Methods of forming connector pad structures, interconnect structures, and structures thereof are disclosed. In some embodiments, a method of forming a connector pad structure includes forming an underball metallization (UBM) pad, and increasing a surface roughness of the UBM pad by exposing the UBM pad to a plasma treatment. A polymer material is formed over a first portion of the UBM pad, leaving a second portion of the UBM pad exposed.

A semiconductor device includes a plurality of semiconductor devices, a plurality of metal lines electrically connected to at least one of the semiconductor devices, and a protective layer on the metal lines. The protective layer includes a plurality of open areas partially exposing the metal lines and which serves as pads. A first pad includes a first area that extends from at least one of the metal lines and at least one second area around and separated from the first area.

A pad structure usable with a semiconductor device may include an insulating layer pattern structure, a plug, and a pad. The insulating layer pattern structure has a plug hole and at least one via hole. The plug is formed in the plug hole. The pad is formed on the insulating layer pattern structure. The pad is electrically connected with the plug and has a lower surface and an uneven upper surface. The lower surface includes a protruded portion inserted into the via hole. The uneven upper surface includes a recessed portion and an elevated portionto provide high roughness and firm connection.

A semiconductor device includes a plurality of wire bonds formed on a surface of the semiconductor device by bonding each of a plurality of copper wires onto corresponding ones of a plurality of aluminum pads; a protective material is applied around the plurality of wire bonds, the protective material having a first pH; and at least a portion of the semiconductor device and the protective material are encapsulated with an encapsulating material having a second pH, wherein the first pH of the protective material is for neutralizing the second pH of the encapsulating material around the plurality of wire bonds.

An apparatus relating generally to a substrate is disclosed. In this apparatus, a post extends from the substrate. The post includes a conductor member. An upper portion of the post extends above an upper surface of the substrate. An exterior surface of the post associated with the upper portion is in contact with a dielectric layer. The dielectric layer is disposed on the upper surface of the substrate and adjacent to the post to provide a dielectric collar for the post. An exterior surface of the dielectric collar is in contact with a conductor layer. The conductor layer is disposed adjacent to the dielectric collar to provide a metal collar for the post, where a top surface of each of the conductor member, the dielectric collar and the metal collar have formed thereon a bond structure for interconnection of the metal collar and the conductor member.

A semiconductor device includes a semiconductor substrate, a conductive pad on the semiconductor substrate, and a conductor over the conductive pad. The semiconductor device further has a polymeric material disposed over the semiconductor substrate and surrounding the conductor. The semiconductor device also includes an electric conductive layer between the conductor and the polymeric material. In the semiconductor device, an adhesion strength between the electric conductive layer and the polymeric material is greater than an adhesion strength between the polymeric material and the conductor.

A method of manufacturing a silicon carbide semiconductor device is provided. The method suppresses the increase in the number of manufacturing steps and is capable of suppressing the degradation of ohmic characteristics of an alloy layer with respect to a semiconductor substrate. The method includes a step of forming a metal layer made of a first metal on a semiconductor substrate made of silicon carbide; a step of forming a metal nitride film obtained by nitriding a second metal on the metal layer; a step of directing a laser light through the metal nitride film to form a layer of an alloy of silicon carbide in the semiconductor substrate and the first metal in the metal layer; and a step of forming an electrode on the metal nitride film.

A semiconductor device includes: a semiconductor element which includes semiconductor substrate, an insulating film formed on a front surface of the semiconductor substrate and having an opening, and an electrode formed in the opening on the front surface of the semiconductor substrate; and a first protective film disposed to cover the semiconductor element. The insulating film has a thickness of not less than 1/500 of a thickness of the semiconductor substrate and not more than 4 m. The insulating film has a compressive stress per film thickness of not less than 100 MPa/m.

A semiconductor device includes an opening and a redistribution layer gutter which are formed integrally in a polyimide resin film of a single layer. A redistribution layer is formed in the polyimide resin film of a single layer. A wiring material (silver) including the redistribution layer can be inhibited from migrating.

Methods of forming connector pad structures, interconnect structures, and structures thereof are disclosed. In some embodiments, a method of forming a connector pad structure includes forming an underball metallization (UBM) pad, and increasing a surface roughness of the UBM pad by exposing the UBM pad to a plasma treatment. A polymer material is formed over a first portion of the UBM pad, leaving a second portion of the UBM pad exposed.