Abstract: Structures and formation methods of a chip package are provided. The chip package includes a semiconductor die and a package layer partially or completely encapsulating the semiconductor die. The chip package also includes a polymer layer over the semiconductor die and the package layer. The chip package further includes a dielectric layer over the polymer layer. The dielectric layer is substantially made of a semiconductor oxide material. In addition, the chip package includes a conductive feature in the dielectric layer electrically connected to a conductive pad of the semiconductor die.

Abstract: Packaged semiconductor devices are disclosed. In some embodiments, a packaged semiconductor device includes a substrate and a plurality of integrated circuit dies coupled to the substrate. The device also includes a molding material disposed over the substrate between adjacent ones of the plurality of integrated circuit dies. A cap layer is disposed over the molding material and the plurality of integrated circuit dies, wherein the cap layer comprises an electrically conductive material that directly contacts the molding material and each of the plurality of integrated circuit dies.

Abstract: A wafer thinning system and method are disclosed that includes grinding away substrate material from a backside of a semiconductor device. A current change is detected in a grinding device responsive to exposure of a first set of device structures through the substrate material, where the grinding is stopped in response to the detected current change. Polishing repairs the surface and continues to remove an additional amount of the substrate material. Exposure of one or more additional sets of device structures through the substrate material is monitored to determine the additional amount of substrate material to remove, where the additional sets of device structures are located in the semiconductor device at a known depth different than the first set.

Abstract: The formation of through silicon vias (TSVs) in an integrated circuit (IC) die or wafer is described in which the TSV is formed in the integration process prior to contact or metallization processing. Contacts and bonding pads may then be fabricated after the TSVs are already in place, which allows the TSV to be more dense and allows more freedom in the overall TSV design. By providing a denser connection between TSVs and bonding pads, individual wafers and dies may be bonded directly at the bonding pads. The conductive bonding material, thus, maintains an electrical connection to the TSVs and other IC components through the bonding pads.

Abstract: An apparatus comprising a substrate with multiple electronic devices. An interconnect structure formed on a first side of the substrate interconnects the electronic devices. Dummy TSVs each extend through the substrate and form an alignment mark on a second side of the substrate. Functional TSVs each extend through the substrate and electrically connect to the electronic devices. A redistribution layer (RDL) formed on the second side of the substrate interconnects ones of the dummy TSVs with ones of the functional TSVs. Step heights of the RDL over the functional TSVs are less than a predetermined value, whereas step heights of the RDL over the dummy TSVs are greater than the predetermined value.

Abstract: A method includes placing a first plurality of device dies over a first carrier, with the first plurality of device dies and the first carrier in combination forming a first composite wafer. The first composite wafer is bonded to a second wafer, and the first plurality of device dies is bonded to a second plurality of device dies in the second wafer through hybrid bonding. The method further includes de-bonding the first carrier from the first plurality of device dies, encapsulating the first plurality of device dies in an encapsulating material, and forming an interconnect structure over the first plurality of device dies and the encapsulating material.

Abstract: A method of forming an integrated circuit includes forming at least one opening through a first surface of a substrate. The method further includes forming at least one conductive structure in the at least one opening. The method further includes removing a portion of the substrate to form a processed substrate having the first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface and to expose a portion of the at least one conductive structure adjacent to the second surface. The at least one conductive structure continuously extending from the first surface through the processed substrate to the second surface of the processed substrate, at least one sidewall of the at least one conductive structure spaced from a sidewall of the at least one opening by an air gap.

Abstract: A light-emitting device comprises a plurality of light-emitting pillars separated from each other by a space, wherein each of the plurality of light-emitting pillars comprises a first conductivity type layer, an active layer on the first conductivity type layer, and a second conductivity type layer on the active layer; a reflective layer surrounding a sidewall of each of the plurality of light-emitting pillars; a top electrode formed on the reflective layer and the plurality of light-emitting pillars; and a fill material formed between the reflective layer and the top electrode.

Abstract: A method includes depositing a dielectric layer over a substrate, patterning the dielectric layer to form a first opening and a second opening, wherein a width of the second opening is greater than a width of the first opening, forming a first metal layer over the dielectric layer, wherein a planar surface of the first metal layer in the second opening is lower than a top surface of the dielectric layer, forming a second metal layer in a conformal manner over the first metal layer, wherein a material of the first metal layer is different from a material of the second metal layer and applying a polishing process to the first metal layer and the second metal layer until the dielectric layer is exposed.

Abstract: An interconnection structure and method disclosed for providing an interconnection structure that includes conductive features having reduced topographic variations. The interconnection structure includes a contact pad disposed over a substrate. The contact pad includes a first layer of a first conductive material and a second layer of a second conductive material over the first layer. The first conductive material and the second conductive material are made of substantially the same material and have a first average grain size and a second average grain size that is smaller than the first average grain size. The interconnection structure also includes a passivation layer covering the substrate and the contact pad, and the passivation layer has an opening exposing the contact pad.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a package comprising a first die having a first redistribution layer (RDL) disposed on a first side of a first substrate and a second die having a second RDL disposed on a first side of a second substrate, with the first RDL bonded to the second RDL. A third die having a third RDL is disposed on a first side of a third substrate, the third die mounted over the second die, with the second die disposed between the first die and the third die. First vias extend through, and are electrically isolated from, the second substrate, with the first vias each contacting a conductive element in the first RDL or the second RDL. Second vias extend through, and are electrically isolated from, the third substrate, with the second vias each contacting a conductive element in the third RDL or one of the first vias.

Abstract: Apparatus, and methods of manufacture thereof, in which metal is deposited into openings, thus forming a plurality of metal pads, a plurality of through-silicon-vias (TSVs), a plurality of metal lines, a plurality of first dummy structures, and a plurality of second dummy structures. Ones of the plurality of first dummy structures each have a first width that is at least about three times greater than a second width of each of the plurality of metal lines, and ones of the plurality of second dummy structures each have a third width that is at least about five times greater than the second width of each of the plurality of metal lines.

Abstract: Methods of making and an integrated circuit device. An embodiment method includes patterning a first polymer layer disposed over a first copper seed layer, electroplating a through polymer via in the first polymer layer using the first copper seed layer, a via end surface offset from a first polymer layer surface, forming a second polymer layer over the first polymer layer, the second polymer layer patterned to expose the via end surface, and electroplating an interconnect in the second polymer layer to cap the via end surface using a second copper seed layer.

Abstract: A method of forming a device includes forming a through via extending into a substrate. The method further includes forming a first insulating layer over the surface of the substrate. The method further includes forming a first metallization layer in the first insulating layer and electrically connected to the through via. The method further includes forming a capacitor over the first metallization layer, wherein the capacitor comprises a first capacitor dielectric layer and a second capacitor dielectric layer. The method further includes depositing a continuous second insulating layer over the first insulating layer. The capacitor is within the second insulating layer. The method further includes depositing a third insulating layer over the second insulating layer. The method further includes forming a second metallization layer in the third insulating layer. A bottom surface of the second metallization layer is below a bottom surface of the third insulating layer.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a semiconductor substrate structure for use in a semiconductor substrate stack system is presented. The method includes a semiconductor substrate which includes a front-face, a backside, a bulk layer, an interconnect layer that includes a plurality of inter-metal dielectric layers sandwiched between conductive layers, a contact layer that is between the bulk layer and the interconnect layer, and a TSV structure commencing between the bulk layer and the contact layer and terminating at the backside of the substrate. The TSV structure is electrically coupled to the interconnect layer and the TSV structure is electrically coupled to a bonding pad on the backside.

Abstract: A device includes a through substrate via (TSV) extending through a device substrate. The TSV includes a first conductive material having a sidewall, a protruding end of the TSV protruding from a second side of the device substrate. A liner covers the sidewall of the first conductive material from a below the top surface of the protruding end of the TSV to an opposite end of the TSV. A passivation layer is disposed over the second side of the device substrate and over a portion of the liner disposed on the protruding end of the TSV, the passivation layer having a stair-step surface extending away from the TSV. A conductive interface layer is disposed over the passivation layer, the sidewall of the first conductive material, and the top surface of the protruding end of the TSV. A second conductive material is disposed over the first conductive material.

Abstract: An integrated circuit structure includes a semiconductor substrate having a front surface and a back surface; a conductive via passing through the semiconductor substrate; and a metal feature on the back surface of the semiconductor substrate. The metal feature includes a metal pad overlying and contacting the conductive via, and a metal line over the conductive via. The metal line includes a dual damascene structure. The integrated circuit structure further includes a bump overlying the metal line.

Abstract: Structures and formation methods of a chip package are provided. The chip package includes a semiconductor die and a package layer partially or completely encapsulating the semiconductor die. The chip package also includes a polymer layer over the semiconductor die and the package layer. The chip package further includes a dielectric layer over the polymer layer. The dielectric layer is substantially made of a semiconductor oxide material. In addition, the chip package includes a conductive feature in the dielectric layer electrically connected to a conductive pad of the semiconductor die.

Abstract: A semiconductor device and method are provided which utilizes a single mask to form openings for both a through substrate via as well as for a through dielectric via. In an embodiment a contact etch stop layer is deposited over and between a first semiconductor device and a second semiconductor device. A dielectric material is deposited over the contact etch stop layer between the first semiconductor device and the second semiconductor device. The different materials of the contact etch stop layer and the dielectric material is utilized such that a single mask may be used to form a through substrate via through the first semiconductor device and also to form a through dielectric via through the dielectric material.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a semiconductor substrate structure for use in a semiconductor substrate stack system is presented. The method includes a semiconductor substrate which includes a front-face, a backside, a bulk layer, an interconnect layer that includes a plurality of inter-metal dielectric layers sandwiched between conductive layers, a contact layer that is between the bulk layer and the interconnect layer, and a TSV structure commencing between the bulk layer and the contact layer and terminating at the backside of the substrate. The TSV structure is electrically coupled to the interconnect layer and the TSV structure is electrically coupled to a bonding pad on the backside.