Abstract: In the wiring board, insulating layers and wiring layers are alternately laminated, and the wiring layers are electrically connected by the vias. The wiring board includes first terminals arranged in a first surface and embedded in an insulating layer, second terminals arranged in a second surface opposite to the first surface and embedded in an insulating layer, and lands arranged in an insulating layer and in contact with the first terminals. The vias electrically connect the lands and the wiring layers laminated alternately with the insulating layers. No connecting interface is formed at an end of each of the vias on the land side but a connecting interface is formed at an end of each of the vias on the wiring layer side.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes an insulating substrate, a semiconductor chip, an insulating layer, and a sealing layer. The insulating substrate has an opening. A semiconductor chip is disposed in the opening. An insulating layer is disposed on a first surface of the insulating substrate. The insulating layer covers the opening. The sealing layer is disposed on a second surface of the insulating substrate. The sealing layer seals the semiconductor chip and the opening.

Abstract: A wirebond protector has an elongated shape that corresponds to the elongated array of wirebonds along the edge of a microelectronic device that connect a semiconductor die to electrical conductors on a substrate. In making the microelectronic device with wirebond protection, wirebonds are first formed in the conventional manner The wirebond protector is then attached to the device in an orientation in which it extends along the array of wirebonds to at least partially cover the wirebonds.

Abstract: A semiconductor chip package includes a chip; first and second connection pads arranged in a matrix and disposed about the chip, and the first and second connection pads have different bottom surface shapes when viewed from a bottom of the QFN package; bonding pads provided on an active surface of the chip and being electrically connected with corresponding said connection pads through bonding wires; and a package body encapsulating the chip, the bonding wires and an upper portion of each of the connection pads such that a lower portion of each of the connection pads extends outward from a bottom of the package body.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for forming a semiconductor device, which comprises the steps of preparing a semiconductor wafer including an electrode pad, an insulating film formed with a through hole and a bedding metal layer which are formed in a semiconductor substrate, forming a first resist mask which exposes each area for forming a redistribution wiring, over the bedding metal layer, forming a redistribution wiring connected to the electrode pad and extending in an electrode forming area for a post electrode with the first resist mask as a mask, removing the first resist mask by a dissolving solution to expose each area excluding the electrode forming area for the redistribution wiring and forming a second resist mask disposed with being separated from each side surface of the redistribution wiring, forming a redistribution wiring protective metal film over upper and side surfaces of the exposed redistribution wiring with the second resist mask as a mask, removing the second resist mask by a d

Abstract: A package and a fabricating method thereof are provided. The package includes a conductive layer, a chip, a plurality of first pads, a plurality of bonding wires and a sealant. The conductive layer has a die pad and includes a plurality of wires. A path of each wire is substantially parallel to a supporting surface of the die pad. Each wire has an upper surface and a lower surface. The chip disposed on the supporting surface has a plurality of pads. The first pads are correspondingly formed on the upper surfaces of the wires. The bonding wires electrically connect the pads of the chip to the first pads. The sealant seals up the conductive layer, the first pads, the chip and the bonding wires, and exposes the lower surface of the conductive layer. The conductive layer projects from a bottom surface of the sealant.

Abstract: The electric component includes at least a set of electrode terminals 2, 3, a semiconductor element 4 electrically connected with the set of electrode terminals, and a package 6 made of synthetic resin and sealing the electrode terminals and the semiconductor element with part of a lower surface of each of the electrode terminals exposed at a lower surface of the package. A cover layer 11 made of synthetic resin is formed to cover a cut surface of a tip of a connector lead remainder extending integrally outward from the each of the electrode terminals. Thus, disadvantages resulting from exposure of the cut surface of the tip of the connector lead remainder are eliminated.

Abstract: Provided is a semiconductor device and a method of manufacturing the semiconductor device, in which the semiconductor device has a semiconductor element having a plurality of wires bonded to the semiconductor element with sufficient bonding reliability and has a good heat dissipation property. A semiconductor device in which a first wire is ball bonded on an electrode, and a second wire is further bonded on the ball-bonded first wire, and the first wire or an end of the second wire defines a space between itself and the ball portion of the first wire.

Abstract: A semiconductor device has a first layer pressing portion that is formed by crushing a ball neck formed by bonding an initial ball onto a first layer pad of a first layer semiconductor die and pressing the side of a wire folded onto the crushed ball neck, a first wire extended in the direction of a lead from the first layer pressing portion, and a second wire that is looped from a second layer pad of a second layer semiconductor die toward the first layer pressing portion and joined onto the second layer pad side of the first layer pressing portion. Thereby, the connection of wires is performed at a small number of times of bonding, while reducing damages caused on the semiconductor dies.

Abstract: A semiconductor device of improved stress-migration resistance and reliability includes an insulating film having formed therein a lower interconnection consisting of a barrier metal film and a copper-silver alloy film, on which is then formed an interlayer insulating film. In the interlayer insulating film is formed an upper interconnection consisting of a barrier metal film and a copper-silver alloy film. The lower and the upper interconnections are made of a copper-silver alloy which contains silver in an amount more than a solid solution limit of silver to copper.

Abstract: The present invention includes a temporary fixing step of temporarily fixing a semiconductor element on an adherend interposing an adhesive sheet therebetween, a wire-bonding step of bonding wires to the semiconductor element, and a step of sealing the semiconductor element with a sealing resin, and in which the loss elastic modulus of the adhesive sheet at 175° C. is 2000 Pa or more.

Abstract: The present invention provides a semiconductor device and manufacturing method of the semiconductor device which can prevent breaks in an interlayer insulation film (12) and electrode (13) that arise with bonding while maintaining bonding strength. A semiconductor element (1) mounted on a semiconductor device including an interlayer insulation film (12) which has an aperture part (123) having an opening shape which is defined by an extension part (121) which covers the gate electrode (116) and extends in the first direction, a connection part (122), the extension part (121) and the connection part (122) which connects at fixed intervals in the first direction a pair of extension parts (121) which are adjacent to the second direction, and which exposes a main surface of a base region (112) and a main surface of an emitter region (113).

Abstract: An IC package primarily comprises a substrate, a die-attaching layer, a chip, at least a bonding wire, and a plurality of electrical connecting components. The substrate has a top surface and a bottom surface where the top surface includes a die-attaching area for disposing the die-attaching layer. The chip is attached to the die-attaching area by the die-attaching layer and is electrically connected to the substrate by the electrical connecting components. Both ends of the bonding wire are bonded to two interconnecting fingers on the top surface of the substrate where at least a portion of the bonding wire is encapsulated in the die-attaching layer to replace some wirings or vias inside a conventional substrate. Therefore, the substrate has simple and reduced wiring layers, i.e., to reduce the substrate cost. A chip carrier of the corresponding IC package is also revealed.

Abstract: A technique for expanding an effective area in which a semiconductor structure required for a semiconductor device to function is desired. With the semiconductor device 2 of this invention, a pad 12 to be connected with a conductive wire 14 is sloping with respect to the surface of the semiconductor device 2 around the pad 12 and along a longitudinal direction of the conductive wire 14. Consequently, the length of the pad 12, when projecting the pad 12 onto the surface of the semiconductor device 2, can be shortened. As a result, the area of the pad region 10 can be reduced and the effective area for forming a semiconductor structure can be enlarged.

Abstract: The advanced quad flat non-leaded package structure includes a carrier having a die pad and a plurality of leads, at least a chip, a plurality of wires, and a molding compound. The rough surface of the carrier enhances the adhesion between the carrier and the surrounding molding compound.

Abstract: There is a highly reliable semiconductor module having a satisfactory bonding strength in the electrical bonded portion. In the semiconductor module 10, a semiconductor chip 11 is mounted on a circuit board 20. In the circuit board 20, on an insulating ceramic substrate 21 is formed a metal circuit plate 22 on which the semiconductor chip 11 is implemented. The semiconductor chip 11 and metal circuit plate 22 are connected with each other by an aluminum bonding wire 23. In the connected portion between the metal circuit plate 22 and bonding wire 23, a coating layer 24 for excellent conjunction therebetween is mounted. The coating layer 24, as shown in an enlarged diagram, is made up of a nickel (Ni) layer 241, a P-distributed palladium (Pd) layer 242, and an Au layer 243 in increasing order. To the P-distributed Pd layer 242 is added P (phosphorous) and, the P concentration on the Ni layer 241 is higher than that on the Au layer side 243.

Abstract: A relay board provided in a semiconductor device includes a first terminal, and a plurality of second terminals connecting to the first terminal by a wiring. The wiring connecting to the first terminal is split on the way so that the wiring connects to each of the second terminals.

Abstract: A leadframe includes a die pad and a plurality of leads corresponding to the die pad. The die pad for supporting a die is formed with a plurality of sides, each of the sides having at least one recess portion and at least one protrusion portion. The leads are substantially coplanar to the die pad. The leads include a plurality of first leads and a plurality of second leads. The first leads extend into the recess portions respectively, and the second leads are aligned with the protrusion portions. The length of the first leads is greater than that of the second leads. The length of wires electrically connecting the die to the leads or the die pad can be adjusted by the sides of the leadframe with the recess portion and the protrusion portion having a dimension corresponding to the leads, so as to save the manufacture cost of the leadframe.

Abstract: A semiconductor device with improved bondability between a wire and a bump and cutting property of the wire to improve the bonding quality. In the semiconductor device, a wire is stacked on a pad as a second bonding point to form a bump having a sloped wedge and a first bent wire convex portion, and a wire is looped from a lead as a first bonding point to the bump and is pressed to the sloped wedge of the bump with a face portion of a tip end of a capillary to bond the wire to the bump. At the same time, the wire is pressed to the first bent wire convex portion using an inner chamfer of a bonding wire hole in the capillary to form a wire bent portion having a bow-shaped cross section. The wire is pulled up and cut at the wire bent portion.

Abstract: An electronic component assembly that has a supporting structure, an integrated circuit die with a plurality of contacts pads, a printed circuit board with a plurality of conductors, the integrated circuit die and the PCB being mounted to the supporting structure by a die attach film such that they are adjacent and spaced from each other and, wire bonds electrically connecting the contact pads to the conductors. An intermediate portion of each of the wire bonds is adhered to the die attach film to lower the profile of the wire bond arcs.

Abstract: A semiconductor device has a flexible substrate which can be folded U-shape, and an outer surface of the flexible substrate being provided concave-convex portions for heat radiation. The semiconductor device also has a semiconductor chip which is mounted on an inner surface of the flexible substrate, and the chip being electronically connected with the flexible substrate.

Abstract: Semiconductor device packages formed in accordance with methods of packaging semiconductor dice in grid array-type semiconductor device packages using conventional lead frame or lead lock tape assembly equipment are disclosed. Circuitry-bearing structure having an electrically insulating layer that carries redistribution electrical connections having redistributed bond pads and conductive traces and which is supported from beneath by a support layer are configured for securing to the active surface of a semiconductor die. The support layer may comprise an electrically conductive material, which may act as a heat sink or as a ground plane for the packaged semiconductor device. A semiconductor device and a semiconductor assembly are also provided.

Abstract: A semiconductor device has one or more semiconductor chips with active and passive surfaces, wherein the active surfaces include contact pads. The device further has a plurality of metal segments separated from the chip by gaps; the segments have first and second surfaces, wherein the second surfaces are coplanar with the passive chip surface. Conductive connectors span from the chip contact pads to the respective first segment surface. Polymeric encapsulation compound covers the active chip surface, the connectors, and the first segment surfaces, and are filling the gaps so that the compound forms surfaces coplanar with the passive chip surface and the second segment surfaces. In this structure, the device thickness may be only about 250 ?m. Reflow metals may be on the passive chip surface and the second segment surfaces.

Abstract: A semiconductor device has a first layer pressing portion that is formed by crushing a ball neck formed by bonding an initial ball onto a first layer pad of a first layer semiconductor die and pressing the side of a wire folded onto the crushed ball neck, a first wire extended in the direction of a lead from the first layer pressing portion, and a second wire that is looped from a second layer pad of a second layer semiconductor die toward the first layer pressing portion and joined onto the second layer pad side of the first layer pressing portion. Thereby, the connection of wires is performed at a small number of times of bonding, while reducing damages caused on the semiconductor dies.

Abstract: A microelectronic assembly can include a microelectronic device having device contacts exposed at a surface thereof and an interconnection element having element contacts and having a face adjacent to the microelectronic device. Conductive elements, e.g., wirebonds connect the device contacts with the element contacts and have portions extending in runs above the surface of the microelectronic device. A conductive layer has a conductive surface disposed at at least a substantially uniform distance above or below the plurality of the runs of the conductive elements. In some cases, the conductive material can have first and second dimensions in first and second horizontal directions which are smaller than first and second corresponding dimensions of the microelectronic device. The conductive material is connectable to a source of reference potential so as to achieve a desired impedance for the conductive elements.

Abstract: A method of forming a wire loop is provided. The method includes: (1) forming a first fold of wire; (2) bonding the first fold of wire to a first bonding location to form a first bond; (3) extending a length of wire, continuous with the first bond, between (a) the first bond and (b) a second bonding location; and (4) bonding a portion of the wire to the second bonding location to form a second bond.

Abstract: A semiconductor device which stores a plurality of semiconductor chips, having planar sizes which differ, in the same sealing body in a state in which they are accumulated via an insulating film which has an adhesive property. In the semiconductor device, the thickness of DAF of the back surface of the uppermost semiconductor chip with which the control circuit is formed is thicker than each of DAF of the back surface of the lower layer semiconductor chip with which the memory circuit is formed.

Abstract: Microelectronic devices having intermediate contacts, and associated methods of packaging microelectronic devices with intermediate contacts, are disclosed herein. A packaged microelectronic device configured in accordance with one embodiment of the invention includes a microelectronic die attached to an interconnecting substrate. The microelectronic die includes an integrated circuit electrically coupled to a plurality of terminals. Each of the terminals is electrically coupled to a corresponding first contact on the die with an individual wire-bond. Each of the first contacts on the die is electrically coupled to a corresponding second contact on the interconnecting substrate by a conductive coupler such as a solder ball.

Abstract: A chip scale package (CSP) package and method of fabricating the same are provided. The fabricating method includes the following steps. First, a substrate is provided. Next, a chip is disposed on the front surface of the substrate and electrically connected to the substrate. Then, a thermal conductive paste is formed on the surface of the chip. Afterwards, a molding compound for enclosing the chip is formed. Lastly, a milling process is applied to the molding compound so that the height of the molding compound is aligned with that of the thermal conductive paste. The chip can be disposed on the substrate by way of wire bonding or flip-chip bonding. The thermal conductive paste is disposed on the surface of the chip either before or after the milling process is completed.

Abstract: An electrical connection arrangement between a semiconductor circuit arrangement and an external contact device, and to a method for producing the connection arrangement is disclosed. In one embodiment, a metallic layer is deposited onto at least one contact terminal and/or the contacts and the wire, the metallic layer protecting the contact terminal or the electrical connection against ambient influences and ensuring a high reliability.

Abstract: Wirebonds are formed to couple an opto-electronic device chip having two or more opto-electronic devices to a signal processing chip. Two or more mutually adjacent wirebond groups, each corresponding to one of the opto-electronic devices, are formed. For example, each wirebond group can include a first wirebond coupling a P-terminal of the opto-electronic device of the wirebond group to the signal processing chip, a second wirebond coupling an N-terminal of the opto-electronic device of the wirebond group to the signal processing chip, and a third wirebond coupling the opto-electronic device chip to the signal processing chip.

Abstract: After forming a pressure-bonded ball and a ball neck by bonding an initial ball to a pad, a capillary is moved upward, away from a lead, and then downward, thereby the ball neck is trodden on by a face portion that is on the lead side of the capillary. Subsequently, the capillary is moved upward and then toward the lead until the face portion of the capillary is positioned above the ball neck, thereby a wire is folded back toward the lead. Then, the capillary is moved downward such that a side of the wire is pressed by the capillary against the ball neck that has been trodden on. After the capillary is moved obliquely upward toward the lead and then looped toward the lead, the wire is pressure-bonded to the lead.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes semiconductor device components embedded in plastic package compound, with a buffer layer being arranged on surfaces of the semiconductor device components of the semiconductor device. The buffer layer includes a thermoplastic material.

Abstract: In a method of manufacturing a semiconductor package, a chip is disposed on a carrier. An inert gas is run around one end of a line portion of a copper bonding wire while the end is being formed into a spherical portion. The spherical portion is bonded to a pad of the chip. The chip and the copper bonding wire are sealed and the carrier is covered by a molding compound.

Abstract: A semiconductor package structure using the same is provided. The semiconductor package structure includes a first semiconductor element, a second semiconductor element, a binding wire and a molding compound. The first semiconductor element includes a semiconductor die and a pad. The pad is disposed above the semiconductor die and includes a metal base, a hard metal layer disposed above the metal base and an anti-oxidant metal layer disposed above the hard metal layer. The hardness of the hard metal layer is larger than that of the metal base. The activity of the anti-oxidant metal layer is lower than that of the hard metal layer. The first semiconductor element is disposed above the second semiconductor element. The bonding wire is connected to the pad and the second semiconductor element. The molding compound seals the first semiconductor element and the bonding wire and covers the second semiconductor element.

Abstract: There is provided a layout structure of a semiconductor integrated circuit capable of preventing the thinning of a metal wiring line close to a cell boundary and wire breakage therein without involving increases in the amount of data for OPC correction and OPC process time. In a region interposed between a power supply line and a ground line each placed to extend in a first direction, first and second cells each having a transistor and an intra-cell line each for implementing a circuit function are placed to be adjacent to each other in the first direction. In a boundary portion between the first and second cells, a metal wiring line extending in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction is placed so as not to short-circuit the power supply line and the ground line.

Abstract: In order to improve a bonding reliability of a semiconductor device, in the semiconductor device, the wiring patterns on the substrate surface and the connection electrodes are electrically connected by face-down mounting. The connection electrodes are formed on the connecting surface of the semiconductor element and made from a conductive material, and a part of the wiring patterns has such a width that allows the connection electrodes formed on the part of said wiring patterns to have a fillet shape.

Abstract: A high current semiconductor power SOIC package is disclosed. The package includes a relatively thick lead frame formed of a single gauge material having a thickness greater than 8 mils, the lead frame having a plurality of leads and a first lead frame pad, the first lead frame pad including a die soldered thereto; a pair of lead bonding areas being disposed in a same plane of a top surface of the die; large diameter bonding wires connecting the die to the plurality of leads, the bonding wires being aluminum; and a resin body encapsulating the die, bonding wires and at least a portion of the lead frame.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for fabricating compliant spring contacts for use in, for example, IC packaging and interconnection between multi-layers in stacked IC packages and electronic components. Internal stresses generated within an formed film are released to cause the film to buckle and/or bow away from a supporting terminal. A thin stressed metal film layer is selectively broken away from the substrate of the supporting terminal allowing the stressed metal film to take on a bowed and/or spring-like shaped through minute deformation based on a release of the internal stresses. The resultant thin compliant spring contact can deform a small amount as the spring contact is then pressed against a compatible mating contact surface in an overlying layer.

Abstract: A semiconductor package apparatus includes a first semiconductor chip bonded onto a substrate of which metal wire turning upward; and a second semiconductor chip conductively bonded onto the first semiconductor chip in a vertical direction such that a metal wire of the second semiconductor chip and the metal wire of the first semiconductor chip have facing points. The semiconductor package apparatus includes a third semiconductor chip conductively bonded onto the first semiconductor chip in the vertical direction to be disposed horizontally with the second semiconductor chip such that a metal wire of the third semiconductor chip and the metal wire of the first semiconductor chip have facing points.

Abstract: A wire bond interconnection between a die pad and a bond finger includes a support pedestal at a bond site of the lead finger, a ball bond on the die pad, and a stitch bond on the support pedestal, in which a width of the lead finger at the bond site is less than a diameter of the support pedestal. Also, a semiconductor package including a die mounted onto and electrically connected by a plurality of wire bonds to a substrate, in which each of the wire bonds includes a wire ball bonded to a pad on the die and stitch bonded to a support pedestal on a bond site on a lead finger, and in which the width of the lead finger at the bond site is less than the diameter of the support pedestal.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes: a substrate having an external electrode formed thereon, the external electrode being capable of being electrically connected to an outside; and a semiconductor element having a surface electrode formed thereon, the surface electrode being made from an electrically conducting paste, the semiconductor element being mounted on the substrate, the external electrode being electrically connected by wire bonding to the surface electrode via a connecting member. This provides (i) a semiconductor device including: a substrate having an external electrode capable of being electrically connected to an outside; and a semiconductor element having a surface electrode made from an electrically conducting paste, the semiconductor device allowing for assured bonding reliability and a simplified means or step of connecting the surface electrode to the external electrode, and (ii) a method for producing the semiconductor device.

Abstract: A semiconductor wafer contains a plurality of semiconductor die each having a peripheral area around the die. A recessed region with angled or vertical sidewall is formed in the peripheral area. A conductive layer is formed in the recessed region. A first stud bump is formed over a contact pad of the semiconductor die. A second stud bump is formed over the first conductive layer within the recessed region. A bond wire is formed between the first and second stud bumps. A third stud bump is formed over the bond wire and first stud bump. A dicing channel partially formed through the peripheral area. The semiconductor wafer undergoes backgrinding to the dicing channel to singulate the semiconductor wafer and separate the semiconductor die. The semiconductor die can be disposed in a semiconductor package with other components and electrically interconnected through the bond wire and stud bumps.

Abstract: An integrated circuit chip comprising a bond wire and a mass of magnetic material provided on the bond wire, wherein the mass of magnetic material increases the inductance of the bond wire.

Abstract: The present invention provides a semiconductor device in which a first conductive layer included in a stack having a transistor and a second conductive layer over a substrate are electrically connected. The semiconductor device provides a conductive layer for electrically connecting the first conductive layer included in the stack having the transistor (for example, a conductive layer provided on the same layer as a gate electrode included in the transistor, a conductive layer provided on the same layer as a source wiring or a drain wiring connected to a source or drain of the transistor, a conductive layer provided in the same layer as the wire connected to the source wiring or the drain wiring, or the like) and the second conductive layer (for example, a conductive layer functioning as an antenna or a connection wire) provided over the substrate.

Abstract: A system-in-package (SiP) package is provided. In one embodiment, the SiP package comprises a substrate having a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface, the substrate having a set of bond wire studs on bond pads formed on the second surface thereof; a first semiconductor chip having a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface, wherein the first surface of the first semiconductor chip is mounted to the second surface of the substrate by means of solder bumps; an underfill material disposed between the first semiconductor chip and the substrate, encapsulating the solder bumps; a second semiconductor chip having a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface, wherein the first surface of the second semiconductor chip is mounted to the second surface of the first semiconductor chip; and a set of bond wires electrically coupled from the second semiconductor chip to the set of bond wire studs on the substrate.

Abstract: A semiconductor package has a substrate with a plurality of contact pads. A first semiconductor die is mounted to the substrate. First wire bonds are formed between each of the center-row contact pads of the first semiconductor die and the substrate contact pads. The first wire bonds include an electrically insulative coating formed over the shaft that covers a portion of a surface of a bumped end of the first wire bonds. An epoxy material is deposited over the first semiconductor die. A second semiconductor die is mounted to the epoxy material. Second wire bonds are formed between each of the center-row contact pads of the second semiconductor die and the substrate contact pads. The second wire bonds include an electrically insulative coating formed over the shaft of the second wire bonds that covers a portion of a surface of a bumped end of the second wire bonds.

Abstract: An integrated optical I/O and semiconductor chip with a direct liquid jet impingement cooling assembly are disclosed. Contrary to other solutions for packaging an optical I/O with a semiconductor die, this assembly makes use of a metal clad fiber, e.g. copper, which will actually enhance cooling performance rather than create a design restriction that has the potential to limit cooling capability.

Abstract: Strands active electronic devices (AEDs), such as field-effect transistors, are made by processing a semiconductor substrate so that it yields a number of elongate semiconductor members liberated from the starting substrate. The elongate semiconductor members are secured to wires or wire-like structures so as to form semiconductor-member-on-a-wire composites upon which the AEDs are formed using various deposition and etching techniques. The AED strands have many uses, including the creating of electronic components, including flexible, conformal, rigid and foldable electronics, such as displays and sensors.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes an insulating film formed on a semiconductor substrate, a contact wiring formed in the insulating film, a protective film formed on the contact wiring and the insulating film, an opening portion formed in the protective film, the contact wiring being exposed through the opening portion, and an electrode pad formed in the opening portion, the electrode pad being electrically connected to the contact wiring. A region where the contact wiring is not provided is present below the opening portion.