Abstract:
A solder decal is produced by a method wherein a decal strip having a plurality of anchor holes is aligned with a mold having a plurality of cells. Liquid solder is injected into the anchor holes and mold cells, and is then allowed to cool to solidify therein. The mold may be separated from the decal strip to form the solder decal containing solder beads each having a stem mechanically joined to the strip at respective ones of the anchor holes. Various forms of the solder decal are used for transferring the solder beads to a substrate or chip, or effecting temporary connections for conducting burn-in and testing, or accommodating thermal mismatch for example.
Abstract:
An apparatus and method utilize vacuum injected molding of a liquid in a plurality of mold cells for solidification therein. An injection head includes spaced apart vacuum and injection slots positionable atop a mold plate in flow communication with the mold cells therein. Relative axial sliding is effected between the injection head and the mold plate for sequentially evacuating gas from the mold cells using a continuous vacuum followed in turn by sequentially injecting into the evacuated mold cells the liquid from a continuous source thereof. Sliding of the injection head over the mold plate automatically provides self valving for sequentially evacuating and filling the mold cells from the same side of the mold plate. In a preferred embodiment, the vacuum and injection slots are linked together at the mold plate so that surface tension of the liquid restrains flow of the liquid from the injection slot to the vacuum slot while allowing gas flow therebetween for effecting the vacuum in the mold cells.
Abstract:
A process and tools for forming and/or releasing metal preforms, metal shapes and solder balls is described incorporating flexible molds or sheets, injection molded metal such as solder and in the case of solder balls, a liquid or gaseous environment to reduce or remove metal oxides prior to or during metal (solder) reflow to increase surface tension to form spherical or substantially spherical solder-balls.
Abstract:
Techniques for interconnecting an IC chip and a receiving substrate are provided. A method includes the steps of: providing the IC chip, the IC chip including at least a first connection site formed thereon; providing the receiving substrate, the receiving substrate including at least a second connection site formed thereon; forming an alloy structure on at least a portion of an upper surface of the second connection site; orienting the IC chip relative to the receiving substrate so that the at least first connection site is aligned with the alloy deposit formed on the at least second connection site; and forming an electrical connection between the first and second connection sites, the electrical connection comprising a volume of electrically conductive fusible material, wherein a majority of the volume of electrically conductive fusible material is supplied from the alloy structure.
Abstract:
A method for forming a solder mold for transferring solder to a wafer includes etching a plurality of solder cavities into a substrate. A plurality of ventilation channels are etched on the substrate connecting the plurality of solder cavities.
Abstract:
Hybrid molds for molding a multiplicity of solder balls for use in a molten solder screening process and methods for preparing such molds are disclosed. A method for forming the multiplicity of cavities in a pyramidal shape by anisotropically etching a crystalline silicon substrate along a specific crystallographic plane is utilized to form a crystalline silicon face plate used in the present invention hybrid mold. In a preferred embodiment, a silicon face plate is bonded to a borosilicate glass backing plate by adhesive means in a method that ensures coplanarity is achieved between the top surfaces of the silicon face plate and the glass backing plate. In an alternate embodiment, an additional glass frame is used for bonding a silicon face plate to a glass backing plate, again with ensured coplanarity between the top surfaces of the silicon face plate and the glass frame. In a second alternate embodiment, a silicon face plate is encased in an extender material which may be borosilicate glass or a polymer. The encasing is performed on a leveling fixture such that the top surface of the silicon face plate and the top surface of the extender material after solidification are perfectly leveled.
Abstract:
High aspect ratio (5:1-30:1) and small (5 &mgr;m-125 &mgr;m) diameter holes in a dielectric substrate are provided, which are filled with a solidified conductive material, as well as a method of filling such holes using pressure and vacuum. In certain embodiments, the holes are lined with conductive material and/or capped with a conductive material. The invention also contemplates a chip carrier formed by such material.
Abstract:
The present invention discloses a method and apparatus for forming solder bumps by a molten solder screening technique in which a flexible die head constructed of a metal sheet is utilized for maintaining an intimate contact between the die head and a solder receiving mold surface. The flexible die head, when used in combination with a pressure means, is capable of conforming to any curved mold surface as long as the curvature is not more than 2.5 &mgr;m per inch of die length.
Abstract:
The present invention discloses a method and apparatus for forming solder bumps by a molten solder screening technique in which a flexible die head constructed of a metal sheet is utilized for maintaining an intimate contact between the die head and a solder receiving mold surface, The flexible die head, when used in combination with a pressure means, is capable of conforming to any curved mold surface as long as the curvature is not more than 2.5 &mgr;m per inch of die length. The present invention further provides a method and apparatus for filling a multiplicity of cavities in a mold surface by providing a stream of molten solder and then intimately contacting the surface of the molten solder with a multiplicity of cavities such that the molten solder readily fills the cavities. The apparatus further provides means for removing excess molten solder from the surface of the mold without disturbing the molten solder already filled in the cavities. The present invention further discloses a flexible die for dispensing molten solder consisting of a die body that is constructed of a metal sheet capable of flexing of not less than 1.5 &mgr;m per inch of die length, a gate opening for receiving a supply of molten solder, a slot opening for dispensing the molten solder onto a solder receiving surface, and a pressure means associated with the die body for providing adequate pressure such that the die body intimately contacting the solder receiving mold surface.
Abstract:
Disclosed is a solder injection mold apparatus and method for providing solder balls to a printed circuit board substrate using the solder injection mold apparatus in the plastic ball grid array (PBGA). The solder mold through holes are chamfered at entry and at exit ends to assist in receipt of molten solder and the formation and transfer of solder balls to lands on the substrate. A blind recess is provided in the second major surface of the mold, i.e. the side facing the substrate, in order to accommodate electronic components mounted thereon. Solder balls are delivered and metallurgically affixed to the lands in a process that requires only one reflow, leaving the through holes clean of solder and the mold ready for reuse. The material of which the substrate, mold and base plate are comprised is selected to be non-wettable by solder and mutually compatible with respect to CTE when exposed to temperatures of molten solder.