Abstract: A one step method for curing encapsulant and joining Ball Grid Array (BGA) solder balls comprises curing an encapsulant material simultaneously with the joining of the eutectic material of the apparatus whether that eutectic material is a solder paste or preform, the balls being of a higher melt material or the balls themselves being an eutectic material. The method performs both functions in one pass through a furnace avoiding the separate and time consuming encapsulant and/or underfill curing step.

Abstract: A method and structure for manufacturing semiconductor devices comprising providing a chip and a substrate, aligning the chip and the substrate, attaching the chip to the substrate and optionally verifying chip/substrate alignment, the aligning comprising providing at least one chip alignment mark on a first side of the chip (wherein the chip alignment mark corresponds to chip pads on a second side of the chip) and aligning the alignment mark with substrate pads on the substrate.

Abstract: A solder preform is provided for forming interconnections between multilayer ceramic substrates comprising an upper layer and lower layer of solder separated by an intermediate layer of a material which is wettable by solder and which does not melt at the temperatures used to reflow the solder and form the connections. The solder preform is used to join the substrates and is particularly useful to simultaneously electrically interconnect the substrates and to form a hermetic seal between the substrates being joined.

Abstract: A solder preform is provided for forming interconnections between multilayer ceramic substrates comprising an upper layer and lower layer of solder separated by an intermediate layer of a material which is wettable by solder and which does not melt at the temperatures used to reflow the solder and form the connections. The solder preform is used to join the substrates and is particularly useful to simultaneously electrically interconnect the substrates and to form a hermetic seal between the substrates being joined.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to a new method for improving the reliability of cooling designs using thermal paste to cool chips in semiconductor modules and structure thereof. More particularly, the invention encompasses a structure and a method that uses surface chemistry modification of the inside of the thermal cooling caps where it contacts thermal paste. The internal surface of the cap is modified by embedding particles that have the same chemical composition as one or more of the solids used in the thermal paste. The particles may be embedded in the cap by casting, grit blasting, or pressing the particles permanently into the surface.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to a new method for improving the reliability of cooling designs using thermal paste to cool chips in semiconductor modules and structure thereof. More particularly, the invention encompasses a structure and a method that uses surface chemistry modification of the inside of the thermal cooling caps where it contacts thermal paste. The internal surface of the cap is modified by embedding particles that have the same chemical composition as one or more of the solids used in the thermal paste. The particles may be embedded in the cap by casting, grit blasting, or pressing the particles permanently into the surface.

Abstract: A solder preform is provided for forming interconnections between multilayer ceramic substrates comprising an upper layer and lower layer of solder separated by an intermediate layer of a material which is wettable by solder and which does not melt at the temperatures used to reflow the solder and form the connections. The solder preform is used to join the substrates and is particularly useful to simultaneously electrically interconnect the substrates and to form a hermetic seal between the substrates being joined.

Abstract: A thermal conduction module for cooling one or more integrated circuit chips mounted on a substrate is described. At least one shim is disposed between the base plate and the cover plate of the module to establish a predetermined dimension between the cover plate and the integrated circuit chips mounted on the substrate for insertion of a thermal paste. The shims may be metal, engineered plastic, or thermally and electrically conductive or nonconductive creep resistant materials able to withstand the stress and load within the module over time. The shim may be a plurality of shims having the same thickness or a plurality of shims having a multiplicity of thicknesses. Most preferably, the shim conforms to the periphery of the cover plate or base plate. A method of determining the proper shim thickness is also described wherein an initial reading of the thickness of the cover plate and base plate of the module is obtained.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for forming an elongated solder joint between two soldered substrates of an electronic module by applying a controlled separating force between the two soldered substrates during and/or after heating of the module. The solder joints are plasticized, preferably to the molten state above the liquidus temperature, and are thereby stretched and the module is then cooled to solidify the stretched joints. An apparatus and method are provided which preferably uses a vacuum device as the separating force to stretch the existing solder joints to the desired solder height and configuration which is preferably an hour-glass shape.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for forming an elongated solder joint between two soldered substrates of an electronic module or an electronic module in the process of being fabricated by using expandable solder bump means disposed between the substrates. The expandable solder bumps means comprise solder having a higher reflow temperature than the solder used to join the substrates and expansion means such as a compressed spring encased within the solder and are activated (expanded) by reflowing at a higher temperature than the melting point temperature of the solder joints.

Abstract: A device is provided for stretching solder interconnection joints between two substrates of an electronic module. The device employs an expandable metal to exert a separating (stretching) force to the two substrates whereby a lifting rod attached to a clamping bridge is cause to move upwards by expansion of the expandable metal raising a first substrate clamped thereto. A lifting bridge in connection with the clamping bridge is caused to move downward to maintain the lifting bridge in contact with the second substrate being interconnected to the first substrate.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to a new adhesive comprising a vinyl containing siloxane-containing polyimide for use in TSM capping of electronic package assemblies with adhesive capability of providing a seal band width of less than 4mm and even less than 2mm, solubility in non-toxic and environmentally safe solvents and durable adhesive properties and to a method for making the polyimides, a method for using the polyimides to make electronic packages and electronic packages made using the adhesive. The preferred vinyl-containing siloxane containing polyimide is a block type polymer containing blocks of a dianhydride-aromatic diamine oligomeric reaction product joined by non-vinyl/vinyl containing siloxane diamine forming links.