Abstract: The present invention concerns a tin plating bath comprising tin ions; at least one complexing agent selected from the group consisting of pyrophosphate ions, linear polyphosphate ions and cyclic polyphosphate ions and a nitrogen and sulfur containing stabilizing additive and titanium (III) ions as a reducing agent suitable to reduce tin ions to metallic tin. The present invention further discloses a method of depositing tin or a tin alloy onto a surface of a substrate. The tin plating bath is particularly suitable to be used in the electronics and semiconductor industry.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a tin plating bath comprising tin ions; at least one complexing agent selected from the group consisting of pyrophosphate ions, linear polyphosphate ions and cyclic polyphosphate ions and a nitrogen and sulfur containing stabilizing additive and titanium (III) ions as a reducing agent suitable to reduce tin ions to metallic tin. The present invention further discloses a method of depositing tin or a tin alloy onto a surface of a substrate. The tin plating bath is particularly suitable to be used in the electronics and semiconductor industry.

Abstract: The present invention relates to method for activating a copper or copper alloy surface for depositing a metal or metal alloy layer by electroless (autocatalytic) plating thereon wherein the formation of undesired voids is suppressed. The copper or copper alloy surface is contacted with palladium ions, at least one phosphonate compound and halide ions followed by electroless (autocatalytic) deposition of a metal such as palladium or a metal alloy such as a Ni—P alloy.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for regenerating a plating composition which is suitable for depositing at least one first metal on a substrate where the plating rate in the plating composition is very low, where the concentration of the at least one first metal in the plating composition cannot be easily set at a constant level, and where plating-out of the at least one first metal from the plating composition takes place. The method and apparatus for regenerating a plating composition is suitable for depositing at least one first metal on a substrate at a sufficiently high plating rate, while offering the opportunity to easily adjust the concentration of the at least one first metal in the plating composition at a constant level and to provide the plating composition with sufficient stability against decomposition thereof in order to safeguard the regeneration cell from plated-out first metal.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for regenerating a plating composition which is suitable for depositing at least one first metal on a substrate where the plating rate in the plating composition is very low, where the concentration of the at least one first metal in the plating composition cannot be easily set at a constant level, and where plating-out of the at least one first metal from the plating composition takes place. The method and apparatus for regenerating a plating composition is suitable for depositing at least one first metal on a substrate at a sufficiently high plating rate, while offering the opportunity to easily adjust the concentration of the at least one first metal in the plating composition at a constant level and to provide the plating composition with sufficient stability against decomposition thereof in order to safeguard the regeneration cell from plated-out first metal.

Abstract: The present invention relates to method for activating a copper or copper alloy surface for depositing a metal or metal alloy layer by electroless (autocatalytic) plating thereon wherein the formation of undesired voids is suppressed. The copper or copper alloy surface is contacted with palladium ions, at least one phosphonate compound and halide ions followed by electroless (autocatalytic) deposition of a metal such as palladium or a metal alloy such as a Ni—P alloy.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for regenerating a plating composition which is suitable for depositing at least one first metal on a substrate where the plating rate in the plating composition is very low, where the concentration of the at least one first metal in the plating composition cannot be easily set at a constant level, and where plating-out of the at least one first metal from the plating composition takes place. The method and apparatus for regenerating a plating composition is suitable for depositing at least one first metal on a substrate at a sufficiently high plating rate, while offering the opportunity to easily adjust the concentration of the at least one first metal in the plating composition at a constant level and to provide the plating composition with sufficient stability against decomposition thereof in order to safeguard the regeneration cell from plated-out first metal.

Abstract: The invention concerns an immersion tin plating bath which comprises at least one aromatic sulfonic acid, at least one first precipitation additive and at least one second precipitation additive. The at least one first precipitation additive is an aliphatic poly-alcohol compound, an ether thereof or a polymer derived thereof having an average molecular weight in the range of 62 g/mol and 600 g/mol. The at least one second precipitation additive is a polyalkylene glycol compound having an average molecular weight in the range of 750 to 10,000 g/mol.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for regenerating a plating composition which is suitable for depositing at least one first metal on a substrate where the plating rate in the plating composition is very low, where the concentration of the at least one first metal in the plating composition cannot be easily set at a constant level, and where plating-out of the at least one first metal from the plating composition takes place. The method and apparatus for regenerating a plating composition is suitable for depositing at least one first metal on a substrate at a sufficiently high plating rate, while offering the opportunity to easily adjust the concentration of the at least one first metal in the plating composition at a constant level and to provide the plating composition with sufficient stability against decomposition thereof in order to safeguard the regeneration cell from plated-out first metal.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of bonding a copper wire to a substrate, particularly a printed circuit board and an IC-substrate, possessing a layer assembly comprising a copper bonding portion and a palladium or palladium alloy layer and a substrate having a copper wire bonded to aforementioned layer assembly.

Abstract: The present invention concerns an aqueous plating bath composition for electroless deposition of palladium and/or palladium alloys and a method which utilises such aqueous plating bath compositions. The aqueous plating bath comprises a source of palladium ions, a reducing agent, a nitrogenated complexing agent which is free of phosphorous and at least one organic stabilising agent comprising 1 to 5 phosphonate residues. The aqueous plating bath and the method are particularly useful if the aqueous plating bath comprises copper ions.

Abstract: The present invention concerns an aqueous plating bath composition for electroless deposition of palladium and/or palladium alloys and a method which utilises such aqueous plating bath compositions. The aqueous plating bath comprises a source of palladium ions, a reducing agent, a nitrogenated complexing agent which is free of phosphorous and at least one organic stabilising agent comprising 1 to 5 phosphonate residues. The aqueous plating bath and the method are particularly useful if the aqueous plating bath comprises copper ions.

Abstract: An autocatalytic tin plating bath containing Sn2+ ions, Ti3+ ions as reducing agent, an organic complexing agent and phenanthroline or a derivative thereof as stabilizing agent is disclosed. The plating bath is suitable for manufacture of printed circuit boards, IC substrates and metallization of semiconductor wafers.

Abstract: An autocatalytic tin plating bath containing Sn2+ ions, Ti3+ ions as reducing agent, an organic complexing agent and phenanthroline or a derivative thereof as stabilizing agent is disclosed. The plating bath is suitable for manufacture of printed circuit boards, IC substrates and metallization of semiconductor wafers.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of bonding a copper wire to a substrate, particularly a printed circuit board and an IC-substrate, possessing a layer assembly comprising a copper bonding portion and a palladium or palladium alloy layer and a substrate having a copper wire bonded to aforementioned layer assembly.

Abstract: The invention concerns an immersion tin plating bath which comprises at least one aromatic sulfonic acid, at least one first precipitation additive and at least one second precipitation additive. The at least one first precipitation additive is an aliphatic poly-alcohol compound, an ether thereof or a polymer derived thereof having an average molecular weight in the range of 62 g/mol and 600 g/mol. The at least one second precipitation additive is a polyalkylene glycol compound having an average molecular weight in the range of 750 to 10,000 g/mol.

Abstract: Formation of a structure with through-holes includes attaching two sub-structures to one another. The resulting structure may be used in a sub-assembly for various types of micro components and may serve as a lid or base of a housing that encapsulates one or more micro components. The techniques may provide greater flexibility in the shape of the through-holes and may reduce costs compared with other known techniques.

Abstract: An optical module comprising an opto-electronic component, a lens and a mirror that is hermetically sealed by a micro housing containing a lid and a base is disclosed. The optical module may be assembled onto a moveable holder for aligning an optical beam into an optical assembly having an optical waveguide.

Abstract: An optical module, such as a package for a vertical cavity surface emitting laser diode (VCSEL) or other light emitting device, includes monitoring of the emitted optical power by tapping the transmitted beam. The module includes a substrate, which carries the light emitting device and an optical monitor. In addition, the module includes a transparent plate with at least two reflective regions that together redirect part of the light from the light emitting device to the optical monitor.

Abstract: A camera module includes an image sensor substrate including image sensor circuitry, and a lens barrel. A lid structure includes a transparent window and is disposed between, and attached to, the lens barrel and the image sensor substrate. The lid structure may be fabricated as part of a wafer-level process.