Disclosed are integrated circuit structures with interconnects of small size, also referred to micro-bumps. As pitches of micro-bumps become smaller, their sizes also become small. This makes it difficult to probe the integrated circuit structure to verify their operations. To enable probing, test pads of larger pitches are provided. The test pads, usually formed of metal, may be protected with solder caps.

Structures, methods and devices are disclosed, related to improved stack structures in electronic devices. In some embodiments, a stack structure includes a pad implemented on a substrate, the pad including a polymer layer having a side that forms an interface with another layer of the pad, the pad further including an upper metal layer over the interface, the upper metal layer having an upper surface. In some embodiments, the stack structure also includes a passivation layer implemented over the upper metal layer, the passivation layer including a pattern configured to provide a compressive force on the upper metal layer to thereby reduce the likelihood of delamination at the interface, the pattern defining a plurality of openings to expose the upper surface of the upper metal layer.

Structures, methods and devices are disclosed, related to improved stack structures in electronic devices. In some embodiments, a stack structure includes a pad implemented on a substrate, the pad including a polymer layer having a side that forms an interface with another layer of the pad, the pad further including an upper metal layer over the interface, the upper metal layer having an upper surface. In some embodiments, the stack structure also includes a passivation layer implemented over the upper metal layer, the passivation layer including a pattern configured to provide a compressive force on the upper metal layer to thereby reduce the likelihood of delamination at the interface, the pattern defining a plurality of openings to expose the upper surface of the upper metal layer.

A semiconductor structure includes a multi-level interconnect structure, a passivation layer, a barrier layer, and a pad layer. The passivation layer is above the multi-level interconnect structure. The barrier layer lines an inner sidewall of the passivation layer, a top surface of the passivation layer and a top surface of a conductive line of the multi-level interconnect structure. The barrier layer includes a first layer, a second layer, a third layer, and a fourth layer. The first layer is in a nano-crystalline phase. The second layer is above the first layer and in an amorphous phase. The third layer is above the second layer and in a polycrystalline phase. The fourth layer is above the third layer and in a nano-crystalline phase. The pad layer is above the barrier layer.

A semiconductor structure includes a multi-level interconnect structure, a passivation layer, a barrier layer, and a pad layer. The passivation layer is above the multi-level interconnect structure. The barrier layer lines an inner sidewall of the passivation layer, a top surface of the passivation layer and a top surface of a conductive line of the multi-level interconnect structure. The barrier layer includes a first layer, a second layer, a third layer, and a fourth layer. The first layer is in a nano-crystalline phase. The second layer is above the first layer and in an amorphous phase. The third layer is above the second layer and in a polycrystalline phase. The fourth layer is above the third layer and in a nano-crystalline phase. The pad layer is above the barrier layer.

A method for forming semiconductor devices includes: attaching a glass structure to a wide band-gap semiconductor wafer having a plurality of semiconductor devices; forming at least one pad structure electrically connected to at least one doping region of a semiconductor substrate of the wide band-gap semiconductor wafer, by forming electrically conductive material within at least one opening extending through the glass structure; and reducing a thickness of the wide band-gap semiconductor wafer after attaching the glass structure. Additional methods for forming semiconductor devices are described.

In an embodiment, a package includes a first package structure including a first die having a first active side and a first back-side, the first active side including a first bond pad and a first insulating layer a second die bonded to the first die, the second die having a second active side and a second back-side, the second active side including a second bond pad and a second insulating layer, the second active side of the second die facing the first active side of the first die, the second insulating layer being bonded to the first insulating layer through dielectric-to-dielectric bonds, and a conductive bonding material bonded to the first bond pad and the second bond pad, the conductive bonding material having a reflow temperature lower than reflow temperatures of the first and second bond pads.

In an embodiment, a package includes a first package structure including a first die having a first active side and a first back-side, the first active side including a first bond pad and a first insulating layer a second die bonded to the first die, the second die having a second active side and a second back-side, the second active side including a second bond pad and a second insulating layer, the second active side of the second die facing the first active side of the first die, the second insulating layer being bonded to the first insulating layer through dielectric-to-dielectric bonds, and a conductive bonding material bonded to the first bond pad and the second bond pad, the conductive bonding material having a reflow temperature lower than reflow temperatures of the first and second bond pads.

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.

A method for forming semiconductor devices includes attaching a glass structure to a wide band-gap semiconductor wafer having a plurality of semiconductor devices. The method further includes forming at least one pad structure electrically connected to at least one doping region of a semiconductor substrate of the wide band-gap semiconductor wafer, by forming electrically conductive material within at least one opening extending through the glass structure.