An integrated circuit package and a method of forming the same are provided. The method includes attaching an integrated circuit die to a first substrate. A dummy die is formed. The dummy die is attached to the first substrate adjacent the integrated circuit die. An encapsulant is formed over the first substrate and surrounding the dummy die and the integrated circuit die. The encapsulant, the dummy die and the integrated circuit die are planarized, a topmost surface of the encapsulant being substantially level with a topmost surface of the dummy die and a topmost surface of the integrated circuit die. An interior portion of the dummy die is removed. A remaining portion of the dummy die forms an annular structure.

An integrated circuit package and a method of forming the same are provided. The method includes attaching an integrated circuit die to a first substrate. A dummy die is formed. The dummy die is attached to the first substrate adjacent the integrated circuit die. An encapsulant is formed over the first substrate and surrounding the dummy die and the integrated circuit die. The encapsulant, the dummy die and the integrated circuit die are planarized, a topmost surface of the encapsulant being substantially level with a topmost surface of the dummy die and a topmost surface of the integrated circuit die. An interior portion of the dummy die is removed. A remaining portion of the dummy die forms an annular structure.

A microelectronic device has bump bond structures on input/output (I/O) pads. The bump bond structures include copper-containing pillars, a barrier layer including cobalt and zinc on the copper-containing pillars, and tin-containing solder on the barrier layer. The barrier layer includes 0.1 weight percent to 50 weight percent cobalt and an amount of zinc equivalent to a layer of pure zinc 0.05 microns to 0.5 microns thick. A lead frame has a copper-containing member with a similar barrier layer in an area for a solder joint. Methods of forming the microelectronic device are disclosed.

An integrated circuit package and a method of forming the same are provided. The method includes attaching an integrated circuit die to a first substrate. A dummy die is formed. The dummy die is attached to the first substrate adjacent the integrated circuit die. An encapsulant is formed over the first substrate and surrounding the dummy die and the integrated circuit die. The encapsulant, the dummy die and the integrated circuit die are planarized, a topmost surface of the encapsulant being substantially level with a topmost surface of the dummy die and a topmost surface of the integrated circuit die. An interior portion of the dummy die is removed. A remaining portion of the dummy die forms an annular structure.

An integrated circuit package and a method of forming the same are provided. The method includes attaching an integrated circuit die to a first substrate. A dummy die is formed. The dummy die is attached to the first substrate adjacent the integrated circuit die. An encapsulant is formed over the first substrate and surrounding the dummy die and the integrated circuit die. The encapsulant, the dummy die and the integrated circuit die are planarized, a topmost surface of the encapsulant being substantially level with a topmost surface of the dummy die and a topmost surface of the integrated circuit die. An interior portion of the dummy die is removed. A remaining portion of the dummy die forms an annular structure.

Methods of reflowing electrically conductive elements on a wafer may involve directing a laser beam toward a region of a surface of a wafer supported on a film of a film frame to reflow at least one electrically conductive element on the surface of the wafer. In some embodiments, the wafer may be detached from a carrier substrate and be secured to the film frame before laser reflow. Apparatus for performing the methods, and methods of repairing previously reflowed conductive elements on a wafer are also disclosed.

A semiconductor module includes a laminated substrate having an insulating plate, a circuit pattern arranged on an upper surface of the insulating plate and a heat dissipating plate arranged on a lower surface of the insulating plate. The semiconductor module also includes a semiconductor device having a collector electrode arranged on its upper surface, having an emitter electrode and a gate electrode arranged on its lower surface, and bumps respectively bonding the emitter electrode and the gate electrode to an upper surface of the circuit pattern. Each of the bumps is made of a metal sintered material such that the bump is formed to be constricted in its middle portion in a thickness direction orthogonal to a surface of the insulating plate.

A semiconductor module includes a laminated substrate having an insulating plate, a circuit pattern arranged on an upper surface of the insulating plate and a heat dissipating plate arranged on a lower surface of the insulating plate. The semiconductor module also includes a semiconductor device having a collector electrode arranged on its upper surface, having an emitter electrode and a gate electrode arranged on its lower surface, and bumps respectively bonding the emitter electrode and the gate electrode to an upper surface of the circuit pattern. Each of the bumps is made of a metal sintered material such that the bump is formed to be constricted in its middle portion in a thickness direction orthogonal to a surface of the insulating plate.

An assembly includes at least one first element comprising at least one first electrical bonding pad; at least one second element comprising at least one second electrical bonding pad; electrical and mechanical interconnect means, wherein the electrical and mechanical interconnect means comprise at least: at least one first intermediate metal interconnect element, on the surface of at least the first electrical bonding pad; at least one sintered joint of metal microparticles or nanoparticles stacked with the first intermediate metal interconnect element; the melting point of the first intermediate metal interconnect element being greater than the sintering temperature of the metal microparticles or nanoparticles. A method for fabricating an assembly is also provided.

A microelectronic device has bump bond structures on input/output (I/O) pads. The bump bond structures include copper-containing pillars, a barrier layer including cobalt and zinc on the copper-containing pillars, and tin-containing solder on the barrier layer. The barrier layer includes 0.1 weight percent to 50 weight percent cobalt and an amount of zinc equivalent to a layer of pure zinc 0.05 microns to 0.5 microns thick. A lead frame has a copper-containing member with a similar barrier layer in an area for a solder joint. Methods of forming the microelectronic device are disclosed.