Abstract: Die-substrate assemblies having sinter-bonded backside via structures, and methods for fabricating such die-substrate assemblies, are disclosed. In embodiments, the method includes obtaining an integrated circuit (IC) die having a backside over which a backmetal layer is formed and into which a plated backside via extends. The IC die is attached to an electrically-conductive substrate by: (i) applying sinter precursor material over the backmetal layer and into the plated backside via; (ii) positioning a frontside of the electrically-conductive substrate adjacent the plated backmetal layer and in contact with the sinter precursor material; and (iii) sintering the sinter precursor material to yield a sintered bond layer attaching and electrically coupling the IC die to the frontside of the electrically-conductive substrate through the backmetal layer and through the plated backside via. The sintered bond layer contacts and is metallurgically bonded to the backside via lining.

Abstract: Die-substrate assemblies having sinter-bonded backside via structures, and methods for fabricating such die-substrate assemblies, are disclosed. In embodiments, the method includes obtaining an integrated circuit (IC) die having a backside over which a backmetal layer is formed and into which a plated backside via extends. The IC die is attached to an electrically-conductive substrate by: (i) applying sinter precursor material over the backmetal layer and into the plated backside via; (ii) positioning a frontside of the electrically-conductive substrate adjacent the plated backmetal layer and in contact with the sinter precursor material; and (iii) sintering the sinter precursor material to yield a sintered bond layer attaching and electrically coupling the IC die to the frontside of the electrically-conductive substrate through the backmetal layer and through the plated backside via. The sintered bond layer contacts and is metallurgically bonded to the backside via lining.

Abstract: Semiconductor dies including ultra-thin wafer backmetal systems, microelectronic devices containing such semiconductor dies, and associated fabrication methods are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method for processing a device wafer includes obtaining a device wafer having a wafer frontside and a wafer backside opposite the wafer frontside. A wafer-level gold-based ohmic bond layer, which has a first average grain size and which is predominately composed of gold, by weight, is sputter deposited onto the wafer backside. An electroplating process is utilized to deposit a wafer-level silicon ingress-resistant plated layer over the wafer-level Au-based ohmic bond layer, while imparting the plated layer with a second average grain size exceeding the first average grain size. The device wafer is singulated to separate the device wafer into a plurality of semiconductor die each having a die frontside, an Au-based ohmic bond layer, and a silicon ingress-resistant plated layer.

Abstract: A method of wafer dicing includes singulating dies from a semiconductor wafer. The method further includes depositing a metal layer on back sides of the singulated dies, wherein a portion of the metal layer continues beyond the backs sides of the singulated dies to deposit at least partially on lateral sides of the singulated dies. A packaged die includes a semiconductor die and a metal outer layer deposited on the back side of the semiconductor die and on a portion of the lateral side of the semiconductor die nearest the back side. The packaged die further includes a substrate mounted to the back side of the semiconductor die a die attach material that bonds the substrate to the metal outer layer deposited on the semiconductor die, wherein the metal outer layer and the die attach material surround the back edge of the semiconductor die.

Abstract: Power amplifier (PA) packages containing peripherally-encapsulated dies are provided, as are methods for fabricating such PA packages. In embodiments, a method for fabricating a PA package includes obtaining a die-substrate assembly containing a radio frequency (RF) power die, a package substrate, and a die bond layer. The die bond layer is composed of at least one metallic constituent and electrically couples a backside of the RF power die to the package substrate. A peripheral encapsulant body is formed around the RF power die and covers at least a portion of the die bond layer, while leaving at least a majority of a frontside of the RF power die uncovered. Before or after forming the peripheral encapsulant body, terminals of the PA package are interconnected with the RF power die; and a cover piece is bonded to the die-substrate assembly to enclose a gas-containing cavity within the PA package.

Abstract: Semiconductor dies including ultra-thin wafer backmetal systems, microelectronic devices containing such semiconductor dies, and associated fabrication methods are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method for processing a device wafer includes obtaining a device wafer having a wafer frontside and a wafer backside opposite the wafer frontside. A wafer-level gold-based ohmic bond layer, which has a first average grain size and which is predominately composed of gold, by weight, is sputter deposited onto the wafer backside. An electroplating process is utilized to deposit a wafer-level silicon ingress-resistant plated layer over the wafer-level Au-based ohmic bond layer, while imparting the plated layer with a second average grain size exceeding the first average grain size. The device wafer is singulated to separate the device wafer into a plurality of semiconductor die each having a die frontside, an Au-based ohmic bond layer, and a silicon ingress-resistant plated layer.

Abstract: Semiconductor dies including ultra-thin wafer backmetal systems, microelectronic devices containing such semiconductor dies, and associated fabrication methods are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method for processing a device wafer includes obtaining a device wafer having a wafer frontside and a wafer backside opposite the wafer frontside. A wafer-level gold-based ohmic bond layer, which has a first average grain size and which is predominately composed of gold, by weight, is sputter deposited onto the wafer backside. An electroplating process is utilized to deposit a wafer-level silicon ingress-resistant plated layer over the wafer-level Au-based ohmic bond layer, while imparting the plated layer with a second average grain size exceeding the first average grain size. The device wafer is singulated to separate the device wafer into a plurality of semiconductor die each having a die frontside, an Au-based ohmic bond layer, and a silicon ingress-resistant plated layer.

Abstract: Semiconductor dies including ultra-thin wafer backmetal systems, microelectronic devices containing such semiconductor dies, and associated fabrication methods are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method for processing a device wafer includes obtaining a device wafer having a wafer frontside and a wafer backside opposite the wafer frontside. A wafer-level gold-based ohmic bond layer, which has a first average grain size and which is predominately composed of gold, by weight, is sputter deposited onto the wafer backside. An electroplating process is utilized to deposit a wafer-level silicon ingress-resistant plated layer over the wafer-level Au-based ohmic bond layer, while imparting the plated layer with a second average grain size exceeding the first average grain size. The device wafer is singulated to separate the device wafer into a plurality of semiconductor die each having a die frontside, an Au-based ohmic bond layer, and a silicon ingress-resistant plated layer.

Abstract: Microelectronic systems and components having integrated heat dissipation posts are disclosed, as are methods for fabricating such microelectronic systems and components. In various embodiments, the microelectronic system includes a substrate having a frontside, a socket cavity, and inner cavity sidewalls defining the socket cavity. A microelectronic component is seated on the frontside of the substrate such that a heat dissipation post, which projects from the microelectronic component, is received in the socket cavity and separated from the inner cavity sidewalls by a peripheral clearance. The microelectronic system further includes a bond layer contacting the inner cavity sidewalls, contacting an outer peripheral portion of the heat dissipation post, and at least partially filling the peripheral clearance.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a packaged semiconductor device includes forming an assembly by placing a semiconductor die over a substrate with a die attach material between the semiconductor die and the substrate. A conformal structure which includes a pressure transmissive material contacts at least a portion of a top surface of the semiconductor die. A pressure is applied to the conformal structure and in turn, the pressure is transmitted to the top surface of the semiconductor die by the pressure transmissive material. While the pressure is applied, concurrently encapsulating the assembly with a molding compound and exposing the assembly to a temperature that is sufficient to cause the die attach material to sinter.

Abstract: A semiconductor device and a method of manufacturing the same include a die and a planar thermal layer, and a thick-silver layer disposed directly onto a first planar side of the planar thermal layer, as well as a metallurgical die-attach disposed between the thick-silver layer and the die, the metallurgical die-attach directly contacting the thick-silver layer.

Abstract: A method of wafer dicing includes singulating dies from a semiconductor wafer. The method further includes depositing a metal layer on back sides of the singulated dies, wherein a portion of the metal layer continues beyond the backs sides of the singulated dies to deposit at least partially on lateral sides of the singulated dies. A packaged die includes a semiconductor die and a metal outer layer deposited on the back side of the semiconductor die and on a portion of the lateral side of the semiconductor die nearest the back side. The packaged die further includes a substrate mounted to the back side of the semiconductor die a die attach material that bonds the substrate to the metal outer layer deposited on the semiconductor die, wherein the metal outer layer and the die attach material surround the back edge of the semiconductor die.

Abstract: A method of wafer dicing includes singulating dies from a semiconductor wafer. The method further includes depositing a metal layer on back sides of the singulated dies, wherein a portion of the metal layer continues beyond the backs sides of the singulated dies to deposit at least partially on lateral sides of the singulated dies. A packaged die includes a semiconductor die and a metal outer layer deposited on the back side of the semiconductor die and on a portion of the lateral side of the semiconductor die nearest the back side. The packaged die further includes a substrate mounted to the back side of the semiconductor die a die attach material that bonds the substrate to the metal outer layer deposited on the semiconductor die, wherein the metal outer layer and the die attach material surround the back edge of the semiconductor die.

Abstract: A semiconductor device and a method of manufacturing the same include a die and a planar thermal layer, and a thick-silver layer having a thickness of at least four (4) micrometers disposed directly onto a first planar side of the planar thermal layer, as well as a metallurgical die-attach disposed between the thick-silver layer and the die, the metallurgical die-attach directly contacting the thick-silver layer.

Abstract: Molded air cavity packages and methods for producing molded air cavity packages are disclosed. In one embodiment, the molded air cavity package includes a molded package body having an upper peripheral edge portion, an air cavity around which the upper peripheral edge portion extends, and a cover piece bonded to the upper peripheral edge portion to enclose the air cavity. The cover piece has a lower peripheral edge portion, which cooperates with the upper peripheral edge portion to define a cover-body interface. The cover-body interface includes an annular channel extending around the cover-body interface, as taken about the package centerline, and first and second hardstop features formed on the upper peripheral edge portion of the molded package body and on the lower peripheral edge portion of the cover piece, respectively. The hardstop features contact to determine a vertical height of the annular channel, as taken along the package centerline.

Abstract: High thermal performance microelectronic modules containing sinter-bonded heat dissipation structures are provided, as are methods for the fabrication thereof. In various embodiments, the method includes the steps or processes of providing a module substrate, such as a circuit board, including a cavity having metallized sidewalls. A sinter-bonded heat dissipation structure is formed within the cavity. The sintered-bonded heat dissipation structure is formed, at least in part, by inserting a prefabricated thermally-conductive body, such as a metallic (e.g., copper) coin into the cavity. A sinter precursor material (e.g., a metal particle-containing paste) is dispensed or otherwise applied into the cavity and onto surfaces of the prefabricated thermally-conductive body before, after, or concurrent with insertion of the prefabricated thermally-conductive body.

Abstract: Microelectronic systems having embedded heat dissipation structures are disclosed, as are methods for fabricating such microelectronic systems. In various embodiments, the method includes the steps or processes of obtaining a substrate having a tunnel formed therethrough, attaching a microelectronic component to a frontside of the substrate at a location covering the tunnel, and producing an embedded heat dissipation structure at least partially within the tunnel after attaching the microelectronic component to the substrate. The step of producing may include application of a bond layer precursor material into the tunnel and onto the microelectronic component from a backside of the substrate. The bond layer precursor material may then be subjected to sintering process or otherwise cured to form a thermally-conductive component bond layer in contact with the microelectronic component.

Abstract: Molded air cavity packages and methods for producing molded air cavity packages are disclosed. In one embodiment, the molded air cavity package includes a base flange, retention posts integrally formed with the base flange and extending from the flange frontside in a direction opposite the flange backside, and retention tabs having openings through which the retention posts are received. A molded package body is bonded to the base flange and envelopes, at least in substantial part, the retention posts and the retention tabs. The molded air cavity package further includes package leads extending from the molded package body. In certain implementations, the package leads and the retention tabs comprise singulated portions of a leadframe. Additionally or alternatively, the retention posts may be staked or otherwise physically deformed in a manner preventing disengagement of the retention posts from the retention tabs along a centerline of the molded air cavity package.

Abstract: Microelectronic systems and components having integrated heat dissipation posts are disclosed, as are methods for fabricating such microelectronic systems and components. In various embodiments, the microelectronic system includes a substrate having a frontside, a socket cavity, and inner cavity sidewalls defining the socket cavity. A microelectronic component is seated on the frontside of the substrate such that a heat dissipation post, which projects from the microelectronic component, is received in the socket cavity and separated from the inner cavity sidewalls by a peripheral clearance. The microelectronic system further includes a bond layer contacting the inner cavity sidewalls, contacting an outer peripheral portion of the heat dissipation post, and at least partially filling the peripheral clearance.

Abstract: Microelectronic systems having embedded heat dissipation structures are disclosed, as are methods for fabricating such microelectronic systems. In various embodiments, the method includes the steps or processes of obtaining a substrate having a tunnel formed therethrough, attaching a microelectronic component to a frontside of the substrate at a location covering the tunnel, and producing an embedded heat dissipation structure at least partially within the tunnel after attaching the microelectronic component to the substrate. The step of producing may include application of a bond layer precursor material into the tunnel and onto the microelectronic component from a backside of the substrate. The bond layer precursor material may then be subjected to sintering process or otherwise cured to form a thermally-conductive component bond layer in contact with the microelectronic component.