A semiconductor device and a method of producing the semiconductor device are described. The semiconductor device includes: a semiconductor substrate; a metallization layer over the semiconductor substrate; a plating over the metallization layer, the plating including NiP; a passivation over the metallization layer and laterally adjacent the plating such that a surface of the plating that faces away from the semiconductor substrate is uncovered by the passivation, wherein a seam is present along an interface between the passivation and the plating; and a structure that covers the seam along a periphery of the plating and delimits a bondable area for the plating. The structure extends from the periphery of the plating onto the passivation. The structure includes an imide having a curing temperature below a recrystallization temperature of the NiP or an oxide having a deposition temperature below the recrystallization temperature of the NiP.

A method for forming a through-substrate via structure includes providing a substrate and providing a conductive via structure adjacent to a first surface of the substrate. The method includes providing a recessed region on an opposite surface of the substrate towards the conductive via structure. The method includes providing an insulator in the recessed region and providing a conductive region extending along a first sidewall surface of the recessed region in the cross-sectional view. In some examples, the first conductive region is provided to be coupled to the conductive via structure and to be further along at least a portion of the opposite surface of the substrate outside of the recessed region. The method includes providing a protective structure within the recessed region over a first portion of the first conductive region but not over a second portion of the first conductive region that is outside of the recessed region. The method includes attaching a conductive bump to the second portion of the first conductive region.

An electronic device, an electronic module comprising the electronic device and methods for fabricating the same are disclosed. In one example, the electronic device includes a semiconductor substrate and a metal stack disposed on the semiconductor substrate, wherein the metal stack comprises a first layer, wherein the first layer comprises NiSi.

An electronic device, an electronic module comprising the electronic device and methods for fabricating the same are disclosed. In one example, the electronic device includes a semiconductor substrate and a metal stack disposed on the semiconductor substrate, wherein the metal stack comprises a first layer, wherein the first layer comprises NiSi.

In a semiconductor device, a semiconductor element includes a semiconductor substrate, a surface electrode and a protective film. The semiconductor substrate has an active region and an outer peripheral region. The surface electrode includes a base electrode disposed on a front surface of the semiconductor substrate and a connection electrode disposed on the base electrode. The protective film covers a peripheral end portion of the base electrode and an outer peripheral edge of the connection electrode. The protective film has an opening to expose the connection electrode so as to enable a solder connection. A boundary between the outer peripheral edge of the connection electrode and the protective film is located at a position corresponding to the outer peripheral region in a plan view.

In a semiconductor device, a semiconductor element includes a semiconductor substrate, a surface electrode and a protective film. The semiconductor substrate has an active region and an outer peripheral region. The surface electrode includes a base electrode disposed on a front surface of the semiconductor substrate and a connection electrode disposed on the base electrode. The protective film covers a peripheral end portion of the base electrode and an outer peripheral edge of the connection electrode. The protective film has an opening to expose the connection electrode so as to enable a solder connection. A boundary between the outer peripheral edge of the connection electrode and the protective film is located at a position corresponding to the outer peripheral region in a plan view.

A semiconductor device includes a semiconductor element, an internal electrode connected to the semiconductor element, a sealing resin covering the semiconductor element and a portion of the internal electrode, and an external electrode exposed from the sealing resin and connected to the internal electrode. The internal electrode includes a wiring layer and a columnar portion, where the wiring layer has a wiring layer front surface facing the back surface of the semiconductor element and a wiring layer back surface facing opposite from the wiring layer front surface in the thickness direction. The columnar portion protrudes in the thickness direction from the wiring layer front surface. The columnar portion has an exposed side surface facing in a direction perpendicular to the thickness direction. The external electrode includes a first cover portion covering the exposed side surface.

A semiconductor device includes a semiconductor element, an internal electrode connected to the semiconductor element, a sealing resin covering the semiconductor element and a portion of the internal electrode, and an external electrode exposed from the sealing resin and connected to the internal electrode. The internal electrode includes a wiring layer and a columnar portion, where the wiring layer has a wiring layer front surface facing the back surface of the semiconductor element and a wiring layer back surface facing opposite from the wiring layer front surface in the thickness direction. The columnar portion protrudes in the thickness direction from the wiring layer front surface. The columnar portion has an exposed side surface facing in a direction perpendicular to the thickness direction. The external electrode includes a first cover portion covering the exposed side surface.

A method of removing a substrate, comprising: forming a growth restrict mask with a plurality of striped opening areas directly or indirectly upon a GaN-based substrate; and growing a plurality of semiconductor layers upon the GaN-based substrate using the growth restrict mask, such that the growth extends in a direction parallel to the striped opening areas of the growth restrict mask, and growth is stopped before the semiconductor layers coalesce, thereby resulting in island-like semiconductor layers. A device is processed for each of the island-like semiconductor layers. Etching is performed until at least a part of the growth restrict mask is exposed. The devices are then bonded to a support substrate. The GaN-based substrate is removed from the devices by a wet etching technique that at least partially dissolves the growth restrict mask. The GaN substrate that is removed then can be recycled.

A method of removing a substrate, comprising: forming a growth restrict mask with a plurality of striped opening areas directly or indirectly upon a GaN-based substrate; and growing a plurality of semiconductor layers upon the GaN-based substrate using the growth restrict mask, such that the growth extends in a direction parallel to the striped opening areas of the growth restrict mask, and growth is stopped before the semiconductor layers coalesce, thereby resulting in island-like semiconductor layers. A device is processed for each of the island-like semiconductor layers. Etching is performed until at least a part of the growth restrict mask is exposed. The devices are then bonded to a support substrate. The GaN-based substrate is removed from the devices by a wet etching technique that at least partially dissolves the growth restrict mask. The GaN substrate that is removed then can be recycled.