Abstract:
An improved microelectronic spring structure, and method of making the same, are disclosed. The improvement comprises, in a spring contact of the type comprising a beam (104) attached to a post, of replacing the post with a plurality of column elements (102). The beam component (104) is thus provided with one or more column elements (102) which both structurally support and electrically connect one end of the beam to an electronic component. The column elements (102) are preferably comprised of relatively straight segments of wire elements that are ball-bonded to a substrate (114) and are over-coated with suitable structural and/or conducting materials. In the alternative, the improvement comprises a single column element comprised of a relatively straight segment of wire that is ball-bonded to a substrate and over-coated with suitable structural and conducting materials, wherein the column element is essentially rigid. The improved spring structures are especially useful for use as spring contacts on substrates such as probe cards, interposers, semiconductor devices, and other electronic components.
Abstract:
The invention provides a method for permanently physically and electrically attaching the electrically conductive contacts (220) of a first component (210) in a RFID device, such as a smart card or smart inlay, to the electrically conductive contacts (214) of a second component (212)of the device. Attachment is made between the first and second components of the device by co-depositing metal and electrically conductive hard particles (218) upon the conductive contacts of either the first (210) or second (212) components and using a non-conductive adhesive (224) to provide permanent bond between the components (210) (212) and their conductive contacts (220) (214). Components (210) (212) of an RFID device may include, for example, a memory chip, a microprocessor chip, a transceiver, or other discrete or integrated circuit device, a chip carrier, a chip module, and a conductive area, e.g., an antenna.
Abstract:
Several embodiments of stress metal springs are disclosed, which typically comprise a plurality of stress metal layers that are established on a substrate, which are then controllably patterned and partially released from the substrate. An effective rotation angle is typically created in the formed stress metal springs, defining a looped spring structure. The formed springs provide high pitch compliant electrical contacts for a wide variety of interconnection systems, including chip scale semiconductor packages, high density interposer connectors, and probe contactors. Several embodiments of massively parallel interface integrated circuit test assemblies are also disclosed, comprising one or more substrates having stress metal spring contacts, to establish connections between one or more separated integrated circuits on a compliant wafer carrier.
Abstract:
The present invention relates to a method for connecting an integrated circuit chip to a circuit substrate. The method includes the step of pre-applying adhesive directly to a bumped side of an integrated circuit chip. The method also includes the steps of removing portions of the adhesive from the tips of the solder bumps to expose a contact surface, and pressing the bumped side of the integrated circuit chip, which has previously been coated with adhesive, against the circuit substrate such that the bumps provide an electrical connection between the integrated circuit chip and the circuit substrate. The adhesive is removed from the tips of the solder bumps using a solvent assisted wiping action. The pre-applied adhesive on the chip forms a bond between the integrated circuit chip and the circuit substrate.
Abstract:
The invention provides a method for permanently physically and electrically attaching the electrically conductive contacts (220) of a first component (210) in a RFID device, such as a smart card or smart inlay, to the electrically conductive contacts (214) of a second component (212)of the device. Attachment is made between the first and second components of the device by co-depositing metal and electrically conductive hard particles (218) upon the conductive contacts of either the first (210) or second (212) components and using a non-conductive adhesive (224) to provide permanent bond between the components (210) (212) and their conductive contacts (220) (214). Components (210) (212) of an RFID device may include, for example, a memory chip, a microprocessor chip, a transceiver, or other discrete or integrated circuit device, a chip carrier, a chip module, and a conductive area, e.g., an antenna.
Abstract:
The invention relates to an electronic device which has electrical contacts (1) at least on a first surface (2), for contacting the electronic device. At least one flexible projection (3) consisting of an insulating material is provided on the first surface (2). Said flexible projection (3) has at least one recess (5, 6) and the surface (10, 11) of the flexible projection (3) is at least partially covered with an electroconductive material (8) in order to form an electrical contact (1).
Abstract:
A unique integrated circuit device and method for using same is disclosed. The integrated circuit includes a plurality of bonding pads (12a-12L). Coupled to each bonding pads is a ferromagnetic material and an external connector, such as a solder bump. The ferromagnetic material (22) is isolated to an area associated with each bonding pad. When the ferromagnetic material (22) is magnetized, it is capable of aligning the solder bump (30) to a connection point of another device, as long as the connection point is magnetically attracted. The other device may be a second integrated circuit device or a circuit device or a circuit board. As a result, the bonding pad aligns with and connects to the connection point.
Abstract:
An improved solder bump composition and method advantageously employs a thin low-alpha layer (310) of lead (Pb) deposited in close proximity to alpha particle sensitive devices, while ordinary (i.e., low cost) Pb is used for the bulk (302) of the solder bump (320). This approach allows for reduced overall cost while still providing protection from alpha-particle induced soft errors. The low-alpha layer reduces the flux of alpha particle into devices in two ways. First, the low-alpha layer is itself essentially Pb free and therefore alpha particle emissions from the low-alpha layer are negligable. Second, the low alpha layer is substantially opaque to alpha particles emitted by the ordinary Pb which include Pb . As a result, sensitive circuits on a semiconductor chip employing the improved solder bump are shielded from alpha particle emissions of the low-cost Pb -containing portion of a solder bump.
Abstract:
The invention relates to a semiconductor component in a chip format, comprising a chip with at least one first insulating layer (3) and electric contact surfaces (2) devoid of said insulating layer. Conductors (5) run from the electric contact surfaces (2) to the foot areas (10) of external connection elements (12) along the insulating layer (3). Another insulating layer (8) is also provided with through openings (9) leading from the outside to the foot areas (10) of the external connection elements (12). A conductive adhesive (11) is placed in said openings (9) and metallic globules (12) are placed at least on the outside thereon. The semiconductor element can also contain a solder paste instead of the conductive adhesive in the through openings (9), whereby the metallized synthetic globules are placed thereon. The invention also relates to a method for producing the semiconductor element thus described.
Abstract:
A semiconductor device whose external electrodes do not crack, a method for manufacturing the same, circuit substrate, and an electronic device are disclosed. The semiconductor device comprises an insulating film (14) through which through holes (14a) are made, a semiconductor chip (12) having electrodes (13), a wiring pattern (18) attached to an area of one of the sides of the insulating film (14), including the portions over the through holes (14a), with adhesive (17) and electrically connected to the electrodes (13), and external electrodes (16) provided to the wiring pattern (18) through the through holes (14a) and projecting from the side opposite to the side where the wiring pattern (18) is provided, the applied adhesive (17) being partly drawn and interposed between the through holes (14a) and the external electrodes (16).