Patents by Inventor Brian R. Sundlof

Brian R. Sundlof has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Publication number: 20110193218
    Abstract: A solder interconnect structure is provided with non-wettable sidewalls and methods of manufacturing the same. The method includes forming a nickel or nickel alloy pillar on an underlying surface. The method further includes modifying the sidewall of the nickel or nickel alloy pillar to prevent solder wetting on the sidewall.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 5, 2010
    Publication date: August 11, 2011
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Charles L. Arvin, Raschid J. Bezama, Timothy H. Daubenspeck, Jeffrey P. Gambino, Christopher D. Muzzy, David L. Questad, Wolfgang Sauter, Timothy D. Sullivan, Brian R. Sundlof
  • Patent number: 7897878
    Abstract: A circuit package is provided. The circuit package includes a plurality of electrically conductive pads located on a bottom surface of the circuit package, wherein at least one pad of the plurality of bottom surface pads has a recession for receiving an electrically conductive protrusion located on a substrate to which the circuit package is to be mounted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2011
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Paul Coteus, Gareth Geoffrey Hougham, Brian R. Sundlof
  • Patent number: 7784669
    Abstract: Briefly, a novel material process is disclosed wherein one or more nucleation modifiers are added, in trace amounts, to a lead-free tin-rich solder alloy to produce a solder composition with reduce or suppressed undercooling temperature characteristics. The modifier being a substance which facilitates the reduction of extreme anisotropic properties associated with body-centered-tetragonal tin based lead-free solder. The addition of the nucleation modifiers to the solder alloy does not materially effect the solder composition's melting point. As such, balls of solder with the nucleated composition freeze while other solder balls within the array remain in the melt. This effectively enables one substrate to be pinned to another substrate by one or more predetermined solder balls to secure the package while the remaining solder joints are in the liquid state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2010
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Gareth G. Hougham, Kamalesh K. Srivastava, Sung K. Kang, Da-Yuan Shih, Brian R. Sundlof, S. Jay Chey, Donald W. Henderson, David R. Di Milia, Richard P. Ferlita, Roy A. Carruthers
  • Publication number: 20100207056
    Abstract: The present invention relates generally to thermally-conductive pastes for use with integrated circuits, and particularly, but not by way of limitation, to self-orienting microplates of graphite.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 3, 2010
    Publication date: August 19, 2010
    Applicant: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Gareth Hougham, Paul A. Lauro, Brian R. Sundlof, Jeffrey D. Gelorme
  • Publication number: 20100200271
    Abstract: In one embodiment of the present invention, inert nano-sized particles having dimensions from 1 nm to 1,000 nm are added into a solder ball. The inert nano-sized particles may comprise metal oxides, metal nitrides, metal carbides, metal borides, etc. The inert nano-sized particles may be a single compound, or may be a metallic material having a coating of a different material. In another embodiment of the present invention, a small quantity of at least one elemental metal that forms stable high melting intermetallic compound with tin is added to a solder ball. The added at least one elemental metal forms precipitates of intermetallic compounds with tin, which are dispersed as fine particles in the solder.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 12, 2010
    Publication date: August 12, 2010
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Charles L. Arvin, Alexandre Blander, Peter J. Brofman, Donald W. Henderson, Gareth G. Hougham, Hsichang Liu, Eric D. Perfecto, Srinivasa S.N. Reddy, Krystyna W. Semkow, Kamalesh K. Srivastava, Brian R. Sundlof, Julien Sylvestre, Renee L. Weisman
  • Publication number: 20100155456
    Abstract: Briefly, a novel material process is disclosed wherein one or more nucleation modifiers are added, in trace amounts, to a lead-free tin-rich solder alloy to produce a solder composition with reduce or suppressed undercooling temperature characteristics. The modifier being a substance which facilitates the reduction of extreme anisotropic properties associated with body-centered-tetragonal tin based lead-free solder. The addition of the nucleation modifiers to the solder alloy does not materially effect the solder composition's melting point. As such, balls of solder with the nucleated composition freeze while other solder balls within the array remain in the melt. This effectively enables one substrate to be pinned to another substrate by one or more predetermined solder balls to secure the package while the remaining solder joints are in the liquid state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 5, 2009
    Publication date: June 24, 2010
    Applicant: International Business Machines Corp.
    Inventors: GARETH G. HOUGHAM, KAMALESH K. SRIVASTAVA, SUNG K. KANG, DA-YUAN SHIH, BRIAN R. SUNDLOF, S. JAY CHEY, DONALD W. HENDERSON, DAVID R. DI MILIA, RICHARD P. FERLITA, ROY A. CARRUTHERS
  • Patent number: 7708909
    Abstract: The present invention relates generally to thermally-conductive pastes for use with integrated circuits, and particularly, but not by way of limitation, to self-orienting microplates of graphite.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2010
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Gareth Hougham, Paul A. Lauro, Brian R. Sundlof, Jeffrey D. Gelorme
  • Patent number: 7703661
    Abstract: Briefly, a novel material process is disclosed wherein one or more nucleation modifiers are added, in trace amounts, to a lead-free tin-rich solder alloy to produce a solder composition with reduced or suppressed undercooling temperature characteristics. The modifier being a substance which facilitates the reduction of extreme anisotropic properties associated with body-centered-tetragonal tin based lead-free solder. The addition of the nucleation modifiers to the solder alloy does not materially effect the solder composition's melting point. As such, balls of solder with the nucleated composition freeze while other solder balls within the array remain in the melt. This effectively enables one substrate to be pinned to another substrate by one or more predetermined solder balls to secure the package while the remaining solder joints are in the liquid state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2010
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Gareth G. Hougham, Kamalesh K. Srivastava, Sung K. Kang, Da-Yuan Shih, Brian R. Sundlof, S. Jay Chey, Donald W. Henderson, David R. Di Milia, Richard P. Ferlita, Roy A. Carruthers
  • Patent number: 7683493
    Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention is directed to an under bump metallurgy material. The under bump metallurgy material of this embodiment includes an adhesion layer and a conduction layer formed on top of the adhesion layer. The under bump metallurgy material of this embodiment also includes a barrier layer plated on top of the conduction layer and a sacrificial layer plated on top of the barrier layer. The conduction layer of this embodiment includes a trench formed therein, the trench contacting a portion of the barrier layer and blocking a path of intermetallic formation between the conduction layer and the sacrificial layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2010
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Charles L. Arvin, Carla A. Bailey, Harry D. Cox, Hua Gan, Hsichang Liu, Arthur G. Merryman, Vall F. McClean, Srinivasa S. N. Reddy, Brian R. Sundlof
  • Patent number: 7611923
    Abstract: A stacked semiconductor apparatus has at least one die attached to a first side of a carrier substrate. A first circuitized substrate is attached to the first side of the carrier substrate and overlying the at least one die in a manner such that the first circuitized substrate serves as an electrical interconnection device and a heat spreading lid. The first circuitized substrate is further configured so as to facilitate cooling of the at least one die by at least a cross flow of a cooling medium therethrough.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2009
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Benjamin V. Fasano, Brian R. Sundlof
  • Publication number: 20090267228
    Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention is directed to an under bump metallurgy material. The under bump metallurgy material of this embodiment includes an adhesion layer and a conduction layer formed on top of the adhesion layer. The under bump metallurgy material of this embodiment also includes a barrier layer plated on top of the conduction layer and a sacrificial layer plated on top of the barrier layer. The conduction layer of this embodiment includes a trench formed therein, the trench contacting a portion of the barrier layer and blocking a path of intermetallic formation between the conduction layer and the sacrificial layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2008
    Publication date: October 29, 2009
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Charles L. Arvin, Carla A. Bailey, Harry D. Cox, Hua Gan, Hsichang Liu, Arthur G. Merryman, Vall F. McClean, Srinivasa S. N. Reddy, Brian R. Sundlof
  • Publication number: 20090266447
    Abstract: Semiconductor packaging techniques are provided which optimize metallurgical properties of a joint using dissimilar solders. A solder composition for Controlled Collapse Chip Connection processing includes a combination of a tin based lead free solder component designed for a chip and a second solder component designed for a laminate. The total concentration of module Ag after reflow is less than 1.9% by weight. A method of manufacturing a solder component is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2008
    Publication date: October 29, 2009
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: JAMES A. BUSBY, MINHUA LU, VALERIE A. OBERSON, ERIC D. PERFECTO, KAMALESH K. SRIVASTAVA, BRIAN R. SUNDLOF, JULIEN SYLVESTRE, RENEE L. WEISMAN
  • Publication number: 20090140423
    Abstract: A a metallic adhesion layer is formed on a last level metal plate exposed in an opening of a passivation layer. A Ni—Ti alloy in which the weight percentage of Ti is from about 6.5% to about 30% is deposited by sputtering onto the metallic adhesion layer to form an underbump metallic layer. A wetting layer comprising Cu or Ag or Au is deposited on top of Ni—Ti layer by sputtering. A C4 ball is applied to a surface of the wetting layer for C4 processing. The sputter deposition of the Ni—Ti alloy offers economic and performance advantages relative to known methods in the art since the Ni—Ti alloy in the composition of the present invention is non-magnetic and easy to sputter, and the consumption of the inventive Ni—Ti alloy is limited during C4 processing. Also, Sn in the solder reacts uniformly with both Ni and Ti and the consumption of Ni—Ti by Sn solder is less than that for pure Ni.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 29, 2007
    Publication date: June 4, 2009
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Luc Belanger, Srinivasa S.N. Reddy, Da-Yuan Shih, Brian R. Sundlof
  • Publication number: 20090134016
    Abstract: A metallic adhesion layer is formed on a last level metal plate exposed in an opening of a passivation layer. A Ni—Cu alloy in which the weight percentage of Ni is from about 50% to about 70% is deposited by sputtering onto the metallic adhesion layer to form an underbump metallic layer. Optionally, a wetting layer comprising Cu or Au may be deposited by sputtering. A C4 ball is applied to a surface of the underbump metallic layer comprising the Ni—Cu alloy or the wetting layer for C4 processing. The sputter deposition of the Ni—Cu alloy offers economic advantages relative to known methods in the art since the Ni—Cu alloy in the composition of the present invention is non-magnetic and easy to sputter, and the consumption of the inventive Ni—Cu alloy is limited during C4 processing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 28, 2007
    Publication date: May 28, 2009
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Luc Belanger, Srinivasa S.N. Reddy, Brian R. Sundlof
  • Publication number: 20090095502
    Abstract: A multi-layer pillar and method of fabricating the same is provided. The multi-layer pillar is used as an interconnect between a chip and substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2007
    Publication date: April 16, 2009
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: VIRENDRA R. JADHAV, KRYSTYNA W. SEMKOW, KAMALESH K. SRIVASTAVA, BRIAN R. SUNDLOF
  • Publication number: 20080290142
    Abstract: Briefly, a novel material process is disclosed wherein one or more nucleation modifiers are added, in trace amounts, to a lead-free tin-rich solder alloy to produce a solder composition with reduce or suppressed undercooling temperature characteristics. The modifier being a substance which facilitates the reduction of extreme anisotropic properties associated with body-centered-tetragonal tin based lead-free solder. The addition of the nucleation modifiers to the solder alloy does not materially effect the solder composition's melting point. As such, balls of solder with the nucleated composition freeze while other solder balls within the array remain in the melt. This effectively enables one substrate to be pinned to another substrate by one or more predetermined solder balls to secure the package while the remaining solder joints are in the liquid state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2007
    Publication date: November 27, 2008
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Gareth G. Hougham, Kamalesh K. Srivastava, Sung K. Kang, Da-Yuan Shih, Brian R. Sundlof, S. Jay Chey, Donald W. Henderson, David R. Di Milia, Richard P. Ferlita, Roy A. Carruthers
  • Patent number: 7449067
    Abstract: A method for filling vias, and in particular initially blind vias, in a wafer, and various apparatus for performing the method, comprising evacuating air from the vias; trapping at least a portion of the wafer and a paste for filling the vias between two surfaces; and pressurizing the paste to fill the vias.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2008
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Paul S. Andry, Jon A. Casey, Raymond R. Horton, Chiraq S. Patel, Edmund J. Sprogis, Brian R. Sundlof
  • Publication number: 20080202386
    Abstract: The present invention relates generally to thermally-conductive pastes for use with integrated circuits, and particularly, but not by way of limitation, to self-orienting microplates of graphite.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2008
    Publication date: August 28, 2008
    Applicant: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Gareth Hougham, Paul A. Lauro, Brian R. Sundlof, Jeffrey D. Gelorme
  • Publication number: 20080180927
    Abstract: A circuit package is provided. The circuit package includes a plurality of electrically conductive pads located on a bottom surface of the circuit package, wherein at least one pad of the plurality of bottom surface pads has a recession for receiving an electrically conductive protrusion located on a substrate to which the circuit package is to be mounted.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 26, 2007
    Publication date: July 31, 2008
    Inventors: Paul Coteus, Gareth Geoffrey Hougham, Brian R. Sundlof
  • Patent number: 7351360
    Abstract: The present invention relates generally to thermally-conductive pastes for use with integrated circuits, and particularly, but not by way of limitation, to self-orienting microplates of graphite.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2008
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Gareth Hougham, Paul A. Lauro, Brian R. Sundlof, Jeffrey D. Gelorme