A method for manufacturing a bond pad structure includes providing a substrate structure including a substrate, a first metal layer on the substrate, and a passivation layer on the first metal layer, the passivation layer having an opening extending to the first metal layer; and filling the opening of the passivation layer with a second metal layer. The bond pad structure has a significantly increased thickness compared with the thickness of the exposed portion of the first metal layer in the opening, thereby ensuring wire bonding reliability and yield.

An integrated circuit includes a solder pad which includes, in a superposition of metallization levels, an underlying structure formed by a network of first regular metal tracks that are arranged for reinforcing the mechanical strength of the underlying structure and electrically connecting between an upper metallization level and a lower metallization level of the underlying structure. The underlying structure further includes a detection electrical path formed by second metal tracks passing between the first metal tracks in the metallization levels, the detection electrical path having an input terminal and an output terminal. Electrical sensing of the detection electrical path is made to supply a measurement which is indicative of the presence of cracks in the underlying structure.

A semiconductor device includes an active layer having an active region, a source electrode, a drain electrode, a gate electrode, a source metal layer, a drain metal layer, and a source pad. The source metal layer and the drain metal layer are electrically connected to the source electrode and the drain electrode, respectively. An orthogonal projection of the drain metal layer on the active layer each forms a drain metal layer region. The source pad is electrically connected to the source metal layer. An orthogonal projection of the source pad on the active layer forms a source pad region overlapping the drain metal layer. An area of an overlapping region between the source pad region and the drain metal layer region is smaller than or equal to 40% of an area of the drain metal layer region.

A composite integrated circuit (IC) device structure comprising a host chip and a chiplet. The host chip comprises a first device layer and a first metallization layer. The chiplet comprises a second device layer and a second metallization layer that is interconnected to transistors of the second device layer. A top metallization layer comprising a plurality of first level interconnect (FLI) interfaces is over the chiplet and host chip. The chiplet is embedded between a first region of the first device layer and the top metallization layer. The first region of the first device layer is interconnected to the top metallization layer by one or more conductive vias extending through the second device layer or adjacent to an edge sidewall of the chiplet.

A semiconductor device includes an active layer, a source electrode, a drain electrode, a gate electrode, a first insulating layer, a first source pad, and a first drain pad. The source electrode, the drain electrode, and the gate electrode are disposed on an active region of the active layer. The first insulating layer is disposed on the source electrode, the drain electrode, and the gate electrode. The first source pad and the first drain pad are disposed on the first insulating layer and the active region. The first source pad includes a first source body and a first source branch. The first source branch is electrically connected to the first source body and disposed on the source electrode. The first drain pad includes a first drain body and a first drain branch. The first drain branch is electrically connected to the first drain body and disposed on the drain electrode.

A distribution layer structure and a manufacturing method thereof, and a bond pad structure are provided. The distribution layer structure includes a dielectric layer and a wire layer embedded in the dielectric layer. The wire layer includes a frame and a connection line, the frame has at least two openings and is divided into a plurality of segments by the at least two openings. The connection line is located in the frame and has a plurality of connecting ends connected to the frame. The connection line divides an interior of the frame into a plurality of areas, with each segment connected to one of the connecting ends, and each area connected to one of the openings. This structure provides improved binding force between the wire layer and the dielectric layer without increasing a resistance of a wire connecting with a top bond pad.

An alignment apparatus according to one embodiment, includes: a first and a second stage; a first and a second detector; a first and a second moving mechanism; and a controller. The first and second stages are configured to respectively hold a first and a second semiconductor substrate on which a first and a second alignment mark are respectively disposed. The first and second moving mechanisms are configured to respectively move the first and second stages relatively to each other. The controller is configured to perform the following (a), (b). (a) The controller control the detectors and the moving mechanisms to cause the first detector to detect the second alignment mark and to cause the second detector to detect the first alignment mark. (b) The controller calculate a position deviation between the substrates in accordance with results of the detections.

A method of forming a semiconductor structure includes forming an etch stop layer on a substrate, forming a metal oxide layer over the etch stop layer, and forming an interlayer dielectric (ILD) layer on the metal oxide layer. The method further includes forming a trench etch opening over the ILD layer, forming a capping layer over the trench etch opening, and forming a via etch opening over the capping layer.

A pad structure is formed on an IC die and includes a first conductive layer, a dielectric layer, a second conductive layer and a passivation layer. The first conductive layer is formed on an upper surface of the IC die and having a hollow portion. The dielectric layer covers the first conductive layer. The second conductive layer is formed on the dielectric layer and electrically connected to the first conductive layer. The passivation layer covers the second conductive layer and has an opening exposing the second conductive layer for receiving a bonding wire.

A semiconductor device includes an active layer having an active region, a source electrode, a drain electrode, a gate electrode, a source metal layer, a drain metal layer, and a source pad. The source metal layer and the drain metal layer are electrically connected to the source electrode and the drain electrode, respectively. An orthogonal projection of the drain metal layer on the active layer each forms a drain metal layer region. The source pad is electrically connected to the source metal layer. An orthogonal projection of the source pad on the active layer forms a source pad region overlapping the drain metal layer. An area of an overlapping region between the source pad region and the drain metal layer region is smaller than or equal to 40% of an area of the drain metal layer region.