Abstract: A surface mount circuit device (110), such as a flip chip, of the type which is attached to a conductor pattern (126) with solder bump connections (120). The solder bump connections (120) are formed by reflowing solder on shaped input/output pads (112) on the device (110), with the shape of the pads (112) being tailored to favorably affect optimal distribution, shape and height of the solder bump connections (120) following reflow soldering of the device (110) to the conductor pattern (126). The solder bump connections (120) are preferably characterized by a shape that increases the stand-off height of the device (110). The shaped solder bump connections (120) also promote stress relief during thermal cycling, improve mechanical bonding, allow better penetration of cleaning solutions, and improve flow of encapsulation materials between the device (110) and its substrate (122).

Abstract: A conductor (112) and method for attaching a surface mount device to the conductor (112), in which solder bumps (16) formed by the method are characterized as being accurately located on the conductor (112) and having a bump height and shape that provides stress relief during thermal cycles, minimizes bridging between adjacent bumps (16), allows penetration of cleaning solutions for removing undesirable residues, and enables the penetration of mechanical bonding and encapsulation materials between the chip and its substrate (10). Such benefits are achieved by forming the conductor (112) of a nonsolderable material, on which a solderable pillar (114) is formed. The pillar (114) is selectively formed to have a shape that determines the distribution and height of the solder bump (16) on the conductor (112).