In some embodiments, the present disclosure relates to a package assembly having a bump on a first substrate. A molding compound is on the first substrate and contacts sidewalls of the bump. A no-flow underfill layer is on a conductive region of a second substrate. The no-flow underfill layer and the conductive region contact the bump. A mask layer is arranged on the second substrate and laterally surrounds the no-flow underfill layer. The no-flow underfill layer contacts the substrate between the conductive region and the mask layer.

In some embodiments, the present disclosure relates to a package assembly having a bump on a first substrate. A molding compound is on the first substrate and contacts sidewalls of the bump. A no-flow underfill layer is on a conductive region of a second substrate. The no-flow underfill layer and the conductive region contact the bump. A mask layer is arranged on the second substrate and laterally surrounds the no-flow underfill layer. The no-flow underfill layer contacts the substrate between the conductive region and the mask layer.

Semiconductor devices, methods of manufacture thereof, and semiconductor device packages are disclosed. In one embodiment, a semiconductor device includes an insulating material layer having openings on a surface of a substrate. One or more insertion bumps are disposed over the insulating material layer. The semiconductor device includes signal bumps having portions that are not disposed over the insulating material layer.

Some embodiments relate to a semiconductor module having an integrated antenna structure. The semiconductor module has an excitable element and a first ground plane disposed between a substrate and the excitable element. A second ground plane is separated from the first ground plane by the substrate. The second ground plane is coupled to the first ground plane by one or more through-substrate vias (TSVs) that extend through the substrate.

Methods and apparatus are disclosed for manufacturing metal contacts under ground-up contact pads within a device. A device may comprise a bottom metal layer with a bottom metal contact, a top metal layer with a top metal contact, and a plurality of middle metal layers. Any given metal layer of the plurality of middle metal layers comprises a metal contact, the metal contact is substantially vertically below the top metal contact, substantially vertically above the bottom metal contact, and substantially vertically above a metal contact in any metal layer that is below the given metal layer. The metal contacts may be of various and different shapes. All the metal contacts in the plurality of middle metal layers and the bottom metal contact may be smaller than the top metal contact, therefore occupying less area and saving more area for other functions such as device routing.

Some embodiments relate to a semiconductor device. The semiconductor device includes a layer disposed over a substrate. A conductive body extends through the layer. A plurality of bar or pillar structures are spaced apart from one another and laterally surround the conductive body. The plurality of bar or pillar structures are generally concentric around the conductive body.

In one embodiment, a semiconductor device includes a first contact pad disposed at a top side of a workpiece, a second contact pad disposed at the top side of the workpiece. An isolation region is disposed between the first contact pad and the second contact pad. A metal strip is disposed at least partially within the isolation region. The metal strip is not coupled to an external potential node.

An apparatus comprising a substrate with multiple electronic devices. An interconnect structure formed on a first side of the substrate interconnects the electronic devices. Dummy TSVs each extend through the substrate and form an alignment mark on a second side of the substrate. Functional TSVs each extend through the substrate and electrically connect to the electronic devices. A redistribution layer (RDL) formed on the second side of the substrate interconnects ones of the dummy TSVs with ones of the functional TSVs. Step heights of the RDL over the functional TSVs are less than a predetermined value, whereas step heights of the RDL over the dummy TSVs are greater than the predetermined value.

An interconnect apparatus and a method of forming the interconnect apparatus is provided. Two integrated circuits are bonded together. A first opening is formed through one of the substrates. A multi-layer dielectric film is formed along sidewalls of the first opening. One or more etch processes form one or more spacer-shaped structures along sidewalls of the first opening. A second opening is formed extending from the first opening to pads in the integrated circuits. A dielectric liner is formed, and the opening is filled with a conductive material to form a conductive plug.

In various embodiments a method for manufacturing a metallization layer on a substrate is provided, wherein the method may include providing a structured layer of a catalyst material on the substrate, the catalyst material may include a first layer of material arranged over the substrate and a second layer of material arranged over the first layer of material, wherein the structured layer of catalyst material having a first set of regions including the catalyst material over the substrate and a second set of regions free of the catalyst material over the substrate, and forming a plurality of groups of nanotubes over the substrate, each group of the plurality of groups of nanotubes includes a plurality of nanotubes formed over a respective region in the first set of regions.