A semiconductor device includes: a substrate; a semiconductor element arranged on the substrate; a plate-like member electrically connected to the semiconductor element; a first electrode formed on the semiconductor element and joined to the plate-like member with solder; a second electrode formed on the semiconductor element and spaced from the first electrode, and including a metal capable of forming an alloy with the solder; and a metal film formed on the semiconductor element and spaced from the second electrode in a region on the first electrode side as seen from the second electrode, in a two-dimensional view of the semiconductor element as seen from the plate-like member, and including a metal capable of forming an alloy with the solder.

A bumped solder pad and methods for adding bumps to a solder pad are provided. A substrate is provided having metal layer formed thereon and a solder pad formed from a portion of the metal layer. A surface treatment is applied to the solder pad. The surface treatment is patterned. The surface treatment is etched to produce at least one bump on the solder pad.

A semiconductor element includes first/second electrodes on an element obverse surface, an insulating layer on the element obverse surface, and first/second electrode terminals in contact with the first/second electrodes, respectively. The insulating layer includes first/second openings, and first/second overlapping portions adjoining the first/second openings, respectively. The first/second openings expose the first/second electrodes, respectively. The first/second overlapping portions overlap with the first/second electrodes, respectively, as viewed in a thickness direction. The first/second electrode terminals are in contact with the first/second electrodes, respectively, through the first/second openings, while also overlapping with the first/second overlapping portions as viewed in the thickness direction. The first electrode terminals are in a region with a high arrangement density of electrode terminals, whereas the second electrode terminals are in a region with a low arrangement density of electrode terminals. Each first overlapping portion has a greater dimension in the thickness direction than each second overlapping portion.

Representative implementations of techniques and methods include chemical mechanical polishing for hybrid bonding. The disclosed methods include depositing and patterning a dielectric layer on a substrate to form openings in the dielectric layer, depositing a barrier layer over the dielectric layer and within a first portion of the openings, and depositing a conductive structure over the barrier layer and within a second portion of the openings not occupied by the barrier layer, at least a portion of the conductive structure in the second portion of the openings coupled or contacting electrical circuitry within the substrate. Additionally, the conductive structure is polished to reveal portions of the barrier layer deposited over the dielectric layer and not in the second portion of the openings. Further, the barrier layer is polished with a selective polish to reveal a bonding surface on or at the dielectric layer.

Representative implementations of techniques and methods include chemical mechanical polishing for hybrid bonding. The disclosed methods include depositing and patterning a dielectric layer on a substrate to form openings in the dielectric layer, depositing a barrier layer over the dielectric layer and within a first portion of the openings, and depositing a conductive structure over the barrier layer and within a second portion of the openings not occupied by the barrier layer, at least a portion of the conductive structure in the second portion of the openings coupled or contacting electrical circuitry within the substrate. Additionally, the conductive structure is polished to reveal portions of the barrier layer deposited over the dielectric layer and not in the second portion of the openings. Further, the barrier layer is polished with a selective polish to reveal a bonding surface on or at the dielectric layer.

The present application discloses a method for fabricating a semiconductor device with a pad structure. The method includes providing a substrate, forming a capacitor structure above the substrate, forming a plurality of passivation layers above the capacitor structure, forming a pad opening in the plurality of passivation layers, performing a passivation process comprising soaking the pad opening in a precursor, and forming a pad structure in the pad opening. The precursor is dimethylaminotrimethylsilane or tetramethylsilane. Forming the pad structure in the pad opening comprises forming a pad bottom conductive layer comprising nickel in the pad opening and forming a pad top conductive layer on the pad bottom conductive layer. The pad top conductive layer comprises palladium, cobalt, or a combination thereof.

The present application discloses a method for fabricating a semiconductor device with a pad structure. The method includes providing a substrate, forming a capacitor structure above the substrate, forming a plurality of passivation layers above the capacitor structure, forming a pad opening in the plurality of passivation layers, performing a passivation process comprising soaking the pad opening in a precursor, and forming a pad structure in the pad opening. The precursor is dimethylaminotrimethylsilane or tetramethylsilane. Forming the pad structure in the pad opening comprises forming a pad bottom conductive layer comprising nickel in the pad opening and forming a pad top conductive layer on the pad bottom conductive layer. The pad top conductive layer comprises palladium, cobalt, or a combination thereof.

Representative implementations of techniques and devices are used to reduce or prevent conductive material diffusion into insulating or dielectric material of bonded substrates. Misaligned conductive structures can come into direct contact with a dielectric portion of the substrates due to overlap, especially while employing direct bonding techniques. A barrier interface that can inhibit the diffusion is disposed generally between the conductive material and the dielectric at the overlap.

Representative implementations of techniques and devices are used to reduce or prevent conductive material diffusion into insulating or dielectric material of bonded substrates. Misaligned conductive structures can come into direct contact with a dielectric portion of the substrates due to overlap, especially while employing direct bonding techniques. A barrier interface that can inhibit the diffusion is disposed generally between the conductive material and the dielectric at the overlap.

Semiconductor devices are provided. A semiconductor device includes an insulating layer and a conductive element in the insulating layer. The semiconductor device includes a first barrier pattern in contact with a surface of the conductive element and a surface of the insulating layer. The semiconductor device includes a second barrier pattern on the first barrier pattern. Moreover, the semiconductor device includes a metal pattern on the second barrier pattern. Related semiconductor packages are also provided.