Abstract: A microelectronic package includes first and second encapsulated microelectronic elements, each of which includes a semiconductor die having a front face and contacts thereon. An encapsulant contacts at least an edge surface of each semiconductor die and extends in at least one lateral direction therefrom. Electrically conductive elements extend from the contacts and over the front face to locations overlying the encapsulant. The first and second microelectronic elements are affixed to one another such that one of the front or back surfaces of one of the first and second semiconductor dies is oriented towards one of the front or back surfaces of the other of the first and second semiconductor dies. A plurality of electrically conductive interconnects extend through the encapsulants of the first and second microelectronic elements and are electrically connected with at least one semiconductor die of the first and second microelectronic elements by the conductive elements.

Abstract: Heat spreading substrate. In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, an apparatus includes a thermally conductive, electrically insulating regular solid, a first electrically conductive coating mechanically coupled to a first edge of the regular solid and a second electrically conductive coating mechanically coupled to a second edge of the regular solid. The first and the second electrically conductive coatings are electrically isolated from one another and the faces of the first electrically conductive coating, the second electrically conductive coating and the regular solid are substantially co-planar. The primary and secondary surfaces of the regular solid may be free of electrically conductive materials.

Abstract: In interconnect fabrication (e.g. a damascene process), a conductive layer is formed over a substrate with holes, and is polished to provide interconnect features in the holes. To prevent erosion/dishing of the conductive layer at the holes, the conductive layer is covered by a sacrificial layer (possibly conformal) before polishing; then both layers are polished. Initially, before polishing, the conductive layer and the sacrificial layer are recessed over the holes, but the sacrificial layer is polished at a lower rate to result in a protrusion of the conductive layer at a location of each hole. The polishing can continue to remove the protrusions and provide a planar surface.

Abstract: A first area of a first surface of an encapsulated component can be thinned, the component including: a semiconductor chip having an active surface opposite the first surface, and an encapsulant extending outwardly from edges of the semiconductor chip. An entire area of the active surface may be aligned with the first area. After the abrading, a second area of the encapsulated component beyond the first area may have a thickness greater than a thickness of the first area. The second area can be configured to fully support the abraded encapsulated component in a state of the encapsulated component being manipulated by handling equipment.

Abstract: A microelectronic package can include a substrate having first and second opposed surfaces, at least two pairs of microelectronic elements, and a plurality of terminals exposed at the second surface. Each pair of microelectronic elements can include an upper microelectronic element and a lower microelectronic element. The pairs of microelectronic elements can be fully spaced apart from one another in a horizontal direction parallel to the first surface of the substrate. Each lower microelectronic element can have a front surface facing the first surface of the substrate and a plurality of contacts at the front surface. A surface of each of the upper microelectronic elements can at least partially overlie a rear surface of the lower microelectronic element in its pair. The microelectronic package can also include electrical connections extending from at least some of the contacts of each lower microelectronic element to at least some of the terminals.

Abstract: A microelectronic assembly is provided in which first and second electrically conductive pads exposed at front surfaces of first and second microelectronic elements, respectively, are juxtaposed, each of the microelectronic elements embodying active semiconductor devices. An electrically conductive element may extend within a first opening extending from a rear surface of the first microelectronic element towards the front surface thereof, within a second opening extending from the first opening towards the front surface of the first microelectronic element, and within a third opening extending through at least one of the first and second pads to contact the first and second pads. Interior surfaces of the first and second openings may extend in first and second directions relative to the front surface of the first microelectronic element, respectively, to define a substantial angle.

Abstract: A microelectronic assembly or package can include first and second support elements and a microelectronic element between inwardly facing surfaces of the support elements. First connectors and second connectors such as solder balls, metal posts, stud bumps, or the like face inwardly from the respective support elements and are aligned with and electrically coupled with one another in columns. The first connectors, the second connectors or both may be partially encapsulated prior to electrically coupling respective pairs of first and second connectors in columns. A method may include arranging extremities of first connectors or second connectors in a temporary layer before forming the partial encapsulation.

Abstract: A method for making a microelectronic unit includes forming a plurality of wire bonds on a first surface in the form of a conductive bonding surface of a structure comprising a patternable metallic element. The wire bonds are formed having bases joined to the first surface and end surfaces remote from the first surface. The wire bonds have edge surfaces extending between the bases and the end surfaces. The method also includes forming a dielectric encapsulation layer over a portion of the first surface of the conductive layer and over portions of the wire bonds such that unencapsulated portions of the wire bonds are defined by end surfaces or portions of the edge surfaces that are unconvered by the encapsulation layer. The metallic element is patterned to form first conductive elements beneath the wire bonds and insulated from one another by portions of the encapsulation layer.

Abstract: A microelectronic assembly is provided which includes a first element consisting essentially of at least one of semiconductor or inorganic dielectric material having a surface facing and attached to a major surface of a microelectronic element at which a plurality of conductive pads are exposed, the microelectronic element having active semiconductor devices therein. A first opening extends from an exposed surface of the first element towards the surface attached to the microelectronic element, and a second opening extends from the first opening to a first one of the conductive pads, wherein where the first and second openings meet, interior surfaces of the first and second openings extend at different angles relative to the major surface of the microelectronic element. A conductive element extends within the first and second openings and contacts the at least one conductive pad.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a semiconductor assembly can include providing a semiconductor element having a front surface, a rear surface, and a plurality of conductive pads, forming at least one hole extending at least through a respective one of the conductive pads by processing applied to the respective conductive pad from above the front surface, forming an opening extending from the rear surface at least partially through a thickness of the semiconductor element, such that the at least one hole and the opening meet at a location between the front and rear surfaces, and forming at least one conductive element exposed at the rear surface for electrical connection to an external device, the at least one conductive element extending within the at least one hole and at least into the opening, the conductive element being electrically connected with the respective conductive pad.

Abstract: A chip package has multiple chips that may be arranged side-by-side or in a staggered, stair step arrangement. The contacts of the chips are connected to interconnect pads carried on the chips themselves or on a redistribution substrate. The interconnect pads desirably are arranged in a relatively narrow interconnect zone, such that the interconnect pads can be readily wire-bonded or otherwise connected to a package substrate.

Abstract: A microelectronic assembly can be made by joining first and second subassemblies by electrically conductive masses to connect electrically conductive elements on support elements of each subassembly. A patterned layer of photo-imageable material may overlie a surface of one of the support elements and have openings with cross-sectional dimensions which are constant or monotonically increasing with height from the surface of that support element, where the masses extend through the openings and have dimensions defined thereby. An encapsulation can be formed by flowing an encapsulant into a space between the joined first and second subassemblies.

Abstract: A method of forming a conductive element on a substrate and the resulting assembly are provided. The method includes forming a groove in a sacrificial layer overlying a dielectric region disposed on a substrate. The groove preferably extends along a sloped surface of the substrate. The sacrificial layer is preferably removed by a non-photolithographic method, such as ablating with a laser, mechanical milling, or sandblasting. A conductive element is formed in the groove. The grooves may be formed. The grooves and conductive elements may be formed along any surface of the substrate, including within trenches and vias formed therein, and may connect to conductive pads on the front and/or rear surface of the substrate. The conductive elements are preferably formed by plating and may or may not conform to the surface of the substrate.

Abstract: A microelectronic unit includes a semiconductor element consisting essentially of semiconductor material and having a front surface, a rear surface, a plurality of active semiconductor devices adjacent the front surface, a plurality of conductive pads exposed at the front surface, and an opening extending through the semiconductor element. At least one of the conductive pads can at least partially overlie the opening and can be electrically connected with at least one of the active semiconductor devices. The microelectronic unit can also include a first conductive element exposed at the rear surface for connection with an external component, the first conductive element extending through the opening and electrically connected with the at least one conductive pad, and a second conductive element extending through the opening and insulated from the first conductive element. The at least one conductive pad can overlie a peripheral edge of the second conductive element.

Abstract: A structure including a first semiconductor chip with front and rear surfaces and a cavity in the rear surface. A second semiconductor chip is mounted within the cavity. The first chip may have vias extending from the cavity to the front surface and via conductors within these vias serving to connect the additional microelectronic element to the active elements of the first chip. The structure may have a volume comparable to that of the first chip alone and yet provide the functionality of a multi-chip assembly. A composite chip incorporating a body and a layer of semiconductor material mounted on a front surface of the body similarly may have a cavity extending into the body from the rear surface and may have an additional microelectronic element mounted in such cavity.

Abstract: A microelectronic package includes a lower unit having a lower unit substrate with conductive features and a top and bottom surface. The lower unit includes one or more lower unit chips overly/ing the top surface of the lower unit substrate that are electrically connected to the conductive features of the lower unit substrate. The microelectronic package also includes an upper unit including an upper unit substrate having conductive features, top and bottom surfaces and a hole extending between such top and bottom surfaces. The upper unit further includes one or more upper unit chips overlying the top surface of the upper unit substrate and electrically connected to the conductive features of the upper unit substrate by connections extending within the hole. The upper unit may include an upper unit encapsulant that covers the connections of the upper unit and the one or more upper unit chips.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a method for making a microelectronic package that includes assembling a microelectronic unit with a substrate, and electrically connecting redistribution contacts on the microelectronic unit and terminals on the substrate with a conductive matrix material extending within at least one opening extending through the substrate.

Abstract: Wafer to carrier adhesion without mechanical adhesion for formation of an IC. In such formation, an apparatus has a bottom surface of a substrate abutting a top surface of a support platform without adhesive therebetween. A material is disposed around the substrate and on the top surface of the support platform. The material is in contact with a side surface of the substrate to completely seal an interface as between the bottom surface of the substrate and the top surface of the support platform to retain abutment of the top surface and the bottom surface.

Abstract: A method for making a microelectronic package includes the steps of providing a microelectronic assembly that further includes a substrate with a plurality of conductive elements thereon, a carrier, and a plurality of substantially rigid metal elements extending from the carrier and joined to the conductive elements; and removing the carrier from the microelectronic assembly to expose contact surfaces of the respective ones of the plurality of metal elements remote from the first conductive pads.

Abstract: A device is provided with a housing adapted to engage a portion of a head of a user, such as the ear of the user. The device includes a camera component adapted to face in the same direction as the user when engaged with the portion of the head of the user. The device may be adapted to be controlled using voice commands from the user.