Abstract: A device includes a substrate, a metal pad over the substrate, and a passivation layer having a portion over the metal pad. A post-passivation interconnect (PPI) is electrically coupled to the metal pad, wherein the PPI includes a portion over the metal pad and the passivation layer. A polymer layer is over the PPI. A solder ball is over the PPI. A compound includes a portion adjoining the solder ball and the polymer layer, wherein the compound includes flux and a polymer.

Abstract: System and method for bonding semiconductor substrates is presented. A preferred embodiment comprises forming a buffer layer over a surface of a semiconductor substrate while retaining TSVs that protrude from the buffer layer in order to prevent potential voids that might form. A protective layer is formed on another semiconductor substrate that will be bonded to the first semiconductor substrate. The two substrates are aligned and bonded together, with the buffer layer preventing any short circuit contacts to the surface of the original semiconductor substrate.

Abstract: Package on package (PoP) devices and methods of packaging semiconductor dies are disclosed. A PoP device includes a bottom packaged die having solder balls disposed on the top surface thereof and a top packaged die having metal stud bumps disposed on a bottom surface thereof. The metal stud bumps include a bump region and a tail region coupled to the bump region. Each metal stud bump on the top packaged die is coupled to one of the solder balls on the bottom packaged die.

Abstract: An integrated circuit structure includes a bottom die; a top die bonded to the bottom die with the top die having a size smaller than the bottom die; and a molding compound over the bottom die and the top die. The molding compound contacts edges of the top die. The edges of the bottom die are vertically aligned to respective edges of the molding compound.

Abstract: System and method for providing a multiple die interposer structure. An embodiment comprises a plurality of interposer studs in a molded interposer, with a redirection layer on each side of the interposer. Additionally, the interposer studs may be initially attached to a conductive mounting plate by soldering or wirebond welding prior to molding the interposer, with the mounting plate etched to form one of the redirection layers. Integrated circuit dies may be attached to the redirection layers on each side of the interposer, and interlevel connection structures used to mount and electrically connect a top package having a third integrated circuit to the interposer assembly.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for alignment in a flip chip bonding. A method includes attaching an integrated circuit having connector terminals to a bonding arm, the bonding arm having a chuck for attaching the integrated circuit at the backside surface, the bonding arm having a plurality of CCD imagers mounted thereon; receiving a substrate having pads corresponding to the connector terminals; using the bonding arm, positioning the integrated circuit proximal to the substrate; aligning the integrated circuit connector terminals with the pads on the substrate using the CCD imagers on the bonding arm; positioning the connector terminals in contact with the pads on the substrate; and performing a solder reflow to attach the integrated circuit to the substrate. An apparatus includes a bonding arm with a chuck for carrying a component and CCD imagers mounted on the arm for alignment.

Abstract: A method includes placing a mold chase over a bottom package, wherein the bottom package has a connector at a top surface of the bottom package. The mold chase includes a cover, and a pin under and connected to the cover. The pin occupies a space extending from a top surface of the connector to the cover. A polymer is filled into a space between the cover of the mold chase and the bottom package. The polymer is then cured. After the step of curing the polymer, the mold chase is removed, and the connector is exposed through an opening in the polymer, wherein the opening is left by the pin of the mold chase.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for die assembly. A method includes forming a trench extending from an active surface of a semiconductor substrate comprising a plurality of integrated circuit dies having connector terminals extending from the active surface, the trench extending into, but not through, the semiconductor substrate; forming a protective layer overlying the active surface of the semiconductor substrate and the trench, and covering the lower portion of the connector terminals; opening a pre-dicing opening in the protective layer and within the trench; applying a tape over the active surface of the semiconductor wafer, the protective layer and the connector terminals; and performing an operation on a backside of the semiconductor substrate to remove material until the pre-dicing opening is exposed on the backside of the semiconductor wafer. An apparatus includes a semiconductor substrate with integrated circuits and a protective layer surrounding connector terminals of integrated circuits.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a system and method for mounting semiconductor packages by forming one or more interconnects, optionally, with a wirebonder, and mounting the interconnects to a mounting pad on a target package. Mounting the interconnect may comprise ultrasonically welding the interconnects to the mounting pads, and the interconnect may be mounted via a mounting node on the end of the interconnect, wherein the mounting node may be formed by an electric flame off process. The interconnects may be trimmed to one or more substantially uniform heights, optionally using a laser or contact-type trimming system, and the tails of the interconnects may be supported during trimming. A top package may be bonded on the trimmed ends of the interconnects. During mounting, a support plate may be used to support the package, and a mask maybe used during interconnect mounting.

Abstract: An assembly has at least one integrated circuit (IC) die fixed in a medium. The assembly has a redistribution layer over the IC die. The redistribution layer has conductors connecting first pads on active faces of the IC die to second pads at an exposed surface of the assembly. A die unit is provided over the IC die. The die unit has a bottom die interconnected to a package substrate. Respective portions of the redistribution layer corresponding to each of the at least one IC die partially underlie the bottom die, and extend beyond the bottom die. The package substrate has contacts connected to the ones of the second pads corresponding to the at least one IC die.

Abstract: System and method are disclosed for creating a rigid interconnect between two substrate mounted packages to create a package-on-package assembly. A solid interconnect may have a predetermined length configured to provide a predetermined package separation, may be cylindrical, conical or stepped, may be formed by extrusion, casting, drawing or milling and may have an anti-oxidation coating. The interconnect may be attached to mounting pads on the top and bottom packages via an electrically conductive adhesive, including, but not limited to solder and solder paste. A solder preservative or other anti-oxidation coating may be applied to the mounting pad. A package-on-package assembly with solid interconnects may have a top package configured to accept at least one electronic device, with the solid interconnects mounted between the top package and a bottom package to rigidly hold the package about parallel to each other.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for solder connections. An apparatus includes a substrate having a conductive terminal on a surface; a passivation layer overlying the surface of the substrate and the conductive terminal; an opening in the passivation layer exposing a portion of the conductive terminal; at least one stud bump bonded to the conductive terminal in the opening and extending in a direction normal to the surface of the substrate; and a solder connection formed on the conductive terminal in the opening and enclosing the at least one stud bump. Methods for forming the solder connections are disclosed.

Abstract: A wafer level integrated circuit assembly method is conducted as follows. First, a mother device wafer with plural first posts is provided. The first posts are used for electrical connection and are made of copper according to an embodiment. Solder is sequentially formed on the first posts. The solder is preferably pre-formed on a wafer, and the locations of the solder correspond to the first posts of the mother device wafer. Consequently, the solder can be formed on or adhered to the first posts by placing the wafer having pre-formed solder onto the first posts. Plural dies having plural second posts corresponding to the first posts are placed onto the mother device wafer. Then, the solder is reflowed to bond the first and second posts, and the mother device wafer is diced.

Abstract: A device includes a substrate, and a bond pad over the substrate. A protection layer is disposed over the bond pad. The protection layer and the bond pad include different materials. A bond ball is disposed onto the protection layer. A bond wire is joined to the bond ball.

Abstract: A package assembly including a semiconductor die electrically coupled to a substrate by an interconnected joint structure. The semiconductor die includes a bump overlying a semiconductor substrate, and a molding compound layer overlying the semiconductor substrate and being in physical contact with a first portion of the bump. The substrate includes a no-flow underfill layer on a conductive region. A second portion of the bump is in physical contact with the no-flow underfill layer to form the interconnected joint structure.

Abstract: Protection of a solder ball joint is disclosed in which the solder ball joint is located below the surface level of the encapsulating buffer layer. The buffering layer is etched to expose one or more electrode posts, each of which may be made up of a single column or multiple columns. A top layer resulting either from a top conductive cap or a plating layer around the electrode posts also lies below the buffer layer. When the solder ball is placed onto the posts, the solder/ball joint is protected in a position below the surface of the buffer layer, while still maintaining an electrical connection between the various solder balls and their associated or capping/plating material, electrode posts, wiring layers, and circuit layers. Therefore, the entire ball joint is protected from direct stress.

Abstract: A method includes placing a mold chase over a bottom package, wherein the bottom package has a connector at a top surface of the bottom package. The mold chase includes a cover, and a pin under and connected to the cover. The pin occupies a space extending from a top surface of the connector to the cover. A polymer is filled into a space between the cover of the mold chase and the bottom package. The polymer is then cured. After the step of curing the polymer, the mold chase is removed, and the connector is exposed through an opening in the polymer, wherein the opening is left by the pin of the mold chase.

Abstract: A method comprises connecting a substrate having a plurality of integrated circuit (IC) dies to a package substrate, so that the package substrate extends beyond at least two edges of the substrate, leaving first and second edge portions of the package substrate having exposed contacts. The first and second edge portions meet at a first corner of the package substrate. At least a first upper die package is placed over the substrate, so that first and second edge portions of the first upper die package extend beyond the at least two edges of the substrate. Pads on the first and second edge portions of the first upper die package are connected to the contacts of the first and second edge portions of the package substrate.

Abstract: A method of forming a stacked die structure is disclosed. A plurality of dies are respectively bonded to a plurality of semiconductor chips on a first surface of a wafer. An encapsulation structure is formed over the plurality of dies and the first surface of the wafer. The encapsulation structure covers a central portion of the first surface of the wafer and leaves an edge portion of the wafer exposed. A protective material is formed over the first surface of the edge portion of the wafer.

Abstract: A package includes a printed circuit board (PCB), and a die bonded to the PCB through solder balls. A re-workable underfill is dispensed in a region between the PCB and the die.