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 semiconductor structure and a forming method thereof are provided. The method of forming the semiconductor structure includes: providing a wafer having a front surface and a back surface opposite to the front surface; patterning the back surface of the wafer to form a groove extending from the back surface towards the front surface; forming a dielectric layer at a bottom and a side wall of the groove; and forming, on the dielectric layer, a conductive layer filling the groove.

A solid-state image pickup device capable of suppressing the generation of dark current and/or leakage current is provided. The solid-state image pickup device has a first substrate provided with a photoelectric converter on its primary face, a first wiring structure having a first bonding portion which contains a conductive material, a second substrate provided with a part of a peripheral circuit on its primary face, and a second wiring structure having a second bonding portion which contains a conductive material. In addition, the first bonding portion and the second bonding portion are bonded so that the first substrate, the first wiring structure, the second wiring structure, and the second substrate are disposed in this order. Furthermore, the conductive material of the first bonding portion and the conductive material of the second bonding portion are surrounded with diffusion preventing films.

A semiconductor device including a substrate, an insulating layer on the substrate and including a trench, at least one via structure penetrating the substrate and protruding above a bottom surface of the trench, and a conductive structure surrounding the at least one via structure in the trench may be provided.

A semiconductor device including a substrate, an insulating layer on the substrate and including a trench, at least one via structure penetrating the substrate and protruding above a bottom surface of the trench, and a conductive structure surrounding the at least one via structure in the trench may be provided.

A substrate or semiconductor device, semiconductor device assembly, and method of forming a semiconductor device assembly that includes a barrier on a solder cup. The semiconductor device assembly includes a substrate disposed over another substrate. At least one solder cup extends from one substrate towards an under bump metal (UBM) on the other substrate. The barrier on the exterior of the solder cup may be a standoff to control a bond line between the substrates. The barrier may reduce solder bridging during the formation of a semiconductor device assembly. The barrier may help to align the solder cup with a UBM when forming a semiconductor device assembly and may reduce misalignment due to lateral movement of substrates and/or semiconductor devices.

A substrate or semiconductor device, semiconductor device assembly, and method of forming a semiconductor device assembly that includes a barrier on a solder cup. The semiconductor device assembly includes a substrate disposed over another substrate. At least one solder cup extends from one substrate towards an under bump metal (UBM) on the other substrate. The barrier on the exterior of the solder cup may be a standoff to control a bond line between the substrates. The barrier may reduce solder bridging during the formation of a semiconductor device assembly. The barrier may help to align the solder cup with a UBM when forming a semiconductor device assembly and may reduce misalignment due to lateral movement of substrates and/or semiconductor devices.

A method of fabricating a semiconductor package includes providing a substrate having at least one contact and forming a redistribution layer on the substrate. The formation of the redistribution layer includes forming a dielectric material layer over the substrate and performing a double exposure process to the dielectric material layer. A development process is then performed and a dual damascene opening is formed in the dielectric material layer. A seed metallic layer is formed over the dual damascene opening and over the dielectric material layer. A metal layer is formed over the seed metallic layer. A redistribution pattern is formed in the first dual damascene opening and is electrically connected with the at least one contact.

A method of fabricating a semiconductor package includes providing a substrate having at least one contact and forming a redistribution layer on the substrate. The formation of the redistribution layer includes forming a dielectric material layer over the substrate and performing a double exposure process to the dielectric material layer. A development process is then performed and a dual damascene opening is formed in the dielectric material layer. A seed metallic layer is formed over the dual damascene opening and over the dielectric material layer. A metal layer is formed over the seed metallic layer. A redistribution pattern is formed in the first dual damascene opening and is electrically connected with the at least one contact.

The manufacturing method of a semiconductor device can improve the mechanical strength of a pad more than before, and suppress the occurrence of a crack. The manufacturing method of a semiconductor device includes: forming a first pad constituted by a first metal layer; forming an insulating layer on the first pad; providing an opening portion in the insulating layer by removing the insulating layer on at least a partial region of the first pad; forming a second pad constituted by a second metal layer in the opening portion of the insulating layer so as to have a film thickness that is smaller than the film thickness of the insulating layer; and forming a third pad constituted by a third metal layer on the second pad.