Abstract: An embodiment is a structure. The structure comprises a substrate, a chip, and a reinforcement component. The substrate has a first surface, and the first surface comprises depressions. The chip is over and attached to the first surface of the substrate. The reinforcement component is over a first area of the first surface of the substrate. The first area is not under the chip. The reinforcement component has a portion disposed in at least some of the depressions in the first area.

Abstract: A die includes a substrate, a metal pad over the substrate, and a passivation layer that has a portion over the metal pad. A dummy pattern is disposed adjacent to the metal pad. The dummy pattern is level with, and is formed of a same material as, the metal pad. The dummy pattern forms at least a partial ring surrounding at least a third of the metal pad.

Abstract: A device includes a chip attached to a substrate. The chip includes a conductive pillar having a length (L) measured along a long axis of the conductive pillar and a width (W) measured along a short axis of the conductive pillar. The substrate includes a conductive trace and a mask layer overlying the conductive trace, wherein the mask layer has an opening exposing a portion of the conductive trace. An interconnection is formed between the conductive pillar and the exposed portion of the conductive trace. The opening has a first dimension (d1) measured along the long axis of the conductive pillar and a second dimension (d2) measured along the short axis of the conductive pillar. A ratio of L to d1 is greater than a ratio of W to d2.

Abstract: A method includes placing a plurality of bottom units onto a jig, wherein the plurality of bottom units is not sawed apart and forms an integrated component. Each of the plurality of bottom units includes a package substrate and a die bonded to the package substrate. A plurality of upper component stacks is placed onto the plurality of bottom units, wherein solder balls are located between the plurality of upper component and the plurality of bottom units. A reflow is performed to join the plurality of upper component stacks with respective ones of the plurality of bottom units through the solder balls.

Abstract: A bump structure in a semiconductor device or a packing assembly includes an under-bump metallization (UBM) layer formed on a conductive pad of a semiconductor substrate. The UBM layer has a width greater than a width of the conductive pad.

Abstract: A T-shaped post for semiconductor devices is provided. The T-shaped post has an under-bump metallization (UBM) section and a pillar section extending from the UBM section. The UBM section and the pillar section may be formed of a same material or different materials. In an embodiment, a substrate, such as a die, wafer, printed circuit board, packaging substrate, or the like, having T-shaped posts is attached to a contact of another substrate, such as a die, wafer, printed circuit board, packaging substrate, or the like. The T-shaped posts may have a solder material pre-formed on the pillar section such that the pillar section is exposed or such that the pillar section is covered by the solder material. In another embodiment, the T-shaped posts may be formed on one substrate and the solder material formed on the other substrate.

Abstract: Methods for forming lead free solder interconnections for integrated circuits. A copper column extends from an input/output terminal of an integrated circuit. A cap layer of material is formed on the input/output terminal of the integrated circuit. A lead free solder connector is formed on the cap layer. A substrate having a metal finish solder pad is aligned with the solder connector. An intermetallic compound is formed at the interface between the cap layer and the lead free solder connector. A solder connection is formed between input/output terminal of the integrated circuit and the metal finish pad that is less than 0.5 weight percent copper, and the intermetallic compound is substantially free of copper.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method of making an integrated circuit (IC). The method includes forming an electric device on a front side of a substrate; forming a top metal pad on the front side of the substrate, the top metal pad being coupled to the electric device; forming a passivation layer on the front side of the substrate, the top metal pad being embedded in the passivation layer; forming an opening in the passivation layer, exposing the top metal pad; forming a deep trench in the substrate; filling a conductive material in the deep trench and the opening, resulting in a though-wafer via (TWV) feature in the deep trench and a pad-TWV feature in the opening, where the top metal pad being connected to the TWV feature through the pad-TWV feature; and applying a polishing process to remove excessive conductive material, forming a substantially planar surface.

Abstract: Lead free solder interconnections for integrated circuits. A copper column extends from an input/output terminal of an integrated circuit. A cap layer of material is formed on the input/output terminal of the integrated circuit. A lead free solder connector is formed on the cap layer. A substrate having a metal finish solder pad is aligned with the solder connector. An intermetallic compound is formed at the interface between the cap layer and the lead free solder connector. A solder connection is formed between the input/output terminal of the integrated circuit and the metal finish pad that is less than 0.5 weight percent copper, and the intermetallic compound is substantially free of copper.

Abstract: A semiconductor chip includes a through-silicon via (TSV), a device region, and a cross-talk prevention ring encircling one of the device region and the TSV. The TSV is isolated from substantially all device regions comprising active devices by the cross-talk prevention ring.

Abstract: Substrate stand-offs for use with semiconductor devices are provided. Active pillars and dummy pillars are formed on a first substrate such that the dummy pillars may have a height greater than a height of the active pillars. The dummy pillars act as stand-offs when joining the first substrate to a second substrate, thereby creating greater uniformity. In an embodiment, the dummy pillars may be formed simultaneously as the active pillars by forming a patterned mask having openings with a smaller width for the dummy pillars than for the active pillars. When an electro-plating process of the like is used to form the dummy and active pillars, the smaller width of the dummy pillar openings in the patterned mask causes the dummy pillars to have a greater height than the active pillars.

Abstract: A method of forming an integrated circuit structure is provided. The method includes forming a metal pad at a major surface of a semiconductor chip, forming an under-bump metallurgy (UBM) over the metal pad such that the UBM and the metal pad are in contact, forming a dummy pattern at a same level as the metal pad, the dummy pattern formed of a same metallic material as the metal pad and electrically disconnected from the metal pad, and forming a metal bump over the UBM such that the metal bump is electrically connected to the UBM and no metal bump in the semiconductor chip is formed over the dummy pattern.

Abstract: A method of forming a through silicon via (TSV) structure includes forming an interconnect pad over a substrate. An under layer is formed over the interconnect pad. A vertical conductive post is formed at least partially through the substrate. At least one dummy structure is formed at least partially through the under layer. A top pad is formed over the dummy structure and the vertical conductive post. The top pad covers a wider area than a cross section of the vertical conductive post. The interconnect pad is electrically connected to the top pad. The dummy structure connects the top pad and the under layer thereby fastening the top pad and the interconnect pad.

Abstract: An integrated circuit structure includes a semiconductor chip, a metal pad at a major surface of the semiconductor chip, and an under-bump metallurgy (UBM) over and contacting the metal pad. A metal bump is formed over and electrically connected to the UBM. A dummy pattern is formed at a same level, and formed of a same metallic material, as the metal pad.

Abstract: A flip-chip packaging assembly and integrated circuit device are disclosed. An exemplary flip-chip packaging assembly includes a first substrate; a second substrate; and joint structures disposed between the first substrate and the second substrate. Each joint structure comprises an interconnect post between the first substrate and the second substrate and a joint solder between the interconnect post and the second substrate, wherein the interconnect post exhibits a width and a first height. A pitch defines a distance between each joint structure. The first height is less than half the pitch.

Abstract: A semiconductor chip includes a through-silicon via (TSV), a device region, and a cross-talk prevention ring encircling one of the device region and the TSV. The TSV is isolated from substantially all device regions comprising active devices by the cross-talk prevention ring.

Abstract: A process for making a copper post with footing profile employs dual photoresist films of different photosensitivities and thicknesses on an under-bump-metallurgy (UBM) layer. After an exposure lithography process, a first opening with a substantially vertical sidewall is formed in a first photoresist film, and a second opening with a sloped sidewall is formed in a second photoresist film. The second opening has a top diameter and a bottom diameter greater than the top diameter, and the bottom diameter is greater than the diameter of the first opening. A conductive layer is then formed in the first opening and the second opening followed by removing the dual photoresist films.

Abstract: Substrate stand-offs for use with semiconductor devices are provided. Active pillars and dummy pillars are formed on a first substrate such that the dummy pillars may have a height greater than a height of the active pillars. The dummy pillars act as stand-offs when joining the first substrate to a second substrate, thereby creating greater uniformity. In an embodiment, the dummy pillars may be formed simultaneously as the active pillars by forming a patterned mask having openings with a smaller width for the dummy pillars than for the active pillars. When an electro-plating process of the like is used to form the dummy and active pillars, the smaller width of the dummy pillar openings in the patterned mask causes the dummy pillars to have a greater height than the active pillars.

Abstract: An integrated circuit structure includes a semiconductor substrate; an interconnect structure over the semiconductor substrate, wherein the interconnect structure comprises a top inter-metal dielectric (IMD); an opening penetrating the interconnect structure into the semiconductor substrate; a conductor in the opening; and an isolation layer having a vertical portion and a horizontal portion physically connected to each other. The vertical portion is on sidewalls of the opening. The horizontal portion is directly over the interconnect structure. The integrated circuit structure is free from passivation layers vertically between the top IMD and the horizontal portion of the isolation layer.

Abstract: A device includes a work piece including a metal bump; and a dielectric layer having a portion directly over the metal bump. The metal bump and a surface of the portion of the dielectric layer form an interface. A metal finish is formed over and contacting the metal bump. The metal finish extends from over the dielectric layer to below the interface.