A method includes forming a metal layer extending into openings of a dielectric layer to contact a first metal pad and a second metal pad, and bonding a bottom terminal of a component device to the metal layer. The metal layer has a first portion directly underlying and bonded to the component device. A raised via is formed on the metal layer, and the metal layer has a second portion directly underlying the raised via. The metal layer is etched to separate the first portion and the second portion of the metal layer from each other. The method further includes coating the raised via and the component device in a dielectric layer, revealing the raised via and a top terminal of the component device, and forming a redistribution line connecting the raised via to the top terminal.

A method includes forming a metal layer extending into openings of a dielectric layer to contact a first metal pad and a second metal pad, and bonding a bottom terminal of a component device to the metal layer. The metal layer has a first portion directly underlying and bonded to the component device. A raised via is formed on the metal layer, and the metal layer has a second portion directly underlying the raised via. The metal layer is etched to separate the first portion and the second portion of the metal layer from each other. The method further includes coating the raised via and the component device in a dielectric layer, revealing the raised via and a top terminal of the component device, and forming a redistribution line connecting the raised via to the top terminal.

A method of making a secure integrated-circuit system comprises providing a first integrated circuit in a first die having a first die size and providing a second integrated circuit in a second die. The second die size is smaller than the first die size. The second die is transfer printed onto the first die and connected to the first integrated circuit, forming a compound die. The compound die is packaged. The second integrated circuit is operable to monitor the operation of the first integrated circuit and provides a monitor signal responsive to the operation of the first integrated circuit. The first integrated circuit can be constructed in an insecure facility and the second integrated circuit can be constructed in a secure facility.

A method of making a secure integrated-circuit system comprises providing a first integrated circuit in a first die having a first die size and providing a second integrated circuit in a second die. The second die size is smaller than the first die size. The second die is transfer printed onto the first die and connected to the first integrated circuit, forming a compound die. The compound die is packaged. The second integrated circuit is operable to monitor the operation of the first integrated circuit and provides a monitor signal responsive to the operation of the first integrated circuit. The first integrated circuit can be constructed in an insecure facility and the second integrated circuit can be constructed in a secure facility.

A semiconductor wafer stack and a method of forming a semiconductor device is disclosed. The method includes providing a wafer stack with first and second wafers bonded together. The wafers include edge and non-edge regions, and at least one of the first and second wafers includes devices formed in the non-edge region. The first wafer serves as the base wafer while the second wafer serves as the top wafer of the wafer stack, where the base wafer is wider than the top wafer, providing a step edge of the wafer stack. An edge protection seal is formed on the wafer stack, where first and second layers are deposited on the wafer stack including at the top wafer and step edge of the wafer stack. The portion of the first and second layers on the step edge of the wafer stack forms the edge protection seal which protects the devices in the wafer stack in subsequent processing.

A semiconductor wafer stack and a method of forming a semiconductor device is disclosed. The method includes providing a wafer stack with first and second wafers bonded together. The wafers include edge and non-edge regions, and at least one of the first and second wafers includes devices formed in the non-edge region. The first wafer serves as the base wafer while the second wafer serves as the top wafer of the wafer stack, where the base wafer is wider than the top wafer, providing a step edge of the wafer stack. An edge protection seal is formed on the wafer stack, where first and second layers are deposited on the wafer stack including at the top wafer and step edge of the wafer stack. The portion of the first and second layers on the step edge of the wafer stack forms the edge protection seal which protects the devices in the wafer stack in subsequent processing.

A via wiring formation substrate for mounting at least one semiconductor chip, the substrate including a support substrate, a releasable adhesive layer provided on the support substrate, a first insulating layer provided on the releasable adhesive layer, and a second insulating layer laminated on the first insulating layer, wherein the first insulating layer and the second insulating layer are provided with a via wiring formation via, the via wiring formation via enabling formation of via wirings which respectively correspond to a plurality of connection terminals of the semiconductor chip and which respectively connect the plurality of connection terminals, such that the via wiring formation via penetrates only through the first insulating layer and the second insulating layer without misalignment.

A semiconductor device has a plurality of interconnected modular units to form a 3D semiconductor package. Each modular unit is implemented as a vertical component or a horizontal component. The modular units are interconnected through a vertical conduction path and lateral conduction path within the vertical component or horizontal component. The vertical component and horizontal component each have an interconnect interposer or semiconductor die. A first conductive via is formed vertically through the interconnect interposer. A second conductive via is formed laterally through the interconnect interposer. The interconnect interposer can be programmable. A plurality of protrusions and recesses are formed on the vertical component or horizontal component, and a plurality of recesses on the vertical component or horizontal component. The protrusions are inserted into the recesses to interlock the vertical component and horizontal component. The 3D semiconductor package can be formed with multiple tiers of vertical components and horizontal components.

A packaged semiconductor includes an electrically insulating encapsulant body having an upper surface, a first semiconductor die encapsulated within the encapsulant body, the first semiconductor die having a main surface with a first conductive pad that faces the upper surface of the encapsulant body, a second semiconductor die encapsulated within the encapsulant body and disposed laterally side by side with the first semiconductor die, the second semiconductor die having a main surface with a second conductive pad that faces the upper surface of the encapsulant body, and a first conductive track that is formed in the upper surface of the encapsulant body and electrically connects the first conductive pad to the second conductive pad. The encapsulant body includes a laser activatable mold compound.

A packaged semiconductor includes an electrically insulating encapsulant body having an upper surface, a first semiconductor die encapsulated within the encapsulant body, the first semiconductor die having a main surface with a first conductive pad that faces the upper surface of the encapsulant body, a second semiconductor die encapsulated within the encapsulant body and disposed laterally side by side with the first semiconductor die, the second semiconductor die having a main surface with a second conductive pad that faces the upper surface of the encapsulant body, and a first conductive track that is formed in the upper surface of the encapsulant body and electrically connects the first conductive pad to the second conductive pad. The encapsulant body includes a laser activatable mold compound.