Semiconductor devices are provided in which a first semiconductor device is bonded to a second semiconductor device. The bonding may occur at a gate level, a gate contact level, a first metallization layer, a middle metallization layer, or a top metallization layer of either the first semiconductor device or the second semiconductor device.

A method for fabricating a three-dimensional (3D) stacked integrated circuit. Pick-and-place strategies are used to stack the source wafers with device layers fabricated using standard two-dimensional (2D) semiconductor fabrication technologies. The source wafers may be stacked in either a sequential or parallel fashion. The stacking may be in a face-to-face, face-to-back, back-to-face or back-to-back fashion. The source wafers that are stacked in a face-to-back, back-to-face or back-to-back fashion may be connected using Through Silicon Vias (TSVs). Alternatively, source wafers that are stacked in a face-to-face fashion may be connected using Inter Layer Vias (ILVs).

A method of forming a wafer-bonding structure includes a wafer-bonding step, a through silicon via (TSV) forming step, and a forming bonding pad step. In the wafer-bonding step, at least two wafers are corresponding to and bonded to each other by bonding surfaces thereof. In the TSV forming step, a TSV structure is formed on at least one side of a seal ring structure of one of the wafers, a conductive filler is disposed in the TSV structure, and the TSV structure is overlapped the side of one of the seal ring structure of one of the wafers and a portion of a seal ring structure of another one of the wafers. In the forming bonding pad step, a bonding pad is formed on an outer surface which is relative to the bonding surface of the wafer with the TSV structure, so as to form the wafer-bonding structure.

A method for forming a three-dimensional memory device includes forming, on a first side of a first substrate, a plurality of semiconductor devices including at least first and second semiconductor devices, a first interconnect layer, and a shallow trench isolation (STI) structure between the semiconductor devices, and forming, on a second substrate, a memory array including a plurality of memory cells and a second interconnect layer. The method includes connecting the first and second interconnect layers and forming an isolation trench through the first substrate and exposing a portion of the STI structure. The isolation trench is formed through a second side of the first substrate that is opposite to the first side. The method includes disposing an isolation material to form an isolation structure in the isolation trench and performing a planarization process to remove portions of the isolation material disposed on the second side of the first substrate.

Methods for forming a semiconductor device structure are provided. The method includes forming a conductive feature in a first wafer, and forming a first bonding layer over the conductive feature. The method includes forming a second bonding layer over a second wafer, and bonding the first wafer and the second wafer by bonding the first bonding layer and the second bonding layer. The method also includes forming a second transistor in a front-side of the second wafer, and after forming the second transistor in the front-side of the second wafer, forming a first TSV through the second wafer, wherein the first TSV stops at the conductive feature.

The present application provides a semiconductor package with air gaps for reducing capacitive coupling between conductive features and a method for manufacturing the semiconductor package. The semiconductor package includes a first semiconductor structure and a second semiconductor structure bonded with the first semiconductor structure. The first semiconductor structure has a first bonding surface. The second semiconductor structure has a second bonding surface partially in contact with the first bonding surface. A portion of the first bonding surface is separated from a portion of the second bonding surface, a space between the portions of the first and second bonding surfaces is sealed and forms an air gap in the semiconductor package.

A semiconductor device including a test pad contact and a method of manufacturing the semiconductor device are disclosed. In an embodiment, a semiconductor device may include a first metal feature and a second metal feature disposed in a single top metal layer over a substrate. A test pad may be formed over and electrically connected to the first metal feature. A first passivation layer may be formed over the second metal feature and the test pad and may cover top and side surfaces of the test pad. A first via may be formed penetrating the first passivation layer and contacting the test pad and a second via may be formed penetrating the first passivation layer and contacting the second metal feature.

A method for forming a direct hybrid bond and a device resulting from a direct hybrid bond including a first substrate having a first set of metallic bonding pads, preferably connected to a device or circuit, capped by a conductive barrier, and having a first non-metallic region adjacent to the metallic bonding pads on the first substrate, a second substrate having a second set of metallic bonding pads capped by a second conductive barrier, aligned with the first set of metallic bonding pads, preferably connected to a device or circuit, and having a second non-metallic region adjacent to the metallic bonding pads on the second substrate, and a contact-bonded interface between the first and second set of metallic bonding pads capped by conductive barriers formed by contact bonding of the first non-metallic region to the second non-metallic region.

Embodiments of a three-dimensional (3D) memory device and fabrication methods are disclosed. In some embodiments, the 3D memory device includes a peripheral circuitry formed on a first substrate. The peripheral circuitry includes a plurality of peripheral devices on a first side of the first substrate, a first interconnect layer, and a deep-trench-isolation on a second side of the first substrate, wherein the first and second sides are opposite sides of the first substrate and the deep-trench-isolation is configured to provide electrical isolation between at least two neighboring peripheral devices. The 3D memory device also includes a memory array formed on a second substrate. The memory array includes at least one memory cell and a second interconnect layer, wherein the second interconnect layer of the memory array is bonded with the first interconnect layer of the peripheral circuitry, and the peripheral devices are electrically connected with the memory cells.

A semiconductor device including a test pad contact and a method of manufacturing the semiconductor device are disclosed. In an embodiment, a semiconductor device may include a first metal feature and a second metal feature disposed in a single top metal layer over a substrate. A test pad may be formed over and electrically connected to the first metal feature. A first passivation layer may be formed over the second metal feature and the test pad and may cover top and side surfaces of the test pad. A first via may be formed penetrating the first passivation layer and contacting the test pad and a second via may be formed penetrating the first passivation layer and contacting the second metal feature.