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.

A substrate or semiconductor device, semiconductor device assembly, and method of forming a semiconductor device assembly that includes a barrier on a solder cup. The semiconductor device assembly includes a substrate disposed over another substrate. At least one solder cup extends from one substrate towards an under bump metal (UBM) on the other substrate. The barrier on the exterior of the solder cup may be a standoff to control a bond line between the substrates. The barrier may reduce solder bridging during the formation of a semiconductor device assembly. The barrier may help to align the solder cup with a UBM when forming a semiconductor device assembly and may reduce misalignment due to lateral movement of substrates and/or semiconductor devices.

A substrate or semiconductor device, semiconductor device assembly, and method of forming a semiconductor device assembly that includes a barrier on a solder cup. The semiconductor device assembly includes a substrate disposed over another substrate. At least one solder cup extends from one substrate towards an under bump metal (UBM) on the other substrate. The barrier on the exterior of the solder cup may be a standoff to control a bond line between the substrates. The barrier may reduce solder bridging during the formation of a semiconductor device assembly. The barrier may help to align the solder cup with a UBM when forming a semiconductor device assembly and may reduce misalignment due to lateral movement of substrates and/or semiconductor devices.

In an embodiment, a device includes: a semiconductor substrate; a contact pad on the semiconductor substrate; a passivation layer on the contact pad and the semiconductor substrate; a die connector extending through the passivation layer, the die connector being physically and electrically coupled to the contact pad, the die connector including a first conductive material, the first conductive material being a Lewis acid having a first acid hardness/softness index; a dielectric layer on the die connector and the passivation layer; and a protective layer disposed between the dielectric layer and the die connector, the protective layer surrounding the die connector, the protective layer including a coordination complex of the first conductive material and an azole, the azole being a Lewis base having a first ligand hardness/softness index, where a product of the first acid hardness/softness index and the first ligand hardness/softness index is positive.

In an embodiment, a device includes: a semiconductor substrate; a contact pad on the semiconductor substrate; a passivation layer on the contact pad and the semiconductor substrate; a die connector extending through the passivation layer, the die connector being physically and electrically coupled to the contact pad, the die connector including a first conductive material, the first conductive material being a Lewis acid having a first acid hardness/softness index; a dielectric layer on the die connector and the passivation layer; and a protective layer disposed between the dielectric layer and the die connector, the protective layer surrounding the die connector, the protective layer including a coordination complex of the first conductive material and an azole, the azole being a Lewis base having a first ligand hardness/softness index, where a product of the first acid hardness/softness index and the first ligand hardness/softness index is positive.

A substrate or semiconductor device, semiconductor device assembly, and method of forming a semiconductor device assembly that includes a barrier on a solder cup. The semiconductor device assembly includes a substrate disposed over another substrate. At least one solder cup extends from one substrate towards an under bump metal (UBM) on the other substrate. The barrier on the exterior of the solder cup may be a standoff to control a bond line between the substrates. The barrier may reduce solder bridging during the formation of a semiconductor device assembly. The barrier may help to align the solder cup with a UBM when forming a semiconductor device assembly and may reduce misalignment due to lateral movement of substrates and/or semiconductor devices.

A substrate or semiconductor device, semiconductor device assembly, and method of forming a semiconductor device assembly that includes a barrier on a solder cup. The semiconductor device assembly includes a substrate disposed over another substrate. At least one solder cup extends from one substrate towards an under bump metal (UBM) on the other substrate. The barrier on the exterior of the solder cup may be a standoff to control a bond line between the substrates. The barrier may reduce solder bridging during the formation of a semiconductor device assembly. The barrier may help to align the solder cup with a UBM when forming a semiconductor device assembly and may reduce misalignment due to lateral movement of substrates and/or semiconductor devices.

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.

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.

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.