A semiconductor package includes a first structure having a first insulating layer and a first bonding pad penetrating the first insulating layer, and a second structure on the first structure and having a second insulating layer bonded to the first insulating layer, a bonding pad structure penetrating the second insulating layer and bonded to the first bonding pad, and a test pad structure penetrating the second insulating layer and including a test pad in an opening penetrating the second insulating layer and having a protrusion with a flat surface, and a bonding layer filling the opening and covering the test pad and the flat surface, the protrusion of the test pad extending from a surface in contact with the bonding layer, and the flat surface of the protrusion being within the opening and spaced apart from an interface between the bonding layer and the first insulating layer.

A semiconductor device includes an insulating layer, a barrier electrode layer formed on the insulating layer, a Cu electrode layer that includes a metal composed mainly of copper and that is formed on a principal surface of the barrier electrode layer, and an outer-surface insulating film that includes copper oxide, that coats an outer surface of the Cu electrode layer, and that is in contact with the principal surface of the barrier electrode layer.

A chip scale package structure is provided. The chip scale package structure includes an image sensor chip and a chip. The image sensor chip includes a first redistribution layer including a conductive wire and a conductive pad formed on the conductive wire, wherein the conductive pad is exposed from the surface of the first redistribution layer. The chip includes a plurality of through silicon via (TSV) and a second redistribution layer including a conductive wire and a conductive pad formed on the conductive wire, wherein the conductive pad is exposed from the surface of the second redistribution layer. The area of the chip is smaller than that of the image sensor chip. The second redistribution layer of the chip bonds to the first redistribution layer of the image sensor chip.

External electrical connectors and methods of forming such external electrical connectors are discussed. A method includes forming an external electrical connector structure on a substrate. The forming the external electrical connector structure includes plating a pillar on the substrate at a first agitation level affected at the substrate in a first solution. The method further includes plating solder on the external electrical connector structure at a second agitation level affected at the substrate in a second solution. The second agitation level affected at the substrate is greater than the first agitation level affected at the substrate. The plating the solder further forms a shell on a sidewall of the external electrical connector structure.

Devices and techniques including process steps make use of recesses in conductive interconnect structures to form reliable low temperature metallic bonds. A fill layer is deposited into the recesses prior to bonding. First conductive interconnect structures are bonded at ambient temperatures to second metallic interconnect structures using direct bonding techniques, with the fill layers in the recesses in one or both of the first and second interconnect structures.

A semiconductor device includes an insulating layer, a barrier electrode layer formed on the insulating layer, a Cu electrode layer that includes a metal composed mainly of copper and that is formed on a principal surface of the barrier electrode layer, and an outer-surface insulating film that includes copper oxide, that coats an outer surface of the Cu electrode layer, and that is in contact with the principal surface of the barrier electrode layer.

A back end of line (BEOL) structure for an integrated circuit chip includes a last metal structure providing a bonding pad. A passivation structure over the bonding pad includes a first opening extending exposing an upper surface of the bonding pad. A conformal nitride layer extends over the passivation structure and is placed in contact with the upper surface of the bonding pad. An insulator material layer covers the conformal nitride layer and includes a second opening that extends through both the insulator material layer and the conformal nitride layer. A foot portion of the conformal nitride layer on the upper surface of the bonding pad is self-aligned with the second opening.

A semiconductor package is provided. The semiconductor package includes: a first stack including a first semiconductor substrate; a through via that penetrates the first semiconductor substrate in a first direction; a second stack that includes a second face facing a first face of the first stack, on the first stack; a first pad that is in contact with the through via, on the first face of the first stack; a second pad including a concave inner side face that defines an insertion recess, the second pad located on the second face of the second stack; and a bump that connects the first pad and the second pad, wherein the bump includes a first upper bump on the first pad, and a first lower bump between the first upper bump and the first pad.

A bonding member (10) includes surface-processed silver surfaces (11a, 11b).

A method of making an assembly can include juxtaposing a top surface of a first electrically conductive element at a first surface of a first substrate with a top surface of a second electrically conductive element at a major surface of a second substrate. One of: the top surface of the first conductive element can be recessed below the first surface, or the top surface of the second conductive element can be recessed below the major surface. Electrically conductive nanoparticles can be disposed between the top surfaces of the first and second conductive elements. The conductive nanoparticles can have long dimensions smaller than 100 nanometers. The method can also include elevating a temperature at least at interfaces of the juxtaposed first and second conductive elements to a joining temperature at which the conductive nanoparticles can cause metallurgical joints to form between the juxtaposed first and second conductive elements.