for preventing shorting between the conductive wires  121 - 128 , In an alternative configuration, the HD layer  120  is a low-K dielectric or other like material. 
         [0033]      FIG. 2  shows a cross-sectional view illustrating the IC device  200  of  FIG. 1 , including a photo resist layer  234  to provided an increased size TSV cavity  236  (e.g., fifty microns) for one or more isolation layers and a TSV (through-substrate via) according to one aspect of the disclosure. As shown in  FIG. 2 , after depositing the polish stop layer  132  on a surface of the ILD layer  120 , lithography defines a TSV (through-substrate via) cavity  236  that is slightly larger than an actual, final TSV (see  FIGS. 4-8 ). In this configuration, a size of the TSV is on the order of 0.25-0.5 micro-meters (μm). The polish stop layer  132  may be formed of a silicon carbide, silicon nitride, or other like protective material. 
         [0034]      FIG. 3  shows a cross-sectional view illustrating the IC device  300  of  FIG. 2 , with a liner isolation layer  340  according to one aspect of the disclosure. In this configuration, an etch and/or lithographic process etches through the ILD layer  120 , the STI region  130 , and the silicon wafer  102 . After the etch is complete, a liner isolation deposition forms the liner isolation layer  340  onto the polish stop layer  132  and the sidewalls of the TSV cavity  236 . The liner isolation layer  340  may be formed with a layer of unfluorinated silica glass (USG), tetraethyl orthosilicate (TEOS), oxide, silicon nitride, or other like precursor for forming an oxide film, The liner isolation layer  340  may also be formed with a layer of organic material such as an organic insulator. The liner isolation layer  340  may have a thickness of one-quarter micron. 
         [0035]      FIG. 4  shows a cross-sectional view illustrating the IC device  400  of  FIG. 3 , including a through substrate via (TSV)  450  surrounded by the liner isolation layer  340  according to one aspect of the disclosure. As shown in  FIG. 4 , a TSV fill and polish process is performed to fill the TSV cavity with a filler material for forming the TSV  450 , which is surrounded by the liner isolation layer  340 . in the illustrated example, the filler material is copper, The liner isolation layer  340  prevents the filler material within the TSV  450  from contacting the silicon wafer  102 , The filler material may include, but is not limited to, copper, tungsten, or other like filler material having a coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) mismatch relative to the substrate material, which in this example is silicon. As shown in  FIG. 4 , compressive stress  452  may affect the active devices  112 - 116  within the MD layer  120 , and/or the silicon wafer  102 . 
         [0036]      FIG. 5  shows a cross-sectional view illustrating the IC device  500  of  FIG. 4 , including an isolation recess  542  formed within the liner isolation layer  440  according to one aspect of the disclosure, As shown in  FIG. 5 , a chemically selective etch of the liner isolation layer  440  is performed. Representatively, the chemically selective etch removes the polish stop layer  132  that is over the liner isolation layer  440  and forms the isolation recess  542  to a depth of one to two microns, In one aspect of the disclosure, the depth of the isolation recess is based on how deep the devices (e.g., the active devices  112   116 ) extend into the silicon wafer  102 , which may be determined according to the transistor technology. As shown in  FIG. 5 , the chemically selective etch process causes the formation of the isolation recess  542  for providing stress relief for the filler material of the TSV  450 . 
         [0037]      FIG. 6  shows a cross-sectional view illustrating the IC device  600  of  FIG. 5 , including an isolation recess  542  and the liner isolation layer  440  formed on a sidewall of the TSV  450  according to one aspect of the disclosure, Representatively, a polish stop removal is performed to remove the polish stop layer  132  in preparation for the formation of a back-end of line interconnect stack, as shown in  FIG. 7 . 
         [0038]      FIG. 7  shows a cross-sectional view illustrating the IC device  700  including of  FIG. 6 , following a back-end of line (BUM) stack fabrication according to one aspect of the disclosure, Representatively, after TSV processing is complete, BEOL interconnect layers of the BEOL interconnect stack  790  are fabricated on the wafer  102  to complete the formation of the IC device  700 . In this configuration, the isolation recess  542  provides strain relief for the TSV filler material to reduce and/or prevent the filler material from being pumped upwards and out of the TSV. 
         [0039]      FIG. 8  shows a cross-sectional view illustrating the IC device  800  of  FIG. 7 , including a TSV  450  having a liner isolation layer  440  and a compliant back-fill material  860  within a side-wall isolation recess  542  according to one aspect of the disclosure. In this aspect of the disclosure, the compliant back-fill material  860  may be a polyimide or other like material. In this configuration, the compliant back-fill material  860  absorbs compressive stress  554  from the TSV  450  and/or the surrounding devices. 
         [0040]      FIG. 9  shows a cross-sectional view illustrating the IC device  900  of  FIG. 1 , with a first liner isolation layer  940  and a second liner isolation layer  970  according to one aspect of the disclosure, In one configuration, the first liner isolation layer  940  and the second liner isolation layer  970  are chemically distinct. Representatively,  FIG. 9  illustrates a variation of the liner isolation deposition in which a multi-layer liner isolation is formed onto the polish stop layer  132  and the sidewalls of the TSV cavity  936 . In this configuration, the multi-liner isolation layers may include an oxide, a nitride or other like dielectric material. 
         [0041]      FIG. 10  shows a cross-sectional view illustrating the IC device  1000  of  FIG. 9 , with a through substrate via (TSV)  950  surrounded by the first liner isolation layer  940  and the second liner isolation layer  970  according to one aspect of the disclosure. As shown in  FIG. 10 , TSV fill and polish processes provide the TSV  950  including a multi-layer liner isolation ( 940 ,  970 ) on the TSV sidewalls. As shown in  FIG. 10 , the arrows  1052  illustrate compressive stress caused by the copper filled TSV  950 . 
         [0042]      FIG. 11  shows a cross-sectional view illustrating the IC device  1100  of  FIG. 10 , including an isolation recess  1172  formed within the second liner isolation layer  970  according to one aspect of the disclosure. Representatively, a liner isolation recess etch is performed. In this configuration, the liner isolation recess etch is a chemically selective. etch that only removes a portion of one of the two liner isolation layers  940 / 970 . As shown in  FIG. 11 , the isolation recess  1172  may provide an additional isolation barrier between the TSV filler material and the silicon of the wafer  102 . 
         [0043]      FIG. 12  shows a cross-sectional view illustrating the IC device  1200  of  FIG. 11 , following a back-end of line (BEOL) stack fabrication according to one aspect of the disclosure. Representatively, after TSV processing is complete, BEOL interconnect layers of a BEOL interconnect stack  1290  are fabricated on the silicon wafer  102  to complete the formation of the IC device  1200 . In this configuration, the isolation recess  1172  provides strain relief for the TSV filler material to reduce and/or prevent the filler material from being pumped upwards and. out of the TSV  950 . 
         [0044]      FIG. 13  shows a cross-sectional view illustrating the IC device  1300  of  FIG. 12 , including a compliant back-fill material  1360  within an isolation recess of a multi-layer liner isolation ( 940 ,  970 ) according to one aspect of the disclosure. As shown in  FIG. 13 , the TSV  950  includes a first liner isolation layer  940 , a second liner isolation layer  970 , and a compliant back-fill material  1360  within a side-wall isolation recess  1142  according to one aspect of the disclosure. In this aspect of the disclosure, the compliant back-fill material may be a polyimide or other like material. In this configuration, the compliant back-fill material  1360  absorbs compressive stress  1054  from the TSV  950  and/or the surrounding devices. 
         [0045]      FIG. 14  shows a cross-sectional view illustrating the IC device  1400  of  FIG. 9 , including a through substrate via (TSV)  1450  surrounded by first, second, and third liner isolation layers ( 1440 ,  1470 ,  1480 ) according to one aspect of the disclosure. In one configuration, the first liner isolation layer  1440 , the second. liner isolation layer  1470 , and the third liner isolation layer  1480  are chemically distinct. Representatively,  FIG. 14  illustrates a variation of the liner isolation deposition in which a multi-layer liner isolation is formed onto the polish stop layer  132  and the sidewalls of the TSV cavity  1450 . As shown in  FIG. 14 , the arrows  1452  illustrate compressive stress caused by a copper filled TSV  1450 . In this configuration, the multi-liner isolation layers may include an oxide, a nitride or other like dielectric material. 
         [0046]      FIG. 15  shows a cross-sectional view illustrating the IC device  1500  of  FIG. 14 , including an isolation recess  1582  formed within the second liner isolation layer  1470  according to one aspect of the disclosure. Representatively, a liner isolation recess etch is performed, In this configuration, the liner isolation recess etch is a chemically selective etch that only removes a portion of one of the three liner isolation layers  1440 / 1470 / 1480 . As shown in  FIG. 15 , the isolation recess  1582  may provide an additional isolation barrier between the TSV filler material and the material of the wafer  102 . 
         [0047]      FIG. 16  shows a cross-sectional view illustrating the IC device  1600  of  FIG. 15 , following a back-end of line (BEOL) stack fabrication according to one aspect of the disclosure. Representatively, after TSV processing is complete, BEOL interconnect layers of a BEOL interconnect stack  1690  are fabricated on the wafer  102  to complete the formation of the IC device  1600 . In this configuration, the isolation recess  1582  provides strain relief for the TSV filler material to reduce and/or prevent the filler material from being pumped upwards and out of the TSV  1450 . 
         [0048]      FIG. 17  shows a cross-sectional view illustrating the IC device  1700  of  FIG. 16 , including a compliant back-fill material  1760  within an isolation recess of a multi-layer liner isolation ( 1440 ,  1470 ,  1480 ) according to one aspect of the disclosure. As shown in  FIG. 17 , a TSV  1450  includes a first liner isolation layer  1440 , a second liner isolation layer  1 . 470 , a third liner isolation layer  1480 , and a compliant back-fill material  1760  within a side-wall isolation recess  1582  ( FIG. 16 ) according to one aspect of the disclosure. In this aspect of the disclosure, the compliant back-fill material  1760  may be a polyimide or other like material. In this configuration, the compliant back-fill material  1760  absorbs compressive stress  1454  from the TSV  1450  and/or the surrounding devices. 
         [0049]      FIG. 18  is a block diagram illustrating a method  1800  for forming a through substrate via (TSV) including one or more liner isolation layers and an isolation recess on a sidewall of the TSV, according to one aspect of the disclosure. At block  1810 , a TSV cavity  236 / 936  is defined through a substrate, for example, as shown in  FIGS. 2 ,  3 , and  9 , Although the present description has been primarily with respect to a silicon substrate, other substrate materials are also contemplated. At block  1812 , a liner isolation layer is deposited in the TSV cavity and on a polish stop layer. for example, as shown in  FIGS. 3 ,  9 , and  14 . At block  1814 , the through substrate via  450 / 1050 / 1450  is filled with a conductive material, for example, as shown in  FIGS. 4 ,  10 , and  14 . Although the present description has been primarily with respect to a copper filler, other filler materials are also contemplated. At block  1816 , the liner isolation layer is etched to create a recessed portion. For example, as shown in  FIGS. 5 ,  11  and  15 , etching of the liner isolation layer leaves a liner isolation recess  542 / 1172 / 1582  on a sidewall of the TSV  450 / 950 / 1450 . 
         [0050]      FIG. 19  is a block diagram showing an exemplary wireless communication system  1900  in which a configuration of the disclosure may be advantageously employed. For purposes of illustration,  FIG. 19  shows three remote units  1920 ,  1930 , and  1950  and two base stations  1940 . It will be recognized that wireless communication systems may have many more remote units and base stations. Remote units  1920 ,  1930 , and  1950  include IC devices  1925 A,  1925 C and  1925 B, that include the disclosed through substrate via (TSV) surrounded by a liner isolation layer, It will be recognized that any device containing an IC may also include a TSV surrounded by the liner isolation layer disclosed here, including the base stations, switching devices, and network equipment.  FIG. 19  shows forward link signals  1980  from the base station  1940  to the remote units  1920 ,  1930 , and  1950  and reverse link signals  1990  from the remote units  1920 ,  1930 , and  1950  to base stations  1940 . 
         [0051]    In  FIG. 19 , remote unit  1920  is shown as a mobile telephone, remote unit  1930  is shown as a portable computer, and remote unit  1950  is shown as a fixed location remote unit in a wireless local loop system. For example, the remote units may be mobile phones, hand-held personal communication systems (PCS) units, portable data units such as personal data assistants, GPS enabled devices, navigation devices, set top boxes, music players, video players, entertainment units, fixed location data units such as meter reading equipment, or any other device that stores or retrieves data or computer instructions, or any combination thereof. Although  FIG. 19  illustrates remote units according to the teachings of the disclosure, the disclosure is not limited to these exemplary illustrated units. Aspects of the present disclosure may be suitably employed in any device which includes a TSV surrounded by a isolation layer. 
         [0052]    For a firmware and/or software implementation, the methodologies may be implemented with modules (e.g., procedures, functions, and so on) that perform the functions described herein. Any machine-readable medium tangibly embodying instructions may be used in implementing the methodologies described herein. For example, software codes may be stored in a memory and executed by a processor unit. Memory may be implemented within the processor unit or external to the processor unit, As used herein the term “memory” refers to any type of long term, short term, volatile, nonvolatile, or other memory and is not to be limited to any particular type of memory or number of memories, or type of media upon which memory is stored. 
         [0053]    Although the present disclosure and its advantages have been described in detail, it should be understood that various changes, substitutions and alterations can be made herein without departing from the technology of the disclosure as defined by the appended claims. For example, relational terms, such as “above” and “below” are used with respect to a substrate or electronic device. Of course, if the substrate or electronic device is inverted, above becomes below, and vice versa. Additionally, if oriented sideways, above and below may refer to sides of a substrate or electronic device, Moreover, the scope of the present application is not intended to be limited to the particular embodiments of the process, machine, manufacture, composition of matter, means, methods and steps described in the specification. As one of ordinary skill in the art will readily appreciate from the disclosure, processes, machines, manufacture, compositions of matter, means, methods, or steps, presently existing or later to be developed, that perform substantially the same function or achieve substantially the same result as the corresponding embodiments described herein may be utilized according to the present disclosure. Accordingly, the appended claims are intended to include within their scope such processes, machines, manufacture, compositions of matter, means, methods, or steps.

Technology Classification (CPC): 7