In one embodiment, a semiconductor device includes a first wafer or a first chip including a first insulator and a first pad. The device further includes a second wafer or a second chip including a second insulator in contact with the first insulator, and a second pad opposed to the first pad and electrically connected to the first pad. Moreover, the first insulator includes a first trench extending to the first pad, and/or the second insulator includes a second trench extending to the second pad.

Representative techniques and devices, including process steps may be employed to mitigate undesired dishing in conductive interconnect structures and erosion of dielectric bonding surfaces. For example, an embedded layer may be added to the dished or eroded surface to eliminate unwanted dishing or voids and to form a planar bonding surface. Additional techniques and devices, including process steps may be employed to form desired openings in conductive interconnect structures, where the openings can have a predetermined or desired volume relative to the volume of conductive material of the interconnect structures. Each of these techniques, devices, and processes can provide for the use of larger diameter, larger volume, or mixed-sized conductive interconnect structures at the bonding surface of bonded dies and wafers.

Representative techniques and devices, including process steps may be employed to mitigate undesired dishing in conductive interconnect structures and erosion of dielectric bonding surfaces. For example, an embedded layer may be added to the dished or eroded surface to eliminate unwanted dishing or voids and to form a planar bonding surface. Additional techniques and devices, including process steps may be employed to form desired openings in conductive interconnect structures, where the openings can have a predetermined or desired volume relative to the volume of conductive material of the interconnect structures. Each of these techniques, devices, and processes can provide for the use of larger diameter, larger volume, or mixed-sized conductive interconnect structures at the bonding surface of bonded dies and wafers.

Representative techniques and devices, including process steps may be employed to mitigate undesired dishing in conductive interconnect structures and erosion of dielectric bonding surfaces. For example, an embedded layer may be added to the dished or eroded surface to eliminate unwanted dishing or voids and to form a planar bonding surface. Additional techniques and devices, including process steps may be employed to form desired openings in conductive interconnect structures, where the openings can have a predetermined or desired volume relative to the volume of conductive material of the interconnect structures. Each of these techniques, devices, and processes can provide for the use of larger diameter, larger volume, or mixed-sized conductive interconnect structures at the bonding surface of bonded dies and wafers.

Representative techniques and devices, including process steps may be employed to mitigate undesired dishing in conductive interconnect structures and erosion of dielectric bonding surfaces. For example, an embedded layer may be added to the dished or eroded surface to eliminate unwanted dishing or voids and to form a planar bonding surface. Additional techniques and devices, including process steps may be employed to form desired openings in conductive interconnect structures, where the openings can have a predetermined or desired volume relative to the volume of conductive material of the interconnect structures. Each of these techniques, devices, and processes can provide for the use of larger diameter, larger volume, or mixed-sized conductive interconnect structures at the bonding surface of bonded dies and wafers.

A method for producing a structure by direct bonding of two elements, the method including: production of the elements to be assembled and assembly of the elements. The production of the elements to be assembled includes: deposition on a substrate of a TiN layer by physical vapor deposition, and deposition of a copper layer on the TiN layer. The assembly of the elements includes: polishing the surfaces of the copper layers intended to come into contact so that they have a roughness of less than 1 nm RMS and hydrophilic properties, bringing the surfaces into contact, and storing the structure at atmospheric pressure and at ambient temperature.

A method for producing a structure by direct bonding of two elements, the method including: production of the elements to be assembled and assembly of the elements. The production of the elements to be assembled includes: deposition on a substrate of a TiN layer by physical vapor deposition, and deposition of a copper layer on the TiN layer. The assembly of the elements includes: polishing the surfaces of the copper layers intended to come into contact so that they have a roughness of less than 1 nm RMS and hydrophilic properties, bringing the surfaces into contact, and storing the structure at atmospheric pressure and at ambient temperature.