A method of making an assembly can include juxtaposing a top surface of a first electrically conductive element at a first surface of a first substrate with a top surface of a second electrically conductive element at a major surface of a second substrate. One of: the top surface of the first conductive element can be recessed below the first surface, or the top surface of the second conductive element can be recessed below the major surface. Electrically conductive nanoparticles can be disposed between the top surfaces of the first and second conductive elements. The conductive nanoparticles can have long dimensions smaller than 100 nanometers. The method can also include elevating a temperature at least at interfaces of the juxtaposed first and second conductive elements to a joining temperature at which the conductive nanoparticles can cause metallurgical joints to form between the juxtaposed first and second conductive elements.

A method includes forming a first substrate including a first dielectric layer and a first metal pad, forming a second substrate including a second dielectric layer and a second metal pad, and bonding the first dielectric layer to the second dielectric layer, and the first metal pad to the second metal pad. One or both of the first and second substrates is formed by forming a first insulating layer, forming an opening in the layer, forming a barrier on an inner surface of the opening, forming a metal pad material on the barrier, polishing the metal pad material to expose a portion of the barrier and to form a gap, expanding the gap, forming a second insulating layer to fill the opening and the gap, and polishing the insulating layers such that a top surface of the metal pad is substantially planar with an upper surface of the polished layer.

A method includes forming a first substrate including a first dielectric layer and a first metal pad, forming a second substrate including a second dielectric layer and a second metal pad, and bonding the first dielectric layer to the second dielectric layer, and the first metal pad to the second metal pad. One or both of the first and second substrates is formed by forming a first insulating layer, forming an opening in the layer, forming a barrier on an inner surface of the opening, forming a metal pad material on the barrier, polishing the metal pad material to expose a portion of the barrier and to form a gap, expanding the gap, forming a second insulating layer to fill the opening and the gap, and polishing the insulating layers such that a top surface of the metal pad is substantially planar with an upper surface of the polished layer.

A device includes a semiconductor die including a via, a layer of titanium tungsten (TiW) in contact with the via, and a copper pillar including a top portion and a bottom portion. The bottom portion is in contact with the layer of TiW. The copper pillar includes interdiffused zinc within the bottom portion.

A device includes a semiconductor die including a via, a layer of titanium tungsten (TiW) in contact with the via, and a copper pillar including a top portion and a bottom portion. The bottom portion is in contact with the layer of TiW. The copper pillar includes interdiffused zinc within the bottom portion.

A method of manufacturing a redistribution layer includes: forming an insulating layer on a wafer, delimited by a top surface and a bottom surface in contact with the wafer; forming a conductive body above the top surface of the insulating layer; forming a first coating region extending around and above the conductive body, in contact with the conductive body, and in contact with the top surface of the insulating layer in correspondence of a bottom surface of the first coating region; applying a thermal treatment to the wafer in order to modify a residual stress of the first coating region, forming a gap between the bottom surface of the first coating region and the top surface of the insulating layer; forming, after applying the thermal treatment, a second coating region extending around and above the first coating region, filling said gap and completely sealing the first coating region.

A method of manufacturing a redistribution layer includes: forming an insulating layer on a wafer, delimited by a top surface and a bottom surface in contact with the wafer; forming a conductive body above the top surface of the insulating layer; forming a first coating region extending around and above the conductive body, in contact with the conductive body, and in contact with the top surface of the insulating layer in correspondence of a bottom surface of the first coating region; applying a thermal treatment to the wafer in order to modify a residual stress of the first coating region, forming a gap between the bottom surface of the first coating region and the top surface of the insulating layer; forming, after applying the thermal treatment, a second coating region extending around and above the first coating region, filling said gap and completely sealing the first coating region.

An integrated circuit (IC) chip includes a via contact plug extending inside a through hole passing through a substrate and a device layer, a via contact liner surrounding the via contact plug, a connection pad liner extending along a bottom surface of the substrate, a dummy bump structure integrally connected to the via contact plug, and a bump structure connected to the connection pad liner. A method of manufacturing an IC chip includes forming an under bump metallurgy (UBM) layer inside and outside the through hole and forming a first connection metal layer, a second connection metal layer, and a third connection metal layer. The first connection metal layer covers the UBM layer inside the through hole, the second connection metal layer is integrally connected to the first connection metal layer, and the third connection metal layer covers the UBM layer on the connection pad liner.

An integrated circuit (IC) chip includes a via contact plug extending inside a through hole passing through a substrate and a device layer, a via contact liner surrounding the via contact plug, a connection pad liner extending along a bottom surface of the substrate, a dummy bump structure integrally connected to the via contact plug, and a bump structure connected to the connection pad liner. A method of manufacturing an IC chip includes forming an under bump metallurgy (UBM) layer inside and outside the through hole and forming a first connection metal layer, a second connection metal layer, and a third connection metal layer. The first connection metal layer covers the UBM layer inside the through hole, the second connection metal layer is integrally connected to the first connection metal layer, and the third connection metal layer covers the UBM layer on the connection pad liner.

A semiconductor device with a connection pad in a substrate, the connection pad having an exposed surface made of a metallic material that diffuses less readily into a dielectric layer than does a metal of a wiring layer connected thereto.