Systems and methods are described for improved heat dissipation of the stacked semiconductor dies by including metallic thermal pads between the dies in the stack. In one embodiment, the thermal pads may be in direct contact with the semiconductor dies. Heat dissipation of the semiconductor die stack can be improved by a relatively high thermal conductivity of the thermal pads that directly contact the adjacent silicon dies in the stack without the intervening layers of the low thermal conductivity materials (e.g., passivation materials). In some embodiments, the manufacturing yield of the stack can be improved by having generally coplanar top surfaces of the thermal pads and under-bump metallization (UBM) structures.

In an embodiment, a device includes: an integrated circuit die having a first side and a second side opposite the first side; a die stack on the first side of the integrated circuit die; a dummy semiconductor feature on the first side of the integrated circuit die, the dummy semiconductor feature laterally surrounding the die stack, the dummy semiconductor feature electrically isolated from the die stack and the integrated circuit die; a first adhesive disposed between the die stack and the dummy semiconductor feature; and a plurality of conductive connectors on the second side of the integrated circuit die.

Apparatuses and methods for providing thermal pathways from a substrate to a thermal bonding pad. The thermal pathways may be metal extensions of the thermal bonding pad that are disposed in channels formed in a backside passivation layer underneath the thermal bonding pad, and may be in direct contact with an underlying substrate. The thermal pathways may provide improved thermal dissipation from the substrate.

Method for packaging a semiconductor die assemblies. In one embodiment, a method is directed to packaging a semiconductor die assembly having a first die and a plurality of second dies arranged in a stack over the first die, wherein the first die has a peripheral region extending laterally outward from the stack of second dies. The method can comprise coupling a thermal transfer structure to the peripheral region of the first die and flowing an underfill material between the second dies. The underfill material is flowed after coupling the thermal transfer structure to the peripheral region of the first die such that the thermal transfer structure limits lateral flow of the underfill material.

Apparatuses and methods for providing thermal pathways from a substrate to a thermal bonding pad. The thermal pathways may be metal extensions of the thermal bonding pad that are disposed in channels formed in a backside passivation layer underneath the thermal bonding pad, and may be in direct contact with an underlying substrate. The thermal pathways may provide improved thermal dissipation from the substrate.

A semiconductor structure includes a three dimensional stack including a first semiconductor die and a second semiconductor die. The second semiconductor die is connected with the first semiconductor die with a bump between the first semiconductor die and the second semiconductor die. The semiconductor structure includes a molding compound between the first semiconductor die and the second semiconductor die. A first portion of a metal structure over a surface of the three dimensional stack and contacting a backside of the second semiconductor die and a second portion of the metal structure over the surface of the three dimensional stack and configured for electrically connecting the three dimensional stack with an external electronic device.

Apparatuses and methods for providing thermal pathways from a substrate to a thermal bonding pad. The thermal pathways may be metal extensions of the thermal bonding pad that are disposed in channels formed in a backside passivation layer underneath the thermal bonding pad, and may be in direct contact with an underlying substrate. The thermal pathways may provide improved thermal dissipation from the substrate.

Semiconductor die assemblies with heat sinks are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a semiconductor die assembly includes a stack of semiconductor dies and a mold material surrounding at least a portion of the stack of semiconductor dies. A heat sink is disposed on the stack of semiconductor dies and adjacent the mold material. The heat sink includes an exposed surface and a plurality of heat transfer features along the exposed surface that are configured to increase an exposed surface area compared to a planar surface.

A method and apparatus are provided that includes an electronic device, a chip package and a method for cooling a chip package in an electronic device. In one example, the chip package includes an interposer or package substrate having a first IC die and a second IC die mounted thereon. The second IC die has a maximum safe operating temperature that is greater than a maximum safe operating temperature of the first IC die. An indicia is disposed on the chip package. The indicia designates an installation orientation of the interposer or package substrate which positions the first IC die upstream of the second IC die relative to a direction of cooling fluid flow.

Highly reliable chip mounting is accomplished by using a substrate having such a shape that a stress exerted on a flip-chip-connected chip can be reduced, so that the stress exerted on the chip is reduced and separation of an interlayer insulating layer having a low dielectric constant (low-k) is minimized. Specifically, in a chip mounting structure, a chip including an interlayer insulating layer having a low dielectric constant (low-k) is flip-chip connected to a substrate via bumps is shown. In the chip mounting structure, the substrate has such a shape that a mechanical stress exerted on the interlayer insulating layer at corner portions of the chip due to a thermal stress is reduced, the thermal stress occurring due to a difference in coefficient of thermal expansion between the chip and the substrate.