Abstract: The present invention is a method for bonding gold wire to gold bond pads at temperatures lower than 125 degrees Celsius, and more particularly at room temperature, defined to be 25 degrees Celsius. By applying compressive force and ultrasonic energy, an intermetallic bond can be formed between a gold wire and a gold bond pad without elevating the temperature. Furthermore, the present invention uses ultrasonic energy with frequencies low enough to be in the range of commercially available wire bonders.

Abstract: The present invention is a method for bonding gold wire to gold bond pads at temperatures lower than 125 degrees Celsius, and more particularly at room temperature, defined to be 25 degrees Celsius. By applying compressive force and ultrasonic energy, an intermetallic bond can be formed between a gold wire and a gold bond pad without elevating the temperature. Furthermore, the present invention uses ultrasonic energy with frequencies low enough to be in the range of commercially available wire bonders.

Abstract: The present invention is a method for bonding gold wire to gold bond pads at temperatures lower than 125 degrees Celsius, and more particularly at room temperature, defined to be 25 degrees Celsius. By applying compressive force and ultrasonic energy, an intermetallic bond can be formed between a gold wire and a gold bond pad without elevating the temperature. Furthermore, the present invention uses ultrasonic energy with frequencies low enough to be in the range of commercially available wire bonders.

Abstract: A demountable heat spreader assembly utilizing a unique retainer frame for demountably retaining a heat spreader having a flexible thermal interface material disposed in a cavity of the heat spreader is disclosed. The retainer frame allows a substrate having a flip chip IC mounted thereon to be snapped into the retainer frame. The heat spreader also snaps into the retainer frame and is positioned in the retainer frame so that the flexible thermal interface material contacts the IC with a slight interference. The flexible thermal interface material provides effective thermal coupling between the IC and the heat spreader and loose mechanical coupling between the IC and heat spreader. Thermomechanical stress caused by heating or cooling of the IC is reduced by the loose coupling between the IC and the flexible thermal interface material. The retainer frame allows for the heat spreader and the substrate to be removed and can be made from low cost materials such a plastic.

Abstract: A flip-chip IC package (10) provides a thermally-conductive lid (20) attached to a backside of the chip (12) by a die attach layer (18) of a predetermined thickness range. A rim (22), preferably KOVAR iron-nickel alloy, is formed on the lid (20) with a depth (44) less than a sum (42) of a thickness of the chip, the interconnects (16), and a minimum final thickness (40) of the die attach layer (18) by a predetermined margin (46). An initial thickness of thermally-filled epoxy is applied to the backside of the chip and a layer of lid attach epoxy (24) is applied to the rim of the lid in a thickness sufficient to span the predetermined margin. The lid is floated on the die attach layer (18) with the rim of the lid surrounding the chip and floating on the lid attach material. The lid is clamped against the chip with a force sufficient to compress the die attach material to a predetermined thickness in a range less than the initial thickness and not less than the minimum final thickness (40).

Abstract: A family of modular hybrid assemblies with high frequency interconnections is effected by a high frequency circuit assembly attached to a motherboard. Each assembly comprises standardized conducting elements and customizable transitions and circuit regions. The customizable transitions can be placed anywhere along the conducting element and are capable of low and high frequency performance. Attachment of the assembly can be effected via a standardized clamping structure which compresses an elastomeric member upon the conducting elements or by bending the conducting elements and soldering on end to attachment sites on the motherboard. Each member of the family of modular hybrid assemblies provides a controlled impedance transition from a transmission line on the circuit assembly to a transmission line on the motherboard.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for controlling the temperature of one or more electrical component chips positioned on a face of a substrate and for providing component-to-component electrical interconnect traces between the chips. One or a selected set of electrical interconnections, contained within the substrate and connected to a chip, is also connected to a column of high electrical and thermal conductivity material within the substrate that is in direct thermal contact with the working fluid in a heat pipe. The heat pipe is sealed and is contained in the substrate interior and is in electrical and thermal contact with the electronic components on a chip. The heat pipe working fluid receives heat from the electronic components through the thermally conducting column, changes phase through absorption of this heat, and transports the heat to heat dissipation means located elsewhere.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for controlling the temperature of one or more electrical component chips positioned on a face of a substrate and for providing component-to-component electrical interconnect traces between the chips. One or a selected set of electrical interconnections, contained within the substrate and connected to a chip, is also connected to a column of high electrical and thermal conductivity material within the substrate that is in direct thermal contact with the working fluid in a heat pipe. The heat pipe is sealed and is contained in the substrate interior and is in electrical and thermal contact with the electronic components on a chip. The heat pipe working fluid receives heat from the electronic components through the thermally conducting column, changes phase through absorption of this heat, and transports the heat to heat dissipation means located elsewhere.

Abstract: A multi-chip module is configured using an aluminum nitride, or AlN, multi-chip substrate, sandwiched chip side down under an extruded aluminum convection cooled heat sink. An alignment ring includes grooves for control of z-axis elastomeric conductors slightly compressed between the chip connection surface of the substrate and the top surface of a PCB to provide the interconnections therebetween. The alignment ring includes a stopper portion which controls the height of the heat sink above the PCB as well as a smaller rail portion which controls the height of the substrate above the PCB. The good thermal conductivity, ruggedness and relatively good TCE match of the AlN substrate to the silicon chips permits a convenient, dense and thermally rugged MCM.