A back end of line (BEOL) structure for an integrated circuit chip includes a last metal structure providing a bonding pad. A passivation structure over the bonding pad includes a first opening extending exposing an upper surface of the bonding pad. A conformal nitride layer extends over the passivation structure and is placed in contact with the upper surface of the bonding pad. An insulator material layer covers the conformal nitride layer and includes a second opening that extends through both the insulator material layer and the conformal nitride layer. A foot portion of the conformal nitride layer on the upper surface of the bonding pad is self-aligned with the second opening.

A device comprises a first chip comprising a first connection pad embedded in a first dielectric layer and a first bonding pad embedded in the first dielectric layer, wherein the first bonding pad comprises a first portion and a second portion, the second portion being in contact with the first connection pad and a second chip comprising a second bonding pad embedded in a second dielectric layer of the second chip, wherein the first chip and the second chip are face-to-face bonded together through the first bonding pad the second bonding pad.

A method includes forming a first sealing layer at a first edge region of a first wafer; and bonding the first wafer to a second wafer to form a wafer stack. At a time after the bonding, the first sealing layer is between the first edge region of the first wafer and a second edge region of the second wafer, with the first edge region and the second edge region comprising bevels. An edge trimming process is then performed on the wafer stack. After the edge trimming process, the second edge region of the second wafer is at least partially removed, and a portion of the first sealing layer is left as a part of the wafer stack. An interconnect structure is formed as a part of the second wafer. The interconnect structure includes redistribution lines electrically connected to integrated circuit devices in the second wafer.

Trenches are opened from a top surface of a production wafer that extend down through scribe areas to a depth that is only partially through a semiconductor substrate. Prior to performing a bumping process, a first handle is attached to the top surface of the production wafer. A back surface of the semiconductor substrate is then thinned to reach the trenches and form a wafer level chip scale package at each integrated circuit location delimited by the trenches. A second handle is then attached to a bottom surface of the thinned semiconductor substrate, and the first handle is removed to expose underbump metallization pads at the top surface. The bumping process is then performed to form a solder ball at each of the exposed underbump metallization pads.

The present application provides a semiconductor device with an edge-protecting spacer over a bonding pad. The semiconductor device includes a bonding pad disposed over a semiconductor substrate; a first spacer disposed over a top surface of the bonding pad; a dielectric liner disposed between the first spacer and the bonding pad; a dielectric layer between the bonding pad and the semiconductor substrate, wherein the dielectric layer includes silicon-rich oxide; and a conductive bump disposed over the bonding pad and covering the first spacer and the dielectric liner, wherein the conductive bump is electrically connected to a source/drain (S/D) region in the semiconductor substrate through the bonding pad.

Semiconductor devices including one or more interfacing segments patterned within an outer protective layer and associated systems and methods are disclosed herein. The one or more interfacing segments may provide attachment interfaces/surfaces for connection pads. The one or more interfacing segments or a portion thereof may remain uncovered or exposed and provide warpage control for the corresponding semiconductor device.

A method of fabricating an integrated circuit (IC) chip is disclosed. The method starts with opening a window on a first surface of the IC chip through a passivation overcoat to expose the copper metallization layer. The window has sidewalls and a bottom that is adjacent the copper metallization layer. The method continues with depositing a barrier conductive stack on the passivation overcoat and exposed portions of the copper metallization layer, then depositing a sacrificial conductive stack on the barrier conductive stack. The sacrificial conductive stack has a thickness between 50 and 500 . The first surface of the semiconductor chip is polished to remove the sacrificial conductive stack and the barrier conductive stack from the surface of the passivation overcoat.

A hybrid bonded semiconductor structure includes a first substrate and a second substrate each having an interface joined in a hybrid bond. Each substrate has a die portion and a crackstop structure adjacent the die portion. One or more voids in the first substrate and the second substrate are formed in or about a portion of a periphery of each crackstop structure. At least some of the one or more voids in the first substrate and the second substrate are substantially aligned to form a unified void with airgaps across the hybrid bond interface.

Semiconductor devices including one or more interfacing segments patterned within an outer protective layer and associated systems and methods are disclosed herein. The one or more interfacing segments may provide attachment interfaces/surfaces for connection pads. The one or more interfacing segments or a portion thereof may remain uncovered or exposed and provide warpage control for the corresponding semiconductor device.

A back end of line (BEOL) structure for an integrated circuit chip includes a last metal structure providing a bonding pad. A passivation structure over the bonding pad includes a first opening extending exposing an upper surface of the bonding pad. A conformal nitride layer extends over the passivation structure and is placed in contact with the upper surface of the bonding pad. An insulator material layer covers the conformal nitride layer and includes a second opening that extends through both the insulator material layer and the conformal nitride layer. A foot portion of the conformal nitride layer on the upper surface of the bonding pad is self-aligned with the second opening.