A lead-free solder has a heat resistance temperature which is high and a thermal conductive property which is not changed in a high temperature range. A semiconductor device includes a solder material containing more than 5.0% by mass and 10.0% by mass or less of Sb and 2.0 to 4.0% by mass of Ag, and the remainder consisting of Sn and inevitable impurities. A bonding layer including the solder material, is formed between a semiconductor element and a substrate electrode or a lead frame.

The copper pillars have improved integrity such that they can readily withstand the harsh reflow conditions of post solder bump application without readily failing. The method of making the copper pillars having the improved integrity involves a two-step electroplating process of varying current densities.

A microelectronic device has a bump bond structure including an electrically conductive pillar with an expanded head, and solder on the expanded head. The electrically conductive pillar includes a column extending from an I/O pad to the expanded head. The expanded head extends laterally past the column on at least one side of the electrically conductive pillar. In one aspect, the expanded head may have a rounded side profile with a radius approximately equal to a thickness of the expanded head, and a flat top surface. In another aspect, the expanded head may extend past the column by different lateral distances in different lateral directions. In a further aspect, the expanded head may have two connection areas for making electrical connections to two separate nodes. Methods for forming the microelectronic device are disclosed.

To provide a lead-free solder the heat resistance temperature of which is high and thermal conductive property of which are not changed in a high temperature range. A semiconductor device of the present invention includes a solder material containing more than 5.0% by mass and 10.0% by mass or less of Sb and 2.0 to 4.0% by mass of Ag, and the remainder consisting of Sn and inevitable impurities, and a bonding layer including the solder material, which is formed between a semiconductor element and a substrate electrode or a lead frame.

A structure for a semiconductor device includes a copper (Cu) layer and a first nickel (Ni) alloy layer with a Ni grain size a.sub.1. The structure also includes a second Ni alloy layer with a Ni grain size a.sub.2, wherein a.sub.1<a.sub.2. The first Ni alloy layer is between the Cu layer and the second Ni alloy layer. The structure further includes a tin (Sn) layer. The second Ni alloy layer is between the first Ni alloy layer and the Sn layer.

A semiconductor device includes: a carrier having a die pad and a contact; a semiconductor die having opposing first and second main sides and being attached to the die pad by a first solder joint such that the second main side faces the die pad; and a contact clip having a first contact region and a second contact region. The first contact is attached to the first main side by a second solder joint. The second contact region is attached to the contact by a third solder joint. The first contact region has a convex shape facing towards the first main side such that a distance between the first main side and the first contact region increases from a base of the convex shape towards an edge of the first contact region. The base runs along a line that is substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the contact clip.

Disclosed is a metal core solder ball having improved heat conductivity, including a metal core having a diameter of 40600 m, a first plating layer formed on the outer surface of the metal core, and a second plating layer formed on the outer surface of the first plating layer.

A semiconductor device includes: an insulating substrate; an aluminum pattern made of a pure aluminum or alloy aluminum material and formed on the insulating substrate; a plating formed on a surface of the aluminum pattern; and a semiconductor element joined to the plating, wherein a thickness of the plating is 10 m or more.

A microelectronic device has a bump bond structure including an electrically conductive pillar with an expanded head, and solder on the expanded head. The electrically conductive pillar includes a column extending from an I/O pad to the expanded head. The expanded head extends laterally past the column on at least one side of the electrically conductive pillar. In one aspect, the expanded head may have a rounded side profile with a radius approximately equal to a thickness of the expanded head, and a flat top surface. In another aspect, the expanded head may extend past the column by different lateral distances in different lateral directions. In a further aspect, the expanded head may have two connection areas for making electrical connections to two separate nodes. Methods for forming the microelectronic device are disclosed.

Packaging devices and methods of manufacture thereof for semiconductor devices are disclosed. In some embodiments, a method of manufacturing a packaging device includes forming an interconnect wiring over a substrate, and forming conductive balls over portions of the interconnect wiring. A molding material is deposited over the conductive balls and the substrate, and a portion of the molding material is removed from over scribe line regions of the substrate.