Semiconductor structures and methods for manufacturing the same

Abstract

Disclosed semiconductor device manufacturing processes improve the flatness of a passivation layer deposited above a redistribution layer (RDL). When a thin passivation layer is deposited above the RDL, its top surface tends to become very uneven due to the large gaps that typically form over the etched portions of the RDL, particularly when the RDL is disposed over an underlying super high density metal-insulator-metal (MIM) capacitor. In order to reduce the incidence of stress concentration areas on the uneven surface, a thicker passivation layer is instead deposited to minimize gap formation therein, and a chemical mechanical planarization (CMP) process is then performed to further smooth the top surface thereof. Reduction of the stress in this manner reduces the incidence of cracking of the underlying MIM, which improves the overall pass rates of semiconductor devices so manufactured.