Semiconductor device with depression in package and method for manufacturing same

A semiconductor device includes a base, a detector on the base and including a first surface on which a detection portion is provided, and a resin package on the base and including an exposure hole to externally expose the detection portion of the detector. At least a portion of an outer peripheral edge of the first surface of the detector is exposed in the exposure hole. The resin package includes a depressed portion along the portion of the outer peripheral edge that is exposed in the exposure hole.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a semiconductor device including a resin package and a method for manufacturing the same.

2. Description of the Related Art

For example, U.S. Pat. No. 9,448,130 discloses a semiconductor device (sensor structure) in which a detection element (sensor component) is installed on a substrate (carrier) and a resin package (mold structure) having an exposure hole to externally expose the detection element covers the substrate.

In the case where a resin package is provided as in the semiconductor device described in U.S. Pat. No. 9,448,130, the resin package needs to be made without a drop in detection performance of a detection element. For example, it is necessary to prevent, in making the resin package, a drop in detection performance of the detection element due to the detection portion of the detection element being covered by the resin material.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Preferred embodiments of the present invention provide semiconductor devices each including a detector including a detection portion and a resin package including an exposure hole to externally expose the detection portion, and in each of which a reduction in detection performance of the detector due to the resin package is reduced or prevented.

A semiconductor device according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention includes a base, a detector on the base and including a first surface on which a detection portion is provided, and a resin package on the base and including an exposure hole to externally expose the detection portion of the detector, wherein at least a portion of an outer peripheral edge of the first surface of the detector is exposed in the exposure hole, and the resin package includes a depressed portion along the portion of the outer peripheral edge that is exposed in the exposure hole.

A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention in which, on a base on which a detector including a first surface on which a detection portion is located is provided, a resin package including an exposure hole to externally expose the detection portion of the detector is provided, the method includes bringing a mold release film into close contact with a mold that includes a cavity with a projection, placing the mold with respect to the base such that the first surface of the detector sinks into a portion of the mold release film that is positioned on a top surface of the projection, filling the cavity of the mold with a melted resin material, separating the mold and the mold release film from the resin package that includes a solidified resin material, and positioning an outer peripheral edge of the top surface of the projection so that, in a view from a direction in which the projection of the mold and the first surface of the detector face each other, the outer peripheral edge is at least partially positioned in an outer side portion of an outer peripheral edge of the first surface.

According to preferred embodiments of the present invention, it is possible to reduce or prevent, in semiconductor devices each including a detector including a detection portion and a resin package including an exposure hole to externally expose the detection portion, a reduction in detection performance of the detector due to the resin package.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

A semiconductor device according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention includes a base, a detector that is provided on the base and include a first surface on which a detection portion is provided, and a resin package that is provided on the base and includes an exposure hole to externally expose the detection portion of the detector. At least a portion of an outer peripheral edge of the first surface of the detector is exposed in the exposure hole. The resin package includes a depressed portion along the portion of the outer peripheral edge that is exposed in the exposure hole.

According to the preferred embodiment described above, a reduction in detection performance of the detector due to the resin package can be reduced or prevented.

For example, when the detector includes a connection terminal provided on the first surface so as to be adjacent to a portion of the outer peripheral edge, a portion of the outer peripheral edge other than the portion adjacent to the connection terminal may be exposed in the exposure hole, the connection terminal may be covered by the resin package, and the resin package may include a depressed portion along the portion of the outer peripheral edge that is exposed in the exposure hole.

For example, when the detector includes a connection terminal provided on the first surface so as to be adjacent to a portion of the outer peripheral edge, the detector may include a groove provided in a portion between the detection portion and the connection terminal on the first surface.

For example, when the detector includes a connection terminal provided on a second surface on a side opposite to the first surface, the outer peripheral edge of the first surface of the detector may be exposed in the exposure hole, and the resin package may include an annular depressed portion along the outer peripheral edge exposed in the exposure hole.

For example, the semiconductor device may further include a circuit provided on the base, and in this case, the circuit may be buried in the resin package.

For example, when the resin package includes a main body portion provided on the base and a cylindrical ring holding portion provided in a central portion of a surface of the main body portion on a side opposite to the base and that includes, at a top surface thereof, an opening of the exposure hole and the base further includes, on a surface of the base on a side opposite to the resin package, a plurality of external connection terminals located around a center line of the ring holding portion, in a top view of the base, each of the external connection terminals may be at least partially positioned in an outer side portion of a periphery of the ring holding portion.

A non-limiting example of a method of manufacturing a semiconductor device according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention is a method of manufacturing a semiconductor device in which, on a base on which a detector including a first surface on which a detection portion is located is provided, a resin package that includes an exposure hole to externally expose the detection portion of the detector is provided. The method includes bringing a mold release film into close contact with a mold that includes a cavity with a projection, placing the mold with respect to the base such that the first surface of the detector sinks into a portion of the mold release film that is positioned on a top surface of the projection, filling the cavity of the mold with a melted resin material, separating the mold and the mold release film from the resin package that includes a solidified resin material, and positioning an outer peripheral edge of the top surface of the projection so that, in a view from a direction in which the projection of the mold and the first surface of the detector face each other, the outer peripheral edge is at least partially positioned in an outer side portion of an outer peripheral edge of the first surface.

According to such a method, a reduction in detection performance of the detector due to the resin package can be reduced or prevented.

For example, when the detector includes a connection terminal provided on the first surface so as to be adjacent to a portion of the outer peripheral edge, in the view from the direction in which the projection of the mold and the first surface of the detector face each other, the outer peripheral edge of the top surface of the projection may be partially positioned in an outer side portion of a portion of the outer peripheral edge of the first surface other than the portion adjacent to the connection terminal.

For example, when the detector includes a connection terminal provided on the first surface so as to be adjacent to a portion of the outer peripheral edge, the detector may include a groove provided in a portion between the detection portion and the connection terminal on the first surface.

For example, when the detector includes a connection terminal provided on a second surface on a side opposite to the first surface, in the view from the direction in which the projection of the mold and the first surface of the detector face each other, the outer peripheral edge of the top surface of the projection may be entirely positioned in the outer side portion of the outer peripheral edge of the first surface.

FIG.1is a perspective view of a semiconductor device according to Preferred Embodiment 1 of the present invention. Further,FIG.2is a top view of the semiconductor device according to Preferred Embodiment 1. Further,FIGS.3A and3Bare sectional views of the semiconductor device according to Preferred Embodiment 1 taken along the lines A-A and B-B ofFIG.2. The X-Y-Z orthogonal coordinate systems illustrated inFIGS.1to3Bare to facilitate the understanding preferred embodiments of the present invention and does not limit the present invention.

As illustrated inFIGS.1to3B, a semiconductor device10according to Preferred Embodiment 1 is, for example, a pressure sensor configured to measure pressure and includes a base12and a detector14provided on the base12. Further, in the case of Preferred Embodiment 1, a circuit16is provided on the base12. In addition, in the case of Preferred Embodiment 1, the semiconductor device10includes a resin package18provided on the base12. As the pressure that is measured by the semiconductor device10, for example, absolute pressure, gauge pressure, differential pressure, air flow pressure, and the like are provided.

As illustrated inFIG.2andFIGS.3A and3B, the base12is a substrate including a first surface12aand is a wiring substrate such as, for example, a ceramic substrate or a resin substrate. The base12may be, for example, a lead frame. On the first surface12aof the base12, the detector14and the circuit are located side by side. In Preferred Embodiment 1, the detector14and the circuit16are fixed on the first surface12aof the base12with an adhesive member, which is not illustrated. For example, a die attach film, a die bond material, or the like may be used as the adhesive member. Further, as illustrated inFIG.2andFIG.3A, on the first surface12aof the base12, connection terminals12bthat are electrically connected to the detector14with a bonding wire20interposed therebetween and connection terminals12cthat are electrically connected to the circuit16with a bonding wire22interposed therebetween are provided. In addition, as illustrated inFIGS.3A and3B, the base12includes a second surface12don the side opposite to the first surface12a. On the second surface12d, external connection terminals12ethat are electrically connected to the substrate of another external electronic device (not illustrated) are provided.

In the case of Preferred Embodiment 1, the detector14is, for example, a pressure sensor to measure pressure and includes, as illustrated inFIG.3A, a first surface14aand a second surface14bon the side opposite to the first surface14a. The detector is, for example, a piezoresistive pressure sensor or an electrostatic capacitive pressure sensor and is a micro electro mechanical system (MEMS) element.

Further, the detector14includes, as illustrated inFIG.2, a plurality of connection terminals14cprovided on the first surface14ato be electrically connected to the connection terminals12bof the base12with the bonding wire20interposed therebetween. With this, the detector14is electrically connected to the circuit16with the base12(the conductor pattern provided on the substrate (not illustrated)) interposed therebetween.

In addition, the detector14includes, on the first surface14a, a detection portion14don which pressure acts. In the case of Preferred Embodiment 1, the detection portion14dof the detector14, which is the pressure sensor, for example, is a membrane or a diaphragm for receiving pressure. The detection portion14dincludes, for example, a passivation film and is thus resistant to water.

Moreover, the detector14includes a groove14eprovided in a portion between the plurality of connection terminals14cand the detection portion14don the first surface14a. The reason for this is described later.

In the case of Preferred Embodiment 1, the circuit16includes, as illustrated inFIG.3B, a first surface16aand a second surface16bon the side opposite to the first surface16a. The circuit16is, for example, an element including an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC). In the case of Preferred Embodiment 1, the circuit16is provided on the first surface12aof the base12with the second surface16badjacent thereto. Further, the circuit16includes, as illustrated inFIG.2, a plurality of connection terminals16cprovided on the first surface16ato be electrically connected to the connection terminals12cof the base12with the bonding wire22interposed therebetween. With this, the circuit16is electrically connected to the detector with the base12(the conductor pattern provided on the substrate (not illustrated)) interposed therebetween.

The circuit16also includes a signal processing circuit configured or programmed to process a signal output from the detector14and output the processed signal to the base12. For example, in the case of Preferred Embodiment 1, the circuit16includes a converter to convert a voltage signal output from the detector14to a digital signal, a filter to filter a digital signal from the converter, a temperature sensor to detect a temperature, a processor configured or programmed to correct a filtered digital signal based on a temperature detected by the temperature sensor, a memory to store correction factors and the like that are used to correct a digital signal using a detected temperature, and the like.

In the case of Preferred Embodiment 1, the resin package18is made by molding a hard resin, for example, a thermosetting resin, on the first surface12aof the base12. The details of a non-limiting example of a method of making the resin package18are described later.

The portion of the first surface12aof the base12that includes the plurality of connection terminals12band12cis covered by the resin package18to be protected and made resistant to water. Further, the detector14(in particular, connection terminals14c), the circuit16(in particular, connection terminals16c), and the bonding wires20and22to electrically connect the detector and the circuit are buried in the resin package18to be protected and made resistant to water. That is, with the resin package18, the electrical connection between the base12and the detector14and the electrical connection between the base12and the circuit16are protected.

To enable pressure to act on the detection portion14dof the detector14, as illustrated inFIG.1andFIGS.3A and3B, the resin package18includes an exposure hole18ato expose the detection portion14dof the detector14to the outside of the resin package18.

Specifically, in the case of Preferred Embodiment 1, as illustrated inFIG.1, the resin package18has a rectangular or substantially rectangular parallelepiped main body portion18bprovided on the base12and a cylindrical ring holding portion18cprovided on the main body portion18b. The ring holding portion18cis provided in the central portion of the surface of the main body portion18bon the side opposite to the base12. The exposure hole18aopens in a top surface18dof the ring holding portion18cand extends toward the first surface12aof the base12. With the exposure hole18a, pressure acts on the detection portion14dof the detector14exposed to the outside of the resin package18so that the semiconductor device10can measure the pressure.

The ring holding portion18cof the resin package18is to hold an O-ring (not illustrated) on its outer peripheral surface. For example, the ring holding portion18cof the resin package18of the semiconductor device10is inserted, with the intermediation of the O-ring, into a through hole to communicate the interior space of the casing of an electronic device on which the semiconductor device10is mounted with the outside. That is, in the case of Preferred Embodiment 1, the resin package18also defines and functions as a member to mount the semiconductor device10on the electronic device.

In addition, the resin package18includes a depressed portion18e. As illustrated inFIG.2, in the exposure hole18a, at least a portion of an outer peripheral edge14fof the first surface14aof the detector14is exposed. The depressed portion18eis provided along the outer peripheral edge14fexposed in the exposure hole18a. That is, the portion of the resin package18that is positioned on the first surface14aof the detector14is reduced as much as possible. The reason why the resin package18is provided in this way is described later.

Specifically, in the case of Preferred Embodiment 1, the outer peripheral edge14fof the first surface14aof the detector14has a rectangular or substantially rectangular shape with the four sides in the top view (Z-axis direction view). A side14gof the outer peripheral edge14falong which the plurality of connection terminals14cconnected to the bonding wire20are provided adjacent to each other is buried in the resin package18together with the connection terminals14cand the bonding wire20. Meanwhile, the sides of the outer peripheral edge14fother than the side14gare exposed to the outside of the resin package18. Further, the resin package18includes the depressed portion18ealong the sides of the outer peripheral edge14fother than the side14g. The “depressed portion” herein has a shape with a depth of, for example, approximately 10 μm and a base portion positioned on the base12side with respect to the first surface14aof the detector14.

With the resin package18, on the first surface14aof the detector14, the plurality of connection terminals14cand the peripheral portions are buried in the resin package18.

Next, a non-limiting example of a method of manufacturing the semiconductor device10, in particular, a method of making the resin package18is described.

FIGS.4A to4Dare each a diagram illustrating a process of making a resin package in the method of manufacturing the semiconductor device10.

First, as illustrated inFIG.4A, the detector14and the circuit16are mounted, and the base12including the bonding wires20and22is placed in a predetermined position of a mold50. The mold50includes a cavity50afor forming the resin package18and a suction hole50bfor sucking air inside the cavity50a. Further, in the cavity50a, a projection50cfor forming the exposure hole18aof the resin package18is provided. The projection50cincludes a planar top surface50d.

As illustrated inFIG.4A, before the mold50is filled with the resin material of the resin package18, a mold release film52is sucked through the suction hole50bto be brought into close contact with the surface of the cavity50a. The mold release film52is a heat-resistant resin film including a surface coated with release agent, for example.

As illustrated inFIG.4B, the mold50with the mold release film52in close contact with the surface of the cavity50ais brought closer to the base12so that the top surface50dof the projection50cof the mold50is brought into contact with the detector14on the base12with the mold release film52interposed therebetween. With this, the mold50is located with respect to the base12in a manner in which the first surface14aof the detector14sinks into the portion of the mold release film52that is positioned on the top surface50dof the projection50c.

FIG.5is a top view of the semiconductor device, illustrating the positional relationship between the mold and the detector.

As illustrated inFIG.5, in the case of Preferred Embodiment 1, the top surface50dof the projection50cof the mold50has a rectangular or substantially rectangular shape and includes an outer peripheral edge50e. Further, as illustrated inFIG.4B, when the top surface50dof the projection50cof the mold50is in contact with the detector14with the mold release film52interposed therebetween, in the view from the direction in which the projection50cand the first surface14aof the detector14face each other (Z-axis direction view), the outer peripheral edge50eof the top surface50dis at least partially positioned in the outer side portion of the outer peripheral edge14fof the first surface14a.

In the case of Preferred Embodiment 1, as illustrated inFIG.5, the outer peripheral edge50eof the top surface50dof the projection50cof the mold50is partially positioned in the outer side portion of the portion of the outer peripheral edge14fof the first surface14aof the detector14other than the side14galong which the plurality of connection terminals14care formed. That is, the portion near the side14gand the connection terminals14cdoes not face the top surface50dof the projection50cof the mold50.

With such a positional and size relationship between the top surface50dof the projection50cof the mold50and the first surface14aof the detector14, as illustrated inFIG.4B, a wall portion52aof the mold release film52is formed to protrude toward the base12over the first surface14aand partially surround the outer peripheral edge14fof the first surface14a.

Next, as illustrated inFIG.4C, the cavity50aof the mold50is filled with a melted resin material54. At this time, with the wall portion52aof the mold release film52, the resin material54is prevented from entering the portion between the mold release film52and the first surface14aof the detector14. As a result, the resin material54is prevented from covering the detection portion14dof the detector14.

However, in the case of Preferred Embodiment 1, as illustrated inFIG.6, the wall portion52aof the mold release film52is not formed on the side14gof the outer peripheral edge14fof the first surface14aof the detector14. Thus, there is a risk that the resin material54enters the portion between the mold release film52and the first surface14aof the detector14near the side14g.

Accordingly, in the case of Preferred Embodiment 1, the groove14eis provided in the portion between the plurality of connection terminals14cand the detection portion14don the first surface14aof the detector14. When the resin material54enters the portion between the mold release film52and the first surface14aof the detector14from the side14gside, the entered resin material54flows in the groove14ebefore reaching the detection portion14d. As a result, the entered resin material54is prevented from reaching the detection portion14dof the detector14and at least partially covering the detection portion14d.

The groove14emay be omitted when the distance between the plurality of connection terminals14cand the detection portion14dis sufficiently long, that is, when the distance is long enough to prevent the entered resin material54from reaching the detection portion14d.

As illustrated inFIG.4C, when the cavity50aof the mold50is filled with the resin material54and the resin material54is then solidified, as illustrated inFIG.4D, the mold50and the mold release film52are separated from the solidified resin material54. As a result, the resin package18including the depressed portion18e, which has the shape corresponding to the wall portion52aof the mold release film52illustrated inFIG.4Cand is formed partially along the outer peripheral edge14fof the first surface14aof the detector14, is made on the base12.

According to Preferred Embodiment 1 as described above, in the semiconductor device10including the detector14including the detection portion14dand the resin package18including the exposure hole18ato externally expose the detection portion14d, a reduction in detection performance of the detector14due to the resin package18can be reduced or prevented.

Specifically, the resin package18includes the depressed portion18e. As illustrated inFIG.2, in the exposure hole18a, at least a portion of the outer peripheral edge14fof the first surface14aof the detector14is exposed. The depressed portion18eis provided along the outer peripheral edge14fexposed in the exposure hole18a. With this, the resin material54of the resin package18is prevented from covering the detection portion14dof the detector14when making the semiconductor device10. As a result, a reduction in detection performance of the detector14due to the resin package18is reduced or prevented.

Further, with this, the portion of the resin package18that is located on the first surface14aof the detector14can be reduced as much as possible, with the result that a reduction in detection performance of the detector14is reduced or prevented.

A specific description is provided. When the semiconductor device10is being used, the resin package18receives an external force in some cases. For example, in the case of Preferred Embodiment 1, the resin package18receives a compression force from the O-ring held by the ring holding portion18c. The external force acts on the detector14through the intermediation of the resin package18. In particular, there is a risk that when the resin package18is partially located on the first surface14aof the detector14, the first surface14ais warped through the intermediation of the resin package18. As a result, the detection portion14dprovided on the first surface14ais deformed and the detection performance of the detector14thus is reduced in some cases.

Accordingly, at least a portion of the outer peripheral edge14fof the first surface14aof the detector14is exposed in the exposure hole18aand the depressed portion18eis provided along the outer peripheral edge14fexposed in the exposure hole18a, to thus prevent the first surface14aof the detector14from being warped (as compared to a case where the outer peripheral edge14fis entirely buried in the resin package18and thus the resin package18does not include the depressed portion18e). As a result, a reduction in detection performance of the detector14due to the resin package18is reduced or prevented.

In the case of Preferred Embodiment 1 described above, as illustrated inFIG.2, the portion (side14g) of the outer peripheral edge14fof the first surface14aof the detector14is buried in the resin package18. Thus, the depressed portion18eof the resin package18is not provided along the entire or substantially the entire outer peripheral edge14fof the first surface14aof the detector14. Unlike this, in the case of Preferred Embodiment 2 of the present invention, a depressed portion of a resin package is provided along an entire or substantially an entire outer peripheral edge of a first surface of a detector. A semiconductor device according to Preferred Embodiment 2 is described with a focus on this different point.

FIG.7is a top view of the semiconductor device according to Preferred Embodiment 2. Further,FIGS.8A and8Bare sectional views of the semiconductor device according to Preferred Embodiment 2 taken along the lines C-C and D-D ofFIG.7.

As illustrated inFIG.7andFIGS.8A and8B, in a semiconductor device110according to Preferred Embodiment 2, a detector114includes a plurality of connection terminals114cprovided on, not a first surface114aon which a detection portion114dis provided, but a second surface114bon the side opposite to the first surface114a.

The detector114is provided on a base112with the second surface114bfacing the base112. Further, the plurality of connection terminals114con the second surface114bare electrically connected to the base112(the conductor pattern on a first surface112athereof) with a solder120interposed therebetween.

With the detector114, since no connection terminal is provided on the first surface114a, there is no need to cover the first surface114aof the detector114with a resin package118. Thus, as illustrated inFIG.7, the resin package118includes a depressed portion118e, an outer peripheral edge114fof the first surface114aof the detector114is entirely or substantially entire exposed in an exposure hole118a, and the annular depressed portion118eis provided along the outer peripheral edge114fexposed in the exposure hole118a.

In the case of Preferred Embodiment 2, a circuit116includes a plurality of connection terminals116cprovided on a second surface116bfacing the base112. Further, the plurality of connection terminals116care electrically connected to the base112with a solder122interposed therebetween.

According to Preferred Embodiment 2, as in Preferred Embodiment 1 described above, in the semiconductor device110including the detector114including the detection portion114dand the resin package118including the exposure hole118ato externally expose the detection portion114d, a reduction in detection performance of the detector114due to the resin package118can be reduced or prevented.

Although the present invention has been described above with reference to preferred embodiments, the preferred embodiments of the present invention are not limited to those described above.

For example, in the case of Preferred Embodiment 1 described above, as illustrated inFIG.2andFIG.3B, the detector14and the circuit16are mounted side by side on the base12. However, the preferred embodiments of the present invention are not limited to this.

For example, the circuit may be mounted on the base and the detector may be mounted on the circuit. That is, the detector may be indirectly provided on the base with the circuit interposed therebetween. In this case, for example, the detector may be electrically connected to the circuit with a bonding wire or solder interposed therebetween.

Alternatively, the detector and the circuit may be integrated with each other. For example, the circuits in the circuit may be incorporated in the detector.

When a semiconductor device is mounted on the casing of an electronic device, the resin package of the semiconductor device may be deformed with a force from the casing of the electronic device and stress may be generated in a detector buried in the resin package. As a result, there is a risk that the characteristics of the detector may change.

FIG.9is a sectional view of a semiconductor device according to another preferred embodiment of the present invention mounted on the casing of an electronic device.FIG.10is a top view of the semiconductor device according to the another preferred embodiment of the present invention.

In a semiconductor device210according to another preferred embodiment of the present invention, a resin package218includes a main body portion218band a cylindrical ring holding portion218c. As illustrated inFIG.9, the semiconductor device210is mounted on a casing302of an electronic device with the ring holding portion218cincluding an O-ring300fitted thereon inserted into a through hole302aof the casing302of the electronic device. Further, an opening edge portion302bof the through hole302ais in contact with the main body portion218bso that a shear force is applied to the portion of the main body portion218bthat is positioned in the outer side portion of the ring holding portion218c. With this, the portion of the main body portion218bthat is positioned in the outer side portion of the ring holding portion218cof the resin package218is deformed, with the result that a bending stress or a tensile stress may be generated in a detector214buried in the resin package218. InFIG.9, the shear force described above is indicated by the open arrow. InFIG.10, the portion of the main body portion218bthat is in contact with the opening edge portion302bof the through hole302ain the main body portion218bis indicated by cross hatching.

To prevent such stress generation in the detector214, as illustrated inFIG.10, in the top view of a base212(the view from the Z-axis direction that is a direction orthogonal or substantially orthogonal to the drawing sheet), a plurality of external connection terminals212eare provided around a center line C of the cylindrical ring holding portion218con a second surface212dof the base212. In particular, in the top view of the base212, the external connection terminals212eare at least partially located in the outer side portion of the periphery of the ring holding portion218c. With this, the plurality of external connection terminals212ereduce or prevent the portion of the main body portion218bthat is located in the outer side portion of the ring holding portion218cfrom being deformed, with the result that the generation of stress in the detector214buried in the resin package218is reduced or prevented.

Further, in the case of Preferred Embodiment 1 described above, the semiconductor device10is, for example, a pressure sensor configured to measure pressure. However, preferred embodiments of the present invention are not limited to this. For example, semiconductor devices according to preferred embodiments of the present invention may be, for example, a sensor to detect (measure) light, ultrasonic waves, specific gases, or the like or may be a microphone. That is, the semiconductor devices according to preferred embodiments of the present invention are semiconductor devices each including a detector in which a detection portion is exposed to the outside of the semiconductor device so that the detection portion can detect a detection target. For example, when the semiconductor device is an optical sensor to detect light, the semiconductor device includes a photodiode as the detector. Further, for example, when the semiconductor device is an ultrasonic sensor to detect ultrasonic waves, the semiconductor device includes, for example, an ultrasonic transducer as the detector.

Although the present invention has been described above with reference to preferred embodiments, it is apparent to those skilled in the art that a preferred embodiment can be fully or partially combined with at least another preferred embodiment to achieve still another preferred embodiment according to the present invention.

Preferred embodiments of the present invention are applicable to semiconductor devices each including a detector including a detection portion and a resin package to externally expose the detection portion.