The disclosed subject matter relates generally to methods of forming a semiconductor device, such as a moisture sensor. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to a method of forming a sensor device and a bond pad in the same dielectric region. The present disclosure also relates to the semiconductor devices formed by the method disclosed herein.

Some implementations described herein provide a semiconductor structure. The semiconductor structure includes a first conductive structure disposed within a first layer of the semiconductor structure. The semiconductor structure includes a dielectric structure disposed within a second layer of the semiconductor structure, with the second layer being disposed on the first layer. The semiconductor structure includes a second conductive structure disposed within a recessed portion of the dielectric structure that extends to the first conductive structure, with the second conductive structure having a concave recessed portion on a top surface of the second conductive structure. The semiconductor structure includes multiple layers of conductive material disposed within the concave recessed portion of the second conductive structure.

An arrangement is disclosed. In one example, the arrangement of a conductor and an aluminum layer soldered together comprises a substrate and the aluminum layer disposed over the substrate. The aluminum forms a first bond metal. An intermetallic compound layer is disposed over the aluminum layer. A solder layer is disposed over the intermetallic compound layer, wherein the solder comprises a low melting majority component. The conductor is disposed over the solder layer, wherein the conductor has a soldering surface which comprises a second bond metal. The intermetallic compound comprises aluminum and the second bond metal and is predominantly free of the low melting majority component.

An arrangement is disclosed. In one example, the arrangement of a conductor and an aluminum layer soldered together comprises a substrate and the aluminum layer disposed over the substrate. The aluminum forms a first bond metal. An intermetallic compound layer is disposed over the aluminum layer. A solder layer is disposed over the intermetallic compound layer, wherein the solder comprises a low melting majority component. The conductor is disposed over the solder layer, wherein the conductor has a soldering surface which comprises a second bond metal. The intermetallic compound comprises aluminum and the second bond metal and is predominantly free of the low melting majority component.

A chip package is provided. The chip package may include at least one chip, an exposed metal region and a metal protection layer structure over the exposed metal region and configured to protect the metal region from oxidation. The protection layer structure includes a low-temperature deposited oxide, and a hydrothermally converted metal oxide layer over the protection layer structure.

A microelectronic device includes a substrate a platinum-containing layer over the substrate. The platinum-containing layer includes a first segment and a second segment adjacent to the first segment, and has a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface closer to the substrate than the first surface. A first spacing between the first segment and the second segment at the first surface is greater than a second spacing between the first segment and the second segment at the second surface. A width of the first segment along the first surface is less than twice a thickness of the first segment, and the second spacing is less than twice the thickness of the first segment.

A microelectronic device includes a substrate a platinum-containing layer over the substrate. The platinum-containing layer includes a first segment and a second segment adjacent to the first segment, and has a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface closer to the substrate than the first surface. A first spacing between the first segment and the second segment at the first surface is greater than a second spacing between the first segment and the second segment at the second surface. A width of the first segment along the first surface is less than twice a thickness of the first segment, and the second spacing is less than twice the thickness of the first segment.

A method of forming a bonded assembly includes providing a first semiconductor die containing a first substrate, first semiconductor devices, and first bonding pads that are electrically connected to a respective node of the first semiconductor devices, forming a first oxidation barrier layer on physically exposed surfaces of the first bonding pads, providing a second semiconductor die containing a second substrate, second semiconductor devices, and second bonding pads that are electrically connected to a respective node of the second semiconductor devices, and bonding the second bonding pads to the first bonding pads with at least the first oxidation barrier layer located between the respective first and second bonding pads.

A first metal layer can be deposited over first dielectric material layers of a first substrate, and can be patterned into first bonding pads. A first low-k material layer can be formed over the first bonding pads. The first low-k material layer includes a low-k dielectric material such as a MOF dielectric material or organosilicate glass. A second semiconductor die including second bonding pads can be provided. The first bonding pads are bonded to the second bonding pads to form a bonded assembly.

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.