A method for forming a stair-step structure in a substrate within a plasma processing chamber is provided. An organic mask is formed over the substrate. The organic mask is trimmed with a vertical to lateral ratio of less than 0.8, wherein the trimming simultaneously forms a deposition over the organic mask. The substrate is etched. The steps of trimming the organic mask and etching the substrate are cyclically repeated a plurality of times.

An integrated circuit structure includes a semiconductor substrate, and a dielectric pad extending from a bottom surface of the semiconductor substrate up into the semiconductor substrate. A low-k dielectric layer is disposed underlying the semiconductor substrate. A first non-low-k dielectric layer is underlying the low-k dielectric layer. A metal pad is underlying the first non-low-k dielectric layer. A second non-low-k dielectric layer is underlying the metal pad. An opening extends from a top surface of the semiconductor substrate down to penetrate through the semiconductor substrate, the dielectric pad, and the low-k dielectric layer, wherein the opening lands on a top surface of the metal pad. A passivation layer includes a portion on a sidewall of the opening, wherein a portion of the passivation layer at a bottom of the opening is removed.

A substrate processing method is performed to improve surface roughness of a pattern mask formed on a substrate by being exposed and developed. The method includes supplying a first solvent in a gaseous state to a surface of the substrate to dissolve the pattern mask, and supplying a second solvent to the surface of the substrate, which is supplied with the first solvent, to dissolve the pattern mask, wherein a permeability of the second solvent is lower than a permeability of the first solvent.

The present disclosure relates to a die comprising metal pillars extending from a surface of the die, the height of each pillar being substantially equal to or greater than 20 m, the pillars being intended to raise the die when fastening the die by means of a bonding material on a surface of a support. The metal pillars being inserted into the bonding material at which point the bonding material is annealed to be cured and hardened solidifying the bonding material to couple the die to the surface of the support.

Semiconductor structures and methods are provided. An exemplary semiconductor structure includes a contact pad over a substrate, an under-bump metallization (UBM) layer over the contact pad, a metal pillar over first UBM layer and electrically coupled to the contact pad via the UBM layer, and a solder cap on the metal pillar. The metal pillar comprises copper, and a percentage of (111) crystal orientation of the copper is 90% or more.