A semiconductor device includes a substrate, a semiconductor element, a connection pad, a plated layer, a wire, and an encapsulation resin. The substrate includes a main surface. The semiconductor element is mounted on the main surface and includes a main surface electrode. The connection pad is formed of Cu, arranged with respect to the substrate, separated from the substrate, and includes a connection surface. The plated layer is formed of Ni and partially covers the connection surface. The wire is formed of Al and bonded to the main surface electrode and the plated layer. The encapsulation resin encapsulates the semiconductor element, the connection pad, the plated layer, and the wire.

A semiconductor device has a module structure in which a semiconductor element and a circuit layer are electrically connected to each other by a wire. A front metal layer is formed on a surface of a top side electrode of the semiconductor element and the wire is bonded to the front metal layer by wire bonding. The front metal layer has a higher hardness than the top side electrode or the wire. A bonding interface of the wire with the metal film has a recrystallization temperature that is equal to or higher than 175° C. According to this structure, it is possible to improve the power cycle resistance of the semiconductor device.

A semiconductor device has a module structure in which a semiconductor element and a circuit layer are electrically connected to each other by a wire. A front metal layer is formed on a surface of a top side electrode of the semiconductor element and the wire is bonded to the front metal layer by wire bonding. The front metal layer has a higher hardness than the top side electrode or the wire. A bonding interface of the wire with the metal film has a recrystallization temperature that is equal to or higher than 175° C. According to this structure, it is possible to improve the power cycle resistance of the semiconductor device.

A semiconductor package includes a pad and leads, the pad and leads including a base metal predominantly including copper, a first plated metal layer predominantly including nickel in contact with the base metal, and a second plated metal layer predominantly including silver in contact with the first plated metal layer. The first plated metal layer has a first plated metal layer thickness of 0.1 to 5 microns, and the second plated metal layer has a second plated metal layer thickness of 0.2 to 5 microns. The semiconductor package further includes an adhesion promotion coating predominantly including silver oxide in contact with the second plated metal layer opposite the first plated metal layer, a semiconductor die mounted on the pad, a wire bond extending between the semiconductor die and a lead of the leads, and a mold compound covering the semiconductor die and the wire bond.

In an embodiment, a semiconductor device includes a galvanically isolated signal transfer coupler having a contact pad. The contact pad includes a metallic base layer, a metallic diffusion barrier layer arranged on the metallic base layer, and a metallic wire bondable layer arranged on the metallic diffusion barrier layer. The metallic diffusion barrier layer includes a first portion and a second portion. The first portion has a first surface and a second surface opposing the first surface. The first surface has a curved surface at the periphery. The first portion extends in a transverse plane and has a width. The second portion protrudes from the second surface intermediate the width of the first portion.

A semiconductor device 10 includes a pair of electrodes 16 and a conductive connection member 21 electrically bonded to the pair of electrodes 16. At least a portion of a perimeter of a bonding surface 24 of at least one of the pair of electrodes 16 and the conductive connection member 21 includes an electromigration reducing area 22.

A semiconductor package includes a pad and leads, the pad and leads including a base metal predominantly including copper, a first plated metal layer predominantly including nickel in contact with the base metal, and a second plated metal layer predominantly including silver in contact with the first plated metal layer. The first plated metal layer has a first plated metal layer thickness of 0.1 to 5 microns, and the second plated metal layer has a second plated metal layer thickness of 0.2 to 5 microns. The semiconductor package further includes an adhesion promotion coating predominantly including silver oxide in contact with the second plated metal layer opposite the first plated metal layer, a semiconductor die mounted on the pad, a wire bond extending between the semiconductor die and a lead of the leads, and a mold compound covering the semiconductor die and the wire bond.

In a method of manufacturing a semiconductor device, a semiconductor chip has first and second pads, a passivation film formed such that respective parts of the first and second pads are exposed, a first surface-metal-layer provided on the part of the first pad and a part of the passivation film, and a second surface-metal-layer provided on the part of the second pad and another part of the passivation film. Respective wires are electrically connected to the first and second surface-metal-layers. The semiconductor chip and the respective wires are then sealed with a resin.

In a method of manufacturing a semiconductor device, a semiconductor chip has first and second pads, a passivation film formed such that respective parts of the first and second pads are exposed, a first surface-metal-layer provided on the part of the first pad and a part of the passivation film, and a second surface-metal-layer provided on the part of the second pad and another part of the passivation film. Respective wires are electrically connected to the first and second surface-metal-layers. The semiconductor chip and the respective wires are then sealed with a resin.

Package-On-Package (PoP) structures that includes stud bulbs is provided. According to an embodiment, a POP structure includes a first substrate, stud bulbs, a die, a second substrate, and electrical connectors. The stud bulbs are coupled to a first surface of the first substrate. The die is attached to the first surface of the first substrate. The electrical connectors are coupled to the second substrate, and respective ones of the electrical connectors are coupled to respective ones of the stud bulbs.