The method of manufacturing a semiconductor device includes: forming a conductive film including a first metal-containing film and an anti-reflection film including a second metal-containing film which is laminated on the first metal-containing film, the second metal-containing film being different from the first metal-containing film and laminated on the first metal-containing film; patterning the conductive film; forming side wall protection films on side surfaces of the patterned conductive film; etching the anti-reflection film in the patterned conductive film, after formation of the side wall protection films; forming a passivation film on the first metal-containing film and the side wall protection films; and forming, in the passivation film, an opening portion in which a part of a top surface of the first metal-containing film is exposed.

A method of forming a semiconductor device for improving an electrical connection. The semiconductor device includes a top metal layer. A protective dielectric layer is formed over the top metal layer. A sintering operation is performed while the top metal layer is covered by the protective dielectric layer. After the sintering operation, the protective dielectric layer is patterned to expose areas on the top metal layer for bond pads of the semiconductor device. A bond pad cap is formed on the top metal layer where exposed by the protective dielectric layer.

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 die includes a semiconductor layer, an electrical contact on a first side of the semiconductor layer, a backside electrical contact layer on second side of the semiconductor layer. The die further includes a zinc layer over at least one of the electrical contact or the backside electrical contact layer of the die, and a conversion coating over the zinc layer. The conversion coating includes at least one of zirconium and vanadium. As part of an embedded die package including the die, at least a portion of the conversion coating may adjacent to an electrically insulating substrate of the embedded die package.

Representative techniques provide process steps for forming a microelectronic assembly, including preparing microelectronic components such as dies, wafers, substrates, and the like, for bonding. One or more surfaces of the microelectronic components are formed and prepared as bonding surfaces. The microelectronic components are stacked and bonded without adhesive at the prepared bonding surfaces.

Representative techniques provide process steps for forming a microelectronic assembly, including preparing microelectronic components such as dies, wafers, substrates, and the like, for bonding. One or more surfaces of the microelectronic components are formed and prepared as bonding surfaces. The microelectronic components are stacked and bonded without adhesive at the prepared bonding surfaces.

A method of forming solder bumps includes preparing a substrate having a surface on which a plurality of electrode pads are formed, forming a resist layer on the substrate, the resist layer having a plurality of openings, each of the openings being aligned with a corresponding electrode pad of the plurality of electrode pads, forming a conductive pillar in each of the openings of the resist layer, forming conductive layers to cover at least side walls of the resist layer in the openings to block gas emanating from the resist layer, filling molten solder in each of the openings in which the conductive layers has been formed and removing the resist layer.

A method of forming solder bumps includes preparing a substrate having a surface on which a plurality of electrode pads are formed, forming a resist layer on the substrate, the resist layer having a plurality of openings, each of the openings being aligned with a corresponding electrode pad of the plurality of electrode pads, forming a conductive pillar in each of the openings of the resist layer, forming conductive layers to cover at least side walls of the resist layer in the openings to block gas emanating from the resist layer, filling molten solder in each of the openings in which the conductive layers has been formed and removing the resist layer.

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.