Abstract: A semiconductor test pad interconnect structure with integrated die-separation protective barriers. The interconnect structure includes a plurality of stacked metal layers each having an electrically conductive test pad separated from other test pads by a dielectric material layer. In one embodiment, at least one metallic via bar is embedded into the interconnect structure and electrically interconnects each of the test pads in the metal layers together. The via bar extends substantially along an entire first side defined by each test pad in some embodiments. In other embodiments, a pair of opposing via bars may be provided that are arranged on opposite sides of a die singulation saw cut line defined in a scribe band on a semiconductor wafer.

Abstract: An embodiment is a bump bond pad structure that comprises a substrate comprising a top layer, a reinforcement pad disposed on the top layer, an intermediate layer above the top layer, an intermediate connection pad disposed on the intermediate layer, an outer layer above the intermediate layer, and an under bump metal (UBM) connected to the intermediate connection pad through an opening in the outer layer. Further embodiments may comprise a via mechanically coupling the intermediate connection pad to the reinforcement pad. The via may comprise a feature selected from the group consisting of a solid via, a substantially ring-shaped via, or a five by five array of vias. Yet, a further embodiment may comprise a secondary reinforcement pad, and a second via mechanically coupling the reinforcement pad to the secondary reinforcement pad.

Abstract: A crack prevention structure that reduces integrated circuit corner peeling and reduces cracking is disclosed. The crack prevention structure comprises a semiconductor substrate; a first plurality of dielectric layers of a first material disposed over the semiconductor substrate; a second plurality of dielectric layers of a second material different than the first material, disposed on the first plurality of dielectric layers, wherein the first plurality of dielectric layers and the second plurality of dielectric layers meet at an interface; and a plurality of metal structures and a plurality of via structures formed through the interface of the first plurality of dielectric layers and the second plurality of dielectric layers.

Abstract: A semiconductor chip includes a semiconductor substrate; a plurality of low-k dielectric layers over the semiconductor substrate; a first passivation layer over the plurality of low-k dielectric layers; and a second passivation layer over the first passivation layer. A first seal ring is adjacent to an edge of the semiconductor chip, wherein the first seal ring has an upper surface substantially level to a bottom surface of the first passivation layer. A second seal ring is adjacent to the first seal ring and on an inner side of the semiconductor chip than the first seal ring. The second seal ring includes a pad ring in the first passivation layer and the second passivation layer. A trench ring includes at least a portion directly over the first seal ring. The trench ring extends from a top surface of the second passivation layer down to at least an interface between the first passivation layer and the second passivation layer.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for inhibiting the growth of cancer stem cells, particularly colorectal cancer stem cells, liver cancer stem cells, lung cancer stem cells or breast cancer stem cells, comprising administering to a subject in need thereof a therapeutically effective amount of a compound of antimycin A or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, together with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.

Abstract: A method for staining a sample includes the following steps. A test device is provided. The test device is sampled to obtain a sample. The sample includes a substrate, an active area disposed within the substrate and having a first doped substrate region and a second doped substrate region, at least one gate disposed between the first doped substrate region and the second doped substrate region, and an exposed shallow trench isolation embedded in the substrate and surrounding the active area. A first staining procedure is then carried out to selectively remove the shallow trench isolation to form a first void and to entirely expose the active area. A second staining procedure is subsequently carried out to selectively stain the first doped substrate region and the second doped substrate region to form a second void.

Abstract: An integrated circuit system comprising a first integrated and at least one of a second integrated circuit, interposer or printed circuit board. The first integrated circuit further comprising a wiring stack, bond pads electrically connected to the wiring stack, and bump balls formed on the bond pads. First portions of the wiring stack and the bond pads form a functional circuit, and second portions of the wiring stack and the bond pads form a test circuit. A portion of the bump balls comprising dummy bump balls. The dummy bump balls electrically connected to the second portions of the wiring stack and the bond pads. The at least one of the second integrated circuit, interposer orprinted circuit board forming a portion of the test circuit.

Abstract: A semiconductor device is provided that includes a semiconductor substrate, a plurality of dies formed on the semiconductor substrate, the plurality of dies being separated from one another by a first region extending along a first direction and a second region extending along a second direction different from the first direction, a dummy metal structure formed within a third region that includes a region defined by an intersection of the first region and the second region, a plurality of metal interconnection layers formed over the substrate, and a plurality of dielectric layers formed over the substrate. Each of the metal interconnection layers is disposed within each of the dielectric layers and a dielectric constant of at least one of the dielectric layers is less than about 2.6.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a carrier substrate, a device including the carrier substrate, and a method of bonding the carrier substrate to a chip. An exemplary device includes a carrier substrate having a chip region and a periphery region, and a chip bonded to the chip region of the carrier substrate. The carrier substrate includes a reinforcement structure embedded within the periphery region.

Abstract: A bonding pad structure is provided that includes two conductive layers and a connective layer interposing the two conductive layers. The connective layer includes a contiguous, conductive structure. In an embodiment, the contiguous conductive structure is a solid layer of conductive material. In other embodiments, the contiguous conductive structure is a conductive network including, for example, a matrix configuration or a plurality of conductive stripes. At least one dielectric spacer may interpose the conductive network. Conductive plugs may interconnect a bond pad and one of the conductive layers.

Abstract: A semiconductor package structure is provided. The structure includes a semiconductor chip having a plurality of interconnect layers formed thereover. A first passivation layer is formed over the plurality of interconnect layers. A stress buffer layer is formed over the first passivation layer. A bonding pad is formed over the stress buffer layer. A second passivation layer is formed over a portion of the bonding pad, the second passivation having at least one opening therein exposing a portion of the bonding pad.

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 bonding pad structure is provided that includes two conductive layers and a connective layer interposing the two conductive layers. The connective layer includes a contiguous, conductive structure. In an embodiment, the contiguous conductive structure is a solid layer of conductive material. In other embodiments, the contiguous conductive structure is a conductive network including, for example, a matrix configuration or a plurality of conductive stripes. At least one dielectric spacer may interpose the conductive network. In an embodiment, the conductive density of the connective layer is between approximately 20% and 100%.

Abstract: A semiconductor test pad interconnect structure with integrated die-separation protective barriers. The interconnect structure includes a plurality of stacked metal layers each having an electrically conductive test pad separated from other test pads by a dielectric material layer. In one embodiment, at least one metallic via bar is embedded into the interconnect structure and electrically interconnects each of the test pads in the metal layers together. The via bar extends substantially along an entire first side defined by each test pad in some embodiments. In other embodiments, a pair of opposing via bars may be provided that are arranged on opposite sides of a die singulation saw cut line defined in a scribe band on a semiconductor wafer.

Abstract: A semiconductor test pad interconnect structure with integrated die-separation protective barriers. The interconnect structure includes a plurality of stacked metal layers each having an electrically conductive test pad separated from other test pads by a dielectric material layer. In one embodiment, at least one metallic via bar is embedded into the interconnect structure and electrically interconnects each of the test pads in the metal layers together. The via bar extends substantially along an entire first side defined by each test pad in some embodiments. In other embodiments, a pair of opposing via bars may be provided that are arranged on opposite sides of a die singulation saw cut line defined in a scribe band on a semiconductor wafer.

Abstract: A method for staining a sample includes the following steps. A test device is provided. The test device is sampled to obtain a sample. The sample includes a substrate, an active area disposed within the substrate and having a first doped substrate region and a second doped substrate region, at least one gate disposed between the first doped substrate region and the second doped substrate region, and an exposed shallow trench isolation embedded in the substrate and surrounding the active area. A first staining procedure is then carried out to selectively remove the shallow trench isolation to form a first void and to entirely expose the active area. A second staining procedure is subsequently carried out to selectively stain the first doped substrate region and the second doped substrate region to form a second void.

Abstract: An integrated circuit structure includes a first chip including a first edge; and a second chip having a second edge facing the first edge. A scribe line is between and adjoining the first edge and the second edge. A heat spreader includes a portion in the scribe line, wherein the heat spreader includes a plurality of vias and a plurality of metal lines. The portion of the heat spreader in the scribe line has a second length at least close to, or greater than, a first length of the first edge.

Abstract: An integrated circuit structure includes a first, a second and a third metallization layer. The first metallization layer includes a first dielectric layer having a first k value; and first metal lines in the first dielectric layer. The second metallization layer is over the first metallization layer, and includes a second dielectric layer having a second k value greater than the first k value; and second metal lines in the second dielectric layer. The third metallization layer is over the second metallization layer, and includes a third dielectric layer having a third k value; and third metal lines in the third dielectric layer. The integrated circuit structure further includes a bottom passivation layer over the third metallization layer.

Abstract: An integrated circuit structure includes a first chip including a first edge; and a second chip having a second edge facing the first edge. A scribe line is between and adjoining the first edge and the second edge. A heat spreader includes a portion in the scribe line, wherein the heat spreader includes a plurality of vias and a plurality of metal lines. The portion of the heat spreader in the scribe line has a second length at least close to, or greater than, a first length of the first edge.

Abstract: A semiconductor package structure is provided. The structure includes a semiconductor chip having a plurality of interconnect layers formed thereover. A first passivation layer is formed over the plurality of interconnect layers. A stress buffer layer is formed over the first passivation layer. A bonding pad is formed over the stress buffer layer. A second passivation layer is formed over a portion of the bonding pad, the second passivation having at least one opening therein exposing a portion of the bonding pad.