Abstract: An improved method for fabricating a semiconductor device provides a mold having a top portion and a bottom portion. The top portion includes recesses suitable for a cavity and a plurality of protrusions shaped as truncated cones. A thin sheet of compliant inert polymer is placed over the surface of the top portion. A molding compound is introduced into the cavity to form a encapsulation body covering a semiconductor chip and linear arrays of contact pads adjacent to the chip. Each conical protrusion matches a contact pad location. The thin sheet of compliant inert polymer is peeled off the top portion. The mold is opened and the encapsulated semiconductor chip is removed.

Abstract: An improved semiconductor device package is manufactured by attaching semiconductor chips (130) on an insulating substrate (101) having contact pads (103). A mold is provided, which has a top portion (210) with metal protrusions (202) at locations matching the pad locations. The protrusions are shaped as truncated cones. The substrate and the chips are loaded onto the bottom mold portion (310); the mold is closed by clamping the top portion onto the bottom portion so that the protrusions approach the contact pads. Encapsulation compound is introduced into the cavity and the protrusions create apertures through the encapsulation compound towards the pad locations.

Abstract: A process flow exposing and cleaning contact surfaces employing a liquid cleaning agent such as flux to penetrate the interface between the glassy coats and the surface of metal and to delaminate the coats from the metal, and then, at elevated temperatures, to use the agent's vapor pressure to break up the glassy coats into smaller pieces. The glassy coats are prevented by their low density to penetrate into the molten solder. Finally, at ambient temperature, the floating filler debris is water-washed and rinsed away. Cleaning agents include low-viscosity liquids (oils) and flux, which do not decompose at elevated temperatures and are mixed with components operable to provide, at the elevated temperatures, the fumes for sufficient vapor pressure to break up and dislodge the coats from the metal contacts.

Abstract: A semiconductor device with a sheet-like insulating substrate (101) integral with two or more patterned layers of conductive lines and vias, a chip attached to an assembly site, and contact pads (103) in pad locations has an encapsulated region on the top surface of the substrate, extending to the edge of the substrate, enclosing the chip, and having contact apertures (703) at the pad locations for external communication with the pad metal surfaces. The apertures may have not-smooth sidewall surfaces and may be filled with solder material (704) to contact the pads. Metal-filled surface grooves (710) in the encapsulated region, with smooth groove bottom and sidewalls, are selected to serve as customized routing interconnections, or redistribution lines, between selected apertures and thus to facilitate the coupling with another semiconductor device to form a package-on-package assembly.

Abstract: A semiconductor system (200) of one or more semiconductor interposers (201) with a certain dimension (210), conductive vias (212) extending from the first to the second surface, with terminals and attached non-reflow metal studs (215) at the ends of the vias. A semiconducting interposer surface may include discrete electronic components or an integrated circuit. One or more semiconductor chips (202, 203) have a dimension (220, 230) narrower than the interposer dimension, and an active surface with terminals and non-reflow metal studs (224, 234). One chip is flip-attached to the first interposer surface, and another chip to the second interposer surface, so that the interposer dimension projects over the chip dimension. An insulating substrate (204) has terminals and reflow bodies (242) to connect to the studs of the projecting interposer.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for preventing the use of data involves creating a first association between a set of labels and a first set of codes, where the set of labels contains information to be displayed on a computer, while each code in the first set of codes is associated with a particular label. An encryption key is linked with the first association. The set of labels, the first set of codes, and the first encryption key are sent to the computer. Later, when codes from the first set of codes and the first encryption key are received back from the computer, the codes returned from the computer are then matched to labels from the set of labels using the first encryption key. Subsequent, different associations between the set of labels and other sets of codes are created, and additional encryption keys are also created to identify the subsequent associations.

Abstract: A semiconductor device with a sheet-like insulating substrate (101) integral with two or more patterned layers of conductive lines and vias, a chip attached to an assembly site, and contact pads (103) in pad locations has an encapsulated region on the top surface of the substrate, extending to the edge of the substrate, enclosing the chip, and having contact apertures (703) at the pad locations for external communication with the pad metal surfaces. The apertures may have not-smooth sidewall surfaces and may be filled with solder material (704) to contact the pads. Metal-filled surface grooves (710) in the encapsulated region, with smooth groove bottom and sidewalls, are selected to serve as customized routing interconnections, or redistribution lines, between selected apertures and thus to facilitate the coupling with another semiconductor device to form a package-on-package assembly.

Abstract: An improved semiconductor device package is manufactured by attaching semiconductor chips (130) on an insulating substrate (101) having contact pads (103). A mold is provided, which has a top portion (210) with metal protrusions (202) at locations matching the pad locations. The protrusions are shaped as truncated cones. The substrate and the chips are loaded onto the bottom mold portion (310); the mold is closed by clamping the top portion onto the bottom portion so that the protrusions approach the contact pads. Encapsulation compound is introduced into the cavity and the protrusions create apertures through the encapsulation compound towards the pad locations.

Abstract: A semiconductor device with a sheet-like insulating substrate (101) integral with two or more patterned layers of conductive lines and vias, a chip attached to an assembly site, and contact pads (103) in pad locations has an encapsulated region on the top surface of the substrate, extending to the edge of the substrate, enclosing the chip, and having contact apertures (703) at the pad locations for external communication with the pad metal surfaces. The apertures may have not-smooth sidewall surfaces and may be filled with solder material (704) to contact the pads. Metal-filled surface grooves (710) in the encapsulated region, with smooth groove bottom and sidewalls, are selected to serve as customized routing interconnections, or redistribution lines, between selected apertures and thus to facilitate the coupling with another semiconductor device to form a package-on-package assembly.

Abstract: A new regeneration method has been developed which can effectively and efficiently remove sulfur from Ni-based steam reforming catalysts. In its simplest form the present invention comprises the steps of oxidizing a catalyst with a dilute O2 stream; decomposing the nickel sulfate under inert gas stream and removing sub-surface sulfur under steam reforming conditions. In some embodiments these steps can all be accomplished and the regenerated catalyst be reintroduced to a steam reforming operation in a matter of eight hours or less.

Abstract: Attaching a semiconductor chip to a substrate by applying mechanical vibrations (150) to a polymeric compound (130) and the contacting areas (114, 124) of a first (113) and a second (121) metallic member immersed in the compound, while the two metallic members approach (140) each other until they touch. The mechanical vibration causes displacements of the first member relative to the second member, and the vibration includes displacements (150) oriented at right angles to the direction (140) of the approach. The polymeric compound (130) includes a non-conductive adhesive resin paste (NCP) and filler particles; the paste is deposited before the attaching step. The first member (113) is affixed to the chip and the second member (121) to the substrate.

Abstract: A device has a first semiconductor chip (101) with contact pads in an interior first set (102) and a peripheral second set (103). A deformed sphere (104) of non-reflow metal such as gold is placed on each contact pad of the first and second sets. At least one additional deformed sphere (105) is placed on the first set pads, forming column-shaped spacers. The first chip is attached to a substrate (110) with a chip attachment location and a third set of contact pads (112) near the location. Low profile bond wires (130) span between the pads of the third set and the second set. A second semiconductor chip (140) of a size has a fourth set of contact pads (141) at locations matching the first set pads. The second chip is placed over the first chip so that the fourth set pads are aligned with the spacers on the matching first set pads, and at least one edge of the second chip overhangs the sphere on at least one pad of the second set.

Abstract: A semiconductor chip (102) assembled on a substrate (101). The substrate has a first surface (101a) including conductive traces (110), which have a first length (111) and a first width (112), the first width being uniform along the first length, and further a pitch (114) to respective adjacent traces. The semiconductor chip has a second surface (102a) including contact pads (121); the second surface faces the first surface spaced apart by a gap (130). A conductive pillar (140) contacts each contact pad; the pillar includes a metal core (141) and a solder body (142), which connects the core to the respective trace across the gap. The pillar core (141) has an oblong cross section of a second width (151) and a second length (152) greater than the second width. Trace pitch (141) is equal to or smaller than twice the second width (151). The trace pitch is equal to or smaller than the second length (152).

Abstract: A semiconductor PoP device (100) includes a first device (101) with a first substrate (110) having on its first side (110a) a stack (115) of at least two chips, first contact pads (111), and a first package (116) having a height (116a) and a top surface (116b). Via holes (130) extend from the top package surface through the package height to the first contact pads; the vias have straight sidewalls and a diameter at the top surface of less than 75% of the height. The PoP further includes a second packaged device (102) with a second substrate (120) facing the top surface (116b) of the first package; substrate (120) has contact pads (121) in line with the first pads (111). Solder bodies (103) fill the vias (130) and connect the pads (121) with the respective first pads (111).

Abstract: Attaching a semiconductor chip to a substrate by applying mechanical vibrations (150) to a polymeric compound (130) and the contacting areas (114, 124) of a first (113) and a second (121) metallic member immersed in the compound, while the two metallic members approach (140) each other until they touch. The mechanical vibration causes displacements of the first member relative to the second member, and the vibration includes displacements (150) oriented at right angles to the direction (140) of the approach. The polymeric compound (130) includes a non-conductive adhesive resin paste (NCP) and filler particles; the paste is deposited before the attaching step. The first member (113) is affixed to the chip and the second member (121) to the substrate.

Abstract: A device has a first semiconductor chip (101) with contact pads in an interior first set (102) and a peripheral second set (103). A deformed sphere (104) of non-reflow metal such as gold is placed on each contact pad of the first and second sets. At least one additional deformed sphere (105) is placed on the first set pads, forming column-shaped spacers. The first chip is attached to a substrate (110) with a chip attachment location and a third set of contact pads (112) near the location. Low profile bond wires (130) span between the pads of the third set and the second set. A second semiconductor chip (140) of a size has a fourth set of contact pads (141) at locations matching the first set pads. The second chip is placed over the first chip so that the fourth set pads are aligned with the spacers on the matching first set pads, and at least one edge of the second chip overhangs the sphere on at least one pad of the second set.

Abstract: A semiconductor system (200) of one or more semiconductor interposers (201) with a certain dimension (210), conductive vias (212) extending from the first to the second surface, with terminals and attached non-reflow metal studs (215) at the ends of the vias. A semiconducting interposer surface may include discrete electronic components or an integrated circuit. One or more semiconductor chips (202, 203) have a dimension (220, 230) narrower than the interposer dimension, and an active surface with terminals and non-reflow metal studs (224, 234). One chip is flip-attached to the first interposer surface, and another chip to the second interposer surface, so that the interposer dimension projects over the chip dimension. An insulating substrate (204) has terminals and reflow bodies (242) to connect to the studs of the projecting interposer.

Abstract: According to one embodiment of the invention, a method of forming a system-in-a-package includes providing a first substrate, coupling a first die to a top surface of the first substrate, coupling one or more surface mount devices to a top surface of a second substrate, coupling the second substrate to a top surface of the first die, interconnecting the first substrate, the second substrate, and the first die, and encapsulating the first die, the second substrate and the surface mount devices.

Abstract: A semiconductor system (200) of one or more semiconductor interposers (201) with a certain dimension (210), conductive vias (212) extending from the first to the second surface, with terminals and attached non-reflow metal studs (215) at the ends of the vias. A semiconducting interposer surface may include discrete electronic components or an integrated circuit. One or more semiconductor chips (202, 203) have a dimension (220, 230) narrower than the interposer dimension, and an active surface with terminals and non-reflow metal studs (224, 234). One chip is flip-attached to the first interposer surface, and another chip to the second interposer surface, so that the interposer dimension projects over the chip dimension. An insulating substrate (204) has terminals and reflow bodies (242) to connect to the studs of the projecting interposer.

Abstract: A device has a first semiconductor chip (101) with contact pads in an interior first set (102) and a peripheral second set (103). A deformed sphere (104) of non-reflow metal such as gold is placed on each contact pad of the first and second sets. At least one additional deformed sphere (105) is placed on the first set pads, forming column-shaped spacers. The first chip is attached to a substrate (110) with a chip attachment location and a third set of contact pads (112) near the location. Low profile bond wires (130) span between the pads of the third set and the second set. A second semiconductor chip (140) of a size has a fourth set of contact pads (141) at locations matching the first set pads. The second chip is placed over the first chip so that the fourth set pads are aligned with the spacers on the matching first set pads, and at least one edge of the second chip overhangs the sphere on at least one pad of the second set.