Patent application number | Description | Published |
20080286886 | Monitoring Cool-Down Stress in a Flip Chip Process Using Monitor Solder Bump Structures - A semiconductor chip and methods for forming the same. The semiconductor chip includes M regular solder bump structures and N monitor solder bump structures, M and N being positive integers. If a flip chip process is performed for the semiconductor chip, then the N monitor solder bump structures are more sensitive to a cool-down stress than the M regular solder bump structures. The cool-down stress results from a cool-down step of the flip chip process. Each of the M regular solder bump structures is electrically connected to either a power supply or a device of the semiconductor chip. Each of the N monitor solder bump structures is not electrically connected to a power supply or a device of the semiconductor chip. | 11-20-2008 |
20080303021 | Optimized Thermally Conductive Plate and Attachment Method for Enhanced Thermal Performance and Reliability of Flip Chip Organic Packages - Disclosed are thermally conductive plates. Each plate is configured such that a uniform adhesive-filled gap may be achieved between the plate and a heat generating structure when the plate is bonded to the heat generating structure and subjected to a temperature within a predetermined temperature range that causes the heat generating structure to warp. Additionally, this disclosure presents the associated methods of forming the plates and of bonding the plates to a heat generating structure. In one embodiment the plate is curved and modeled to match the curved surface of a heat generating structure within the predetermined temperature range. In another embodiment the plate is a multi-layer conductive structure that is configured to undergo the same warpage under a thermal load as the heat generating structure. Thus, when the plate is bonded with the heat generating structure it is able to achieve and maintain a uniform adhesive-filled gap at any temperature. | 12-11-2008 |
20080313879 | METHOD AND STRUCTURE FOR A PULL TEST FOR CONTROLLED COLLAPSE CHIP CONNECTIONS AND BALL LIMITING METALLURGY - A tensile strength testing structure for controlled collapse chip connections (C | 12-25-2008 |
20090032909 | SEMICONDUCTOR CHIPS WITH CRACK STOP REGIONS FOR REDUCING CRACK PROPAGATION FROM CHIP EDGES/CORNERS - Structures and a method for forming the same. The structure includes a semiconductor substrate, a transistor on the semiconductor substrate, and N interconnect layers on top of the semiconductor substrate, N being a positive integer. The transistor is electrically coupled to the N interconnect layers. The structure further includes a first dielectric layer on top of the N interconnect layers and P crack stop regions on top of the first dielectric layer, P being a positive integer. The structure further includes a second dielectric layer on top of the first dielectric layer. Each crack stop region of the P crack stop regions is completely surrounded by the first dielectric layer and the second dielectric layer. The structure further includes an underfill layer on top of the second dielectric layer. The second dielectric layer is sandwiched between the first dielectric layer and the underfill layer. | 02-05-2009 |
20090035480 | STRENGTHENING OF A STRUCTURE BY INFILTRATION - The present invention provides a method of strengthening a structure, to heal the imperfection of the structure, to reinforce the structure, and thus strengthening the dielectric without compromising the desirable low dielectric constant of the structure. The inventive method includes the steps of providing a semiconductor structure having at least one interconnect structure; dicing the interconnect structure; applying at least one infiltrant into the interconnect structure; and infiltrating the infiltrant to infiltrate into the interconnect structure. | 02-05-2009 |
20090045501 | STRUCTURE ON CHIP PACKAGE TO SUBSTANTIALLY MATCH STIFFNESS OF CHIP - Chip packages and a related method are disclosed that provide a structure on a side opposite a chip on a carrier of a chip package to substantially match a stiffness of the chip. In one embodiment, a chip package includes a chip coupled to a carrier; and a structure on a side opposite the chip on the carrier, the structure having a first stiffness to substantially match a second stiffness of the chip. | 02-19-2009 |
20090057865 | SANDWICHED ORGANIC LGA STRUCTURE - An LGA structure is provided having at least one semiconductor device over a substrate and a mechanical load apparatus over the semiconductor device. The structure includes a load-distributing material between the mechanical load apparatus and the substrate. Specifically, the load-distributing material is proximate a first side of the semiconductor device and a second side of the semiconductor device opposite the first side of the semiconductor device. Furthermore, the load-distributing material completely surrounds the semiconductor device and contacts the mechanical load apparatus, the substrate, and the semiconductor device. The load-distributing material can be thermally conductive and comprises an elastomer and/or a liquid. The load-distributing material comprises a LGA interposer adapted to connect the substrate to a PCB below the substrate and/or a second substrate. Moreover, the load-distributing material comprises compressible material layers and rigid material layers. The load-distributing material comprises a rigid material incased in a compressible material. | 03-05-2009 |
20090174084 | VIA OFFSETTING TO REDUCE STRESS UNDER THE FIRST LEVEL INTERCONNECT (FLI) IN MICROELECTRONICS PACKAGING - The invention is directed to an improved microelectronics device that reduces BEOL delamination by reducing the tensile stress imposed on the via which connects first level interconnects with the BEOL. Tensile stress imposed on the via is reduced by shifting the via towards the center of a silicon chip or alternatively shifting the UBM towards the corners of the silicon chip. | 07-09-2009 |
20090188705 | Construction of Reliable Stacked Via in Electronic Substrates - Vertical Stiffness Control Method - A stacked via structure for reducing vertical stiffness includes: a plurality of stacked vias, each via disposed on a disc-like structure. The disc-like structure includes a platted through hole landing supporting the plurality of stacked vias. The platted through hole landing includes a compliant center zone; and spring-like stiffness-reducing connectors for connecting the compliant center zone of the platted through hole landing. | 07-30-2009 |
20090189289 | EMBEDDED CONSTRAINER DISCS FOR RELIABLE STACKED VIAS IN ELECTRONIC SUBSTRATES - A substrate via structure for stacked vias includes: a plurality of stacked vias, wherein each via is disposed on a landing; and at least one constrainer disc surrounding at least one via, for constraining in-plane deformation of the substrate via structure. The constrainer disc is embedded such that the constrainer disc is disposed between two layers of resin. The constrainer discs may be made of copper. The constrainer disc may be circular or square-shaped. Preferably there is a dielectric gap between the constrainer disc and the via. | 07-30-2009 |
20090189290 | CLUSTERED STACKED VIAS FOR RELIABLE ELECTRONIC SUBSTRATES - A substrate via structure for stacked vias in a substrate/chip assembly includes: a center via stack and a plurality of stacked vias clustered around the center via stack. In this structure, the center via and the surrounding vias are made of copper. Some of the surrounding vias may be non-functional vias and these may be of a different height than the functional vias. | 07-30-2009 |
20090218688 | OPTIMIZED PASSIVATION SLOPE FOR SOLDER CONNECTIONS - A semiconductor structure includes at least one bond pad. An insulator layer is on the surface of the semiconductor chip and on a portion of the bond pad. The polyimide layer comprises a bottom surface contacting and coplanar with the surface of the semiconductor chip, a top surface opposite and parallel to the bottom surface of the polyimide layer, and a sloped side between corresponding ends of the top surface of the polyimide layer and the bottom surface of the polyimide layer. The sloped side joins the bottom surface of the polyimide layer at the top surface of the bond pad. The sloped side of the polyimide layer forms an angle less than 50° with the bottom surface of the polyimide layer. | 09-03-2009 |
20090256257 | FINAL VIA STRUCTURES FOR BOND PAD-SOLDER BALL INTERCONNECTIONS - A structure and a method for forming the same. The structure includes a first dielectric layer, an electrically conductive bond pad on the first dielectric layer, and a second dielectric layer on top of the first dielectric layer and the electrically conductive bond pad. The electrically conductive bond pad is sandwiched between the first and second dielectric layers. The second dielectric layer includes N separate final via openings such that a top surface of the electrically conductive bond pad is exposed to a surrounding ambient through each final via opening of the N separate final via openings. N is a positive integer greater than 1. | 10-15-2009 |
20100155943 | SEMICONDUCTOR CHIP USED IN FLIP CHIP PROCESS - A semiconductor chip for forming the same. The semiconductor chip includes M regular solder bump structures and N monitor solder bump structures, M and N being positive integers. If a flip chip process is performed for the semiconductor chip, then the N monitor solder bump structures are more sensitive to a cool-down stress than the M regular solder bump structures. The cool-down stress results from a cool-down step of the flip chip process. Each of the M regular solder bump structures is electrically connected to either a power supply or a device of the semiconductor chip. Each of the N monitor solder bump structures is not electrically connected to a power supply or a device of the semiconductor chip. | 06-24-2010 |
20100233872 | SEMICONDUCTOR CHIPS WITH CRACK STOP REGIONS FOR REDUCING CRACK PROPAGATION FROM CHIP EDGES/CORNERS - A chip fabrication method. A provided structure includes: a transistor on a semiconductor substrate, N interconnect layers on the semiconductor substrate and the transistor (N>0), and a first dielectric layer on the N interconnect layers. The transistor is electrically coupled to the N interconnect layers. P crack stop regions and Q crack stop regions are formed on the first dielectric layer (P, Q>0). The first dielectric layer is sandwiched between the N interconnect layers and a second dielectric layer that is formed on the first dielectric layer. Each P crack stop region is completely surrounded by the first and second dielectric layers. The second dielectric layer is sandwiched between the first dielectric layer and an underfill layer that is formed on the second dielectric layer. Each Q crack stop region is completely surrounded by the first dielectric layer and the underfill layer. | 09-16-2010 |
20110006422 | Structures and methods to improve lead-free C4 interconnect reliability - Controlled collapse chip connection (C4) structures and methods of manufacture, and more specifically to structures and methods to improve lead-free C4 interconnect reliability. A structure includes a ball limited metallization (BLM) layer and a controlled collapse chip connection (C4) solder ball formed on the BLM layer. Additionally, the structure includes a final metal pad layer beneath the BLM layer and a cap layer beneath the final metal pad layer. Furthermore, the structure includes an air gap formed beneath the C4 solder ball between the final metal pad layer and one of the BLM layer and the cap layer. | 01-13-2011 |
20110063815 | Robust FBEOL and UBM Structure of C4 Interconnects - A microcircuit article of manufacture comprises an electrical conductor electrically connected to both a first microcircuit element at a site comprising a first connector site having a first connector site axis and a second microcircuit element at a site comprising a second connector site having a second connector site axis. The first microcircuit element and the second microcircuit element are separated by and operatively associated with a layer comprising a first electrical insulator, whereas the conductor and the first microcircuit element are separated by and operatively associated with a layer comprising a second electrical insulator. At least one of the first electrical insulator layer and the second electrical insulator layer comprise a polymeric electrical insulator. In another embodiment, both electrical insulator layers comprise polymeric insulator layers. The microcircuit includes a UBM and solder connection to a FBEOL via opening. Sufficiently separating the first connector site axis and the second connector site axis so they are not concentric decouples the UBM and solder connection to the FBEOL via opening to substantially eliminate or minimize inter alia, electromigration and the white bump problem typical of lead free solders employed in C4 systems. A process comprises manufacturing this type of microcircuit article. | 03-17-2011 |
20110193218 | Solder Interconnect with Non-Wettable Sidewall Pillars and Methods of Manufacture - A solder interconnect structure is provided with non-wettable sidewalls and methods of manufacturing the same. The method includes forming a nickel or nickel alloy pillar on an underlying surface. The method further includes modifying the sidewall of the nickel or nickel alloy pillar to prevent solder wetting on the sidewall. | 08-11-2011 |
20120070940 | FIXTURE TO CONSTRAIN LAMINATE AND METHOD OF ASSEMBLY - A fixture assembly and method of forming a chip assembly is provided. The fixture assembly includes a first plate having an opening sized to accommodate a chip mounted on a laminate. The fixture assembly further includes a second plate mated to the first plate by at least one mechanical fastening mechanism. The fixture assembly further includes a space defined by facing surfaces of the first plate and the second plate and confined by a raised stepped portion of at least one of the first plate and the second plate. The space is coincident with the opening. The space is sized and shaped such that the laminate is confined within the space and directly abuts the stepped portion and the facing surfaces of the first plate and the second plate to be confined in X, Y and Z directions. | 03-22-2012 |
20120083114 | DIMENSIONALLY DECOUPLED BALL LIMITING METALURGY - A method for reducing stress on under ball metallurgy (UBM) is disclosed. A collar is disposed around the ball to provide support, and prevent solder interaction in the undercut areas of the UBM. In one embodiment, the collar is comprised of photosensitive polyimide. | 04-05-2012 |
20120139123 | OFFSET SOLDER VIAS, METHODS OF MANUFACTURING AND DESIGN STRUCTURES - Semiconductor structures, methods of manufacture and design structures are provided. The structure includes at least one offset crescent shaped solder via formed in contact with an underlying metal pad of a chip. The at least one offset crescent shaped via is offset with respect to at least one of the underlying metal pad and an underlying metal layer in direct electrical contact with an interconnect of the chip which is in electrical contact with the underlying metal layer. | 06-07-2012 |
20120187180 | FIXTURE TO CONSTRAIN LAMINATE AND METHOD OF ASSEMBLY - A fixture assembly and method of forming a chip assembly is provided. The fixture assembly includes a first plate having an opening sized to accommodate a chip mounted on a laminate. The fixture assembly further includes a second plate mated to the first plate by at least one mechanical fastening mechanism. The fixture assembly further includes a space defined by facing surfaces of the first plate and the second plate and confined by a raised stepped portion of at least one of the first plate and the second plate. The space is coincident with the opening. The space is sized and shaped such that the laminate is confined within the space and directly abuts the stepped portion and the facing surfaces of the first plate and the second plate to be confined in X, Y and Z directions. | 07-26-2012 |
20120267158 | CONSTRUCTION OF RELIABLE STACKED VIA IN ELECTRONIC SUBSTRATES - VERTICAL STIFFNESS CONTROL METHOD - A stacked via structure for reducing vertical stiffness includes: a plurality of stacked vias, each via disposed on a disc-like structure. The disc-like structure includes a platted through hole landing supporting the plurality of stacked vias. The platted through hole landing includes an etched pattern. | 10-25-2012 |
20120279061 | CLUSTERED STACKED VIAS FOR RELIABLE ELECTRONIC SUBSTRATES - A method of fabricating a substrate via structure in a substrate/chip assembly includes steps of: disposing a center via stack for electrical interconnects in the substrate/chip assembly; and providing a plurality of stacked vias surrounding the center via stack. The plurality of stacked vias encircle the center via stack, resulting in no isolated via stacks on the structure. The plurality of stacked vias have both functional and non-functional vias. | 11-08-2012 |
20120299195 | CONSTRUCTION OF RELIABLE STACKED VIA IN ELECTRONIC SUBSTRATES - VERTICAL STIFFNESS CONTROL METHOD - A stacked via structure for reducing vertical stiffness includes: a plurality of stacked vias, each via disposed on a disc-like structure. The disc-like structure includes a platted through hole landing with a thickness of substantially 3 μm. The platted through hole landing includes an etched pattern and a copper top surface. | 11-29-2012 |
20130098176 | Flat Laminate, Symmetrical Test Structures and Method of Use To Gauge White Bump Sensitivity - A symmetrical, flat laminate structure used to minimize variables in a test structure to experimentally gauge white bump sensitivity to CTE mismatch is disclosed. The test structure includes a flat laminate structure. The method of using the test structure includes isolating a cause of a multivariable chip join problem that is adversely impacted by warpage and quantifying a contribution of the warpage, itself, in a formation of the multivariable chip join problem. | 04-25-2013 |
20130119534 | METAL PAD STRUCTURE FOR THICKNESS ENHANCEMENT OF POLYMER USED IN ELECTRICAL INTERCONNECTION OF SEMICONDUCTOR DIE TO SEMICONDUCTOR CHIP PACKAGE SUBSTRATE WITH SOLDER BUMP - A topographical feature is formed proximate to a conductive bond pad that is used to couple a solder bump to a semiconductor die. The topographical feature is separated from the conductive bond pad by a gap. In one embodiment, the topographical feature is formed at a location that is slightly beyond the perimeter of the solder bump, wherein an edge of the bump is aligned vertically to coincide with the gap separating the conductive bond pad from the topographical feature. The topographical feature provides thickness enhancement of a non-conductive layer disposed over the semiconductor die and the conductive bond pad and stress buffering. | 05-16-2013 |
20140021622 | OPTIMIZATION METALLIZATION FOR PREVENTION OF DIELECTRIC CRACKING UNDER CONTROLLED COLLAPSE CHIP CONNECTIONS - A method of reducing white bump formation and dielectric cracking under controlled collapse chip connections (C4s). The method comprises fabricating a substrate having a plurality of metallization layers, one or more of the layers is of low k dielectric material. The substrate includes a plurality of attachment pads for the C4s. The fabricating comprises selectively forming at least a portion of the substrate with metal fill having a higher Young's modulus of elasticity than any of the one or more layers of low k dielectric material in portions of the substrate located beneath at least some of the attachment pads. | 01-23-2014 |
20140033148 | ELASTIC MODULUS MAPPING OF A CHIP CARRIER IN A FLIP CHIP PACKAGE - A computer-implemented method provides an elastic modulus map of a chip carrier of a flip chip package. Design data including dielectric and conductive design elements of each of vertically aligned sub-areas of each of the layers of the chip carrier are modeled as springs to provide the elastic modulus map. Determining the elastic modulus of the sub-areas of the chip carrier identifies probable mechanical failure sites during chip-join and cools down of the flip chip package. Modifying a footprint of solder bumps to the chip carrier reduces stresses applied to the identified probable mechanical failure sites. Modifying the chip carrier design to reduce a stiffness of sub-areas associated with identified probable mechanical failure sites also reduces stresses from chip-join and cool-down. | 01-30-2014 |
20140077367 | SOLDER INTERCONNECT WITH NON-WETTABLE SIDEWALL PILLARS AND METHODS OF MANUFACTURE - A solder interconnect structure is provided with non-wettable sidewalls and methods of manufacturing the same. The method includes forming a nickel or nickel alloy pillar on an underlying surface. The method further includes modifying the sidewall of the nickel or nickel alloy pillar to prevent solder wetting on the sidewall. | 03-20-2014 |
20140084453 | OVERCOMING CHIP WARPING TO ENHANCE WETTING OF SOLDER BUMPS AND FLIP CHIP ATTACHES IN A FLIP CHIP PACKAGE - Structures and methods for forming good electrical connections between an integrated circuit (IC) chip and a chip carrier of a flip chip package include forming one of: a tensile layer on a front side of the IC chip, which faces a tops surface of the chip carrier, and a compressive layer on the backside of the IC chip. Addition of one of: a tensile layer to the front side of the IC chip and a compressive layer the backside of the IC chip, may reduce or modulate warpage of the IC chip and enhance wetting of opposing solder surfaces of solder bumps on the IC chip and solder formed on flip chip (FC) attaches of a chip carrier during making of the flip chip package. | 03-27-2014 |
20140197228 | FIXTURE TO CONSTRAIN LAMINATE AND METHOD OF ASSEMBLY - A fixture assembly and method of forming a chip assembly is provided. The fixture assembly includes a first plate having an opening sized to accommodate a chip mounted on a laminate. The fixture assembly further includes a second plate mated to the first plate by at least one mechanical fastening mechanism. The fixture assembly further includes a space defined by facing surfaces of the first plate and the second plate and confined by a raised stepped portion of at least one of the first plate and the second plate. The space is coincident with the opening. The space is sized and shaped such that the laminate is confined within the space and directly abuts the stepped portion and the facing surfaces of the first plate and the second plate to be confined in X, Y and Z directions. | 07-17-2014 |
20150036716 | FLAT LAMINATE, SYMMETRICAL TEST STRUCTURES AND METHOD OF USE TO GAUGE WHITE BUMP SENSITIVITY - A symmetrical, flat laminate structure used to minimize variables in a test structure to experimentally gauge white bump sensitivity to CTE mismatch is disclosed. The test structure includes a flat laminate structure. The method of using the test structure includes isolating a cause of a multivariable chip join problem that is adversely impacted by warpage and quantifying a contribution of the warpage, itself, in a formation of the multivariable chip join problem. | 02-05-2015 |