Study of Electroplated Compliant G-Helix Chip-to-Substrate Interconnects

2003 ◽  
Author(s):  
Qi Zhu ◽  
Lunyu Ma ◽  
Suresh K. Sitaraman
Keyword(s):  
Lower Cost ◽  
Coefficient Of Thermal Expansion ◽  
Organic Substrate ◽  
Electrical Performance ◽  
Wafer Level ◽  
Wafer Level Packaging ◽  
Cross Section Area ◽  
Section Area ◽  
Mechanical Compliance ◽  
Cte Mismatch

Microsystem packages continue to demand lower cost, higher reliability, better performance and smaller size. Compliant wafer-level interconnects show great potential for next-generation packaging. G-Helix, an electroplated compliant wafer-level chip-to-substrate interconnect can facilitate wafer-level probing as well as wafer-level packaging without the need for an underfill. The fabrication of the G-Helix interconnect is similar to conventional IC fabrication process and is based on electroplating and photolithography. G-Helix interconnect has good mechanical compliance in the three orthogonal directions and can accommodate the differential displacement induced by the coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) mismatch between the silicon die and the organic substrate. In this paper, we report the wafer-level fabrication of an area-arrayed G-Helix interconnects. The geometry effect on the mechanical compliance and electrical parasitics of G-Helix interconnects have been studied. Thinner and narrower arcuate beams with larger radius and taller post are found to have better mechanical compliance. However, it is also found that structures with excellent mechanical compliance may not have good electrical performance. Therefore, a trade off is needed. Using response surface methodology (RSM), an optimization has been done, and the optimal compliant G-Helix interconnect will have a total standoff height of 64 μm, radius of 36 μm and cross-section area of 93 μm2.

Development of G-Helix Structure as Off-Chip Interconnect

2004 ◽  
Vol 126 (2) ◽  
pp. 237-246 ◽  
Author(s):  
Qi Zhu ◽  
Lunyu Ma ◽  
Suresh K. Sitaraman
Keyword(s):  
Mechanical Performance ◽  
Coefficient Of Thermal Expansion ◽  
Mechanical Analysis ◽  
Organic Substrate ◽  
Electrical Performance ◽  
Wafer Level ◽  
Wafer Level Packaging ◽  
Package Weight ◽  
Mechanical Compliance ◽  
Cte Mismatch

Microsystem packages continue to demand lower cost, higher reliability, better performance and smaller size. Compliant wafer-level interconnects show great potential for next-generation packaging. G-Helix, an electroplated compliant wafer-level chip-to-substrate interconnect can facilitate wafer-level probing as well as wafer-level packaging without the need for an underfill. The fabrication of the G-Helix interconnect is similar to conventional IC fabrication process and is based on electroplating and photolithography. G-Helix interconnect has good mechanical compliance in the three orthogonal directions and can accommodate the differential displacement induced by the coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) mismatch between the silicon die and the organic substrate. In this paper, we report the wafer-level fabrication of an area-arrayed G-Helix interconnects. The geometry effect on the mechanical compliance and electrical parasitics of G-Helix interconnects have been studied. Thinner and narrower arcuate beams with larger radius and taller post are found to have better mechanical compliance. However, it is also found that structures with excellent mechanical compliance may not have good electrical performance. Therefore, a trade off is needed. Using response surface methodology (RSM), an optimization has been done. Furthermore, reliability of the optimized G-helix interconnects in a silicon-on-organic substrate assembly has been assessed, which includes the package weight and thermo-mechanical analysis. The pitch size effect on the electrical and mechanical performance of G-Helix interconnects has also been studied.

A Lithography-Based Compliant Chip-to-Substrate Wafer-Level Interconnect

2002 ◽  
Author(s):  
Qi Zhu ◽  
Lunyu Ma ◽  
Suresh K. Sitaraman
Keyword(s):  
High Performance ◽  
Coefficient Of Thermal Expansion ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Optimization Technique ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Organic Substrate ◽  
Electrical Performance ◽  
Wafer Level ◽  
Good Reliability ◽  
Mechanical Compliance

As the rapid advances in IC design and fabrication continue to challenge and push the electronic packaging technology, in terms of fine pitch, high performance, low cost, and good reliability, compliant interconnects show great advantages for next-generation packaging. β-fly is designed as a compliant chip-to-substrate interconnect for performing wafer-level probing and for packaging without underfill. β-fly has good compliance in all directions to compensate the coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) mismatch between the silicon die and an organic substrate. The fabrication of β-fly is similar to standard IC fabrication, and wafer-level packaging makes it cost effective. In this work, self-weight effect and stress distribution under planar displacement loading of β-fly is studied. The effect of geometry parameters on mechanical and electrical performance of β-fly is also studied. β-fly with thinner and narrower arcuate beams with larger radius and taller post is found to have better mechanical compliance. In addition to mechanical compliance, electrical characteristics of β-fly have also been studied in this work. However, it is found that structures with excellent mechanical compliance cannot have good electrical performance. Therefore, a trade off is needed for the design of β-fly. Response surface methodology and an optimization technique have been used to select the optimal β-fly structure parameters.

A Heterogeneous Array of Off-Chip Interconnects for Optimum Mechanical and Electrical Performance

2007 ◽  
Vol 129 (4) ◽  
pp. 460-468 ◽  
Author(s):  
Karan Kacker ◽  
Thomas Sokol ◽  
Wansuk Yun ◽  
Madhavan Swaminathan ◽  
Suresh K. Sitaraman
Keyword(s):  
Flip Chip ◽  
Dielectric Material ◽  
Coefficient Of Thermal Expansion ◽  
Semiconductor Industry ◽  
Organic Substrate ◽  
Electrical Performance ◽  
Integrative Approach ◽  
Wafer Level ◽  
Target Values ◽  
Low K

Demand for off-chip bandwidth has continued to increase. It is projected by the Semiconductor Industry Association in their International Technology Roadmap for Semiconductors that by the year 2015, the chip-to-substrate area-array input-output interconnects will require a pitch of 80 μm. Compliant off-chip interconnects show great potential to address these needs. G-Helix is a lithography-based electroplated compliant interconnect that can be fabricated at the wafer level. G-Helix interconnects exhibit excellent compliance in all three orthogonal directions, and can accommodate the coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) mismatch between the silicon die and the organic substrate without requiring an underfill. Also, these compliant interconnects are less likely to crack or delaminate the low-k dielectric material in current and future integrated circuits. The interconnects are potentially cost effective because they can be fabricated in batch at the wafer level and using conventional wafer fabrication infrastructure. In this paper, we present an integrative approach, which uses interconnects with varying compliance and thus varying electrical performance from the center to the edge of the die. Using such a varying geometry from the center to the edge of the die, the system performance can be tailored by balancing electrical requirements against thermomechanical reliability concerns. The test vehicle design to assess the reliability and electrical performance of the interconnects is also presented. Preliminary fabrication results for the integrative approach are presented and show the viability of the fabrication procedure. The results from reliability experiments of helix interconnects assembled on an organic substrate are also presented. Initial results from the thermal cycling experiments are promising. Results from mechanical characterization experiments are also presented and show that the out-of-plane compliance exceeds target values recommended by industry experts. Finally, through finite element analysis simulations, it is demonstrated that the die stresses induced by the compliant interconnects are an order of magnitude lower than the die stresses in flip chip on board (FCOB) assemblies, and hence the compliant interconnects are not likely to crack or delaminate low-k dielectric material.

Warpage Simulation During Fan-Out Wafer-Level Packaging Process with Uncertainty of Material Properties

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (5) ◽  
pp. 2987-2991
Author(s):  
Geumtaek Kim ◽  
Daeil Kwon
Keyword(s):  
Finite Element Analysis ◽  
Finite Element ◽  
Material Properties ◽  
Coefficient Of Thermal Expansion ◽  
Input Output ◽  
Wafer Level ◽  
High Input ◽  
Element Analysis ◽  
Packaging Process ◽  
Wafer Level Packaging

Along with the reduction in semiconductor chip size and enhanced performance of electronic devices, high input/output density is a desired factor in the electronics industry. To satisfy the high input/output density, fan-out wafer-level packaging has attracted significant attention. While fan-out wafer-level packaging has several advantages, such as lower thickness and better thermal resistance, warpage is one of the major challenges of the fan-out wafer-level packaging process to be minimized. There have been many studies investigating the effects of material properties and package design on warpage using finite element analysis. Current warpage simulations using finite element analysis have been routinely conducted with deterministic input parameters, although the parameter values are uncertain from the manufacturing point of view. This assumption may lead to a gap between the simulation and the field results. This paper presents an uncertainty analysis of wafer warpage in fan-out wafer-level packaging by using finite element analysis. Coefficient of thermal expansion of silicon is considered as a parameter with uncertainty. The warpage and the von Mises stress are calculated and compared with and without uncertainty.

Reliability Assessment and Failure Analysis of G-Helix, a Free-Standing Compliant Off-Chip Interconnect

2009 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 59-65
Author(s):  
Karan Kacker ◽  
Suresh K. Sitaraman
Keyword(s):  
Failure Analysis ◽  
Dielectric Material ◽  
Organic Substrate ◽  
Wafer Level ◽  
Free Standing ◽  
Fine Pitch ◽  
Cross Section Area ◽  
Interconnect Reliability ◽  
Compliant Interconnect ◽  
Low K

Continued miniaturization in the microelectronics industry calls for chip-to-substrate off-chip interconnects that have 100 μm pitch or less for area-array format. Such fine-pitch interconnects will have a shorter standoff height and a smaller cross-section area, and thus could fail through thermo-mechanical fatigue prematurely. Also, as the industry transitions to porous low-K dielectric/Cu interconnect structures, it is important to ensure that the stresses induced by the off-chip interconnects and the package configuration do not crack or delaminate the low-K dielectric material. Compliant free-standing structures used as off-chip interconnects are a potential solution to address these reliability concerns. In our previous work we have proposed G-Helix interconnects, a lithography-based electroplated compliant off-chip interconnect that can be fabricated at the wafer level. In this paper we develop an assembly process for G-Helix interconnects at a 100 μm pitch, identifying the critical factors that impact the assembly yield of such free-standing compliant interconnect. Reliability data are presented for a 20 mm × 20 mm chip with G-Helix interconnects at a 100 μm pitch assembled on an organic substrate and subjected to accelerated thermal cycling. Subsequent failure analysis of the assembly is performed and limited correlation is shown with failure location predicted by finite elements models.

On the Origins, Status, and Future of Flip Chip & Wafer Level Packaging

2010 ◽  
Vol 2010 (1) ◽  
pp. 000325-000332 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alan Huffman ◽  
Philip Garrou
Keyword(s):  
Technological Change ◽  
Flip Chip ◽  
Emerging Technologies ◽  
Unit Area ◽  
Form Factors ◽  
Electrical Performance ◽  
Wafer Level ◽  
3D Integration ◽  
Wafer Level Packaging ◽  
Area Array

As IC scaling continues to shrink transistors, the increased number of circuits per chip requires more I/O per unit area (Rent's rule). High I/O count, the need for smaller form factors and the need for better electrical performance drove the technological change towards die being interconnected (assembled) by area array techniques. This review will examine this evolution from die wire bonded on lead frames to flip chip die in wafer level or area array packages and discuss emerging technologies such as copper pillar bumps, fan out packaging, integrated passives, and 3D integration..

SYSTEMATIC FEEDBACK LOOP FOR SILICON DIE PICK&PLACE PROCESS IN RECONSTITUTED FAN-OUT EWLB WAFERS IN HIGH VOLUME PRODUCTION

2012 ◽  
Vol 2012 (1) ◽  
pp. 000201-000208 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alberto Martins ◽  
Nelson Pinho ◽  
Harald Meixner
Keyword(s):  
Feedback Loop ◽  
High Volume ◽  
Data Availability ◽  
Wafer Level ◽  
Wafer Level Packaging ◽  
Wafer Thickness ◽  
High Volume Production ◽  
Cte Mismatch ◽  
Volume Production ◽  
The Impact

NANIUM S.A. Portugal recently started producing eWLB fan-out [1][2] wafer level packaging technology on 300mm reconstituted wafers. Initial setup of this process demonstrated that the stable die Pick&Place accuracy plays a key role for product feasibility. In the subsequent volume production ramp-up it became apparent that the dynamic expansion of molded eWLB wafers, caused by thermal stress and CTE mismatch throughout the thin film redistribution and passivation layer up to bumping and reflow manufacturing processes requires a very tight die position monitoring over the complete wafer diameter. Feedback loop to the initial die placement and implementation of correction measures is essential to meet the quality and yield targets of different product configurations (die sizes, distance between dies, die thickness, wafer thickness, single die or system-inpackage) in high volume manufacturing. Stability and repeatability is of outermost importance. The paper will discuss the effects seen on the wafer, the monitoring and the strategies for feedback loop process enabling implementation of corrections into the reconstituted wafer before forming the artificial backend wafer by compression molding. The setup of adequate metrology steps throughout the process line supports the control of the various interlayer alignments. The end result is a centered process in the initial Pick&Place and various subsequent lithography steps (Stepper and Mask Aligner). Sustained data availability and processed data visualization made possible the development of an elaborate theoretical model enabling systematic optimizations of machine parameters and material expansion/compression correction factors. The model also permits the immediate visualization of the impact of each machine parameter on the global result.

Mixed Array of Compliant Interconnects to Balance Mechanical and Electrical Characteristics

2015 ◽  
Vol 137 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
R. I. Okereke ◽  
S. K. Sitaraman
Keyword(s):  
Solder Bump ◽  
Coefficient Of Thermal Expansion ◽  
Electrical Characteristics ◽  
Experimental Characterization ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
High Compliance ◽  
Mechanical Compliance ◽  
Cte Mismatch ◽  
Path Lengths

Various designs of compliant interconnects are being pursued in universities and industry to accommodate the coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) mismatch between die and substrate or substrate and board. Although such interconnects are able to mechanically decouple the components, electrical parasitics of compliant interconnects are often high compared to the electrical parasitics of solder bump or solder ball interconnects. This increase in electrical parasitics is due to the fact that compliant interconnects typically having longer path lengths and smaller cross-sectional areas to provide compliance, which in turn, increases their electrical parasitics. In this paper, we present a mixed array of compliant interconnects as a tradeoff between mechanical compliance and electrical parasitics. In the proposed implementation, the die area is subdivided into three regions where high compliance, medium-compliance, and low-compliance interconnect variants are situated in the outer, middle, and inner regions of the die, respectively. By introducing the low-compliance variants into the assembly, interconnects with greatly reduced electrical parasitics can be used as power/ground interconnects, while the high-compliance interconnects, situated near the die edges, can be used as signal interconnects. This paper demonstrates the implementation of this configuration and also presents the experimental characterization of such heterogeneous array of interconnects.

Wafer-Level, Compliant, Off-Chip Interconnects for Next-Generation Low-K Dielectric/Cu IC’s

2006 ◽  
Author(s):  
Karan Kacker ◽  
George Lo ◽  
Suresh K. Sitaraman
Keyword(s):  
Dielectric Material ◽  
Semiconductor Industry ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Organic Substrate ◽  
Integrative Approach ◽  
Wafer Level ◽  
Technology Roadmap ◽  
Cte Mismatch ◽  
Compliant Interconnect ◽  
Low K

Demand for off-chip bandwidth has continued to increase. It is projected by the Semiconductor Industry Association in their International Technology Roadmap for Semiconductors (ITRS) that by the year 2015, the chip-to-substrate area-array input-output interconnects will require a pitch of 70 μm. Compliant off-chip interconnects show great potential to address these needs. G-Helix is a lithography-based electroplated compliant interconnect that can be fabricated at the wafer level. G-Helix interconnects exhibit excellent compliance in all three orthogonal directions, and can accommodate the CTE mismatch between the silicon die and the organic substrate without requiring an underfill. Also, these compliant interconnect are less likely to crack or delaminate the low-K dielectric material in current and future ICs. The interconnects are also potentially cost effective as they can be fabricated using conventional wafer fabrication infrastructure. In this paper we present an integrative approach which uses interconnects with varying compliance and thus varying electrical preformance from the center to the edge of the die. Using such a varying geometry from the center to the edge of the die, the system performance can be tailored by balancing electrical requirements against thermo-mechanical reliability concerns. We also discuss the reliability assessment results of helix interconnects assembled on an organic substrate. Results from mechanical characterization experiments are also presented.

Advances in Temporary Bonding and Debonding Technologies for use with Wafer-Level System-in-Package (WLSiP) and Fan-Out Wafer-Level Packaging (FOWLP) Processes

2018 ◽  
Vol 2018 (1) ◽  
pp. 000051-000056 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michelle Fowler ◽  
John P. Massey ◽  
Matthew Koch ◽  
Kevin Edwards ◽  
Tanja Braun ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Coefficient Of Thermal Expansion ◽  
Active Area ◽  
Vertical Deformation ◽  
Level System ◽  
Wafer Level ◽  
Molding Process ◽  
Bonding Material ◽  
Wafer Level Packaging ◽  
Temporary Bonding ◽  
Mechanical Release

Abstract Today's complex fan-out wafer-level packaging (FOWLP) processes include the use of redistribution layers (RDL) and reconstituted wafers with epoxy mold compound (EMC) for use in heterogeneous integration [1]. Wafer-level system-in-package (WLSiP) uses fan-out wafer-level packaging (FOWLP) to build the system-in-package (SiP) by attaching know-good die (KGD) in a chip-first process to a tape laminated temporary carrier. If the dies are attached in a die-up configuration (active area facing up) and then over-molded with EMC, contact pads on the embedded die are exposed during the backside grind process. During the RDL build, the temporary carrier supplies mechanical support for the thinned substrate. In a die-down configuration with the active area facing down (eWLB), the temporary carrier is removed after the molding process thus exposing the contact pads for RDL build and solder ball mount. The ideal chip attachment scheme should minimize lateral movement of the die during over-mold (die shift) and also minimize vertical deformation of the bonding material. Thermal release tape provides a convenient way to attach die to a carrier prior to over-molding with EMC. However, not all bonding materials are suitable for presentation in tape form, so the material used in the tape may not be the optimal choice. An alternative method is to directly apply temporary bonding material to the carrier substrate. This enables the use of bonding materials with higher melt viscosity and improved thermal stability, resulting in less vertical deformation during die placement, and reduced die shift during over-molding. The bonding material will ideally have high adhesion to the EMC wafer to prevent delamination in the bond line during downstream processing. Stack stress and warpage is a major concern which causes handling and alignment problems during processing. The bonding material and carrier will need to be specifically suited to minimize the effects of stress in the compound wafer. Such material must balance rigidity with warp to prevent lateral die shift and deformation induced by coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) mismatch between the carrier and EMC material [2]. Bonding materials must also have enough adhesion to the EMC material to overcome such stress without bond failure for an associated debond path (such as laser or mechanical release). In this experiment, we will examine a thermoplastic bonding material in combination with different release materials, addressing die shift, and deformation after EMC processing. Successful pairs will then undergo carrier release using either mechanical release or laser ablation release technology.

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