A substrate, assembly and method for bonding and electrically interconnecting substrates are provided. According to the method, two substrates are provided, each comprising metal contact structures that are electrically isolated from each other by a bonding layer of dielectric material. Openings are produced in the bonding layer, the openings lying within the surface area of the respective contact structures, exposing the contact material of the structures at the bottom of the openings. Then a layer of conductive material is deposited, filling the openings, after which the material is planarized, removing it from the surface of the bonding layer and leaving a recessed contact patch in the openings. The substrates are then aligned, brought into contact, and bonded by applying an annealing step at a temperature suitable for causing thermal expansion of the contact structures. Deformation of the conductive material of the contact structures through creep pushes the material into the openings from the bottom up, thereby bringing the contact patches into mutual and conductive contact.

A substrate, assembly and method for bonding and electrically interconnecting substrates are provided. According to the method, two substrates are provided, each comprising metal contact structures that are electrically isolated from each other by a bonding layer of dielectric material. Openings are produced in the bonding layer, the openings lying within the surface area of the respective contact structures, exposing the contact material of the structures at the bottom of the openings. Then a layer of conductive material is deposited, filling the openings, after which the material is planarized, removing it from the surface of the bonding layer and leaving a recessed contact patch in the openings. The substrates are then aligned, brought into contact, and bonded by applying an annealing step at a temperature suitable for causing thermal expansion of the contact structures. Deformation of the conductive material of the contact structures through creep pushes the material into the openings from the bottom up, thereby bringing the contact patches into mutual and conductive contact.

In one embodiment, a semiconductor device includes a first insulator. The device further includes a first pad provided in the first insulator, and including first and second layers provided on lateral and lower faces of the first insulator in order. The device further includes a second insulator provided on the first insulator. The device further includes a second pad provided on the first pad in the second insulator, and including third and fourth layers provided on lateral and upper faces of the second insulator in order. The device further includes a first portion provided between an upper face of the first pad and a lower face of the second insulator or between a lower face of the second pad and an upper face of the first insulator, and including a metal element same as a metal element included in the first layer or the third layer.

Dies and/or wafers are stacked and bonded in various arrangements including stacks, and may be covered with a molding to facilitate handling, packaging, and the like. In various examples, the molding may cover more or less of a stack, to facilitate connectivity with the devices of the stack, to enhance thermal management, and so forth.

Dies and/or wafers are stacked and bonded in various arrangements including stacks, and may be covered with a molding to facilitate handling, packaging, and the like. In various examples, the molding may cover more or less of a stack, to facilitate connectivity with the devices of the stack, to enhance thermal management, and so forth.

In one embodiment, a semiconductor device includes a first substrate including first and second regions on its surface, a first control circuit on the first substrate in the first region, a first memory cell array above the first control circuit in the first region and connected to the first control circuit, and a first pad above the first memory cell array in the first region and connected to the first control circuit. The device further includes a second control circuit on the first substrate in the second region, a second memory cell array above the second control circuit in the second region and connected to the second control circuit, a second pad above the second memory cell array in the second region and connected to the second control circuit, and a connection line above the first and second memory cell arrays and connecting the first and second pads.

In one embodiment, a semiconductor device includes a first substrate including first and second regions on its surface, a first control circuit on the first substrate in the first region, a first memory cell array above the first control circuit in the first region and connected to the first control circuit, and a first pad above the first memory cell array in the first region and connected to the first control circuit. The device further includes a second control circuit on the first substrate in the second region, a second memory cell array above the second control circuit in the second region and connected to the second control circuit, a second pad above the second memory cell array in the second region and connected to the second control circuit, and a connection line above the first and second memory cell arrays and connecting the first and second pads.

Dies and/or wafers are stacked and bonded in various arrangements including stacks, and may be covered with a molding to facilitate handling, packaging, and the like. In various examples, the molding may cover more or less of a stack, to facilitate connectivity with the devices of the stack, to enhance thermal management, and so forth.

Dies and/or wafers are stacked and bonded in various arrangements including stacks, and may be covered with a molding to facilitate handling, packaging, and the like. In various examples, the molding may cover more or less of a stack, to facilitate connectivity with the devices of the stack, to enhance thermal management, and so forth.

In one embodiment, a semiconductor device includes a substrate, a plurality of transistors provided on the substrate. The device further includes a first interconnect layer provided above the transistors and electrically connected to at least one of the transistors, one or more first plugs provided on the first interconnect layer, and a first pad provided on the first plugs. The device further includes a second pad provided on the first pad, one or more second plugs provided on the second pad, and a second interconnect layer provided on the second plugs. The device further includes a memory cell array provided above the second interconnect layer and electrically connected to the second interconnect layer. A number of the second plugs on the second pad is larger than a number of the first plugs under the first pad.