Patent ID: 8450206
Filing Date: 2013-05-28
Classification: H01L

Abstract:
1. A method, comprising: forming a first opening in a passivation layer formed above a metallization system of a semiconductor device, said first opening having a first lateral width extending in a lateral direction and said metallization system comprising a last metallization layer with a contact pad that is aligned to said first opening; forming a deposition mask above said passivation layer, said deposition mask comprising a second opening aligned to said first opening, said second opening having a second lateral width extending in said lateral direction that is at least twice as wide as said first lateral width; forming a stress buffer region above said passivation layer, wherein forming said stress buffer region comprises forming a copper-containing material in said first and second openings, said second lateral width of said second opening defining a lateral size of said stress buffer region; removing said deposition mask; and forming a contact element on a portion of said stress buffer region, wherein said lateral size of said stress buffer region is greater than a lateral size of said contact element.