A core material including a core and a solder plating layer of a (SnBi)-based solder alloy made of Sn and Bi on a surface of the core. Bi in the solder plating layer is distributed in the solder plating layer at a concentration ratio in a predetermined range of, for example, 91.7% to 106.7%. Bi in the solder plating layer is homogeneous, and thus, a Bi concentration ratio is in a predetermined range over the entire solder plating layer including an inner circumference side and an outer circumference side in the solder plating layer.

A method of visibility event navigation includes receiving, via processing circuitry of a client device, a first visibility event packet from a server, the first visibility event packet including information representing 3D surface elements of an environmental model that are occluded from a first viewcell and not occluded from a second viewcell, the first and second viewcells representing spatial regions of a specified navigational route within a real environment modeled by the environmental model. The method also includes acquiring, surface information representing the visible surfaces of the real environment at a sensor and determining, a position in the real environment by matching the surface information to the visibility event packet information. The method further includes transmitting, the position from the client device to the server and receiving a second visibility event packet from the server if the at least one position is within the specified navigational route.

Mechanisms for forming a semiconductor device are provided. The semiconductor device includes a contact pad over a substrate. The semiconductor device also includes a passivation layer over the substrate and a first portion of the contact pad, and a second portion of the contact pad is exposed through an opening. The semiconductor device further includes a post-passivation interconnect layer over the passivation layer and coupled to the second portion of the contact pad. In addition, the semiconductor device includes a bump over the post-passivation interconnect layer and outside of the opening. The semiconductor device also includes a diffusion barrier layer physically insulating the bump from the post-passivation interconnect layer while electrically connecting the bump to the post-passivation interconnect layer.

Some embodiments relate to a semiconductor device package, which includes a substrate with a contact pad. A non-solder ball is coupled to the contact pad at a contact pad interface surface. A layer of solder is disposed over an outer surface of the non-solder ball, and has an inner surface and an outer surface which are generally concentric with the outer surface of the non-solder ball. An intermediate layer separates the non-solder ball and the layer of solder. The intermediate layer is distinct in composition from both the non-solder ball and the layer of solder. Sidewalls of the layer of solder are curved or sphere-like and terminate at a planar surface, which is disposed at a maximum height of the layer of solder as measured from the contact pad interface surface.

A semiconductor package device includes a carrier, a first electronic component, and a conductive element on the carrier. The first electronic component is over the carrier. The conductive element is on the carrier and electrically connects the first electronic component to the carrier. The conductive element includes at least one conductive particle and a solder material covering the conductive particle, and the conductive particle includes a metal core, a barrier layer covering the metal core, and a metal layer covering the barrier layer.

A semiconductor package device includes a carrier, a first electronic component, and a conductive element on the carrier. The first electronic component is over the carrier. The conductive element is on the carrier and electrically connects the first electronic component to the carrier. The conductive element includes at least one conductive particle and a solder material covering the conductive particle, and the conductive particle includes a metal core, a barrier layer covering the metal core, and a metal layer covering the barrier layer.

Provided is a solder material which enables a growth of an oxide film to be inhibited. A solder ball which is a solder material is composed of a solder layer and a covering layer covering the solder layer. The solder layer is spherical and is composed of a metal material containing an alloy including Sn content of 40% and more. Otherwise the solder layer is composed of a metal material including Sn content of 100%. In the covering layer, a SnO film is formed outside the solder layer, and a SnO.sub.2 film is formed outside the SnO film. A thickness of the covering layer is preferably more than 0 nm and equal to or less than 4.5 nm. Additionally, a yellow chromaticity of the solder ball is preferably equal to or less than 5.7.

Some embodiments relate to a semiconductor device package, which includes a substrate with a contact pad. A non-solder ball is coupled to the contact pad at a contact pad interface surface. A layer of solder is disposed over an outer surface of the non-solder ball, and has an inner surface and an outer surface which are generally concentric with the outer surface of the non-solder ball. An intermediate layer separates the non-solder ball and the layer of solder. The intermediate layer is distinct in composition from both the non-solder ball and the layer of solder. Sidewalls of the layer of solder are curved or sphere-like and terminate at a planar surface, which is disposed at a maximum height of the layer of solder as measured from the contact pad interface surface.

An integrated circuit structure includes a substrate, a metal pad over the substrate, a passivation layer having a portion over the metal pad, and a polymer layer over the passivation layer. A Post-Passivation Interconnect (PPI) has a portion over the polymer layer, wherein the PPI is electrically coupled to the metal pad. The integrated circuit structure further includes a first solder region over and electrically coupled to a portion of the PPI, a second solder region neighboring the first solder region, a first coating material on a surface of the first solder region, and a second coating material on a surface of the second solder region. The first coating material and the second coating material encircle the first solder region and the second solder region, respectively. The first coating material is spaced apart from the second coating material.

A package structure includes a semiconductor substrate: a pad disposed on the semiconductor substrate; a conductive layer disposed on the pad; a protection coating; and a metal bump disposed on the conductive layer, and the metal bump covered with the protection coating so as to avoid oxidation of the metal bump.