Abstract: The dielectric constant of low loss tangent glass-ceramic compositions, such as cordierite-based glass ceramics, is modified over a range by selective addition of high dielectric constant ceramics, such as titanates, tantalates and carbides and metals, such as copper. The low loss tangent is retained or improved over a range of frequencies, and the low CTE of the glass-ceramic is maintained. BaTiO3, SrTiO3 and Ta2O5 produce the most effective results.

Abstract: A method and connecting structure includes a first surface and a connection pad on said first surface, wherein, said first surface includes an opening adjacent to said connection pad, and wherein, upon sufficient stress, said opening forms a flap allowing a portion of said connection pad to separate from said first surface.

Abstract: Multilayer substrates, are fabricated with the incorporation therein of non-destructive test structures utilized to provide visual and electrical test data to facilitate the ascertainment and assessment of potential electrical interface failures. Furthermore, there are provided embedded structures in multilayer substrates, such as are employed in chip carrier packaging, so as to facilitate electrical testing for via to via alignment and interface layer alignment, and to enable the testing of conductive interface electrical integrity of multilayer electrical devices.

Abstract: An integrated circuit module, a land grid array module, and a method for forming the module, include a substrate, which mounts one or more chips or discrete electronic components, and a cap for covering the substrate, and including at least one protrusion coupled to the cap for limiting the amount of flexing of the substrate during actuation. The at least one protrusion can be either rigidly fixed to the cap or adjustably inserted through the cap.

Abstract: A Land Grid Array electronic package having an array of contact pads is connected to a corresponding array of contact pads on a circuit board through a matching array of conductive pins of a flexible interposer. Alignment of the electronic package to the flexible interposer and flexible interposer to the circuit board is obtained by registration of alignment components to the contact pads and conductive pins. A pair of alignment components, such as pin-like alignment structures, on selected pads of both the electronic package and circuit board mate within alignment holes at the sites of corresponding pin locations in said flexible interposer. Alternatively, the pin-like alignment structures on the electronic package can be extended to pass through the said alignment holes of said flexible interposer into alignment holes which replace the pin-like alignment structure on said circuit board.

Abstract: Electronic packages made with a high area percent coverage of blanket metal may be prone to certain kinds of ceramic defects. In aluminum nitride, these defects may be related to decomposition of the liquid sintering aid. In this experiment, unique additions to the metallization prevented the formation of certain ceramic defects. Our approach involves a unique composition used in an existing process.

Abstract: Disclosed is a multilayer ceramic substrate having an outer pad, for example an I/O pad, which is anchored to a middle pad of the multilayer ceramic substrate by a plurality of vias which in turn is anchored to an inner pad of the multilayer ceramic substrate by a second plurality of vias. The middle and outer pads and vias are made of high metal material, preferably 100% metal, so they won't adhere very well to the ceramic substrate. The inner pad is a composite metal/ceramic material which will bond very well to the ceramic substrate.

Abstract: Electronic packages made with a high area percent coverage of blanket metal may be prone to certain kinds of ceramic defects. In aluminum nitride, these defects may be related to decomposition of the liquid sintering aid. In this experiment, unique additions to the metallization prevented the formation of certain ceramic defects. Our approach involves a unique composition used in an existing process.

Abstract: Multilayer glass ceramic substrate electronic components having enhanced flexibility and strength are prepared using greensheets as a top and/or bottom layer, which greensheets are made from a glass-ceramic greensheet casting composition comprising crystallizable glass, a binder resin and a solvent system, and preferably a plasticizer. The top and/or bottom greensheets have a lower coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) than the greensheets used to make the internal layers of the MLC and both greensheets are characterized by having, after sintering, a microstructure which is greater than 99% crystalline. A crystalline matrix forming material such as P2O5 is preferably used in the composition. This type structure, in combination with the lower CTE, has been found to provide an MLC having enhanced strength and flexibility.

Abstract: A compliant, high-density land grid array connector and the process of making such a connector. The process includes the steps of: (a) forming holes in a supporting substrate; (b) forming threaded sidewalls by tapping the holes; (c) plating the threaded sidewalls to form bellows-like structures; and (d) etching a surface of the supporting substrate after the plating to leave portions of the bellows-like structures protruding past a surface of the substrate. The resulting connector includes a substrate having bellows-like contacts extending from one or both sides for resiliently engaging pads such as those of an LGA module. As an alternative, the holes may be formed as blind holes. Ends of the bellows-like contacts may be roughened. The connector may also be formed by casting the substrate in a mold box having screw-like mandrels followed by steps of mandrel removal, hole plating and surface etching.

Abstract: Electronic packages made with a high area percent coverage of blanket metal may be prone to certain kinds of ceramic defects. In aluminum nitride, these defects may be related to decomposition of the liquid sintering aid. In this experiment, unique additions to the metallization prevented the formation of certain ceramic defects. Our approach involves a unique composition used in an existing process.

Abstract: A coating material used in the fabrication of electronic components such as a metallized paste is provided comprising a material to be coated on the electronic component substrate and an identifying component which identifying component can be identified and which identifying component identifies the coating material. Optical dyes visible to the eye can be used as the identifying component with a preferred dye being a UV fluorescent dye which is colorless under visible light and visible under UV light. A process for making an electronic component using the coating materials of the invention and electronic components made using the coating material are also provided.

Abstract: Disclosed is a multilayer ceramic substrate having an outer pad, for example an I/O pad, which is anchored to an inner pad of the multilayer ceramic substrate by either a plurality of vias or one large via. The outer pad and vias are made of high metal material, preferably 100% metal, so they won't adhere very well to the ceramic substrate. The inner pad is a composite metal/ceramic material which will bond very well to the ceramic substrate.

Abstract: The dielectric constant of low loss tangent glass-ceramic compositions, such as cordierite-based glass ceramics, is modified over a range by selective addition of high dielectric constant ceramics, such as titanates, tantalates and carbides and metals, such as copper. The low loss tangent is retained or improved over a range of frequencies, and the low CTE of the glass-ceramic is maintained. BaTiO3, SrTiO3 and Ta2O5 produce the most effective results.

Abstract: A method for making multilayer ceramic substrates having substantially reduced planar shrinkage and distortion resulting from the firing or sintering process. Contact sheets are employed in the fabrication process on the surface of the multilayer ceramic substrate to be fired with the contact sheets being prepared from a composition containing a non-sinterable non-metallic inorganic material such as alumina having an average particle size approximately about 1 micron or less and an organic binder and preferably a plasticizer. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the multilayer structure to be fired containing the contact sheet of the invention is provided with a beveled or chamfered edge at an angle of greater than about 60 degrees. A fabrication process employing only chamfering of the edge or the use of a contact sheet of the invention also provides improved multilayer ceramic substrate products.

Abstract: Disclosed is a multilayer ceramic substrate, and a method for forming same, which has an outer unsealed layer having a metallic via, an inner sealed layer having a composite via of metallic and ceramic materials and a further unsealed layer having a metallic via.

Abstract: Metal pastes used in the fabrication of multilayer ceramic (MLC) substrates used in semiconductor devices. The pastes reduce substrate defects, such as via bulge and camber. The pastes are comprised of a metal having high conductivity, frit which includes glass, an organic binder, and a solvent, optionally with a surfactant.

Abstract: A surface mounted electronic interconnect device. The device includes a coaxial electrical pad comprising a plurality of conductive surfaces on a substrate corresponding to the conductor arrangement of a coaxial connector; and, a coaxial connector comprising a dielectric material having a center opening and isolated electrically conductive interior and exterior surfaces that are planar with the ends of the connector. The dielectric separates the inner conductive surface from the outer conductive surface and is tubularly shaped having an inner wall for the electrically conductive interior surface. The coaxial connector inner and outer conductors may alternatively be comprised of microsprings. The coaxial connector has first and second ends, the first end for attachment to an electronic package and the second end for pluggable attachment to a PC board.

Abstract: One aspect of the invention relates to an interconnect for an SOFC wherein the interconnect is made from a cermet including partially stabilized tetragonal zirconia and a superalloy that is resistant to oxidizing and reducing conditions. Another aspect of the invention relates to an SOFC having vias for carrying fuel and an oxidant and at least one patterned feature in the anode, electrolyte, cathode and/or interconnect for laterally distributing the fuel or oxidant.

Abstract: Disclosed is an SOFC having a catalytic anode including a porous, ceramic anode including a catalyst, wherein the catalyst is selected from the group consisting of platinum, rhodium, ruthenium and mixtures thereof; a dense, solid electrolyte adjacent to the porous, ceramic anode; a porous, ceramic cathode adjacent to the dense, solid electrolyte; and a dense, ceramic interconnect adjacent to the porous, ceramic cathode, wherein the dense, ceramic interconnect has nonintersecting passages for the flow of a fuel and an oxidant. Also disclosed is a method to make the SOFC having a catalytic anode.