IP Library Granted Patent US 8,378,433
Granted Patent B2
US 8,378,433 · App. 13/160,137 · Granted Feb 19, 2013

Semiconductor device with a controlled cavity and method of formation

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,378,433
App. No.
13/160,137
Granted
Feb 19, 2013
Kind
B2
Abstract

A semiconductor device includes a first cap wafer having a first opening extending through the first cap wafer, and a second cap wafer bonded to the first cap wafer, wherein the second cap wafer has a second opening extending through the second cap wafer, and wherein the first opening is misaligned with respect to the second opening. The second cap wafer is bonded to a device wafer, wherein a cavity is formed between the device wafer and the second cap wafer, and wherein the device wafer comprises at least one semiconductor device in the cavity. A vacuum sealing layer is formed over the first cap wafer, wherein the sealing layer vacuum seals the first opening.

Claims (33)

1. A semiconductor device comprising:

a first cap wafer having a first opening extending through the first cap wafer, and a second cap wafer bonded to the first cap wafer, wherein the second cap wafer has a second opening extending through the second cap wafer, wherein the first opening is misaligned with respect to the second opening;

a cavity between a device wafer and the second cap wafer, and wherein the device wafer comprises at least one semiconductor device exposed to the cavity; and

a sealing layer over the first cap wafer, wherein the sealing layer vacuum seals the first opening.

2. The semiconductor device of claim 1 , wherein the first cap wafer has a first major surface and a second major surface opposite the first major surface, and the second cap wafer has a first major surface and a second major surface opposite the first major surface, wherein the second major surface of the first cap wafer is between the first major surface of the first cap wafer and the first major surface of the second cap wafer, and the first major surface of the second cap wafer is between the second major surface of the first cap wafer and the second major surface of the second cap wafer, and wherein second major surface of the first cap wafer is bonded to the first major surface of the second cap wafer.

3. The semiconductor device of claim 2 , wherein the second major surface of the first cap wafer is bonded to the first major surface of the second cap wafer with a bonding layer and wherein the second major surface of the first cap wafer is spaced apart from the first major surface of the second cap wafer such that a vent path is present from the first opening to the second opening, between the second major surface of the first cap wafer and the first major surface of the second cap wafer.

4. The semiconductor device of claim 2 , wherein at least one of the second major surface of the first cap wafer or the first major surface of the second cap wafer includes a trench such that a vent path is present from the first opening to the second opening via the trench.

5. The semiconductor device of claim 4 , wherein the first cap wafer and the second cap wafer are laminated together.

6. The semiconductor device of claim 1 , wherein the first cap wafer comprises a first plurality of openings, each extending through the first cap wafer, wherein the first plurality of openings comprises the first opening, and the second cap wafer comprises a second plurality of openings, each extending through the second cap wafer, wherein the second plurality of openings comprises the second opening.

7. The semiconductor device of claim 6 , wherein each opening of the first plurality of openings is misaligned with respect to each opening of the second plurality of openings.

8. The semiconductor device of claim 7 , wherein the sealing layer seals each opening of the first plurality of openings.

9. The semiconductor device of claim 1 , wherein the semiconductor device comprises a micro-electro-mechanical (MEM) device.

10. The semiconductor device of claim 1 , wherein the sealing layer is formed within the first opening.

11. A semiconductor device comprising:

a first cap wafer having one or more openings extending through the first cap wafer, and a second cap wafer bonded to the first cap wafer, wherein the second cap wafer has one or more openings extending through the second cap wafer, wherein each of the one or more openings in the first cap wafer is misaligned with respect to each of the one or more openings in the second cap wafer;

the second cap wafer is bonded to a device wafer, wherein a cavity is formed between the device wafer and the second cap wafer, wherein a vent path is present from the cavity through the one or more openings in the second cap wafer and through the one or more openings in the first cap wafer, and wherein the device wafer comprises at least one semiconductor device within the cavity; and

a sealing layer over the first cap wafer, wherein the sealing layer seals each opening of the one or more openings in the first cap wafer, and wherein the first cap wafer is located between the sealing layer and the second cap wafer.

12. The semiconductor device of claim 11 , wherein the first cap wafer is spaced apart from the second cap wafer, and wherein the vent path is present from the cavity through the one or more openings extending through the first cap wafer, between the first cap wafer and the second cap wafer, and through the one or more openings extending through the second cap wafer.

13. The semiconductor device of claim 11 , wherein at least one of the first cap wafer or the second cap wafer includes a trench, and wherein the vent path is present from the cavity through the one or more opening extending through the first cap wafer, through the trench, and through the one or more openings extending through the second cap wafer.

14. The semiconductor device of claim 13 , wherein the first cap wafer and the second cap wafer are laminated together.

15. The semiconductor device of claim 11 , wherein the semiconductor device comprises a MEM device.

16. The semiconductor device of claim 11 , wherein the sealing layer is formed within the one or more openings in the first cap wafer.

17. The semiconductor device of claim 11 , wherein the device wafer, the first cap wafer, and the second cap wafer are singulated from one another.

18. A semiconductor device, comprising:

a first cap layer having one or more openings extending through the first cap layer;

a second cap layer bonded to the first cap layer, the second cap layer having one or more openings extending through the second cap layer, wherein each of the one or more openings in the first cap layer are misaligned with respect to each of the one or more openings in the second cap layer;

a sealing layer over the first cap layer, wherein the first cap layer is located between the sealing layer and the second cap layer, and wherein the sealing layer seals each of the one or more openings in the first cap layer;

a device layer bonded to the second cap layer and comprising a MEM device; and

a vacuum cavity between the device layer and the second cap layer, wherein the MEM device is in the vacuum cavity.

19. The semiconductor device of claim 18 , further comprising:

a vent path from a first opening of the one or more openings in the second cap layer to a second opening of the one or more openings in the first cap layer, the vent path located between the second cap layer and the first cap layer.

20. The semiconductor device of claim 18 , further comprising:

a vent path from a first opening of the one or more openings in the second cap layer to a second opening of the one or more openings in the first cap layer, the vent path located in at least one of the first cap layer or the second cap layer.

Assignments (30)
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE REMOVE APPLICATION 11759915 AND REPLACE IT WITH APPLICATION 11759935 PREVIOUSLY RECORDED ON REEL 040925 FRAME 0001. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST. Recorded Feb 17, 2020
From: MORGAN STANLEY SENIOR FUNDING, INC.
To: NXP, B.V. F/K/A FREESCALE SEMICONDUCTOR, INC.
Reel/Frame 052917/0001 →
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE REMOVE APPLICATION 11759915 AND REPLACE IT WITH APPLICATION 11759935 PREVIOUSLY RECORDED ON REEL 040928 FRAME 0001. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST. Recorded Jan 17, 2020
From: MORGAN STANLEY SENIOR FUNDING, INC.
To: NXP B.V.
Reel/Frame 052915/0001 →
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE REMOVE APPLICATION 11759915 AND REPLACE IT WITH APPLICATION 11759935 PREVIOUSLY RECORDED ON REEL 037486 FRAME 0517. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE ASSIGNMENT AND ASSUMPTION OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENTS. Recorded Dec 10, 2019
From: CITIBANK, N.A.
To: MORGAN STANLEY SENIOR FUNDING, INC.
Reel/Frame 053547/0421 →
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE REMOVE APPLICATION 12298143 PREVIOUSLY RECORDED ON REEL 042762 FRAME 0145. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE SECURITY AGREEMENT SUPPLEMENT. Recorded Oct 22, 2019
From: NXP B.V.
To: MORGAN STANLEY SENIOR FUNDING, INC.
Reel/Frame 051145/0184 →
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE REMOVE APPLICATION 12298143 PREVIOUSLY RECORDED ON REEL 038017 FRAME 0058. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE SECURITY AGREEMENT SUPPLEMENT. Recorded Oct 22, 2019
From: NXP B.V.
To: MORGAN STANLEY SENIOR FUNDING, INC.
Reel/Frame 051030/0001 →
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE REMOVE APPLICATION 12298143 PREVIOUSLY RECORDED ON REEL 042985 FRAME 0001. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE SECURITY AGREEMENT SUPPLEMENT. Recorded Oct 22, 2019
From: NXP B.V.
To: MORGAN STANLEY SENIOR FUNDING, INC.
Reel/Frame 051029/0001 →
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE REMOVE APPLICATION 12298143 PREVIOUSLY RECORDED ON REEL 039361 FRAME 0212. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE SECURITY AGREEMENT SUPPLEMENT. Recorded Oct 22, 2019
From: NXP B.V.
To: MORGAN STANLEY SENIOR FUNDING, INC.
Reel/Frame 051029/0387 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Sep 10, 2019
From: MORGAN STANLEY SENIOR FUNDING, INC.
To: NXP B.V.
Reel/Frame 050745/0001 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Sep 10, 2019
From: MORGAN STANLEY SENIOR FUNDING, INC.
To: NXP B.V.
Reel/Frame 050744/0097 →
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE TO CORRECT THE APPLICATION NO. FROM 13,883,290 TO 13,833,290 PREVIOUSLY RECORDED ON REEL 041703 FRAME 0536. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE THE ASSIGNMENT AND ASSUMPTION OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENTS.. Recorded Feb 20, 2019
From: MORGAN STANLEY SENIOR FUNDING, INC.
To: SHENZHEN XINGUODU TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
Reel/Frame 048734/0001 →
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE NATURE OF CONVEYANCE PREVIOUSLY RECORDED AT REEL: 040632 FRAME: 0001. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE MERGER AND CHANGE OF NAME. Recorded Sep 21, 2017
From: FREESCALE SEMICONDUCTOR INC.
To: NXP USA, INC.
Reel/Frame 044209/0047 →
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE REMOVE APPLICATION 12681366 PREVIOUSLY RECORDED ON REEL 038017 FRAME 0058. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE SECURITY AGREEMENT SUPPLEMENT. Recorded May 9, 2017
From: NXP B.V.
To: MORGAN STANLEY SENIOR FUNDING, INC.
Reel/Frame 042985/0001 →
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE REMOVE APPLICATION 12681366 PREVIOUSLY RECORDED ON REEL 039361 FRAME 0212. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE SECURITY AGREEMENT SUPPLEMENT. Recorded May 9, 2017
From: NXP B.V.
To: MORGAN STANLEY SENIOR FUNDING, INC.
Reel/Frame 042762/0145 →
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE REMOVE PATENTS 8108266 AND 8062324 AND REPLACE THEM WITH 6108266 AND 8060324 PREVIOUSLY RECORDED ON REEL 037518 FRAME 0292. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE ASSIGNMENT AND ASSUMPTION OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENTS. Recorded Feb 1, 2017
From: CITIBANK, N.A.
To: MORGAN STANLEY SENIOR FUNDING, INC.
Reel/Frame 041703/0536 →
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Nov 8, 2016
From: FREESCALE SEMICONDUCTOR, INC.
To: NXP USA, INC.
Reel/Frame 040632/0001 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Nov 7, 2016
From: MORGAN STANLEY SENIOR FUNDING, INC.
To: NXP B.V.
Reel/Frame 040928/0001 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Sep 21, 2016
From: MORGAN STANLEY SENIOR FUNDING, INC.
To: NXP, B.V., F/K/A FREESCALE SEMICONDUCTOR, INC.
Reel/Frame 040925/0001 →
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE REMOVE APPLICATION 12092129 PREVIOUSLY RECORDED ON REEL 038017 FRAME 0058. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE SECURITY AGREEMENT SUPPLEMENT. Recorded Jul 14, 2016
From: NXP B.V.
To: MORGAN STANLEY SENIOR FUNDING, INC.
Reel/Frame 039361/0212 →
SUPPLEMENT TO THE SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Jun 16, 2016
From: FREESCALE SEMICONDUCTOR, INC.
To: MORGAN STANLEY SENIOR FUNDING, INC.
Reel/Frame 039138/0001 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT SUPPLEMENT Recorded Mar 7, 2016
From: NXP B.V.
To: MORGAN STANLEY SENIOR FUNDING, INC.
Reel/Frame 038017/0058 →
ASSIGNMENT AND ASSUMPTION OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENTS Recorded Jan 13, 2016
From: CITIBANK, N.A.
To: MORGAN STANLEY SENIOR FUNDING, INC.
Reel/Frame 037518/0292 →
ASSIGNMENT AND ASSUMPTION OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENTS Recorded Jan 12, 2016
From: CITIBANK, N.A.
To: MORGAN STANLEY SENIOR FUNDING, INC.
Reel/Frame 037486/0517 →
PATENT RELEASE Recorded Dec 21, 2015
From: CITIBANK, N.A., AS COLLATERAL AGENT
To: FREESCALE SEMICONDUCTOR, INC.
Reel/Frame 037357/0334 →
PATENT RELEASE Recorded Dec 21, 2015
From: CITIBANK, N.A., AS COLLATERAL AGENT
To: FREESCALE SEMICONDUCTOR, INC.
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PATENT RELEASE Recorded Dec 21, 2015
From: CITIBANK, N.A., AS COLLATERAL AGENT
To: FREESCALE SEMICONDUCTOR, INC.
Reel/Frame 037357/0387 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Nov 6, 2013
From: FREESCALE SEMICONDUCTOR, INC.
To: CITIBANK, N.A., AS NOTES COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 031591/0266 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Jun 18, 2013
From: FREESCALE SEMICONDUCTOR, INC.
To: CITIBANK, N.A., AS NOTES COLLATERAL AGENT
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SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Jan 31, 2012
From: FREESCALE SEMICONDUCTOR, INC.
To: CITIBANK, N.A., AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 027622/0477 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Jan 31, 2012
From: FREESCALE SEMICONDUCTOR, INC.
To: CITIBANK, N.A., AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 027622/0075 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Jan 31, 2012
From: FREESCALE SEMICONDUCTOR, INC.
To: CITIBANK, N.A., AS COLLATERAL AGENT
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