Abstract: An integrated circuit structure includes a semiconductor substrate, an active device disposed on a first region of the semiconductor substrate, a layer stack disposed on a second region of the semiconductor substrate, a through via penetrating through the layer stack and the semiconductor substrate, and a third dielectric layer disposed between the through via and the semiconductor substrate. In one embodiment of the present invention, the layer stack includes a first dielectric layer disposed on the semiconductor substrate and a heat-conducting member disposed on the first dielectric layer.

Abstract: A semiconductor device is made by disposing a plurality of semiconductor die on a carrier and creating a gap between each of the semiconductor die. A first insulating material is deposited in the gap. A portion of the first insulating material is removed. A conductive layer is formed over the semiconductor die. A conductive lining is conformally formed on the remaining portion of the first insulating material to form conductive via within the gap. The conductive vias can be tapered or vertical. The conductive via is electrically connected to a contact pad on the semiconductor die. A second insulating material is deposited in the gap over the conductive lining. A portion of the conductive via may extend outside the first and second insulating materials. The semiconductor die are singulated through the gap. The semiconductor die can be stacked and interconnected through the conductive vias.

Abstract: A semiconductor device is made by disposing a plurality of semiconductor die on a carrier and creating a gap between each of the semiconductor die. A first insulating material is deposited in the gap. A portion of the first insulating material is removed. A conductive layer is formed over the semiconductor die. A conductive lining is conformally formed on the remaining portion of the first insulating material to form conductive via within the gap. The conductive vias can be tapered or vertical. The conductive via is electrically connected to a contact pad on the semiconductor die. A second insulating material is deposited in the gap over the conductive lining. A portion of the conductive via may extend outside the first and second insulating materials. The semiconductor die are singulated through the gap. The semiconductor die can be stacked and interconnected through the conductive vias.

Abstract: Provided is an electrically conductive via for reducing flux residue. The via has a first aperture having a first diameter size. The via further has a second aperture having a second diameter size. A chamber is disposed between the first aperture and the second aperture, the chamber having a third diameter size. At least one of the diameters being of a different dimension than the other two. In addition, the via may also provide improved test point access in addition to reducing flux residue.

Abstract: An electronic component incorporation substrate and a method for manufacturing the same that provide a high degree of freedom for selecting materials. An electronic component incorporation substrate includes a first structure, which has a substrate and an electronic component. The substrate includes a substrate body having first and second surfaces. A first wiring pattern is formed on the first surface and electrically connected to a second wiring pattern formed on the second surface through a through via. The electronic component is electrically connected to the first wiring pattern. The electronic component incorporation substrate includes a sealing resin, which seals the first structure, and a third wiring pattern, which is connected to the second wiring pattern through a second via.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a semiconductor chip having a through-connection extending between a first main face of the semiconductor chip and a second main face of the semiconductor chip opposite the first main face, encapsulation material at least partially encapsulating the semiconductor chip, and a first metal layer disposed over the encapsulation material and connected with the through-connection.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing semiconductor devices includes the following steps. That is, a support board is adhered to a rear surface of a substrate proper which has a plurality of circuit element parts with prescribed functions formed on a circuit forming plane on an obverse surface thereof. First groove portions are formed in the substrate proper. An insulating film (17) is formed on a surface of a semiconductor substrate (50) by using an insulating material, and holes are formed in the first groove portions. Metal wiring patterns (8) are formed which extend from electrode portions to at least parts of inner walls of the holes. A prescribed amount of the support board at a bottom of each of the holes is removed. A conductive material is filled into the holes thereby to form penetration electrodes (10). A second groove portions are formed in the first groove portions.

Abstract: An integrated circuit structure includes a semiconductor substrate; an interconnect structure over the semiconductor substrate, wherein the interconnect structure comprises a top inter-metal dielectric (IMD); an opening penetrating the interconnect structure into the semiconductor substrate; a conductor in the opening; and an isolation layer having a vertical portion and a horizontal portion physically connected to each other. The vertical portion is on sidewalls of the opening. The horizontal portion is directly over the interconnect structure. The integrated circuit structure is free from passivation layers vertically between the top IMD and the horizontal portion of the isolation layer.

Abstract: An integrated circuit die is described that includes an array of tiles arranged in columns. The integrated circuit die includes interface tiles having at least one row of through die vias. The integrated circuit die includes metal layers that include horizontal wiring tracks and metal layers that include vertical wiring tracks. At least some of the metal layers having vertical wiring segments include horizontal wiring segments. Each horizontal wiring segment is coupled to a first wiring segment of a horizontal wiring track that is interrupted by the at least one row of through die vias and is coupled to a second wiring segment of the horizontal wiring track that is interrupted by the at least one row of through die vias. Each horizontal wiring segment extends between the at least one row of through die vias and at least one row of through die vias in an adjoining interface tile.

Abstract: A chip stack package includes a plurality of chips that are stacked by using adhesive layers as intermediary media, and a through via electrode formed through the chips to electrically couple the chips. The through via electrode is classified as a power supply through via electrode, a ground through via electrode, or a signal transfer through via electrode. The power supply through via electrode and the ground through via electrode are formed of a first material such as copper, and the signal transfer through via electrode is formed of second material such as polycrystalline silicon doped with impurities. The signal transfer through via electrode may have a diametrically smaller cross section than that of each of the power supply through via electrode and the ground through via electrode regardless of their resistivities.

Abstract: A circuit board having a board body includes a via structure. The via structure includes a conductive connector passing through the board body and a conductive shield member surrounding at least a portion of the conductive connector. The shield member prevents distortion of a data signal applied to the conductive connector, and also intercepts electromagnetic waves generated by the conductive connector.

Abstract: Conductive interconnect structures and formation methods using supercritical fluids are disclosed. A method in accordance with one embodiment of the invention includes forming a via in a substrate, with the via having a width and a length generally transverse to the width, and with a length being approximately 100 microns or more. The method can further include disposing a conductive material in the via while the via is exposed to a supercritical fluid. For example, copper can be disposed in the via by introducing a copper-containing precursor into the supercritical fluid and precipitating the copper from the supercritical fluid. Interconnect structures can be formed using this technique in a single generally continuous process, and can produce conductive structures having a generally uniform grain structure across the width of the via.

Abstract: Disclosed is a semiconductor device that comprises a plurality of through-silicon vias (TSVs), a signal line and a selective connector for causing the signal line to be either electrically connected to one of the TSVs or electrically isolated from all of the TSVs, based on a control signal.

Abstract: Disclosed is a semiconductor device with through-silicon vias (TSVs) that comprises a primary TSV group, a plurality of signal lines connected to the primary TSV group, a redundant TSV group and connection circuitry responsive to a control signal having a predetermined value to electrically connect the signal lines to the redundant TSV group.

Abstract: An electrostatic discharge (ESD) protection device is fabricated in a vertical space between active layers of stacked semiconductor dies thereby utilizing space that would otherwise be used only for communication purposes. The vertical surface area of the through silicon vias (TSVs) is used for absorbing large voltages resulting from ESD events. In one embodiment, an ESD diode is created in a vertical TSV between active layers of the semiconductor dies of a stacked device. This ESD diode can be shared by circuitry on both semiconductor dies of the stack thereby saving space and reducing die area required by ESD protection circuitry.

Abstract: A method of topside only dual-side testing of an electronic assembly includes providing a singulated through substrate via (TSV) die flip chip attached to a die support including a package substrate. The TSVs on the TSV die extend from its frontside to contactable TSV tips on its bottomside. The TSVs on the frontside of the TSV die are coupled to embedded topside substrate pads on a top surface of the ML substrate. The die support includes lateral coupling paths between at least a portion of the embedded topside substrate pads and lateral topside pads on a topside surface of the die support lateral to the die area. The contactable TSV tips are contacted with probes to provide a first topside connection to the TSVs, and the lateral topside pads are contacted with probes to provide a second topside connection. Dual-side testing across the electronic assembly is performed using the first and second topside connections.

Abstract: A stacked semiconductor package includes a first semiconductor package having a first semiconductor chip having a first pad and a through-hole passing through a the portion corresponding to the pad; a second semiconductor package disposed over the first semiconductor package, and including a second semiconductor chip having a second pad disposed at a portion corresponding to the first pad and blocking the through-hole; and a through-electrode disposed within the through-hole, and having a pillar shaped core supported by the second pad, a through-electrode unit disposed over a surface of the core and electrically connected with the second pad, a first metal layer interposed between the core and the through electrode unit, and a second metal layer interposed between an inner surface of the first semiconductor chip formed by the through-hole and the through-electrode unit.

Abstract: A semiconductor integrated circuit includes: a semiconductor chip; a through-chip via passing through a conductive pattern disposed in the semiconductor chip and cutting the conductive pattern; and an insulation pattern disposed on an outer circumference surface of the through-chip via to insulate the conductive pattern from the through-chip via.

Abstract: A semiconductor integrated circuit includes first power supply through-chip vias formed through the semiconductor chip to be in a line in a first direction of the semiconductor chip, second power supply through-chip vias formed through the semiconductor chip to be in, first power lines arranged in a second direction, wherein each of the plurality of first power lines is coupled to each of the first power supply through-chip vias, and second power lines arranged in the second direction, wherein each of the plurality of second power lines is coupled to each of the second power supply through-chip vias.

Abstract: A semiconductor device with substrate-side exposed device-side electrode (SEDE) is disclosed. The semiconductor device has semiconductor substrate (SCS) with device-side, substrate-side and semiconductor device region (SDR) at device-side. Device-side electrodes (DSE) are formed for device operation. A through substrate trench (TST) is extended through SCS, reaching a DSE turning it into an SEDE. The SEDE can be interconnected via conductive interconnector through TST. A substrate-side electrode (SSE) and a windowed substrate-side passivation (SSPV) atop SSE can be included. The SSPV defines an area of SSE for spreading solder material during device packaging. A device-side passivation (DSPV) beneath thus covering the device-side of SEDE can be included. A DSE can also include an extended support ledge, stacked below an SEDE, for structurally supporting it during post-wafer processing packaging.

Abstract: A package system includes an integrated circuit disposed over an interposer. The interposer includes a first interconnect structure. A first substrate is disposed over the first interconnect structure. The first substrate includes at least one first through silicon via (TSV) structure therein. A molding compound material is disposed over the first interconnect structure and around the first substrate. The integrated circuit is electrically coupled with the at least one first TSV structure.

Abstract: A through-hole interconnection structure for a semiconductor wafer, in which: the each wafer includes at least a first wafer and a second wafer electrically connected to the first wafer; an electrical signal connecting section of the second wafer is provided to protrude from a bonding surface of the second wafer, the bonding surface being bonded with the first wafer; and the electrical signal connecting section has a cross section with a curved line or two or more straight lines extending in different directions when the second wafer is seen along a cross section parallel to the bonding surface.

Abstract: Disclosed is a package structure including a semiconductor chip disposed in a core board having a first surface and an opposite second surface. The package structure further includes a plurality of first and second electrode pads disposed on an active surface and an opposite inactive surface of the semiconductor chip respectively, the semiconductor chip having a plurality of through-silicon vias for electrically connecting the first and second electrode pads. As a result, the semiconductor chip is electrically connected to the two sides of the package structure via the through-silicon vias instead of conductive through holes, so as to enhance electrical quality and prevent the inactive surface of the semiconductor chip from occupying wiring layout space of the second surface of the core board to thereby increase wiring layout density and enhance electrical performance.

Abstract: A method for fabricating a chip-scale board-on-chip substrate, or redistribution element, includes forming conductive planes on opposite sides of a substrate. A first of the conductive planes includes two sets of bond fingers, conductive traces that extend from a first set of the bond fingers, and two sets of redistributed bond pads, including a first set to which the conductive traces lead. The second conductive plane includes conductive traces that extend from locations that are opposite from the second set of bond fingers toward locations that are opposite from the locations of the second set of redistributed bond pads. Conductive vias are formed through the second set of bond fingers to the conductive traces of the second conductive plane. In addition, conductive vias are also formed to electrically connect the conductive vias of the second conductive plane to their corresponding redistributed bond pads in the first conductive plane.

Abstract: A thin and stackable power MOSFET (SP-MOSFET) and method are proposed. The SVP-MOSFET includes semiconductor substrate with bottom drain metal layer. Formed atop the semiconductor substrate are trenched gate regions and source-body regions. A patterned gate metal layer and source-body metal layer respectively contact trenched gate regions and source-body regions. At least one of through substrate drain via (TSDV), through substrate gate via (TSGV), through substrate source via (TSSV) is provided. The TSDV, formed through semiconductor substrate and in contact with drain metal layer, has top drain contacting pad and bottom drain contacting pad for making top and bottom contacts thereto. Similarly the TSGV, formed through semiconductor substrate and in contact with gate metal layer, has top gate contacting pad and bottom gate contacting pad. Likewise the TSSV, formed through semiconductor substrate and in contact with source-body metal layer, has top source contacting pad and bottom source contacting pad.

Abstract: An environment-resistant module which provides both thermal and vibration isolation for a packaged micromachined or MEMS device is disclosed. A microplatform and a support structure for the microplatform provide the thermal and vibration isolation. The package is both hermetic and vacuum compatible and provides vertical feedthroughs for signal transfer. A micromachined or MEMS device transfer method is also disclosed that can handle a wide variety of individual micromachined or MEMS dies or wafers, in either a hybrid or integrated fashion. The module simultaneously provides both thermal and vibration isolation for the MEMS device using the microplatform and the support structure which may be fabricated from a thin glass wafer that is patterned to create crab-leg shaped suspension tethers or beams.

Abstract: A device includes an interposer including a substrate having a top surface and a bottom surface. A plurality of through-substrate vias (TSVs) penetrates through the substrate. The plurality of TSVs includes a first TSV having a first length and a first horizontal dimension, and a second TSV having a second length different from the first length, and a second horizontal dimension different from the first horizontal dimension. An interconnect structure is formed overlying the top surface of the substrate and electrically coupled to the plurality of TSVs.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes at least one first component (5) (for example, a first integrated circuit), having a front face provided with electrical connection pads. The first component is embedded in a support layer (2) is a position such that the front face of the first component is not covered and lies parallel to a first face of the support layer. An intermediate layer (8) is formed on the front face of the first component and on the first face of the support layer. An electrical connection network (9) within the intermediate layer selectively connects to the electrical connection pads of the first component. The device further includes at least one second component (11) (for example, a second integrate circuit, having one face placed above the intermediate layer and provided with electrical connection pads selectively connected to the electrical connection network.

Abstract: A method for stacking and interconnecting integrated circuits includes providing at least two substrates; forming a trench in each substrate; filling the trench with an insulating material; forming, in each substrate, at least one conductive area; thinning each substrate until reaching at least the bottom of the trench, to obtain in each substrate at least one electrically insulated region within the closed perimeter delineated by the trench; bonding the substrates together; making at least one hole through the bonded substrates so that the hole passes at least partially through the conductive areas and passes through the insulated region of each substrate; and filling the hole with an electrically conductive material so as to obtain a conductive column that traverses the isolated region of each substrate and is in lateral electrical contact with the conductive areas.

Abstract: A through wafer via structure. The structure includes: a semiconductor substrate having a top surface and an opposite bottom surface; and an array of through wafer vias comprising at least one electrically conductive through wafer via and at least one electrically non-conductive through wafer via, each through wafer via of the array of through wafer vias extending from the top surface of the substrate to between greater than halfway to and all the way to the bottom surface of the substrate. Also methods for fabricating the though wafer via structure.

Abstract: Provided is a semiconductor device capable of removing a power ground grid noise using a small area. The semiconductor device includes a first chip including at least one decoupling capacitor; and a second semiconductor chip stacked over the first semiconductor chip, including internal circuits.

Abstract: A shielded through-substrate via (TSV) structure includes a first through-substrate via configured to transmit a signal at least from a top surface of a semiconductor device layer in a substrate to a bottommost surface of the substrate. The shielded TSV structure includes at least one second TSV located on the outside of the first TSV and configured to laterally shield the first TSV from external electrical signals. The at least one second TSV can be a unitary cylindrical structure including the first TSV therein, or a plurality of discrete structures configured to laterally shield the first TSV with gaps thereamongst. The at least one second TSV can include a conductive material that is different from the material of the substrate, or the at least one TSV can include a doped semiconductor material that is derived from the semiconductor material within the substrate.

Abstract: A semiconductor structure includes backside dummy plugs embedded in a substrate. The backside dummy plugs can be a conductive structure that enhances vertical thermal conductivity of the semiconductor structure and provides electrical decoupling of signals in through-substrate vias (TSVs) in the substrate. The backside dummy plug can include a cavity to accommodate volume changes in other components in the substrate, thereby alleviating mechanical stress in the substrate during thermal cycling and operation of the semiconductor chip. The backside dummy plug including the cavity can be composed of an insulator material or a conductive material. The inventive structures can be employed to form three-dimensional structures having vertical chip integration, in which inter-wafer thermal conductivity is enhanced, cross-talk between signals through TSVs is reduced, and/or mechanical stress to the TSVs is reduced.

Abstract: A method of manufacture of an integrated circuit packaging system includes: providing a stacking carrier having a cavity; placing a base integrated circuit in the cavity, the base integrated circuit having a base interconnect facing the cavity; mounting a stack integrated circuit to the base integrated circuit; and picking the stack integrated circuit mounted to the base integrated circuit out of the stacking carrier.

Abstract: Through-Wafer Interconnections allow for the usage of cost-effective substrates for detector chips. According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, detecting element for application in an examination apparatus may be provided, comprising a wafer with a sensitive region and a coaxial through-wafer interconnect structure. This may reduce the susceptibility of the interconnection by providing an effective shielding.

Abstract: A virtual wire assembly that includes a substantially electrically-nonconductive substrate and a plurality of hermetic feedthroughs including a conductive region extending transversely through the substrate to form a conductive pathway with accessible surfaces at opposing ends thereof, wherein each conductive pathway is electrically isolated from other conductive pathways. In certain embodiments of this aspect of the invention, the substantially electrically-nonconductive substrate is a semiconductor device, and the conductive regions each include an n-type or a p-type doped semiconductor material.

Abstract: A Configurable device comprising, a logic die connected by at least one through silicon-via (TSV), to an input/output (I/O) die.

Abstract: A device is formed to include an interposer having a top surface, and a bump on the top surface of the interposer. An opening extends from the top surface into the interposer. A first die is bonded to the bump. A second die is located in the opening of the interposer and bonded to the first die.

Abstract: A wiring substrate includes a ceramic substrate including plural ceramic layers, an inner wiring, and an electrode electrically connected to the inner wiring, the electrode exposed on a first surface of the ceramic substrate, and a silicon substrate body having a front surface and a back surface situated on an opposite side of the front surface and including a wiring pattern formed on the front surface and a via filling material having one end electrically connected to the wiring pattern and another end exposed at the back surface. The back surface is bonded to the first surface of the ceramic substrate via a polymer layer. The via filling material penetrates through the polymer layer and is directly bonded to the electrode.

Abstract: A manufacturing technique is disclosed for producing a semiconductor integrated circuit device having plural layers of buried wirings, and such that there is prevented the occurrence of a discontinuity caused by stress migration at an interface between a plug connected at a bottom thereof to a buried wiring and the buried wiring. For example, in the case where the width of a first Cu wiring is not smaller than about 0.9 ?m and is smaller than about 1.44 ?m, and the width of a second Cu wiring and the diameter of a plug are about 0.18 ?m, there are arranged two or more plugs which connect the first wirings and the second Cu wirings electrically with each other.

Abstract: A multi-chip device and method of stacking a plurality substantially identical chips to produce the device are provided. The multi-chip device, or circuit, includes at least one through-chip via providing a parallel connection between signal pads from at least two chips, and at least one through-chip via providing a serial or daisy chain connection between signal pads from at least two chips. Common connection signal pads are arranged symmetrically about a center line of the chip with respect to duplicate common signal pads. Input signal pads are symmetrically disposed about the center line of the chip with respect to corresponding output signal pads. The chips in the stack are alternating flipped versions of the substantially identical chip to provide for this arrangement. At least one serial connection is provided between signal pads of stacked and flipped chips when more than two chips are stacked.

Abstract: Semiconductor package structures and methods for manufacturing the same are provided. The semiconductor package structure comprises a substrate unit and a first chip stack structure. The substrate unit comprises a circuit structure having test pads. The first chip stack structure comprises chips, and each of the chips has a plurality of through silicon plugs. The through silicon plugs of two adjacent chips are electrically connected and further electrically connected to the test pads of the substrate unit for electrical testing. Another semiconductor package structure provided by the present invention comprises a first semiconductor chip and a second semiconductor chip. Each of the semiconductor chips has test pads for electrical testing and a plurality of through silicon plugs connecting to the test pads. The second semiconductor chip is mounted on the first semiconductor chip, and a portion of the through silicon plugs of two semiconductor chips are electrically connected with each other.

Abstract: A semiconductor device comprising a first semiconductor section including a first wiring layer at one side thereof, a second semiconductor section including a second wiring layer at one side thereof, the first and second semiconductor sections being secured together with the respective first and second wiring layer sides of the first and second semiconductor sections facing each other, a conductive material extending through the first semiconductor section to the second wiring layer of the second semiconductor section and by means of which the first and second wiring layers are in electrical communication.

Abstract: An array of through substrate vias (TSVs) is formed through a semiconductor substrate and a contact-via-level dielectric layer thereupon. A metal-wire-level dielectric layer and a line-level metal wiring structure embedded therein are formed directly on the contact-via-level dielectric layer. The line-level metal wiring structure includes cheesing holes that are filled with isolated portions of the metal-wire-level dielectric layer. In one embodiment, the entirety of the cheesing holes is located outside the area of the array of the TSVs to maximize the contact area between the TSVs and the line-level metal wiring structure. In another embodiment, a set of cheesing holes overlying an entirety of seams in the array of TSVs is formed to prevent trapping of any plating solution in the seams of the TSVs during plating to prevent corrosion of the TSVs at the seams.

Abstract: Semiconductor devices are described that have a metal interconnect extending vertically through a portion of the device to the back side of a semiconductor substrate. A top region of the metal interconnect is located vertically below a horizontal plane containing a metal routing layer. Method of fabricating the semiconductor device can include etching a via into a semiconductor substrate, filling the via with a metal material, forming a metal routing layer subsequent to filling the via, and removing a portion of a bottom of the semiconductor substrate to expose a bottom region of the metal filled via.

Abstract: A through silicon via structure includes a top pad and a vertical conductive post that is connected to the top pad. The top pad covers a wider area than the cross section of the vertical conductive post. An interconnect pad is formed at least partially below the top pad. An under layer is also formed at least partially below the top pad. At least one dummy structure connects the top pad and the under layer to fasten the top pad and the interconnect pad.

Abstract: A method for forming a through substrate via (TSV) comprises forming an opening within a substrate. An adhesion layer of titanium is formed within the via opening, a nucleation layer of titanium nitride is formed over the adhesion layer, and a tungsten layer is deposited over the nucleation layer, the tungsten layer having a thickness less than or equal to a critical film thickness sufficient to provide for film integrity and adhesion stability. A stress relief layer of titanium nitride is formed over the tungsten layer and a subsequent tungsten layer is deposited over the stress relief layer. The subsequent tungsten layer has a thickness less than or equal to the critical film thickness. The method further includes planarizing to expose the interlevel dielectric layer and a top of the TSV and backgrinding a bottom surface of the substrate sufficient to expose a bottom portion of the TSV.

Abstract: A semiconductor package includes a semiconductor chip and a passive element. The semiconductor chip has a semiconductor chip s body which possesses a first surface and a second surface facing away from the first surface, and a circuit section is formed in the semiconductor chip body. The passive element includes passive element bodies which are disposed in through-electrodes passing through the semiconductor chip body and connection members to which are disposed on at least one of the first surface and the second surface of the semiconductor chip body and which electrically connect to at least one of the passive element bodies.

Abstract: A semiconductor wafer comprising: a tubular trench formed at a position to form a through-hole electrode of a wafer; an insulating member buried inside the trench and on an upper surface of the trench; a gate electrode film and a metal film formed on an upper surface of the insulating member; a multilevel columnar wiring via formed on an upper surface of the metal film; and an external connection electrode formed electrically connected to the metal film via the multilevel columnar wiring via. In this manner, it is unnecessary to have a new process of dry etching to form a through-hole electrode after thinning the wafer and equipment development. Moreover, introduction of a specific design enables formation of through-hole electrodes with significantly reduced difficulties of respective processes.

Abstract: An integrated circuit structure includes a semiconductor substrate including a front side and a backside. A through-silicon via (TSV) penetrates the semiconductor substrate, and has a back end extending to the backside of the semiconductor substrate. A redistribution line (RDL) is over the backside of the semiconductor substrate and connected to the back end of the TSV. The integrated circuit structure further includes a passivation layer over the RDL; an opening in the passivation layer, wherein a portion of the RDL is exposed through the opening; and a nickel layer in the opening and contacting the RDL.