Abstract: A wire bonding machine includes (1) a support structure for supporting a work piece and (2) a pre-heat structure for supporting the work piece during a pre-heat operation. The pre-heat structure is moveable with respect to the support structure.

Abstract: A wire bonding tool includes a first cylindrical portion having a first outside diameter and a second cylindrical portion adjacent the first cylindrical portion. The second cylindrical portion has a second outside diameter, the second outside diameter being less than the first outside diameter. The wire bonding tool also includes a tapered portion adjacent the second cylindrical portion. The tapered portion has a third outside diameter at an end adjacent the second cylindrical portion, the third outside diameter being less than the first outside diameter.

Abstract: A bond head assembly for use with a bonding machine includes a wire bonding tool and a link mechanism coupled between the wire bonding tool and the wire bonding machine. The link mechanism includes a frame, a plurality of arm links pivotably connected to the frame, and a tool support member supporting the wire bonding tool and pivotably connected to each of the arm links.

Abstract: An electrode for a wire bonding apparatus is provided. The electrode includes a body portion and a tip portion adjacent the body portion. The tip portion has a substantially spherical configuration.

Abstract: A bond head assembly for use with a bonding machine includes a wire bonding tool and a link mechanism coupled between the wire bonding tool and the wire bonding machine. The link mechanism includes a frame, a plurality of arm links pivotably connected to the frame, and a tool support member supporting the wire bonding tool and pivotably connected to each of the arm links.

Abstract: In accordance with the invention, a bump is formed on top of a die bond pad by forming a ball bond there. Then, without severing the wire, the capillary undergoes a set of coordinated motions to fold the wire on top of the ball bond. The wire is then bonded on top of the ball bond bump without severing the wire. This is then followed by a further set of coordinated xy motions to from the loop and bring the capillary over the second bond site (e.g., on the lead frame). The wire is then stitch bonded to the second bond site and the tail severed to complete the wire loop interconnect.

Abstract: A transducer configured for use with a manual wire bonding machine includes a body portion including an end portion, the end portion defining a bonding tool aperture configured to receive at least a portion of a bonding tool. The transducer also includes a first tightening mechanism for securing a ball bonding tool in the bonding tool aperture, and a second tightening mechanism for securing a wedge bonding tool in the bonding tool aperture. The first tightening mechanism is distinct from the second tightening mechanism.

Abstract: A wire bonding machine includes a moveable arm assembly and at least one component for a ball bonding operation of the wire bonding machine supported by the moveable arm assembly. The moveable arm assembly is configured to move between a ball bonding position and a wedge bonding position. When the moveable arm assembly is in the ball bonding position the at least one component for the ball bonding operation is in a predetermined position for use in the ball bonding operation.

Abstract: In accordance with the invention, a bump is formed on top of a die bond pad by forming a ball bond there. Then, without severing the wire, the capillary undergoes a set of coordinated motions to fold the wire on top of the ball bond. The wire is then bonded on top of the ball bond bump without severing the wire. This is then followed by a further set of coordinated xy motions to from the loop and bring the capillary over the second bond site (e.g., on the lead frame). The wire is then stitch bonded to the second bond site and the tail severed to complete the wire loop interconnect.

Abstract: A wire bonding machine is disclosed for bonding a wire to a semiconductor device. The wire bonding machine includes a wire bonding head having a bonding tool mounted to it. The bonding tool is adapted to attach a wire end to a semiconductor device. At least a portion of the bonding head is pivotable about a first horizontal axis so as to provide vertical displacement of the bonding tool. The bonding head is also rotatably mounted to the bonding machine so as to permit rotation of the bonding tool about a vertically oriented rotational axis. The machine also includes a work table for supporting at least one semiconductor device to be wire bonded. A conveyance system is used to translate the work table in a direction relative to the bonding head and in a substantially orthogonal direction to the horizontal pivot axis of the bonding head.

Abstract: A wire bonding machine for bonding a wire to a semiconductor device. The wire bonding machine includes a wire bonding head having a bonding tool mounted to it. The bonding tool is adapted to attach a wire end to a semiconductor device. A bonding head conveyance system translates the bonding tool in a vertical direction and translates the bonding tool along a first horizontal axis. A work table supports at least one semiconductor device to be wire bonded. A work table conveyance system translates the semiconductor device along a second horizontal axis.

Abstract: A wire bonding tool includes a first cylindrical portion having a first outside diameter and a second cylindrical portion adjacent the first cylindrical portion. The second cylindrical portion has a second outside diameter, the second outside diameter being less than the first outside diameter. The wire bonding tool also includes a tapered portion adjacent the second cylindrical portion. The tapered portion has a third outside diameter at an end adjacent the second cylindrical portion, the third outside diameter being less than the first outside diameter.

Abstract: Disclosed are interconnect structures and methods which utilize a bonding surface comprising copper nitride. The interconnect structures include a bonding surface comprising copper nitride which is effective at preventing oxidation and/or other unwanted corrosion of the underlying conductive material while providing the basis for a high conductivity bond. The copper nitride bonding surface provides a relatively non-conductive, corrosion-resistant bonding surface while at the same time being readily transformed into a conductive layer at or just prior to the time of bonding.

Abstract: The present invention is a method and apparatus for forming a bump for semiconductor interconnect applications, such as reverse wire bonding or stud bumping for flip chip interconnections. The bump is formed by (1) ball bonding at the bump site, (2) raising the capillary a predetermined height after forming the ball bond with the wire paying out of the capillary tip, (3) moving the capillary laterally a predetermined distance, preferably in a direction toward the site of other end of the wire loop, if the bump is to be used as the platform for a stitch bond of a wire loop, (4) raising the capillary further, and (5) moving the capillary diagonally downwardly and in the opposite direction of the first lateral motion. The wire is then severed by raising the capillary, closing the clamps and raising the capillary again to snap the wire pigtail off at the bump.

Abstract: A bonding tool for bonding a wire to a substrate. The bonding tool has a cylindrical body portion formed from a first material and a conical tip portion separately formed from a second material. The conical tip portion is coupled to one end of the body portion.

Abstract: The present invention is a method and apparatus for forming a bump for semiconductor interconnect applications, such as reverse wire bonding or stud bumping for flip chip interconnections. The bump is formed by (1) ball bonding at the bump site, (2) raising the capillary a predetermined height after forming the ball bond with the wire paying out of the capillary tip, (3) moving the capillary laterally a predetermined distance, preferably in a direction toward the site of other end of the wire loop, if the bump is to be used as the platform for a stitch bond of a wire loop, (4) raising the capillary further, and (5) moving the capillary diagonally downwardly and in the opposite direction of the first lateral motion. The wire is then severed by raising the capillary, closing the clamps and raising the capillary again to snap the wire pigtail off at the bump.

Abstract: Electronic packages with uninsulated portions of copper circuits protected with coating layers having thicknesses that are suitable for soldering without fluxing and are sufficiently frangible when being joined to another metal surface to obtain metal-to-metal contact between the surfaces.

Abstract: A method of forming a conductive bump is provided. The method includes depositing a conductive bump on a bonding location using a bonding tool such that a junction exists between (1) a length of wire extending at least partially within the bonding tool and (2) the deposited conductive bump. The method also includes moving the bonding tool to contact the conductive bump such that a location of the junction is moved with respect to the bonding location.

Abstract: A method of packaging a multi-tier wire bonded semiconductor device is provided. The method includes applying an insulative material across only a portion of at least two of a plurality of conductors per layer providing interconnection between elements in the multi-tier wire bonded semiconductor device. The method also includes encapsulating the conductors and elements, thereby packaging the semiconductor device.