An electronic device comprises a semiconductor die, a layer stack disposed on the semiconductor die and comprising one or more functional layers, wherein the layer stack comprises a protection layer which is an outermost functional layer of the layer stack, and a sacrificial layer disposed on the protection layer, wherein the sacrificial layer comprises a material which decomposes or becomes volatile at a temperature between 100° and 400° C.

An electronic device comprises a semiconductor die, a layer stack disposed on the semiconductor die and comprising one or more functional layers, wherein the layer stack comprises a protection layer which is an outermost functional layer of the layer stack, and a sacrificial layer disposed on the protection layer, wherein the sacrificial layer comprises a material which decomposes or becomes volatile at a temperature between 100° and 400° C.

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.

A semiconductor package includes a semiconductor substrate, a conductive pad on the semiconductor substrate, a redistribution line conductor, a coating insulator, and an aluminum oxide layer. The redistribution line conductor is electrically connected to the conductive pad. The coating insulator covers the redistribution line conductor and partially exposes the redistribution line conductor. The aluminum oxide layer is provided below the coating insulator and extends along a top surface of the redistribution line conductor, and the aluminum oxide layer is in contact with the redistribution line conductor.

A semiconductor package includes a semiconductor substrate, a conductive pad on the semiconductor substrate, a redistribution line conductor, a coating insulator, and an aluminum oxide layer. The redistribution line conductor is electrically connected to the conductive pad. The coating insulator covers the redistribution line conductor and partially exposes the redistribution line conductor. The aluminum oxide layer is provided below the coating insulator and extends along a top surface of the redistribution line conductor, and the aluminum oxide layer is in contact with the redistribution line conductor.

First and second contacts are formed on first and second wafers from disparate first and second conductive materials, at least one of which is subject to surface oxidation when exposed to air. A layer of oxide-inhibiting material is disposed over a bonding surface of the first contact and the first and second wafers are positioned relative to one another such that a bonding surface of the second contact is in physical contact with the layer of oxide-inhibiting material. Thereafter, the first and second contacts and the layer of oxide-inhibiting material are heated to a temperature that renders the first and second contacts and the layer of oxide-inhibiting material to liquid phases such that at least the first and second contacts alloy into a eutectic bond.

Wafers and methods of forming solder balls include forming a final redistribution layer over terminal contact pad on a surface of a wafer. The wafer includes multiple bulk redistribution layers. A hole is etched in the final redistribution layer to expose the terminal contact pad. Solder is injected into the hole using an injection nozzle that is in direct contact with the final redistribution layer. The final redistribution layer is etched back. The injected solder is reflowed to form a solder ball.

In various embodiments, a chip package is provided. The chip package may include a chip, a metal contact structure including a non-noble metal and electrically contacting the chip, a packaging material, and a protective layer including or essentially consisting of a portion formed at an interface between a portion of the metal contact structure and the packaging material, wherein the protective layer may include a noble metal, wherein the portion of the protective layer may include a plurality of regions free from the noble metal, and wherein the regions free from the noble metal may provide an interface between the packaging material and the non-noble metal of the metal contact structure.

Object is to provide an etching solution which generates less foam and can etch copper or copper alloy at high selectivity when used in a step of etching copper or 5 copper alloy in an electronic substrate having both of copper or copper alloy and nickel. The etching solution to be used in a step of selectively etching copper or copper alloy in an electronic substrate having both of copper or copper alloy and nickel has, as essential components thereof, (A) a linear alkanolamine, (B) a chelating agent having an acid group in the molecule thereof, and (C) hydrogen peroxide.