Abstract:
A corrosion tolerant bonding pad for a semiconductor device includes an interconnect (12) formed on the substrate (10) of the semiconductor device, a passivating layer (16) provided on the interconnect, the passivating layer having an aperture for exposing an enlarged bonding region of the interconnect, a barrier layer (28) provided on the exposed enlarged bonding area of the interconnect (12) and on portions of the passivating layer (16) surrounding the bonding area, and a bonding layer (30) provided on the barrier layer (28). The barrier layer is a non-corrosive, conductive material, for example, a compound of titanium and tungsten (TiW -- known as ti-tungsten).
Abstract:
A method of detecting defects in a passivating layer (16) includes the step of providing masks (32) on any portions of a device intentionally exposed through the passivating layer, exposing the device to an etchant which penetrates the passivating layer through any defects therein and etches any interconnects (12) underlying the defects, and testing to detect any portions of the interconnect which are etched.
Abstract:
A corrosion tolerant bonding pad for a semiconductor device includes an interconnect (12) formed on the substrate (10) of the semiconductor device, a passivating layer (16) provided on the interconnect, the passivating layer having an aperture for exposing an enlarged bonding region of the interconnect, a barrier layer (28) provided on the exposed enlarged bonding area of the interconnect (12) and on portions of the passivating layer (16) surrounding the bonding area, and a bonding layer (30) provided on the barrier layer (28). The barrier layer is a non-corrosive, conductive material, for example, a compound of titanium and tungsten (TiW -- known as ti-tungsten).
Abstract:
A method of detecting defects in a passivating layer (16) includes the step of providing masks (32) on any portions of a device intentionally exposed through the passivating layer, exposing the device to an etchant which penetrates the passivating layer through any defects therein and etches any interconnects (12) underlying the defects, and testing to detect any portions of the interconnect which are etched.