A three-dimensional stacking structure is described. The stacking structure includes at least a bottom die, a top die and a spacer protective structure. The bottom die includes contact pads in the non-bonding region. The top die is stacked on the bottom die without covering the contact pads of the bottom die and the bottom die is bonded with the top die through bonding structures there-between. The spacer protective structure is disposed on the bottom die and covers the top die to protect the top die. By forming an anti-bonding layer before stacking the top dies to the bottom dies, the top die can be partially removed to expose the contact pads of the bottom die for further connection.

A GaN-on-Si device structure and a method of fabrication are disclosed for improved die yield and device reliability of high current/high voltage lateral GaN transistors. A plurality of conventional GaN device structures comprising GaN epi-layers are fabricated on a silicon substrate (GaN-on-Si die). After processing of on-chip interconnect layers, a trench structure is defined around each die, through the GaN epi-layers and into the silicon substrate. A trench cladding is provided on proximal sidewalls, comprising at least one of a passivation layer and a conductive metal layer. The trench cladding extends over exposed surfaces of the GaN epi-layers, over the interface region with the substrate, and over the exposed surfaces of the interconnect layers. This structure reduces risk of propagation of dicing damage and defects or cracks in the GaN epi-layers into active device regions. A metal trench cladding acts as a barrier for electro-migration of mobile ions.

A device includes an integrated circuit, a first seal ring, a second seal ring, and a dielectric layer. The first seal ring surrounds the integrated circuit and includes a plurality of first seal portions separated from each other by a plurality of first gaps. The second seal ring surrounds the integrated circuit, between the integrated circuit and the first seal ring and includes a plurality of second seal portions separated from each other by a plurality of second gaps. The dielectric layer surrounds the first and second seal rings and includes a plurality of first filling portions in the first gaps, respectively, and a plurality of second filling portions in the second gaps, respectively. A connection line of one of the first filling portions and one of the second filling portions closest to said one of the first filling portions is not parallel to edges of the integrated circuit.

Metal-free frame designs for silicon bridges for semiconductor packages and the resulting silicon bridges and semiconductor packages are described. In an example, a semiconductor structure includes a substrate having an insulating layer disposed thereon, the substrate having a perimeter. A metallization structure is disposed on the insulating layer, the metallization structure including conductive routing disposed in a dielectric material stack. A first metal guard ring is disposed in the dielectric material stack and surrounds the conductive routing. A second metal guard ring is disposed in the dielectric material stack and surrounds the first metal guard ring. A metal-free region of the dielectric material stack surrounds the second metal guard ring. The metal-free region is disposed adjacent to the second metal guard ring and adjacent to the perimeter of the substrate.

The present disclosure relates to semiconductor structures, and more particularly, to crackstop structures and methods of manufacture. The structure includes: a die matrix comprising a plurality of dies separated by at least one scribe lane; and a crackstop structure comprising at least one line within the at least one scribe lane between adjacent dies of the plurality of dies.

Semiconductor structures and methods of testing the same are provided. A semiconductor structure according to the present disclosure includes a substrate, a semiconductor device over the substrate, wherein the semiconductor device includes an interconnect structure, and the interconnect structure includes a plurality of metallization layers disposed in a dielectric layer; and a delamination sensor. The delamination sensor includes a connecting structure and a plurality of contact vias in at least one of the plurality of metallization layers. The connecting structure bonds the semiconductor device to the substrate and does not functionally couple the semiconductor device to the substrate. The plurality of contact vias fall within a first region of a vertical projection area of the connecting structure but do not overlap a second region of the vertical projection area.

A semiconductor chip includes an integrated circuit disposed in a device region, and a chip guard disposed in a chip sealing region that is an outer portion of the device region. The chip guard includes a first metal layer disposed over a substrate, an interlayer insulating layer disposed on the first metal layer, a second metal layer disposed on the interlayer insulating layer, and a barrier pattern extending in a direction towards the substrate from the second metal layer through the interlayer insulating layer. The barrier pattern is disposed to be spaced apart from the first metal layer.

Various embodiments of an integrated circuit package and a method of forming such package are disclosed. The package includes a substrate having a core layer disposed between a first dielectric layer and a second dielectric layer, a die disposed in a cavity of the core layer, and an encapsulant disposed in the cavity between the die and a sidewall of the cavity. The package further includes a first patterned conductive layer disposed within the first dielectric layer, a device disposed on an outer surface of the first dielectric layer such that the first patterned conductive layer is between the device and the core layer, a second patterned conductive layer disposed within the second dielectric layer, and a conductive pad disposed on an outer surface of the second dielectric layer such that the second patterned conductive layer is between the conductive pad and the core layer.

Moisture-driven degradation of a crack stop in a semiconductor die is mitigated by forming a groove in an upper surface of the die between an edge of the die and the crack stop; entirely filling the groove with a moisture barrier material; preventing moisture penetration of the semiconductor die by presence of the moisture barrier material; and dissipating mechanical stress in the moisture barrier material without presenting a stress riser in the bulk portion of the die. The moisture barrier material is at least one of moisture-absorbing, moisture adsorbing, and hydrophobic.

A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device, including: providing a substrate including a first cell and a second cell, the first cell and the second cell are arranged in a first direction; forming a plurality of first metal strips arranged in a second direction and extending in the first direction on a first plane; forming a first trench over a boundary between the first cell and the second cell, a bottom surface of the first trench is located on a second plane over the first plane; filling the first trench with a non-conductive material, resulting in a separating wall extending in the first direction; and fort plurality of second metal strips extending in the second direction on a third plane over the second plane and including a first second metal strip and a second second metal strip separated by the separating wall.