Abstract: A component package and a method of forming are provided. A first component package may include a first semiconductor device having a pair of interposers attached thereto on opposing sides of the first semiconductor device. Each interposer may include conductive traces formed therein to provide electrical coupling to conductive features formed on the surfaces of the respective interposers. A plurality of through vias may provide for electrically connecting the interposers to one another. A first interposer may provide for electrical connections to a printed circuit board or subsequent semiconductor device. A second interposer may provide for electrical connections to a second semiconductor device and a second component package. The first and second component packages may be combined to form a Package-on-Package (“PoP”) structure.

Abstract: Package-on-Package (PoP) structures and methods of forming the same are disclosed. In some embodiments, a method of forming a PoP structure may include: placing a device die having a plurality of metal posts over a release layer, wherein the release layer is over a first carrier; forming a plurality of through-assembly vias (TAVs) over the release layer; forming a dam member between the device die and the plurality of TAVs; molding the device die, the dam member, and the plurality of TAVs in a molding compound; and grinding the molding compound to expose ends of the plurality of metal posts and ends of the plurality of TAVs, wherein a top surface of the molding compound is substantially level with the exposed ends of the plurality of metal posts and exposed ends of the plurality of TAVs.

Abstract: A thin wafer handling structure includes a semiconductor wafer, a release layer that can be released by applying energy, an adhesive layer that can be removed by a solvent, and a carrier, where the release layer is applied on the carrier by coating or laminating, the adhesive layer is applied on the semiconductor wafer by coating or laminating, and the semiconductor wafer and the carrier is bonded together with the release layer and the adhesive layer in between. The method includes applying a release layer on a carrier, applying an adhesive layer on a semiconductor wafer, bonding the carrier and the semiconductor wafer, releasing the carrier by applying energy on the release layer, e.g. UV or laser, and cleaning the semiconductor's surface by a solvent to remove any residue of the adhesive layer.

Abstract: A device includes a polymer, a device die in the polymer, and a plurality of Through Assembly Vias (TAVs) extending from a top surface to a bottom surface of the polymer. A bulk metal feature is located in the polymer and having a top-view size greater than a top-view size of each of the plurality of TAVs. The bulk metal feature is electrically floating. The polymer, the device die, the plurality of TAVs, and the bulk metal feature are portions of a package.

Abstract: A conductive pillar for a semiconductor device is provided. The conductive pillar is formed such that a top surface is non-planar. In embodiments, the top surface may be concave, convex, or wave shaped. An optional capping layer may be formed over the conductive pillar to allow for a stronger inter-metallic compound (IMC) layer. The IMC layer is a layer formed between solder material and an underlying layer, such as the conductive pillar or the optional capping layer.

Abstract: A remotely controlled fiber testing method has the steps of: building a fiber network system including a local fiber station and a remote fiber station; sending a modulated signal to the remote fiber station by the local fiber station; demodulating the modulated signal to obtain a control command by the remote fiber station; executing the control command to obtain a testing result by the remote fiber station; modulating the testing result and sending the testing result back to the local fiber station; and demodulating the testing result by the local fiber station. Only one technician appointed to the local fiber station is sufficient to do the testing action. Therefore, the personnel cost is effectively reduced.

Abstract: An integrated circuit structure includes a first work piece and a second work piece. The first work piece includes a copper bump at a main surface of the first work piece and having a first dimension; and a nickel-containing barrier layer over and adjoining the copper bump. The second work piece is bonded to the first work piece and includes a bond pad at a main surface of the second work piece; and a solder mask at the main surface of the second work piece and having a solder resist opening with a second dimension exposing a portion of the bond pad. A ratio of the first dimension to the second dimension is greater than about 1. Further, a solder region electrically connects the copper bump to the bond pad, with a vertical distance between the bond pad and the copper bump being greater than about 30 ?m.

Abstract: A method embodiment includes forming a sacrificial film layer over a top surface of a die, the die having a contact pad at the top surface. The die is attached to a carrier, and a molding compound is formed over the die and the sacrificial film layer. The molding compound extends along sidewalls of the die. The sacrificial film layer is exposed. The contact pad is exposed by removing at least a portion of the sacrificial film layer. A first polymer layer is formed over the die, and a redistribution layer (RDL) is formed over the die and electrically connects to the contact pad.

Abstract: Embodiments of mechanisms for testing a die package with multiple packaged dies on a package substrate use an interconnect substrate to provide electrical connections between dies and the package substrate and to provide probing structures (or pads). Testing structures, including daisy-chain structures, with metal lines to connect bonding structures connected to signals, power source, and/or grounding structures are connected to probing structures on the interconnect substrate. The testing structures enable determining the quality of bonding and/or functionalities of packaged dies bonded. After electrical testing is completed, the metal lines connecting the probing structures and the bonding structures are severed to allow proper function of devices in the die package. The mechanisms for forming test structures with probing pads on interconnect substrate and severing connecting metal lines after testing could reduce manufacturing cost.

Abstract: Embodiments of mechanisms for forming a die package with multiple packaged dies on a package substrate use an interconnect substrate to provide electrical connections between dies and the package substrate. The usage of the interconnect substrate enables cost reduction because it is cheaper to make than an interposer with through silicon vias (TSVs). The interconnect substrate also enables dies with different sizes of bump structures to be packaged in the same die package.

Abstract: A detecting device that detects insertion loss of fiber route and return loss of individual events in an optical fiber network based on signals from dual paths to obtain various kinds of reference information of the optical fiber network. When the first path is selected, a detection signal produced using frequency modulated continuous wave (FMCW) technique is output to the optical fiber network. A return signal of the detection signal is used to analyze the position and return loss of various events in the optical fiber network. When the second path is selected, a common detection light is output to the optical fiber network. Based on the return signal of the common detection light, the insertion loss and total return loss of the entire network are obtained.

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: Various embodiments of mechanisms for forming a die package using through sidewall vias (TsVs), which are formed by sawing through substrate via (TSV) in half, at edges of dies described enable various semiconductor dies and passive components be electrically connected to achieve targeted electrical performance. Redistribution structures with redistribution layers (RDLs) are used along with the TsVs to enable the electrical connections. Since the TsVs are away from the device regions, the device regions do not suffer from the stress caused by the TSV formation. In addition, electrical connections between upper and lower dies by the TsVs increases the efficiency of the area utilization of the die package.

Abstract: A device includes a device die and a plurality of metal posts at a surface of the device die and electrically coupled to the device die. The device further includes a plurality of through-assembly vias (TAVs), a dam member between the device die and the plurality of TAVs, and a polymer layer encompassing the device die, the plurality of metal posts, the plurality of TAVs, and the dam member.

Abstract: An apparatus includes an integrated circuit having at least one input/output terminal comprising copper formed thereon. A metal cap layer overlies an upper surface of the at least one input/output terminal. A substrate includes at least one conductive trace formed on a first surface, and a metal finish layer overlies a portion of the at least one conductive trace. A lead free solder connection is disposed between the metal cap layer and the metal finish layer, and a first intermetallic compound is disposed at an interface between the metal cap layer and the lead free solder connection. The lead free solder connection has a copper content of less than 0.5 wt. %, and the first intermetallic compound is substantially free of copper.

Abstract: A method of forming an integrated circuit structure is provided. The method includes providing a substrate, the substrate having a conductive pad thereon. A dielectric buffer layer is formed over at least a portion of the conductive pad, and an under-bump-metallurgy (UBM) is formed directly coupled to the conductive pad, wherein the UBM extends over at least a portion of the dielectric buffer layer. Thereafter, a conductive pillar is formed over the UBM, and one or more conductive materials are formed over the conductive pillar. The substrate may be attached to a carrier substrate using an adhesive.

Abstract: A conductive pillar for a semiconductor device is provided. The conductive pillar is formed such that a top surface is non-planar. In embodiments, the top surface may be concave, convex, or wave shaped. An optional capping layer may be formed over the conductive pillar to allow for a stronger inter-metallic compound (IMC) layer. The IMC layer is a layer formed between solder material and an underlying layer, such as the conductive pillar or the optional capping layer.

Abstract: Solder on slot connections in package on package structures. An apparatus includes a substrate having a front side surface and a back side surface; a first passivation layer disposed over at least one of the front side and back side surfaces; at least one via opening formed in the first passivation layer; a conductor layer disposed over the first passivation layer, coupled to the at least one via and forming a conductive trace on the surface of the first passivation layer; a second passivation layer formed over the conductor layer; and at least one slot opening formed in the second passivation layer and exposing a portion of the conductive trace for receiving a solder connector. In additional embodiments the substrate may be a semiconductor wafer. Methods for forming the structures are disclosed.

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 remotely controlled fiber testing method has the steps of: building a fiber network system including a local fiber station and a remote fiber station; sending a modulated signal to the remote fiber station by the local fiber station; demodulating the modulated signal to obtain a control command by the remote fiber station; executing the control command to obtain a testing result by the remote fiber station; modulating the testing result and sending the testing result back to the local fiber station; and demodulating the testing result by the local fiber station. Only one technician appointed to the local fiber station is sufficient to do the testing action. Therefore, the personnel cost is effectively reduced.