Abstract: An apparatus and method for detecting the oscillation amplitude of a bonding tool includes a sensing unit disposed adjacent to and at a distance from the bonding tool. The sensing unit includes a pair of electrodes, a piezoelectric sensing layer located between the pair of electrodes, and a membrane associated with the piezoelectric sensing layer. The piezoelectric sensing layer becomes sensitive to ultrasonic vibrations and generates electrical voltage signals after being activated by a poling process. An optional pre-amplifier is used to amplify the signals generated from the sensing unit, and an oscilloscope is used to further process the signals.

Abstract: An ultrasonic transducer driver has a giant magnetostrictive element, a fastener for holding the giant magnetostrictive element under mechanical pressure, a first field generator for providing a magnetic bias field, a second field generator for providing a magnetic drive field and a magnetic circuit for channelling the magnetic fields in the magnetostrictive element. An ultrasonic transducer for a bonding apparatus has a horn having a bonding tool at its smaller end and a mounting barrel adjoined onto it. The driver coupled to the larger end of the horn.

Abstract: A liquid dispensing apparatus, including a hollow horn having a central cylindrical cavity and a piezoelectric ring having a central opening. The piezoelectric ring is coupled to the hollow horn such that the central opening is in communication with one end of the central cylindrical cavity. A mesh screen is provided at the other end of the central cylindrical cavity. Liquid is delivered to an inner surface of the mesh screen through the central opening of the piezoelectric ring and the central cylindrical cavity of the hollow horn, and is dispensed from an outer surface of the mesh screen in the form of fine liquid droplets.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for detecting the oscillation amplitude of a bonding tool includes a sensing unit disposed adjacent to and at a distance from the bonding tool. The sensing unit includes a pair of electrodes, a piezoelectric sensing layer located between the pair of electrodes, and a membrane associated with the piezoelectric sensing layer. The piezoelectric sensing layer becomes sensitive to ultrasonic vibrations and generates electrical voltage signals after being activated by a poling process. An optional pre-amplifier is used to amplify the signals generated from the sensing unit, and an oscilloscope is used to further process the signals.

Abstract: The operational frequency of existing magnetoelectric materials having metallic or ceramic magnetostrictive materials and ceramic piezoelectric materials may be limited to a few kilohertz due to the presence of eddy-current losses in the metallic magnetostrictive phase. Further, these materials may be difficult to machine and fabricate due to their brittleness. Additionally, it may be difficult to tailor and optimize the properties (i.e., magnetoelectric voltage coefficient ?E, etc.) of the devices. This invention provides a magnetoelectric element including at least one set of alternating piezoelectric layers and magnetostrictive composite layers. The magnetostrictive composite layer includes at least one magnetostrictive material dispersed in first concentrated zones within a first polymer matrix, wherein all of the concentrated zones are orientated along a first direction. It is found that the conversion efficiency (i.e., ?E) varies in accordance with applied magnetic control field Hcontrol.

Abstract: The operational frequency of existing magnetoelectric materials having metallic or ceramic magnetostrictive materials and ceramic piezoelectric materials may be limited to a few kilohertz due to the presence of eddy-current losses in the metallic magnetostrictive phase. Further, these materials may be difficult to machine and fabricate due to their brittleness. Additionally, it may be difficult to tailor and optimize the properties (i.e., magnetoelectric voltage coefficient ?E, etc.) of the devices. This invention provides a magnetoelectric element including at least one set of alternative piezoelectric layer and magnetostrictive composite layer. The magnetostrictive composite layer includes at least one magnetostrictive material dispersed in first concentrated zones within a first polymer matrix, wherein all of said concentrated zones are orientated along a first direction. It is found that the conversion efficiency (i.e., ?E) varies in accordance with applied magnetic control field Hcontrol.

Abstract: A transducer for a wire bonding apparatus is formed of two separate parts sandwiching therebetween a plurality of piezoelectric elements. One of the two parts is the amplifying horn, and by selecting appropriate sizes and shapes for the two parts, vibrational energy can be concentrated at the distal end of the amplifying horn where the bonding tool is located.

Abstract: A transducer for a wire bonding apparatus is formed of two separate parts sandwiching therebetween a plurality of piezoelectric elements. One of the two parts is the amplifying horn, and by selecting appropriate sizes and shapes for the two parts, vibrational energy can be concentrated at the distal end of the amplifying horn where the bonding tool is located.

Abstract: A transducer for a wire bonding apparatus is formed of two separate parts sandwiching therebetween a plurality of piezoelectric elements. One of the two parts is the amplifying horn, and by selecting appropriate sizes and shapes for the two parts, vibrational energy can be concentrated at the distal end of the amplifying horn where the bonding tool is located.

Abstract: A bonding tool has a driver of piezoelectric elements in a stack. A sensor is positioned and held in the stack and includes a piezoelectric element sandwiched between electrodes and insulating wafers. Voltage developed between the electrodes is monitored and used to determine a bonding parameter, including the amplitude and duration of each ultrasonic burst.

Abstract: A bonding tool for applying pressure and ultrasonic energy simultaneously to join miniature components together includes an ultrasonic driver having four composite wafers separated by electrodes. Such bonding tools are known that use wafers made of wholly of ceramic material. By using wafers having four sector parts of ceramic material separated by layers of polymer as shown, bonding tools are provided with broader bandwidth operation and reduced spurious resonance modes.