A method for forming a semiconductor device structure and method for forming the same are provided. The method includes forming a conductive pad over the substrate, and forming a protection layer over the conductive pad. The method also includes forming a conductive structure accessibly arranged through the protection layer and electrically connected to the conductive pad, and the conductive structure has a curved top surface. A lowest point of the curved top surface of the conductive structure is higher than a topmost surface of the protection layer.

Representative implementations of devices and techniques provide a temporary access point (e.g., for testing, programming, etc.) for a targeted interconnect located among multiple finely spaced interconnects on a surface of a microelectronic component. One or more sacrificial layers are disposed on the surface of the microelectronic component, overlaying the multiple interconnects. An insulating layer is disposed between a conductive layer and the surface, and includes a conductive via through the insulating layer that electrically couples the conductive layer to the target interconnect. The sacrificial layers are configured to be removed after the target interconnect has been accessed, without damaging the surface of the microelectronic component.

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 semiconductor device structure and method for forming the same are provided. The semiconductor device structure includes a substrate and a conductive pad formed over the substrate. The semiconductor device structure also includes a protection layer formed over the conductive pad, and the protection layer has a trench. The semiconductor device structure further includes a conductive structure accessibly arranged through the trench of the protection layer and electrically connected to the conductive pad. The conductive structure has a curved top surface that defines an apex, and an apex of the curved top surface is higher than a top surface of the protection layer.

An electronic circuit including a surface intended to be attached to another electronic circuit by hybrid molecular bonding. The electronic circuit includes an electrically-insulating layer exposed on the surface, and, distributed in the electrically-insulating layer, first electrically-conductive bonding pads exposed on a first portion of the surface, the density of the first bonding pads on the first portion of the surface being smaller than 30%, and at least one electrically-conductive test pad, exposed on a second portion of the surface containing a square having a side length greater than 30 ?m. The density of electrically-conductive material of the test pad exposed on the second portion of the surface is in the range from 40% to 80%.

Mitigating surface damage of probe pads in preparation for direct bonding of a substrate is provided. Methods and layer structures prepare a semiconductor substrate for direct bonding processes by restoring a flat direct-bonding surface after disruption of probe pad surfaces during test probing. An example method fills a sequence of metals and oxides over the disrupted probe pad surfaces and builds out a dielectric surface and interconnects for hybrid bonding. The interconnects may be connected to the probe pads, and/or to other electrical contacts of the substrate. A layer structure is described for increasing the yield and reliability of the resulting direct bonding process. Another example process builds the probe pads on a next-to-last metallization layer and then applies a direct bonding dielectric layer and damascene process without increasing the count of mask layers. Another example process and related layer structure recesses the probe pads to a lower metallization layer and allows recess cavities over the probe pads.

A method of forming a conductive material on a semiconductor device. The method comprises removing at least a portion of a conductive pad within an aperture in a dielectric material over a substrate. The method further comprises forming a seed material at least within a bottom of the aperture and over the dielectric material, forming a protective material over the seed material within the aperture, and forming a conductive pillar in contact with the seed material through an opening in the protective material over surfaces of the seed material within the aperture. A method of forming an electrical connection between adjacent semiconductor devices, and a semiconductor device, are also described.

Semiconductor devices having discretely located passivation material are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a semiconductor device assembly can include a bond pad having a bonding surface with a process artifact. A passivation material can be positioned to at least partially fill a portion of the process artifact. A conductive structure can be positioned to extend across the bonding surface of the bond pad.

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 of forming a conductive material on a semiconductor device. The method comprises removing at least a portion of a conductive pad within an aperture in a dielectric material over a substrate. The method further comprises forming a seed material at least within a bottom of the aperture and over the dielectric material, forming a protective material over the seed material within the aperture, and forming a conductive pillar in contact with the seed material through an opening in the protective material over surfaces of the seed material within the aperture. A method of forming an electrical connection between adjacent semiconductor devices, and a semiconductor device, are also described.