Abstract: An electronic device includes an electronic component configured to receive electric current and a plated contact electrically coupled to the electronic component and configured to carry the electric current to the electronic component from a system external to the device. The plated contact includes a copper-alloy layer, a platinum-group metal (PGM) layer plated over the copper-alloy layer, and a gold-alloy layer plated over the PGM layer.

Abstract: An electronic device includes an electronic component configured to receive electric current and a plated contact electrically coupled to the electronic component and configured to carry the electric current to the electronic component from a system external to the device. The plated contact includes a copper-alloy layer, a platinum-group metal (PGM) layer plated over the copper-alloy layer, and a gold-alloy layer plated over the PGM layer.

Abstract: Various methods and apparatus for establishing a thermal pathway for a semiconductor device are disclosed. In one aspect, a method of manufacturing is provided that includes placing a gel-type thermal interface material in a preselected pattern on a semiconductor chip that is coupled to a substrate. The preselected pattern of gel-type thermal interface material is allowed to partially set up. Additional thermal interface material is placed on the semiconductor chip and cured.

Abstract: Various methods and apparatus for establishing a thermal pathway for a semiconductor device are disclosed. In one aspect, a method of manufacturing is provided that includes forming a metal layer on a semiconductor chip and forming a gel-type thermal interface material layer on the metal layer. A solvent and a catalyst material are applied to the metal layer prior to forming the gel-type thermal interface material layer to facilitate bonding between the gel-type thermal interface material layer and the metal layer.

Abstract: Various methods and apparatus for establishing a thermal pathway for a semiconductor device are disclosed. In one aspect, a method of manufacturing is provided that includes forming a metal layer on a semiconductor chip and forming a gel-type thermal interface material layer on the metal layer. A solvent and a catalyst material are applied to the metal layer prior to forming the gel-type thermal interface material layer to facilitate bonding between the gel-type thermal interface material layer and the metal layer.

Abstract: A package substrate includes die solder pads and pin solder fillets. The pin solder fillets might comprise between approximately 90 wt % to approximately 99 wt % tin and approximately 10 wt % to 1 wt % antimony. The die solder pads might comprise between approximately 4 wt % to approximately 8 wt % bismuth, approximately 2 wt % to approximately 4 wt % silver, approximately 0 wt % to approximately 0.7 wt % copper, and approximately 87 wt % to approximately 92 wt % tin. The die solder pads might comprise between approximately 7 wt % to approximately 20 wt % indium, between approximately 2 wt % to approximately 4.5 wt % silver, between approximately 0 wt % to approximately 0.7 wt % copper, between approximately 0 wt % to approximately 0.5 wt % antimony, and between approximately 74.3 wt % to approximately 90 wt % tin.

Abstract: Raised electrical contacts, such as Pb-alloy solder bumps or balls utilized in semiconductor IC flip-chip devices, are selectively and readily removed from underlying contact pads by means of a chemical etching process, thereby facilitating metallurgical and/or microstructural inspection and/or analysis of the contact pads for failure analysis, void formation, electromigration, diffusion, loss of adhesion, etc., by a variety of optical and microscopic techniques.