Patent ID: 9604338
Date: 2017-03-28
CPC Classifications: B24B,C23F,H01L

Claim:
1. A method of forming a microelectronic device, comprising the steps: forming a protective overcoat (PO) layer over a bond pad of the microelectronic device so that the PO layer has a first recess, a portion of a top surface of the bond pad being exposed in the first recess; forming a metal liner over the PO layer and extending into the first recess and onto the exposed portion of the top surface of the bond pad; forming a layer of protective material over the metal liner, the layer of protective material extending into the first recess; removing the layer of protective material and the metal liner from over the PO layer using a chemical mechanical polish (CMP) process while leaving at least a portion of the layer of protective material and the metal liner in the first recess; and subsequently removing the layer of protective material from the first recess, leaving the metal liner in the first recess.