Patent Document

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0002]    The present invention relates to a semiconductor device including a GaAs substrate, and an electrode layer formed on the back surface of the substrate and composed of an Ni alloy or Ni, and a method for manufacturing the same. Specifically, the present invention relates to a semiconductor device that can prevent the wafer from warping, and a method for manufacturing the same. 
         [0003]    2. Background Art 
         [0004]    Conventionally, a semiconductor device having an electrode layer composed of Ni formed on the back surface of a GaAs substrate for preventing the occurrence of cracks on the GaAs substrate is known (for example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 4-211137). In addition, to reinforce the GaAs substrate thinned by grinding, an electrode layer composed of an Ni alloy or Ni may be formed on the back surface of the GaAs substrate. 
         [0005]    Furthermore, the properties of the chip measured in the state of a wafer may be changed by application of heat to the chip after the chip is diced from the wafer. In order to prevent this phenomenon, heat treatment may be carried out to the wafer before dicing into chips. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0006]    When a semiconductor device is manufactured by forming an electrode layer composed of an Ni alloy or Ni on the back surface of the thinned GaAs substrate, the wafer including the GaAs substrate and the electrode layer may be subjected to heat treatment so as to prevent change in the properties of the above-described chip. In this case, Ni may be diffused from the electrode layer into the GaAs substrate. 
         [0007]    When the diffusion occurs, an Ni—GaAs diffused layer is formed at the interface between the GaAs substrate and the electrode layer. It is known that the Ni—GaAs diffused layer is an Ni 2 GaAs layer epitaxially formed in the (100) plane of the GaAs substrate (A. Lahav, J. Appl. Phys., 60, 991 (1986)). Then, as shown in Table 1, about 4% of lattice mismatching occurs between the GaAs substrate and the Ni—GaAs diffused layer. Thereby, the GaAs substrate and the Ni—GaAs diffused layer is subjected to stress from the Ni—GaAs diffused layer and the GaAs substrate, respectively. 
         [0000]    
       
         
               
               
               
               
             
           
               
                   
                 TABLE 1 
               
               
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                 Crystal 
                 Lattice constant 
                 Structure 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
                 Ni 2 GaAs 
                 a = 0.383, c = 0.504 
                 Hexagonal crystal 
               
               
                   
                 GaAs 
                 a = 0.400, c = 0.490 (*) 
                 Cubic crystal 
               
               
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                 (*) The lattice constant of GaAs is the value when the GaAs is assumed to have a pseudo-cubic structure. 
               
             
          
         
       
     
         [0008]      FIG. 1  is a graphical representation showing the results of an in-depth Auger analysis of a wafer wherein an electrode layer composed of Ni—P is formed by electroless plating on the back surface of a GaAs substrate, before and after heat treatment at 250° C. for 4 hours.  FIG. 2  is a graphical representation showing the results of an XRD crystallinity analysis of a wafer wherein an electrode layer composed of Ni—P having a thickness of 0.3 μm on the back surface of a GaAs substrate, before and after heat treatment at 250° C. for 4 hours. 
         [0009]    As shown in the charts of  FIG. 1 , the content of P in the electrode layer after the heat treatment is elevated to about 1.5 times more than the content of P in the electrode layer before the heat treatment. In the chart showing the result before the heat treatment shown in  FIG. 2 , a broad peak indicating the amorphousness of Ni—P appears; however, in the chart showing the result after the heat treatment shown in  FIG. 2 , peaks indicating Ni 3 P and Ni 12 P 5  appear instead. 
         [0010]    As seen from these results, in the electrode layer composed of an Ni alloy, the composition of the Ni alloy is changed, and the Ni alloy is crystallized by the diffusion of Ni as described above. When crystallized, the electrode layer shrinks. As a result, the GaAs substrate is subjected to stress from the electrode layer. 
         [0011]    As described above, the GaAs substrate is subjected to stress from both the Ni—GaAs diffused layer and the electrode layer. The Ni—GaAs diffused layer is subjected to stress from the GaAs substrate. Therefore, when heat treatment is carried out to the wafer including the GaAs substrate and the electrode layer composed of an Ni alloy or Ni formed on the back surface of the GaAs substrate, the wafer may warp. 
         [0012]      FIG. 3  is a graphical representation showing the relation between the warpage of the wafer and the thickness of the GaAs substrate when a heat treatment at 250° C. is carried out for 4 hours on the wafer wherein an Ni—P layer having a thickness of 0.3 μm as an electrode layer and an Au layer having a thickness of 4 μm are sequentially formed on the back surface of the GaAs substrate. When the thickness of the GaAs substrate is 50 μm, the warpage of the wafer is about 6 mm. Normally, if the warpage of the wafer becomes 3 mm or more, problems are caused in the testing process or dicing process of the wafer. If the thickness of the GaAs substrate is 50 μm, problems are caused in these processes. 
         [0013]    In view of the above-described problems, an object of the present invention is to provide a semiconductor device that can prevent the wafer from warping, and a method for manufacturing the same. 
         [0014]    According to a first aspect of the present invention, a semiconductor device comprises a GaAs substrate having a first major surface and a second major surface opposite to each other; a first metal layer composed of at least one of Pd, Ta, and Mo on the first major surface of the GaAs substrate; and a second metal layer composed of an Ni alloy or Ni on the first metal layer. 
         [0015]    According to a second aspect of the present invention, a method for manufacturing a semiconductor device comprises forming a first metal layer composed of at least one of Pd, Ta, and Mo on a first major surface of a GaAs substrate; forming a second metal layer composed of an Ni alloy or Ni on the first metal layer; and annealing the GaAs substrate, the first metal layer, and the second metal layer. 
         [0016]    The present invention makes it possible to prevent the wafer from warping. 
         [0017]    Other and further objects, features and advantages of the invention will appear more fully from the following description. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0018]      FIG. 1  is a graphical representation showing the results of an in-depth Auger analysis of a wafer wherein an electrode layer composed of Ni—P is formed by electroless plating on the back surface of a GaAs substrate, before and after heat treatment at 250° C. for 4 hours. 
           [0019]      FIG. 2  is a graphical representation showing the results of an XRD crystallinity analysis of a wafer wherein an electrode layer composed of Ni—P having a thickness of 0.3 μm on the back surface of a GaAs substrate, before and after heat treatment at 250° C. for 4 hours. 
           [0020]      FIG. 3  is a graphical representation showing the relation between the warpage of the wafer and the thickness of the GaAs substrate when a heat treatment at 250° C. is carried out for 4 hours on the wafer wherein an Ni—P layer having a thickness of 0.3 mm as an electrode layer and an Au layer having a thickness of 4 μm are sequentially formed on the back surface of the GaAs substrate. 
           [0021]      FIG. 4  is a sectional view showing a semiconductor device according to the first embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0022]      FIGS. 5 ,  6 , and  7  are views for explaining a method of manufacturing a semiconductor device according to the first embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0023]      FIG. 8  is a sectional view showing a semiconductor device according to the first comparative example. 
           [0024]      FIG. 9  is a graphical representation showing the results of XRD crystal analyses on a wafer according to the first embodiment and a wafer according to the first comparative example. 
           [0025]      FIG. 10  is a graphical representation showing the relation between warpage of the wafer and the thickness of the GaAs substrate according to the first embodiment, and the relation between warpage of the wafer and the thickness of the GaAs substrate according to the first comparative example. 
           [0026]      FIG. 11  is a longitudinal section view showing a semiconductor device according to the variation of the first embodiment. 
           [0027]      FIG. 12  is a longitudinal section view showing a semiconductor device according to a variation of the first embodiment. 
           [0028]      FIG. 13  is a sectional view showing a semiconductor device according to the second embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0029]      FIGS. 14 ,  15 ,  16 ,  17 ,  18 , and  19  are views for explaining a method of manufacturing a semiconductor device according to the second embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0030]      FIG. 20  is a sectional view showing a semiconductor device according to the second comparative example. 
           [0031]      FIG. 21  is a longitudinal section view showing a semiconductor device according to the variation of the second embodiment. 
           [0032]      FIG. 22  is a sectional view showing a semiconductor device according to the third embodiment. 
           [0033]      FIGS. 23 ,  24 , and  25  are views for explaining a method of manufacturing a semiconductor device according to the third embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0034]      FIG. 26  is a longitudinal section view of a semiconductor device according to the variation of the third embodiment. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     First Embodiment 
       [0035]      FIG. 4  is a sectional view showing a semiconductor device according to the first embodiment of the present invention. An electrode layer  14  is formed on the first major surface  12  of a GaAs substrate  10 . The electrode layer  14  includes a diffusion barrier layer (first metal layer)  16  formed on the first major surface  12  of the GaAs substrate  10 , an Ni-alloy layer (second metal layer)  18  formed on the diffusion barrier layer  16 , and the high-conductivity layer  20  formed on the Ni-alloy layer  18 . 
         [0036]    The diffusion barrier layer  16  is composed of Pd, and has a thickness of 0.05 μm. The Ni-alloy layer  18  is composed of Ni—P, and has a thickness of 0.3 μm. The high-conductivity layer  20  is composed of Au, and has a thickness of 4 μm. 
         [0037]      FIGS. 5 to 7  are process diagrams showing the method for manufacturing a semiconductor device according to the first embodiment. The method for manufacturing a semiconductor device will be described referring to  FIGS. 5 to 7 . 
         [0038]    First, as shown in  FIG. 5 , the diffusion barrier layer (first metal layer)  16  is formed by sputtering on the first major surface  12  on the GaAs substrate  10 . Here, the diffusion barrier layer  16  is composed of Pd, and the thickness thereof is 0.05 μm. 
         [0039]    Next, as shown in  FIG. 6 , an Ni-alloy layer (second metal layer)  18  is formed on the diffusion barrier layer  16  by electroless plating. Here, the electroless displacement reduction plating of Ni-alloy layer  16  can be realized by performing Pd activation as a pretreatment. The Ni-alloy layer  18  is composed of Ni—P, and the thickness thereof is 0.3 μm. If the diffusion barrier layer  16  is composed of Pd, the pretreatment, i.e., Pd activation process can be omitted. 
         [0040]    Next, a displaced Au-plated layer (not shown) is formed on the Ni-alloy layer  18 . Here, the thickness of the displaced Au-plated layer is about 0.05 μm. 
         [0041]    Next, as shown in  FIG. 7 , a high-conductivity layer  20  is formed on the Ni-alloy layer  18  by electrolytic plating using the displaced Au-plated layer as a seed layer. Here, the high-conductivity layer  20  is composed of Au, and the thickness thereof is 4 μm. The conductivity of the electrode layer  14  is ensured by the high-conductivity layer  20 . By the processes described above, the electrode layer  14  including the diffusion barrier layer  16 , the Ni-alloy layer  18 , and the high-conductivity layer  20  can be formed. 
         [0042]    Next, the entire semiconductor device including the GaAs substrate  10 , the diffusion barrier layer  16 , the Ni-alloy layer  18 , and the high-conductivity layer  20  is annealed at 250° C. 
         [0043]      FIG. 8  is a sectional view showing a semiconductor device according to the first comparative example. Effect of the first embodiment will be described referring to  FIG. 8 . 
         [0044]    In the semiconductor device according to the first comparative example, an Ni-alloy layer  18  is formed as the electrode layer  14  on the first major surface  12  of the GaAs substrate  10 . However, the diffusion barrier layer  16  is not provided between the GaAs substrate  10  and the Ni-alloy layer  18 . On the Ni-alloy layer  18 , a high-conductivity layer  20  is not provided. 
         [0045]    Consequently, as described above, when the entire device including the GaAs substrate  10  and the Ni-alloy layer  18  is annealed at 250° C., Ni is diffused from the Ni-alloy layer  18  into the GaAs substrate  10 . Thereby, the Ni—GaAs diffused layer  22  is formed and the GaAs substrate  10  and the Ni—GaAs diffused layer  22  are subjected to stress. Therefore, the problem of warpage of the wafer including the GaAs substrate  10  and the Ni-alloy layer  18  is caused. 
         [0046]    On the other hand, in the semiconductor device according to the first embodiment, the diffusion barrier layer  16  is formed between the GaAs substrate  10  and the Ni-alloy layer  18 . The diffusion barrier layer  16  is composed of Pd, and has a thickness of 0.05 μm. 
         [0047]    Therefore, diffusion of Ni from the Ni-alloy layer  18  into the GaAs substrate  10  can be prevented.  FIG. 9  is a graphical representation showing the results of XRD crystal analyses on a wafer according to the first embodiment and a wafer according to the first comparative example.  FIG. 10  is a graphical representation showing the relation between warpage of the wafer and the thickness of the GaAs substrate according to the first embodiment, and the relation between warpage of the wafer and the thickness of the GaAs substrate according to the first comparative example. It is seen from the results of the XRD crystal analyses that no peaks of Ni 3 P and Ni 12 P 5  are observed in the first embodiment compared with the first comparative example. This indicates suppression of crystallization of Ni—P that constitutes the Ni-alloy layer  18 . In the first embodiment, warpage of the wafer is lowered to ½ or less in comparison with the first comparative example. 
         [0048]    Hence, crystallization of the Ni-alloy in the Ni-alloy layer  18  can be suppressed. Formation of the Ni—GaAs diffused layer  22  on the GaAs substrate can also be suppressed. As a result, the GaAs substrate and the Ni—GaAs diffused layer are not subjected to stress. Therefore, warpage of the wafer can be prevented. 
         [0049]    Unlike the semiconductor device according to the first comparative example, in the semiconductor device according to the first embodiment, the high-conductivity layer  20  is formed on the Ni-alloy layer  18 . The high-conductivity layer  20  is composed of Au. Since Au has a higher conductivity than Ni—P that constitutes the Ni-alloy layer  18 , the conductivity of the electrode layer  14  can be improved. 
         [0050]    A variation of the first embodiment will be described below. In the semiconductor device according to the first embodiment, the diffusion barrier layer  16  need not be composed of Pd. If the diffusion barrier layer  16  is composed of at least one of Pd, Ta, and Mo, the diffusion of Ni from the Ni-alloy layer  18  into the GaAs substrate  10  can be prevented. Therefore, warpage of the wafer can be prevented. This variation can be applied to the following embodiments. 
         [0051]      FIG. 11  is a longitudinal section view showing a semiconductor device according to the variation of the first embodiment. In this variation, the diffusion barrier layer  16  includes the first diffusion barrier layer (fourth metal layer)  24  and the second diffusion barrier layer (fifth metal layer)  26 . The first diffusion barrier layer  24  is composed of Ta, and is directly formed on the first major surface  12  of the GaAs substrate  10 . The second diffusion barrier layer  26  is composed of Mo, and is formed between the first diffusion barrier layer  24  and Ni-alloy layer  18 . 
         [0052]    In the method for manufacturing a semiconductor device according to the variation, first, a first diffusion barrier layer  24  is formed on the first major surface  12  on a GaAs substrate  10 . Next, a second diffusion barrier layer  26  is formed on the first diffusion barrier layer  24 . Next, an Ni-alloy layer  18  is formed on the first diffusion barrier layer  24 . 
         [0053]    Ta has a higher adhesiveness to the GaAs substrate  10  than Pd and Mo, which are other constituent materials of the diffusion barrier layer  16 . Mo prevents diffusion of Ni more effectively than Pd and Ta, which are other constituent materials of the diffusion barrier layer  16 . Therefore, in the semiconductor device according to the variation, warpage of the wafer can be prevented more effectively than the first embodiment, and the adhesiveness of the electrode layer  14  to the GaAs substrate  10  can be improved. This variation can also be applied to the following embodiments. 
         [0054]    The thickness of the diffusion barrier layer  16  is not limited to 0.05 μm. Warpage of the wafer can be surely prevented as long as the thickness is 0.05 μm or more. In addition, even if the thickness of the diffusion barrier layer  16  is less than 0.05 μm, the effect to prevent warpage of the wafer can be obtained. This variation can also be applied to the following embodiments. 
         [0055]    The Ni-alloy layer  18  need not be composed of Ni—P, but may be composed of Ni—B. Furthermore, the electrode layer  14  may include a metal layer composed of Ni in place of the Ni-alloy layer  18 . In these cases, although a problem is caused that Ni is diffused into the GaAs substrate  10 , the effect to prevent warpage of the wafer can be obtained. This variation can also be applied to the following embodiments. 
         [0056]      FIG. 12  is a longitudinal section view showing a semiconductor device according to a variation of the first embodiment. In this variation, the high-conductivity layer  20  is not provided on the Ni-alloy layer  18 . In the method for manufacturing a semiconductor device according to this variation, after forming the Ni-alloy layer  18 , the high-conductivity layer  20  is not formed on the Ni-alloy layer  18 . Therefore, the structure of the semiconductor device and the manufacturing method thereof are simplified in comparison with the first embodiment; and as in the first embodiment, warpage of the wafer can be prevented. 
         [0057]    The high-conductivity layer  20  need not be composed of Au, but may be composed of Ag or Cu. Since Ag or Cu has a higher conductivity than Ni—P, the conductivity of the electrode layer  14  can be improved. In addition, the thickness of the high-conductivity layer  20  is not limited to 4 μm. If the thickness is 0.1 micrometer to several tens of micrometers, the conductivity of the electrode layer  14  can be improved. These variations can also be applied to the following embodiments. 
         [0058]    Furthermore, a diffusion barrier layer composed of Pd (not shown) can be provided between the Ni-alloy layer  18  and the high-conductivity layer  20 . Thereby, diffusion of Ni from the Ni-alloy layer  18  into the high-conductivity layer  20  can be prevented. This variation can also be applied to the following embodiments. 
         [0059]    In the method for manufacturing a semiconductor device according to the first embodiment, the diffusion barrier layer  16  may be formed by not only sputtering but also vapor deposition. When the diffusion barrier layer  16  is composed of Pd, the diffusion barrier layer  16  may be formed by electroless plating. In this case, a seed layer having a thickness of several tens of nanometers is formed using a Pd activation solution, sputtering or vapor deposition. Then, the diffusion barrier layer  16  is formed on the seed layer. These variations can also be applied to the following embodiments. 
         [0060]    Furthermore, when the diffusion barrier layer  16  is composed of Pd, the diffusion barrier layer  16  may be formed by electrolytic plating. In this case, however, it is required to form a power feeding layer as the base of the diffusion barrier layer  16 . As the power feeding layer, for example, a layer made by sequentially forming a Ti layer and an Au layer can be considered. This variation can also be applied to the following embodiments. 
         [0061]    When an Ni-alloy layer  18  or a metal layer composed of Ni is formed, not only electroless plating, but also electrolytic plating, vapor deposition, or sputtering can be used. When the Ni-alloy layer  18  is formed by electrolytic plating, a power feeding layer composed of Au is formed on the diffusion barrier layer  16  as the base of the Ni-alloy layer  18 . Here, the power feeding layer is formed by displacement Au plating, and the thickness thereof is 50 nm or more. This variation can also be applied to the following embodiments. 
         [0062]    In place of forming the displacement Au-plated layer as the seed layer of the high-conductivity layer  20 , an Au layer may be formed using vapor deposition. The Au layer also becomes a seed layer. This variation can also be used in the following embodiments. 
         [0063]    Furthermore, when the high-conductivity layer  20  is formed, not only electrolytic plating, but also electroless plating may be used. This variation can also be used in the following embodiments. 
       Second Embodiment 
       [0064]      FIG. 13  is a sectional view showing a semiconductor device according to the second embodiment of the present invention. An integrated circuit  30  is formed on the second major surface  28  of the GaAs substrate  10 . The integrated circuit  30  includes a grounding electrode  32  connected to the wiring (not shown) of the integrated circuit  30 . In the GaAs substrate  10 , a through-hole  34  passing through from the first major surface  12  to the location of the grounding electrode  32  on the second major surface  28  is formed. 
         [0065]    On the first major surface  12  of the GaAs substrate  10  and in the through-hole  34 , an electrode layer  14  is formed. The electrode layer  14  includes a diffusion barrier layer (first metal layer)  16  formed on the first major surface  12  of the GaAs substrate  10 , an Ni-alloy layer (second metal layer)  18  formed on the diffusion barrier layer  16 , and the high-conductivity layer  20  formed on the Ni-alloy layer  18 . 
         [0066]    The diffusion barrier layer  16  is composed of Pd, and is formed on the sides  36  of the through-hole  34  and the exposed surface  38  in the through-hole of the grounding electrode. The diffusion barrier layer  16  is connected to the grounding electrode  32 . The thickness of the diffusion barrier layer  16  is 0.05 μm. 
         [0067]    The Ni-alloy layer  18  is composed of Ni—P, and is formed on the diffusion barrier layer  16  in the through-hole  34 . The thickness of the Ni-alloy layer  18  is 0.3 μm. The high-conductivity layer  20  is composed of Au, and is formed on the Ni-alloy layer  18  in the through-hole  34 . The thickness of the high-conductivity layer  20  is 4 μm. 
         [0068]      FIGS. 14 to 19  are process diagrams showing a method for manufacturing the semiconductor device according to the second embodiment. The method for manufacturing the semiconductor device will be described referring to  FIGS. 14 to 19 . 
         [0069]    First, as shown in  FIG. 14 , an integrated circuit  30  including grounding electrodes  32  is formed on the second major surface  28  of the GaAs substrate  10 . Here, the grounding electrodes  32  are connected to the wirings (not shown) of the integrated circuit  30 . 
         [0070]    Next, as shown in  FIG. 15 , a glass substrate  40  is applied to the second major surface  28  of the GaAs substrate  10  using wax (not shown). In this state, the first major surface  12  of the GaAs substrate  10  is ground to reduce the thickness of the GaAs substrate  10  to about 30 to 100 μm. 
         [0071]    Next, a resist is patterned on the first major surface  12  of the GaAs substrate  10  and dry etched. Thereby, as shown in  FIG. 16 , a through-hole  34  is formed from the first major surface  12  facing the second major surface  28  to the location of the grounding electrodes  32  on the second major surface  28 . After the through-hole  34  is formed, the resist is removed by treatment with an organic material or ashing. 
         [0072]    Next, as shown in  FIG. 17 , a diffusion barrier layer (first metal layer)  16  is formed on the first major surface  12  of the GaAs substrate  10  and in the through-hole  34  using electroless plating. Here, the diffusion barrier layer  16  is formed on the sides  36  of the through-hole  34  and on the exposed surface  38  of the grounding electrode  32  in the through-hole  34 . The diffusion barrier layer  16  is composed of Pd, and the thickness thereof is 0.05 μm. 
         [0073]    Next, as shown in  FIG. 18 , an Ni-alloy layer (second metal layer)  18  is formed on the diffusion barrier layer  16  using electroless plating. Here, the Ni-alloy layer  18  is formed on the diffusion barrier layer  16  in the through-hole  34 . The Ni-alloy layer  18  is composed of Ni—P, and the thickness thereof is 0.3 μm. 
         [0074]    Similarly, as shown in  FIG. 18 , a high-conductivity layer  20  is formed on the Ni-alloy layer  18  using electrolytic plating. Here, the high-conductivity layer  20  is formed on the Ni-alloy layer  18  in the through-hole  34 . The high-conductivity layer  20  is composed of Au, and the thickness thereof is 4 μm. 
         [0075]    Next, as shown in  FIG. 19 , the glass substrate  40  is stripped off the GaAs substrate  10 , and the wax is removed from the GaAs substrate  10  by cleaning with an organic material. Next, the entire semiconductor device including the integrated circuit  30 , the GaAs substrate  10 , the diffusion barrier layer  16 , Ni-alloy layer  18 , and the high-conductivity layer  20 , is annealed at 250° C. 
         [0076]      FIG. 20  is a sectional view showing a semiconductor device according to the second comparative example. The effect of the second embodiment will be described referring to  FIG. 20 . 
         [0077]    In the semiconductor device according to the second comparative example, an integrated circuit  30  is formed on the second major surface  28  of the GaAs substrate  10 . A through-hole  34  is formed in the GaAs substrate  10 . An Ni-alloy layer  18  is formed as the electrode layer  14  on the first major surface  12  of the GaAs substrate  10  and in the through-hole  34 . However, the diffusion barrier layer  16  is not provided between the GaAs substrate  10  and the Ni-alloy layer  18 . Furthermore, the high-conductivity layer  20  is not provided on the Ni-alloy layer  18 . 
         [0078]    Consequently, as described in the description of the problems, when the entire semiconductor device including the GaAs substrate  10  and the Ni-alloy layer  18  is annealed at 250° C., Ni is diffused from the Ni-alloy layer  18  into the GaAs substrate  10 . Thereby, the Ni—GaAs diffused layer  22  is formed, and the GaAs substrate  10  or the Ni—GaAs diffused layer  22  is subjected to stress. Therefore, a problem of warpage of the wafer including the GaAs substrate  10  and the Ni-alloy layer  18  is caused. 
         [0079]    On the other hand, in the semiconductor device according to the second embodiment, the diffusion barrier layer  16  is formed between the GaAs substrate  10  and the Ni-alloy layer  18 . The diffusion barrier layer  16  is composed of Pd, and the thickness thereof is 0.05 μm. 
         [0080]    Consequently, diffusion of Ni from the Ni-alloy layer  18  into the GaAs substrate  10  can be prevented. Thereby, as in the first embodiment, crystallization of Ni-alloy in the Ni-alloy layer  18  can be suppressed. Formation of the Ni—GaAs diffused layer  22  on the GaAs substrate  10  is also suppressed. As a result, the GaAs substrate  10  or the Ni—GaAs diffused layer  22  is not subjected to stress. Therefore, warpage of wafer can be prevented. 
         [0081]    In addition, the high-conductivity layer  20  is formed on the Ni-alloy layer  18 . Therefore, as in the first embodiment, conductivity of the electrode layer  14  can be improved. Particularly, since the high-conductivity layer  20  is formed on the Ni-alloy layer  18  in the through-hole  34 , the conductivity between the electrode layer  14  and the grounding electrode  32  can be improved. 
         [0082]    Furthermore, unlike the first embodiment, the diffusion barrier layer  16  is also formed on the sides  36  of the through-hole, and the exposed surface  38  in the through-hole of the grounding electrode. Therefore, in comparison with the first embodiment, stripping of the electrode layer  14  including the diffusion barrier layer  16  from the GaAs substrate  10  can be effectively prevented. 
         [0083]    A variation of the second embodiment will be described below.  FIG. 21  is a longitudinal section view showing a semiconductor device according to the variation of the second embodiment. In the variation, the high-conductivity layer  20  is not provided on the Ni-alloy layer  18 . In the method for manufacturing a semiconductor device according to the variation, after the Ni-alloy layer  18  is formed, the high-conductivity layer  20  is not formed on the Ni-alloy layer  18 . Consequently, in comparison with the second embodiment, the structure of the semiconductor device and the manufacturing method thereof can be simplified. As in the second embodiment, warpage of wafer can be prevented. 
         [0084]    In the method for manufacturing the semiconductor device according to the second embodiment, the glass substrate  40  can be applied to the GaAs substrate  10  using a double-sided adhesive tape in place of wax. 
         [0085]    The through-hole  34  can be formed by not only dry etching but also wet etching. 
       Third Embodiment 
       [0086]    A semiconductor device according to the third embodiment will be described focusing the aspects different from the second embodiment.  FIG. 22  is a sectional view showing a semiconductor device according to the third embodiment. 
         [0087]    In the through-hole  34 , the diffusion barrier layer (first metal layer)  16  is not formed on the sides  36  of the through-hole  34 , but is formed only on the exposed surface  38  of a grounding electrode  32  in the through-hole  34 . The Ni-alloy layer (second metal layer)  18  is formed on the sides  36  of the through-hole  34 , and the diffusion barrier layer  16  in the through-hole  34 . 
         [0088]    A method for manufacturing a semiconductor device according to the third embodiment will be described focusing the aspects different from the second embodiment.  FIGS. 23 to 25  are process diagrams showing the essential parts of the method for manufacturing a semiconductor device according to the third embodiment. 
         [0089]    As shown in  FIG. 23 , a diffusion barrier layer (first metal layer)  16  is formed by sputtering on the first major surface  12  of the GaAs substrate  10  and in the through-hole  34 . Thereby, in the through-hole  34 , the diffusion barrier layer  16  is formed only on the exposed surface  38  of a grounding electrode  32  in the through-hole  34 . 
         [0090]    Next, as shown in  FIG. 24 , after performing Pd activation as a pretreatment, an Ni-alloy layer (second metal layer)  18  is formed using electroless plating on the diffusion barrier layer  16 . In the through-hole  34  the Ni-alloy layer  18  is formed on the sides  36  of the through-hole  34 , and on the diffusion barrier layer  16  in the through-hole  34 . Next, a high-conductivity layer  20  is formed. 
         [0091]    Next, as shown in  FIG. 25 , the glass substrate  40  is stripped off the GaAs substrate  10 , and the wax is removed. Then, the entire semiconductor device is annealed at 250° C. 
         [0092]    The effect of the third embodiment will be described below. Unlike the second comparative example, in the semiconductor device according to the third embodiment, the diffusion barrier layer  16  is formed on the first major surface  12  of the GaAs substrate  10  between the GaAs substrate  10  and the Ni-alloy layer  18 . Consequently, in the vicinity of the first major surface  12  of the GaAs substrate  10 , the diffusion of Ni from the Ni-alloy layer  18  into the GaAs substrate  10  can be prevented. Therefore, crystallization of Ni alloy in the Ni-alloy layer  18  formed on the first major surface  12  of the GaAs substrate  10  can be suppressed. In addition, formation of the Ni—GaAs diffused layer  22  in the vicinity of the first major surface  12  of the GaAs substrate  10  can be suppressed. 
         [0093]    Also unlike the second embodiment, the diffusion barrier layer  16  is not formed between the GaAs substrate  10  and the Ni-alloy layer  18  on the sides  36  of the through-hole  34 . Consequently, Ni may be diffused from the Ni-alloy layer  18  to the vicinity of the sides  36  of the through-hole  34  in the GaAs substrate  10 . However, even if Ni is diffused to the vicinity of the through-hole  34  in the GaAs substrate  10 , no problem of warpage of wafer is caused. Therefore, in the third embodiment, even if the diffusion barrier layer  16  is not formed on the sides  36  of the through-hole  34 , the warpage of the wafer can be prevented. A high-conductivity layer  20  is also formed on the Ni-alloy layer  18 . Consequently, the conductivity of the electrode layer  14  can be improved. 
         [0094]    Furthermore, unlike the second embodiment, an Ni-alloy layer  18  is formed on the sides  36  of the through-hole in place of the diffusion barrier layer  16 . The Ni-alloy layer  18  has a higher adhesiveness to the GaAs substrate  10  than the diffusion barrier layer  16 . Consequently, in comparison with the second embodiment, stripping of the electrode layer  14  from the GaAs substrate  10  can be more effectively prevented. 
         [0095]    The variation of the third embodiment will be described below.  FIG. 26  is a longitudinal section view of a semiconductor device according to the variation of the third embodiment. In this variation, the high-conductivity layer  20  is not provided on the Ni-alloy layer  18 . In the method for manufacturing the semiconductor device according to this variation, after the Ni-alloy layer  18  is formed, the high-conductivity layer  20  is not formed on the Ni-alloy layer  18 . Consequently, in comparison with the third embodiment, the structure of the semiconductor device and the manufacturing method thereof can be simplified; and in the same manner as in the third embodiment, warpage of the wafer can be prevented. 
         [0096]    In the third embodiment, the diffusion barrier layer  16  can be formed by vapor deposition in place of sputtering. In this case, the diffusion barrier layer  16  is also formed in the through-hole  34  only on the exposed surface  38  of a grounding electrode  32  in the through-hole  34 . Therefore, the same effect can be obtained. 
         [0097]    When the diffusion barrier layer  16  is formed by sputtering or vapor deposition, the diffusion barrier layer  16  may be formed on the sides  36  of the through-hole  34 . In this case, the thickness of the diffusion barrier layer  16  on the sides  36  of the through-hole  34  becomes 1/10 or less of the thickness of the diffusion barrier layer  16  on the first major surface  12 . In this case also, warpage of the wafer including the GaAs substrate  10  and the electrode layer  14  can be prevented. 
         [0098]    Obviously many modifications and variations of the present invention are possible in the light of the above teachings. It is therefore to be understood that within the scope of the appended claims the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described. 
         [0099]    The entire disclosure of Japanese Patent Application No. 2009-191093, filed on Aug. 20, 2009, including specification, claims, drawings, and summary, on which the Convention priority of the present application is based, is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

Technology Category: h