Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a substrate defined with a seal ring region and a circuit region, the substrate includes a seal ring structure and an integrated circuit structure, the seal ring structure is disposed in the seal ring region and includes a plurality of stacked conductive layers interconnected by a plurality of via layers, the integrated circuit structure is disposed in the circuit region and includes an active or a passive device; a metal pad disposed over the seal ring region and contacted with the seal ring structure; a passivation layer disposed over the substrate and covering the metal pad; a polymeric layer disposed over the passivation layer and the circuit region; and a molding disposed over the passivation layer and the polymeric layer, wherein the seal ring structure is covered by the molding.

Abstract: A device includes a metal pad and a passivation layer having a portion overlapping the metal pad. A capacitor includes a bottom capacitor electrode underlying the passivation layer, wherein the bottom capacitor includes the metal pad. The capacitor further includes a top capacitor electrode over the portion of the passivation layer; and a capacitor insulator including the portion of the passivation layer.

Abstract: A system and method for testing electrical connections is provided. In an embodiment one or more floating pads may be manufactured in electrical connection with an underbump metallization structure. A test may then be performed to measure the electrical characteristics of the underbump metallization structure through the floating pad in order to test for defects. Alternatively, a conductive connection may be formed on the underbump metallization and the test may be performed on the conductive connection and the underbump metallization together.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a substrate and a bump. The substrate includes a first surface and a second surface. A notch is at the second surface and at a sidewall of the substrate. A depth of the notch is smaller than about half the thickness of the substrate. The bump is disposed on the first surface of the substrate.

Abstract: In some embodiments in accordance with the present disclosure, a semiconductor device including a semiconductor substrate is received. An interconnect structure is provided over the semiconductor substrate, and a passivation is provided over the interconnect structure. The passivation includes an opening such that a portion of the interconnect structure is exposed. Moreover, a dielectric is provided over the passivation, and a post-passivation interconnect (PPI) is provided over the dielectric. The PPI is configured to connect with the exposed portion of the interconnect structure through an opening in the dielectric. Furthermore, the PPI includes a receiving area for receiving a conductor, and a trench adjacent to the receiving area. In certain embodiments, the receiving area is defined by the trench.

Abstract: In some embodiments in accordance with the present disclosure, a semiconductor device having a semiconductor substrate is provided. A metal structure is disposed over the semiconductor substrate, and a post-passivation interconnect (PPI) is disposed over the metal structure. In addition, the upper surface of the PPI is configured to receive a bump thereon. In certain embodiments, the upper surface of the PPI for receiving the bump is substantially flat. A positioning member is formed over the PPI and configured to accommodate the bump. In some embodiments, the positioning member is configured to limit bump movement after the bump is disposed over the PPI so as to retain the bump at a predetermined position.

Abstract: A method of forming a semiconductor device includes forming a passivation layer on top of a guard ring and an active area of a circuit device, forming a passivation contact within the passivation layer, the passivation contact being over and electrically connected to the guard ring, forming a post-passivation interconnect (PPI) guard ring over the passivation layer and electrically connected to the passivation contact, and forming a first polymer layer over the PPI guard ring, the first polymer layer extending along a sidewall of the PPI guard ring.

Abstract: A device includes a metal pad and a passivation layer having a portion overlapping the metal pad. A capacitor includes a bottom capacitor electrode underlying the passivation layer, wherein the bottom capacitor includes the metal pad. The capacitor further includes a top capacitor electrode over the portion of the passivation layer; and a capacitor insulator including the portion of the passivation layer.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a first front-end-of-line (FEOL) seal ring on a substrate, the seal ring comprising ring-shaped fin-like structures, integrated circuitry formed on the substrate, the integrated circuitry being circumscribed by the first seal ring, an isolation zone between the seal ring and the integrated circuitry, the isolation zone comprising a set of fin structures, each fin structure facing a same direction.

Abstract: A system and method for testing electrical connections is provided. In an embodiment one or more floating pads may be manufactured in electrical connection with an underbump metallization structure. A test may then be performed to measure the electrical characteristics of the underbump metallization structure through the floating pad in order to test for defects. Alternatively, a conductive connection may be formed on the underbump metallization and the test may be performed on the conductive connection and the underbump metallization together.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a substrate having a circuit region and a seal ring region. The seal ring region surrounds the circuit region. A seal ring structure is disposed over the seal ring region. The seal ring structure has a first portion and a second portion above the first portion. The first portion has a width W1, and the second portion has a width W2. The width W1 is less than the width W2.

Abstract: A semiconductor device, including a protective layer overlying a contact pad and a dummy pad on a semiconductor substrate, an interconnect structure overlying the protective layer and contacting part of the dummy pad through a contact via passing through the protective layer, a bump overlying the interconnect structure positioned over the dummy pad.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses are disclosed for forming a post-passivation interconnect (PPI) guard ring over a circuit in a wafer forming a wafer level package (WLP). A circuit device comprises a guard ring and an active area. A passivation layer is formed on top of the circuit device over the guard ring and the active area, wherein the passivation layer contains a passivation contact connected to the guard ring. A first polymer layer is formed over the passivation layer. A PPI opening is formed within the first polymer layer or within the passivation layer over the passivation contact. A PPI guard ring is formed filling the PPI opening in touch with the passivation contact and extending on top of the first polymer layer or the passivation layer.

Abstract: An inductor device and method of forming the inductor device are provided. In some embodiments the inductor device includes a post passivation interconnect (PPI) layer disposed and an under bump metallization (UBM) layer, each disposed over a substrate. The PPI layer forms a coil and dummy pads. The dummy pads are disposed around a substantial portion of the coil to shield the coil from electromagnetic interference. A first portion of the UBM layer is electrically coupled to the coil and configured to interface with an electrical coupling member.

Abstract: A package comprises a semiconductor device. The semiconductor device comprises an active surface and side surfaces. The active surface has a contact pad. The package also comprises a mold covering the side surfaces of the semiconductor device. The package further comprises an interconnection line coupled with the contact pad and extending over the active surface of the semiconductor device. The package additionally comprises an under-bump metallurgy (UBM) layer over the interconnection line. The package also comprises a seal ring structure extending around and outside an upper periphery of the semiconductor device on the mold, the seal ring structure comprising a seal layer extending on a same level as at least one of the interconnection line or the UBM layer.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a substrate, a bond pad above the substrate, a guard ring above the substrate, and an alignment mark above the substrate, between the bond pad and the guard ring. The device may include a passivation layer on the substrate, a polymer layer, a post-passivation interconnect (PPI) layer in contact with the bond pad, and a connector on the PPI layer, wherein the connector is between the bond pad and the guard ring, and the alignment mark is between the connector and the guard ring. The alignment mark may be at the PPI layer. There may be multiple alignment marks at different layers. There may be multiple alignment marks for the device around the corners or at the edges of an area surrounded by the guard ring.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a first substrate including a surface, and a pad array on the surface of the substrate, wherein the pad array comprises a first type pad and a second type pad located on a same level. The semiconductor device further includes a conductive bump connecting either the first type pad or the second type pad to a second substrate and a via connected a conductive feature at a different level to the first type pad and the via located within a projection area of the first type pad and directly contacting the first type pad. The semiconductor device also has a dielectric in the substrate and directly contacting the second type pad, wherein the second type pad is floated on the dielectric.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a substrate including a surface, a plurality of pads disposing on the surface of the substrate, the plurality of pads includes a non-solder mask defined (NSMD) pad and a solder mask defined (SMD) pad, and the NSMD pad is arranged at a predetermined location. Further, a method of manufacturing a semiconductor device includes providing a substrate, disposing a plurality of pads on a surface of the substrate, disposing a solder mask over the surface of the substrate and the plurality of pads, forming a first recess in the solder mask to surround one of the plurality of pads, and forming a second recess in the solder mask and above one of the plurality of pads.

Abstract: A semiconductor device, including a protective layer overlying a contact pad and a dummy pad on a semiconductor substrate, an interconnect structure overlying the protective layer and contacting part of the dummy pad through a contact via passing through the protective layer, a bump overlying the interconnect structure positioned over the dummy pad.

Abstract: A method of making a semiconductor device includes forming a passivation layer overlying a semiconductor substrate, the semiconductor substrate having a first region and a second region, wherein the first region is a conductive pad and the second region is adjacent to the first region. The method further includes forming a first protective layer overlying the passivation layer and forming an interconnect layer overlying the first protective layer. The method further includes forming a plurality of slots in the second region and forming a second protective layer overlying the interconnect layer, wherein the second protective layer fills each slot of the plurality of slots. The method further includes exposing a portion of the interconnect layer through the second protective layer; forming a barrier layer on the exposed portion of the interconnect layer; and forming a solder bump on the barrier layer.