Methods and systems for low-force, low-temperature thermocompression bonding. The present application teaches new methods and structures for three-dimensional integrated circuits, in which cold thermocompression bonding is used to provide reliable bonding. To achieve this, reduction and passivation steps are preferably both used to reduce native oxide on the contact metals and to prevent reformation of native oxide, preferably using atmospheric plasma treatments. Preferably the physical compression height of the elements is set to be only enough to reliably achieve at least some compression of each bonding element pair, compensating for any lack of flatness. Preferably the thermocompression bonding is performed well below the melting point. This not only avoids the deformation of lower levels which is induced by reflow techniques, but also provides a steep relation of force versus z-axis travel, so that a drastically-increasing resistance to compression helps to regulate the degree of thermocompression.

Methods and systems for low-force, low-temperature thermocompression bonding. The present application teaches new methods and structures for three-dimensional integrated circuits, in which cold thermocompression bonding is used to provide reliable bonding. To achieve this, reduction and passivation steps are preferably both used to reduce native oxide on the contact metals and to prevent reformation of native oxide, preferably using atmospheric plasma treatments. Preferably the physical compression height of the elements is set to be only enough to reliably achieve at least some compression of each bonding element pair, compensating for any lack of flatness. Preferably the thermocompression bonding is performed well below the melting point. This not only avoids the deformation of lower levels which is induced by reflow techniques, but also provides a steep relation of force versus z-axis travel, so that a drastically-increasing resistance to compression helps to regulate the degree of thermocompression.

Methods and systems for low-force, low-temperature thermocompression bonding. The present application teaches new methods and structures for three-dimensional integrated circuits, in which cold thermocompression bonding is used to provide reliable bonding. To achieve this, reduction and passivation steps are preferably both used to reduce native oxide on the contact metals and to prevent reformation of native oxide, preferably using atmospheric plasma treatments. Preferably the physical compression height of the elements is set to be only enough to reliably achieve at least some compression of each bonding element pair, compensating for any lack of flatness. Preferably the thermocompression bonding is performed well below the melting point. This not only avoids the deformation of lower levels which is induced by reflow techniques, but also provides a steep relation of force versus z-axis travel, so that a drastically-increasing resistance to compression helps to regulate the degree of thermocompression.

A semiconductor device having a semiconductor substrate is provided. The semiconductor substrate includes an integrated circuit, which includes multi-layer structured metallization and inter-metal dielectric. The integrated circuit is below a passivation, which is over a metal structure. The metal structure includes a metal pad and an under bumper metallurgy, which is over and aligned with the metal pad. The metal pad is electrically connected to the integrated circuit, and the under bumper metallurgy is configured to electrically connect to a conductive component of another semiconductor device. The integrated circuit further includes a conductive trace, which is below and aligned with the metal structure. The conductive trace is connected to a power source such that an electromagnetic field is generated at the conductive trace when an electric current from the power source passes through the conductive trace.

A semiconductor device has an interposer mounted over a carrier. The interposer includes TSV formed either prior to or after mounting to the carrier. An opening is formed in the interposer. The interposer can have two-level stepped portions with a first vertical conduction path through a first stepped portion and second vertical conduction path through a second stepped portion. A first and second semiconductor die are mounted over the interposer. The second die is disposed within the opening of the interposer. A discrete semiconductor component can be mounted over the interposer. A conductive via can be formed through the second die or encapsulant. An encapsulant is deposited over the first and second die and interposer. A portion of the interposer can be removed to that the encapsulant forms around a side of the semiconductor device. An interconnect structure is formed over the interposer and second die.

A method for estimating depth of a scene includes capturing a first image of the scene via one or more sensors associated with a first agent. The method also includes selecting one or more second images from a group of previously captured images of the scene, each second image of the one or more second images satisfying a depth criteria, each image of the group of previously captured images being captured prior to the first image. The method further includes estimating the depth of the scene based on the first image and the one or more second images.

The present disclosure provides a semiconductor package includes a contact pad, a device external to the contact pad and a solder bump on the contact pad. The device has a conductive contact pad corresponding to the contact pad. The solder bump connects the contact pad with the conductive contact pad. The solder bump comprises a height from a top of the solder bump to the contact pad; and a width which is a widest dimension of the solder bump in a direction perpendicular to the height. A junction portion of the solder bump in proximity to the contact pad comprises an hourglass shape.

The present disclosure provides a semiconductor package includes a contact pad, a device external to the contact pad and a solder bump on the contact pad. The device has a conductive contact pad corresponding to the contact pad. The solder bump connects the contact pad with the conductive contact pad. The solder bump comprises a height from a top of the solder bump to the contact pad; and a width which is a widest dimension of the solder bump in a direction perpendicular to the height. A junction portion of the solder bump in proximity to the contact pad comprises an hourglass shape.

A packaging structure includes a first substrate including a first metal terminal and a second metal terminal whose height is lower than the height of the first metal terminal; and a second substrate including a third metal terminal and a fourth metal terminal whose height is lower than the height of the third metal terminal, the second substrate being provided on the first substrate, the first metal terminal and the third metal terminal being directly bonded with each other, and the second metal terminal and the fourth metal terminal being bonded via a connection portion.

A packaging structure includes a first substrate including a first metal terminal and a second metal terminal whose height is lower than the height of the first metal terminal; and a second substrate including a third metal terminal and a fourth metal terminal whose height is lower than the height of the third metal terminal, the second substrate being provided on the first substrate, the first metal terminal and the third metal terminal being directly bonded with each other, and the second metal terminal and the fourth metal terminal being bonded via a connection portion.