CMOS sensors and methods of forming the same are disclosed. The CMOS sensor includes a semiconductor substrate, a plurality of dielectric patterns, a first conductive element and a second conductive element. The semiconductor substrate has a pixel region and a circuit region. The dielectric patterns are disposed between the first portion and the second portion, wherein top surfaces of the plurality of dielectric patterns are lower than top surfaces of the first and second portions. The first conductive element is disposed below the plurality of dielectric patterns. The second conductive element inserts between the plurality of dielectric patterns to electrically connect the first conductive element.

A structure and a method of forming are provided. The structure includes a first dielectric layer overlying a first substrate. A first connection pad is disposed in a top surface of the first dielectric layer and contacts a first redistribution line. A first dummy pad is disposed in the top surface of the first dielectric layer, the first dummy pad contacting the first redistribution line. A second dielectric layer overlies a second substrate. A second connection pad and a second dummy pad are disposed in the top surface of the second dielectric layer, the second connection pad bonded to the first connection pad, and the first dummy pad positioned in a manner that is offset from the second dummy pad so that the first dummy pad and the second dummy pad do not contact each other.

A semiconductor structure is provided. The semiconductor structure includes a metallization structure with a dielectric surface. A first protecting structure over the dielectric surface. A first protecting structure over the passivation layer. A conductive pad over the dielectric surface. A polymer layer over the first protecting structure and the conductive pad. A conductive bump electrically coupled to the conductive pad through an opening of the polymer layer. A first portion of the first protecting structure is leveled with the conductive pad and a second portion of the first protecting structure is higher than the conductive pad.

A method includes forming a plurality of dielectric layers over a semiconductor substrate, forming a plurality of metal lines and vias in the plurality of dielectric layers, forming a lower portion of an inner seal ring and a lower portion of an outer seal ring extending into the plurality of dielectric layers, depositing a first dielectric layer over the plurality of metal lines and vias, and etching the first dielectric layer to form an opening penetrating through the first dielectric layer. After the first dielectric layer is etched, a top surface of the lower portion of the inner seal ring is exposed, and an entire topmost surface of the lower portion of the outer seal ring is in contact with a bottom surface of the first dielectric layer. An upper portion of the inner seal ring is then formed to extend into the opening and to join the lower portion of the inner seal ring. A second dielectric layer is deposited to cover the upper portion of the inner seal ring.

A hybrid bonded structure including a first integrated circuit component and a second integrated circuit component is provided. The first integrated circuit component includes a first dielectric layer, first conductors and isolation structures. The first conductors and the isolation structures are embedded in the first dielectric layer. The isolation structures are electrically insulated from the first conductors and surround the first conductors. The second integrated circuit component includes a second dielectric layer and second conductors. The second conductors are embedded in the second dielectric layer. The first dielectric layer is bonded to the second dielectric layer and the first conductors are bonded to the second conductors.

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.

The present application provides a method for fabricating a semiconductor device including providing a semiconductor substrate, forming a first stress-relieving structure including a first conductive frame above the semiconductor substrate and a plurality of first insulating pillars within the first conductive frame, forming a second stress-relieving structure comprising a plurality of second conductive pillars above the first stress-relieving structure and a second insulating frame, the plurality of second conductive pillars are disposed within the second conductive frame, wherein the plurality of second conductive pillars is disposed correspondingly above the plurality of first insulating pillars, and the second insulating frame is disposed correspondingly above the first conductive frame; and forming a conductive structure including a supporting portion above the second stress-relieving structure, a conductive portion adjacent to the supporting portion, and a plurality of spacers attached to two sides of the conductive portion.

The semiconductor device includes a substrate, a semiconductor element bonded to the substrate, and a sealing resin sealing at least a part of the substrate and the semiconductor element, in which the semiconductor element includes an active region through which a main current flows in an ON state of the semiconductor element, a terminal region surrounding the active region, an anchor film provided on an insulating film of the terminal region, and a protective film covering at least the terminal region including the anchor film, and the anchor film consists of a material different from the insulating film and has a plurality of openings provided discretely.

A semiconductor structure includes a semiconductor die having an active surface, a passivation layer covering the active surface of the semiconductor die, and a post-passivation interconnect (PPI) layer disposed over the passivation layer. The PPI layer includes a ball pad having a first diameter. A polymer layer covers a perimeter of the ball pad. An under-bump-metallurgy (UBM) layer is disposed on the ball pad. The UBM layer has a second diameter that is greater than the first diameter of the ball pad. A solder ball is mounted on the UBM layer.

A semiconductor device includes a semiconductor substrate, a passivation layer overlying the semiconductor substrate, and an interconnect structure overlying the passivation layer. The interconnect structure includes a landing pad region and a dummy region electrically separated from each other. A protective layer is formed on the interconnect structure and has a first opening exposing a portion of the landing pad region and a second opening exposing a portion of the dummy region. A metal layer is formed on the exposed portion of landing pad region and the exposed portion of the dummy region. A bump is formed on the metal layer overlying the landing pad region.