A semiconductor device includes a semiconductor substrate, a dielectric structure, an electrical insulating and thermal conductive layer and a circuit layer. The electrical insulating and thermal conductive layer is disposed over the semiconductor substrate. The dielectric structure is disposed over the electrical insulating and thermal conductive layer, wherein a thermal conductivity of the electrical insulating and thermal conductive layer is substantially greater than a thermal conductivity of the dielectric structure. The circuit layer is disposed in the dielectric structure.

A semiconductor device has a conductive via in a first surface of a substrate. A first interconnect structure is formed over the first surface of the substrate. A first bump is formed over the first interconnect structure. The first bump is formed over or offset from the conductive via. An encapsulant is deposited over the first bump and first interconnect structure. A portion of the encapsulant is removed to expose the first bump. A portion of a second surface of the substrate is removed to expose the conductive via. The encapsulant provides structural support and eliminates the need for a separate carrier wafer when thinning the substrate. A second interconnect structure is formed over the second surface of the substrate. A second bump is formed over the first bump. A plurality of semiconductor devices can be stacked and electrically connected through the conductive via.

A semiconductor device has a plurality of semiconductor die or components mounted over a carrier. A leadframe is mounted over the carrier between the semiconductor die. The leadframe has a plate and bodies extending from the plate. The bodies of the leadframe are disposed around a perimeter of the semiconductor die. An encapsulant is deposited over the carrier, leadframe, and semiconductor die. A plurality of conductive vias is formed through the encapsulant and electrically connected to the bodies of the leadframe and contact pads on the semiconductor die. An interconnect structure is formed over the encapsulant and electrically connected to the conductive vias. A first channel is formed through the interconnect structure, encapsulant, leadframe, and partially through the carrier. The carrier is removed to singulate the semiconductor die. A second channel is formed through the plate of the leadframe to physically separate the bodies of the leadframe.

A method of three-dimensionally integrating elements such as singulated die or wafers and an integrated structure having connected elements such as singulated dies or wafers. Either or both of the die and wafer may have semiconductor devices formed therein. A first element having a first contact structure is bonded to a second element having a second contact structure. First and second contact structures can be exposed at bonding and electrically interconnected as a result of the bonding. A via may be etched and filled after bonding to expose and form an electrical interconnect to interconnected first and second contact structures and provide electrical access to this interconnect from a surface.

For simplifying the dual-damascene formation steps of a multilevel Cu interconnect, a formation step of an antireflective film below a photoresist film is omitted. Described specifically, an interlayer insulating film is dry etched with a photoresist film formed thereover as a mask, and interconnect trenches are formed by terminating etching at the surface of a stopper film formed in the interlayer insulating film. The stopper film is made of an SiCN film having a low optical reflectance, thereby causing it to serve as an antireflective film when the photoresist film is exposed.

Disclosed is a semiconductor device including a conductive pattern on a substrate, a passivation layer on the substrate and including an opening that partially exposes the conductive pattern, and a pad structure in the opening of the passivation layer and connected to the conductive pattern. The pad structure includes a first metal layer that fills the opening of the passivation layer and has a width greater than that of the opening, and a second metal layer on the first metal layer. The first metal layer has a first thickness at an outer wall of the first metal layer, a second thickness on a top surface of the passivation layer, and a third thickness on a top surface of the conductive pattern. The second thickness is greater than the first thickness, and the third thickness is greater than the second thickness.

Disclosed is a semiconductor device including a conductive pattern on a substrate, a passivation layer on the substrate and including an opening that partially exposes the conductive pattern, and a pad structure in the opening of the passivation layer and connected to the conductive pattern. The pad structure includes a first metal layer that fills the opening of the passivation layer and has a width greater than that of the opening, and a second metal layer on the first metal layer. The first metal layer has a first thickness at an outer wall of the first metal layer, a second thickness on a top surface of the passivation layer, and a third thickness on a top surface of the conductive pattern. The second thickness is greater than the first thickness, and the third thickness is greater than the second thickness.

Various semiconductor chips and packages are disclosed. In one aspect, an apparatus is provided that includes a semiconductor chip that has a side, and plural conductive pillars on the side. Each of the conductive pillars includes a pillar portion that has an exposed shoulder facing away from the semiconductor chip. The shoulder provides a wetting surface to attract melted solder. The pillar portion has a first lateral dimension at the shoulder. A solder cap is positioned on the pillar portion. The solder cap has a second lateral dimension smaller than the first lateral dimension.

Various semiconductor chips and packages are disclosed. In one aspect, an apparatus is provided that includes a semiconductor chip that has a side, and plural conductive pillars on the side. Each of the conductive pillars includes a pillar portion that has an exposed shoulder facing away from the semiconductor chip. The shoulder provides a wetting surface to attract melted solder. The pillar portion has a first lateral dimension at the shoulder. A solder cap is positioned on the pillar portion. The solder cap has a second lateral dimension smaller than the first lateral dimension.

A front-end method of fabricating nickel plated caps over copper bond pads used in a memory device. The method provides protection of the bond pads from an oxidizing atmosphere without exposing sensitive structures in the memory device to the copper during fabrication.