QFN package 100 comprises semiconductor die 102 having electrically active structures fabricated thereon. Die 102 is affixed to underlying diepad 104a portion of lead frame 104 by adhesive 106. The relative thickness of the die and lead frame shown in
Plastic molding 109 encapsulates all but the exposed portions 104a′ and 104b′ of the lead frame portions 104a and 104b, respectively. For the purposes of this patent application, the term “encapsulation” refers to partial or total enveloping of an element in a surrounding material, typically the metal of the lead frame within a surrounding dielectric material such as plastic.
Portions of the upper surface of lead frame 104 bear silver Ag 105 formed by electroplating. The lower surface of lead frame 104 bears a layer of Pd/Ni or Au/Ni 107 formed by electroplating.
QFN package 100 is secured to traces 110 of underlying PC board 112 by solder 114 that preferably has the rounded shape indicated. The electrically conducting properties of solder 114 allows electrical signals to pass between lead frame portions 104a and 104b and the underlying traces 110.
The patterned metal portion shown in
While adequate for many purposes, the conventional QFN package just described offers some drawbacks. One drawback is the difficulty of forming raised features on the lead frame.
For example,
Moreover,
In
In
In
Fabrication of the QFN package is subsequently completed by affixing the die to the diepad, attaching bond wires between the die and diepad and non-integral pin portions, and then enclosing the structure within plastic encapsulation, as is well known in the art.
The etching stage of the QFN package fabrication process shown in
Moreover, the conventional approach of partial etching to shape thinned features limits the pitch of the lead, and thus the number of pins available for a given QFN package body size. This limitation in lead pitch results from the at least partially isotropic character of the etching process, which removes material in the lateral, as well as vertical, direction.
Therefore, there is a need in the art for improved techniques for fabricating semiconductor device packages.
Embodiments in accordance with the present invention relate to the use of electroplating techniques to form features on the surface of a metal lead frame used in the packaging of semiconductor devices. In accordance with one embodiment, electroplating is used to fabricate portions of the diepad and of the non-integral pins that are shaped to remain securely encapsulated within the plastic molding of the package. In accordance with another embodiment, electroplating may be used to fabricate protrusions on a package underside which elevate it above the surface of the PC board, thereby preserving the rounded shape of solder balls used to secure the diepad to the PC board. In accordance with yet another embodiment, electroplating may be used to fabricate raised patterns on the upper surface of the diepad for ensuring uniform spreading of adhesive used to secure the die to the diepad, thereby ensuring level attitude of the die within the package.
An embodiment of a method in accordance with the present invention for fabricating a lead frame for a semiconductor device package, comprises, providing a first metal layer and patterning a mask over the first metal layer to reveal exposed regions. A metal is electroplated in the exposed regions, the mask is removed, and at least a portion of the first metal layer and the electroplated metal are encapsulated within a dielectric material.
An alternative embodiment of a method in accordance with the present invention for fabricating a lead frame for a semiconductor device package, comprises, providing a first layer, and patterning a first mask over the first layer to reveal first exposed regions. A first metal is electroplated over the first layer in the first exposed regions. A second mask is patterned over the first mask to reveal second exposed regions, and a second metal is electroplated over the first mask in the second exposed regions. The first and second masks are removed, and at least a portion of the first metal and the second metal are encapsulated within dielectric material.
Another alternative embodiment of a method in accordance with the present invention for fabricating a metal lead frame, comprises, patterning a negative photoresist mask over a substrate, and electroplating raised portions of a copper lead frame within regions exposed by the negative photoresist mask. A positive photoresist mask is patterned over the negative photoresist mask and the raised copper portions. Diepad and pin portions of the copper lead frame are electroplated within regions exposed by the positive photoresist mask. The negative and positive photoresist masks are removed, and a die is attached to the diepad. The die and lead frame are encapsulated within plastic, and the raised copper portions and the plastic are separated from the substrate.
An embodiment of a lead frame in accordance with the present invention for a semiconductor device package, comprises, a diepad comprising a metal, and a pin separate from the diepad. An electroplated raised feature comprising the metal is formed on at least one of the diepad and the pin.
These and other embodiments of the present invention, as well as its features and some potential advantages are described in more detail in conjunction with the text below and attached figures.
FIGS. 3AA–EA show plan views of the method of
FIGS. 5AA–FA show plan views of the process steps shown in
Embodiments in accordance with the present invention relate to the fabrication of packages for semiconductor devices, and in particular to the use of electroplating techniques to form features on the surface of a metal lead frame. In accordance with one embodiment, electroplating is used to fabricate non-integral pin portions shaped to remain securely encapsulated within the plastic molding of the package. In accordance with another embodiment, electroplating may be used to fabricate protrusions on the underside of the lead frame for elevating the package above the PC board, thereby preserving the rounded shape of solder balls used to secure the diepad to the PC board. In accordance with yet another embodiment, electroplating may be used to fabricate raised patterns on the upper surface of the diepad for ensuring uniform spreading of adhesive used to secure the die to the diepad, thereby ensuring level attitude of the die within the package
In first step 202 of process 200 illustrated in FIGS. 3A and 3AA, Cu roll 300 having a thickness of about 4 mils is provided. The lower surface of Cu roll 300 bears a selectively electroplated layer 302 comprising Ni (0.5–3.0 μm) and Ag (0.5–3.0 μm), or comprising Ni (0.5–3.0 μm)/Pd (˜0.15 μm)/Au (0.015 μm). This layer 302 is supported and protected/covered by adhesive tape 303.
In step 204 illustrated in FIGS. 3B–BA, the electroplated Cu roll 300 is etched completely through to define a pattern of holes 304 separating diepad 306 from non-integral pins 308. The corresponding plan view shown in FIG. 3BA also shows the definition of tie bars 310 and tabs 312 securing diepad 306 and non-integral pins 308, respectively, to surrounding Cu roll 300 during this step.
FIG. 3BA also shows that diepad 306 formed during this step features a periphery 301 exhibiting a serpentine shape. Projections of this serpentine shape 301 serve to lock the diepad into the plastic mold to maintain package integrity under a range of temperature and moisture conditions.
In step 206 illustrated in FIGS. 3C–CA, mask 320 of photoresist is patterned to reveal lead-post pin regions 308a and diepad regions 306a desired to have additional thickness.
In step 208, illustrated in FIGS. 3D–DA, the exposed regions 306a and 308a are subjected to electroplating conditions to form thickened lead-posts 308b and diepad 306b out of copper material. In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, Cu material having approximately the same thickness as the original roll may be added during this step by electroplating.
In step 210 illustrated in FIGS. 3E–EA, layer 322 comprising Ag/Ni or Au/Pd/Ni is electroplated onto exposed surfaces of lead-post 308 and diepad 306. The mask is then stripped, to reveal electroplated diepad 306 and pins 308 secured to the surrounding Cu roll 300 by tie bars 310 and tabs 312, respectively.
In steps 212, 214, and 216 of
In the first embodiment shown in FIGS. 3A–EA, regions of additional thickness of the lead frame corresponding to the exposed lead-posts and diepad are formed by the addition of Cu material. Specifically, a layer of Cu material of precise thickness may be deposited by electroplating over the Cu roll under carefully controlled conditions. The precision of this electroplating process is +1 μm or less. This precision may be compared with conventional etch processes, which exhibit a precision of +25 μm for a Cu substrate having an overall thickness of 4–5 mils. The superior precision of electroplating processes over etching processes may be attributed to the ability to quickly halt electrochemical addition of material reaction by changing the electrical potential.
The embodiment of the present invention shown in
However, one potential drawback of the process flow shown in FIGS. 2 and 3A–EA, is the continued need to separate the encapsulated package from the surrounding metal frame by physically sawing through the tie bar and tab structures. This singulation by severing of metal connections by sawing is relatively slow and unreliable.
Accordingly,
In first step 402 of process 400 illustrated in FIGS. 5A–AA, a Cu roll 500 having a thickness of about 4 mils is provided. Cu roll 500 may include index holes 501 to indicate positioning.
In second step 404, as illustrated in FIGS. 5B–BA, mask 502 comprising negative photoresist material having a thickness of about 100 μm is patterned over Cu roll 500. Openings in this first photoresist mask define the location of lead frame portions of reduced thickness.
In step 406, as illustrated in FIGS. 5C–CA, the Cu roll is cleaned, and layer 504 comprising Au/Pd/Ni (total thickness ˜2.5–3 μm) or Ag/Ni (total thickness 4.5–5.5 μm) is formed by electroplating in regions 502a exposed by mask 502.
In step 408 as illustrated in FIGS. 5D–DA, with patterned negative photoresist mask 502 still in place, Cu material 506 is having a thickness of about 100 μm is formed over Au/Pd/Ni or Ag/Ni layer 504 in exposed regions by electroplating. Cu material 506 formed during this step comprises the portions of the non-integral lead frame that will remain exposed following encapsulation.
In step 410 as illustrated in FIGS. 5E–EA, positive photoresist mask 508 also having a thickness of about 100 μm is patterned over existing negative photoresist mask 504. The area of regions exposed by positive photoresist mask 508 is larger than the area of regions exposed by first mask. The use of photoresist material of opposite polarity to form the successive masks 504 and 508 is necessitated by the need to develop the second mask without altering the shape of the existing first mask.
In step 412 as illustrated in FIGS. 5F–FA, a second Cu layer 510 having a thickness of about 100 μm is then deposited in regions exposed by the second negative mask 508. The Cu material formed during this step comprises the bulk, thick portion of the diepad and non-integral lead portions of the resulting package. Portions of the second deposited Cu layer will form over the underlying positive photoresist through a lateral outgrowth from adjacent copper.
In step 414 illustrated in
In step 416 illustrated in
Owing to this absence of the tie bars, the lead frame of this second embodiment includes four additional pins. These additional pins are located in regions formerly occupied by the tie bars.
In step 418 illustrated in
In step 422 illustrated in
After the separation step of
Moreover, in accordance with still other embodiments of the present invention, mold for the plastic encapsulant may be designed such that each QFN is individually molded within discrete cavities or cells of the mold, with the QFN units held together by contact with the common substrate carrier roll. Using such a specially designed mold, the individual QFN packages could be singulated entirely by chemical exposure, without any need for physical separation by sawing. This approach may reduce lead frame density by including a honeycomb of walls defining cells within the mold, but would avoid the difficult sawing step.
The embodiment shown in FIGS. 4 and 5A–5K offers the advantage of not requiring sawing or otherwise physically severing connections between copper pieces to singulate individual packages. Rather, this package singulation process takes place by way of chemical exposure. The efficiency of this chemical-singulation process reduces the DFPC in the long term. The QFN process flow given in
While some of the embodiments of the present invention have been described herein, it should be understood that these are presented by way of example only, and these descriptions are not intended to limit the scope of this invention.
For example, while the specific embodiment for forming a QFN package illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5A–K utilize a copper roll as the underlying substrate upon which features of the lead frame are successively electroplated, this is not required. In still other alternate embodiments in accordance with the present invention, lead frame features could be formed by successive electrodeposition steps performed on substrates other than copper, for example steel.
While the previous discussion has focused upon fabrication of a particular type of QFN package, embodiments in accordance with the present invention are not limited to fabricating any specific package. For example, the present invention does not require fabrication of a package having any particular number of pins.
And while the previous discussion has focused upon QFN packages having a single bank of non-integral pins adjacent to the diepad, the present invention is not limited to this particular configuration.
Furthermore, in packages having a high pin count, the exposure of the diepad on the underside of the package may be undesirable. In such package designs where exposure of the lead frame is to be avoided, the conventional fabrication approach involves partial etching of the diepad to reduce its thickness. Such a partial etching step, however, suffers from the lack of precision and additional expense described above.
In accordance with embodiments of the present invention, however, a package having a non-exposed diepad can be fabricated by electrochemical deposition on an underlying substrate.
In
In
In subsequent fabrication steps (not shown), cavity 764 is filled in with additional plastic material. During this second molding process, the additional plastic material may also cover the exposed pins/lead posts. In such case, the pins/lead posts can be re-exposed by chemical-mechanical planarization of the package underside.
As previously described in connection with the first embodiment, raised features may formed by electroplating additional Cu material over an existing Cu roll. This Cu roll may be patterned with holes by etching or punching to define a matrix of proto-diepad and pin regions secured to the surrounding metal frame by tabs and tie-bars. However, embodiments in accordance with the present invention are not limited to fabricating any particular matrix of framed structures.
While the above referenced discussion has focused upon electroplating techniques to form continued pin structures conducive to physical retention within the plastic package, the present invention is not limited to forming this type of raised feature. Alternative embodiments in accordance with the present invention utilize deposition by electroplating to fabricate other raised features.
For example,
Studs 812 protruding from pins 806 make contact with the underlying traces on the PC board. The presence of studs 806 raises the lower surface of the package off the surface of the PC board, thereby allowing solder balls 810 to maintain their rounded shape when the package is secured to the PC board. The Cu studs are about 6–10 mils in diameter and are covered by Ni/Pd/Au or Ni/Ag deposited layers for solderability and protection of the solderable layer (Ni).
Maintaining the rounded shape of the solder balls is beneficial by allowing removal and reworking of soldered packages. The raised stud features of the power BGA package shown in
Embodiments in accordance with the present invention are also suited for fabricating QFN packages which utilize aspects of the ball grid array architecture shown in
Package 1100 comprises die 1102 supported on lead frame 1104 having raised projections 1106 on the underside. The package 1100 of
Package 1202 offers a small, thin housing for integrated circuits (ICs) featuring multiple pads. Such a package, commonly referred to as a Chip Scale Package (CSP), may be fabricated using solder ball connections between IC chip pads and pins formed by electrodeposition in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. Such CSP packages can be attached to the PC board using solder balls or surface mount die attach processes.
Raised waffle pattern 1304 serves to compartmentalize conducting adhesive 1306 during spreading as die 1308 being placed on the diepad. Raised waffle pattern 1304 deposited by electroplating in accordance with embodiments of the present invention, can serve to cause the adhesive to be of relatively uniform thickness, ensuring the level attitude of the die within the plastic encapsulation.
While the embodiment shown and discussed in connection with
While the above is a full description of the specific embodiments, various modifications, alternative constructions and equivalents may be used. Therefore, the above description and illustrations should not be taken as limiting the scope of the present invention which is defined by the appended claims.
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