Patent Grant
7291910
The present invention relates to the art of electronic packaging, and more specifically to assemblies incorporating semiconductor chips and to methods and components useful in making such assemblies.
Modern electronic devices utilize semiconductor chips, commonly referred to as “integrated circuits” which incorporate numerous electronic elements. These chips are mounted on substrates which physically support the chips and electrically interconnect each chip with other elements of the circuit. The substrate may be a part of a discrete chip package used to hold a single chip and equipped with terminals for interconnection to external circuit elements. Such substrates may be secured to an external circuit board or chassis. Alternatively, in a so-called “hybrid circuit” one or more chips are mounted directly to a substrate forming a circuit panel arranged to interconnect the chips and the other circuit elements mounted to the substrate. In either case, the chip must be securely held on the substrate and must be provided with reliable electrical interconnection to the substrate. The interconnection between the chip itself and its supporting substrate is commonly referred to as “first level” assembly or chip interconnection, as distinguished from the interconnection between the substrate and the larger elements of the circuit, commonly referred to as a “second level” interconnection.
The structures utilized to provide the first level connection between the chip and the substrate must accommodate all of the required electrical interconnections to the chip. The number of connections to external circuit elements, commonly referred to as “input-output” or “I/O” connections, is determined by the structure and function of the chip. Advanced chips capable of performing numerous functions may require substantial numbers of I/O connections.
The size of the chip and substrate assembly is a major concern. The size of each such assembly influences the size of the overall electronic device. More compact assemblies, with smaller distances between chips provide smaller signal transmission delays and hence permit faster operation of the devise.
First level interconnection structures connecting a chip to a substrate ordinarily are subject to substantial strain caused by thermal cycling as temperatures within the device change during operation. The electrical power dissipated within the chip tends to heat the chip and substrate, so that the temperatures of the chip and substrate rise each time the device is turned on and fall each time the device is turned off. As the chip and the substrate ordinarily are formed from different materials having different coefficients of thermal expansion, the chip and substrate ordinarily expand and contract by different amounts. This causes the electrical contacts on the chip to move relative to the electrical contact pads on the substrate as the temperature of the chip and substrate changes. This relative movement deforms the electrical interconnections between the chip and substrate and places them under mechanical stress. These stresses are applied repeatedly with repeated operation of the device, and can cause breakage of the electrical interconnections. Thermal cycling stresses may occur even where the chip and substrate are formed from like materials having similar coefficients of thermal expansion, because the temperature of the chip may increase more rapidly than the temperature of the substrate when power is first applied to the chip.
The cost of the chip and substrate assembly is also a major concern. All these concerns, taken together, present a formidable engineering challenge. Various attempts have been made heretofore to provide primary interconnection structures and methods to meet these concerns, but none of these is truly satisfactory in every respect. At present, the most widely utilized primary interconnection methods are wire bonding, tape automated bonding or “TAB” and flip-chip bonding.
In wire bonding, the substrate has a top surface with a plurality of electrically conductive contact pads or lands disposed in a ring-like pattern, The chip is secured to the top surface of the substrate at the center of the ring-like pattern, so that the chip is surrounded by the contact pads on the substrate. The chip is mounted in a face-up disposition, with the back surface of the chip confronting the top surface of the substrate and with the front surface of the chip facing upwardly, away from the substrate, so that electrical contacts on the front surface are exposed. Fine wires are connected between the contacts on the front face of the chip and the contact pads on the top surface of the substrate. These wires extend outwardly from the chip to the surrounding contact pads on the substrate. In the wire bonded assemblies, the area of the substrate occupied by the chip, the wires and the contact pads of the substrate is substantially greater than the surface area of the chip itself.
In tape automated bonding, a polymer tape is provided with thin layers of metallic material forming conductors on a first surface of the tape. These conductors are arranged generally in a ring-like pattern and extend generally radially, towards and away from the center of the ring-like pattern. The chip is placed on the tape in a face down arrangement, with contacts on the front surface of the chip confronting the conductors on the first surface of the tape. The contacts on the chip are bonded to the conductors on the tape. Ordinarily, numerous patterns of conductors are arranged along the length of the tape and one chip is bonded to each of these individual patterns, so that the chips, once bonded to the tape, can be advanced through successive work stations by advancing the tape. After each chip is bonded to the metallic conductors constituting one pattern, the chip and the immediately adjacent portions of the pattern are encapsulated and the outermost portions of the metallic conductors are secured to additional leads and to the ultimate substrate. Tape automated bonding can provide the assembly with good resistance to thermal stresses, because the thin metallic leads on the tape surface are quite flexible, and will bend readily upon expansion of the chip without imposing significant stresses at the juncture between the lead and the contact on the chip. However, because the leads utilized in tape automated bonding extend outwardly in a radial, “fan out” pattern from the chip, the assembly is much larger than the chip itself.
In flip-chip bonding, contacts on the front surface of the chip are provided with bumps of solder. The substrate has contact pads arranged in an array corresponding to the array of contacts on the chip. The chip, with the solder bumps, is inverted so that its front surface faces toward the top surface of the substrate, with each contact and solder bump on the chip being positioned on the appropriate contact pad of the substrate. The assembly is then heated so as to liquify the solder and bond each contact on the chip to the confronting contact pad of the substrate. Because the flip-chip arrangement does not require leads arranged in a fan-out pattern, it provides a compact assembly. The area of the substrate occupied by the contact pads is approximately the same size as the chip itself. Moreover, the flip-chip bonding approach is not limited to contacts on the periphery of the chip. Rather, the contacts on the chip may be arranged in a so-called “area array” covering substantially the entire front face of the chip. Flip-chip bonding therefore is well suited to use with chips having large numbers of I/O contacts. However, assemblies made by flip-chip bonding are quite susceptible to thermal stresses. The solder interconnections are relatively inflexible, and may be subjected to very high stress upon differential expansion of the chip and substrate. These difficulties are particularly pronounced with relatively large chips. Moreover, it is difficult to test and operate or “burn-in” chips having an area array of contacts before attaching the chip to the substrate. Additionally, flip-chip bonding ordinarily requires that the contacts on the chip be arranged in an area array to provide adequate spacing for the solder bumps. Flip-chip bonding normally cannot be applied to chips originally designed for wire bonding or tape automated bonding, and having rows of closely spaced contacts on the periphery of the chip.
One aspect of the present invention provides a semiconductor chip assembly. An assembly according to this aspect of the invention typically includes a semiconductor chip having a plurality of surfaces and having contacts on at least one of said surfaces. The assembly further includes a sheetlike, preferably flexible, element having terminals thereon, the terminals being electrically connected to the contacts on the chip. Assemblies according to this aspect of the invention are characterized in that the sheetlike element and at least some of said terminals overly one surface of said chip, said terminals are movable with respect to said chip and in that resilient means for permitting displacement of the terminals toward the chip, but resisting such displacement are provided. Most preferably, a compliant layer is disposed between said terminals and said chip so that said compliant layer will be compressed upon movement of said terminals toward said chip.
The complaint layer may be incorporated in the sheetlike element, or formed separately therefrom. The contacts typically are disposed on the front or top surface of the chip. The sheetlike element and terminals may overlie said front surface of the chip. Alternatively, the sheetlike element and said terminals may overlie the rear, or bottom surface of said chip. The terminals on the sheetlike element can be connected to contact pads on a substrate, as by solder bonding. Because the terminals, and hence the contact pads on the substrate overlie the chip front or back surface, the assembly is compact. The ability of the terminals to move with respect to the chip in directions parallel to the chip surfaces provides compensation for differential thermal expansion of the chip and substrate.
The ability to accumulate movement of the terminals towards the face of the chip greatly facilitates temporary engagement of the terminals by test equipment and hence facilitates testing and “burn-in” of the assembly before the same is mounted to a substrate. According to a further aspect of the present invention the compliant layer includes masses of compliant material interspersed with holes. Desirably, each such mass is aligned with one of the terminals.
A further aspect of the invention provides method of making a semiconductor chip assembly including the step of assembling a flexible, sheetlike element having terminals thereon to a seminconductor chip and connecting terminals on said sheetlike element to contacts on said chip. Methods according to this aspect of the invention desirably are characterized in that the assembling step is conducted so that said terminals on said sheetlike element overlie a surface of the chip and in that a compliant layer is disposed between said chip and said terminals. Most preferably, these methods are further characterized by the step of testing the chip by establishing temporary electrical contact between a plurality of test probes and said terminals and utilizing said temporary electrical contact to actuate said chip. The compliant layer permits displacement of at least some of said central terminals toward said chip during the step of establishing temporary electrical contact. The step of establishing temporary electrical contact preferably includes the step of simultaneously establishing temporary contact between a plurality of terminals and a plurality of test probes rigidly connected to a test fixture.
Further aspects of the invention provide components for assembly to a semiconductor chip including a flexible sheetlike element having terminals thereon, characterized by a compliant layer underlying said terminals. The compliant layer preferably includes masses of a low modulus material and holes interspersed with said masses of low modulus material, said masses of said low modulus material being aligned with said terminals, said holes in said compliant layer being out of alignment with said terminals.
A chip assembly according to a further aspect of the invention includes a semiconductor chip having a front surface with a plurality of contacts disposed in a pattern on the front surface. The pattern of contacts on the front surface encompasses an area, referred to herein as the “contact pattern area” on the front surface. The chip assembly according to this aspect of the invention also includes a sheetlike dielectric element, referred to herein as “interposer”, overlying the front surface of the chip. The interposer has a first surface facing toward the chip and a second surface facing away from the chip. An area of the interposer overlies the contact pattern area of the chip. The interposer has apertures extending through it, from the first surface to the second surface. The interposer also has a plurality of electrically conductive terminals disposed in a pattern on the second surface of the interposer. At least some of these terminals, and preferably most or all of these terminals, are disposed within the area of the interposer overlying the contact pattern area on the chip. Each such terminal is associated with one contact on the chip.
The assembly also includes flexible, electrically conductive leads. The leads preferably extend through the apertures in the interposer. Each such lead has a contact end connected to the associated contact of the chip and a terminal end connected to the associated terminal on the second surface of the interposer. The leads and the interposer are constructed and arranged so that the contact ends of the leads are moveable relative to the terminals at least to the extent required to compensate for differential thermal expansion of components. The leads desirably are flexible to permit such movement. Most preferably, the interposer itself is flexible so as to facilitate such movement. The assembly according to this aspect of the invention optionally may include a compliant layer as discussed above.
The assembly incorporating the chip, interposer, terminals and leads may be incorporated in a larger assembly including a substrate having a top surface facing toward the second surface of the interposer.
Preferred chip assemblies according to this aspect of the present invention are compact and may be utilized with chips having large numbers of input-output connections. The terminals on the interposer, and the corresponding contact pads on the substrate, desirably are disposed in areas substantially the same size as the contact pattern area on the chip itself.
The flexible leads may be formed integrally with the terminals on the interposer, or else may be separately formed fine wires. The leads desirably are curved to provide increased flexibility. The interposer desirably is a thin, flexible sheet of a polymeric material such as polymide, a fluoropolymer, a thermoplastic polymer or an elastomer. In this arrangement, flexing of the interposer facilitates movement of the contact ends of the leads relative to the terminals and thus contributes to the ability of the assembly to withstand thermal cycling. The assembly may also include a compliant dielectric encapsulant having a low elastic modulus, such as an elastomeric encapsulant, covering the flexible leads in whole or in part. The encapsulant may be provided in the form of a layer, with holes in the encapsulant layer aligned with the terminals on the second surface of the interposer. The bonds between the terminals and the contact pads of the substrate extend through these holes. The encapsulant protects the relatively delicate leads during handling and during service, but does not prevent flexing of the leads or the absorption by the leads of relative motion of the chip and substrate during thermal expansion.
A chip assembly according to yet another aspect of the present invention incorporates a chip having a front surface including a central region and a peripheral region surrounding the central region, the chip having a plurality of peripheral contacts disposed in the peripheral region of the front surface. The assembly preferably further includes a sheet-like dielectric interposer overlying the central region of the chip front surface. The interposer has a first surface facing downwardly toward the chip and a second surface facing upwardly, away from the chip. The interposer also has edges disposed inwardly of the peripheral contacts. For example, the interposer may overly only the central portion of the chip front surface. A plurality of central terminals are disposed on the interposer and overly the central region of the chip front surface. The assembly preferably also includes a plurality of peripheral contact leads connecting at least some of the peripheral contacts on the chip with at least some of the central terminals on the interposer. Each such peripheral contact lead thus has a central terminal end overlying the interposer and connected to one of the central terminals and a contact end projecting outwardly beyond one of the edges of the interposer and connected to one of the peripheral contacts. Each peripheral contact lead extends inwardly from one of the peripheral contacts to one of the central terminals on the interposer. The peripheral contact leads and preferably the interposer as well are at least partially flexible so that the central terminals are movable with respect to peripheral contacts to accommodate movement caused by differential thermal expansion. Here again, the assembly may optionally include a compliant layer as discussed above. Desirably, the peripheral contact leads include bent portions.
The peripheral contact leads and central terminals provide a “fan-in” arrangement in which the terminals on the interposer are disposed inside the region bounded by the peripheral contacts on the chip. Typically, the peripheral contacts on the chip are disposed in one or two rows along each edge of the chip, in a generally rectangular pattern, so that the contacts on the chip are close to one another. By contrast, the terminals on the interposer may be substantially evenly disposed over the second surface of the interposer. The central terminals may be disposed in a so-called “area array”. Accordingly, the distance between adjacent terminals may be substantially greater than the distance between adjacent contacts on the chip. The distances between adjacent terminals on the interposer may be large enough to accommodate solder bonding and similar processes which require substantial distances between adjacent bonds.
Some or all of the peripheral contact leads may have outward extensions projecting outwardly beyond the peripheral contacts of the chip. The assembly may include securement means for holding these outward extensions. For example, one or more securement elements may be disposed outwardly of the peripheral contacts, and each such securement element may be physically connected to a plurality of the outward extensions on the peripheral contact leads. Each such securement element may be a generally planar strip of dielectric material having an inboard edge extending generally parallel to one of the edges of the interposer so that each pair of parallel edges define an elongated slot between each such securement element and the interposer, and each peripheral contact lead may extend across one of these slots. In this arrangement, the peripheral contacts of the chip may be disposed in alignment with the slots between the securement elements and the interposer. The securement element may be physically connected to the interposer, as by bridge elements extending between the securement elements and the interposer at spaced-apart locations around the periphery of the chip front surface. The securement elements, bridge elements and interposer may be formed integrally with one another as a single, sheet-like unit. The securement elements provide physical reenforcement to the peripheral contact leads during the manufacturing operations and in service. Additional terminals, referred to herein as “outside” terminals, may be disposed on the securement elements, and may be connected to some of the peripheral contacts on the chip by outside terminal leads extending across the slots, the inboard ends of the outside terminal leads being secured to the interposer so that the slot and interposer cooperatively provide reinforcement to the outside terminal leads as well.
These assemblies may be made by methods which include the step of assembling a sheet-like dielectric interposer to the chip so that the interposer overlies the central region of the chip front surface, the outboard edges of the interposer being disposed inwardly of the peripheral contacts on the chip. When the dielectric interposer is disposed on the chip, a first surface of the interposer faces downwardly toward the chip and a second surface of the interposer faces upwardly away from the chip, and a plurality of central terminals on the interposer overly the central region of the chip front surface. The method further includes the step of connecting a plurality of peripheral contact leads between at least some of the peripheral contacts of the chip and at least some of the central terminals on the interposer, so that each such peripheral contact lead extends inwardly from one of the peripheral contacts on the chip to one of the central terminals on the interposer. The method may further include the step of assembling a substrate having a plurality of contact pads to be assembled interposer and chip and connecting each of the central terminals on the interposer to one of the contact pads on the substrate.
The interposer may have prefabricated leads mounted thereon and connected to the central terminals before the interposer is assembled to the chip. In this case, the prefabricated contact leads are positioned on the chip when the interposer is assembled to the chip. Such prefabricated contact leads may be electrically connected to the contacts of the chip by thermocompression bonding or similar processes. Alternatively, the peripheral contact leads may be formed after the interposer is applied to the chip, as in a wire-bonding step in which a fine wire is dispensed and formed into a lead connecting the contact and terminal. Preferably, securement elements are provided as discussed above with reference to the chip assembly, and the securement elements are connected to the interposer before the interposer is placed on the chip. In this case, the securement elements may support the prefabricated leads during the step of placing the interposer on the chip.
A semiconductor chip assembly in accordance with yet another aspect of the invention includes a semiconductor chip having oppositely facing front and rear surfaces with edges extending between these surfaces, the chip having contacts on the front surface. The assembly further includes a generally sheet-like element referred to herein as “backing element” underlying the chip, the backing element having a top surface facing toward the chip and a bottom surface facing away from the chip. A central region of the backing element is aligned with the chip. The backing element is provided with terminals. At least some, and preferably all of the terminals on the backing element are disposed in the central region, so that the terminals underlie the bottom surface of the chip. The assembly in accordance with this aspect of the present invention further includes electrically conductive leads interconnecting the contacts on the chip front surface with the terminals on the backing element, these leads extending alongside the edges of the chip. Preferably, the backing element and the leads are flexible so that the terminals on the backing element are moveable with respect to the chip. Thus, the terminals desirably are moveable with respect to the contacts on the front surface of the chip in directions parallel to the plane of the chip top and bottom surfaces. The backing element and leads provide for connection to the chip at the back surface, so that the chip can be mounted in face-up disposition on a substrate. However, because the terminals on the backing element are disposed in the central region and aligned with the chip itself, the connections to the substrate can be made in the area beneath the chip. Therefore, the assembly need not be substantially larger than the chip itself.
The ability to accommodate relative movement between the chip and the terminals on the backing element allows the assembly to accommodate differential thermal expansion between the chip and substrate. Desirably, the terminals on the backing elements are also moveable relative to the chip in directions towards the bottom surface of the chip as discussed above, and the assembly may include resilient means for permitting movement of the terminals towards the bottom surface but resisting such movement. For example, the assembly may incorporate a layer of a compliant material disposed between the chip rear surface and the terminals.
Most desirably, the assembly includes at least one generally sheet-like flap connected to the backing element. Each such flap extends upwardly, towards the front surface of the chip and away from the backing element alongside one edge of the chip. Each of the aforementioned leads desirably includes a flap portion extending along one of these flaps. The flaps may be formed integrally with the backing element. Desirably, both of the flaps and the backing element include electrically conductive layers and a dielectric layer disposed between the electrically conductive layers and the leads so as to provide a controlled impedance in the leads. Assemblies of this type are especially well suited to use with chips having contacts arranged in rows adjacent the periphery of the chip front surface peripherate. Desirably, each flap extends to the vicinity of at least one row of contacts. The flap portions of the leads on each such flap are connected to the adjacent row of contacts. Such connection may be made for instance by wire bonding or by direct connections between the flap portions of the leads and the contacts on the chip. Even where wire bonding is employed, however, the wires extending between the chip contacts and the flap portions of the leads are short. Such short wire bonds can be readily applied and have relatively low inductance.
Most preferably, the chip assembly includes one or more support elements disposed between the flaps and the edges of the chip. The support elements may cooperatively constitute a ring or box surrounding the chip. The box may also incorporate a floor element disposed beneath the rear surface of the chip, between the rear surface and the backing element. Where the assembly includes a floor element underlying the chip rear surface, the compliant layer may be disposed between the floor element and the terminals, as, for example, between the floor element and the backing element. These arrangements provide for mechanical support of the flaps and protection of the interconnections. Further protection may be afforded by encapsulating the assembly.
Further aspects of the invention provide components incorporating subassemblies of the backing element, leads and support element. Preferably, these components include support elements defining a box, and include flaps integral with the backing element extending upwardly along the sides of the box. The conductors extending along the flaps are prepositioned adjacent the top edges of the box walls. In manufacture of the assembly, the chip may be placed within the box and the conductors may be joined to the chip terminals.
Assemblies as discussed above may be incorporated in a larger assembly with a substrate having contact pads, the contact pads of the substrate being aligned with the terminals on the backing element and connected thereto. Such connection may be made for example by masses of electrically conductive bonding material disposed between the terminals and the contact pads of the substrate.
A further aspect of the present invention provides a circuit assembly including a plurality of chip assemblies, each including an interposer and a backing element as discussed above. According to this aspect of the invention, the chip assemblies may be arranged in a stack, one on top of the other, such that each chip assembly other than the bottom-most chip assembly overlies another, immediately subjacent chip assembly. The bottom surface of the backing element in each such overlying chip assembly faces the second surface of the interposer of the immediate subjacent chip assembly. Most preferably, at least some of the inside terminals on the backing element of each such overlying chip assembly are connected to the central terminals on the interposer of the immediately subjacent chip assembly, so that the chips of the various chip assemblies are electrically connected to one another.
Further aspects, features and advantages of the present invention will be more readily apparent from the detailed description of the preferred embodiments set forth below, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
Each of
Each of
Each of
Each chip assembly in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention includes a rigid substrate 20 having a top surface 22 and having contact pads 24 disposed on the top surface. Substrate 20 is also provided with conductors 26 interconnecting certain ones of the contact pads 24. The contact pads 24 are arranged in a pattern on the top surface of the substrate generally corresponding to the pattern of connections to devices, such as semiconductor chips 28 and 30 and discrete components 32 mounted on the substrate. Substrate 20 also has external connections such as pins 34. The conductors 26 are arranged to interconnect the various contact pads 24 in the desired patterns so as to interconnect chips 28 and 30 when the same are mounted to the substrate and also to connect these chips to the discrete components 32 and to the external connectors 34 in the appropriate manner for functioning of the particular circuit. Although only a few contact pads 24, conductors 26 and external connections 34 are illustrated in
Chip 28 has a generally planar rear face 36 and a generally planar front face 38 with electrical contacts 40 (
Interposer 42 has apertures 54 extending through it, from its first surface 44 to its second face of 46. Each aperture is aligned with one contact 40 on chip 28. Each terminal 48 is disposed adjacent one of the apertures 54. The lead 50 associated with each terminal has a contact end 56 disposed within the associated aperture 54 and connected to the associated contact 40 on the chip. Each lead 50 also has a terminal end 58 connected to the associated terminal 48. In the structure of
The contact end 56 of each lead 50 is moveable relative to the associated terminal 48. As best seen in
As best seen in
The interposer and leads utilized in the structure of
A further method of making a component incorporating the interposer, terminals and leads is shown in
In the next stage of the process, depicted in
In the next stage of the process, illustrated in
This process can be modified. For example, the adhesive layer 302 may be omitted where the conductive layer forms a satisfactory bond to the material of the interposer. Also, the pattern first resist 310 need not be provided by a subtractive process as discussed above but instead may be provided by an additive process, wherein the resist is applied only in the areas to form the pattern, as by silkscreening. Formation of the leads 50 and terminal 48 by this type of etching process is particularly useful in forming fine leads in good registration with apertures 54. Also, as the apertures 54 are pre-formed, there is no possibility of damaging the leads during formation of the apertures.
The assembly of the interposer and terminals and contacts is fabricated in a substantially continuous sheet or strip. As illustrated in
In an assembly method according to the invention, tape 70 is advanced in a downstream direction (to the right as seen in
As best seen in
After the contacts and leads have been bonded to one another, the interposer and the chip are advanced to a further station, where the encapsulant 60 is applied within each aperture 54. The encapsulant 60 may be applied dropwise, by conventional drop application equipment. As best seen in
After the testing operation, the chip and interposer are united with the substrate. The chip and interposer assembly is oriented so that the second face of the interposer, and the terminals 48, face the top surface of the substrate, and each terminal 48 confronts one contact pad 24 on substrate. Masses of solder are applied between the confronting terminals 48 and contact pads 24 and melted in a “solder reflow” operation so that the solder forms a solid joint between the contact pad and terminal, and so that the solder masses support the chip and interposer assembly above the substrate 20, in the orientation illustrated in FIG. 2. The solder application and reflow operation may be performed in substantially the same way as the solder application and reflow operation of conventional flip-chip bonding. Thus, the masses of solder may initially be applied to the contact pads 24 of the substrate, before the chip and interposer assembly is united with the substrate. Alternatively, the solder may be applied to the terminals 48 and bonded to the contact pads 24 in the reflow operation. A flux typically is employed in the solder reflow operation. Because the solder masses support the chip and interposer surface assembly above the substrate, there is a gap 80 between the interposer and the substrate. Flux residues may be rinsed out of the assembly by passing a rinsing fluid through this gap.
In an assembly method according to a further embodiment of the invention, the interposer 42 is not provided with leads before the interposer is united with the chip 28. Instead, leads 50′ are applied by bonding separately formed pieces of fine wire to the terminals 48 and to the contacts 40 after the interposer is assembled with the chip. Leads 50′ are flexible and curved, and arranged to deform as discussed above so that each contact 40, and the associated contact end of the lead 50′ can move relative to the associated terminal 48 so as to accommodate thermal expansion. In the embodiment illustrated in
The subassembly illustrated in
A chip may have contacts disposed in a peripheral arrangement, i.e., where all of the contacts are disposed adjacent the periphery of the chip and hence adjacent the periphery of the contact pattern area. The central zone of the contact pattern area, adjacent the geometric center of the contact array, may be devoid of contacts. With such a chip, the terminals on the interposer may be arranged in a “fan in” pattern, i.e., where the mean distance from the geometric center of the contact array to the terminals on the interposer is less than the mean distance from this geometric center to the contacts on the chip. Some of the terminals are disposed on the area of the interposer overlying the central, contact-free zone of the contact pattern area. This arrangement can provide a substantially uniform distribution of terminals over an area equal to the contact pattern area. This provides a spacing between adjacent terminals larger than the spacing between adjacent contacts. Such an arrangement allows connection of chips with peripheral contact arrays to area arrays of contact pads on the substrate. Thus chips originally intended for conventional bonding processes such as tape automated bonding can be adapted readily and economically to substrates having compact contact pad arrays similar to those used in flip-chip bonding.
As illustrated in
Alternatively, as illustrated in
Interposers also may be provided in the form of a sheet 960 incorporating plural interposers such as interposer 962 and 964 at predetermined relative positions corresponding to the positions of chips on a completed assembly including a substrate. Chips 966 and 968 may be secured to the individual interposers and the entire assembly of plural chips and the sheet of plural interposers may be secured to a substrate 970. Each interposer in such an assembly desirably incorporates a pattern of terminals and leads as discussed above. This variant of the assembly procedures provides for consolidation of plural chips into a larger subassembly before bonding to the substrate.
A semiconductor chip 820 used in a further embodiment of the invention has a generally planar front face 822 (the face visible in
In an assembly method according to one embodiment of the invention, a sheet-like dielectric interposer 836 is assembled to chip 820. Interposer 836 includes a flexible top layer 838 (
Interposer 836 has edges 846 bounding surfaces 842 and 844 and extending therebetween. The interposer also has a plurality of central terminals 848 distributed over the second or top surface 844. Terminals 848 are disposed at substantially even spaces on surface 844 so that terminals 848 constitute a “area array”. The dimensions of interposer 836 in the plane of top surface 844 are smaller than the corresponding dimensions of chip 820 in the plane of front surface 822. The number of central terminals 848 may be approximately equal to the number of peripheral contacts 830 on the semiconductor chip Nonetheless, the center-to-center linear distance between adjacent ones of central terminals 848 is substantially greater than the center-to-center distance between adjacent peripheral contacts 830 on the chip, because the central contacts 848 are substantially evenly distributed rather than concentrated in only a few rows. Each central terminal 848 is aligned with one of the masses 843 of low-modulus material in compliant layer 840, whereas the holes 841 in the complaint layer are out of alignment with the central terminals 848. In a variation of this embodiment, the holes may be aligned with terminals 848. In a further variation, the holes may be continuous with one another whereas the masses of low-modulus material may be separate posts or pillars entirely surrounded by such continuous holes.
As best seen in
In the assembly method according to this embodiment of the invention, the interposer 836 with the preformed terminals 848, partial leads 50 and bonding terminals 852 thereon is positioned on chip 820 so that the first surface 842 of the interposer faces the front surface 822 of the chip, and so that the edges 846 of the interposer are disposed inwardly of the rows 832 of peripheral contacts 830 on the chip. Bonding terminals 852 are electrically connected to contacts 830 on the chip by a conventional wire bonding operation. The arrangement of the bonding terminals 852 in rows parallel to and adjacent to the rows of peripheral contacts 830 on the chip substantially facilitates the wire bonding process. The fine, flexible bonding wires 856 applied in the wire bonding operation merge with the bonding terminals 852 and partial leads 50 on the interposer to form composite leads extending from the peripheral contacts of the chip to the central terminals on the interposer. As best appreciated with reference to
In the next stage of the process, a low elastic modulus dielectric encapsulant or solder masking material such as a silicone rubber or other castable elastomer 858 (
Either before or after the encapsulant 858 is applied, the chip and all of the connections made within the assembly can be tested by making temporary electrical connections to the central terminals 848. Because the central terminals 848 are at substantial center-to-center distances, they may be readily contacted with probes such as the plural probe set 862 schematically illustrated in FIG. 14. Moreover, because the bottom layer 840 of the interposer is compliant, each central terminal 848 is displaceable towards and away from the front surface 822 of the chip 820. Thus, the bottom layer can be compressed by the tips 864 of the probe set 862. This greatly facilitates making good electrical contact between a plurality of probes and a plurality of central terminals at once, and hence greatly facilitates electrical testing of the chip and the other components of the assembly. The configuration of compliant layer 840 contributes to this action. Each mass 843 of low-modulus material provides backing and support for the aligned terminal 848. As the tips 864 of the test probe set 862 engage the terminals, each mass 843 is compressed in the vertical direction and therefore tends to bulge in horizontal directions, parallel to the plane of the chip. Holes 841 provide space for such bulging. Each terminal 848 can move downwardly toward the chip substantially independently of the other terminals. Compliant layer 840 need only provide for sufficient downward movement of terminals 848 to accommodate tolerances in the components and test equipment by accomodating differences in vertical position between adjacent terminals and/or test probes. Typically, about 0.125 mm or less compliance is sufficient. For example, complaint layer 840 may be about 0.2 mm thick.
Although test probe set 862 is schematically illustrated as including only a few tips 864, the test probe set in fact may include a full complement of tips 864, equal in number to the number of terminals 848, so that all of terminals 848 can be engaged simultaneously. The tips of probe set 862 may be rigidly mounted to a common support 865. Therefore, the test probe set may be rugged, reliable and durable. The particular shape of tips 864 is not critical. However, tips 864 may desirably be formed as small metallic spheres solder-bonded to support 865. Support 865 in turn may be a ceramic body with appropriate internal leads, similar to a conventional semiconductor substrate. Because the test probe set may make simultaneous connections with all terminals in the subassembly, and because the test probe set may have dimensions and configuration similar to a real substrate, the temporary electrical connection made using the test probe can provide a realistic test of the chip and interposer subassembly. In particular, the test probe set need not involve long leads which may introduce unwanted inductance and/or capitance. Accordingly, the test probe set can be employed to test and operate the chip at full speed. Because the test probe set may be a simple, economical device, many such probe sets can be provided in a manufacturing plant, so that each chip can be tested for a prolonged period.
In the next stage of the assembly operation after testing, the chip and interposer subassembly is juxtaposed with a substrate having electrical contact pads thereon. The assembly is placed on the substrate so that the central terminals 848 face toward the electrical contact pads on the substrate, and so that each central terminal 848 is aligned with one contact pad. Masses of an electrically conductive bonding material such as a solder or an electrically conducted adhesive may be disposed between the central terminals and the contact pads of the substrate. These masses may then be caused to flow and to bond with the central terminals 848 and the contact pads thereby forming mechanical and electrical connections between the central terminals and the contact pads. This stage of the process may utilize essentially the same techniques as are employed in surface mount technology for assembly of components on printed circuit boards. Because the central terminals 848 are disposed at substantial center-to-center distances, the standard surface mount techniques can be used without difficulty. For example, a high I/O count can be achieved with 10-25 mil (250-625 micrometer) center-to-center distances. In an alternate embodiment, each contact pad on the substrate may be a microminiature separable connector such as a socket, and a mating separable connector may be provided on each terminal. For example, each terminal 848 may incorporate a miniature pin adapted to engage such a socket. In this case, the pins would serve as the means for connecting terminals 848 to the contact pads of the substrate. The encapsulent or solder mask layer can be provided with metal rings surrounding each hole 860 and hence surrounding each terminal 848. Each such ring defines a preselected area which can be wetted by solder and thus confines the solder of each joint to a preselected area. Also, small studs, balls, or pins may be positioned in the holes of the solder mask layer in electrical contact with the terminals 848, and these studs may be soldered to a substrate.
Inasmuch as each peripheral contact 830 on the chip is connected to one of the central terminals 848 on the interposer, and each such central terminal is connected to one of the contact pads on the substrate, each peripheral contact 830 is connected to one of the contact pads of the substrate. The substrate contact pad of course may be connected to other elements of an electrical circuit through conventional connections (not shown) incorporated in the substrate. For example, substrate may be a circuit board, circuit panel or hybrid circuit substrate incorporating various electronic elements in addition to chip 820.
The interconnections between the chip and the substrate (between peripheral contacts 830 and contact pads) are accommodated within the area of the chip itself, i.e., within the area on the substrate occupied by chip 820. Thus, no space on the surface of the substrate is wasted by a conventional “fan-out” pattern of interconnections. Moreover, the assembly is substantially resistant to thermal cycling. Each of the composite leads connecting one of the chip peripheral contacts and one of the central terminals 848 on the interposer is flexible. Thus, the partial leads so (
The assembly shown in
The terminals 848′ and leads 850′ used in this structure can be fabricated by photolithigraphic techniques. For example, the interposer may initially be fabricated with a solid sheet of copper or other metal covering the second surface 844′ and extending beyond edges 846′. These portions of the metal sheet extending beyond the edges of the interposer may be embossed to impact a downward curvature. The surface of the metallic layer facing upwardly away from the interposer (facing toward the top of the drawing in
An alternate, generally similar arrangement, includes an interposer incorporates a flexible top layer similar to the top layer 838 of the interposer discussed above with reference to
The assembly illustrated in
Bridge elements 8363 are disposed at the corners of the interposer. The chip 8320 used in this assembly includes four rows 8332 of peripheral contacts 8330, the rows forming a generally rectangular pattern. However, the rows of peripheral contacts stop short of the corners of this rectangular pattern, so that the corner regions of the pattern are substantially devoid of contacts 8330. Bridge elements 8363 overlie these corner regions, and hence do not cover any of the contacts 8330.
Each securement element 8361 includes a top layer 8301 (FIG. 16). Each securement element has an inboard edge 8365 extending generally parallel to an edge 8346 of interposer so that these parallel edges define an elongated slot 8367 between the securement element and the interposer. Slots 8367 are aligned with the rows 8332 of chip peripheral contacts 8330. The peripheral contact leads 8350 extend across slots 8367, the outward extensions 8354 of these leads being attached to the securement elements 8361, so that each peripheral contact lead 8350 is supported both by the interposer and by the securement element.
Each securement element 8361 has a single row of outside terminals 8372 extending generally parallel to the adjacent slot 8367. Outside terminals 8372 are disposed on the first or chip-facing surface 8369 of the top layer 8301 of each securement element 8361. Outside terminal leads 8374 (
Holes 8360 are provided in the interposer and in each securement element top layer in alignment with the central terminals 8348 and outside terminals 8372 so that the central terminals and outside terminals are accessible from the second surfaces of the interposer and securement elements, i.e., from the surface facing away from the chip.
Interposer 8336 includes a compliant bottom layer 8340, and each securement element 8361 may include a compliant bottom layer 8303 (FIG. 16). All of these compliant layers may be similar to the compliant layers discussed above, and may include holes (not shown) to increase their compliance. The compliant layers of the interposer and securement elements may be formed and assembled separately from these components, or may be incorporated in tape 8381.
The leads and terminals may be formed in place on the interposer and on the securement elements by an etching process similar to those described above. A copper or other metallic sheet may be laminated to the dielectric sheet which will ultimately form the interposer top layer 8338 and the securement element top layers 8301, and then covered with a photoresist pattern and etched to form the various terminals and leads. Holes 8360 and slots 8367 may be formed after the terminals and leads, by selectively applying radiant energy such as laser radiation to the sheet to selectively remove portions of the sheet. Alternatively, the slots and holes may be formed before the leads and terminals, as by etching or mechanically punching the dielectric sheet. The leads and terminals may then be formed by applying and selectively etching a metallic layer. In this case, the holes and slots in the dielectric sheet should be temporarily filled with a resist to prevent unwanted etching of the leads and terminals by etchant entering through the holes and slots. Peripheral contact leads 8350 and outside terminal leads 8374 are bent downwardly, toward the bottom of the interposer, within slots 8367. The downward curvature of these leads may be formed by embossing the sheet used to fabricate these leads. Thus, although each lead 8350 and 8374 extends into a slot 8367 from above the bottom layers 83083 and 340 of the securement elements and interposer, each such lead extends to the bottom of the interposer. Before the interposer is assembled to the chip, a set of support elements 8307 is juxtaposed with chip 8320 so that one such support element lies alongside each edge 8309 of the chip. As best seen in
In assembling the interposer to the chip, the interposer with the various terminals and leads thereon is positioned on the chip so that the slots, and hence the leads, are aligned with the peripheral contacts on the chip. Each securement element 8361 overlies one support element 8307, and is at least partially supported by such element. A bonding tool is then advanced into each slot 8367 and engaged with the peripheral contact leads 8350 and with the outside terminal leads 8372, so as to force each such lead into engagement with one of the peripheral contacts 8330 on the chip. Heat, pressure and ultrasonic energy may be applied through the tool to promote bonding. The arrangement of the leads within the slots greatly facilitates the bonding operation. Bonding tool 8355 may be advanced into one of the slots 8367 and moved along the length of the slot so as to bond all of the leads to all of the peripheral contacts 8330 aligned with that slot. This process may be repeated for each slot 8367. The tool may engage and bond many leads simultaneously.
After the leads have been bonded to the contacts, a low modulus dielectric encapsulant (not shown) is applied. In an alternative assembly process, the compliant layers 8340 and 8303 may be formed by the encapsulant. Thus, the encapsulant may be applied so as to penetrate between the interposer (not shown) and the chip to form compliant layer 8340 between the interposer and the chip. The encapsulant may also penetrate between securement elements 8361 and support elements 8307 to form compliant layers 8303 and penetrate into slots 8367 to cover leads 8374 and 8350. The encapsulant may be introduced under pressure in a liquid or flowable state and then cured. The interposer, chip and associated elements may be disposed in a mold during this process, and the mold may clamp the waste areas 8383 of the sheet or tape (
The assembly illustrated in
As shown in
Chip 8420 also has central contacts 8431 disposed in the central region of the chip front surface. Interposer 8436 has a hole 8480 encompassing these central contacts. Some of the bonding terminals 8452 associated with certain central terminals 8448 are disposed adjacent the edges of hole 8480. These bonding terminals are connected by wire bonds to the central contacts 8431 of the chip, so that the central contacts as well as the peripheral contacts 8430 will be connected to the substrate through the central terminals 8448 of the interposer.
Assemblies according to the invention may include additional elements for mechanical and electrical protection. Thus, a thin electrically conductive grounding layer such as a metallic layer may be incorporated in the interposer to electrically isolate the terminals from the chip, and to provide better control of impedances in leads extending along the interposer. Such a conductive layer must be separated from the terminals by a dielectric layer. The interposer itself may include multiple layers of terminals and leads separated from one another by intermediate dielectric layers. Such an arrangement allows the leads on the interposer to cross over one another without contacting one another, and allows for more leads and/or wider leads in a given area. The topmost layers of such a multilayer interposer may have holes aligned with the terminals of the lower layers, to provide access to these lower-layer terminals and permit connection to a substrate.
The components illustrated in
As illustrated in
Leads 948 are also formed on the first surface 942 of connection component 930, each such lead being formed integrally with one terminal 946 and electrically connected thereto. Leads 948 extend outwardly, away from backing element 932 on flaps 934, and project to the extremities of the flaps. Thus, each such lead 948 includes a flap portion extending along the associated flap, and a central portion extending from the inner margin of the flap to the associated terminal 946. The thickness of the various layers constituting connection component 930 is greatly exaggerated in
Component 930 may be used with a box-like element 950 shown in
In a fabrication process according to one aspect of the invention, a resilient, compliant layer 964 (
In the next stage of the assembly process, connection component 930 is juxtaposed with box element 950 so that the second surface 44 of the connection component confronts the exposed or bottom surface of compliant layer 964, and so that the backing element 932, is aligned with floor element 954 and compliant layer 964. At this stage of the process, each flap 934 of connection component 930 projects outwardly beyond walls 952 and extends across the lower extremity of one projection 958. Thus, the central region of the backing element bearing terminals 946 is aligned with compliant layer 964, the terminals facing downwardly, away from the compliant layer and floor element 954. The arrangement of masses 968 in compliant layer 964 is selected to match the arrangement of terminals 946. As best illustrated in
In the next stage of the manufacturing process, flaps 934 are bent upwardly alongside the walls or support elements 952 of box element 950. Thus, each flap 934 and the flap portions 48 of the conductors on such flap extends upwardly alongside the associated wall 952. The extremity of each flap is bent inwardly over the uppermost margin of the associated wall 952. Thus, as seen in
A layer of a preferably flexible dielectric material is applied as a solder mask layer 972 covering the downwardly facing first surface of backing element 932. Solder mask layer 972 is provided with apertures 974 aligned with terminals 946 of the backing element. This solder mask layer may be formed by molding or by selective curing of an elastomeric material. For example, the material may be applied in a flowable, uncured state and then cured by radiant energy. The radiant energy may be applied selectively so as to cure all portions of the layer except those portions overlying the terminals 946. Subsequent to this selective curing, the uncured portions may be removed. Alternatively, the solder mask may be applied as a solid layer and punctured to expose terminals 946. As discussed further hereinbelow, solder mask layer 972 and may be omitted in certain cases.
The assembly at this stage constitutes a receptacle adapted to receive a semiconductor chip. These receptacles can be prefabricated in mass production and distributed to semiconductor chip manufacturers and users. Alternatively, the receptacle can be fabricated immediately before it is united with the semiconductor chip.
The receptacle is united with a semiconductor chip 920 by first placing chip 920 (
While the chip is in this position, the contacts 928 are electrically connected to leads 948 by wire bonding the contacts to the adjacent extremities of the leads. In the wire bonding operation, fine wires 974 are connected between contacts 928 and lead portions 948, thereby electrically connecting each lead portion 948 to one contact 928 in the adjacent row of contacts. In effect, wires 974 merge with lead portions 948 to form a composite lead extending from terminal 928, around one wall element 952 and downwardly alongside the edge 926 of the chip to one terminal 946 on the backing element 932. The process of wire bonding per se is well known in the electronics art and need not be described in detail herein. Briefly, this process utilizes a movable wire dispensing and bonding head. The head is brought into engagement with one of the elements to be connected and an end of a fine wire is bonded to such element. The head is then moved while paying out the wire until it reaches the other element to be connected, whereupon the wire is bonded to such other element and cut, leaving the wire in place. Wire bonding processes typically are controlled by detecting the relative position and orientation of the components to be connected and then controlling the wiring bonding head accordingly so as to bring the wires into contact with the desired elements. This allows the desired interconnections to be made even where the relative positions of the components to be connected differ from the nominal positions. Typically, the relative positions and orientations of the components are detected by robot vision systems, such as television-based pattern recognition systems. These techniques desirably are used in the wire bonding step of the present method. Where such techniques are employed, it is not essential to provide great precision in the positioning of chip 920 or in the positioning of lead portions 948. This minimizes the need for close control of the bending operation discussed above.
After the bonding wires 974 have been attached, a pad 975 of a soft, thermally conductive material, such as silicone with a thermally conductive filler, is placed atop the front surface 922 of the chip. The pad covers the central portion of the chip front surface, remote from contacts 918 and wires 974. A layer of an encapsulant 976 is applied over the front face 922 of the chip. The encapsulant, which desirably is a soft, dielectric material covers the bonding wires 974, the contacts 928 and the extremities of the lead portions 948 disposed atop the walls 952. The encapsulant desirably also penetrates into and at least partially fills spaces between the edges 926 of the chip and the confronting walls 952 of the box element. A cover 978 is then placed over the top of the assembly. Cover 978 may be a box-like metallic element, commonly referred to as a “chip can”, or else may be molded in a place on the assembly from a polymeric material such as an epoxy. Cover 978 may be united with the periphery of the solder mass layer 972 so as to seal the assembly against subsequent contamination. Encapsulant 976 contacts the front surface 922 of the chip and also contacts cover 978, thus providing a path for heat transmission from the chip to the cover. This facilitates heat transfer from the chip to the surroundings, outside the assembly, during operation of the chip. Cover 978 also contacts layer 975, further facilitating heat transfer.
The assembly desirably is tested before being used as part of a larger assembly. The assembly desirably is tested in substantially the same way as discussed above using an electrical testing fixture having numerous pins or probes connected to an appropriate test circuit and rigidly mounted to a common fixture or support. To provide a reliable test, the numerous pins or probes on the test fixture must be held in contact with the respective terminals 946 at the same time. In this arrangement as well terminals 946 can be independently displaced towards chip 922. Such displacement permits continued movement of the test fixture and assembly towards one another, until all of the pins are engaged with their respective terminals 946. Each terminal 946 will be biased against the associated pin of the test fixture by the resilience of compliant layer. This assures reliable contact and a reliable test. As discussed above, the configuration of compliant layer 964 contributes to this action. Each mass 968 of low modulus material provides backing and support for the terminal 946 aligned therewith. As the pins of the test fixture engage the terminals, each mass 968 is compressed in the vertical direction and therefore tends to bulge in horizontal directions, parallel to the plane of the chip. Holes 966 provides space for such bulging. Compliant layer 964 need only provide for sufficient movement of terminals 946 to accommodate tolerances in the test equipment and in the assembly itself. Typically, about 0.0005 inch (0.125 mm) or less compliance is sufficient. For example, compliant layer 964 may be about 0.008 inch (0.2 mm) thick.
After testing, the assembly is mounted to a substrate 988 (
Because terminals 946 are disposed at substantial center to center distances, standard surface mount techniques can be used without difficulty. In this regard, it should be appreciated that terminals 946 are distributed over an area approximately equal to the entire area of the chip bottom surface 924. By contrast, contacts 928 of the chip itself are concentrated in rows around the periphery. Thus, the center to center distances between the terminals 946 may be substantially greater than the center to center distances between contacts 928. In typical applications, electrical connections for a chip having a substantial number of input and output terminals, commonly referred to as a “I/O count” can be achieved with 10-25 mil (250-625 micrometer) center to center distances.
The composite leads including lead portions 948 and bond wire 974 provide reliable interconnections between contacts 928 and terminals 946. Because the electrically conductive layer 936 of connecting element 930 extends upwardly, alongside the chip with lead portions 948, lead portions 948 have predictable, controlled impedance. This reliable electrical performance is also enhanced by the predictable geometric configuration of lead portions 948. Each lead portion 948 has a predetermined width and is located in a predetermined position relative to the adjacent lead portions. These relative positions and widths are fixed when the connecting element 930 is made. Although the composite leads do include bonding wires 974, these bonding wires are so short that they do not introduce appreciable unpredictable capacitance or inducence.
The assembly thus provides a compact, rugged and economical chip mounting. The entire assembly occupies little more area (in the plane of the chip) than the chip itself. As the leads and flaps extend alongside the chip, in close proximity to the edges of the chip, they do not substantially increase the area occupied by the assembly. Also, because the assembly can be pretested before mounting to the substrate, high quality can be assured. The methods and structure discussed above can be varied in numerous ways. Also, solder mask layer 972 may be applied at any stage in the process. If desired, this layer could be formed as part of connection element 930 or applied after the remaining components of the assembly, as by molding in place so that solder mass layer 932 contacts cover 978.
The configuration of box element 950 can be varied from that illustrated. The floor element 954 can be omitted entirely, or else the floor element may include only small tabs projecting inwardly from the walls 952 so as to support the chip only at its edges or corners. In either case compliant layer 964 will be in direct engagement with the bottom surface of the chip and with the backing element. Alternatively, the holes 962 in the floor element 954 may be omitted. The downward projections 958 of the walls 952 may be omitted, so that the walls terminate flush with the floor element or flush with the bottom surface of the chip if the floor element is omitted. The bottom edges of the walls may be provided with chamfers or radii to prevent damage to the connection component 930 when the flaps are bent upwardly. The box element may be provided with supports, such as legs at the corners of the box element, projecting downwardly for engagement with the substrate. In this case, the box element will serve to support the chip above the substrate, thereby preventing crushing of the solder joints during manufacturing procedures or in use. This arrangement is particularly useful where a heat sink is forcibly held in engagement with the front surface of the chip. Also, the box element can be employed as part of a hermetic sealing arrangement around the chip.
The compliant layer 964 disposed adjacent the backing element can extend outwardly to the outer surfaces of the walls or support elements 952, so that a portion of the compliant layer is interposed between the lower edge of each such wall or support element and the backing element. This arrangement is particularly useful when some of the terminals 946 are disposed on that portion of the backing element aligned with the bottom edges of the walls.
Where the coefficient of thermal expansion of the box element differs substantially from the coefficient of thermal expansion of the chip, the bonding wires 974 can flex to compensate for relative movement of the chip and the lead portions at the extremities of the flaps, overlying the top edges of the walls. In those cases where the flap portions of leads 948 are bonded directly to the contacts on the chip as discussed below, those flap portions of the leads may be flexible to provide similar compensation. Where the coefficient of thermal expansion of the box element differs substantially from that of the substrate, the backing element preferably is not bonded to the bottom of the box element except through the compliant layer. This permits the flaps to flex and the backing element to move relative to the box element and absorb differential thermal expansion.
The configuration of the heat transfer elements can be varied considerably. Thus, the thermally conductive pad or layer 975 may include a metallic slab bonded to the front or top surface of the chip. Such a metallic heat sink may include fins, plates or projections to further facilitate heat transfer. A plurality of chips can be engaged with the same heat sink. Essentially any heat sink which can be used with conventional face-up chip assemblies can be employed.
The backing element and flaps may include more than one layer of leads, so as to accomodate particularly complex interconnection requirements. Also, more than one flap may be provided at each edge of the backing element, and these multiple flaps may extend in superposed relation along the edge of the chip or along the wall of the box element.
As illustrated in
The arrangement of
As an alternative to thermocompression or other conventional bonding techniques, the leads can be connected to the contacts on the chip by using a so-called “Z-conducting” adhesive. Such materials ordinarily include electrically conductive particles selected so that when the material is applied in a thin layer, it will have appreciable electrical conductivity in the direction through the layer but only insignificant conductivity in directions parallel to the layer. Z-conducting adhesives may also be used to connect the leads of the interposers discussed above to the contacts of the chips.
As illustrated in
In an assembly according to a further embodiment of the invention, illustrated in
In a further variant (not shown) the support elements or walls can be integral with the connecting element,and particularly can be integral with the flaps. Thus, the connecting element can have relatively stiff regions constituting the flaps and a flexible region constituting the central or backing element. The stiff regions constituting the flaps can be bent upwardly so as to form a self-supporting structure. As in the arrangement discussed above, this provides a generally box-like or cup-like structure having an open top with lead portions disposed around the periphery of the opening for receiving a chip and connecting thereto.
As will be readily appreciated, numerous further variations and combinations of the features discussed above can be utilized without departing from the present invention as defined by the claims. In one such variant (not shown) the backing element is provided substantially as discussed above, but the flaps and the lead portions on the flaps are omitted. In this arrangement, the bonding wires constitute the principal portion of each lead. The bonding wires extend downwardly, alongside the edges of the chip, to the backing element and join the backing element adjacent to the rear or bottom face of the chip. In this arrangement, the bonding wires constitute the leads extending alongside the edges of the chip. This arrangement is distinctly less preferred because it does not offer the same degree of control over lead impedance as the other arrangements discussed above. Thus, the foregoing descriptions of the preferred embodiments should be taken by way of illustration rather than by way of limitation of the invention defined by the claims.
This is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/656,690, filed Sep. 7, 2000, which is in turn a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/488,268, filed Jan. 20, 2000 now U.S. Pat. No. 6,433,419, which is in turn a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/984,615, filed Dec. 3, 1997 now U.S. Pat. No. 6,133,627, which in turn is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/861,280 filed May 21, 1997 now U.S. Pat. No. 5,950,304 which is in turn a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/319,966, filed on Oct. 7, 1994, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,685,885, which is in turn a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/030,194, filed Apr. 28, 1993 as the national phase of International Application PCTUS/91/06920 filed Sep. 24, 1991 and now U.S. Pat. No. 5,679,977. Said Ser. No. 030,194 application in turn is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 07/765,928, filed Sep. 24, 1991 now U.S. Pat. No. 5,347,159. Said application Ser. No. 07/765,928 in turn was a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 07/673,020, filed Mar. 21, 1991, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,148,265 and said application Ser. No. 07/765,928 was a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 07/586,758, filed Sep. 24, 1990, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,148,266. Said U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/030,194 is also a continuation-in-part of said applications Ser. Nos. 07/586,758 and 07/673,020 .
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| Number | Date | Country | |
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| Parent | 08861280 | May 1997 | US |
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| Parent | 07765928 | Sep 1991 | US |
| Child | 08030194 | US |
| Number | Date | Country | |
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| Parent | 07673020 | Mar 1991 | US |
| Child | 07765928 | US | |
| Parent | 07586758 | Sep 1990 | US |
| Child | 07673020 | US | |
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| Parent | 07673020 | US | |
| Child | 07586758 | US |
