Abstract: A semiconductor device including a first die and a second die bonded to one another. The first die includes a first passivation layer over a substrate, and first bond pads in the first passivation layer. The second die includes a second passivation layer, which may be bonded to the first passivation layer, and second bond pads in the second passivation layer, which may be bonded to the first bond pads. The second bond pads include inner bond pads and outer bond pads. The outer bond pads may have a greater diameter than the inner bond pads as well as the first bond pads.

Abstract: A method includes polishing a semiconductor substrate of a first die to reveal first through-vias that extend into the semiconductor substrate, forming a dielectric layer on the semiconductor substrate, and forming a plurality of bond pads in the dielectric layer. The plurality of bond pads include active bond pads and dummy bond pads. The active bond pads are electrically coupled to the first through-vias. The first die is bonded to a second die, and both of the active bond pads and the dummy bond pads are bonded to corresponding bond pads in the second die.

Abstract: A method includes bonding a tier-1 device die to a carrier, forming a first gap-filling region to encapsulate the tier-1 device die, forming a first redistribution structure over and electrically connected to the tier-1 device die, and bonding a tier-2 device die to the tier-1 device die. The tier-2 device die is over the tier-1 device die, and the tier-2 device die extends laterally beyond a corresponding edge of the tier-1 device die. The method further includes forming a second gap-filling region to encapsulate the tier-2 device die, removing the carrier, and forming a through-dielectric via penetrating through the first gap-filling region. The through-dielectric via is overlapped by, and is electrically connected to, the tier-2 device die. A second redistribution structure is formed, wherein the first redistribution structure and the second redistribution structure are on opposing sides of the tier-1 device die.

Abstract: A structure includes a first die and a second die. The first die includes a first bonding layer having a first plurality of bond pads disposed therein and a first seal ring disposed in the first bonding layer. The first bonding layer extends over the first seal ring. The second die includes a second bonding layer having a second plurality of bond pads disposed therein. The first plurality of bond pads is bonded to the second plurality of bond pads. The first bonding layer is bonded to the second bonding layer. An area interposed between the first seal ring and the second bonding layer is free of bond pads.

Abstract: A semiconductor package includes a first die. The first die has a first side and a second side different from the first side and includes a first seal ring. The first seal ring includes a first portion at the first side and a second portion at the second side, and a width of the first portion is smaller than a width of the second portion.

Abstract: Examples of a multiple-mask multiple-exposure lithographic technique and suitable masks are provided herein. In some examples, a photomask includes a die area and a stitching region disposed adjacent to the die area and along a boundary of the photomask. The stitching region includes a mask feature for forming an integrated circuit feature and an alignment mark for in-chip overlay measurement.

Abstract: A semiconductor device including a test pad contact and a method of manufacturing the semiconductor device are disclosed. In an embodiment, a semiconductor device may include a first metal feature and a second metal feature disposed in a single top metal layer over a substrate. A test pad may be formed over and electrically connected to the first metal feature. A first passivation layer may be formed over the second metal feature and the test pad and may cover top and side surfaces of the test pad. A first via may be formed penetrating the first passivation layer and contacting the test pad and a second via may be formed penetrating the first passivation layer and contacting the second metal feature.

Abstract: A method includes generating an integrated circuit (IC) layout design and manufacturing an IC based on the IC layout design. Generating the IC layout design includes generating a pattern of a first shallow trench isolation (STI) region and a pattern of a through substrate via (TSV) region within the first STI region; a pattern of a second STI region surrounding the first STI region, the second STI region includes a first and second layout region, the second layout region being separated from the first STI region by the first layout region, first active regions of a group of dummy devices being defined within the first layout region, and second active regions of a group of active devices being defined within the second layout region; and patterns of first gates of the group of dummy devices in the first layout region, each of the first active regions having substantially identical dimension in a first direction.

Abstract: A semiconductor package includes a first die and a second die. The first die includes a first coil and a second coil of an inductor. The first coil and the second coil are located at different level heights. The first coil includes a first metallic material. The second coil includes a second metallic material. The first metallic material has a different composition from the second metallic material. The second die is bonded to the first die. The second die includes a third coil of the inductor. The inductor extends from the first die to the second die.

Abstract: A manufacturing method of a semiconductor structure includes at least the following steps. Forming a first tier includes forming a conductive via extending from a lower portion of a first interconnect structure into a first semiconductor substrate underlying the lower portion; forming an upper portion of the first interconnect structure on the conductive via and the lower portion; forming a first surface dielectric layer on the upper portion; and forming a first and a second bonding connectors in the first surface dielectric layer. The first bonding connector extends to be in contact with an upper-level interconnecting layer of the first interconnect structure, the second bonding connector is narrower than the first bonding connector and extends to be in contact with a lower-level interconnecting layer of the first interconnect structure, and a top surface of the conductive via is between the upper-level interconnecting layer and the first semiconductor substrate.

Abstract: A semiconductor device including a test pad contact and a method of manufacturing the semiconductor device are disclosed. In an embodiment, a semiconductor device may include a first metal feature and a second metal feature disposed in a single top metal layer over a substrate. A test pad may be formed over and electrically connected to the first metal feature. A first passivation layer may be formed over the second metal feature and the test pad and may cover top and side surfaces of the test pad. A first via may be formed penetrating the first passivation layer and contacting the test pad and a second via may be formed penetrating the first passivation layer and contacting the second metal feature.

Abstract: A structure includes a first die and a second die. The first die includes a first bonding layer having a first plurality of bond pads disposed therein and a first seal ring disposed in the first bonding layer. The first bonding layer extends over the first seal ring. The second die includes a second bonding layer having a second plurality of bond pads disposed therein. The first plurality of bond pads is bonded to the second plurality of bond pads. The first bonding layer is bonded to the second bonding layer. An area interposed between the first seal ring and the second bonding layer is free of bond pads.

Abstract: A method includes generating an integrated circuit (IC) layout design and manufacturing an IC based on the IC layout design. Generating the IC layout design includes generating a pattern of a first shallow trench isolation (STI) region and a pattern of a through substrate via (TSV) region within the first STI region; a pattern of a second STI region surrounding the first STI region, the second STI region includes a first and second layout region, the second layout region being separated from the first STI region by the first layout region, first active regions of a group of dummy devices being defined within the first layout region, and second active regions of a group of active devices being defined within the second layout region; and patterns of first gates of the group of dummy devices in the first layout region, each of the first active regions having substantially identical dimension in a first direction.

Abstract: A method includes bonding a first plurality of active dies to a second plurality of active dies in a wafer. The second plurality of active dies are in an inner region of the wafer. A first plurality of dummy dies are bonded to a second plurality of dummy dies in the wafer. The second plurality of dummy dies are in a peripheral region of the wafer, and the peripheral region encircles the inner region.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing semiconductor devices include steps of depositing a first photoresist over a first dielectric layer, first exposing the first photoresist to a first light-exposure using a first lithographic mask, and second exposing the first photoresist to a second light-exposure using a second lithographic mask. An overlap region of the first photoresist is exposed to both the first light-exposure and the second light-exposure. The first dielectric layer is thereafter patterned to form a mask overlay alignment mark in the overlap region. The patterning includes etching the first dielectric layer form a trench, and filling the trench with a conductive material to produce the alignment mark. A second dielectric layer is deposited over the alignment mark, and a second photoresist is deposited over the second dielectric layer. A third lithographic mask is aligned to the second photoresist using the underlying mask overlay alignment mark for registration.

Abstract: A semiconductor package includes a first die and a second die. The first die includes a first coil and a second coil of an inductor. The first coil and the second coil are located at different level heights. The first coil includes a first metallic material. The second coil includes a second metallic material. The first metallic material has a different composition from the second metallic material. The second die is bonded to the first die. The second die includes a third coil of the inductor. The inductor extends from the first die to the second die.

Abstract: An embodiment is a method including forming a first interconnect structure over a first substrate, forming a redistribution via over the first interconnect structure, the redistribution via being electrically coupled to at least one of the metallization patterns of the first interconnect structure, forming a redistribution pad over the redistribution via, the redistribution pad being electrically coupled to the redistribution via, forming a first dielectric layer over the redistribution pad, and forming a second dielectric layer over the first dielectric layer. The method also includes patterning the first and second dielectric layers, forming a bond via over the redistribution pad and in the first dielectric layer, the bonding via being electrically coupled to the redistribution pad, the bond via overlapping the redistribution via, and forming a first bond pad over the bonding via and in the second dielectric layer, the first bond pad being electrically coupled to the bond via.

Abstract: A manufacturing method of a semiconductor structure includes at least the following steps. Forming a first tier includes forming a conductive via extending from a lower portion of a first interconnect structure into a first semiconductor substrate underlying the lower portion; forming an upper portion of the first interconnect structure on the conductive via and the lower portion; forming a first surface dielectric layer on the upper portion; and forming a first and a second bonding connectors in the first surface dielectric layer. The first bonding connector extends to be in contact with an upper-level interconnecting layer of the first interconnect structure, the second bonding connector is narrower than the first bonding connector and extends to be in contact with a lower-level interconnecting layer of the first interconnect structure, and a top surface of the conductive via is between the upper-level interconnecting layer and the first semiconductor substrate.

Abstract: Examples of a multiple-mask multiple-exposure lithographic technique and suitable masks are provided herein. In some examples, a photomask includes a die area and a stitching region disposed adjacent to the die area and along a boundary of the photomask. The stitching region includes a mask feature for forming an integrated circuit feature and an alignment mark for in-chip overlay measurement.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing semiconductor devices include steps of depositing a first photoresist over a first dielectric layer, first exposing the first photoresist to a first light-exposure using a first lithographic mask, and second exposing the first photoresist to a second light-exposure using a second lithographic mask. An overlap region of the first photoresist is exposed to both the first light-exposure and the second light-exposure. The first dielectric layer is thereafter patterned to form a mask overlay alignment mark in the overlap region. The patterning includes etching the first dielectric layer form a trench, and filling the trench with a conductive material to produce the alignment mark. A second dielectric layer is deposited over the alignment mark, and a second photoresist is deposited over the second dielectric layer. A third lithographic mask is aligned to the second photoresist using the underlying mask overlay alignment mark for registration.