Abstract:
The invention provides a method of forming a monolayer of substantive particles including the steps of applying to a substrate a curable composition having substantive particles contained therein, the substantive particles having a particle size on at least one dimension thereof of at least 1 micrometer and being in two or more groups of different sizes; exposing the substantive particle-containing curable composition to a source of energy suitable for effecting polymerization of the curable composition for a sufficient time to effect polymerization of a layer of the curable composition having a thickness of no more than 50% of the height of the largest substantive particles; and optionally, removing uncured curable composition. The invention also provides a method of forming a monolayer of substantive particles in a non-random array where the curable composition comprises a ferrofluid composition. The latter method further comprises the step of subjecting the particle-containing curable ferrofluid composition to a magnetic field for a sufficient time to array the particles in a non-random manner in the composition prior to the exposure.
Abstract:
The present invention provides a number of interrelated methods for the production of random and ordered arrays of particles and recesses, as well as films containing such arrays and recesses. The present invention also relates to the random and ordered arrays of particles and films prepared therefrom. The ordered arrays are obtained by the use of ferrofluid compositions which may be curable, solidifiable or non-curing/non-solidifiable. The arrays and films may contain electrically-conductive particles useful in electronic applications for effecting contact between leads or pads.
Abstract:
A multilayer printed circuit board has prefabricated inner signal layers and unfinished top and bottom layers for customizing the board for a particular test installation. Each signal layer has a predetermined arrangement of circuits, each circuit having first and second via pads at opposite ends of the circuit. The first via pads form a virtual grid for selective connection to test points of a unit under test. The top layer is processed to provide a test pad aligned with each test point on a unit under test, a via pad for each test pad which is aligned with the closest available virtual grid via, and a connecting trace between each test pad and the associated via pad. Plated through holes are drilled through the board at each outer layer via pad for connection to the aligned virtual grid via. Similar processing of the bottom layer connects the via pad at the opposite end of each assigned inner layer circuit to an interface pad for connection to a respective terminal of automated test equipment.
Abstract:
The present invention provides for a number of interrelated methods for the production of random and ordered arrays of particles as well as films containing the same. In another aspect, the present invention relates to the random and ordered arrays of particles and films prepared therefrom. The ordered arrays are obtained by the use of ferrofluid compositions which may be curable, solidifiable or non-curing/non-solidifiable. Especially preferred arrays and films contain electrically conductive particles for use in electronic applications for effecting contact between leads or pads.
Abstract:
In accordance with the invention, a high density z-direction interconnection medium is made by the steps of providing a non-conductive membrane having z-direction channels, filling the channels with liquid precursor of conductive material, converting the trapped precursor into conductive material within the channels, and, advantageously, forming solder bumps in contact with the conductive material in the channels. The method is particularly useful for forming hollow tubular or porous conductive pathways having enhanced resistance to thermal and mechanical stress. The channels can be conveniently filled by vacuum suction,
Abstract:
Multilayer circuit assemblies are made by stacking circuit panels having contacts on their top surfaces, through conductors extending between top and bottom surfaces and terminals connected to the bottom end of each through conductor. The terminals and contacts are arranged so that when the panels are stacked the terminals on the bottom of one panel are in alignment with the contacts on the top surface of the immediately underlying panel. The panels are selectively treated on their top and/or bottom surfaces so as to selectively disconnect or connect each contact to a terminal on the bottom surface of the same panel. For example, the top surface of the panel may be selectively etched to disconnect a contact from one through conductor and hence from the associated terminal. The aligned terminals and contacts are nonselectively connected to one another at each interface so that wherever a terminal and contact on adjacent panels are aligned with one another there are connected to one another. This forms composite vertical conductors extending through a plurality of the panels. The selective treatment of the panel top and bottom surfaces provides selective interruptions in the vertical conductors. A circuit panel precursor having the through conductors and methods of making the same are also provided.
Abstract:
Multilayer circuit assemblies are made by stacking circuit panels having contacts on their top surfaces, through conductors extending between top and bottom surfaces and terminals connected to the bottomend of each through conductor. The terminals and contacts are arranged so that when the panels are stacked the terminals on the bottom of one panel are in alignment with the contacts on the top surface of the immediately underlying panel. The panels are selectively treated on their top and/or bottom surfaces so as to selectively disconnect or connect each contact to a terminal on the bottom surface of the same panel. For example, the top surface of the panel may be selectively etched to disconnect a contact from one through conductor and hence from the associated terminal. The aligned terminals and contacts are nonselectively connected to one another at each interface so that wherever a terminal and contact on adjacent panels are aligned with one another there are connected to one another. This forms composite vertical conductors extending through a plurality of the panels. The selective treatment of the panel top and bottom surfaces provides selective interruptions in the vertical conductors. A circuit panel precursor having the through conductors and methods of making the same are also provided.
Abstract:
Multilayer circuit assemblies are made by stacking circuit panels having contacts on their top surfaces, through conductors extending between top and bottom surfaces and terminals connected to the bottomend of each through conductor. The terminals and contacts are arranged so that when the panels are stacked the terminals on the bottom of one panel are in alignment with the contacts on the top surface of the immediately underlying panel. The panels are selectively treated on their top and/or bottom surfaces so as to selectively disconnect or connect each contact to a terminal on the bottom surface of the same panel. For example, the top surface of the panel may be selectively etched to disconnect a contact from one through conductor and hence from the associated terminal. The aligned terminals and contacts are nonselectively connected to one another at each interface so that wherever a terminal and contact on adjacent panels are aligned with one another there are connected to one another. This forms composite vertical conductors extending through a plurality of the panels. The selective treatment of the panel top and bottom surfaces provides selective interruptions in the vertical conductors. A circuit panel precursor having the through conductors and methods of making the same are also provided.
Abstract:
A multi-layer circuit panel assembly is formed by laminating circuit panels with interposers incorporating flowable conductive material at interconnect locations and a flowable dielectric materials at locations other than the interconnect locations. Excess materials are captured in reservoirs such as within vias in the circuit panels and apertures in interior elements within the interposers. The flowable materials of the interposers, together with the reservoirs, allow the interposers to compress and take up tolerances in the components. The flowable dielectric material encapsulates conductors on the surfaces of the circuit panels.
Abstract:
The present invention provides electrically conductive sheet materials that contain columns of electrically conductive particles aligned to form continuous columns between lateral faces of the conductive sheet material. The particle columns are arranged so that the sheet is conductive through the thickness, but is electrically insulating in lateral directions. The present invention also provides methods by which such electrically conductive sheet materials can be made. The present invention is able to provide conductive pathways in a precise, regular array, at a very fine pitch.