A semiconductor device includes a substrate, one or more wiring layers disposed over the substrate, a passivation layer disposed over the one or more wiring layers, a first conductive layer disposed over the passivation layer, a second conductive layer disposed over the first conductive layer, an isolation structure formed in the first and second conductive layers to isolate a part of the first and second conductive layers, and a first metal pad disposed over the isolation structure and the part of the first and second conductive layers. In one or more of the foregoing or following embodiments, the semiconductor device further includes a second metal pad disposed over the second conductive layer and electrically isolated from the first metal pad.

Sacrificial pillars for a semiconductor device assembly, and associated methods and systems are disclosed. In one embodiment, a region of a semiconductor die may be identified to include sacrificial pillars that are not connected to bond pads of the semiconductor die, in addition to live conductive pillars connected to the bond pads. The region with the sacrificial pillars, when disposed in proximity to the live conductive pillars, may prevent an areal density of the live conductive pillars from experiencing an abrupt change that may result in intolerable variations in heights of the live conductive pillars. As such, the sacrificial pillars may improve a coplanarity of the live conductive pillars by reducing variations in the heights of the live conductive pillars. Thereafter, the sacrificial pillars may be removed from the semiconductor die.

An apparatus relating generally to a substrate is disclosed. In this apparatus, a post extends from the substrate. The post includes a conductor member. An upper portion of the post extends above an upper surface of the substrate. An exterior surface of the post associated with the upper portion is in contact with a dielectric layer. The dielectric layer is disposed on the upper surface of the substrate and adjacent to the post to provide a dielectric collar for the post. An exterior surface of the dielectric collar is in contact with a conductor layer. The conductor layer is disposed adjacent to the dielectric collar to provide a metal collar for the post, where a top surface of each of the conductor member, the dielectric collar and the metal collar have formed thereon a bond structure for interconnection of the metal collar and the conductor member.

Sacrificial pillars for a semiconductor device assembly, and associated methods and systems are disclosed. In one embodiment, a region of a semiconductor die may be identified to include sacrificial pillars that are not connected to bond pads of the semiconductor die, in addition to live conductive pillars connected to the bond pads. The region with the sacrificial pillars, when disposed in proximity to the live conductive pillars, may prevent an areal density of the live conductive pillars from experiencing an abrupt change that may result in intolerable variations in heights of the live conductive pillars. As such, the sacrificial pillars may improve a coplanarity of the live conductive pillars by reducing variations in the heights of the live conductive pillars. Thereafter, the sacrificial pillars may be removed from the semiconductor die.

An apparatus relating generally to a substrate is disclosed. In this apparatus, a post extends from the substrate. The post includes a conductor member. An upper portion of the post extends above an upper surface of the substrate. An exterior surface of the post associated with the upper portion is in contact with a dielectric layer. The dielectric layer is disposed on the upper surface of the substrate and adjacent to the post to provide a dielectric collar for the post. An exterior surface of the dielectric collar is in contact with a conductor layer. The conductor layer is disposed adjacent to the dielectric collar to provide a metal collar for the post, where a top surface of each of the conductor member, the dielectric collar and the metal collar have formed thereon a bond structure for interconnection of the metal collar and the conductor member.

In a described example, a device includes an overcoat layer covering an interconnect; an opening in the overcoat layer exposing a portion of a surface of the interconnect; a stud on the exposed portion of the surface of the interconnect in the opening; a surface of the stud approximately coplanar with a surface of the overcoat layer; and a conductive pillar covering the stud and covering a portion of the overcoat layer surrounding the stud, the conductive pillar having a planar and un-dished surface facing away from the stud and the overcoat layer.

Methods and apparatus for optical thermal treatment in semiconductor packages are disclosed. A disclosed example integrated circuit (IC) package includes a dielectric substrate, an interconnect associated with the dielectric substrate, and light absorption material proximate or surrounding the interconnect, the light absorption material to increase in temperature in response to being exposed to a pulsed light for thermal treatment corresponding to the IC package.

In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, a method of forming a semiconductor device includes forming a contact layer over a first major surface of a substrate. The substrate includes device regions separated by kerf regions. The contact layer is disposed in the kerf region and the device regions. A structured solder layer is formed over the device regions. The contact layer is exposed at the kerf region after forming the structured solder layer. The contact layer and the substrate in the kerf regions are diced.

A display device includes: a flexible substrate having a display area for displaying an image and a peripheral area outside the display area; a first pad electrode in the peripheral area of the flexible substrate; and a driver connected to the first pad electrode. The driver includes: a circuit board including a driving circuit; a second pad electrode on one side of the circuit board and facing the first pad electrode; a convex structure on one side of the second pad electrode and having an oval cross-section; and a bump electrode on one side of the convex structure and connected to the first pad electrode. The bump electrode includes a column covering the convex structure and a convex portion extending from one side of the column and protruding to the first pad electrode.

A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device includes forming a first through via surrounded by a liner in a first semiconductor substrate, first-recessing the semiconductor substrate to expose a first portion of the liner covering an end portion of the first through via, and forming a first diffusion barrier layer covering the first-recessed first semiconductor substrate and exposing a second portion of the liner. The method also includes removing the second portion of the liner and second-recessing the first diffusion barrier layer. The method further includes forming a second diffusion barrier layer that covers the second-recessed first diffusion barrier layer and a top portion of the liner from which the second portion is removed and exposes a top surface of the end portion of the first through via.