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 solder connection may be surrounded by a solder locking layer (1210, 2210) and may be recessed in a hole (1230) in that layer. The recess may be obtained by evaporating a vaporizable portion (1250) of the solder connection. Other features are also provided.

A solder connection may be surrounded by a solder locking layer (1210, 2210) and may be recessed in a hole (1230) in that layer. The recess may be obtained by evaporating a vaporizable portion (1250) of the solder connection. Other features are also provided.

A method and a system for verifying an integrated circuit stack having at least one silicon photonic device is introduced. A dummy layer and a dummy layer text are added to a terminal of at least one silicon photonic device of the integrated circuit. The method may perform a layout versus schematic check of the integrated circuit including the dummy layer and the dummy layer text.

A semiconductor device includes a base, a semiconductor chip on the base, a conductive bonding layer between a surface of the base and a surface of the semiconductor chip, the conductive bonding layer including a resin and a plurality of conductive particles contained in the resin, and a molecular bonding layer between the surface of the semiconductor chip and a surface of the conductive bonding layer, and including a molecular portion covalently bonded to a material of the semiconductor chip and a material of the conductive bonding layer.

A semiconductor device includes a base, a semiconductor chip on the base, a conductive bonding layer between a surface of the base and a surface of the semiconductor chip, the conductive bonding layer including a resin and a plurality of conductive particles contained in the resin, and a molecular bonding layer between the surface of the semiconductor chip and a surface of the conductive bonding layer, and including a molecular portion covalently bonded to a material of the semiconductor chip and a material of the conductive bonding layer.

A silicon carbide semiconductor device includes a first semiconductor layer of a first conductivity type provided on a front surface of a semiconductor substrate of the first conductivity type; a second semiconductor layer of a second conductivity type; a first semiconductor region of the first conductivity type; and a gate electrode having a striped-shape and provided on a gate insulating film. The silicon carbide semiconductor device further includes a first electrode provided on a surface of the second semiconductor layer and the first semiconductor region; a step film provided on the first electrode; a plating film provided on the first electrode and the step film; and a solder on the plating film. The step film is provided on the first electrode on which the solder and the plating film are provided, the step film being provided so as to be embedded in grooves formed on the first electrode.

A silicon carbide semiconductor device includes a first semiconductor layer of a first conductivity type provided on a front surface of a semiconductor substrate of the first conductivity type; a second semiconductor layer of a second conductivity type; a first semiconductor region of the first conductivity type; and a gate electrode having a striped-shape and provided on a gate insulating film. The silicon carbide semiconductor device further includes a first electrode provided on a surface of the second semiconductor layer and the first semiconductor region; a step film provided on the first electrode; a plating film provided on the first electrode and the step film; and a solder on the plating film. The step film is provided on the first electrode on which the solder and the plating film are provided, the step film being provided so as to be embedded in grooves formed on the first electrode.

Inter-substrate coupling and alignment using liquid droplets can include electrical and plasmon modalities. For example, a set of droplets can be placed on a bottom substrate. A top substrate can be placed upon the droplets, which uses the droplets to align the substrates. Using the droplets in a capacitive or plasmon coupling modality, information or power can be transferred between the substrates using the droplets.