Patents by Inventor Steven A. Cordes

Steven A. Cordes has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Publication number: 20120187577
    Abstract: The present invention allows for direct chip-to-chip connections using the shortest possible signal path.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 4, 2012
    Publication date: July 26, 2012
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Steven A. Cordes, Matthew J. Farinelli, Sherif A. Goma, Peter A. Gruber, John U. Knickerbocker, James L. Speidell
  • Patent number: 8159248
    Abstract: Flexible and rigid interposers for use in the semiconductor industry and methods for manufacturing the same are described. Auto-catalytic processes are used to minimize the costs associated with the production of flexible interposers, while increasing the yield and lifetime. Electrical contact regions are easily isolated and the risk of corrosion is reduced because all portions of the interposer are plated at once. Leads projecting from the flexible portion of the interposers accommodate a greater variety of components to be tested. Rigid interposers include a pin projecting from a probe pad affixed to a substrate. The rigidity of the pin penetrates oxides on a contact pad to be tested. Readily available semiconductor materials and processes are used to manufacture the flexible and rigid interposers according to the invention. The flexible and rigid interposers can accommodate pitches down to 25 ?m.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2012
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Steven A. Cordes, Matthew J. Farinelli, Sherif A. Goma
  • Publication number: 20110130005
    Abstract: A process for overcoming extreme topographies by first planarizing a cavity in a semiconductor substrate in order to create a planar surface for subsequent lithography processing. As a result of the planarizing process for extreme topographies, subsequent lithography processing is enabled including the deposition of features in close proximity to extreme topographic surfaces (e.g., deep cavities or channels) and, including the deposition of features within a cavity. In a first embodiment, the process for planarizing a cavity in a semiconductor substrate includes the application of dry film resists having high chemical resistance. In a second embodiment, the process for planarizing a cavity includes the filling of cavity using materials such as polymers, spin on glasses, and metallurgy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 10, 2011
    Publication date: June 2, 2011
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Guy A. Cohen, Steven A. Cordes, Sherif A. Goma, Joanna Rosner, Jeannine M. Trewhella
  • Patent number: 7915064
    Abstract: A process for overcoming extreme topographies by first planarizing a cavity in a semiconductor substrate in order to create a planar surface for subsequent lithography processing. As a result of the planarizing process for extreme topographies, subsequent lithography processing is enabled including the deposition of features in close proximity to extreme topographic surfaces (e.g., deep cavities or channels) and, including the deposition of features within a cavity. In a first embodiment, the process for planarizing a cavity in a semiconductor substrate includes the application of dry film resists having high chemical resistance. In a second embodiment, the process for planarizing a cavity includes the filling of cavity using materials such as polymers, spin on glasses, and metallurgy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2011
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Guy A. Cohen, Steven A. Cordes, Sherif A. Goma, Joanna Rosner, Jeannine M. Trewhella
  • Patent number: 7810702
    Abstract: A method of producing standoffs in an injection molded solder (IMS) mold, which possesses cavities, each of which is filled with a solder paste using standard techniques, such as screening or IMS. This solder paste is heated to a reflow temperature at which the solder melts and forms a ball or sphere. Since solder pastes are known to reduce in volume due to the therein contained organic material burning off, the remaining solder ball will be significantly lower in volume than that of the cavity. A solder material having a lower melting point is then filled into the cavities about the solder balls. The mold and solder metal are then allowed to cool, resulting in the formation of a solid sphere of metal in the cavity surrounded by solder material of a lower melting point, which, upon transfer to a wafer, form the standoffs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Steven A. Cordes, Peter A. Gruber
  • Patent number: 7810033
    Abstract: An exemplary method for determining emotive tone in text, the method comprising, matching text in a text file with text entries in a control file database, wherein the formatting attributes include textual and non-textual indicators, receiving a first set of emotive values associated with the matching text entries from the control file database, calculating an emotive score with the first set of emotive values, assigning the emotive score to the text file, and displaying the emotive score of the text file.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2010
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Steven A Cordes, Debra A Loussedes, Christopher E Obszarny, Patrick R Varekamp
  • Patent number: 7784673
    Abstract: A system and method for injection molding conductive bonding material into a plurality of cavities in a non-rectangular mold is disclosed. The method comprises aligning a fill head with a non-rectangular mold. The non-rectangular mold includes a plurality of cavities. The fill head is placed in substantial contact with the non-rectangular mold. Rotational motion is provided to at least one of the non-rectangular mold and the fill head while the fill head is in substantial contact with the non-rectangular mold. Conductive bonding material is forced out of the fill head toward the non-rectangular mold. The conductive bonding material is provided into at least one cavity of the plurality of cavities contemporaneous with the at least one cavity being in proximity to the fill head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2010
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Steven A. Cordes, Peter A. Gruber, John U. Knickerbocker, James L. Speidell
  • Patent number: 7784664
    Abstract: A system, method, and apparatus for injection molding conductive bonding material into a plurality of cavities in a surface are disclosed. The method comprises aligning a fill head with a surface. The mold includes a plurality of cavities. The method further includes placing the fill head in substantial contact with the surface. At least a first gas is channeled about a first region of the fill head. The at least first gas has a temperature above a melting point of conductive bonding material residing in a reservoir thereby maintaining the conductive bonding material in a molten state. The conductive bonding material is forced out of the fill head toward the surface. The conductive bonding material is provided into at least one cavity of the plurality of cavities contemporaneous with the at least one cavity being in proximity to the fill head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2010
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Steven A. Cordes, Peter A. Gruber, John U. Knickerbocker, James L. Speidell
  • Patent number: 7694869
    Abstract: A system, method, and device for applying conductive bonding material to a substrate are disclosed. The method includes providing conductive bonding material in a plurality of cavities of a mold. A total number of cavities in the plurality of cavities being greater than a total number of at least one conductive pad of a circuit supporting substrate corresponding to the mold. The conductive bonding material in the mold is heated to a reflow temperature of the conductive bonding material. At least one wettable surface is placed in substantial contact with the heated conductive bonding material in at least one cavity. The mold and the corresponding circuit supporting substrate are brought in close proximity to each other such that the heated conductive bonding material in at least one cavity comes in contact with at least one conductive pad of the corresponding circuit supporting substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2010
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Steven A. Cordes, Peter A. Gruber, John U. Knickerbocker, James L. Speidell
  • Patent number: 7688095
    Abstract: Flexible and rigid interposers for use in the semiconductor industry and methods for manufacturing the same are described. Auto-catalytic processes are used to minimize the costs associated with the production of flexible interposers, while increasing the yield and lifetime. Electrical contact regions are easily isolated and the risk of corrosion is reduced because all portions of the interposer are plated at once. Leads projecting from the flexible portion of the interposers accommodate a greater variety of components to be tested. Rigid interposers include a pin projecting from a probe pad affixed to a substrate. The rigidity of the pin penetrates oxides on a contact pad to be tested. Readily available semiconductor materials and processes are used to manufacture the flexible and rigid interposers according to the invention. The flexible and rigid interposers can accommodate pitches down to 25 ?m.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2010
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Steven A. Cordes, Matthew J. Farinelli, Sherif A. Goma
  • Patent number: 7669748
    Abstract: A system provides solder into cavities in a circuit supporting substrate. The system places a fill head in substantial contact with a circuit supporting substrate. The circuit supporting substrate includes at least one cavity. A linear motion or a rotational motion is provided to at least one of the circuit supporting substrate and the fill head while the fill head is in substantial contact with the circuit supporting substrate. Solder is forced out of the fill head toward the circuit supporting substrate. The solder is provided into the at least one cavity contemporaneous with the at least one cavity being in proximity to the fill head. The system brings a second circuit supporting substrate in close proximity to the circuit supporting substrate, at least one receiving pad on the second circuit supporting substrate substantially contacts the conductive bonding material of the at least one cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2010
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Steven A. Cordes, Peter A. Gruber, John U. Knickerbocker, James L. Speidell
  • Publication number: 20100038126
    Abstract: Flexible and rigid interposers for use in the semiconductor industry and methods for manufacturing the same are described. Auto-catalytic processes are used to minimize the costs associated with the production of flexible interposers, while increasing the yield and lifetime. Electrical contact regions are easily isolated and the risk of corrosion is reduced because all portions of the interposer are plated at once. Leads projecting from the flexible portion of the interposers accommodate a greater variety of components to be tested. Rigid interposers include a pin projecting from a probe pad affixed to a substrate. The rigidity of the pin penetrates oxides on a contact pad to be tested. Readily available semiconductor materials and processes are used to manufacture the flexible and rigid interposers according to the invention. The flexible and rigid interposers can accommodate pitches down to 25 ?m.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 18, 2009
    Publication date: February 18, 2010
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Steven A. Cordes, Matthew J. Farinelli, Sherif A. Goma
  • Publication number: 20100001045
    Abstract: A method of producing standoffs in an injection molded solder (IMS) mold, which possesses cavities, each of which is filled with a solder paste using standard techniques, such as screening or IMS. This solder paste is heated to a reflow temperature at which the solder melts and forms a ball or sphere. Since solder pastes are known to reduce in volume due to the therein contained organic material burning off, the remaining solder ball will be significantly lower in volume than that of the cavity. A solder material having a lower melting point is then filled into the cavities about the solder balls. The mold and solder metal are then allowed to cool, resulting in the formation of a solid sphere of metal in the cavity surrounded by solder material of a lower melting point, which, upon transfer to a wafer, form the standoffs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 2, 2008
    Publication date: January 7, 2010
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Steven A. Cordes, Peter A. Gruber
  • Publication number: 20090298292
    Abstract: A process for overcoming extreme topographies by first planarizing a cavity in a semiconductor substrate in order to create a planar surface for subsequent lithography processing. As a result of the planarizing process for extreme topographies, subsequent lithography processing is enabled including the deposition of features in close proximity to extreme topographic surfaces (e.g., deep cavities or channels) and, including the deposition of features within a cavity. In a first embodiment, the process for planarizing a cavity in a semiconductor substrate includes the application of dry film resists having high chemical resistance. In a second embodiment, the process for planarizing a cavity includes the filling of cavity using materials such as polymers, spin on glasses, and metallurgy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 10, 2009
    Publication date: December 3, 2009
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Guy A. Cohen, Steven A. Cordes, Sherif A. Goma, Joanna Rosner, Jeannine M. Trewhella
  • Publication number: 20090266480
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an injection molding of solder (IMS) process for preparing heterogenous solder bumps that contain a stand-off feature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2008
    Publication date: October 29, 2009
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Steven A. Cordes, Peter A. Gruber
  • Publication number: 20090112834
    Abstract: An exemplary method for determining emotive tone in text, the method comprising, matching text in a text file with text entries in a control file database, wherein the formatting attributes include textual and non-textual indicators, receiving a first set of emotive values associated with the matching text entries from the control file database, calculating an emotive score with the first set of emotive values, assigning the emotive score to the text file, and displaying the emotive score of the text file.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2007
    Publication date: April 30, 2009
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Steven A. Cordes, Debra A. Loussedes, Christopher E. Obszarny, Patrick R. Varekamp
  • Patent number: 7516879
    Abstract: A method of forming coaxial solder bumps, which, in essence, provide rigid supports, with the use of hole-producing stencils being formed on a polymer insulator on a sacrificial substrate, wherein posts are formed within a ring structure. The holes are then filled with solder utilizing injection molding of solder, whereby both the ring and post are filled with solder, but are electrically insulated from each other, so as to provide inner and outer coaxial connections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2009
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Stephen L. Buchwalter, Steven A. Cordes, Peter A. Gruber
  • Patent number: 7506794
    Abstract: A method in forming high-temperature alloy solder standoff in a solder bumping process, such as in injection molded solder molds. The standoffs are formed in an injection molded solder mold, by means of pre-depositing a layer of a metal at select sites, such as some of the cavities which are formed in the surface of the mold, and thereafter, filling the mold cavities with solder, utilizing standard techniques as known in the technology. The particular metal, which is deposited in at least some of the mold cavities, will alloy with the solder during or after transfer, and will result in the formation of a higher temperature alloy solder at select locations in the mold cavities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2009
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Steven A. Cordes, Peter A. Gruber
  • Patent number: 7497366
    Abstract: A system and method are provided for injection molding conductive bonding material into a plurality of cavities in a mold within a vacuum chamber. A mold and a fill head are located within a vacuum chamber, wherein the mold includes a plurality of cavities. A vacuum is created within the vacuum chamber, thereby removing air from the chamber and from the cavities. Optionally, rotational motion is provided to at least one of the mold and the fill head while the fill head is in substantial contact with the mold. Conductive bonding material is forced out of the fill head toward the mold, and into at least one of the cavities, while a vacuum is maintained in the vacuum chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2009
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: S. Jay Chey, Steven A. Cordes, Peter A. Gruber, John U. Knickerbocker, James L. Speidell
  • Publication number: 20090008057
    Abstract: A system and method for injection molding conductive bonding material into a plurality of cavities in a non-rectangular mold is disclosed. The method comprises aligning a fill head with a non-rectangular mold. The non-rectangular mold includes a plurality of cavities. The fill head is placed in substantial contact with the non-rectangular mold. Rotational motion is provided to at least one of the non-rectangular mold and the fill head while the fill head is in substantial contact with the non-rectangular mold. Conductive bonding material is forced out of the fill head toward the non-rectangular mold. The conductive bonding material is provided into at least one cavity of the plurality of cavities contemporaneous with the at least one cavity being in proximity to the fill head.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 11, 2008
    Publication date: January 8, 2009
    Applicant: International Business Machines Corp.
    Inventors: Steven A. CORDES, Peter A. GRUBER, John U. Knickerbocker, James L. SPEIDELL