Abstract: There is disclosed herein a method for laser soldering, comprising the steps of: (a) providing an electronic component 10 having at least two terminations thereon; a dielectric substrate 14 having a first surface 16 on a first side thereof, a second surface on a second side thereof, and at least two mounting pads 24 arranged on the first surface 16 in matched relation with the terminations of the electronic component 10; and a diode laser 50; (b) depositing solder paste atop the mounting pads 24; (c) placing the electronic component 10 atop the substrate 14 such that each termination rests generally atop its respective mounting pad 24; and (d) directing laser energy 70 from the diode laser 50 to at least one of the mounting pads 24 from the second side of the substrate 14 for a predetermined time, such that the solder paste atop the at least one of the mounting pads 24 is melted.

Abstract: There is disclosed herein an electronic component 10 having an integral heat spreader 16 specially designed to assist in laser soldering of the heat spreader to a solder pad 22 on a substrate 20. The component 10 has a top surface 30, a bottom surface 32 generally parallel to the top surface, and at least one perimeter outer surface 34 generally orthogonal to and between the top and bottom surfaces. The component 10 comprises: a circuit portion 12; at least one termination 14 connected to the circuit portion 12 and extending outward therefrom; a heat spreader 16 portion situated generally beneath and in thermal contact with the circuit portion 12; and a body portion 18 enclosing at least a top surface of the circuit portion 12 and a part of each termination 14 proximate the circuit portion 12. The heat spreader 16 defines at least part of the bottom surface 32 of the electronic component 10 and at least part of the at least one perimeter outer surface 34 of the electronic component 10.