An integrated circuit device includes a semiconductor substrate; and a pad region over the semiconductor substrate. The integrated circuit device further includes an under-bump-metallurgy (UBM) layer over the pad region. The integrated circuit device further includes a conductive pillar on the UBM layer, wherein the conductive pillar has a sidewall surface and a top surface. The integrated circuit device further includes a protection structure over the sidewall surface of the conductive pillar, wherein sidewalls of the UBM layer are substantially free of the protection structure, and the protection structure is a non-metal material.

A solder connection may be surrounded by a solder locking layer (1210, 2210) and may be recessed in a hole (1230) in that layer. The recess may be obtained by evaporating a vaporizable portion (1250) of the solder connection. Other features are also provided.

A solder connection may be surrounded by a solder locking layer (1210, 2210) and may be recessed in a hole (1230) in that layer. The recess may be obtained by evaporating a vaporizable portion (1250) of the solder connection. Other features are also provided.

An integrated circuit (IC) chip includes a copper structure with an intermetallic coating on the surface. The IC chip includes a substrate with an integrated circuit. A metal pad electrically connects to the integrated circuit. The copper structure electrically connects to the metal pad. A solder bump is disposed on the copper structure. The surface of the copper structure has a coating of intermetallic. The copper structure can be a redistribution layer and a copper pillar that is disposed on the redistribution layer.

An integrated circuit (IC) chip includes a copper structure with an intermetallic coating on the surface. The IC chip includes a substrate with an integrated circuit. A metal pad electrically connects to the integrated circuit. The copper structure electrically connects to the metal pad. A solder bump is disposed on the copper structure. The surface of the copper structure has a coating of intermetallic. The copper structure can be a redistribution layer and a copper pillar that is disposed on the redistribution layer.

A method for manufacturing a semiconductor apparatus, including preparing a first substrate provided with a pad optionally having a plug and a second substrate or device provided with a plug, forming a solder ball on at least one of the pad or plug of first substrate and the plug of second substrate or device, covering at least one of a pad-forming surface of first substrate and a plug-forming surface of second substrate or device with a photosensitive insulating layer, forming an opening on the pad or plug of the substrate or device that has been covered with photosensitive insulating layer by lithography, pressure-bonding the second substrate or device's plug to the pad or plug of first substrate with the solder ball through the opening, electrically connecting pad or plug of first substrate to second substrate or device's plug by baking, and curing photosensitive insulating layer by baking.

A method for manufacturing a semiconductor apparatus, including preparing a first substrate provided with a pad optionally having a plug and a second substrate or device provided with a plug, forming a solder ball on at least one of the pad or plug of first substrate and the plug of second substrate or device, covering at least one of a pad-forming surface of first substrate and a plug-forming surface of second substrate or device with a photosensitive insulating layer, forming an opening on the pad or plug of the substrate or device that has been covered with photosensitive insulating layer by lithography, pressure-bonding the second substrate or device's plug to the pad or plug of first substrate with the solder ball through the opening, electrically connecting pad or plug of first substrate to second substrate or device's plug by baking, and curing photosensitive insulating layer by baking.

A multi-layer pillar and method of fabricating the same is provided. The multi-layer pillar is used as an interconnect between a chip and substrate. The pillar has at least one low strength, high ductility deformation region configured to absorb force imposed during chip assembly and thermal excursions.

A multi-layer pillar and method of fabricating the same is provided. The multi-layer pillar is used as an interconnect between a chip and substrate. The pillar has at least one low strength, high ductility deformation region configured to absorb force imposed during chip assembly and thermal excursions.

A semiconductor device has a first semiconductor die including a first protection circuit. A second semiconductor die including a second protection circuit is disposed over the first semiconductor die. A portion of the first semiconductor die and second semiconductor die is removed to reduce die thickness. An interconnect structure is formed to commonly connect the first protection circuit and second protection circuit. A transient condition incident to the interconnect structure is collectively discharged through the first protection circuit and second protection circuit. Any number of semiconductor die with protection circuits can be stacked and interconnected via the interconnect structure to increase the ESD current discharge capability. The die stacking can be achieved by disposing a first semiconductor wafer over a second semiconductor wafer and then singulating the wafers. Alternatively, die-to-wafer or die-to-die assembly is used.