Methods and semiconductor devices for bonding a first semiconductor device to a second semiconductor device include forming metal pads including a textured microstructure having a columnar grain structure at substantially the same angular direction from the top surface to the bottom surface. The textured crystalline microstructures enables the use of low temperatures and low pressures to effect bonding of the metal pads. Also described are methods of packaging and semiconductor devices.

Methods and semiconductor devices for bonding a first semiconductor device to a second semiconductor device include forming metal pads including a textured microstructure having a columnar grain structure at substantially the same angular direction from the top surface to the bottom surface. The textured crystalline microstructures enables the use of low temperatures and low pressures to effect bonding of the metal pads. Also described are methods of packaging and semiconductor devices.

A three-dimensional (3D) bonded semiconductor structure is provided in which a first bonding oxide layer of a first semiconductor structure is bonded to a second bonding oxide layer of a second semiconductor structure. Each of the first and second bonding oxide layers has a metallic bonding structure embedded therein, wherein each metallic bonding structure contains a columnar grain microstructure. Furthermore, at least one columnar grain extends across a bonding interface that is present between the metallic bonding structures. The presence of the columnar grain microstructure in the metallic bonding structures, together with at least one columnar grain microstructure extending across the bonding interface between the two bonded metallic bonding structures, can provide a 3D bonded structure having mechanical bonding strength and electrical performance enhancements.

A three-dimensional (3D) bonded semiconductor structure is provided in which a first bonding oxide layer of a first semiconductor structure is bonded to a second bonding oxide layer of a second semiconductor structure. Each of the first and second bonding oxide layers has a metallic pad structure embedded therein, wherein each metallic pad structure has a columnar grain microstructure. A metal resistor structure is embedded in one of the first bonding oxide layer or the second bonding oxide and is present between the first and second metallic pad structures.

A three-dimensional (3D) bonded semiconductor structure is provided in which a first bonding oxide layer of a first semiconductor structure is bonded to a second bonding oxide layer of a second semiconductor structure. Each of the first and second bonding oxide layers has a metallic capacitor plate structure embedded therein, wherein each metallic capacitor plate structure has a columnar grain microstructure. A high-k dielectric material is present between the first and second metallic capacitor plate structures. The presence of the columnar grain microstructure in the metallic capacitor plate structures can provide an embedded capacitor that has an improved quality factor, Q.

A method of making an assembly can include juxtaposing a top surface of a first electrically conductive element at a first surface of a first substrate with a top surface of a second electrically conductive element at a major surface of a second substrate. One of: the top surface of the first conductive element can be recessed below the first surface, or the top surface of the second conductive element can be recessed below the major surface. Electrically conductive nanoparticles can be disposed between the top surfaces of the first and second conductive elements. The conductive nanoparticles can have long dimensions smaller than 100 nanometers. The method can also include elevating a temperature at least at interfaces of the juxtaposed first and second conductive elements to a joining temperature at which the conductive nanoparticles can cause metallurgical joints to form between the juxtaposed first and second conductive elements.

A device and methods of forming the device are disclosed. A substrate with a circuits component and a dielectric layer with interconnects is provided. A pad level dielectric layer is formed over the dielectric layer. A primary passivation layer is formed over the pad level dielectric layer with pad interconnects. The substrate is subjected to an alloying process. During the alloying process, the primary passivation layer prevents or reduces formation of hillocks on surfaces of the pad interconnects to improve surface smoothness of the pad interconnects. Pad openings are formed in the pad level dielectric layer to expose top surfaces of the pad interconnects. A cap dielectric layer is formed on the substrate and lines the primary passivation layer as well as the exposed top surfaces of the pad interconnects. A final passivation layer is formed on the substrate and covers the cap dielectric layer. The final passivation layer is patterned to form final passivation openings corresponding to the pad openings.

Capacitive coupling of integrated circuit die components and other conductive areas is provided. Each component to be coupled has a surface that includes at least one conductive area, such as a metal pad or plate. An ultrathin layer of dielectric is formed on at least one surface to be coupled. When the two components, e.g., one from each die, are permanently contacted together, the ultrathin layer of dielectric remains between the two surfaces, forming a capacitor or capacitive interface between the conductive areas of each respective component. The ultrathin layer of dielectric may be composed of multiple layers of various dielectrics, but in one implementation, the overall thickness is less than approximately 50 nanometers. The capacitance per unit area of the capacitive interface formed depends on the particular dielectric constants ? of the dielectric materials employed in the ultrathin layer and their respective thicknesses. Electrical and grounding connections can be made at the edge of the coupled stack.

A microelectronic device is formed by forming a platinum-containing layer on a substrate of the microelectronic device. A cap layer is formed on the platinum-containing layer so that an interface between the cap layer and the platinum-containing layer is free of platinum oxide. The cap layer is etchable in an etch solution which also etches the platinum-containing layer. The cap layer may be formed on the platinum-containing layer before platinum oxide forms on the platinum-containing layer. Alternatively, platinum oxide on the platinum-containing layer may be removed before forming the cap layer. The platinum-containing layer may be used to form platinum silicide. The platinum-containing layer may be patterned by forming a hard mask or masking platinum oxide on a portion of the top surface of the platinum-containing layer to block the wet etchant.

Methods and semiconductor devices for bonding a first semiconductor device to a second semiconductor device include forming metal pads including a textured microstructure having a columnar grain structure at substantially the same angular direction from the top surface to the bottom surface. The textured crystalline microstructures enables the use of low temperatures and low pressures to effect bonding of the metal pads. Also described are methods of packaging and semiconductor devices.