This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119 to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2008-0102145, filed on Oct. 17, 2008, Korean Patent Application No. 10-2008-0109862, filed on Nov. 6, 2008, and Korean Patent Application No. 10-2009-0049948, filed on Jun. 5, 2009, the entire contents of each are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.
1. Field
Example embodiments herein relate to a semiconductor device, and more particularly, to a semiconductor package, a semiconductor module and a method for fabricating the semiconductor package.
2. Description of the Related Art
In the semiconductor industry, techniques for miniaturizing and lightening semiconductor devices are being researched. In the conventional art, a package technology, called Chip Scale Package (CSP) or chip size package in which the size of semiconductor package is miniaturized to the size of the semiconductor chip level, is being developed. Furthermore, a technology for fabricating a wafer level package or a wafer level chip scale package, which simultaneously fabricates a plurality of semiconductor packages at a wafer level, is being developed. In a stage for fabricating the chip scale package or the wafer level package, however, a process for forming semiconductor chips or external terminals may be complicated.
Example embodiments provide a semiconductor package and a method for fabricating the same reliably while simplifying a fabrication process.
Example embodiments also provide a semiconductor package having a simpler structure and a method for fabricating the same.
Example embodiments also provide a semiconductor module using the semiconductor package, a memory card and an electronic device.
In accordance with example embodiments, a method for fabricating semiconductor package may include providing a substrate including a bonding pad, forming a dielectric layer on the substrate, the dielectric layer being configured to expose the bonding pad, forming a redistribution line on the dielectric layer, the redistribution line being configured to electrically connect to the bonding pad, and forming an external terminal on the redistribution line without using a solder mask.
In accordance with example embodiments, a semiconductor package may include a substrate including at least one bonding pad, a dielectric layer on the substrate, the dielectric layer being configured to expose a portion of the at least one bonding pad, at least one redistribution line on the dielectric layer, the at least one redistribution line being configured to electrically connect to the at least one bonding pad, and at least one external terminal on the at least one redistribution line, the at least one external terminal being electrically connected with the at least one bonding pad, and the at least one external terminal being formed without a solder mask limiting a disposition region on the at least one redistribution line.
Example embodiments provide a method for fabricating semiconductor package. The method according to example embodiments may include providing a substrate including a bonding pad, forming a dielectric layer for exposing the bonding pad on the substrate, forming a redistribution line which is electrically connected to the bonding pad, on the dielectric layer, and forming an external terminal which is electrically connected to the bonding pad without using a solder mask which limits a position of the external terminal, on the redistribution line.
In example embodiments, forming the redistribution line may include forming a bent line, and forming the external terminal may include forming a protrusion which is extended along the bent line and is limited in the bent line.
In example embodiments, forming the external terminal may include directly forming the external terminal with surface tension on the redistribution line without forming a region which limits a formation position of the external terminal by exposing a portion of the redistribution line.
In example embodiments, forming the external terminal may include attaching a solder ball onto the redistribution line, and applying at least one of heat and a magnetic field to the solder ball to perform the reflow of the solder ball.
In example embodiments, the heat may be applied by an induction heater which is adjusted at a frequency of 10 MHz or higher and a power of 2000 Watt or higher.
In example embodiments, forming the external terminal may include: providing a solder ball comprising a non-melting material having a first melting point and a melting material having a second melting point lower than the first melting point, to the redistribution line; and selectively melting the melting material.
In example embodiments, forming the external terminal may include selectively melting the melting material to restrictively wet the melting material at the redistribution line without melting the non-melting material.
In example embodiments, in the wetting of the melting material, the non-melting material may not be melted, and the selectively-melted melting material may not infinitely be wetted at the redistribution line by adhesive strength with the non-melting material.
In example embodiments, forming the external terminal may include heating the solder ball at an intermediate temperature between the first and second melting points.
In example embodiments, providing the solder ball may include attaching a solder ball having a structure in which the melting material surrounds the non-melting material, onto the redistribution line.
In example embodiments, the method of fabricating a semiconductor package may also include providing the external terminal the may further include exposing a portion of the external terminal, and forming a molding layer which covers the redistribution line.
In example embodiments, a semiconductor package may includes a substrate including a bonding pad, a dielectric layer disposed on the substrate, exposing a portion of the bonding pad, a redistribution line disposed on the dielectric layer, and electrically connected to the bonding pad, and a plurality of external terminals disposed on the redistribution line to be electrically connected with the bonding pad, and directly formed without a solder mask limiting a disposition position on the redistribution line.
In example embodiments, the redistribution line may include a bent line having a width of a size less than a size of the external terminal, and the external terminal may include a protrusion which is restrictively disposed at the bent line.
In example embodiments, the protrusion may protrude along an extension direction of the redistribution line.
In example embodiments, the external terminal may include an outer layer outer layer having a relatively low melting point, the outer layer surrounding an inner core having a melting point higher than the melting point of the outer layer.
In example embodiments, the inner core may include a first metal, a refractory resin, and a combination of these, and the outer layer may include a second metal having a melting point less than a melting point of the first metal.
In example embodiments, the inner core may include any one of copper (Cu), nickel (Ni), molybdenum (Mo), tungsten (W), tantalum (Ta), niobium (Nb), polyamideimide, polyetherimide, polyethersulfone, polyarylate, polyphenylenesulfide, polyetheretherketone, polysulfone, and a combination thereof; and the outer layer may include any one of Pb, Pb/Sn, Sn/Zn, Sn/Bi, Sn/Ag, Sn/Zn/Bi, Sn/Ag/Cu, Sn/Bi/Ag/In, and a combination thereof.
In example embodiments, the semiconductor package may further include a molding layer exposing a portion of the external terminal, and covering the redistribution line.
In example embodiments, a semiconductor module may include a module substrate; and at least one semiconductor package mounted on the module substrate, wherein the at least one semiconductor package may includes a package substrate including at least one bonding pad, a dielectric layer disposed on the package substrate, exposing a portion of the at least one bonding pad, at least one redistribution line disposed on the dielectric layer, and electrically connected to the at least one bonding pad, at least one external terminal electrically connected to the at least one bonding pad, and directly formed without a solder mask limiting a disposition position on the redistribution line, and a molding layer disposed on the dielectric layer to cover the redistribution line, exposing a portion of the external terminal, wherein the at least one semiconductor package is electrically connected to the module substrate through the at least one external terminal.
In example embodiments, the at least one external terminal may include a solder ball including at least one protrusion which extends along the at least one redistribution line, or a solder ball having a multi structure including an outer layer surrounding an inner core, the inner core having a melting point higher than a melting point of the outer layer.
Example embodiments will be more clearly understood from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
Example embodiments will be described below in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Example embodiments may, however, be embodied in different forms and should not be construed as limited to example embodiments set forth herein. Rather, example embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete. In the figures, the dimensions of elements may be exaggerated for clarity of illustration.
It will be understood that although the terms first and second are used herein to describe various elements, these elements should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element from another element.
The advantages, features and aspects of example embodiments will become apparent from the following description with reference to the accompanying drawings, which is set forth hereinafter. Example embodiments may, however, be embodied in different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the present invention to those skilled in the art. The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of example embodiments. As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises” and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.
Unless defined as other meanings, all terms including technical or scientific terms, which are used herein, have the same meanings as those that are commonly understood to those skilled in the art. Terms identical to predefined terms, which are generally used, should be interpreted to have meanings according with those in the context of relevant technology, and unless defined clearly in embodiments of the inventive concept, should not ideally or excessively be interpreted as formal meanings.
Referring to
The bonding pad 102 may be electrically connected to the integrated circuit 103 at the substrate 100. The number of bonding pads 102 may be appropriately selected according to the kind and capacity of the integrated circuit 103, and it is not limited thereto. For example, the bonding pad 102 may be disposed at the substrate 100, and at least an upper surface of the bonding pad 102 may be exposed from the substrate 100. As another example, the bonding pad 102 may protrude from the surface of the substrate 100 or may be recessed inward.
In example embodiments, the bonding pad 102 may have a center pad structure which may be disposed near the surface center of the substrate 100, but example embodiments are not limited thereto. The bonding pad 102 may include a conductor, for example, aluminum (Al) or copper (Cu).
A passivation layer 104 may be disposed on the substrate 100 and may expose at least one portion of the bonding pad 102. The passivation layer 104 may include an insulator. An interlayer dielectric 106 may be disposed on the passivation layer 104 and may expose at least one portion of the bonding pad 102. For example, the interlayer dielectric 106 may be a polymer material, for example, a photosensitive material. In example embodiments, the passivation layer 104 and the interlayer dielectric 106 are categorized, but they may be referred to as one term without being categorized, or one of the passivation layer 104 and the interlayer dielectric 106 may be omitted.
At least one redistribution line 110 may extend from the bonding pad 102 and across the interlayer dielectric 106. For example, one end of the redistribution line 110 may directly contact the bonding pad 102. The redistribution line 102 may serve as an element for redistributing the bonding pad 102. In example embodiments, the redistribution line 110 may serve as an element that redistributes the bonding pad 102 of the center pad structure near the edge of the substrate 100, but it is not limited thereto. For example, the redistribution line 110 may adjust the distances between the bonding pads 102 or may be used to adjust distances and dispositions.
At least one external terminal 112 may be connected onto the redistribution line 110. Accordingly, the external terminal 112 may be connected to the bonding pad 102 through the redistribution line 110. The external terminal 112 may directly contact the redistribution line 110. A molding layer 114 covers and protects the redistribution line 110, and can protect the surface of the substrate 100 from an external environment.
Referring to
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Referring to
A molding layer 114 may be disposed to expose a portion of each external terminal 112. The molding layer 114, for example, may be between the external terminals 112. For example, the molding layer 114 may be disposed to be concaved in the direction of the substrate 100 between two adjacent external terminals 112. The molding layer 114 may include a dielectric resin material, for example, an Epoxy Molding Compound (EMC).
Referring to
Referring to
Referring to
Semiconductor packages 66 may correspond to the semiconductor packages 50 through 50d in
Referring to
Referring to
A passivation layer 104 exposing a portion of the bonding pad 102 may be formed on the substrate 100 (S220). For example, the passivation layer 104 may be formed by forming a dielectric layer and patterning it. In example embodiments, in a state where the passivation layer 104 has been formed, the substrate 100 may be conveyed for an assembly process.
An assembly stage may be performed. For example, an interlayer dielectric 106 for exposing a portion of the bonding pad 102 may be formed on the passivation layer 104 (S240). For example, the interlayer dielectric 106 may be formed by forming a photosensitive polymer material, for example, a polyimide layer on the passivation layer 104 and patterning it. The photosensitive polymer material may be formed in a spin coating process or a deposition process.
Referring to
As another example, a seed layer may be formed and patterned on the bonding pad 102 and the interlayer dielectric 106. The redistribution line 110 may be formed by forming a plating layer on the seed layer. For example, the seed layer and the plating layer may include Cu.
Referring to
The melted solder is spread by liquefied properties. Spreading may be stopped by the redistribution line 110 and surface tension, and thus a waterdrop type of solder may be kept. The waterdrop type of solder may be cooled, thereby forming the solder ball. The solder ball may have an oval cross-sectional surface. Accordingly, the external terminal 112 may have a structure which protrudes along the redistribution line 110. For example, as illustrated in
In a case of using such a method for forming the external terminal 112, a second interlayer dielectric (not shown) for forming the external terminal 112 on the redistribution line 110 is not required. To keep the shape of the external terminal 112, the second interlayer dielectric (e.g., a solder mask) having a pattern shape in which the external terminal 112 may be formed may be required on the redistribution line 110. However, in example embodiments, the forming and patterning stages of the second interlayer dielectric may be omitted.
Referring to
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Referring to
Referring to
The substrate 100 may be disposed in a molding frame 140, and the molding layer 114 may be formed to substantially surround all the surfaces of the substrate 100 while exposing a portion of the external terminal 112 (S270). For example, when forming the molding layer 114, the sacrificial layer 130 in
In example embodiments, the molding layer 114 may be formed on all the surfaces of the substrate 100, and the external terminal 112 may be exposed from the molding layer 114 in a grinding process. Because, the substrate 100 may be fixed inside the molding frame 140 to surround all the surfaces, as illustrated in
Referring to
The substrate 210 may be one for fabricating an electrical device. For example, the substrate 210 may be the semiconductor (for example, Si) substrate or SOI substrate of a wafer level, which includes an integrated circuit 203. As another example, the substrate 210 may be the silicon or SOI wafer of a chip level.
The passivation layer 220 may be formed to cover the upper surface 212 while exposing the bonding pad 214. The passivation layer 220 may have a first opening 222 for exposing the bonding pad 214.
The interlayer dielectric 230 may be formed to cover the passivation layer 220 and expose the bonding pad 214. The interlayer dielectric 230 may have a second opening 232 for exposing the first opening 232.
The redistribution line 240 may be disposed on the interlayer dielectric 230. A portion 242 of the redistribution line 240 may be directly and electrically connected to the bonding pad 214 through the first and second openings 222 and 232. At least one external terminal 252 may be disposed on the redistribution line 240. Accordingly, the redistribution line 240 may electrically connect the bonding pad 214 and the external terminal 252. The external terminal 252 may directly join a solder ball on the redistribution line 240 and be thereby formed. The external terminal 252 may be a solder ball for electrically connecting an external device (not shown) to an integrated circuit 203 included in the substrate 210. As described above, the semiconductor package 200 may include the redistribution line 240 and the external terminal 252 that is directly joined to the redistribution line 240. Therefore, the semiconductor package 200 need not form the external terminal 252, for example, a second interlayer dielectric (e.g., a solder mask) defining a ball land that limits the disposition region of a solder ball. Accordingly, example embodiments may provide the semiconductor package 200 having a simple structure.
The following description will be made in detail on a semiconductor package according to example embodiments. Repetitive description will be omitted or simplified on the semiconductor device 200.
Referring to
A passivation layer 220 and an interlayer dielectric 230 may be formed on the upper surface 212. Forming the passivation layer 220 may include forming a dielectric layer covering the entirety of the upper surface 212. Forming the interlayer dielectric 230 may include forming a dielectric layer covering the front surface of the passivation layer 220, for example, an oxide layer, nitride layer or a resin layer. A process of forming first and second openings 222 and 232 for exposing the bonding pad 214 may be performed. The process of forming the first and second openings 222 and 232 may include patterning the interlayer dielectric 230 and the passivation layer 220 to form a trench for exposing the bonding pad 214.
Referring to
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Forming the external terminal 252 may include disposing a solder ball on the redistribution line 240, and heating the solder ball. At this point, the solder ball may not have a sphere. The external terminal 252 may be directly joined onto the redistribution line 240. Forming the external terminal 252 may further include coating a flux (not shown) on the redistribution line 240 before disposing the solder ball. The flux may include a material including any one of a resin, a thinner and an activator.
Forming the external terminal 252 may further include providing a magnetic field B to the solder ball that may be disposed on the redistribution line 240. The magnetic field B may allow the solder ball to be joined onto the redistribution line 240 while forming a sphere by reflowing. For example, in a process of heating the solder ball disposed on the redistribution line 240, an electric field E may be produced in the outer portion of the solder ball when providing the magnetic field B to the solder ball. The magnetic field B may include an Alternating Current (AC) magnetic field. The electric field E may allow thermal treatment to be selectively performed in the outer portion of the solder ball and thereby may enable the external terminal 252 to be joined onto the redistribution line 240 while forming a sphere.
Heating the solder ball may be performed with a heater. Referring to
Referring to
As described above, heating the solder ball may include heating the solder ball with one of the induction heaters 260 and 270 that have been adjusted at a frequency of 10 MHz or higher and a power of 2000 Watt or higher. Time taken when each of the induction heaters 260 and 270 heats the solder ball may be within five seconds. By heating the solder ball through the above-described conditions, the fabrication method prevents or reduces the solder ball from being excessively melted and thereby prevents or reduces its shape from being crumpled. The fabrication method may also prevent or reduce an area joined to the redistribution line 240 from being excessively enlarged.
In example embodiments, the semiconductor package 200 having the external terminal 252 satisfying a shape (for example, a sphere) that is directly predetermined or preset on the redistribution line 240 may be implemented with the induction heaters 260 and 270 and/or the magnetic field B. The semiconductor package 200 may skip forming a solder mask that defines a ball land for limiting the position of the external terminal 252 on the redistribution line 240. According to example embodiments, the structure of the semiconductor package 200 may be simplified, and the cost may be reduced or minimized.
Referring to
As illustrated in
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The substrate 300 may be a substrate of a wafer level, and the semiconductor package 350 may be a Wafer-level Fabricated Package (WFP). However, example embodiments are not limited thereto. For example, the substrate 300 may be a substrate of a chip (e.g., die) level, and the semiconductor package 350 may be a Chip Scale Package (CSP). An integrated circuit 303 electrically connected to the bonding pad 302 may be formed in the substrate 300.
The number of bonding pads 302 may be suitably selected according to the kind and capacity of the integrated circuit 303. For example, the bonding pads 302 may be irregularly arranged on the upper surface 301 of the substrate 300. Differently, the bonding pads 302 may be regularly arranged in a localized or an overall structure. As an example, a substrate 300 of a chip level, the bonding pads 302 may form a center pad structure in which they are arranged in one row or more near or at the center of the substrate 300. As another example, the bonding pads 302 may form an edge pad structure in which they are arranged in one row or more near or at the edge of the substrate 300. As another example, the bonding pads 302 may be arranged in a matrix type where they are irregularly or regularly distributed over the entire region of the substrate 300.
The passivation layer 304 may have a first opening 322 exposing the bonding pad 302. The interlayer dielectric 306 may have a second opening 332 exposing the first opening 322. In example embodiments, the passivation layer 304 and the interlayer dielectric 306 are categorized, but they may be referred to as one term without being categorized, or one of the passivation layer 304 and the interlayer dielectric 306 may be omitted and be referred to as arbitrary term.
A redistribution line 310 may be disposed on the interlayer dielectric 306 and may be electrically connected to the bonding pad 302 through the first and second openings 322 and 332. Accordingly, the redistribution line 310 may electrically connect the bonding pad 302 and an external terminal 320. The external terminal 320 may be directly attached onto the redistribution line 310 without using a solder mask. The redistribution line 310 may serve as an element for redistributing the bonding pads 302.
Referring to
Referring again to
As described herein, a relatively high melting point and a relatively low melting point mean relative high and low melting points between the melting point of the inner core 322 and the melting point of the outer layer 324. For example, the inner core 322 may be configured with a relatively high melting point material, which means that the inner core 322 may be configured with a material having a melting point higher than that of the outer layer 324. Likewise, the outer layer 324 may be configured with a relatively low melting point material, which means that the outer layer 324 may be configured with a material having a melting point lower than that of the inner core 322.
Because the external terminal 320 is an electrical connection medium, the outer layer 324 may be configured with a conductive material. The inner core 322 may be configured with a conductive material, for example, a metal, or a nonconductive material, for example, a refractory resin. When the inner core 322 is configured with a conductive material, for example, a metal, the external terminal 320 may having superior electrical conductivity may be implemented. When the inner core 322 is configured with a refractory resin, for example, a polyimide, a lightening of the semiconductor package 350 may be achieved. The external terminal 320 may include a solder ball having a multi structure that may further include at least one of a conductive layer and a nonconductive layer.
The molding layer 340 may expose the external terminal 320 while covering the dielectric layer 306. As another example, the molding layer 340 may expose a portion of the external terminal 320 and be provided to mold the semiconductor package 350.
Referring to
At least one bonding pad 302 electrically connected to the integrated circuit 303 may be formed at an upper surface 301 of the substrate 300. The bonding pads 302, as described above with reference to
A passivation layer 304 having a first opening 322 exposing a portion of the bonding pad 302 may be formed at the upper surface 301 of the substrate 300. The passivation layer 304 may be formed through the depositing and patterning of an insulator. An interlayer dielectric 306 having a second opening 332, which may cover the passivation layer 304 and expose the first opening 322, may be formed. The bonding pad 302 may be exposed through the first and second openings 322 and 332. As another example, the passivation layer 304 and the interlayer 306 may be continuously formed through the depositing and patterning of an insulator, and the first and second openings 322 and 332 for exposing the bonding pad 302 may be formed. Forming the first and second openings 322 and 332 may include sequentially patterning the interlayer dielectric 306 and the passivation layer 304 to form a trench for exposing the bonding pad 302.
One of the passivation layer 304 and the interlayer dielectric 306 may be selectively omitted. In example embodiments, it will be described that the passivation layer 304 and the interlayer dielectric 306 is divided and formed, but example embodiments are not limited thereto. The passivation layer 304 and the interlayer dielectric 306 may be formed of the same material, or may be formed of different materials. For example, the passivation layer 304 may be formed by depositing an oxide or a nitride, and the interlayer dielectric 306 may be formed by depositing or spin coating a resin, for example, a polyimide, and the operations may be inversely performed.
Referring to
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The solder ball 320a may have a structure in which a non-melting material 322a and a melting material 324a are combined. As an example, the non-melting material 322a may have the shape of a solid sphere (hereinafter referred to as an inner core), and the melting material 324a may have the shape of a hollow sphere (hereinafter referred to as an outer layer) surrounding the non-melting material 322a. As another example, the melting material 324a may not be a sphere. According to example embodiments, the solder ball 320a may have a dual structure in which an outer layer 324a surrounds an inner core 322a. The melting point TM1 of the inner core 322a may be higher than the melting point TM2 of the outer layer 324a. As another example, the solder ball 320a may have a multi structure in which at least one intermediate layer surrounding the inner core 322a is further included between the inner core 322a and the outer layer 324a. The melting point of the intermediate layer may be equal to or higher than the melting point TM2 of the outer layer 324a. Alternatively, the melting point of the intermediate layer may be equal to or higher than the melting point TM1 of the inner core 322a. Alternatively, the melting point of the intermediate layer may be a value between the melting point TM2 of the outer layer 324a and the melting point TM1 of the inner core 322a.
The outer layer 324a may be formed of Pb, Pb/Sn, Sn/Zn, Sn/Bi, Sn/Ag, Sn/Zn/Bi. Sn/Ag/Cu, Sn/Bi/Ag/In, or the combination thereof.
The inner core 322a may be formed of a refractory metal, Cu, Ni or an alloy thereof. The refractory metal may include Mo, W, Ta, Nb, or the combination thereof. When the inner core 322a is configured with a conductor, the electrical conductivity of the external terminal (320 in
In a state where the solder ball 320a is attached onto the redistribution line 310, a reflow process may be performed. A reflow temperature TR may be a value between the melting point TM1 of the inner core 322a and the melting point TM2 of the outer layer 324a. As an example, when the outer layer 324a is configured with Pb/Sn or Sn/Zn and the inner core 322a is configured with Ni, the reflow temperature TR may be a value in the temperature range of about 200 to 250 degrees centigrade, between the melting point TM2 (about 183 degrees centigrade) of Pb/Sn constituting the outer layer 324a and the melting point TM1 (about 1452 degrees centigrade) of Ni constituting the inner core 322a. When the solder ball 320a has a multi structure, the reflow temperature TR may be set so that the intermediate layer between the inner core 322a and the outer layer 324a may be melted together with the outer layer 324a or the intermediate layer and the inner core 322a may not be melted, when a reflow process is performed.
According to the reflow process, the outer layer 324a may be selectively melted, but the inner core 322a may keep an initial shape, for example, a sphere, without being melted. The outer layer 324a may be selectively melted thereby wetting at the redistribution line 310. The term “not infinitely wetted” means that the outer skin 324a is not wetted along the redistribution line 310 beyond an initially attached position of solder ball 320a during the reflow process. During the reflow process, the outer skin 324a may be partially melted but modified into a sphere by surface tension. Furthermore, the inner core 322a may keep an initial sphere shape without being melted during the reflow process, which may finitely wet the outer skin 324a on the redistribution line 310. However, in example embodiments, the outer layer 324a is not infinitely wetted along the redistribution line 310. Although the initial state of the outer layer 324a is not a sphere, the outer layer 324a may be melted in a reflow process and be modified into a sphere by surface tension. Accordingly, the melted solder ball 320a may keep a sphere shape at an attached position.
Referring to
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The solder ball 320a melted in the reflow process is wetted at the redistribution line 310. For limiting a wetted region to form the external terminal 320 having a desired shape at a desired position, by depositing a second interlayer dielectric on the interlayer dielectric 306 and performing a patterning process of opening a ball land region, a solder mask may be formed. Such a solder mask may serve as a guide that allows the solder ball 320a to be stably attached to the ball land, and suppresses a short between external terminals by preventing or reducing infinite wetting and protecting a redistribution line 310. In example embodiments a solder mask is not required because a molding process is subsequently performed, but the solder mask may be formed for defining a ball land and preventing or reducing infinite wetting. According to example embodiments, however, the external terminal 320 may be formed through the local melting of the solder ball 320a without forming a solder mask. According to a series of processes, the semiconductor package 350 of a wafer level may be implemented.
Referring to
Referring to
As another example of a fabrication method, a process from a substrate providing stage to an external terminal forming stage may be performed similarly or identically to the process that has been described above with reference to
Referring to
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The semiconductor package according to example embodiments may be packaged in various types. For example, the semiconductor package according to example embodiments may be packaged in package types such as Package On Package (POP), Ball Grid Arrays (BGA), Chip Scale Packages (CSP), Plastic Leaded Chip Carrier (PLCC), Plastic Dual In-Line Package (PDIP), Die In Waffle Pack (DIWP), Die In Wafer Form (DIWF), Chip On Board (COB), Ceramic Dual In-Line Package (CERDIP), Plastic Metric Quad Flat Pack (MQFP), Thin Quad Flat Pack (TQFP), Small Outline Package (SOP), Shrink Small Outline Package (SSOP), Thin Small Outline Package (TSOP), Thin Quad Flat Pack (TQFP), System In Package (SIP), Multi Chip Package (MCP), Wafer-level Fabricated Package (WFP) and Wafer-Level Processed Stack Package (WSP), Wafer Level Stack Package (WLSP), Die In Wafer Form (DIWF), Die On Waffle Package (DOWP).
According to example embodiments, the reliability of the semiconductor package may be secured while omitting a process of forming the solder mask for forming the shapes of the external terminals on the redistribution line. Accordingly, the consumption of the insulator can decrease and a process time can be shortened. Moreover, because of omitting the patterning stage of the solder mask, a photolithography stage may be omitted. Therefore, a stage for forming the semiconductor package may be simplified thus reducing or saving the cost.
While example embodiments have been particularly shown and described with reference to example embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that various changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the following claims.
Number | Date | Country | Kind |
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10-2008-0102145 | Oct 2008 | KR | national |
10-2008-0109862 | Nov 2008 | KR | national |
10-2009-0049948 | Jun 2009 | KR | national |