Some embodiments relate to a bond pad structure of an integrated circuit (IC). The bond structure includes a bond pad and an intervening metal layer positioned below the bond pad. The intervening metal layer has a first face and a second face. A first via layer is in contact with the first face of intervening metal layer. The first via layer has a first via pattern including a single via. The bond structure also includes a second via layer in contact with the second face of the intervening metal layer. The second via layer has a second via pattern that is different than first via pattern. The second via pattern includes a first via surrounding a second via. The first and second vias are concentric with one another about a central point of the second via layer.

According to one embodiment, a semiconductor memory device includes a first memory chip, a circuit chip, and an external connection electrode on a surface of the first memory chip. The first memory chip comprises first conductors stacked via an insulator, and a first pillar passing the first conductors. The circuit chip comprises a substrate, a control circuit, and a second conductor connected to the control circuit, the circuit chip being attached to the first memory chip. The external connection electrode comprises a portion extending from a side of the surface of the first memory chip through the first memory chip and connected to the second conductor. Part of the first conductors is between the external connection electrode and the substrate.

A microelectronic device includes a metal layer on a first dielectric layer. An etch stop layer is disposed over the metal layer and on the dielectric layer directly adjacent to the metal layer. The etch stop layer includes a metal oxide, and is less than 10 nanometers thick. A second dielectric layer is disposed over the etch stop layer. The second dielectric layer is removed from an etched region which extends down to the etch stop layer. The etched region extends at least partially over the metal layer. In one version of the microelectronic device, the etch stop layer may extend over the metal layer in the etched region. In another version, the etch stop layer may be removed in the etched region. The microelectronic device is formed by etching the second dielectric layer using a plasma etch process, stopping on the etch stop layer.

Semiconductor devices having metallization structures including crack-inhibiting structures, and associated systems and methods, are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a semiconductor device includes a metallization structure formed over a semiconductor substrate. The metallization structure can include a bond pad electrically coupled to the semiconductor substrate via one or more layers of conductive material, and an insulating materialsuch as a low- dielectric materialat least partially around the conductive material. The metallization structure can further include a crack-inhibiting structure positioned beneath the bond pad between the bond pad and the semiconductor substrate. The crack-inhibiting structure can include a barrier member extending vertically from the bond pad toward the semiconductor substrate and configured to inhibit crack propagation through the insulating material.

According to one embodiment, a semiconductor memory device includes a first memory chip, a circuit chip, and an external connection electrode on a surface of the first memory chip. The first memory chip comprises first conductors stacked via an insulator, and a first pillar passing the first conductors. The circuit chip comprises a substrate, a control circuit, and a second conductor connected to the control circuit, the circuit chip being attached to the first memory chip. The external connection electrode comprises a portion extending from a side of the surface of the first memory chip through the first memory chip and connected to the second conductor. Part of the first conductors is between the external connection electrode and the substrate.

Some embodiments relate to a bond pad structure of an integrated circuit (IC). The bond structure includes a bond pad and an intervening metal layer positioned below the bond pad. The intervening metal layer has a first face and a second face. A first via layer is in contact with the first face of intervening metal layer. The first via layer has a first via pattern. The bond structure also includes a second via layer in contact with the second face of the intervening metal layer. The second via layer has a second via pattern that is different than first via pattern. The second via pattern includes a first group of elongated vias extending in parallel with one another in a first direction and a second group of vias in between the first group of elongated vias. The second group of vias extend in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction.

A microelectronic device includes a metal layer on a first dielectric layer. An etch stop layer is disposed over the metal layer and on the dielectric layer directly adjacent to the metal layer. The etch stop layer includes a metal oxide, and is less than 10 nanometers thick. A second dielectric layer is disposed over the etch stop layer. The second dielectric layer is removed from an etched region which extends down to the etch stop layer. The etched region extends at least partially over the metal layer. In one version of the microelectronic device, the etch stop layer may extend over the metal layer in the etched region. In another version, the etch stop layer may be removed in the etched region. The microelectronic device is formed by etching the second dielectric layer using a plasma etch process, stopping on the etch stop layer.

A bond pad structure and method are provided. The structure includes a first conductive layer formed over a substrate. A second conductive layer is formed over a first portion of the first conductive layer, and a first portion of the second conductive layer forms a first capacitor electrode. A third conductive layer is formed over the first conductive layer and second conductive layer, and a first portion of the third conductive layer forms a second capacitor electrode. A second portion of the third conductive layer forms a wire bond region. A dielectric material is disposed between the first capacitor electrode and the second capacitor electrode to form a first capacitor.

Semiconductor devices having metallization structures including crack-inhibiting structures, and associated systems and methods, are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a semiconductor device includes a metallization structure formed over a semiconductor substrate. The metallization structure can include a bond pad electrically coupled to the semiconductor substrate via one or more layers of conductive material, and an insulating materialsuch as a low-low- dielectric materialat least partially around the conductive material. The metallization structure can further include a crack-inhibiting structure positioned beneath the bond pad between the bond pad and the semiconductor substrate. The crack-inhibiting structure can include a barrier member extending vertically from the bond pad toward the semiconductor substrate and configured to inhibit crack propagation through the insulating material.

According to one embodiment, a semiconductor memory device includes a first memory chip, a circuit chip, and an external connection electrode on a surface of the first memory chip. The first memory chip comprises first conductors stacked via an insulator, and a first pillar passing the first conductors. The circuit chip comprises a substrate, a control circuit, and a second conductor connected to the control circuit, the circuit chip being attached to the first memory chip. The external connection electrode comprises a portion extending from a side of the surface of the first memory chip through the first memory chip and connected to the second conductor. Part of the first conductors is between the external connection