A system and method for preventing cracks is provided. An embodiment comprises placing crack stoppers into a connection between a semiconductor die and a substrate. The crack stoppers may be in the shape of hollow or solid cylinders and may be placed so as to prevent any cracks from propagating through the crack stoppers.

A microelectronic device includes a reflow structure. The reflow structure has a copper-containing member and a solder member, and a barrier layer between them. The barrier layer has metal grains, with a diffusion barrier filler between the metal grains. The metal grains include at least a first metal and a second metal, each selected from nickel, cobalt, lanthanum, and cerium, with each having a concentration in the metal grains of at least 10 weight percent. The diffusion barrier filler includes at least a third metal, selected from tungsten and molybdenum. A combined concentration of tungsten and molybdenum in the diffusion barrier filler is higher than in the metal grains to provide a desired resistance to diffusion of copper. The barrier layer includes 2 weight percent to 15 weight percent of the combined concentration of tungsten, and molybdenum. A bump bond structure and a lead frame package are disclosed.

A microelectronic device includes a reflow structure. The reflow structure has a copper-containing member and a solder member, and a barrier layer between them. The barrier layer has metal grains, with a diffusion barrier filler between the metal grains. The metal grains include at least a first metal and a second metal, each selected from nickel, cobalt, lanthanum, and cerium, with each having a concentration in the metal grains of at least 10 weight percent. The diffusion barrier filler includes at least a third metal, selected from tungsten and molybdenum. A combined concentration of tungsten and molybdenum in the diffusion barrier filler is higher than in the metal grains to provide a desired resistance to diffusion of copper. The barrier layer includes 2 weight percent to 15 weight percent of the combined concentration of tungsten, and molybdenum. A bump bond structure and a lead frame package are disclosed.

A method providing a high aspect ratio through substrate via in a substrate is described. The through substrate via has vertical sidewalls and a horizontal bottom. The substrate has a horizontal field area surrounding the through substrate via. A first metallic barrier layer is deposited on the sidewalls of the through substrate via. A nitridation process converts a surface portion of the metallic barrier layer to a nitride surface layer. The nitride surface layer enhances the nucleation of subsequent depositions. A first metal layer is deposited to fill the through substrate via. A selective etch creates a recess in the first metal layer in the through substrate via. A second barrier layer is deposited over the recess. A second metal layer is patterned over the second barrier layer filling the recess and creating a contact. Another aspect of the invention is a device produced by the method.

A method providing a high aspect ratio through substrate via in a substrate is described. The through substrate via has vertical sidewalls and a horizontal bottom. The substrate has a horizontal field area surrounding the through substrate via. A first metallic barrier layer is deposited on the sidewalls of the through substrate via. A nitridation process converts a surface portion of the metallic barrier layer to a nitride surface layer. The nitride surface layer enhances the nucleation of subsequent depositions. A first metal layer is deposited to fill the through substrate via. A selective etch creates a recess in the first metal layer in the through substrate via. A second barrier layer is deposited over the recess. A second metal layer is patterned over the second barrier layer filling the recess and creating a contact. Another aspect of the invention is a device produced by the method.

An advanced through silicon via structure for is described. The device includes a substrate including integrated circuit devices. A high aspect ratio through substrate via is disposed in the substrate. The through substrate via has vertical sidewalls and a horizontal bottom. The substrate has a horizontal field area surrounding the through substrate via. A metallic barrier layer is disposed on the sidewalls of the through substrate via. A surface portion of the metallic barrier layer has been converted to a nitride surface layer by a nitridation process. The nitride surface layer enhances the nucleation of subsequent depositions. A first metal layer fills the through substrate via and has a recess in an upper portion. A second barrier layer is disposed over the recess. A second metal layer is disposed over the second barrier layer and creates a contact.

An advanced through silicon via structure for is described. The device includes a substrate including integrated circuit devices. A high aspect ratio through substrate via is disposed in the substrate. The through substrate via has vertical sidewalls and a horizontal bottom. The substrate has a horizontal field area surrounding the through substrate via. A metallic barrier layer is disposed on the sidewalls of the through substrate via. A surface portion of the metallic barrier layer has been converted to a nitride surface layer by a nitridation process. The nitride surface layer enhances the nucleation of subsequent depositions. A first metal layer fills the through substrate via and has a recess in an upper portion. A second barrier layer is disposed over the recess. A second metal layer is disposed over the second barrier layer and creates a contact.

A microelectronic device includes a die with input/output (I/O) terminals, and a dielectric layer on the die. The microelectronic device includes electrically conductive pillars which are electrically coupled to the I/O terminals, and extend through the dielectric layer to an exterior of the microelectronic device. Each pillar includes a column electrically coupled to one of the I/O terminals, and a head contacting the column at an opposite end of the column from the I/O terminal. The head extends laterally past the column in at least one lateral direction. Methods of forming the pillars and the dielectric layer are disclosed.

A microelectronic device includes a die with input/output (I/O) terminals, and a dielectric layer on the die. The microelectronic device includes electrically conductive pillars which are electrically coupled to the I/O terminals, and extend through the dielectric layer to an exterior of the microelectronic device. Each pillar includes a column electrically coupled to one of the I/O terminals, and a head contacting the column at an opposite end of the column from the I/O terminal. The head extends laterally past the column in at least one lateral direction. Methods of forming the pillars and the dielectric layer are disclosed.

A core material including a core and a solder plating layer of a (SnBi)-based solder alloy made of Sn and Bi on a surface of the core. Bi in the solder plating layer is distributed in the solder plating layer at a concentration ratio in a predetermined range of, for example, 91.7% to 106.7%. Bi in the solder plating layer is homogeneous, and thus, a Bi concentration ratio is in a predetermined range over the entire solder plating layer including an inner circumference side and an outer circumference side in the solder plating layer.