Flexible contact structure with an electrically conductive shell

• US 5,917,707 A
• Filed: 11/15/1994
• Issued: 06/29/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 11/16/1993
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: FormFactor Incorporated
• Original Assignee: FormFactor Incorporated
• Inventors: Mathieu, Gaetan L., Khandros, Igor Y.
• Primary Examiner(s): Sparks, Donald
• Application Number:
  US08/340,144
• Time in Patent Office: 1,687 Days
• Field of Search: 29/827, 29/829, 29/832, 29/838, 29/840, 29/842, 29/843, 29/844, 29/850, 29/854, 29/881, 29/882, 29/884, 29/885, 174/52.1, 174/52.4, 174/268, 228/179.1, 228/180.1, 228/180.21, 228/180.5, 257/666, 257/668, 257/672, 257/676, 257/677, 257/692, 257/696, 257/700, 257/735, 257/736, 257/741, 257/748, 257/750, 257/759, 257/779, 257/781, 257/784, 257/785, 257/780, 324/537, 324/765, 361/760, 361/767-774, 361/776, 361/779, 361/783, 361/792-795, 361/807, 361/809, 427/96, 427/123, 427/126.1, 427/117, 427/118, 438/117, 438/611, 438/617, 438/FOR 369, 439/66, 439/68, 439/69, 439/83, 439/84, 439/85, 439/91
• US Class Current: 361/776
• CPC Class Codes: B23K 2101/40 Semiconductor devices
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 1/0466 concerning contact pieces or mechanical details, e.g. hinges or cams; Shielding
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 1/0483 Sockets for un-leaded IC's having matrix type contact fields, e.g. BGA or PGA devices; Sockets for unpackaged, naked chips for IC's with connecting points around the edges only G01R1/0433
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 1/06711 Probe needles; Cantilever beams; "Bump" contacts; Replaceable probe pins
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 1/06716 Elastic
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 1/06761 related to layers
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 1/07314 the body of the probe being perpendicular to test object, e.g. bed of nails or probe with bump contacts on a rigid support on an elastic support, e.g. a film, G01R1/0735
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 1/07342 the body of the probe being at an angle other than perpendicular to test object, e.g. probe card
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 1/07357 with flexible bodies, e.g. buckling beams
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 3/00 Apparatus or processes specially adapted for the manufacture or maintenance of measuring instruments , e.g. of probe tips
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/2884 using dedicated test connectors, test elements or test circuits on the IC under test G01R31/2855 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/2886 Features relating to contacting the IC under test, e.g. probe heads; chucks G01R31/2865 takes precedence, test connections, e.g. test sockets, or probes per se, G01R1/04 or G01R1/06
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 21/4853 Connection or disconnection of other leads to or from a metallisation, e.g. pins, wires, bumps
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 21/563 Encapsulation of active face of flip-chip device, e.g. underfilling or underencapsulation of flip-chip, encapsulation preform on chip or mounting substrate
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 21/67138 Apparatus for wiring semiconductor or solid state device
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 21/6715 Apparatus for applying a liquid, a resin, an ink or the like H01L21/67126 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 22/20 Sequence of activities consisting of a plurality of measurements, corrections, marking or sorting steps
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2224/0401 Bonding areas specifically adapted for bump connectors, e.g. under bump metallisation [UBM]
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2224/06153 with a staggered arrangement, e.g. depopulated array
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2224/1134 Stud bumping, i.e. using a wire-bonding apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2224/13083 : Three-layer arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2224/13099 : Material
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2224/13124 : Aluminium [Al] as principal constituent
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2224/13144 : Gold [Au] as principal constituent
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2224/13147 : Copper [Cu] as principal constituent
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2224/136 : with a principal constituent of the material being a metal or a metalloid, e.g. boron [B], silicon [Si], germanium [Ge], arsenic [As], antimony [Sb], tellurium [Te] and polonium [Po], and alloys thereof
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2224/13639 : Silver [Ag] as principal constituent
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2224/13644 : Gold [Au] as principal constituent
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2224/13647 : Copper [Cu] as principal constituent
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2224/13655 : Nickel [Ni] as principal constituent
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2224/13657 : Cobalt [Co] as principal constituent
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2224/45124 : Aluminium (Al) as principal constituent
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2224/45144 : Gold (Au) as principal constituent
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2224/45147 : Copper (Cu) as principal constituent
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2224/4554 : Coating
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2224/48 : of an individual wire connector
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2224/49109 : outside the semiconductor or solid-state body
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2224/73203 : Bump and layer connectors
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2224/78301 : Capillary
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2224/81205 : Ultrasonic bonding
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2224/81801 : Soldering or alloying
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2224/85045 : using a corona discharge, e.g. electronic flame off [EFO]
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2224/85205 : Ultrasonic bonding
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 23/49811 : Additional leads joined to the metallisation on the insulating substrate, e.g. pins, bumps, wires, flat leads H01L23/49827 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 23/49827 : Via connections through the substrates, e.g. pins going through the substrate, coaxial cables H01L23/49822, H01L23/49833, H01L23/4985, H01L23/49861 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 24/11 : Manufacturing methods for bumps on insulating substrates H01L21/4853
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 24/13 : of an individual bump connector
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 24/16 : of an individual bump connector
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 24/45 : of an individual wire connector
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 24/49 : of a plurality of wire connectors
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 24/72 : Detachable connecting means consisting of mechanical auxiliary parts connecting the device, e.g. pressure contacts using springs or clips
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 24/81 : using a bump connector
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 25/0652 : the devices being arranged next and on each other, i.e. mixed assemblies
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 25/16 : the devices being of types provided for in two or more different main groups of groups H01L27/00 - H01L33/00, or in a single subclass of H10K, H10N, e.g. forming hybrid circuits
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2924/00 : Indexing scheme for arrangements or methods for connecting or disconnecting semiconductor or solid-state bodies as covered by H01L24/00
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2924/00013 : Fully indexed content
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2924/00014 : the subject-matter covered by the group, the symbol of which is combined with the symbol of this group, being disclosed without further technical details
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2924/01005 : Boron [B]
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2924/01006 : Carbon [C]
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2924/01011 : Sodium [Na]
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2924/01012 : Magnesium [Mg]
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2924/01014 : Silicon [Si]
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2924/01015 : Phosphorus [P]
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2924/01022 : Titanium [Ti]
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2924/01027 : Cobalt [Co]
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2924/01028 : Nickel [Ni]
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2924/01029 : Copper [Cu]
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2924/01033 : Arsenic [As]
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2924/01039 : Yttrium [Y]
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2924/01042 : Molybdenum [Mo]
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2924/01044 : Ruthenium [Ru]
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2924/01045 : Rhodium [Rh]
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2924/01046 : Palladium [Pd]
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2924/01047 : Silver [Ag]
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2924/01049 : Indium [In]
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2924/0105 : Tin [Sn]
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2924/01051 : Antimony [Sb]
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2924/01055 : Cesium [Cs]
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2924/01074 : Tungsten [W]
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2924/01078 : Platinum [Pt]
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2924/01079 : Gold [Au]
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2924/01082 : Lead [Pb]
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2924/01322 : Eutectic Alloys, i.e. obtained by a liquid transforming into two solid phases
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2924/01327 : Intermediate phases, i.e. intermetallics compounds
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2924/014 : Solder alloys
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2924/10253 : Silicon [Si]
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2924/14 : Integrated circuits
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2924/15153 : the die mounting substrate comprising a recess for hosting the device
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2924/1517 : Multilayer substrate
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2924/15312 : being a pin array, e.g. PGA
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2924/15787 : Ceramics, e.g. crystalline carbides, nitrides or oxides
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2924/16152 : Cap comprising a cavity for hosting the device, e.g. U-shaped cap
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2924/16195 : Flat cap [not enclosing an internal cavity]
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2924/181 : Encapsulation
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2924/19041 : being a capacitor
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2924/19043 : being a resistor
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2924/19107 : off-chip wires
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2924/30107 : Inductance
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2924/3011 : Impedance
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2924/3025 : Electromagnetic shielding
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 12/52 : connecting to other rigid printed circuits or like structures
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 1/141 : One or more single auxiliary printed circuits mounted on a main printed circuit, e.g. modules, adapters H05K1/142 and H05K1/147 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 2201/0397 : Tab
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 2201/068 : wherein the coefficient of thermal expansion is important
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 2201/1031 : Surface mounted metallic connector elements
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 2201/10318 : Surface mounted metallic pins
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 2201/10378 : Interposers
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 2201/10719 : Land grid array [LGA]
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 2201/10734 : Ball grid array [BGA]; Bump grid array
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 2201/10757 : Bent leads
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 2201/10878 : Means for retention of a lead in a hole
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 2201/10909 : Materials of terminal, e.g. of leads or electrodes of components
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 2201/10946 : Leads attached onto leadless component after manufacturing the component
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 3/308 : Adaptations of leads connectors to printed circuits H01R12/00
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 3/326 : the printed circuit having integral resilient or deformable parts, e.g. tabs or parts of flexible circuits H05K3/365 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 3/3421 : Leaded components
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 3/3426 : characterised by the leads
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 3/368 : parallel to each other H05K3/361 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 3/4015 : using auxiliary conductive elements, e.g. pieces of metal foil, metallic spheres
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 3/4092 : Integral conductive tabs, i.e. conductive parts partly detached from the substrate
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 7/1069 : with spring contact pieces
• CPC Class Codes: Y02P 70/50 : Manufacturing or production processes characterised by the final manufactured product
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49124 : On flat or curved insulated base, e.g., printed circuit, etc.
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49144 : by metal fusion
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49147 : Assembling terminal to base
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49149 : by metal fusion bonding
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49162 : by using wire as conductive path
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49169 : Assembling electrical component directly to terminal or elongated conductor
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49217 : by elastic joining
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49224 : with coating

Abstract

An interconnection contact structure assembly including an electronic component having a surface and a conductive contact carried by the electronic component and accessible at the surface. The contact structure includes an internal flexible elongate member having first and second ends and with the first end forming a first intimate bond to the surface of said conductive contact terminal without the use of a separate bonding material. An electrically conductive shell is provided and is formed of at least one layer of a conductive material enveloping the elongate member and forming a second intimate bond with at least a portion of the conductive contact terminal immediately adjacent the first intimate bond.

Claims

1. A contact structure for use as an interconnect with an assembly which incorporates a semiconductor device, the assembly including an electronic component which includes a surface having a conductive contact pad thereon, said conductive contact pad having a surface, said contact structure comprising:

a conductive flexible elongate element having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end of the flexible elongate element is intimately bonded to the surface of the conductive contact pad;

a shell substantially enveloping the conductive flexible elongate element and at least a portion of the surface of the conductive contact pad immediately adjacent the first end of the conductive flexible elongate element to provide a second intimate bond so that the strength of the second intimate bond is greater than that of the first intimate bond;

a layer of dielectric material disposed on the shell; and

an additional layer of conductive material disposed on the layer of dielectric material to provide a shielded contact structure.

2. A contact structure as in claim 1 wherein said shell is conductive, and wherein a portion of said shell at said second end is not covered by said dielectric layer and is not covered by said additional layer of conductive material.

3. A contact structure as in claim 2 wherein said second end is a free end.

4. A contact structure as in claim 3 wherein said contact structure is resilient.

5. A contact structure as in claim 4 wherein said contact structure is for making electrical contact with a contact element on said semiconductor device.

6. A contact structure as in claim 5 wherein said second end is for making electrical contact with said contact element on said semiconductor device.

7. A contact structure as in claim 2 wherein said first end is bonded to the conductive contact pad which is disposed on said semiconductive device.

8. A contact structure as in claim 2 wherein said conductive flexible elongate element comprises at least one cantilever forming a bend.

9. A contact structure as in claim 2 wherein said shell has a yield strength which is higher than a yield strength of said conductive flexible elongate element.

10. A contact structure as in claim 2 wherein said shell is principally formed of a material selected from the group consisting of nickel, cobalt, iron, phosphorous, boron, copper, tungsten, molybdenum, rhodium, chromium, ruthenium, silver, palladium and their alloys.

11. A contact structure as in claim 2 wherein said conductive flexible elongate element has a diameter in a range of from 0.25 mils to 10 mils.

12. A contact structure as in claim 2 wherein said shell has a wall thickness in a range of from 0.2 to 20 mils.

13. A contact structure as in claim 2 wherein said contact structure provides a contact with controlled impedance.