摘要:
In through-mask electroetching of a metal film on top of an insulating substrate, the shape of the metal film being etched is a function of the mask opening, the spacing between the openings and the thickness of the mask. An analysis of the electric field around the mask and the metal film is used to determine conditions leading to the formation of islands of unetched metal films within the openings. The analysis is then used to design the mask pattern and eliminate these islands. The increase in the ratio of the mask thickness to the opening width for eliminating the islands also lowers the undercutting of the mask. Premature stoppage of the electroetching process arising from the isolation of the sample film from the contact is also addressed. The electrical contact to the sample is made at one end and a nozzle jet of electrolyte is slowly swept from the far end of the sample towards the electrical contact. The nozzle speed is matched with the metal removal rate and the electrical contact is exposed to the electrolyte at the end of the process.
摘要:
The present invention relates to an electropolishing tool for the removal of metal from a workpiece, said electropolishing tool comprising a container means for retaining an electrolytic solution, a cathode assembly in the shape of a pyramid the height of which is adjustable, a power supply means including a negative terminal and a positive terminal with said negative terminal being electrically connectable to said cathode assembly, a plate means for holding the workpiece and for forming an electrical connection to the workpiece, said plate means connected to the positive terminal of said power supply means, and an enclosure means placed over the workpiece leaving only the surface of the workpiece which is to be polished exposed to the electrolytic solution such that when the workpiece is secured to said plate means and said cathode assembly is connected to the negative terminal of said power supply means and is placed over the said enclosure means directly facing the workpiece enclosed therein, that portion of the workpiece exposed to the electrolytic solution undergoes electropolishing.
摘要:
An apparatus is provided for electrochemically processing an anodic material in strip form, such as the stainless steel print bands used in high speed printers. Also provided is an electrochemical process including electroetching, electropolishing, or both to obtain microfinishing of the material. Moreover, an electrolyte is provided which is a mixture of phosphoric acid, sulfuric acid, and glycerol in which the material removal rate is controlled by the addition of small amounts of sodium chloride. The electrochemical process operates at ambient temperature over a wide range of current density.
摘要:
The present invention describes a high speed, high precision electrochemical micromachining tool, chemical solution and method for the one sided through-mask micropatterning of conducting foils and films supported by insulating material. The tool of the present invention can include either a movable plate means allowing for the movement of the workpiece to and fro above the cathode assembly, or a movable cathode assembly means allowing for the movement of said cathode assembly to and fro beneath the workpiece. Said cathode assembly also consists of a nozzle assembly from which the electrolytic solution emerges as electrolytic shower and impinges upon the workpiece. Methods to resolve the problems related to the loss of electrical contact during the electrochemical micromachining process are also described.
摘要:
A chemical etchant (and a method for forming the etchant) is disclosed for removing thin films of titanium-tungsten alloy in microelectronic chip fabrication. The alloy removed is preferably 10% Ti and 90% W, which is layered onto a substrate under chromium and copper seed layers for electrodeposition of C4 solder bumps. In this application the Ti--W etchant should not attack aluminum, chromium, copper, or lead-tin solders, and should dissolve Ti--W rapidly. The invention achieves this with a mixture of 30% by weight hydrogen peroxide and water, to which is added EDTA and potassium sulfate. The hydrogen peroxide etches Ti--W rapidly at temperatures between 40.degree. C. and 60.degree. C. EDTA forms a complex with tungsten to prevent plating of the Pb--Sn solder with W, and potassium sulfate forms a protective coating on the Pb--Sn solder to protect it from chemical attack.
摘要:
A chemical etchant for the removal of titanium-tungsten containing structures from the semiconductors and a method for removing the titanium-tungsten. The etchant comprising a solution of hydrogen peroxide, a salt of EDTA, and an acid, the acid capable of preventing the deposition of tin oxide. The method of removal comprises first obtaining a wafer containing titanium-tungsten. Second, immersing the wafer having titanium-tungsten thereon for a predetermined period of time in an etchant bath comprising a solution of hydrogen peroxide, a salt of EDTA and an acid, the acid capable of preventing the deposition of tin oxide. Third, removing the treated wafer and rinsing the treated wafer and lastly, drying the wafer.
摘要:
A contactless method and apparatus for in-situ chemical etch monitoring of an etching process during etching of a workpiece with a wet chemical etchant are disclosed. The method comprises steps of providing a base member having a reference surface; releasably securing the workpiece to the base member; providing at least two sensors disposed on the base member to be proximate to but not in contact with the outer perimeter of the workpiece surface; and monitoring an electrical characteristic between said at least two sensors, wherein a prescribed change in the electrical characteristic is indicative of a prescribed condition of the etching process.
摘要:
A tool and process for electroetching metal films or layers on a substrate employs a linear electrode and a linear jet of electrolyte squirted from the electrode. The electrode is slowly scanned over the film by a drive mechanism. The current is preferably intermittent. In one embodiment a single wafer surface (substrate) is inverted and the jet is scanned underneath. In another embodiment wafers are held vertically on opposite sides of a holder and two linear electrodes, oriented horizontally and on opposite sides of the holder, are scanned vertically upward at a rate such that the metal layers are completely removed in one pass. The process is especially adapted for fabricating C4 solder balls with triple seed layers of Ti--W (titanium-tungsten alloy) on a substrate, phased Cr--Cu consisting of 50% chromium (Cr) and 50% copper (Cu), and substantially pure Cu. Solder alloys are through-mask electrodeposited on the Cu layer. The seed layers conduct the plating current. During etching the seed layers are removed between the solder bumps to isolate them. The phased Cr--Cu and Cu layers are removed by a single electroetching operation in aqueous potassium sulfate and glycerol with cell voltage set to dissolve the phased layer more quickly than the Cu, avoiding excessive solder bump undercutting in the copper layer. The cell voltage may be such that the solder bump is only slightly undercut so as to form a stepped base C4 structure upon reflowing. Ti--W is removed by a chemical process.
摘要:
A method is provided for making a flexible primary battery suitable for microelectronics applications, and more particularly, for use with self-contained self-powered portable devices (SSPD) such as RF-ID tags. The method generally employs photolithography and etching techniques to minimize the thicknesses of metal foils required in the structure of the battery, as well as packaging methods which yield a flexible and durable battery having a thickness of not more than about 0.5 millimeter, and preferably about 0.3 millimeter or less, and a relatively small size on the order of a few square centimeters in surface area.
摘要:
A nozzle is provided for use in electroetching a vertically oriented workpiece, comprising a housing having a top, sides, and bottom for creating a flow of etching solution on the workpiece, and means for shaping the flow of etching solution into a moving channel to improve etch uniformity of the workpiece.