Abstract: Methods are disclosed to prepare permanent materials that can be coated onto microelectronic substrates or used for other structural or optical applications. The materials are thermally stable to at least about 300° C., curable using a photo or thermal process, exhibit good chemical resistance (including during metal passivation), and have a lifespan of at least about 5 years, preferably at least about 10 years, in the final device. Advantageously, these materials can also be bonded at room temperature. The materials exhibit no movement or squeeze-out after bonding and adhere to a variety of substrate types.

Abstract: Methods of preparing poly(cyanocinnamate)s are provided, with those involving mild conditions and resulting in a soluble polymer that is stable at room temperature and can be coated onto microelectronic substrates. The polymer includes at least one bis(cyanoacetate) monomer and at least one aromatic dialdehyde monomer. The polymer exhibits good thermal and structural properties and high absorbance in the UV range.

Abstract: The present invention provides stencil-based processes for fan-out wafer-level packaging (“FOWLP”) that addresses the limitations associated with prior art over-molding of dies. In the inventive process, a temporary carrier is coated with a release layer and curable adhesive backing layer. A die stencil film is then laminated to the coated carrier, and the dies are placed inside pre-formed cavities created in the laminated stencil. The gaps between the dies and the stencil are filled with a curable polymeric material, and a redistribution layer is constructed according to conventional processes. This process results in better repeatability, lower bowing in the carrier, and enhanced downstream processing.

Abstract: Dielectric materials with optimal mechanical properties for use in laser ablation patterning are proposed. These materials include a polymer selected from the group consisting of polyureas, polyurethane, and polyacylhydrazones. New methods to prepare suitable polyacylhydrazones are also provided. Those methods involve mild conditions and result in a soluble polymer that is stable at room temperature and can be incorporated into formulations that can be coated onto microelectronic substrates. The dielectric materials exhibit high elongation, low CTE, low cure temperature, and leave little to no debris post-ablation.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for using two polymeric bonding material layers to bond a device wafer and carrier wafer in a way that allows debonding to occur between the two layers under low-force conditions at room temperature. Optionally, a third layer is included at the interface between the two layers of polymeric bonding material to facilitate the debonding at this interface. This process can potentially improve bond line stability during backside processing of temporarily bonded wafers, simplify the preparation of bonded wafers by eliminating the need for specialized release layers, and reduce wafer cleaning time and chemical consumption after debonding.

Abstract: The present invention provides stencil-based processes for fan-out wafer-level packaging (“FOWLP”) that addresses the limitations associated with prior art over-molding of dies. In the inventive process, a temporary carrier is coated with a release layer and curable adhesive backing layer. A die stencil film is then laminated to the coated carrier, and the dies are placed inside pre-formed cavities created in the laminated stencil. The gaps between the dies and the stencil are filled with a curable polymeric material, and a redistribution layer is constructed according to conventional processes. This process results in better repeatability, lower bowing in the carrier, and enhanced downstream processing.

Abstract: Dielectric materials with optimal mechanical properties for use in laser ablation patterning are proposed. These materials include a polymer selected from the group consisting of polyureas, polyurethane, and polyacylhydrazones. New methods to prepare suitable polyacylhydrazones are also provided. Those methods involve mild conditions and result in a soluble polymer that is stable at room temperature and can be incorporated into formulations that can be coated onto microelectronic substrates. The dielectric materials exhibit high elongation, low CTE, low cure temperature, and leave little to no debris post-ablation.

Abstract: The invention broadly relates to release layer compositions that enable thin wafer handling during microelectronics manufacturing. Preferred release layers are formed from compositions comprising a polyamic acid or polyimide dissolved or dispersed in a solvent system, followed by curing and/or solvent removal at about 250° C. to about 350° C. for less than about 10 minutes, yielding a thin film. This process forms the release compositions into polyimide release layers that can be used in temporary bonding processes, and laser debonded after the desired processing has been carried out.

Abstract: New temporary bonding methods and articles formed from those methods are provided. In one embodiment, the methods comprise coating a device or other ultrathin layer on a growth substrate with a rigid support layer and then bonding that stack to a carrier substrate. The growth substrate can then be removed and the ultrathin layer mounted on a final support. In another embodiment, the invention provides methods of handling device layers during processing that must occur on both sides of the fragile layer without damaging it. This is accomplished via the sequential use of two carriers, one on each side of the device layer, bonded with different bonding compositions for selective debonding.

Abstract: Multiple bonding layer schemes that temporarily join semiconductor substrates are provided. In the inventive bonding scheme, at least one of the layers is directly in contact with the semiconductor substrate and at least two layers within the scheme are in direct contact with one another. The present invention provides several processing options as the different layers within the multilayer structure perform specific functions. More importantly, it will improve performance of the thin-wafer handling solution by providing higher thermal stability, greater compatibility with harsh backside processing steps, protection of bumps on the front side of the wafer by encapsulation, lower stress in the debonding step, and fewer defects on the front side.

Abstract: Multiple bonding layer schemes that temporarily join semiconductor substrates are provided. In the inventive bonding scheme, at least one of the layers is directly in contact with the semiconductor substrate and at least two layers within the scheme are in direct contact with one another. The present invention provides several processing options as the different layers within the multilayer structure perform specific functions. More importantly, it will improve performance of the thin-wafer handling solution by providing higher thermal stability, greater compatibility with harsh backside processing steps, protection of bumps on the front side of the wafer by encapsulation, lower stress in the debonding step, and fewer defects on the front side.

Abstract: The invention broadly relates to release layer compositions that enable thin wafer handling during microelectronics manufacturing. Preferred release layers are formed from compositions comprising a polyamic acid or polyimide dissolved or dispersed in a solvent system, followed by curing and/or solvent removal at about 250° C. to about 350° C. for less than about 10 minutes, yielding a thin film. This process forms the release compositions into polyimide release layers that can be used in temporary bonding processes, and laser debonded after the desired processing has been carried out.

Abstract: Multiple bonding layer schemes that temporarily join semiconductor substrates are provided. In the inventive bonding scheme, at least one of the layers is directly in contact with the semiconductor substrate and at least two layers within the scheme are in direct contact with one another. The present invention provides several processing options as the different layers within the multilayer structure perform specific functions. More importantly, it will improve performance of the thin-wafer handling solution by providing higher thermal stability, greater compatibility with harsh backside processing steps, protection of bumps on the front side of the wafer by encapsulation, lower stress in the debonding step, and fewer defects on the front side.

Abstract: New compositions and methods of using those compositions as bonding compositions for temporary wafer bonding are provided. The compositions are used to temporarily bond an active wafer to a carrier wafer or substrate in microelectronic fabrication using an in situ polymerization reaction of the components of the bonding composition to yield the bonding layer. The compositions form polymerized bonding layers that are mechanically strong and thermally resistant, but allow the wafers to be separated at the appropriate stage in the fabrication process. The bonding layer also retains its solubility so that residue can be cleaned from the debonded wafers using simple wet methods rather than etching or other harsh treatments.

Abstract: New temporary bonding methods and articles formed from those methods are provided. The methods comprise bonding a device wafer to a carrier wafer or substrate only at their outer perimeters in order to assist in protecting the device wafer and its device sites during subsequent processing and handling. The edge bonds formed by this method are chemically and thermally resistant, but can also be softened, dissolved, or mechanically disrupted to allow the wafers to be easily separated with very low forces and at or near room temperature at the appropriate stage in the fabrication process.

Abstract: New temporary bonding methods and articles formed from those methods are provided. The methods comprise bonding a device wafer to a carrier wafer or substrate only at their outer perimeters in order to assist in protecting the device wafer and its device sites during subsequent processing and handling. The edge bonds formed by this method are chemically and thermally resistant, but can also be softened, dissolved, or mechanically disrupted to allow the wafers to be easily separated with very low forces and at or near room temperature at the appropriate stage in the fabrication process.

Abstract: Multiple bonding layer schemes that temporarily join semiconductor substrates are provided. In the inventive bonding scheme, at least one of the layers is directly in contact with the semiconductor substrate and at least two layers within the scheme are in direct contact with one another. The present invention provides several processing options as the different layers within the multilayer structure perform specific functions. More importantly, it will improve performance of the thin-wafer handling solution by providing higher thermal stability, greater compatibility with harsh backside processing steps, protection of bumps on the front side of the wafer by encapsulation, lower stress in the debonding step, and fewer defects on the front side.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for using two polymeric bonding material layers to bond a device wafer and carrier wafer in a way that allows debonding to occur between the two layers under low-force conditions at room temperature. Optionally, a third layer is included at the interface between the two layers of polymeric bonding material to facilitate the debonding at this interface. This process can potentially improve bond line stability during backside processing of temporarily bonded wafers, simplify the preparation of bonded wafers by eliminating the need for specialized release layers, and reduce wafer cleaning time and chemical consumption after debonding.

Abstract: A novel reversal lithography process without etch back is described. The reversal material comprises nanoparticles that are selectively deposited into the gaps between features without overcoating the tops of the features. As a result, a patterned imaging layer can be removed using solvent, blanket exposure followed by developer washing, or dry etching directly, without an etch-back process, and the original bright field lithography pattern can be reversed into dark field features, and transferred into subsequent layers using the nanoparticle reversal material as an etch mask.

Abstract: Multiple bonding layer schemes that temporarily join semiconductor substrates are provided. In the inventive bonding scheme, at least one of the layers is directly in contact with the semiconductor substrate and at least two layers within the scheme are in direct contact with one another. The present invention provides several processing options as the different layers within the multilayer structure perform specific functions. More importantly, it will improve performance of the thin-wafer handling solution by providing higher thermal stability, greater compatibility with harsh backside processing steps, protection of bumps on the front side of the wafer by encapsulation, lower stress in the debonding step, and fewer defects on the front side.