The present invention relates in general to semiconductor devices and, more particularly, to an apparatus and method of fabricating a system in a package (SiP) having integrated passive devices (IPDs).
Semiconductors, or computer chips, are found in virtually every electrical product manufactured today. Chips are used not only in very sophisticated industrial and commercial electronic equipment, but also in many household and consumer items such as televisions, clothes washers and dryers, radios, and telephones. As products become smaller but more functional, there is a need to include more chips in the smaller products to perform the functionality. The reduction in size of cellular telephones is one example of how more and more capabilities are incorporated into smaller and smaller electronic products.
As electrical devices become increasingly miniaturized, integrated circuit (IC) manufacturing techniques are used to form traditional electrical circuit components such as capacitors, resistors, inductors, filters, and interconnects directly upon a silicon or silicon-like substrate. For example, many of the devices in today's portable wireless products are passive components, and the integration of passive components into a substrate can provide significant performance, cost, and size advantages. Similarly, the integration of IC chips such as memory and logic devices into a substrate or a connected device provides additional benefit as it too minimizes manufacturing costs while increasing performance.
Although preferable, the integration of several passive devices formed on a wafer with other chips and packages can present many challenges. Today's manufacturing processes require the use of expensive, specialty substrate materials when forming SiP devices having IPDs. Further, if the device combines semiconductor components manufactured using thin-film processes and printed circuit board (PCB) components, the manufacturing process may be subject to significant temperature limitations that increase the difficulty and cost of manufacture. Also, in today's SiP devices, any connected IC chips are generally limited to a 2D layout configuration. As a result, the number of IC chips that can be coupled directly to a substrate is greatly limited in accordance with the geometry of the substrate. If components or additional devices are mounted to a backside of a substrate using conventional technologies, it may be necessary to use through substrate vias (TSVs) to electrically connect the components to the internal electrical structure of the substrate. TSVs are difficult and expensive to produce, so their use greatly increases the cost of the completed device. Finally, when combining a semiconductor substrate with a PCB, significant difficulties can arise due to differing coefficients of thermal expansion (CTE) between the components.
A need exists for a semiconductor device having integrated passive devices with additional IC chips coupled to the device. In addition, a need exists for manufacturing techniques for the system as described which reduce process steps and material costs, resulting in shorter cycle time and lower overall cost.
In one embodiment, the present invention is a semiconductor wafer comprising a substrate and first insulating layer formed over the substrate. An IPD is formed over the first insulating layer. The IPD includes a first conductive layer formed over the first insulating layer, dielectric layer formed over the first conductive layer, and second conductive layer formed over the dielectric layer. A second insulating layer is formed over the IPD. A plurality of first electrical components is mounted over the second insulating layer. An encapsulant is deposited over the second insulating layer and first electrical components. The encapsulant has a CTE matching a CTE of the first electrical components.
In another embodiment, the present invention is a semiconductor device comprising a first insulating layer and IPD formed over the first insulating layer. A second insulating layer is formed over the IPD. A first electrical component is mounted over the second insulating layer. An encapsulant is deposited over the second insulating layer and first electrical component. The encapsulant has a CTE matching a CTE of the first electrical component.
In another embodiment, the present invention is a semiconductor device comprising a first insulating layer and IPD formed over the first insulating layer. A second insulating layer is formed over the IPD. A first electrical component is mounted over the second insulating layer. An encapsulant is deposited over the second insulating layer and first electrical component.
In another embodiment, the present invention is a semiconductor device comprising an IPD and insulating layer formed over the IPD. A first electrical component is mounted over the insulating layer. An encapsulant is deposited over the insulating layer and first electrical component.
a-2d illustrate a process of forming a semiconductor device with integrated passive devices;
The present invention is described in one or more embodiments in the following description with reference to the Figures, in which like numerals represent the same or similar elements. While the invention is described in terms of the best mode for achieving the invention's objectives, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that it is intended to cover alternatives, modifications, and equivalents as may be included within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims and their equivalents as supported by the following disclosure and drawings.
A semiconductor device having integrated passive devices and connected integrated circuit (IC) chips can be manufactured. Moreover, the semiconductor device can be manufactured using a shorter process, using less costly materials which contribute to shorter manufacturing time and lower overall cost. In one embodiment, passive devices can be combined with flash memory ICs and surface acoustic wave (SAW) filter chips to form a system in a package. A variety of different passive components, active components, and integrated circuit devices can be interconnected, however, to suit a particular application.
A mounted semiconductor device is shown in
Turning to
A conductive layer 34a-34g is deposited and patterned over insulation layer 32. Conductive layer 34 forms terminals of various integrated passive devices including a capacitor (34b), resistor (34e and 34f), and inductor (34g). In alternative embodiments, additional system components or passive devices such as transistors, diodes or other dissipative and energy-neutral devices can be formed. Conductive layer 34 can be made with aluminum (Al), aluminum alloys, copper (Cu), nickel (Ni), gold (Au), silver (Ag), salicide, polysilicon, or other electrically conductive material suitable for deposition on a substrate. A PVD, CVD, electrolytic plating, or electroless plating process can be used to form conductive layer 34.
Resistive layer 36 is formed over conductive layer 34 and insulation layer 32. Resistive layer 36 can be any suitable material, including nickel-chromium (NiCr), metal silicide, tantalum nitride (TaN), and polysilicon having high electrical resistance. The deposition of resistive layer 36 may involve PVD or CVD.
A dielectric or insulating layer 38 is patterned and formed over resistive layer 36. Dielectric layer 38 forms parts of various passive circuit elements including a capacitor, resistor, and inductor, and supporting contact pads 34a and 34h. Dielectric layer 38 can be silicon nitride (SiN), tantalum oxide (Ta2O5), hafnium oxide (HfO2), or a dielectric film material. In an alternative embodiment, resistive layer 36 is formed over dielectric layer 38.
Next, passivation layer 40 is deposited over insulation layer 32, conductive layer 34, resistive layer 36, and dielectric layer 38. Passivation layer 40 can be patterned to create various openings, thereby exposing one or more of the lower layers of wafer 28. In
Conductive layer 42 is deposited over passivation layer 40. Conductive layer 42, like conductive layer 34, may include any suitable material and be formed by any suitable method. As shown on
Conductive layer 44 is patterned and formed over conductive layer 42. Conductive layer 44, like conductive layer 34, may include any suitable material and be formed by any suitable process. In one embodiment, for example, conductive layer 42 includes titanium (Ti) and conductive layer 44 includes Cu.
Finally, passivation layer 46 is formed over conductive layer 44 and all lower layers, as shown on
Depending upon the application, the device can be made using different combinations of metal, dielectric, insulator, and passivation layers. For example, some applications may require that additional metal and dielectric layers be formed on wafer 28, or that some be removed. Also, one or more ground planes can be formed on wafer 28 during the fabrication process. Similarly, additional interconnection capability for the device may be achieved by the addition of patterned metal interconnection layers.
In alternative embodiments, capacitors can be formed in the device using a metal-insulator-metal (MIM) configuration. In that case, two single metal layers can be formed over substrate 30 having a dielectric layer disposed between. Additional resistive layers can also be formed between the two metal layers to alter the properties of the capacitors. In one example, plasma deposited SiN, Ta2O3, or anodized aluminum oxide films are deposited between the metal layers and may greatly increase the capacitance of the device.
In
The etched portions of passivation layer 46 allow for additional system components to connect to wafer 28. The additional system components can be coupled to wafer 28 using any suitable mounting mechanism such as surface mount technology or flip-chip connection methods. For example, with reference to
Bumps 50, 54, 60, and 66 form an electrical and mechanical interconnect between components 48, 52, 58, and 64 and wafer 28 and, specifically, between components 48, 52, 58, and 64 and conductive layer 44. Bumps 50, 54, 60, and 66 are formed by a reflow process applied to solder material deposited upon the exposed portions of conductive layer 44 and the contact pads of components 48, 52, 58, and 64. In alternative embodiments, bumps 50, 54, 60, and 66 are formed from Au, or Cu structures or any other suitable material such as tin/lead (Sn/Pb), Copper/Zinc (CuZn), or Copper/Silver (CuAg) solder, each containing an optional flux material. Bumps 50, 54, 60, and 66 can be electrically connected to any of the passive devices formed within the semiconductor device via any suitable interconnect structure.
In one embodiment, under bump metallization (UBM) layers can be added to conductive layer 44 proximate to the openings formed in passivation layer 46 to facilitate installation of bumps 50, 54, 60, and 66. The UBM layers can be formed by any suitable process, including first etching a portion of conductive layer 44 and then applying one or more metal layers to conductive layer 44 using a vacuum deposition by evaporation or sputtering process or a chemical plating process. The UBM layers may include any suitable material such as Ti, nickel vanadate (NiV), or Cu having thicknesses of approximately 1000 Å, 3250 Å, and 8000 Å, respectively. For copper, the etchant can be A70 with about 11.15% nitric acid (HNO3) and 6.3% acetic acid (CH3COOH). Alternatively, the etchant can be A75 with about 75.7% phosphoric acid (H3PO4) and 7.35% acetic acid (CH3COOH). The etchant for titanium can be 1.67% hydrogen fluoride with 1.67% hydrogen peroxide and remaining water. In an alternative embodiment, the UBM layers can be electroless plated nickel-gold (Ni/Au).
Additional stability can be provided to components 48, 52, 58, and 64 by providing an optional underfill material 56 and 62. Underfill material 56 and 62 may include epoxy, polymeric material, film, or other non-conductive material. Underfill material 56 and 62 is applied after bumps 50, 54, 60, and 66 are formed between components 48, 52, 58, and 64 and conductive layer 44 or optional UBM layers. Generally, underfill material 56 and 62 includes an electrically-insulating adhesive material. Underfill material 56 and 62 provides mechanical support to components 52, and 58, and also bumps 54, and 60. Underfill material 56 and 62 can also act as a heat bridge between wafer 28 and components 52 and 58.
In alternative embodiments, a different combination of passive devices and IC chips can be coupled to wafer 28. For example, some applications may require that one or more discrete packages be coupled to wafer 28. The discrete packages can be coupled to wafer 28 using a flip-chip connection mechanism. Additional support can be provided to the discrete packages by providing an underfill material that is formed between the discrete package and wafer 28, as described above.
c shows the addition of a molding compound or encapsulant 68 to wafer 28 and removal of substrate 30. Encapsulant 68 may include a plastic material such as epoxy resin-based molding material, or other high-resistivity polymer material that is applied over passivation layer 46, components 48, 52, 58, and 64 and optional underfill material 56 and 62. In an alternative embodiment, encapsulant 68 can be formed with a polymer matrix composite material with a high resistivity. Encapsulant 68 is applied using printing or compressive molding processes. Generally, encapsulant 68 has its coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) adjusted to match that of components 48, 52, 58, and 64, optional underfill material 56 and 62, and any other material contacted by encapsulant 68. The CTE of encapsulant 68 can be adjusted using a filler such as a powder, fiber, or cloth additive. A suitable encapsulant material is generally characterized by low shrinkage, high resistivity, low dielectric constant, and low loss tangent. Before encapsulant 68 is applied, the wafer can be diced by half cutting along a plurality of saw streets formed in a surface of the wafer. This optional step of dicing the wafer can reduce warpage of the wafer and overall residual stress.
Substrate 30 is removed using a suitable process. For example, substrate 30 can be removed by mechanical back grinding with an additional wet etching step. Alternatively, plasma etching and/or a chemical-mechanical planarization (CMP) process can be used. In the present embodiment, a majority of substrate 30 is initially removed using a back grind process that leaves approximately 10-25 μm of substrate 30 remaining. Then, the remaining substrate 30 is removed using a wet dry, dry etch, or CMP process. After removal of substrate 30, passivation layer 32 is exposed. With substrate 30 removed, the height of wafer 28 from the bottom of passivation layer 32 to the top of encapsulant 68 is approximately 420 μm.
Turning to
Bumps 72 are coupled to conductive layer 34 to facilitate connection of the semiconductor device to additional components of the system such as PCB 78 (as shown on
Turning to
Interconnections 83 generally include a metal layer that forms an electrical connection between bumps 72, or 74 and components formed within wafer 28. Interconnections 83 can be formed in any suitable configuration depending upon the system application. For example, in some embodiments, interconnections 83 may only facilitate electronic communication between PCB 78 and the passive components formed within wafer 28. In alternative embodiments, interconnections 83 can also provide connectivity between other connected components such as memory IC 76 and the passive components formed within wafer 28.
Ground plane 84 is a metal layer and provides an electrical ground connection for passive devices formed within wafer 28. Ground plane 84 can also provide an optional ground connection for discrete passive device 48, base band IC 52, radio frequency IC (RFIC) 58, surface acoustic wave (SAW) filter 64, and memory IC 76. Ground plane 84 reduces noise and cross-talk between the passive components, and between the passive components and other components of the semiconductor device.
Transmission line or strip line 85 includes a metal material and acts as a transmission line by absorbing and emitting electromagnetic radiation. Accordingly, strip line 85 facilitates signal matching, signal transmission and further ensures radio frequency (RF) signal integrity of the system. Strip line 85 can be created in any suitable configuration. Generally, strip line antennas comprise a strip of metal formed between two parallel ground planes. A dielectric material is disposed between the ground planes and around the metal strip. The geometric properties of the metal strip, the distance between the strip and the ground planes and the relative permittivity of the dielectric material determine the characteristic impedance of the transmission line. Alternatively, strip line 85 can be in the form of a microstrip antenna. In such a configuration, strip line 85 comprises a metal strip separated from a single ground plane by a dielectric material.
Passivation layer 82 provides mechanical support to the different layers in wafer 28. Passivation layer 82 includes any suitable passivation material as described above.
The semiconductor device is inverted and encapsulant 68 is mounted to PCB 78, for example by an adhesive material. Wire bond (WB) pads 86 are mounted to optional UBM layers 70 using a suitable welding process. Alternatively, WB pads 86 can be coupled directly to conductive layer 34. WB pads 86 are coupled to UBM layers 70 using a process that combines heat, pressure, and/or ultrasonic energy to form a mechanical and electrical bond between WB pads 86 and UBM layers 70. WB pads 86 may include Au, Al, or Cu material. The combination of conductive layer 34, resistive layer 36, and dielectric layer 38 facilitate the coupling of WB pads 86 to UBM layers 70 by providing a harden layer. The harden layer is located underneath wire bonding pads and presents an enhanced wire bonding process window. WB leads 88 are electrically and mechanically coupled to WB pads 88.
Turning to
Semiconductor devices in the various embodiments shown can be manufactured using tools and equipment commonly known in the art, such as wire bonding, patterning, etching and similar equipment. Semiconductor devices serve to continue to advance integrated passive device technology at reduced fabrication cost, while resulting in larger overall repeatable quality.
While one or more embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated in detail, the skilled artisan will appreciate that modifications and adaptations to those embodiments may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention as set forth in the following claims.
The present application is a division of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/964,529, filed Dec. 26, 2007, and claims priority to the foregoing parent application pursuant to 35 U.S.C. §120.
Number | Date | Country | |
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Parent | 11964529 | Dec 2007 | US |
Child | 12813315 | US |