Abstract:
The present disclosure is directed to a susceptor support that includes a hub and a plurality of arms extending radially from the hub, where each arm has a terminal end positioned away from the hub. The susceptor support also includes a plurality of elongated rectangular tips formed at the terminal end of each arm, each tip having a length and a width, wherein the length is greater than the width.
Abstract:
An integrated circuit is formed having an array of memory cells located in the dielectric stack above a semiconductor substrate. Each memory cell has two adjustable resistors and two heating elements. A dielectric material separates the heating elements from the adjustable resistors. One heating element alters the resistance of one of the resistors by applying heat thereto to write data to the memory cell. The other heating element alters the resistance of the other resistor by applying heat thereto to erase data from the memory cell.
Abstract:
An embodiment of a circuit module includes module nodes, a first submodule, a second submodule, and a conductive structure. The first submodule has a first submodule node, and the second submodule is disposed over the first submodule and has a second submodule node. The conductive structure couples the first submodule node to one of the module nodes and couples the second submodule node to one of the module nodes. Another embodiment of a circuit module includes module nodes, a first submodule, a second submodule, and a conductive structure. The first submodule has first submodule nodes, and the second submodule is disposed over the first submodule and has second submodule nodes. The conductive structure couples one of the first and second submodule nodes to one of the module nodes and couples one of the first submodule nodes to one of the second submodule nodes.
Abstract:
On a circuit substrate on which an adhesive is used to couple electronic or structural components to the substrate, an adhesive dam is positioned to prevent the adhesive from interfering with the operation of the circuit. A contact pad can be provided at a selected location and with a selected shape, and solder deposited on the pad, then reflowed to form the dam. The dam can be a structure soldered to a contact pad, or the dam can be supported at its ends by another structure of the device, so that, at the location where it functions to contain the adhesive, it is not attached to the substrate.
Abstract:
An optical sensor package has a transparent substrate with a redistribution layer formed on a face thereof, which includes a window and a plurality of electrically conductive traces. A semiconductor substrate, including an optical sensor and a plurality of contact terminals on a face thereof, is positioned on the transparent substrate in a face-to-face arrangement, with the optical sensor directly opposite the window, and with each of the contact terminals electrically coupled to a respective one of the electrically conductive terminals. The transparent substrate has larger overall dimensions than the semiconductor substrate, so that one or more edges of the transparent substrate extend beyond the corresponding edges of the semiconductor substrate. A plurality of solder balls are positioned on the face of the transparent substrate, each in electrical contact with a respective one of the electrically conductive terminals. The solder balls and the semiconductor substrate are at least partially encapsulated in an encapsulating layer formed on the face of the transparent substrate, which has been planarized to expose upper portions of the solder balls, as contact pads of the optical sensor package.
Abstract:
Ball grid array to pin grid array conversion methods are provided. An example method can include coupling a plurality of solder balls to a respective plurality of pin grid array contact pads. Each of the plurality of solder balls is encapsulated in a fixed material. A portion of the plurality of solder balls and a portion of the fixed material is removed to provide a plurality of exposed solder balls. The exposed solder balls are softened and each of a plurality of pin members is inserted in a softened, exposed, solder ball. The plurality of pin members forms a pin grid array package.
Abstract:
An eWLB package for 3D and PoP applications includes a redistribution layer on a support wafer. A semiconductor die is coupled to the redistribution layer, and solder balls are also positioned on the redistribution layer. The die and solder balls are encapsulated in a molding compound layer, which is planarized to expose top portions of the solder balls. A second redistribution layer is formed on the planarized surface of the molding compound layer. A ball grid array can be positioned on the second redistribution layer to couple the semiconductor package to a circuit board, or additional semiconductor dies can be added, each in a respective molding compound layer. The support wafer can act as an interposer, in which case it is processed to form TSVs in electrical contact with the first redistribution layer, and a redistribution layer is formed on the opposite side of the support substrate, as well.
Abstract:
A chemical sensor is provided on a first semiconductor die. A potentiostat is provided on a second semiconductor die. An analog to digital converter and a microcontroller are provided on a third semiconductor die. The first die is configured to be connected to the second die. The second die is configured to be connected to the third die. The chemical sensor detects a chemical in the surrounding environment and outputs a signal to the analog to digital converter. The analog to digital converter converts the signal to a digital signal and outputs the digital signal to the microcontroller. The microcontroller provides a measurement of the concentration of the chemical in the surrounding environment.
Abstract:
Lens alignment apparatuses, methods and optical devices are disclosed. In accordance with various embodiments, a lens alignment apparatus may include at least one lens element positioned in a lens body. A lens alignment interface coupled to the lens element may be configured to permit the lens element to be angularly deflected relative to an axis of symmetry of the lens body. In other embodiments, a method of improving the resolution of an optical device may include translating a lens along an optical axis to maximize resolution at a first location, and determining a resolution in a second location in the imaging plane. The resolution in the second location may be improved by angularly deflecting the lens, and the position of the lens may then be fixed.
Abstract:
The thermal energy transfer techniques of the disclosed embodiments utilize passive thermal energy transfer techniques to reduce undesirable side effects of trapped thermal energy at the circuit level. The trapped thermal energy may be transferred through the circuit with thermally conductive structures or elements that may be produced as part of a standard integrated circuit process. The localized and passive removal of thermal energy achieved at the circuit level rather just at the package level is both more effective and more efficient.