Abstract: Mold pieces (105 and 110) for molding a layer of mold compound on the interconnect side of a bumped semiconductor wafer (118) include a primary cavity (117) and secondary cavities (120) into which excess mold compound from the primary cavity (117) flows. The secondary cavities (120) include a plunger (130) that asserts a predetermined backpressure that is equal to a desired mold compound pressure on the mold compound during molding. As most of the excess mold compound in the primary cavity (117) is forced to flow into the secondary cavities (120), this advantageously leaves a relatively thin layer of mold compound on the semiconductor wafer (118), which can then be removed, for example by grinding, in a relatively short time. Mold piece (105) further comprises a movable cavity bar (115) that can be moved away from mold piece (105) after molding and be cooled to detach the molded substrate that adheres to the cavity bar.

Abstract: Mold pieces (105 and 110) for molding a layer of mold compound on the interconnect side of a bumped semiconductor wafer (118) include a primary cavity (117) and secondary cavities (120) into which excess mold compound from the primary cavity (117) flows. The secondary cavities (120) include a plunger (130) that asserts a predetermined backpressure that is equal to a desired mold compound pressure on the mold compound during molding. As most of the excess mold compound in the primary cavity (117) is forced to flow into the secondary cavities (120), this advantageously leaves a relatively thin layer of mold compound on the semiconductor wafer (118), which can then be removed, for example by grinding in a relatively short time. Mold piece (105) further comprises a movable cavity bar (115) that can be moved away from mold piece (105) after molding and be cooled to detach the molded substrate that adheres to the cavity bar.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the removal of mold flash from an IC device using a non-thermal laser ablation method. Ablation is achieved under conditions in which the mold flash is converted to plasma under short laser pulses which do not give sufficient time or energy for significant thermal processes to occur. As a result, the heat sink underneath the mold flash is prevented from heating up due to lack of heat transfer, thereby protecting the heat sink from heat damages. According to one feature of the invention, a mask is provided to protect the molded packaging of the IC device from the laser beam. The mask has at least one hole which corresponds to the heat sink of the device wherethrough the laser beam can pass. According to another feature of the invention, a large beam diameter is provided to increase the efficiency of the deflashing process.