A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device includes forming a first through via surrounded by a liner in a first semiconductor substrate, first-recessing the semiconductor substrate to expose a first portion of the liner covering an end portion of the first through via, and forming a first diffusion barrier layer covering the first-recessed first semiconductor substrate and exposing a second portion of the liner. The method also includes removing the second portion of the liner and second-recessing the first diffusion barrier layer. The method further includes forming a second diffusion barrier layer that covers the second-recessed first diffusion barrier layer and a top portion of the liner from which the second portion is removed and exposes a top surface of the end portion of the first through via.

Processing forms an integrated circuit structure having first and second layers on opposite sides of an insulator, and an interconnect structure extending through the insulator between the first layer and the second layer. The interconnect structure is formed in an opening extending through the insulator between the first layer and the second layer and has an electrical conductor in the opening extending between the first layer and the second layer and a thermally conductive electrical insulator liner along sidewalls of the opening extending between the first layer and the second layer. The electrical conductor is positioned to conduct electrical signals between the first layer and the second layer, and the thermally conductive electrical insulator liner is positioned to transfer heat between the first layer and the second layer.

A method and a system for verifying an integrated circuit stack having at least one silicon photonic device is introduced. A dummy layer and a dummy layer text are added to a terminal of at least one silicon photonic device of the integrated circuit. The method may perform a layout versus schematic check of the integrated circuit including the dummy layer and the dummy layer text.

Packaged microelectronic devices and methods for manufacturing packaged microelectronic devices are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method for forming a microelectronic device includes attaching a microelectronic die to a support member by forming an attachment feature on at least one of a back side of the microelectronic die and the support member. The attachment feature includes a volume of solder material. The method also includes contacting the attachment feature with the other of the microelectronic die and the support member, and reflowing the solder material to join the back side of the die and the support member via the attachment feature. In several embodiments, the attachment feature is not electrically connected to internal active structures of the die.

Sacrificial pillars for a semiconductor device assembly, and associated methods and systems are disclosed. In one embodiment, a region of a semiconductor die may be identified to include sacrificial pillars that are not connected to bond pads of the semiconductor die, in addition to live conductive pillars connected to the bond pads. The region with the sacrificial pillars, when disposed in proximity to the live conductive pillars, may prevent an areal density of the live conductive pillars from experiencing an abrupt change that may result in intolerable variations in heights of the live conductive pillars. As such, the sacrificial pillars may improve a coplanarity of the live conductive pillars by reducing variations in the heights of the live conductive pillars. Thereafter, the sacrificial pillars may be removed from the semiconductor die.

In a described example, a device includes an overcoat layer covering an interconnect; an opening in the overcoat layer exposing a portion of a surface of the interconnect; a stud on the exposed portion of the surface of the interconnect in the opening; a surface of the stud approximately coplanar with a surface of the overcoat layer; and a conductive pillar covering the stud and covering a portion of the overcoat layer surrounding the stud, the conductive pillar having a planar and un-dished surface facing away from the stud and the overcoat layer.

Processing forms an integrated circuit structure having first and second layers on opposite sides of an insulator, and an interconnect structure extending through the insulator between the first layer and the second layer. The interconnect structure is formed in an opening extending through the insulator between the first layer and the second layer and has an electrical conductor in the opening extending between the first layer and the second layer and a thermally conductive electrical insulator liner along sidewalls of the opening extending between the first layer and the second layer. The electrical conductor is positioned to conduct electrical signals between the first layer and the second layer, and the thermally conductive electrical insulator liner is positioned to transfer heat between the first layer and the second layer.

A method and a system for verifying an integrated circuit stack having a silicon photonic (SIPH) device is introduced. A single first dummy layer is added to at least one terminal of the SIPH device in a first layout of the first integrated circuit, wherein a shape of the single first dummy layer added to the at least one terminal of the SIPH device maps a shape of the at least one terminal of the SIPH device. A first layout versus schematic (LVS) check is performed on the first integrated circuit based on the single first dummy layer added to the at least one terminal of the SIPH device to verify a connection of the SIPH device in the first integrated circuit.

A semiconductor device includes a conductive pattern formed over a semiconductor substrate, and an interconnect structure formed over the conductive pattern, wherein the interconnect structure includes a graphene liner. The semiconductor device also includes an interconnect liner formed between the interconnect structure and the conductive pattern and surrounding the interconnect structure. The inner sidewall surfaces of the interconnect liner are in direct contact with the interconnect structure, and a maximum distance between outer sidewall surfaces of the interconnect liner is greater than a width of the conductive pattern. The semiconductor device further includes a semiconductor die bonded to the semiconductor substrate. The semiconductor die includes a conductive pad facing the interconnect structure, wherein the conductive pad is electrically connected to the conductive pattern.

A semiconductor device includes a conductive pattern disposed over a semiconductor substrate, and an interconnect structure disposed over the conductive pattern. The semiconductor device also includes an interconnect liner formed between the interconnect structure and the conductive pattern and surrounding the interconnect structure. The inner sidewall surfaces of the interconnect liner are in direct contact with the interconnect structure, and a maximum distance between outer sidewall surfaces of the interconnect liner is greater than a width of the conductive pattern. The semiconductor device further includes a semiconductor die bonded to the semiconductor substrate. The semiconductor die includes a conductive pad facing the interconnect structure, wherein the conductive pad is electrically connected to the conductive pattern.