Abstract: An integrated circuit assembly includes a support (e.g., package substrate or circuit board) and a semiconductor die including a device. The semiconductor die is mounted to the support with the device facing the support. The device can be, for example, a quantum well laser device or a photonics device. A layer of decoupling material is on the device. An underfill material is between the semiconductor die and the support, where the decoupling material is between the device and the underfill material. The decoupling layer decouples stress from transferring from the underfill material into the device. For example, the decoupling material forms only weak bonds with the underfill material and/or a passivation layer on the device, in an embodiment. Weak bonds include non-covalent bonds and non-ionic bonds, for example. The decoupling material can be, for instance, a PTFE film, a poly(p-xylylene) film, a fluorocarbon, or a compound lacking free hydroxyl groups.

Abstract: An apparatus comprising an integrated circuit chip comprising a first surface region and a second surface region adjacent to the first surface region; a substrate coupled to the integrated circuit chip through a plurality of connections comprising solder; and underfill between the substrate and the integrated circuit chip, wherein the underfill contacts the second surface region, but does not contact the first surface region.

Abstract: An integrated circuit assembly includes a support (e.g., package substrate or circuit board) and a semiconductor die including a device. The semiconductor die is mounted to the support with the device facing the support. The device can be, for example, a quantum well laser device or a photonics device. A layer of decoupling material is on the device. An underfill material is between the semiconductor die and the support, where the decoupling material is between the device and the underfill material. The decoupling layer decouples stress from transferring from the underfill material into the device. For example, the decoupling material forms only weak bonds with the underfill material and/or a passivation layer on the device, in an embodiment. Weak bonds include non-covalent bonds and non-ionic bonds, for example. The decoupling material can be, for instance, a PTFE film, a poly(p-xylylene) film, a fluorocarbon, or a compound lacking free hydroxyl groups.

Abstract: An electronic system includes a printed circuit board (PCB), a component affixed to the PCB, and a conformal coating layer on the PCB and the component. The conformal coating layer includes parylene. Furthermore, the electronic system includes an underfill layer adjacent to the conformal coating layer, filling a gap between the PCB and the component. Other embodiments being described and/or claimed.

Abstract: An electronic system may include a printed circuit board (PCB), a component affixed to the PCB, and a conformal coating layer on the PCB and the component. The conformal coating layer may include parylene. Furthermore, the electronic system may include an underfill layer adjacent to the conformal coating layer, filling a gap between the PCB and the component. Other embodiments may be described and/or claimed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for determining whether solder used during assembly of a printed circuit board is lead-free or not. This may include providing a pad on the printed circuit board and placing solder on the pad in a predetermined pattern. The solder may be heated so as to create reflow. The solder may later be examined to determine if the solder is lead-free.

Abstract: An anchoring mechanism and method are provided for securing a component to a printed circuit board. The anchoring mechanism may include a loop, a first leg extending from the loop, and a second leg extending from the loop. The first leg may mount through a first hole of the printed circuit board and include a compressible section to compress when inserted into the first hole and to expand after passing through the first hole. The compressible section of the first leg may support solder between the anchoring mechanism and the first hole. Likewise, the second leg may mount through a second hole of the printed circuit board and include a compressible section to compress when inserted into the second hole and to expand after passing through the second hole. The compressible section of the second leg may support solder between the anchoring mechanism and the second hole.

Abstract: A mechanism and method are provided for assembling a printed circuit board having a first surface, a second surface and an edge. The printed circuit board may include at least one female member to receive a corresponding male member. The mechanism may include an extension board having an edge to couple to the edge of the printed circuit board. The extension board may include a male member to extend from the edge of the extension board and to couple to the at least one male member so as to couple the extension board to the printed circuit board.

Abstract: An anchoring mechanism and method are provided for securing a component to a printed circuit board. The anchoring mechanism may include a loop, a first leg extending from the loop, and a second leg extending from the loop. The first leg may mount through a first hole of the printed circuit board and include a compressible section to compress when inserted into the first hole and to expand after passing through the first hole. The compressible section of the first leg may support solder between the anchoring mechanism and the first hole. Likewise, the second leg may mount through a second hole of the printed circuit board and include a compressible section to compress when inserted into the second hole and to expand after passing through the second hole. The compressible section of the second leg may support solder between the anchoring mechanism and the second hole.

Abstract: A mechanism and method are provided for assembling a printed circuit board having a first surface, a second surface and an edge. The printed circuit board may include at least one female member to receive a corresponding male member. The mechanism may include an extension board having an edge to couple to the edge of the printed circuit board. The extension board may include a male member to extend from the edge of the extension board and to couple to the at least one male member so as to couple the extension board to the printed circuit board.

Abstract: An interposer to couple a microelectronic device package to a motherboard is formed from a PCB substrate. Multiple via holes are drilled through a copper-clad PCB substrate and then coated inside with copper. The copper surface coating is etched to form multiple traces. In one embodiment, the substrate is cut through each row of via holes and between each row of via holes to produce multiple individual beam-and-trace interposers. Two or more such interposers may be affixed together to form a beam-and-trace interposer array. Alternatively, the substrate is not cut into strips, and each via hole is filled completely with a conductive material to form an array of solid conductive columns through the substrate.

Abstract: An anchoring mechanism and method are provided for securing a component to a printed circuit board. The anchoring mechanism may include a loop, a first leg extending from the loop, and a second leg extending from the loop. The first leg may mount through a first hole of the printed circuit board and include a compressible section to compress when inserted into the first hole and to expand after passing through the first hole. The compressible section of the first leg may support solder between the anchoring mechanism and the first hole. Likewise, the second leg may mount through a second hole of the printed circuit board and include a compressible section to compress when inserted into the second hole and to expand after passing through the second hole. The compressible section of the second leg may support solder between the anchoring mechanism and the second hole.

Abstract: A retainer for a circuit board and method for using the same are provided. In one embodiment, a circuit board assembly includes a circuit board, an electronic component, a plurality of electric contacts between the circuit board and the electronic component, and a retainer. The retainer has a first component secured to the circuit board and a second component secured to the electronic component. The retainer allows for movement of the electronic component in a first direction towards the circuit board while simultaneously preventing movement of the circuit board and the electronic component in a second direction away from one another when the electric contacts melt.

Abstract: An interposer to couple a microelectronic device package to a motherboard is formed from a PCB substrate. Multiple via holes are drilled through a copper-clad PCB substrate and then coated inside with copper. The copper surface coating is etched to form multiple traces In one embodiment, the substrate is cut through each row of via holes and between each row of via holes to produce multiple individual beam-and-trace interposers. Two or more such interposers may be affixed together to form a beam-and-trace interposer array. Alternatively, the substrate is not cut into strips, and each via hole is filled completely with a conductive material to form an array of solid conductive columns through the substrate.

Abstract: A retainer for a circuit board and method for using the same are provided. In one embodiment, a circuit board assembly includes a circuit board, an electronic component, a plurality of electric contacts between the circuit board and the electronic component, and a retainer. The retainer has a first component secured to the circuit board and a second component secured to the electronic component. The retainer allows for movement of the electronic component in a first direction towards the circuit board while simultaneously preventing movement of the circuit board and the electronic component in a second direction away from one another when the electric contacts melt.

Abstract: A method of wave soldering a circuit board while avoiding reflow of a solder joint on the topside of the board from heat conducted from the solder wave through at least one via in the board in heat conducting relation with the topside solder joint, comprises subjecting the circuit board to a solder wave and absorbing heat being conducted from the solder wave through the at least one via with an endothermic material in the via hole which undergoes a heat absorbing reaction. The heat absorbing reaction of the endothermic material is preferably a phase change, such as melting. The melted endothermic material is retained in the via hole during wave soldering by capillary forces and a cap on the lower end of the via hole. A disclosed method of making the circuit board includes locating the endothermic material in the via hole by inserting a preform of the endothermic material into the via hole or hot dispensing the endothermic material into the via hole.

Abstract: An interposer to couple a microelectronic device package to a motherboard is formed from a PCB substrate. Multiple via holes are drilled through a copper-clad PCB substrate and then coated inside with copper. The copper surface coating is etched to form multiple traces. In one embodiment, the substrate is cut through each row of via holes and between each row of via holes to produce multiple individual beam-and-trace interposers. Two or more such interposers may be affixed together to form a beam-and-trace interposer array. Alternatively, the substrate is not cut into strips, and each via hole is filled completely with a conductive material to form an array of solid conductive columns through the substrate.

Abstract: A zero mounting force solder-free connector/component and method.

Abstract: An apparatus including a substrate, and a surface mount component coupled with a top surface of the substrate, where the component includes side surfaces and a bottom surface, and the bottom surface is disposed adjacent to the top surface of the substrate. The side surfaces and the bottom surface of the surface mount component define a lower portion therebetween, the lower portion recessed away from the bottom component surface to allow solder to flow freely around a mounting lead of the surface mount component, for example, during the reflow process.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for determining whether solder used during assembly of a printed circuit board is lead-free or not. This may include providing a pad on the printed circuit board and placing solder on the pad in a predetermined pattern. The solder may be heated so as to create reflow. The solder may later be examined to determine if the solder is lead-free.