A bonded assembly includes a first semiconductor die that includes first semiconductor devices, and a first pad-level dielectric layer and embedding first bonding pads; and a second semiconductor die that includes second semiconductor devices, and a second pad-level dielectric layer embedding second bonding pads that includes a respective second pad base portion. Each of the first bonding pads includes a respective first pad base portion and a respective first metal alloy material portion having a higher coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) than the respective first pad base portion. Each of the second bonding pads is bonded to a respective one of the first bonding pads.

A bonded assembly includes a first semiconductor die that includes first semiconductor devices, and a first pad-level dielectric layer and embedding first bonding pads; and a second semiconductor die that includes second semiconductor devices, and a second pad-level dielectric layer embedding second bonding pads that includes a respective second pad base portion. Each of the first bonding pads includes a respective first pad base portion and a respective first metal alloy material portion having a higher coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) than the respective first pad base portion. Each of the second bonding pads is bonded to a respective one of the first bonding pads.

Microelectronic assemblies, related devices and methods, are disclosed herein. In some embodiments, a microelectronic assembly may include a first microelectronic component having a first direct bonding region, wherein the first direct bonding region includes first metal contacts and a first dielectric material between adjacent ones of the first metal contacts; a second microelectronic component having a second direct bonding region and coupled to the first microelectronic component by the first and second direct bonding regions, wherein the second direct bonding region includes second metal contacts and a second dielectric material between adjacent ones of the second metal contacts, and wherein individual first metal contacts in the first direct bonding region are coupled to respective individual second metal contacts in the second direct bonding region; and a void between an individual first metal contact and a respective individual second metal contact.

Microelectronic assemblies, related devices and methods, are disclosed herein. In some embodiments, a microelectronic assembly may include a first microelectronic component having a first direct bonding region, wherein the first direct bonding region includes first metal contacts and a first dielectric material between adjacent ones of the first metal contacts; a second microelectronic component having a second direct bonding region and coupled to the first microelectronic component by the first and second direct bonding regions, wherein the second direct bonding region includes second metal contacts and a second dielectric material between adjacent ones of the second metal contacts, and wherein individual first metal contacts in the first direct bonding region are coupled to respective individual second metal contacts in the second direct bonding region; and a void between an individual first metal contact and a respective individual second metal contact.

A method of forming a semiconductor device includes: forming first electrical components in a substrate in a first device region of the semiconductor device; forming a first interconnect structure over and electrically coupled to the first electrical components; forming a first passivation layer over the first interconnect structure, the first passivation layer extending from the first device region to a scribe line region adjacent to the first device region; after forming the first passivation layer, removing the first passivation layer from the scribe line region while keeping a remaining portion of the first passivation layer in the first device region; and dicing along the scribe line region after removing the first passivation layer.

A method of forming a semiconductor device includes: forming first electrical components in a substrate in a first device region of the semiconductor device; forming a first interconnect structure over and electrically coupled to the first electrical components; forming a first passivation layer over the first interconnect structure, the first passivation layer extending from the first device region to a scribe line region adjacent to the first device region; after forming the first passivation layer, removing the first passivation layer from the scribe line region while keeping a remaining portion of the first passivation layer in the first device region; and dicing along the scribe line region after removing the first passivation layer.

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.

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.

At least one polymer material may be employed to facilitate bonding between the semiconductor dies. Plasma treatment, formation of a blended polymer, or formation of polymer hairs may be employed to enhance bonding. Alternatively, air gaps can be formed by subsequently removing the polymer material to reduce capacitive coupling between adjacent bonding pads.

At least one polymer material may be employed to facilitate bonding between the semiconductor dies. Plasma treatment, formation of a blended polymer, or formation of polymer hairs may be employed to enhance bonding. Alternatively, air gaps can be formed by subsequently removing the polymer material to reduce capacitive coupling between adjacent bonding pads.