Integrated circuit including inductive device and ferromagnetic material

Inductive devices, such as transformers and inductors provided by coils are often included in small scale, medium scale, or very large scale integration (VLSI) circuits. Typically, inductive devices integrated in these circuits use large coil diameters to obtain a good quality factor (i.e., Q-factor). A good Q-factor is especially important for radio frequency (RF) technology applications. Large diameter coils, however, typically use a large percentage of the available substrate area of an integrated circuit and therefore increase production costs.

Concentric coils are typically located in parallel to a substrate surface. The coils are fabricated in back end of line (BEOL) processing during a metallization process using suitable metallization material. Typically, the coils may consume 50% or more of the total chip area. In addition, the inductivities achieved from the coils are usually not suitable for applications in which the coils will be used not only for signal transmission but also for power transmission.

For these and other reasons, there is a need for the present invention.

One embodiment provides an integrated circuit. The integrated circuit includes a substrate and an inductive device on a first side of the substrate. The integrated circuit includes a first ferromagnetic material on a second side of the substrate opposite the first side.

The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding of the present invention and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification. The drawings illustrate the embodiments of the present invention and together with the description serve to explain the principles of the invention. Other embodiments of the present invention and many of the intended advantages of the present invention will be readily appreciated as they become better understood by reference to the following detailed description. The elements of the drawings are not necessarily to scale relative to each other. Like reference numerals designate corresponding similar parts.

FIG. 1 illustrates a cross-sectional view of one embodiment of an integrated circuit including an inductive device encased in ferromagnetic material.

FIG. 2 illustrates a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of an integrated circuit including an inductive device encased in ferromagnetic material.

FIG. 3 illustrates a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of an integrated circuit including an inductive device encased in ferromagnetic material.

FIG. 4 illustrates a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of an integrated circuit including an inductive device encased in ferromagnetic material.

FIG. 5 illustrates a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of an integrated circuit including an inductive device encased in ferromagnetic material.

In the following Detailed Description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. In this regard, directional terminology, such as “top,” “bottom,” “front,” “back,” “leading,” “trailing,” etc., is used with reference to the orientation of the Figure(s) being described. Because components of embodiments of the present invention can be positioned in a number of different orientations, the directional terminology is used for purposes of illustration and is in no way limiting. It is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and structural or logical changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. The following detailed description, therefore, is not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of the present invention is defined by the appended claims.

FIG. 1 illustrates a cross-sectional view of one embodiment of an integrated circuit 100 a . Integrated circuit 100 a includes a substrate 102 , inductive devices 104 a and 104 b , dielectric material 106 , first ferromagnetic material 108 , and second ferromagnetic material 110 . In other embodiments, integrated circuit 100 a includes any suitable number of inductive devices.

First ferromagnetic material 108 and second ferromagnetic material 110 partially or fully encase or enclose inductive devices 104 a and 104 b . The ferromagnetic material can be applied using suitable semiconductor processing techniques during front end of line (FEOL) processing and/or back end of line (BEOL) processing. The ferromagnetic material can be positioned above inductive devices 104 a and 104 b , below inductive devices 104 a and 104 b , and/or on the sides (inner and outer) of inductive devices 104 a and 104 b.

First ferromagnetic material 108 and second ferromagnetic material 110 confine the magnetic flux inside inductive devices 104 a and 104 b . The confining of the magnetic flux inside inductive devices 104 a and 104 b reduces energy dissipation from inductive devices 104 a and 104 b due to leakage fields and magnetic coupling to silicon substrate 102 . By reducing the energy dissipation in this way, the quality factor (i.e., Q-factor) of inductive devices 104 a and 104 b is increased. By increasing the Q-factor of inductive devices 104 a and 104 b , inductive devices 104 a and 104 b can be used for both signal transmission and power transmission.

Inductive devices 104 a and 104 b are formed in metallization layers on substrate 102 using suitable metallization materials. In one embodiment, inductive devices 104 a and 104 b are concentric coils providing inductors, transformers, or other suitable devices. Dielectric material 106 surrounds the metal material forming inductive devices 104 a and 104 b . In one embodiment, substrate 102 is a silicon substrate. The thickness of substrate 102 is less than the diameter of inductive devices 104 a and 104 b . In one embodiment, grinding is used to reduce the thickness of substrate 102 to between approximately 60-100 μm.

Ferromagnetic material, such as Co, Fe, Ni, or other suitable ferromagnetic material is deposited on the backside of substrate 102 . The ferromagnetic material is structured using suitable lithography processes to provide gaps 116 between portions of first ferromagnetic material 108 . Gaps 116 between portions of first ferromagnetic material 108 are provided to prevent eddy currents. Because silicon substrate 102 has a low electrical conductivity, magnetic coupling of the magnetic field of inductive devices 104 a and 104 b into substrate 102 is low. Therefore, first ferromagnetic material 108 shields the magnetic field of inductive devices 104 a and 104 b.

Ferromagnetic material, such as Co, Fe, Ni, or other suitable ferromagnetic material is deposited on the top and sides of inductive devices 104 a and 104 b . In one embodiment, the ferromagnetic material is structured using suitable lithography processes to provide second ferromagnetic material 110 . Second ferromagnetic material 110 includes first portions 112 and second portions 114 . First portions 112 are provided on top of inductive devices 104 a and 104 b . Second portions 114 are provided on the outer sidewalls of dielectric material 106 surrounding inductive devices 104 a and 104 b . In one embodiment, second portions 114 are also provided on the inner sidewalls of dielectric material 106 surrounding inductive devices 104 a and 104 b . In one embodiment, the sidewalls of dielectric material 106 surrounding inductive devices 104 a and 104 b are perpendicular to first portions 112 . In another embodiment, the sidewalls of dielectric material 106 surrounding inductive devices 104 a and 104 b are sloped.

FIG. 2 illustrates a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of an integrated circuit 100 b . Integrated circuit 100 b includes substrate 102 , first ferromagnetic material 120 , inductive devices 104 a and 104 b , dielectric material 106 , and second ferromagnetic material 122 and 124 . In this embodiment, first ferromagnetic material 120 is provided between inductive devices 104 a and 104 b and substrate 102 . First ferromagnetic material 120 is formed in a metallization layer on substrate 102 . Since first ferromagnetic material 120 is between inductive devices 104 a and 104 b and substrate 102 , in this embodiment the thickness of substrate 102 can be greater than the diameter of inductive devices 104 a and 104 b.

Second ferromagnetic material 122 is printed over inductive devices 104 a and 104 b . In one embodiment, second ferromagnetic material 122 is printed using an inkjet printer or other suitable printer. Next, a galvanic process is used to optimize or enhance the printed ferromagnetic material 122 and to provide ferromagnetic material 124 . The galvanic process is selected to provide a combination of ferromagnetic material 122 and 124 providing desired ferromagnetic properties. Ferromagnetic materials 122 and 124 include first portions 126 and second portions 128 . First portions 126 are provided on top of inductive devices 104 a and 104 b . Second portions 128 are provided on the outer sidewalls of dielectric material 106 surrounding inductive devices 104 a and 104 b . In one embodiment, second portions 128 are also provided on the inner sidewalls of dielectric material 106 surrounding inductive devices 104 a and 104 b . In this embodiment, the sidewalls of dielectric material 106 surrounding inductive devices 104 a and 104 b are sloped such that a printer can print ferromagnetic material 122 on the sidewalls. First ferromagnetic material 120 and second ferromagnetic material 122 and 124 provide a similar function as first ferromagnetic material 108 and second ferromagnetic material 110 previously described and illustrated with reference to FIG. 1 .

FIG. 3 illustrates a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of an integrated circuit 100 c . Integrated circuit 100 c is similar to integrated circuit 100 b previously described and illustrated with reference to FIG. 2 , except that in integrated circuit 100 c first ferromagnetic material 120 is replaced with first ferromagnetic material 108 . First ferromagnetic material 108 is deposited and structured on the backside of wafer 102 as previously described and illustrated with reference to FIG. 1 . First ferromagnetic material 108 and second ferromagnetic material 122 and 124 provide a similar function as first ferromagnetic material 108 and second ferromagnetic material 110 previously described and illustrated with reference to FIG. 1 .

FIG. 4 illustrates a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of an integrated circuit 100 d . Integrated circuit 100 d includes substrate 102 , first ferromagnetic material 120 , inductive devices 104 a and 104 b , a ferromagnetic mold material 130 , and an encapsulating mold material 132 . In this embodiment, first ferromagnetic material 120 is provided between inductive devices 104 a and 104 b and substrate 102 . First ferromagnetic material 120 is formed in a metallization layer on substrate 102 . Since first ferromagnetic material 120 is between inductive devices 104 a and 104 b and substrate 102 , in this embodiment the thickness of substrate 102 can be greater than the diameter of inductive devices 104 a and 104 b.

In addition, inductive devices 104 a and 104 b are encased or enclosed with ferromagnetic mold material 130 . In one embodiment, ferromagnetic mold material 130 includes a suitable molding compound mixed with ferrite or other suitable material to provide a ferromagnetic mold material. The ferromagnetic mold material is applied over the top and sidewalls of dielectric material 106 and inductive devices 104 a and 104 b using a suitable molding process. A suitable non-ferromagnetic encapsulation mold material 132 encapsulates ferromagnetic mold material 130 and substrate 102 . First ferromagnetic material 120 and ferromagnetic mold material 130 provide a similar function as first ferromagnetic material 108 and second ferromagnetic material 110 previously described and illustrated with reference to FIG. 1 .

FIG. 5 illustrates a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of an integrated circuit 100 e . Integrated circuit e is similar to integrated circuit 100 d previously described and illustrated with reference to FIG. 4 , except that in integrated circuit e first ferromagnetic material 120 is replaced with first ferromagnetic material 108 . First ferromagnetic material 108 is deposited and structured on the backside of wafer 102 as previously described and illustrated with reference to FIG. 1 . First ferromagnetic material 108 and ferromagnetic mold material 130 provide a similar function as first ferromagnetic material 108 and second ferromagnetic material 110 previously described and illustrated with reference to FIG. 1 .

Embodiments provide inductive devices embedded in ferromagnetic material. The ferromagnetic material shields the inductive devices thereby increasing the inductivities and Q-factors of the inductive devices. By increasing the Q-factors of the inductive devices, the inductive devices can be used for both signal transmission and power transmission in small scale, medium scale, or very large scale integration circuits.

Although specific embodiments have been illustrated and described herein, it will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that a variety of alternate and/or equivalent implementations may be substituted for the specific embodiments shown and described without departing from the scope of the present invention. This application is intended to cover any adaptations or variations of the specific embodiments discussed herein. Therefore, it is intended that this invention be limited only by the claims and the equivalents thereof.