The present disclosure, in some embodiments, relates to a method of forming an integrated chip structure. The method may be performed by forming a plurality of interconnect layers within a first interconnect structure disposed over an upper surface of a first semiconductor substrate. An edge trimming process is performed to remove parts of the first interconnect structure and the first semiconductor substrate along a perimeter of the first semiconductor substrate. The edge trimming process results in the first semiconductor substrate having a recessed surface coupled to the upper surface by way of an interior sidewall disposed directly over the first semiconductor substrate. A dielectric capping structure is formed onto a sidewall of the first interconnect structure after performing the edge trimming process.

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 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.

Disclosed are a die bonding apparatus, a substrate bonding apparatus, a die bonding method, and a substrate bonding method that are capable of bonding a die to a substrate or bonding substrates together without using a bonding medium such as an adhesion film and a solder bump. The die bonding method includes hydrophilizing a bonding surface of the die, by plasma processing, forming a liquid film on a bonding area of the substrate, by supplying a liquid including water to the bonding area of the substrate, pre-bonding the die to the substrate by bringing the die into contact with the liquid film, and post-bonding one or more dies to the substrate at the same time, by performing heat treatment in a state in which the one or more dies are pre-bonded to the substrate.

Layer structures for making direct metal-to-metal bonds at low temperatures and shorter annealing durations in microelectronics are provided. Example bonding interface structures enable direct metal-to-metal bonding of interconnects at low annealing temperatures of 150° C. or below, and at a lower energy budget. The example structures provide a precise metal recess distance for conductive pads and vias being bonded that can be achieved in high volume manufacturing. The example structures provide a vertical stack of conductive layers under the bonding interface, with geometries and thermal expansion features designed to vertically expand the stack at lower temperatures over the precise recess distance to make the direct metal-to-metal bonds. Further enhancements, such as surface nanotexture and copper crystal plane selection, can further actuate the direct metal-to-metal bonding at lowered annealing temperatures and shorter annealing durations.

A chip package is provided. The chip package includes a semiconductor chip and a semiconductor die over the semiconductor chip. The chip package also includes a dielectric layer over the semiconductor chip and encapsulating the semiconductor die, and the dielectric layer is substantially made of a semiconductor oxide material. The chip package further includes a conductive feature penetrating through a semiconductor substrate of the semiconductor die and physically connecting a conductive pad of the semiconductor chip.

A die bonding system including a bond head assembly for bonding a die to a substrate is provided. The die includes a first plurality of fiducial markings, and the substrate includes a second plurality of fiducial markings. The die bonding system also includes an imaging system configured for simultaneously imaging one of the first plurality of fiducial markings and one of the second plurality of fiducial markings along a first optical path while the die is carried by the bond head assembly. The imaging system is also configured for simultaneously imaging another of the first plurality of fiducial markings and another of the second plurality of fiducial markings along a second optical path while the die is carried by the bond head assembly. Each of the first and second optical paths are independently configurable to image any area of the die including one of the first plurality of fiducial markings.

A semiconductor device structure is provided. The semiconductor device structure includes a first polymer layer formed between a first substrate and a second substrate, and a first conductive layer formed over the first polymer. The semiconductor device includes a first through substrate via (TSV) formed over the first conductive layer, and the conductive layer is in direct contact with the first TSV and the first polymer.

In an embodiment, a structure includes: a processor device including logic devices; a first memory device directly face-to-face bonded to the processor device by metal-to-metal bonds and by dielectric-to-dielectric bonds; a first dielectric layer laterally surrounding the first memory device; a redistribution structure over the first dielectric layer and the first memory device, the redistribution structure including metallization patterns; and first conductive vias extending through the first dielectric layer, the first conductive vias connecting the metallization patterns of the redistribution structure to the processor device.

A member for a solid-state image pickup device having a bonding plane with no gaps and a method for manufacturing the same are provided. The manufacturing method includes the steps of providing a first substrate provided with a photoelectric converter on its primary face and a first wiring structure, providing a second substrate provided with a part of a peripheral circuit on its primary face and a second wiring structure, and performing bonding so that the first substrate, the first wiring structure, the second wiring structure, and the second substrate are disposed in this order. In addition, at least one of an upper face of the first wiring structure and an upper face of the second wiring structure has a concave portion, and a conductive material forms a bottom face of the concave portion.