Method for manufacturing raised electrical contact pattern of controlled geometry

• US 6,818,840 B2
• Filed: 11/07/2002
• Issued: 11/16/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 11/16/1993
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: FormFactor Incorporated
• Original Assignee: FormFactor Incorporated
• Inventors: Khandros, Igor Y.
• Primary Examiner(s): Zarneke, David A.
• Assistant Examiner(s): NORRIS, JEREMY C
• Application Number:
  US10/290,639
• Publication Number:
  US 20030062398A1
• Time in Patent Office: 740 Days
• Field of Search: 174/267, 257/688, 257/690-700, 361/772-776
• US Class Current: 174/267
• CPC Class Codes: B23K 1/0016 Brazing of electronic components
• CPC Class Codes: B23K 2101/40 Semiconductor devices
• CPC Class Codes: C23C 18/161 from plating step, e.g. inkjet
• CPC Class Codes: C25D 7/12 Semiconductors
• CPC Class Codes: C25D 7/123 Semiconductors first coated with a seed layer or a conductive layer
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 1/0466 concerning contact pieces or mechanical details, e.g. hinges or cams; Shielding
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 1/06711 Probe needles; Cantilever beams; "Bump" contacts; Replaceable probe pins
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 1/06761 related to layers
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 1/07307 with individual probe elements, e.g. needles, cantilever beams or bump contacts, fixed in relation to each other, e.g. bed of nails fixture or probe card
• 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 21/6715 Apparatus for applying a liquid, a resin, an ink or the like H01L21/67126 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 21/76897 Formation of self-aligned vias or contact plugs, i.e. involving a lithographically uncritical step self-aligned silicidation on field effect transistors H01L29/665
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 22/20 Sequence of activities consisting of a plurality of measurements, corrections, marking or sorting steps
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2224/10126 Bump collar
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2224/10145 Flow barriers
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2224/1134 Stud bumping, i.e. using a wire-bonding apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2224/13099 : Material
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2224/13111 : Tin [Sn] as principal constituent
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2224/29099 : Material
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2224/32225 : the item being non-metallic, e.g. insulating substrate with or without metallisation
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2224/45015 : being circular
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2224/45109 : Indium (In) as principal constituent
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2224/45111 : Tin (Sn) as principal constituent
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2224/45116 : Lead (Pb) as principal constituent
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2224/45117 : the principal constituent melting at a temperature of greater than or equal to 400°C and less than 950°C
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2224/4512 : Antimony (Sb) as principal constituent
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2224/45123 : Magnesium (Mg) as principal constituent
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2224/45124 : Aluminium (Al) as principal constituent
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2224/45138 : the principal constituent melting at a temperature of greater than or equal to 950°C and less than 1550°C
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2224/45139 : Silver (Ag) 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 2224/45155 : Nickel (Ni) as principal constituent
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2224/45163 : the principal constituent melting at a temperature of greater than 1550°C
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2224/45164 : Palladium (Pd) as principal constituent
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2224/45169 : Platinum (Pt) as principal constituent
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2224/45173 : Rhodium (Rh) as principal constituent
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2224/45176 : Ruthenium (Ru) as principal constituent
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2224/4554 : Coating
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2224/4556 : Disposition, e.g. coating on a part of the core
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2224/456 : 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 2224/4809 : Loop shape
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2224/48091 : Arched
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2224/4813 : Connecting within a semiconductor or solid-state body, i.e. fly wire, bridge wire
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2224/48227 : connecting the wire to a bond pad of the item
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2224/48465 : the other connecting portion not on the bonding area being a wedge bond, i.e. ball-to-wedge, regular stitch
• 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 2224/73265 : Layer and wire 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 2224/85043 : using a flame torch, e.g. hydrogen torch
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2224/85045 : using a corona discharge, e.g. electronic flame off [EFO]
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2224/85201 : Compression bonding
• 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 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 24/29 : of an individual layer connector
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 24/45 : of an individual wire connector
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 24/48 : 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 2924/00012 : Relevant to the scope of the group, the symbol of which is combined with the symbol of this group
• 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 2924/00015 : the subject-matter covered by the group, the symbol of which is combined with the symbol of this group, being disclosed as prior art
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2924/01005 : Boron [B]
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2924/01011 : Sodium [Na]
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2924/01012 : Magnesium [Mg]
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2924/01013 : Aluminum [Al]
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2924/01014 : Silicon [Si]
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2924/01015 : Phosphorus [P]
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2924/0102 : Calcium [Ca]
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2924/01022 : Titanium [Ti]
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2924/01024 : Chromium [Cr]
• 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 2924/0103 : Zinc [Zn]
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2924/01031 : Gallium [Ga]
• 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 2924/0106 : Neodymium [Nd]
• 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 2924/0132 : Binary Alloys
• 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 2924/10329 : Gallium arsenide [GaAs]
• 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 2924/1532 : the connection portion being formed on the die mounting surface of the substrate
• 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 2924/19041 : 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 2924/2075 : larger or equal to 1 micron less than 10 microns
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2924/20751 : larger or equal to 10 microns less than 20 microns
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2924/20752 : larger or equal to 20 microns less than 30 microns
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2924/20753 : larger or equal to 30 microns less than 40 microns
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2924/20754 : larger or equal to 40 microns less than 50 microns
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2924/20755 : larger or equal to 50 microns less than 60 microns
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2924/20756 : larger or equal to 60 microns less than 70 microns
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2924/20757 : larger or equal to 70 microns less than 80 microns
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2924/20758 : larger or equal to 80 microns less than 90 microns
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2924/20759 : larger or equal to 90 microns less than 100 microns
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2924/2076 : equal to or larger than 100 microns
• 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: H01L 2924/3512 : Cracking
• 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 29/49144 : 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 29/49151 : by deforming or shaping
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49155 : Manufacturing circuit on or in base
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49174 : Assembling terminal to elongated conductor
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49179 : by metal fusion bonding
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49204 : Contact or terminal manufacturing
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49222 : forming array of contacts or terminals
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49224 : with coating
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49609 : Spring making

Abstract

Spring contact elements are attached to terminals of an electronic component, which may be a semiconductor die. The spring contact elements may comprise a flexible precursor element. The precursor element may be over coated with a resilient material. The spring contact elements may be elongate and attached to the terminals at one end. The other end of the spring contacts may be spaced away from the electronic component.

Claims

1. An electronic assembly comprising:

a semiconductor die having a plurality of terminals; and

a plurality of resilient, springable interconnection elements, each of the interconnection elements having a die end attached directly to a respective one of the terminals on the die, an elongate section between the die end and a contact end, and a tip on the contact end, the tip pointing away from the die,

wherein the interconnection elements include a precursor element and an overcoat material covering said precursor element,

wherein the precursor element is of a flexible, substantially non-resilient material and the overcoat material provides the resilient springability of the interconnection element.

2. The electronic assembly of claim 1 wherein the precursor element includes a material selected from the group of gold, aluminum and copper, and the overcoat material includes material selected from the group of nickel, cobalt and iron.

3. The electronic assembly of claim 1 wherein the elongate section includes at least one bend.

4. The electronic assembly of claim 1 wherein the elongate section includes a proximate portion extending from said die end at an angle away from the die, a mid-portion extending at an angle from said proximate portion, and a distal portion extending at an angle from said mid-portion and away from the die.

5. The electronic assembly of claim 4 wherein the proximate portion extends from the die end at an angle substantially perpendicular to the die.

6. The electronic assembly of claim 1 wherein the tip has a contact region which provides a releasable point contact.

7. The electronic assembly of claim 1 wherein the contact end is moveable toward the surface of the die upon the application of a downward pressure upon the tip.

8. The electronic assembly of claim 1, wherein the overcoat material is stronger than the precursor element material.

9. The electronic assembly of claim 1, wherein the overcoat material anchors the precursor element to the terminal.

10. An electronic assembly comprising:

a semiconductor die having a plurality of terminals; and

a plurality of resilient, springable interconnection elements, each of the interconnection elements including a precursor element of a flexible, non-resilient material and an overcoat material covering said precursor element, the overcoat material providing the resilient springability of the interconnection element, and having

a die end attached directly to a respective one of the terminals on the die,

an elongate section extending from the die end to a contact end, the elongate section including at least a first bend and a second bend, and

a tip on the contact end, the tip pointing away from the die.

11. The electronic assembly of claim 10, wherein the overcoat material is stronger than the precursor element material.

12. An electronic assembly comprising:

a semiconductor die having a plurality of terminals; and

a plurality of resilient, springable interconnection elements, each of the interconnection elements having a die end attached directly to a respective one of the terminals on the die, an elongate section between the die end and a contact end, and a tip on the contact end,

wherein the interconnection elements include a precursor element and an overcoat material covering said precursor element, the precursor element is of a flexible, substantially non-resilient material and the overcoat material provides the resilient springability of the interconnection element.

13. The electronic assembly of claim 12 wherein the precursor element includes a material selected from the group of gold, aluminum and copper, and the overcoat material includes material selected from the group of nickel, cobalt and iron.

14. The electronic assembly of claim 12 wherein the elongate section includes at least one bend.

15. The electronic assembly of claim 12 wherein the elongate section includes a proximate portion extending from said die end at an angle away from the die, a mid-portion extending at an angle from said proximate portion, and a distal portion extending at an angle from said mid-portion and away from the die.

16. The electronic assembly of claim 15 wherein the proximate portion extends from the die end at an angle substantially perpendicular to the die.

17. The electronic assembly of claim 12 wherein the tip has a contact region which provides a releasable point contact.

18. The electronic assembly of claim 12 wherein the contact end is moveable toward the surface of the die upon the application of a downward pressure upon the tip.

19. The electronic assembly of claim 12, wherein the overcoat material is stronger than the precursor element material.

20. The electronic assembly of claim 12, wherein the overcoat material anchors the precursor element to the terminal.