Abstract: A conductive route for an integrated circuit assembly may be formed using a sequence of etching and passivation steps through layers of conductive material, wherein the resulting structure may include a first route portion having a first surface, a second surface, and at least one side surface extending between the first surface and the second surface, an etch stop structure on the first route portion, a second route portion on the etch stop layer, wherein the second route portion has a first surface, a second surface, and at least one side surface extending between the first surface and the second surface, and a passivating layer abutting the at least one side surface of the second route portion.

Abstract: A patch structure of an integrated circuit package comprises a core having a first side facing downwards and a second side facing upwards. A first solder resist (SR) layer is formed on the first side of the core, wherein the first SR layer comprises a first layer interconnect (FLI) and has a first set of one or more microbumps thereon to bond to one or more logic die. A second solder resist (SR) layer is formed on the second side of the core, wherein the second SR layer has a second set of one or more microbumps thereon to bond with a substrate. One or more bridge dies includes a respective sets of bumps, wherein the one or more bridge dies is disposed flipped over within the core such that the respective sets of bumps face downward and connect to the first set of one or more microbumps in the FLI.

Abstract: Double-patterning methods for build-up metallization features suitable for IC package assemblies. Double-patterned metallization features may, for example, achieve approximately twice the aspect ratio of single patterned metallization features for a given photolithography technology node. High aspect ratio metallization features may include a top feature portion that is over a bottom feature portion. The top and bottom portions each have a distinct sidewall slope indicative of their double-patterning. A hybrid plating mask may be employed during a metallization plating process. The hybrid mask may include multiple layers of photoresist to reach a desired mask thickness. Multiple exposures may be performed to incrementally image the hybrid plating mask, thereby maintaining better resolution for each exposure.

Abstract: A patch structure of an integrated circuit package comprises a core having a first side facing downwards and a second side facing upwards. Forming a first solder resist (SR) layer on the first side of the core, wherein the first SR layer comprises a first layer interconnect (FLI) and has a first set of one or more microbumps thereon to bond to one or more logic die. Forming a second solder resist (SR) layer on the second side of the core, wherein the second SR layer has a second set of one or more microbumps thereon to bond with a substrate. One or more bridge dies includes a respective sets of bumps, wherein the one or more bridge dies is disposed flipped over within the core such that the respective sets of bumps face downward and connect to the first set of one or more microbumps in the FLI.

Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein include electronic packages and methods of forming such packages. In an embodiment, the electronic package comprises a substrate and a conductive feature over the substrate. In an embodiment, a metallic mask is positioned over the conductive feature. In an embodiment, the metallic mask extends beyond a first edge of the conductive feature and a second edge of the conductive feature.

Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein include a lithographic patterning system and methods of using such a system to form a microelectronic device. The lithographic patterning system includes an actinic radiation source, a stage having a surface for supporting a substrate with a resist layer, and a prism with a first surface over the stage, where the first surface has a masked layer and is substantially parallel to the surface of the stage. The prism may have a second surface that is substantially parallel to the first surface. The first and second surfaces are flat surfaces. The prism is a monolithic prism-mask, where an optical path passes through the system and exits the first surface of the prism through the mask layer. The system may include a layer disposed between the mask and resist layers. The mask layer of the prism may pattern the resist layer without an isolated mask layer.

Abstract: A method of anisotropic etching comprises forming a metal layer above a substrate. A mask layer is formed on the metal layer with openings defined in the mask layer to expose portions of the metal layer. The exposed portions of the metal layer are introduced to an active etchant solution that includes nanoparticles as an insoluble banking agent. In further embodiments, the exposed portions of the metal layer are introduced to a magnetic and/or an electrical field.

Abstract: A method of anisotropic etching comprises forming a metal layer above a substrate. A mask layer is formed on the metal layer with openings defined in the mask layer to expose portions of the metal layer. The exposed portions of the metal layer are introduced to an active etchant solution that includes nanoparticles as an insoluble banking agent. In further embodiments, the exposed portions of the metal layer are introduced to a magnetic and/or an electrical field.

Abstract: Methods of forming a microelectronic packaging structure are described. Those methods may include forming a solder paste comprising a sacrificial polymer on a substrate, curing the solder paste below a reflow temperature of the solder to form a solid composite hybrid bump on the conductive pads, forming a molding compound around the solid composite hybrid bump, and reflowing the hybrid bump, wherein the sacrificial polymer is substantially decomposed.

Abstract: Methods are disclosed to process a thermal interface material to achieve easy pick and placement of the thermal interface material without lowering thermal performance of a completed semiconductor package. One method involves applying a non-adhesive layer on one or more surfaces of the thermal interface material, interfacing the thermal interface material with one or more components to interface the non-adhesive layer therebetween, and applying heat to alter the non-adhesive layer to increase thermal contact between the thermal interface material and the interfacing component(s).

Abstract: Methods are disclosed to process a thermal interface material to achieve easy pick and placement of the thermal interface material without lowering thermal performance of a completed semiconductor package. One method involves applying a non-adhesive layer on one or more surfaces of the thermal interface material, interfacing the thermal interface material with one or more components to interface the non-adhesive layer therebetween, and applying heat to alter the non-adhesive layer to increase thermal contact between the thermal interface material and the interfacing component(s).

Abstract: Methods are disclosed to process a thermal interface material to achieve easy pick and placement of the thermal interface material without lowering thermal performance of a completed semiconductor package. One method involves applying a non-adhesive layer on one or more surfaces of the thermal interface material, interfacing the thermal interface material with one or more components to interface the non-adhesive layer therebetween, and applying heat to alter the non-adhesive layer to increase thermal contact between the thermal interface material and the interfacing component(s).

Abstract: A treatment for a microelectronic device comprises a dicing tape (110) and a polymer composite film (120) having a pigment or other colorant added thereto and, in some embodiments, a pre-cure glass transition temperature greater than 50° Celsius. The film can comprise multiple layers, with one layer being tacky and the other layer non-tacky at a given temperature.

Abstract: In one or more embodiments, a method comprising applying thermo compression to a package assembly including a lid, a die, and a package substrate to assemble the package assembly is disclosed. The method may include assembling the package assembly without coupling a biasing mechanism to the lid. Heat may be applied to a bond head coupled with a pick and place tool. Heat may be applied to a bond stage coupled to a carrier for holding the package assembly during processing. An adhesive applied to the lid or package substrate may be allowed to at least partially cure. The method may further include, in an oven, reflowing a thermal interface material (TIM) coupled to the lid and the die, curing the TIM, and/or curing the adhesive, without using clips.

Abstract: Embodiments of an apparatus and methods of forming a package on package interconnect and its application to the packaging of microelectronic devices are described herein. Other embodiments may be described and claimed.

Abstract: A treatment for a microelectronic device comprises a dicing tape (110) and a polymer composite film (120) having a pigment or other colorant added thereto and, in some embodiments, a pre-cure glass transition temperature greater than 50° Celsius. The film can comprise multiple layers, with one layer being tacky and the other layer non-tacky at a given temperature.

Abstract: In one or more embodiments, a method comprising applying thermo compression to a package assembly including a lid, a die, and a package substrate to assemble the package assembly is disclosed. The method may include assembling the package assembly without coupling a biasing mechanism to the lid. Heat may be applied to a bond head coupled with a pick and place tool. Heat may be applied to a bond stage coupled to a carrier for holding the package assembly during processing. An adhesive applied to the lid or package substrate may be allowed to at least partially cure. The method may further include, in an oven, reflowing a thermal interface material (TIM) coupled to the lid and the die, curing the TIM, and/or curing the adhesive, without using clips.

Abstract: In one or more embodiments, a method comprising applying thermo compression to a package assembly including a lid, a die, and a package substrate to assemble the package assembly is disclosed. The method may include assembling the package assembly without coupling a biasing mechanism to the lid. Heat may be applied to a bond head coupled with a pick and place tool. Heat may be applied to a bond stage coupled to a carrier for holding the package assembly during processing. An adhesive applied to the lid or package substrate may be allowed to at least partially cure. The method may further include, in an oven, reflowing a thermal interface material (TIM) coupled to the lid and the die, curing the TIM, and/or curing the adhesive, without using clips.

Abstract: Methods of forming a microelectronic packaging structure are described. Those methods may include forming a solder paste comprising a sacrificial polymer on a substrate, curing the solder paste below a reflow temperature of the solder to form a solid composite hybrid bump on the conductive pads, forming a molding compound around the solid composite hybrid bump, and reflowing the hybrid bump, wherein the sacrificial polymer is substantially decomposed.

Abstract: A method, apparatus and system with an electrically conductive through hole via of a composite material with a matrix forming a continuous phase and embedded particles, with a different material property than the matrix, forming a dispersed phase, the resulting composite material having a different material property than the matrix.