Semiconductor devices having metallization structures including crack-inhibiting structures, and associated systems and methods, are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a semiconductor device includes a metallization structure formed over a semiconductor substrate. The metallization structure can include a bond pad electrically coupled to the semiconductor substrate via one or more layers of conductive material, and an insulating material—such as a low-κ dielectric material—at least partially around the conductive material. The metallization structure can further include a crack-inhibiting structure positioned beneath the bond pad between the bond pad and the semiconductor substrate. The crack-inhibiting structure can include a barrier member extending vertically from the bond pad toward the semiconductor substrate and configured to inhibit crack propagation through the insulating material.

A portion of a source electrode exposed by an opening in a passivation film is used as a portion of a source pad. A first portion of the source pad includes a plating film formed by a material that is harder than a material of the source electrode. During screening, a probe needle that is a metal contact contacts the plating film that is on the first portion of the source pad. A second portion of the source pad has a layer structure different from that of the first portion of the source pad and in a second direction parallel to the front surface of the semiconductor chip, is disposed adjacently to and electrically connected to the first portion of the source pad. A bonding wire is wire bonded to the second portion of the source pad after an inspection process of the semiconductor chip.

A portion of a source electrode exposed by an opening in a passivation film is used as a portion of a source pad. A first portion of the source pad includes a plating film formed by a material that is harder than a material of the source electrode. During screening, a probe needle that is a metal contact contacts the plating film that is on the first portion of the source pad. A second portion of the source pad has a layer structure different from that of the first portion of the source pad and in a second direction parallel to the front surface of the semiconductor chip, is disposed adjacently to and electrically connected to the first portion of the source pad. A bonding wire is wire bonded to the second portion of the source pad after an inspection process of the semiconductor chip.

A semiconductor apparatus including a bonding region in which a wire is bonded, includes: a semiconductor substrate; an oxide film provided on a principal surface of the semiconductor substrate in the bonding region; a polysilicon layer provided on the oxide film; an interlayer film partially provided on the polysilicon layer; a barrier metal directly provided on the polysilicon layer and the interlayer film; and an electrode provided on the barrier metal.

An interposer according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a base layer having opposite first and second surfaces, a wiring structure on the first surface of the base layer, an interposer protective layer disposed on the second surface of the base layer and having a pad recess with a lower surface of the interposer protective layer positioned at a first vertical level and a bottom surface of the pad recess positioned at a second vertical level that is higher than the first vertical level, an interposer pad of which a portion fills the pad recess of the interposer protective layer and the remaining portion protrudes from the interposer protective layer, and an interposer through electrode extending through the base layer and the interposer protective layer to the interposer pad, the interposer through electrode electrically connecting the wiring structure to the interposer pad.

Various embodiments of the present disclosure are directed towards an integrated chip. The integrated chip includes an interconnect structure overlying a semiconductor substrate and comprising a conductive wire. A passivation structure overlies the interconnect structure. An upper conductive structure overlies the passivation structure and comprises a first conductive layer, a dielectric layer, and a second conductive layer. The first conductive layer is disposed between the dielectric layer and the passivation structure. The second conductive layer extends along a top surface of the dielectric layer and penetrates through the first conductive layer and the passivation structure to the conductive wire.

A semiconductor device structure includes a silicon layer disposed over a first semiconductor die, and a first mask layer disposed over the silicon layer. The semiconductor device structure also includes a second semiconductor die disposed over the first mask layer, and a through silicon via penetrating through the silicon layer and the first mask layer. A bottom surface of the through silicon via is greater than a top surface of the through silicon via, and the top surface of the through silicon via is greater than a cross-section of the through silicon via between and parallel to the top surface and the bottom surface of the through silicon via.

A semiconductor device structure includes a silicon layer disposed over a first semiconductor die, and a first mask layer disposed over the silicon layer. The semiconductor device structure also includes a second semiconductor die disposed over the first mask layer, and a through silicon via penetrating through the silicon layer and the first mask layer. A bottom surface of the through silicon via is greater than a top surface of the through silicon via, and the top surface of the through silicon via is greater than a cross-section of the through silicon via between and parallel to the top surface and the bottom surface of the through silicon via.

A bonding pad structure includes a bonding pad layer, and an expansion stagnating block that is at least wrapped by the bonding pad layer partially. The expansion stagnating block is subjected to high-temperature tempering treatment. A semiconductor structure, a semiconductor package structure and a method for preparing the same are also provided.

A semiconductor package includes a plurality of semiconductor chips. At least one of the semiconductor chips includes a semiconductor substrate including a semiconductor layer and a passivation layer having a third surface, a backside pad on the third surface, and a through-via penetrating through the semiconductor substrate. The backside pad includes an electrode pad portion, on the third surface, and a dam structure protruding on one side of the electrode pad portion and surrounding a side surface of the through-via. The dam structure is spaced apart from the side surface of the through-via.