Abstract: Semiconductor devices are provided. A semiconductor device includes a substrate, a first conductive structure on the substrate, and a second conductive structure on the first conductive structure. The semiconductor device includes first and second metal-diffusion-blocking layers on respective sidewalls of the first and second conductive structures. The semiconductor device includes an insulating layer between the first and second metal-diffusion-blocking layers. Moreover, the semiconductor device includes a metal-diffusion-shield pattern in the insulating layer and spaced apart from the first conductive structure.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present inventive concepts provide a wafer loader having one or more buffer zones to prevent damage to a wafer loaded in the wafer loader. The wafer loader may include a plurality of loading sections that protrude from a main body and are configured to be arranged at various locations along an edge of the wafer. Each of the loading sections may include a groove into which the edge of the wafer may be inserted. The loading section may include first and second protrusions having first and second inner sides, respectively, that face each other to define the groove therebetween. At least one of the first and second inner sides may include a recess to define the buffer zone.

Abstract: An integrated circuit device including a through-silicon-via (TSV) structure and methods of manufacturing the same are provided. The integrated circuit device may include the TSV structure penetrating through a semiconductor structure. The TSV structure may include a first through electrode unit including impurities of a first concentration and a second through electrode unit including impurities of a second concentration greater than the first concentration.

Abstract: Provided are a carrier and a method of fabricating a semiconductor device using the same. The carrier may include a recess region provided adjacent to an edge thereof. The recess region may be configured to confine an adhesive layer within a desired region including the recess region. The recess region makes it possible to reduce a process failure in a process of fabricating a semiconductor device.

Abstract: Provided are a semiconductor device and a semiconductor package. The semiconductor device includes semiconductor device includes a semiconductor substrate having a first side and a second side. A front-side structure including an internal circuit is disposed on the first side of the semiconductor substrate. A passivation layer is disposed on the second side of the semiconductor substrate. A through-via structure passes through the semiconductor substrate and the passivation layer. A back-side conductive pattern is disposed on the second side of the semiconductor substrate. The back-side conductive pattern is electrically connected to the through-via structure. An alignment recessed area is disposed in the passivation layer. An insulating alignment pattern is disposed in the alignment recessed area.

Abstract: A wafer-to-wafer bonding structure may include: a first wafer including a first insulating layer on a first substrate and on a first copper (Cu) pad that penetrates the first insulating layer and has portions protruding from an upper surface of the first insulating layer, and a first barrier metal layer on a lower surface and sides of the first Cu pad; a second wafer including a second insulating layer on a second substrate and on a second copper (Cu) pad that penetrates the second insulating layer, has portions protruding from an upper surface of the second insulating layer, and is bonded to the first Cu pad, and a second barrier metal layer on a lower surface and sides of the second Cu pad; and a polymer layer covering protruding sides of the first and second barrier metal layers and disposed between the first and second wafers.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a semiconductor substrate, a circuit layer including an interlayer insulating layer on an upper surface of the substrate, and a conductive via penetrating through the interlayer insulating layer and the substrate, and electrically connected to the circuit layer. The device further includes an insulating layer surrounding the conductive via, and located between the conductive via and the substrate and between the conductive via and interlayer insulating layer, and a buffer layer located between the insulating layer and the conductive via, and overlapping at least a portion of the interlayer insulating layer in a depth direction of the conductive via.

Abstract: Provided is a semiconductor device. The semiconductor device includes a passivation layer defining a metal pattern on a first surface of a substrate, an inter-layer insulating layer disposed on a second surface of the substrate, and a piezoelectric pattern formed between the metal pattern and the passivation layer on the first surface of the substrate. A through-silicon-via and/or a pad can be directly bonded to another through-silicon-via and/or another pad by applying pressure only, and without performing a heat process.

Abstract: An integrated circuit device is provided. The integrated circuit device includes: a capacitor including an electrode formed in a first area on a substrate; a through-silicon-via (TSV) landing pad formed in a second area on the substrate, the TSV landing pad including the same material as the electrode; a multi-layered interconnection structure formed on the capacitor and the TSV landing pad; and a TSV structure passing through the substrate, the TSV structure being connected to the multi-layered interconnection structure through the TSV landing pad.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of manufacturing a semiconductor device. A preliminary wafer-carrier assembly is formed in such a way that a wafer structure having a plurality of via structures is adhered to a light-penetrating carrier by a photodegradable adhesive. A wafer-carrier assembly having an optical shielding layer for inhibiting or preventing a light penetration is formed such that the wafer structure, the carrier and the adhesive are covered with the optical shielding layer except for the backside of the wafer structure through which the via structures are exposed. An interconnector is formed on the backside of the wafer structure such that the via structures make contact with the interconnector, and the wafer structure and the carrier are separated from each other by irradiating a light to the wafer-carrier assembly. Accordingly, the adhesive is inhibited or prevented from being dissolved during a plasma process on the wafer-carrier assembly.

Abstract: The inventive concept provides semiconductor devices having through-vias and methods for fabricating the same. The method may include forming a via-hole opened toward a top surface of a substrate and partially penetrating the substrate, forming a via-insulating layer having a first thickness on a bottom surface of the via-hole and a second thickness smaller than the first thickness on an inner sidewall of the via-hole, forming a through-via in the via-hole which the via-insulating layer is formed in, and recessing a bottom surface of the substrate to expose the through-via. Forming the via-insulating layer may include forming a flowable layer on the substrate, and converting the flowable layer into a first flowable chemical vapor deposition layer having the first thickness on the bottom surface of the via-hole.

Abstract: Semiconductor devices having stacked structures and methods for fabricating the same are provided. A semiconductor device includes at least one single block including a first semiconductor chip and a second semiconductor chip stacked thereon. Each of the first and second semiconductor chips includes a semiconductor substrate including a through-electrode, a circuit layer on a front surface of the semiconductor substrate, and a front pad that is provided in the circuit layer and is electrically connected to the through-electrode. The surfaces of the semiconductor substrates face each other. The circuit layers directly contact each other such that the semiconductor chips are bonded to each other.

Abstract: In a method for fabricating a semiconductor, a first conductive pattern structure partially protruding upwardly from first insulating interlayer is formed in first insulating interlayer. A first bonding insulation layer pattern covering the protruding portion of first conductive pattern structure is formed on first insulating interlayer. A first adhesive pattern containing a polymer is formed on first bonding insulation layer pattern to fill a first recess formed on first bonding insulation layer pattern. A second bonding insulation layer pattern covering the protruding portion of second conductive pattern structure is formed on second insulating interlayer. A second adhesive pattern containing a polymer is formed on second bonding insulation layer pattern to fill a second recess formed on second bonding insulation layer pattern. The first and second adhesive patterns are melted. The first and second substrates are bonded with each other so that the conductive pattern structures contact each other.

Abstract: A first insulating layer is formed on a substrate. An opening is formed in the first insulating layer. A barrier layer is formed on the first insulating layer and conforming to sidewalls of the first insulating layer in the opening, and a conductive layer is formed on the barrier layer. Chemical mechanical polishing is performed to expose the first insulating layer and leave a barrier layer pattern in the opening and a conductive layer pattern on the barrier layer pattern in the opening, wherein a portion of the conductive layer pattern protrudes above an upper surface of the insulating layer and an upper surface of the barrier layer pattern. A second insulating layer is formed on the first insulating layer, the barrier layer pattern and the conductive layer pattern and planarized to expose the conductive layer pattern. A second substrate may be bonded to the exposed conductive layer pattern.

Abstract: Semiconductor devices are provided. A semiconductor device includes a substrate, a first conductive structure on the substrate, and a second conductive structure on the first conductive structure. The semiconductor device includes first and second metal-diffusion-blocking layers on respective sidewalls of the first and second conductive structures. The semiconductor device includes an insulating layer between the first and second metal-diffusion-blocking layers. Moreover, the semiconductor device includes a metal-diffusion-shield pattern in the insulating layer and spaced apart from the first conductive structure.

Abstract: Semiconductor devices having through-electrodes are provided. The semiconductor devices may include a substrate, a through-electrode penetrating vertically through the substrate, a circuit layer on the substrate and metal lines in the circuit layer. The metal lines may include two first metals on opposing edges of a top surface of the through-electrode and second metals above the top surface of the through-electrode. At least some of the second metals may not vertically overlap the two first metals.

Abstract: Integrated circuit devices are provided. The integrated circuit devices may include a via structure including a conductive plug, a conductive barrier layer spaced apart from the conductive plug, and an insulating layer between the conductive plug and conductive barrier layer. Related methods of forming integrated circuit devices are also provided.

Abstract: An integrated circuit device includes a semiconductor structure, a through-silicon-via (TSV) structure that penetrates through the semiconductor structure and a connection terminal connected to the TSV structure. A metal capping layer includes a flat capping portion that covers the bottom surface of the connection terminal and a wedge-shaped capping portion that is integrally connected to the flat capping portion and that partially covers a side wall of the connection terminal. The metal capping layer may be formed by an electroplating process in which the connection terminal is in contact with a metal strike electroplating solution while a pulse-type current is applied.

Abstract: A semiconductor device can include a substrate that has a surface. A via structure can extend through the substrate toward the surface of the substrate, where the via structure includes an upper surface. A pad structure can be on the surface of the substrate, where the pad structure can include a lower surface having at least one protrusion that is configured to protrude toward the upper surface of the via structure.

Abstract: In a method, a first opening is formed in a first insulating interlayer on a first substrate. A first conductive pattern structure contacting a first diffusion prevention insulation pattern and having a planarized top surface is formed in the first opening. Likewise, a second conductive pattern structure contacting a second diffusion prevention insulation pattern is formed in a second insulating interlayer on a second substrate. A plasma treatment process is performed on at least one of the first and second substrates having the first and second conductive pattern structures thereon, respectively. The first and second conductive pattern structures are contacted to each other to bond the first and second substrates.