Some embodiments relate to a bond pad structure of an integrated circuit (IC). In one embodiment the bond structure includes a bond pad and an intervening metal layer positioned below the bond pad. The intervening metal layer has a first face and a second face. A first via layer is in contact with the first face of intervening metal layer. The first via layer has a first via pattern. The bond structure also includes a second via layer in contact with the second face of the intervening metal layer. The second via layer has a second via pattern that is different than first via pattern.

A semiconductor device has a substrate. A conductive layer is formed over the substrate. A duplex plated bump on lead pad is formed over the substrate. An insulating layer is formed over the conductive layer and the substrate. A portion of the insulating over the duplex plated bump on lead pad is removed using a laser direct ablation process. The insulating layer is a lamination layer. The duplex plated bump on lead pad has a wide bump on lead pad. A semiconductor die is mounted over the substrate. The semiconductor die has a composite conductive interconnect structure. The semiconductor die has a first bump and a second bump with a pitch ranging from 90-150 micrometers between the first bump and the second bump. A duplex plated contact pad is formed on a surface of the substrate opposite the duplex plated bump-on-lead pad.

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 wafer has a plurality of semiconductor die with contact pads for electrical interconnect. An insulating layer is formed over the semiconductor wafer. A bump structure is formed over the contact pads. The bump structure has a buffer layer formed over the insulating layer and contact pad. A portion of the buffer layer is removed to expose the contact pad and an outer portion of the insulating layer. A UBM layer is formed over the buffer layer and contact pad. The UBM layer follows a contour of the buffer layer and contact pad. A ring-shaped conductive pillar is formed over the UBM layer using a patterned photoresist layer filled with electrically conductive material. A conductive barrier layer is formed over the ring-shaped conductive pillar. A bump is formed over the conductive barrier layer. The buffer layer reduces thermal and mechanical stress on the bump and contact pad.

A semiconductor wafer has a plurality of semiconductor die with contact pads for electrical interconnect. An insulating layer is formed over the semiconductor wafer. A bump structure is formed over the contact pads. The bump structure has a buffer layer formed over the insulating layer and contact pad. A portion of the buffer layer is removed to expose the contact pad and an outer portion of the insulating layer. A UBM layer is formed over the buffer layer and contact pad. The UBM layer follows a contour of the buffer layer and contact pad. A ring-shaped conductive pillar is formed over the UBM layer using a patterned photoresist layer filled with electrically conductive material. A conductive barrier layer is formed over the ring-shaped conductive pillar. A bump is formed over the conductive barrier layer. The buffer layer reduces thermal and mechanical stress on the bump and contact pad.

Stacked semiconductor devices and methods of forming the same are provided. Contact pads are formed on a die. A passivation layer is blanket deposited over the contact pads. The passivation layer is subsequently patterned to form first openings, the first openings exposing the contact pads. A buffer layer is blanket deposited over the passivation layer and the contact pads. The buffer layer is subsequently patterned to form second openings, the second opening exposing a first set of the contact pads. First conductive pillars are formed in the second openings. Conductive lines are formed over the buffer layer simultaneously with the first conductive pillars, ends of the conductive lines terminating with the first conductive pillars. An external connector structure is formed over the first conductive pillars and the conductive lines, the first conductive pillars electrically coupling the contact pads to the external connector structure.

Semiconductor devices, methods of manufacture thereof, and semiconductor device packages are disclosed. In one embodiment, a semiconductor device includes an insulating material layer having openings on a surface of a substrate. One or more insertion bumps are disposed over the insulating material layer. The semiconductor device includes signal bumps having portions that are not disposed over the insulating material 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 and a method of fabricating therefor are disclosed. A second contact pad (500) is arranged lateral to a first contact pad (420) in an interconnect structure (400). As a result, during fabrication of the interconnect structure (400), the first contact pad (420) will not be present alone in a large bland area, due to the presence of the second contact pad (500). Thus, a pattern feature for the first contact pad (420) will not be over-resolved, increasing formation accuracy of the first contact pad (420) and thus guaranteeing good electrical transmission performance of the resulting interconnect structure (400).