Abstract: A process of fabricating a circuitized substrate is provided which comprising the steps of: providing an organic substrate having circuitry thereon; applying a dielectric film on the organic substrate; forming microvias in said dielectric film; sputtering a metal seed layer on the dielectric film and in said microvias; plating a metallic layer on the metal seed layer; and forming a circuit pattern thereon.

Abstract: Circuit boards are manufactured by forming a substrate with a dielectric surface, laminating a metal foil and a peelable film to the substrate, and forming holes in the substrate through the peelable film and foil. A filler material with an organic base may be filled with electroconductive particles or dielectric thermoconductive particles. The filler material is deposited onto a sacrificial carrier and the filler material is heated to at least partially cure it. The filler material is laminated onto the peelable film with sufficient heat and pressure to force the filler material to fill the holes. For thermoconductive filler the holes are filled sufficient for electrical connection through the holes. The peelable layer, sacrificial carrier and filler material remaining therebetween are peeled off the copper foil. The filler material is abraded to the level of the foil and is then copper plated. The copper is patterned to form a wiring layer.

Abstract: A circuit assembly that includes a circuitized substrate having a dielectric interior layer with a first surface and at least one hole therein. A filler material substantially fills the hole within the dielectric interior layer. A first wiring layer is positioned on the first surface of the dielectric interior layer, wherein the first wiring layer substantially covers the hole and assists in retaining the filler material within the hole in the dielectric interior layer. A first dielectric photoresist layer is positioned on the first wiring layer and on the first surface of the dielectric interior layer. The first dielectric photoresist layer also includes at least one hole therein. The filler material also substantially fills the hole within the first dielectric photoresist layer. A second wiring layer is positioned on the first dielectric photoresist layer and includes a plurality of conductive pads as part thereof.

Abstract: The present invention permits solder joints to be made directly to via and through holes without the solder being wicked into the vias or through holes, by filling plated through holes with an epoxy or cyanate fill composition. When cured and overplated, the fill composition provides support for the solder joint and provides a flat solderable surface for the inter-connection. In certain embodiments, the cured fill compositions, offer a further advantage of being conductive. The invention also relates to several novel methods for filling through holes with such fill compositions, and to resistors located in through holes and vias.

Abstract: A method for planarizing an exposed metal surface on a substrate is provided in which surface irregularities are eliminated. A photoresist layer is first removed from the substrate. Then a conformal planarizing head is placed in contact with the metal surface while chemical etchant essentially free of abrasives is supplied to an interface between the metal substrate and the planarizing head. The surface is then planarized until it is free of irregularties.

Abstract: A process of tenting plated through holes with a photoimageable dielectric is provided which includes a dielectric film comprising a photoimageable epoxy based resin layer and a peelable polyester layer. In accordance with the process of the present invention, the peelable polyester layer of the dielectric film is removed prior to baking, developing, patterning or curing the structure.

Abstract: Circuit boards are manufactured by forming a substrate with a dielectric surface, laminating a metal foil to the substrate, and forming holes in the substrate through the foil. A filler material with an organic base may be filled with electroconductive particles or dielectric thermoconductive particles. The filler material is deposited into the holes and is heated to at least partially cure it. The surface of the filler material is seeded and electrolessly plated to form a conductive coating on the metal foil and the filler material. The coating is then patterned to form a wiring layer. A second set of holes may be formed in the circuitized substrate after the hole filling step, which are also electrolessly plated.

Abstract: The present invention provides a novel method of reducing the amount of seed deposited on polymeric dielectric surfaces. The method comprises the following steps: providing a work-piece coated with a polymeric dielectric layer; baking the work-piece to modify the surface of the polymeric dielectric layer; then applying the seed to polymeric dielectric layer and electrolessly plating metal to the seed layer. The invention also relates to a circuit board produced by the method of the present invention.

Abstract: A printed circuit board for use in an electronic device package such as a ball grid array package or organic chip carrier package includes a glass-free dielectric for separating and insulating power cores, circuitry or plated through holes from each other to prevent shorts caused by a migration of conductive material along glass-based prepreg substrates.

Abstract: According to the present invention a technique for providing a planarized substrate with dendritic connections of solder balls, especially a multi-layer ceramic substrate is provided. In the case where the substrate has a raised central portion on the top surface on which are disposed top surface metallurgy pads, a layer of conformable photoimagable material is placed over the top surface.The photoimagable material is exposed and developed in a pattern corresponding to the pattern of the top surface metallurgy pads to form vias in the photoimagable material. Copper is plated in the vias in contact with the top surface metallurgy pads. The exposed surface of the photoimagable surface is then planarized, preferably by mechanical polishing to form a flat planar surface, with the ends of the vias exposed. Dendritic connector pads are then grown on the exposed ends of the vias to which solder ball connections of an I/C chip are releasably connected.

Abstract: The present invention provides a novel method of reducing the amount of seed deposited on polymeric dielectric surfaces. The method comprises the following steps: providing a work-piece coated with a polymeric dielectric layer; baking the work-piece to modify the surface of the polymeric dielectric layer; then applying the seed to polymeric dielectric layer and electrolessly plating metal to the seed layer. The invention also relates to a circuit board produced by the method of the present invention.

Abstract: Bridging between electrically conductive circuit features during conformal plating is prevented by avoiding the deposition of catalytic seed material onto non-circuit areas of the substrate. Preparatory to forming electrical circuit features on a nonconductive substrate by the full additive process, extraneous seed material is either trapped between two layers of a photoimageable film, whereby it is unavailable during plating, or deposited on the surface of an aqueous photoimageable film, which is removed prior to plating. The method embodying the present invention eliminates the need for seed removal after initial plating and prior to conformal plating of a precious metal over the initial plating.

Abstract: Disclosed is an admixture which is curable to form a crack resistant, photosensitive polycyanurate resist. Also disclosed is a structure for its use and process of making. The resist can be tailored to be either positively or negatively sensitive to actinic radiation. Because of its improved thermal and mechanical properties, the cured resist is suitable for use at high temperature, such as in electronic packaging applications.

Abstract: Bridging between electrically conductive circuit features during conformal plating is prevented by avoiding the deposition of catalytic seed material onto non-circuit areas of the substrate. Preparatory to forming electrical circuit features on a nonconductive substrate by the full additive process, extraneous seed material is either trapped between two layers of a photoimageable film, whereby it is unavailable during plating, or deposited on the surface of an aqueous photoimageable film, which is removed prior to plating. The method embodying the present invention eliminates the need for seed removal after initial plating and prior to conformal plating of a precious metal over the initial plating.

Abstract: A technique for polishing an exposed surface of metal on a substrate to remove defects from mechanical working of metals, such as burrs and pigtails resulting from drilling, and defects from plating, such as nodules and depressions, is provided. The substrate has an exposed metal surface such as copper thereon which is to be treated to remove defects. A planarizing or polishing head, preferably a rotating roller, is provided which is continuously rotating with respect to the substrate, with the head in contact with the metal surface on the substrate. A chemical etchant, essentially free of abrasive material, is continuously supplied to the interface between the metal surface and the head. The treating and polishing continues until the defects have been removed or reduced to an acceptable value. In some instances where significant height reduction is required, thus requiring significant metal removal, several passes of the substrate may be required or a device with multiple heads may be used.

Abstract: The present invention permits solder joints to be made directly to via and through holes without the solder being wicked into the vias or through holes, by filling plated through holes with an epoxy or cyanate fill composition. When cured and overplated, the fill composition provides support for the solder joint and provides a flat solderable surface for the inter-connection. In certain embodiments, the cured fill compositions, offer a further advantage of being conductive. The invention also relates to several novel methods for filling through holes with such fill compositions, and to resistors located in through holes and vias.

Abstract: A modular structure for providing electrical interconnections achieves greatly increased wiring density by forming vias and wiring patterns by chemical (e.g. lithographic) processes rather than by mechanical processes such as punching of vias and screening patterns of conductive paste. A basic module is a power core comprising an apertured metallic foil with an insulator applied to surfaces thereof, extending through at least one aperture and exposing the metallic foil in at least one aperture. The foil in the power core provides stiffness to facilitate subsequent handling and electrical shielding between conductive layers as well as a potential power connection. Via connections of increased conductivity and robustness are formed by plating the interior of vias after lamination of a desired combination of power cores and signal cores.

Abstract: A structure including a halogenated polymeric-containing layer. At least a portion of a surface of the halogenated polymeric-containing layer is electrochemically reduced. An electrically conductive pattern is provided over at least a portion of the electrochemically reduced portion of the halogenated polymeric-containing layer.

Abstract: Circuit boards are manufactured by forming a substrate with a dielectric surface, laminating a metal foil and a peelable film to the substrate, and forming holes in the substrate through the peelable film and foil. A filler material with an organic base may be filled with electroconductive particles or dielectric thermoconductive particles. The filler material is laminated onto the peelable film with sufficient heat and pressure to force the filler material to fill the holes. For thermoconductive filler the holes are filled sufficient for electrical connection through the holes. The filler material is abraded to the level of the foil and is then copper plated. The copper is patterned to form a wiring layer. A permanent dielectric photoresist layer is formed over the wiring layer and via holes are formed through the photoimageable dielectric over pads and conductors of the wiring layer.

Abstract: A process for making a circuitized substrate is defined wherein the substrate is treated with two different, e.g., additive and subtractive, metallization processes. The process is thus able to effectively produce substrates including conductive features, e. g., high density circuit lines and chip heat-sinking pads, of two different degrees of resolution in a cost effective and expeditious manner. The resulting product is also defined.