Abstract: A method for manufacturing an interconnect structure and an interconnect structure are provided. The method includes: forming an opening in a substrate; forming a low-k dielectric block in the opening; forming at least one via in the low-k dielectric block; and forming a conductor in the via. The interconnect structure includes a substrate, a dielectric block, and a conductor. The substrate has an opening therein. The dielectric block is present in the opening of the substrate. The dielectric block has at least one via therein. The dielectric block has a dielectric constant smaller than that of the substrate. The conductor is present in the via of the dielectric block.

Abstract: An integrated circuit structure includes an alignment bump and an active electrical connector. The alignment bump includes a first non-solder metallic bump. The first non-solder metallic bump forms a ring encircling an opening therein. The active electrical connector includes a second non-solder metallic bump. A surface of the first non-solder metallic bump and a surface of the second non-solder metallic bump are substantially coplanar with each other.

Abstract: Methods of forming connectors and packaged semiconductor devices are disclosed. In some embodiments, a connector is formed by forming a first photoresist layer over an interconnect structure, and patterning the first photoresist layer with a pattern for a first portion of a connector. A first metal layer is plated through the patterned first photoresist layer to form the first portion of the connector which has a first width. A second photoresist layer is formed over the interconnect structure and the first portion of the connector. The second photoresist layer is patterned with a pattern for a second portion of the connector. A second metal layer is plated through the patterned second photoresist layer to form the second portion of the connector over the first portion of the connector. The second portion of the connector has a second width, the second width being less than the first width.

Abstract: System and method for bonding semiconductor substrates is presented. A preferred embodiment comprises forming a buffer layer over a surface of a semiconductor substrate while retaining TSVs that protrude from the buffer layer in order to prevent potential voids that might form. A protective layer is formed on another semiconductor substrate that will be bonded to the first semiconductor substrate. The two substrates are aligned and bonded together, with the buffer layer preventing any short circuit contacts to the surface of the original semiconductor substrate.

Abstract: A device includes a substrate, a metal pad over the substrate, and a passivation layer having a portion over the metal pad. A post-passivation interconnect (PPI) is electrically coupled to the metal pad, wherein the PPI includes a portion over the metal pad and the passivation layer. A polymer layer is over the PPI. A solder ball is over the PPI. A compound includes a portion adjoining the solder ball and the polymer layer, wherein the compound includes flux and a polymer.

Abstract: An embodiment package-on-package (PoP) device includes a package structure, a package substrate, and a plurality of connectors bonding the package structure to the package substrate. The package structure includes a logic chip bonded to a memory chip, a molding compound encircling the memory chip, and a plurality of conductive studs extending through the molding compound. The plurality of conductive studs is attached to contact pads on the logic chip.

Abstract: An embodiment device includes a first die, a second die electrically connected to the first die, and a heat dissipation surface on a surface of the second die. The device further includes a package substrate electrically connected to the first die. The package substrate includes a through-hole, and the second die is at least partially disposed in the through hole.

Abstract: Methods of forming connectors and packaged semiconductor devices are disclosed. In some embodiments, a connector is formed by forming a first photoresist layer over an interconnect structure, and patterning the first photoresist layer with a pattern for a first portion of a connector. A first metal layer is plated through the patterned first photoresist layer to form the first portion of the connector which has a first width. A second photoresist layer is formed over the interconnect structure and the first portion of the connector. The second photoresist layer is patterned with a pattern for a second portion of the connector. A second metal layer is plated through the patterned second photoresist layer to form the second portion of the connector over the first portion of the connector. The second portion of the connector has a second width, the second width being less than the first width.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for solder connections. An apparatus includes a substrate having a conductive terminal on a surface; a passivation layer overlying the surface of the substrate and the conductive terminal; an opening in the passivation layer exposing a portion of the conductive terminal; at least one stud bump bonded to the conductive terminal in the opening and extending in a direction normal to the surface of the substrate; and a solder connection formed on the conductive terminal in the opening and enclosing the at least one stud bump. Methods for forming the solder connections are disclosed.

Abstract: A semiconductor device and a method of making the same are provided. A first die and a second die are placed over a carrier substrate. A first molding material is formed adjacent to the first die and the second die. A first redistribution layer is formed overlying the first molding material. A through via is formed over the first redistribution layer. A package component is on the first redistribution layer next to the copper pillar. The package component includes a second redistribution layer. The package component is positioned so that it overlies both the first die and the second die in part. A second molding material is formed adjacent to the package component and the first copper pillar. A third redistribution layer is formed overlying the second molding material. The second redistribution layer is placed on a substrate and bonded to the substrate.

Abstract: A transmission line design includes a first transmission line configured to transfer at least one first signal. The transmission line design further includes a second transmission line configured to transfer at least one second signal, wherein the second transmission line is spaced from the first transmission line. The transmission line design further includes a high-k dielectric material between the first transmission line and the second transmission line. The transmission line design further includes a dielectric material surrounding the high-k dielectric material, the first transmission line and the second transmission line, wherein the dielectric material is different from the high-k dielectric material.

Abstract: An integrated circuit structure includes an alignment bump and an active electrical connector. The alignment bump includes a first non-solder metallic bump. The first non-solder metallic bump forms a ring encircling an opening therein. The active electrical connector includes a second non-solder metallic bump. A surface of the first non-solder metallic bump and a surface of the second non-solder metallic bump are substantially coplanar with each other.

Abstract: Stacked semiconductor devices and methods of forming the same are disclosed. First tier workpieces are mounted on a top surface of a semiconductor device to form first tier stacks, the semiconductor device comprising one or more integrated circuit dies, the semiconductor device having one or more test pads per integrated circuit die on the top surface of the semiconductor device. Each of the first tier stacks is electrically tested to identify first known good stacks and first known bad stacks. Second tier workpieces are mounted atop the first known good stacks, thereby forming second tier stacks. Each of the second tier stacks is electrically tested to identify second known good stacks and second known bad stacks. Stacking process further comprises one or more workpiece mounting/testing cycles. The stacking process continues until the stacked semiconductor devices comprise desired number of workpieces.

Abstract: A device includes a metal pad at a surface of an image sensor chip, wherein the image sensor chip includes an image sensor. A stud bump is disposed over, and electrically connected to, the metal pad. The stud bump includes a bump region, and a tail region connected to the bump region. The tail region includes a metal wire portion substantially perpendicular to a top surface of the metal pad. The tail region is short enough to support itself against gravity.

Abstract: Presented herein are a package-on-package device having a molded underfill and a method for forming the same, the method comprising applying a package mount mounting a die to the first side of a carrier package. A molded underfill may be applied first side of the carrier package, and be in contact with a portion of the package mount a portion of a sidewall of the die. A top package having at least one land may be mounted to the first side of the carrier package above the die, and, optionally separated from the top of the die. The package mount may be coined prior to, during or after applying the molded underfill to optionally be level with the underfill surface. The underfill region contacting the package mount may be below or above the surface of the underfill region contacting the die sidewall.

Abstract: Integrated circuit (IC) packages and methods of forming the IC packages are provided. In an embodiment, IC dies are formed and are placed on a carrier to form a packaged semiconductor device. An encapsulant is formed over the IC dies and between the neighboring IC dies. The encapsulant and the IC dies are planarized to expose contacts on top surfaces of the IC dies, and redistribution layers (RDLs) are formed over the planarized encapsulant and the planarized IC dies. Openings are formed in a topmost dielectric layer of the RDLs to expose interconnects in the RDL, and a conductive seed layer is formed over the RDL and in the openings. Connectors of a first type and connectors of a second type are formed over the seed layer in the openings. The packaged semiconductor device is diced into individual IC packages.

Abstract: An integrated circuit structure includes an alignment bump and an active electrical connector. The alignment bump includes a first non-solder metallic bump. The first non-solder metallic bump forms a ring encircling an opening therein. The active electrical connector includes a second non-solder metallic bump. A surface of the first non-solder metallic bump and a surface of the second non-solder metallic bump are substantially coplanar with each other.

Abstract: A method includes bonding a first plurality of device dies onto a wafer, wherein the wafer includes a second plurality of device dies, with each of the first plurality of device dies bonded to one of the second plurality of device dies. The wafer is then sawed to form a die stack, wherein the die stack includes a first device die from the first plurality of device dies and a second device die from the second plurality of device dies. The method further includes bonding the die stack over a package substrate.

Abstract: A device includes a metal pad at a surface of an image sensor chip, wherein the image sensor chip includes an image sensor. A stud bump is disposed over, and electrically connected to, the metal pad. The stud bump includes a bump region, and a tail region connected to the bump region. The tail region includes a metal wire portion substantially perpendicular to a top surface of the metal pad. The tail region is short enough to support itself against gravity.

Abstract: Presented herein are a package-on-package device having a molded underfill and a method for forming the same, the method comprising applying a package mount mounting a die to the first side of a carrier package. A molded underfill may be applied first side of the carrier package, and be in contact with a portion of the package mount a portion of a sidewall of the die. A top package having at least one land may be mounted to the first side of the carrier package above the die, and, optionally separated from the top of the die. The package mount may be coined prior to, during or after applying the molded underfill to optionally be level with the underfill surface. The underfill region contacting the package mount may be below or above the surface of the underfill region contacting the die sidewall.