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SamsungGranted patentChips & hardwareInterest 3/10

Samsung patents chip design with a specific metal connection structure

Samsung has been granted a patent for a specific way to build the tiny connections inside computer chips. The design uses a metal pillar to link two layers of wiring, surrounded by a protective barrier layer that extends slightly above the top wire.

Why it mattersThis is a routine improvement in chip manufacturing that helps ensure reliable electrical connections between different layers of a processor.

In the filing’s own words

Integrated circuit devices and methods of forming the same are provided. The integrated circuit devices may include a lower metal wire, an upper metal wire on the lower metal wire, a metal via between the lower metal wire and the upper metal wire, the metal via including a lower surface and an upper surface that respectively contact the lower metal wire and the upper metal wire, and a barrier layer extending on a side surface of the metal via. An upper portion of the barrier layer may extend upwardly beyond a lower surface of the upper metal wire.

What exactly they claim (claim 1)

1. An integrated circuit device comprising: a lower metal wire; an upper metal wire on the lower metal wire; a metal via between the lower metal wire and the upper metal wire, the metal via comprising a lower surface that contacts the lower metal wire and an upper surface that directly contacts the upper metal wire; and a barrier layer extending on a side surface of the metal via, wherein an upper portion of the barrier layer extends upwardly beyond a lower surface of the upper metal wire.

Facts

Company
Samsung (Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.)
Official title
Integrated circuit devices including a conductive via and methods of forming the same
Patent number
US12740395B2
Application number
18459894
Filed
Sep 1, 2023
Granted
Sep 15, 2026
Inventors
3
Claims
20

Classified under

H10W 20/42 Electricity & electronicsH10W 20/039 Electricity & electronicsH10W 20/063 Electricity & electronicsH10W 20/425 Electricity & electronics

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Summaries are simplified from the filing’s own abstract and first claim. A patent filing is not a product announcement.
Patent data and drawings: U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). Nebula is not affiliated with or endorsed by the USPTO.