Abstract: A semiconductor memory stack connected to a processing unit, and associated methods and systems are disclosed. In some embodiments, the semiconductor memory stack may include one or more memory dies attached to and carried by a memory controller die—e.g., high-bandwidth memory. Further, a processing unit (e.g., a processor) may be attached to the memory controller die without an interposer to provide the shortest possible route for signals traveling between the semiconductor memory stack and the processing unit. In addition, the semiconductor memory stack and the processing unit can be attached to a package substrate without an interposer.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a substrate, a plurality of circuit elements on a front side of the substrate, and a first substantially spiral-shaped conductor on a back side of the substrate is provided. The device further includes a first through-substrate via (TSV) electrically connecting a first end of the substantially spiral-shaped conductor to a first one of the plurality of circuit elements, and a second TSV electrically connecting a second end of the substantially spiral-shaped conductor to a second one of the plurality of circuit elements. The device may be a package further including a second die having a front side on which is disposed a second substantially spiral-shaped conductor. The front side of the second die is disposed facing the back side of the substrate, such that the first and second substantially spiral-shaped conductors are configured to wirelessly communicate.

Abstract: Systems and methods for a semiconductor device having a front-end-of-line structure are provided. The semiconductor device may include a dielectric material having a backside formed on a front side of a semiconductor substrate material and a front side, and an interconnect structure extending through the dielectric material. The interconnect structure may be electrically connected to a semiconductor memory array proximate the front side of the dielectric material. The semiconductor device may further have an insulating material encasing at least a portion of the semiconductor memory array and an opening created during back-end-of-line processing through which the active contact surface at the backside of the interconnect structure is exposed for electrical connection.

Abstract: Systems and methods for semiconductor devices having a substrate with bond pads, a die pair in a stacked configuration above the bond pads and having a first die having an oxide layer, a second die having an oxide layer attached to the first oxide layer, and conductive bonds electrically coupling the dies. Interconnects extend between the bond pads and the die pair, electrically coupling die pair to the substrate. The device may include a second die pair electrically coupled to: (1) the first die pair with secondary interconnects; and (2) the substrate with through-silicon vias extending through the first die pair. The top die of a die pair may be a thick die for use at the top of a pair stack. Pairs may be created by matching dies of a first silicon wafer to dies of a second silicon wafer, combination bonding the wafers, and dicing the die pairs.

Abstract: An apparatus comprises conductive segments comprising an uneven topography comprising upper surfaces of the conductive segments protruding above an upper surface of underlying materials, a first passivation material substantially conformally overlying the conductive segments, and a second passivation material overlying the first passivation material. The second passivation material is relatively thicker than the first passivation material. The apparatus also comprises structural elements overlying the second passivation material. The second passivation material has a thickness sufficient to provide a substantially flat surface above the uneven topography of the underlying conductive segments at least in regions supporting the structural elements. Microelectronic devices, memory devices, and related methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: A semiconductor memory stack connected to a processing unit, and associated methods and systems are disclosed. In some embodiments, the semiconductor memory stack may include one or more memory dies attached to and carried by a memory controller die—e.g., high-bandwidth memory. Further, a processing unit (e.g., a processor) may be attached to the memory controller die without an interposer to provide the shortest possible route for signals traveling between the semiconductor memory stack and the processing unit. In addition, the semiconductor memory stack and the processing unit can be attached to a package substrate without an interposer.

Abstract: Semiconductor die stacks, and associated methods and systems are disclosed. The semiconductor die stack may include a first die with a memory array and a second die with CMOS circuitry configured to access the memory array. The first die may not have circuitry for accessing the memory array. Further, the first and second dies may be bonded to function as a single memory device, and front surfaces of the first and second dies are conjoined to form electrical connections therebetween. The second die may include a portion uncovered by the first die, where bond pads of the semiconductor die stack are located. The first die may provide a space for bond wires to connect to the bond pads without interfering with another die attached above the semiconductor die stack. Multiple semiconductor die stacks may be stacked on top of and in line with each other.

Abstract: A semiconductor device having monolithic conductive columns, and associated systems and methods, are disclosed herein. The semiconductor device can include a semiconductor substrate, a conductive pad, an opening, a non-conductive liner, and a plug of non-conductive material. The conductive pad may be at a surface of the semiconductor substrate. The opening may extend through the semiconductor substrate from the conductive pad to a second surface and define a side wall. The liner may coat the side wall and the plug may fill the opening. A second opening may be formed through the semiconductor device and the opening and a conductive material plated therein.

Abstract: A semiconductor device having monolithic conductive cylinders, and associated systems and methods, are disclosed herein. The semiconductor device can include a semiconductor substrate, a conductive pad, an opening, and a top dielectric layer. The conductive pad may be at a first surface of the semiconductor substrate. The opening may be ring-shaped and extend through the semiconductor substrate from the conductive pad to a second surface and define a side wall. The liner may coat the side wall and the top dielectric layer may cover the second surface and may fill the opening. A second ring-shaped opening may be formed through the semiconductor device and the opening and a conductive material plated therein.

Abstract: A semiconductor device having monolithic conductive columns, and associated systems and methods, are disclosed herein. The semiconductor device can include a semiconductor substrate, a conductive pad, an opening, a non-conductive liner, and a plug of non-conductive material. The conductive pad may be at a surface of the semiconductor substrate. The opening may extend through the semiconductor substrate from the conductive pad to a second surface and define a side wall. The liner may coat the side wall and the plug may fill the opening. A second opening may be formed through the semiconductor device and the opening and a conductive material sintering therein.

Abstract: A semiconductor device having monolithic conductive cylinders, and associated systems and methods, are disclosed herein. The semiconductor device can include a semiconductor substrate, a conductive pad, an opening, and a top dielectric layer. The conductive pad may be at a first surface of the semiconductor substrate. The opening may be ring-shaped and extend through the semiconductor substrate from the conductive pad to a second surface and define a side wall. The liner may coat the side wall and the top dielectric layer may cover the second surface and may fill the opening. A second ring-shaped opening may be formed through the semiconductor device and the opening and a conductive material plated therein.

Abstract: A semiconductor package can include a semiconductor die stack including a top die and one or more core dies below the top die. The semiconductor package can further include a metal heat sink plated on a top surface of the top die and have a plurality of side surfaces coplanar with corresponding ones of a plurality of sidewalls of the semiconductor die stack. A molding can surround the stack of semiconductor dies and the metal heat sink, the molding including a top surface coplanar with an exposed upper surface of the metal heat sink. The top surface of the molding and the exposed upper surface of the metal heat sink are both mechanically altered. For example, the metal heat sink and the molding can be simultaneously ground with a grinding disc and can show grinding marks as a result.

Abstract: Semiconductor devices having interconnect structures with vertically offset bonding surfaces, and associated systems and methods, are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a semiconductor device includes a semiconductor substrate at least partially covered by a first dielectric material having an upper surface, and an interconnect structure extending therefrom. The interconnect structure can include a plurality of conductive elements, and a continuous region of a first insulating material at least partially between the plurality of conductive elements. The plurality of conductive elements and the continuous region can have coplanar end surfaces. The interconnect structure can further include a perimeter structure at least partially surrounding the plurality of conductive elements and the continuous region. The perimeter structure can have an uppermost surface that can be vertically offset from the upper surface of the first dielectric material and/or the coplanar end surfaces.

Abstract: A semiconductor device assembly can include a first semiconductor device and an interposer. The interposer can include a substrate and through vias in which individual vias include an exposed portion and an embedded portion, the exposed portions projecting from one or both of the first surface and the second surface of the substrate, and the embedded portions extending through at least a portion of the substrate. The interposer can include one or more test pads, a first electrical contact, and a second electrical contact. The semiconductor device assembly can include a controller positioned on an opposite side of the interposer from the first semiconductor device and operably coupled to the interposer via connection to the second electrical contact.

Abstract: Systems and methods for multi-height interconnect structures for a semiconductor device are provided herein. The multi-height interconnect structure generally includes a primary level semiconductor die having a primary conductive pillar and a secondary conductive pillar, where the primary conductive pillar has a greater height than the secondary conductive pillar. The semiconductor device may further include a substrate electrically coupled to the primary level semiconductor die through the primary conductive pillar and a secondary level semiconductor die electrically coupled to the primary level semiconductor die through the secondary conductive pillar. The multi-height pillars may be formed using a single photoresist mask or multiple photoresist masks. In some configurations, the primary and secondary conductive pillars may be arranged on only the front-side of the dies and/or substrate.

Abstract: A semiconductor device assembly can include a semiconductor device having a substrate and vias electrically connected to circuitry of the semiconductor device. Individual vias can have an embedded portion extending from the first side to the second side of the substrate and an exposed portion projecting from the second side of the substrate. The assembly can include a density-conversion connector comprising a connector substrate and a first array of contacts formed at the first side thereof, the first array of contacts occupying a first footprint area on the first side thereof, and wherein individual contacts of the first array are electrically connected to the exposed portion of a corresponding via of the semiconductor device. The assembly can include a second array of contacts electrically connected to the first array, formed at the second side of the connector substrate, and occupying a second footprint area larger than the first footprint area.

Abstract: Exothermic reactive bonding for semiconductor die assemblies, and associated systems and methods are disclosed. In an embodiment, a semiconductor die includes a dielectric layer having a conductive pad, where at least a portion of a surface of the dielectric layer includes a first epoxy compound. When another semiconductor die including a second epoxy compound (and another conductive pad) is brought in contact with the semiconductor die such that the first and second epoxy compounds can exothermically react, the thermal energy emanating from the exothermic reaction can facilitate bonding between the conductive pads to form interconnects between the two semiconductor dies. In some cases, the thermal energy is sufficient to form the interconnects. In other cases, the thermal energy assists the post bond annealing process to form the interconnects such that the annealing can be carried out at a lower temperature.

Abstract: A method for bonding semiconductor dies, resulting semiconductor devices, and associated systems and methods are disclosed. In some embodiments, the method includes depositing a first material on the first semiconductor die. The first material has a first outer surface and a first chemical composition at the first outer surface. The method also includes depositing a second material on the second semiconductor die. The second material has a second outer surface and a second chemical composition at the second outer surface that is different from the first chemical composition. The method also includes stacking the dies. The second outer surface of the second semiconductor die is in contact with the first outer surface of the first semiconductor die in the stack. The method also includes reacting the first outer surface with the second outer surface. The reaction causes the first outer surface to bond to the second outer surface.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a semiconductor substrate having a first major surface and a second major surface opposite the first major surface, a first layer of dielectric material over the first major surface, and a second layer of dielectric material over the second major surface. The first layer includes a plurality of recesses, and the second layer includes a plurality of protrusions. Each of the plurality of recesses are defined by a shape, and each of the plurality of protrusions are vertically aligned with a corresponding one of the plurality of recesses and are defined by the shape of the corresponding one of the plurality of recesses.

Abstract: A semiconductor device assembly can include a first semiconductor device and an interposer. The interposer can include a substrate and through vias in which individual vias include an exposed portion and an embedded portion, the exposed portions projecting from one or both of the first surface and the second surface of the substrate, and the embedded portions extending through at least a portion of the substrate. The interposer can include one or more test pads, a first electrical contact, and a second electrical contact. The semiconductor device assembly can include a controller positioned on an opposite side of the interposer from the first semiconductor device and operably coupled to the interposer via connection to the second electrical contact.