Patent Abstract:
A semiconductor device includes a first under-bump metallization (UBM) layer disposed over a bond pad, a dielectric layer above an interconnect layer having a via exposing at least a portion of the first UBM layer. A second UBM layer is disposed above the first UBM layer and forms a UBM bucket over the via. The first UBM layer and UBM bucket are configured to support a solder ball and can advantageously block all alpha particles emitted by the solder ball having a relevant angle of incidence from reaching the active semiconductor regions of the IC. Thus, soft errors, such as single event upsets in memory cells, are reduced or eliminated.

Full Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/713,855 filed on Feb. 26, 2010, which is hereby incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0002]    An embodiment of the present invention relates generally to semiconductor devices and, more particularly, to a semiconductor device having bucket-shaped under-bump metallization (UBM) and a method of forming the same. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    Integrated circuits (ICs) fabricated using complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) technologies are susceptible to alpha particles. Alpha particles may cause single event upsets or soft errors during operation of the IC. In particular, alpha particles can cause ionizing radiation when passing through semiconductor device junctions. The ionizing radiation can upset or flip the state of various semiconductor structures, such as a memory cell (e.g., static random access memory (SRAM) cell, such as a conventional 6-transistor or 6T-SRAM). A common source of alpha particles is the bump material used in assembling, packaging, and/or mounting ICs. For example, the Controlled-Collapse Chip Connection (C4) packaging technology utilizes solder bumps deposited on solder wettable metal terminals of the IC and a matching footprint of solder wettable terminals on a substrate. The solder typically includes approximately 95% to 97% by weight of lead (Pb), with the remainder being made up by tin (Sn), although other materials and percentages of materials can be employed. In general, the most common material used for bumps is lead or a lead alloy. As is well known in the art, lead is a source of alpha particles. Alpha particles from solder bumps can penetrate through the interconnect layer of an IC and reach the underlying semiconductor structures, potentially causing the aforementioned single event upsets. 
         [0004]    Accordingly, there exists a need in the art for a method and apparatus for a semiconductor device and method of fabrication thereof configured to block alpha particles emitted by solder balls used in device packaging. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0005]    In one embodiment, a semiconductor device includes a substrate having an active layer and interconnect formed on the active layer. The interconnect has a bond pad. A first under-bump metallization (UBM) layer is disposed over the bond pad and directly contacts the bond pad. A dielectric layer is disposed above the interconnect layer and has a via exposing at least a portion of the first UBM layer. A part of the dielectric layer is disposed above a side of the first UBM layer. A second UBM layer is disposed above the first UBM layer and forms a UBM bucket over the via. At least a portion of the UBM bucket is in the dielectric layer. The UBM bucket defines a region located in the dielectric layer for accommodating a portion of a solder ball. The first UBM layer extends laterally past a periphery of the solder ball when the solder ball is accommodated in the region defined by the UBM bucket. A dielectric cap layer is disposed on the dielectric layer and a portion of the second UBM layer. 
         [0006]    A method of forming a semiconductor device includes forming a first under-bump metallization (UBM) layer over a bond pad and directly contacting the bond pad. The bond pad is in the interconnect formed on the active layer of the substrate. A dielectric layer is formed above the interconnect and has a via exposing at least a portion of the first UBM layer. A part of the dielectric layer is above a side of the UBM portion. A second UBM layer is formed over the via and the first UBM layer is shaped as a UBM bucket. A dielectric cap layer is formed over the dielectric layer and a portion of the second UBM layer. The UBM bucket is formed so that at least a portion of the UBM bucket is in the dielectric layer, and the UBM bucket defines a region located in the dielectric layer for accommodating a portion of a solder ball. The first UBM layer extends laterally past a periphery of the solder ball when the solder ball is accommodated in the region defined by the UBM bucket. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0007]    Accompanying drawing(s) show exemplary embodiment(s) in accordance with one or more aspects of the invention; however, the accompanying drawing(s) should not be taken to limit the invention to the embodiment(s) shown, but are for explanation and understanding only. 
           [0008]      FIG. 1  is a cross-section of a semiconductor device according to the prior art; 
           [0009]      FIG. 2  is a cross-section of a semiconductor device according to one or more embodiments of the invention; 
           [0010]      FIG. 3  is a flow diagram depicting a method of forming a semiconductor device according to one or more embodiments of the invention; 
           [0011]      FIGS. 4A-4D  depict semiconductor device cross-sections corresponding to steps of the method of  FIG. 3 ; 
           [0012]      FIG. 5  is a flow diagram depicting another method of forming a semiconductor device according to one or more embodiments of the invention; 
           [0013]      FIGS. 6A-6E  depict semiconductor device cross-sections corresponding to steps of the method of  FIG. 5 ; 
           [0014]      FIG. 7  is a flow diagram depicting another method of forming a semiconductor device according to one or more embodiments of the invention; 
           [0015]      FIGS. 8A-8D  depict semiconductor device cross-sections corresponding to steps of the method of  FIG. 7 ; and 
           [0016]      FIG. 9  is a flow diagram depicting another method of forming a semiconductor device according to one or more embodiments of the invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0017]    A semiconductor device having bucket-shaped under-bump metallization (UBM) and a method of forming the same is described. In some embodiments, a dielectric layer is patterned over the passivation layer of an IC substrate to have vias exposing bond pads. In some embodiments, the vias are tapered vias. A UBM layer is formed in the via such that a UBM bucket is formed over the bond pad. The IC substrate can then be bumped such that solder balls are formed in the UBM buckets. Alpha particles from the portion of the solder ball in the UBM bucket are blocked by the UBM metal from penetrating and affecting the active layer of the substrates. Alpha particles from the portion of the solder ball above the UBM bucket have angles of incidence and/or path lengths that prevent such particles from reaching the active circuitry. Thus, the UBM bucket reduces or eliminates penetration of alpha particles to the active circuitry, thereby reducing or eliminating single event upsets caused by such alpha particles. These and further aspects of the invention may be understood with reference to the following drawings. 
         [0018]      FIG. 1  is a cross-section of a semiconductor device  100  according to the prior art. The semiconductor device  100  includes a substrate  102  having an active surface  104  and interconnect  106  disposed on the active surface  104 . The interconnect  106  includes a bond pad  108 . In a typical flip-chip packaging process, such as C4 packaging, an under-bump metal (UBM) layer  112  is formed over the bond pad  108 . A solder bump  110  is then formed on the UBM layer  112 . The UBM layer  112  is a flat metal layer that is self-aligned to the solder bump  110  such that the solder bump protrudes beyond the UBM layer  112  at its periphery. While the UBM layer  112  may be thick enough to block alpha particles emitted from the central lower surface of the solder bump  110 , the UBM layer  112  does not block alpha particles emitted from areas of the solder bump  110  that protrude beyond the UBM layer  112 . Alpha particles other than those close to vertical incidence will bypass the UBM layer  112  and could reach the underlying active surface  104 . Thus, a “donut” shape of single event upsets can be detected in underlying circuits on the active surface  104  caused by peripheral and non-vertical incidence alpha particles emitted by the solder ball  110 . 
         [0019]      FIG. 2  is a cross-section of a semiconductor device  200  according to one or more embodiments of the invention. The semiconductor device  200  includes a substrate  202  having an active surface  204  and interconnect  206  disposed on the active surface  204 . The interconnect  206  can include multiple layers of conductive interconnect, including a top-most layer having bond pads, such as bond pad  216 . A passivation layer  208  is formed over the substrate  202 , exposing at least a portion of the bond pad  216 . A dielectric layer  210  is formed over the passivation layer  208 . A tapered via is formed through the dielectric layer  210  exposing the bond pad  216 . A “tapered via” is a hole through the layer that is at least partially frusto-conical in shape (a portion of the tapered via may be cylindrical in shape). A UBM layer  218  is formed in the tapered via and over the bond pad  216 . Thus, a “bucket-shaped” UBM is formed for supporting a solder ball  214 . A dielectric cap layer  212  is formed on the dielectric layer  210  and over a portion of the UBM layer  218  (e.g., the portion of the UBM layer  218  that protrudes above the dielectric layer  210 ). 
         [0020]    The dielectric and passivation layers may be formed of any dielectric material known in the art, such as SiO 2 . The UBM layer  218  may be formed of various metals or metal alloys comprising Ti, Ni, Cu, Zn, Sn, and the like. The UBM layer  218  may have a thickness adapted to sufficiently block alpha particles. For example, in some non-limiting embodiments, the UBM layer  218  made of a Cu/Ni alloy may have a thickness between 5 and 10 μm. The solder ball  214  fully fills the bucket of the UBM layer  218  and includes a portion extending above the dielectric layer  212 . Alpha particles emitted anywhere from the portion of the solder ball  214  in the UBM bucket are blocked by the UBM layer  218 . Alpha particles emitted anywhere from the portion of the solder ball  214  extending above the dielectric cap layer  212  are not blocked, but have an angle of incidence and/or path lengths such that the particles will not penetrate through to the active surface  204 . In this manner, the bucket-shaped UBM in the UBM layer  218  reduces or eliminates single event upsets during IC operation caused by alpha particles. 
         [0021]      FIG. 9  is a flow diagram depicting a method  900  of forming a semiconductor device according to one or more embodiments of the invention. The method  900  begins at step  902 , where a semiconductor substrate having an active layer and interconnect formed on the active layer is obtained. At step  904 , a dielectric layer is formed above the interconnect having a tapered via exposing at least a portion of a first metal layer. In some embodiments, the first metal layer is a bond pad on a top-most layer of the interconnect. In other embodiments, the first metal layer is a first UBM layer formed on a bond pad of the interconnect. In some embodiments, the dielectric layer is a passivation layer formed on the interconnect. In other embodiments, the dielectric layer is formed over a passivation layer formed on the interconnect. At step  906 , a UBM layer is formed over the tapered via and the first metal layer to form a UBM bucket in the tapered via. The UBM layer in step  906  may be a second UBM layer in embodiments where the first metal layer is a first UBM layer. At step  908 , a dielectric cap layer is formed over the dielectric layer and a portion of the UBM layer forming the UBM bucket. At step  910 , a solder ball can be formed in the UBM bucket having a first portion contained within the UBM bucket and a second portion extending above the dielectric cap layer. More detailed exemplary embodiments of the method  900  are described below. 
         [0022]      FIG. 3  is a flow diagram depicting a method  300  of forming a semiconductor device according to one or more embodiments of the invention.  FIGS. 4A-4D  depict semiconductor device cross-sections corresponding to steps of the method  300 . Elements in  FIGS. 4A-4D  that are the same or similar to those of  FIG. 2  are designated with identical reference numerals. At step  302 , a semiconductor substrate having a passivation layer formed thereon is obtained.  FIG. 4A  shows the substrate  202  having a passivation layer  402  formed on the interconnect  206 . The substrate  202  may be formed using conventional semiconductor processes. 
         [0023]    At step  304 , a dielectric layer is deposited on the passivation layer and a passivation mask is used to selectively etch a tapered via in the dielectric layer to expose at least a portion of a bond pad. The tapered via may be formed using conventional deposition, photolithographic, and etching processes.  FIG. 4B  shows the passivation and dielectric layers  208  and  210  and a tapered via  404  formed therein. The dielectric layer  210  may be thick relative to the passivation layer  208 . For example, in a non-limiting embodiment, the dielectric layer  210  may have a thickness between 20 and 60 μm (whereas the passivation layer  208  may have a thickness between 5 and 7 μm). The dielectric layer  210  may be generally sized according to the size of the solder balls used in device packaging. 
         [0024]    At step  306 , a UBM layer is deposited over the dielectric layer, tapered via and bond pad, and a UBM mask is used to selectively etch the UBM layer to form a UBM bucket in the tapered via. The UBM bucket may be formed using conventional deposition, photolithographic, and etching processes. The UBM mask may be oversized from the baseline UBM layer such that the UBM bucket fills the tapered via.  FIG. 4C  shows the UBM layer  218  having a UBM bucket  406  formed over the bond pad  216 . 
         [0025]    At step  308 , a dielectric cap layer is deposited over the dielectric layer and the UBM layer, and a cap mask is used to selectively etch the dielectric cap layer to expose a portion of the UBM layer. The openings for the UBM layer may be formed using conventional deposition, photolithographic, and etching processes. The cap mask may be oversized from the passivation mask such that the dielectric cap layer covers the portions of the UBM bucket that extend above the dielectric layer.  FIG. 4D  shows the dielectric cap layer  212  formed over the dielectric layer  210  and a portion of the UBM layer  218 . A solder ball can then be formed in the UBM bucket  406 , as shown in  FIG. 2 . 
         [0026]    In some embodiments, the dielectric layer  210  can be omitted, and the passivation layer  208  can be formed having the same or similar thickness as the dielectric layer  210 . 
         [0027]      FIG. 5  is a flow diagram depicting a method  500  of forming a semiconductor device according to one or more embodiments of the invention.  FIGS. 6A-6E  depict semiconductor device cross-sections corresponding to steps of the method  500 . Elements in  FIGS. 6A-6E  that are the same or similar to those of  FIG. 2  are designated with identical reference numerals. At step  502 , a semiconductor substrate having a passivation layer formed thereon is obtained.  FIG. 6A  shows the substrate  202  having a passivation layer  601  formed on the interconnect  206 . The substrate  202  may be formed using conventional semiconductor processes. 
         [0028]    At step  504 , a passivation mask is used to etch the passivation layer to expose a portion of each bond pad. At step  505 , a first UBM layer is deposited over the passivation layer and the bond pad, and a first UBM mask is used to etch the first UBM layer to form a first UBM portion (“first UBM layer”). The first UBM portion can be formed using conventional deposition, photolithographic, and etching techniques.  FIG. 6B  shows a first UBM portion  602  formed over the passivation layer  208  and the bond pad  216 . 
         [0029]    At step  506 , a dielectric layer is deposited on the passivation layer and the first UBM portion, and a dielectric mask is used to selectively etch a tapered via in the dielectric layer to expose at least a portion of the first UBM portion. The tapered via may be formed using conventional deposition, photolithographic, and etching processes.  FIG. 6C  shows the dielectric layer  210  and a tapered via  604  formed therein. The dielectric layer  210  may be thick relative to the passivation layer  208 . For example, in a non-limiting embodiment, the dielectric layer  210  may have a thickness between 20 and 60 μm. The dielectric layer  210  may be generally sized according to the size of the solder balls used in device packaging. 
         [0030]    At step  508 , a second UBM layer is deposited over the dielectric layer, tapered via and first UBM portion, and a second UBM mask is used to selectively etch the second UBM layer to form a UBM bucket in the tapered via. The UBM bucket may be formed using conventional deposition, photolithographic, and etching processes. The second UBM mask may be oversized from the baseline UBM layer such that the UBM bucket fills the tapered via.  FIG. 6D  shows the UBM layer  218  having a UBM bucket  606  formed over the first UBM portion  602  in the tapered via  604 . 
         [0031]    At step  510 , a dielectric cap layer is deposited over the dielectric layer and the second UBM layer, and a cap mask is used to selectively etch the dielectric cap layer to expose a portion of the second UBM layer. The openings for the second UBM layer may be formed using conventional deposition, photolithographic, and etching processes. The cap mask may be oversized from the passivation mask such that the dielectric cap layer covers the portions of the UBM bucket that extend above the dielectric layer.  FIG. 6E  shows the dielectric cap layer  212  formed over the dielectric layer  210  and a portion of the UBM layer  218 . A solder ball can then be formed in the UBM bucket  606 , as shown in  FIG. 2 . 
         [0032]    The process  500  may be used to form a UBM bucket over a bond pad metal that requires two different UBM materials, such as a copper bond pad (i.e., one UBM material for adhering to the bond pad, and another UBM material for adhering to a solder ball). 
         [0033]      FIG. 7  is a flow diagram depicting a method  700  of forming a semiconductor device according to one or more embodiments of the invention.  FIGS. 8A-8D  depict semiconductor device cross-sections corresponding to steps of the method  700 . Elements in  FIGS. 8A-8D  that are the same or similar to those of  FIG. 2  are designated with identical reference numerals. At step  702 , a semiconductor substrate having a passivation layer formed thereon is obtained.  FIG. 8A  shows the substrate  202  having a passivation layer  801  formed on the interconnect  206 . The substrate  202  may be formed using conventional semiconductor processes. 
         [0034]    At step  704 , a dielectric layer is deposited over the passivation layer, and a passivation mask is used to etch the dielectric and passivation layer to expose a portion of each bond pad.  FIG. 8B  shows a dielectric layer  802  formed over the passivation layer  208  and having a via  804  exposing the bond pad  216 . The via  804  may be cylindrical in shape. The dielectric layer  802  is thick relative to the passivation layer  208  (e.g., between 20 and 60 μm or other thickness depending on solder ball size). 
         [0035]    At step  706 , a metal seed layer is deposited over the dielectric layer and the bond pad, and the seed layer is polished to form a seed bucket in the via. At step  708 , a UBM layer is electroplated over the seed bucket to form a UBM bucket. The seed and UBM buckets may be formed using conventional deposition, polishing, and electroplating processes.  FIG. 8C  shows a seed layer  806  and a UBM layer  808  forming a bucket over the bond pad  216  in the via of the dielectric layer  802 . 
         [0036]    At optional step  710 , the dielectric layer can be removed by etching. The dielectric layer can be removed if necessary to control passivation layer stress.  FIG. 8D  shows the substrate  202  with the UBM bucket and the dielectric layer  802  removed. A solder ball  810  is shown formed in the UBM bucket formed by the seed layer  806  and the UBM layer  808 . A first portion of the solder ball  810  is formed in the UBM bucket, and a second portion of the solder ball  810  extends above the UBM bucket. Alpha particles emitted from the first portion of the solder ball  810  in the UBM bucket are blocked by the UBM metal, and alpha particles emitted from the second portion of the solder ball  810  are not blocked, but do not penetrate to the active surface  204  due to the angle of incidence and path length. 
         [0037]    While the foregoing describes exemplary embodiment(s) in accordance with one or more aspects of the present invention, other and further embodiment(s) in accordance with the one or more aspects of the present invention may be devised without departing from the scope thereof, which is determined by the claim(s) that follow and equivalents thereof. Claim(s) listing steps do not imply any order of the steps. Trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

Technology Classification (CPC): 7