Multiple bonded units are provided, each of which includes a respective front-side die and a backside die. The two dies in each bonded unit may be a memory die and a logic die configured to control operation of memory elements in the memory die. Alternatively, the two dies may be memory dies. The multiple bonded units can be attached such that front-side external bonding pads have physically exposed surfaces that face upward and backside external bonding pads of each bonded unit have physically exposed surfaces that face downward. A first set of bonding wires can connect a respective pair of front-side external bonding pads, and a second set of bonding wires can connect a respective pair of backside external bonding pads.

Semiconductor die stacks, and associated methods and systems are disclosed. The semiconductor die stack may include a first die with a memory array and a second die with CMOS circuitry configured to access the memory array. The first die may not have circuitry for accessing the memory array. Further, the first and second dies may be bonded to function as a single memory device, and front surfaces of the first and second dies are conjoined to form electrical connections therebetween. The second die may include a portion uncovered by the first die, where bond pads of the semiconductor die stack are located. The first die may provide a space for bond wires to connect to the bond pads without interfering with another die attached above the semiconductor die stack. Multiple semiconductor die stacks may be stacked on top of and in line with each other.

Semiconductor die stacks, and associated methods and systems are disclosed. The semiconductor die stack may include a first die with a memory array and a second die with CMOS circuitry configured to access the memory array. The first die may not have circuitry for accessing the memory array. Further, the first and second dies may be bonded to function as a single memory device, and front surfaces of the first and second dies are conjoined to form electrical connections therebetween. The second die may include a portion uncovered by the first die, where bond pads of the semiconductor die stack are located. The first die may provide a space for bond wires to connect to the bond pads without interfering with another die attached above the semiconductor die stack. Multiple semiconductor die stacks may be stacked on top of and in line with each other.

An anti-tamper layer is applied to a blank wafer. The layered wafer is then diced into shield dies. A shield die is oxide-to-oxide bonded to the top of an active die such that removing the shield die will damage the active die. The shield die may be sized and positioned such that wirebond pads along one or more edges of the active die remain exposed. The exposed wirebond pads may be used to electrically connect, via wirebonds, the active die to a substrate. A second shield die may be attached to the bottom of the active die to help protect against the use of bottom-to-top delayering.

An anti-tamper layer is applied to a blank wafer. The layered wafer is then diced into shield dies. A shield die is oxide-to-oxide bonded to the top of an active die such that removing the shield die will damage the active die. The shield die may be sized and positioned such that wirebond pads along one or more edges of the active die remain exposed. The exposed wirebond pads may be used to electrically connect, via wirebonds, the active die to a substrate. A second shield die may be attached to the bottom of the active die to help protect against the use of bottom-to-top delayering.

A semiconductor apparatus includes a semiconductor layer having first and second faces, a semiconductor element portion in which semiconductor elements are provided, and openings each penetrating the semiconductor layer from the second face side, an interconnection structure provided on the first face side, and an insulator portion provided to surround at least one of the openings within a virtual plane along the second face and extend to a depth between T/2 and T from the first face, where T is the thickness of the semiconductor layer. The semiconductor layer includes a semiconductor region of one conductivity type provided on the opposite side to the one opening to the insulator portion within the virtual plane, and a semiconductor region of another conductivity type provided in the semiconductor layer from the insulator portion face on the second face side to the second face in a direction perpendicular to the second face.

A semiconductor apparatus includes a semiconductor layer having first and second faces, a semiconductor element portion in which semiconductor elements are provided, and openings each penetrating the semiconductor layer from the second face side, an interconnection structure provided on the first face side, and an insulator portion provided to surround at least one of the openings within a virtual plane along the second face and extend to a depth between T/2 and T from the first face, where T is the thickness of the semiconductor layer. The semiconductor layer includes a semiconductor region of one conductivity type provided on the opposite side to the one opening to the insulator portion within the virtual plane, and a semiconductor region of another conductivity type provided in the semiconductor layer from the insulator portion face on the second face side to the second face in a direction perpendicular to the second face.

Various embodiments of the present application are directed towards a pad with high strength and bondability. In some embodiments, an integrated chip comprises a substrate, an interconnect structure, a pad, and a conductive structure. The interconnect structure adjoins the substrate and comprises wires and vias. The wires and the vias are stacked between the pad and the substrate. The conductive structure (e.g., a wire bond) extends through the substrate to the pad. By arranging the wires and the vias between the pad and the substrate, the pad may be inset into a passivation layer of the interconnect structure and the passivation layer may absorb stress on the pad. Further, the pad may contact the wires and the vias at a top wire level. A thickness of the top wire level may exceed a thickness of other wire levels, whereby the top wire level may be more tolerant to stress.

Various embodiments of the present application are directed towards a pad with high strength and bondability. In some embodiments, an integrated chip comprises a substrate, an interconnect structure, a pad, and a conductive structure. The interconnect structure adjoins the substrate and comprises wires and vias. The wires and the vias are stacked between the pad and the substrate. The conductive structure (e.g., a wire bond) extends through the substrate to the pad. By arranging the wires and the vias between the pad and the substrate, the pad may be inset into a passivation layer of the interconnect structure and the passivation layer may absorb stress on the pad. Further, the pad may contact the wires and the vias at a top wire level. A thickness of the top wire level may exceed a thickness of other wire levels, whereby the top wire level may be more tolerant to stress.

A bonded structure is disclosed. The bonded structure can include a semiconductor element comprising active circuitry. The bonded structure can include an obstructive element bonded to the semiconductor element along a bond interface, the obstructive element including an obstructive material disposed over the active circuitry, the obstructive material configured to obstruct external access to the active circuitry. The bonded element can include an artifact structure indicative of a wafer-level bond in which the semiconductor element and the obstructive element formed part of respective wafers directly bonded prior to singulation.