Abstract: A self-cleaning socket for contacting terminals on a microelectronic device wherein the first end of compliant tubular contactors rotate and wipe against terminals urged downwardly against the first end of the contactors. A rotational wipe of a contactor against a mating terminal breaks through any surface contamination layers on the terminal, thereby producing good electrical contact therebetween. Rotation of the first end of a contactor is caused by a downward deflection of a collar supported by two or more helical legs along a midsection of the contactor. Deflection of the collar distorts the resilient helical legs, each of which exerts a force on the collar which add up to produce a torsional force on the collar, thereby providing a rotational wipe in response to a downward urging of a terminal against the contactor. A void along the axis of the tubular contactor provides a reservoir to hold debris dislodged from the terminal and to keep the debris from interfering with operation of the contactor.

Abstract: A connection component for a microelectronic device such as a semiconductor chip incorporates a support layer and conductive structures extending across a surface of the support layer. The conductive structures have anchors connecting them to the support layer, and releasable or unanchored portions.

Abstract: A connector for microelectronic elements includes a sheetlike dielectric layer having a plurality of through holes desirably arranged in a rectangular grid pattern. Each hole is provided on one major surface with a generally laminar contact having at least one projection extending inwardly over the through hole. Contact pads on the second major surface of the dielectric layer overlie the through holes to provide a blind end which is electrically connected to the other contact by means of a metal layer lining the through hole. The resulting connectors provide low or zero insertion force sockets for mounting microelectronic elements having bump leads thereto. The bump leads may be received within corresponding sockets without engagement with the contact or projection, and then, by movement in a lateral direction, engaging the contact or projection to provide electrical connection to the socket.

Abstract: A connector for microelectronic elements includes a sheetlike dielectric layer having a plurality of through holes desirably arranged in a rectangular grid pattern. Each hole is provided on one major surface with a generally laminar contact having at least one projection extending inwardly over the through hole. Contact pads on the second major surface of the dielectric layer overlie the through holes to provide a blind end which is electrically connected to the other contact by means of a metal layer lining the through hole. The resulting connectors provide low or zero insertion force sockets for mounting microelectronic elements having bump leads thereto. The bump leads may be received within corresponding sockets without engagement with the contact or projection, and then, by movement in a lateral direction, engaging the contact or projection to provide electrical connection to the socket.

Abstract: A connector for microelectronic elements includes a sheetlike dielectric layer having a plurality of through holes desirably arranged in a rectangular grid pattern. Each hole is provided on one major surface with a generally laminar contact having at least one projection extending inwardly over the through hole. Contact pads on the second major surface of the dielectric layer overlie the through holes to provide a blind end which is electrically connected to the other contact by means of a metal layer lining the through hole. The resulting connectors provide low or zero insertion force sockets for mounting microelectronic elements having bump leads thereto. The bump leads may be received within corresponding sockets without engagement with the contact or projection, and then, by movement in a lateral direction, engaging the contact or projection to provide electrical connection to the socket.

Abstract: A method for making connections to a microelectronic device having bump leads thereon. A substrate is provided having a front surface and a plurality of electrically conductive posts extending upwardly from the front surface. The posts are disposed in groups, wherein the posts of each group define a gap therebetween. Contacts are provided extending generally horizontally outwardly from each post remote from the front surface of the substrate. The microelectronic device is assembled to the substrate and posts so that the bump leads penetrate into the gaps and engage the contacts which wipe against the bump leads as they are inserted.

Abstract: A connection component for a microelectronic device such as a semiconductor chip incorporates a support layer and conductive structures extending across a surface of the support layer. The conductive structures have anchors connecting them to the support layer, and releasable or unanchored portions. A method of making a connection component includes removing material from the conductive structures or the support layer or both to form the anchors.

Abstract: A connection component for a microelectronic device such as a semiconductor chip incorporates a support layer and conductive structures extending across a surface of the support layer. The conductive structures have anchors connecting them to the support layer, and releasable or unanchored portions.

Abstract: A connector for microelectronic devices having bump leads and methods for fabricating and using the connector. A dielectric substrate has a plurality of posts extending upwardly from a front surface. The posts may be arranged in an array of post groups each group defining a gap therebetween. A generally laminar contact extends from each post top. The bump leads are each inserted within a respective gap thereby engaging the contacts which wipe against the bump lead as it continues to be inserted. Typically, distal portions of the contacts deflect downwardly toward the substrate and outwardly away from the center of the gap as the bump lead is inserted into a gap.

Abstract: A connector for microelectronic elements includes a sheetlike dielectric layer having a plurality of through holes desirably arranged in a rectangular grid pattern. Each hole is provided on one major surface with a generally laminar contact having at least one projection extending inwardly over the through hole. Contact pads on the second major surface of the dielectric layer overlie the through holes to provide a blind end which is electrically connected to the other contact by means of a metal layer lining the through hole. The resulting connectors provide low or zero insertion force sockets for mounting microelectronic elements having bump leads thereto. The bump leads may be received within corresponding sockets without engagement with the contact or projection, and then, by movement in a lateral direction, engaging the contact or projection to provide electrical connection to the socket.

Abstract: A connector for microelectronic elements includes a sheetlike body having a plurality of active contacts arranged in a regular grid pattern. The active contacts may include several sheetlike metallic projections extending inwardly around a hole in the sheetlike element, on a first major surface of the sheetlike element. A support structure such as a grid array of noncollapsing structural posts is on a second major surface of the sheetlike element, and each of the posts is electrically connected to one of the active contacts. The grid array of posts and the grid array of active contacts are offset from one another so that an active contact is surrounded by several posts. The posts support the sheetlike element spaced away from a substrate to which the posts are attached. A microelectronic element having bump leads thereon may be engaged by contacting the bump leads with the active contacts, and deflecting the sheetlike element between the bump leads on one side and the posts on the other side.

Abstract: In a method for mounting a sheet-like microelectronic element, the sheet-like element comprises a dielectric layer having a top surface and a bottom surface and is first bonded to an expansion ring. The expansion ring is then heated to stretch the sheet-like element. A frame ring, having an external diameter smaller than the internal diameter of the expansion ring, is then bonded to the sheet-like element. A plurality of leads are formed on the bottom surface of the sheet-like element, the leads including bonding pads. In other embodiments, a method is provided for bonding bond pads on a sheet-like microelectronic element to contacts on a microelectronic component.

Abstract: In a method for mounting a sheet-like multi-layer element for producing a microelectronic component, the sheet-like element is first bonded to an expansion ring. The expansion ring is then heated to stretch the sheet-like element. A frame ring, having an external diameter smaller than the internal diameter of the expansion ring, is then bonded to the sheet-like element. The assembly is then cooled, and the expansion ring is cut away. In another embodiment, a method is provided for bonding bond pads on a sheet-like microelectronic element to terminal pads on a microelectronic component. The microelectronic element is first placed on a rigid plate and the sheet-like element, which has been bonded to a frame ring, is placed over the microelectronic component. A disk is then placed on the sheet-like element, and force is applied to the disk, bringing the bond pads on the sheet-like element into contact with the terminal pads on the microelectronic element. Heat is then applied, forming the bonds.

Abstract: A connector for microelectronic devices having bump leads and methods for fabricating and using the connector. A dielectric substrate has a plurality of posts extending upwardly from a front surface. The posts may be arranged in an array of post groups each group defining a gap therebetween. A generally laminar contact extends from each post top. The bump leads are each inserted within a respective gap thereby engaging the contacts which wipe against the bump lead as it continues to be inserted. Typically, distal portions of the contacts deflect downwardly toward the substrate and outwardly away from the center of the gap as the bump lead is inserted into a gap.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for connecting a data storage module to an external circuit. The method includes connecting a power supply terminal between the module and the external circuit before signal terminals are connected. Apparatus includes a printed circuit board male card edge connector having selected card edge pins that extend farther than other card edge pins.

Abstract: Apparatus for connecting a data storage module to an external circuit. A power supply terminal is connected between the module and the external circiut before signal terminals are connected. Apparatus includes a printed circuit board male card edge connector having selected card edge pins that extend farther than other card edge pins.