Some embodiments relate to a three-dimensional (3D) integrated circuit (IC). The 3D IC includes a first IC die comprising a first semiconductor substrate, and a first interconnect structure over the first semiconductor substrate. The 3D IC also includes a second IC die comprising a second semiconductor substrate, and a second interconnect structure that separates the second semiconductor substrate from the first interconnect structure. A seal ring structure separates the first interconnect structure from the second interconnect structure and perimetrically surrounds a gas reservoir between the first IC die and second IC die. The seal ring structure includes a sidewall gas-vent opening structure configured to allow gas to pass between the gas reservoir and an ambient environment surrounding the 3D IC.

An anisotropic conductive film (ACF) is formed with an ordered array of discrete regions that include a conductive carbon-based material. The discrete regions, which may be formed at small pitch, are embedded in at least one adhesive dielectric material. The ACF may be used to mechanically and electrically interconnect conductive elements of initially-separate semiconductor dice in semiconductor device assemblies. Methods of forming the ACF include forming a precursor structure with the conductive carbon-based material and then joining the precursor structure to a separately-formed structure that includes adhesive dielectric material to be included in the ACF. Sacrificial materials of the precursor structure may be removed and additional adhesive dielectric material formed to embed the discrete regions with the conductive carbon-based material in the adhesive dielectric material of the ACF.

A method of manufacturing a multi-layer wafer is provided. The method comprises creating under bump metallization (UMB) pads on each of the two heterogeneous wafers; applying a conductive means above the UMB pads on at least one of the two heterogeneous wafers; and low temperature bonding the two heterogeneous wafers to adhere the UMB pads together via the conductive means. At least one stress compensating polymer layer may be applied to at least one of two heterogeneous wafers. The multi-layer wafer comprises two heterogeneous wafers, each of the heterogeneous wafer having UMB pads and at least one of the heterogeneous wafers having a stress compensating polymer layer and a conductive means applied above the UMB pads on at least one of the two heterogeneous wafers. The two heterogeneous wafers low temperature bonded together to adhere the UMB pads together via the conductive means.

A multi-layer wafer and method of manufacturing such wafer are provided. The method includes creating under bump metallization (UMB) pads on each of the two heterogeneous wafers; applying a conductive means above the UMB pads on at least one of the two heterogeneous wafers; and low temperature bonding the two heterogeneous wafers to adhere the UMB pads together via the conductive means. At least one stress compensating polymer layer may be applied to at least one of two heterogeneous wafers. The multi-layer wafer comprises two heterogeneous wafers, each of the heterogeneous wafer having UMB pads and at least one of the heterogeneous wafers having a stress compensating polymer layer and a conductive means applied above the UMB pads on at least one of the two heterogeneous wafers. The two heterogeneous wafers low temperature bonded together to adhere the UMB pads together via the conductive means.

A SiP-type electronic device, including an electronic chip provided with an electrical interconnection face; a redistribution layer electrically coupled to the electrical interconnection face of the chip; electrical connection elements electrically coupled to the chip by the redistribution layer which is arranged between the chip and the connection elements; a first metal layer arranged on the side of a second face of the chip and secured to this second face; an encapsulation material arranged around the chip, between the redistribution layer and the first metal layer; a second metal layer including a first face secured by direct bonding to the first metal layer; a substrate arranged against a second face of the second metal layer.

A three-dimensional (3D) integrated circuit (IC) includes a first IC die and a second IC die. The first IC die includes a first semiconductor substrate, and a first interconnect structure over the first semiconductor substrate. The second IC die includes a second semiconductor substrate, and a second interconnect structure that separates the second semiconductor substrate from the first interconnect structure. A seal ring structure separates the first interconnect structure from the second interconnect structure and perimetrically surrounds a gas reservoir between the first IC die and second IC die. The seal ring structure includes a sidewall gas-vent opening structure configured to allow gas to pass between the gas reservoir and an ambient environment surrounding the 3D IC.

An anisotropic conductive film (ACF) is formed with an ordered array of discrete regions that include a conductive carbon-based material. The discrete regions, which may be formed at small pitch, are embedded in at least one adhesive dielectric material. The ACF may be used to mechanically and electrically interconnect conductive elements of initially-separate semiconductor dice in semiconductor device assemblies. Methods of forming the ACF include forming a precursor structure with the conductive carbon-based material and then joining the precursor structure to a separately-formed structure that includes adhesive dielectric material to be included in the ACF. Sacrificial materials of the precursor structure may be removed and additional adhesive dielectric material formed to embed the discrete regions with the conductive carbon-based material in the adhesive dielectric material of the ACF.

Polishing pad cleaning systems and related methods are disclosed. A rotatable platen comprising a polishing pad in combination with a fluid, such as a polishing fluid, contacts a substrate to planarize material at the surface thereof and resultantly creates debris. A cleaning system introduces a spray system to remove debris from the polishing pad to prevent substrate damage and improve efficiency, a waste removal system for removing used spray, used polishing fluid, and debris from the polishing pad, and a polishing fluid delivery system for providing fresh polishing fluid to the polishing pad, such that the substrate only receives fresh polishing fluid upon each complete rotation of the platen. In this manner, within die performance is enhanced, the range of certain CMP processes is improved, scratches and contamination are avoided for each polished substrate and for later-polished substrates, and platen temperatures are reduced.

In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, a method of forming a semiconductor device includes forming a contact layer over a first major surface of a substrate. The substrate includes device regions separated by kerf regions. The contact layer is disposed in the kerf region and the device regions. A structured solder layer is formed over the device regions. The contact layer is exposed at the kerf region after forming the structured solder layer. The contact layer and the substrate in the kerf regions are diced.

Some embodiments relate to a three-dimensional (3D) integrated circuit (IC). The 3D IC includes a first IC die comprising a first semiconductor substrate, and a first interconnect structure over the first semiconductor substrate. The 3D IC also includes a second IC die comprising a second semiconductor substrate, and a second interconnect structure that separates the second semiconductor substrate from the first interconnect structure. A seal ring structure separates the first interconnect structure from the second interconnect structure and perimetrically surrounds a gas reservoir between the first IC die and second IC die. The seal ring structure includes a sidewall gas-vent opening structure configured to allow gas to pass between the gas reservoir and an ambient environment surrounding the 3D IC.