STACKED DIE IN DIE BGA PACKAGE
Die assemblies may include a first die abutting a substrate comprising a recess adjacent to the substrate. An adhesive element may be contained within the recess to attach the first die to the substrate. A height of the adhesive element may not contribute to an overall height of the die assembly. In some embodiments, a second die comprising a non-rectangular cross-sectional shape may be situated on the first die. Die assemblies ma also comprise a first die on a substrate and comprising a cavity on a side of the first die opposing a side on which the support substrate is located. A second die may be at least partially disposed in the cavity. Die assemblies may also comprise a first die secured to a substrate and partially inserted into a recess of a second die on a side opposing a side on which the substrate is located.
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The present application is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/020,738, filed Jan. 28, 2008, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/424,470, filed Apr. 28, 2003, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,344,969, issued Mar. 18, 2008, which is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/068,159, filed Feb. 5, 2002, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,332,819, issued Feb. 19, 2008, the disclosure of each of which is incorporated herein in its entirety by this reference.
FIELD OF THE INVENTIONThis invention generally relates to assembling and packaging multiple semiconductor dies, and more particularly to a stacked multiple die device and methods for fabricating the device.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONMiniaturization of wireless products such as cellular phones and handheld computers such as personal digital assistants (PDA), has driven the increased demand for smaller component footprints, which in turn increases the popularity of multi-chip stack BGA packaging. Most multi-chip packages involve stacking dies on top of each other by means of adhesive elements. However, to achieve a low package height for multi-chip stacked die packages, a significantly reduced die thickness is needed together with the use of special wire bond techniques to reduce the height of the wire bond loop height.
Thin die handling and the required special bonding techniques poses many challenges to the assembly process.
In stacked die assemblies in which the bottom die is a flip chip, there is a limit on the minimum overall thickness of the package that can be achieved. If a solder-bumped wafer having a 150 μm bump height were to be ground to a total thickness of 150 μm to 200 μm, there would be a high occurrence of broken wafers due to the stress induced on the wafers from the bumps. Furthermore, even if the wafer does not crack, the die strength will drop significantly due to the presence of “dimples” on the backside of the wafer. Such dimples are typical defects observed on bump wafers that are ground too thin or an inappropriate backgrinding tape is used in the process.
In addition, as depicted in
In view of these and other deficiencies, improvements in stacked die modules are desirable.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention provides semiconductor devices and stacked die assemblies, methods of fabricating the devices and assemblies for increasing semiconductor device density, and method of fabricating die packages of the assemblies.
In one aspect, the invention provides a stacked die assembly. In one embodiment, the stacked die assembly, comprises a first (bottom) die disposed on a substrate, a bonding element connecting bond pads on an active surface of the bottom die to terminal pads on the substrate, and a second die mounted on the bottom die. The second die has a bottom surface with a recessed edge along the perimeter of the die that provides an opening for the bonding element extending from the bond pads of the bottom die, thus eliminating the need for a spacer between the two dies to achieve sufficient clearance for the bonding element. A second bonding element connects the bond pads on the active surface of the second die to terminal pads on the substrate. Adhesive elements are typically disposed between the two dies and the bottom die and the substrate.
In another embodiment, the stacked die assembly, comprises a first (bottom) die disposed on a substrate, typically through a flip chip attachment, and having a recess formed in the upper (inactive) surface. A second die is at least partially disposed within the recess of the first die. A bonding element connects bond pads on the active surface of the second die to terminal pads on the substrate. An adhesive element can be disposed within the recess to attach the two dies. In a further embodiment of this assembly, a third die is mounted on the second die. The third die has a bottom surface with a recessed edge along the perimeter of the die that provides an opening for the bonding element extending from the bond pads of the second die, thus eliminating the need for a spacer between the two dies for clearance of the bonding element. A second bonding element connects the bond pads on the active surface of the third die to terminal pads on the substrate. An adhesive element can be used to attach the second and third dies.
In a further embodiment, the stacked die assembly, comprises a first (bottom) die disposed on a substrate, a bonding element connecting bond pads on the active surface of the first die to terminal pads on the substrate, and a second die mounted on the bottom die. A recess is formed on the bottom surface of the first die, and an adhesive element is disposed within the recess to attach to the first die to the substrate. The containment of the adhesive element in the recess rather than being disposed between the die and the substrate as a separate layer decreases the overall height of the die assembly. In an embodiment of this assembly, the second die has a recessed edge along the perimeter of the bottom surface for clearance of the bonding element extending from the bond pads of the second die, thus eliminating the need for a spacer between the two dies. Bond pads on the second die are connected to terminal pads on the substrate by a second bonding element, and an adhesive element can be used to attach the second and third dies.
In yet another embodiment, the stacked die assembly, comprises a first (bottom) die disposed on a substrate, typically through a flip chip attachment, and a second die having a recess formed in the bottom (inactive) surface. The first die is at least partially disposed in the recess of the second die, and a bonding element connects bonding pads on the second die. An adhesive element can be disposed within the recess to attach the two dies.
In another aspect, the invention provides a semiconductor package. In various embodiments, the package comprises a stacked die assembly according to the invention, at least partially encapsulated. The package can further include external contacts disposed on the second surface of the substrate for attaching the package as a component to an external electrical apparatus or device.
In another aspect, the invention provides methods of fabricating the foregoing stacked die assemblies and semiconductor packages.
Preferred embodiments of the invention are described below with reference to the following accompanying drawings, which are for illustrative purposes only. Throughout the following views, the reference numerals will be used in the drawings, and the same reference numerals will be used throughout the several views and in the description to indicate same or like parts.
The invention will be described generally with reference to the drawings for the purpose of illustrating embodiments only and not for purposes of limiting the same. The figures illustrate processing steps for use in fabricating semiconductor devices in accordance with the present invention. It should be readily apparent that the processing steps are only a portion of the entire fabrication process.
The terms “top” and “bottom,” and “upper” and “lower” are used herein for convenience and illustrative purposes only, and are not meant to limit the description of the invention inasmuch as the referenced item can be exchanged in position.
The invention advantageously reduces the overall height of stacked die packages, achieves a desirably low package profile, allows the use of thicker dies in the stack assembly to reduce the number of cracked dies, eliminate the need for a spacer between dies to provide clearance for bond wires extending from an underlying die, and reduces the number of passes required for manufacturing multiple stacked dies by eliminating the need for mounting a spacer. The invention further offers more reliable adhesion bleed out control, and the benefits increase as more dies are stacked. The method of the invention can be utilized to fabricate an assembly comprising additional stacked die layers to those of the illustrated embodiments using the described concepts herein.
In each of the described embodiments, prior to mounting the individual dies of a stacked assembly, the backside (inactive surface) of a die (wafer) can be backgrinded or otherwise processed to a desired thickness, flatness value and texture using conventional methods in the art.
Referring to
Prior to mounting, a portion or thickness of the second (inactive) surface 58 of the second (top) die 46 can be removed to form the recessed edge 62. As shown in—
Referring now to
The support substrate 44 can comprise an electrically insulating polymer material such as a resin reinforced with glass fibers, for example, bismaleimide triazine (BT) resin, epoxy resins such as FR-4 or FR-5 laminates, ceramics, and polyimide resins; a metal leadframe (e.g., Alloy42 or copper); a flexible polyimide film (e.g., KAPTON® from DuPont, Wilmington, Del., or UPILEX® from Ube Industries, Ltd., Japan); among other substrates. A representative thickness of the substrate is about 50 μm to about 500 μm. As shown in
Referring to
Referring to
Referring to—
The second (top) die 46 can be attached to the bottom die 42 by means of an adhesive element 66, for example, a tape or die-attach adhesive as described with reference to adhesive element 64. The first (bottom) die 42 and/or the second (top) die 46 can be provided in a pre-taped form with an adhesive tape attached thereto, or an adhesive element 66 can be applied to either or both dies during mounting of the second (top) die onto the first (bottom) die.
As shown in
The die assembly 78 can be partially or fully encapsulated with a dielectric encapsulation material 82, typically a thermoset resin, the assembly 78 can be encapsulated using known techniques in the art, for example, screen printing, glob-top, pot molding, and transfer molding, resulting in the encapsulated stacked die package 40 depicted in
In the embodiment illustrated in
Where multiple die packages are fabricated on a panel substrate (e.g. panel 74,
Another embodiment of a multiple chip die assembly package according to the invention is depicted in a cross-sectional, side elevational view in
Prior to mounting, a recess 88′ can be formed in the second (inactive) surface 72′ of the first (bottom) die 42′, as shown in cross-section in
The bottom die 42′ can be mounted on the support substrate 44′ by conventional flip chip methodology. As shown in
Referring to—
The second (top) die 46′ can be attached to the bottom die 42′ by means of an adhesive element 66′. The adhesive element 66′ can be applied within the recess 88′ to the recess surface 92′ of the bottom die 42′, and/or to the second surface 58′ of the top die 46′ (as shown). The adhesive element 66′ can comprise any suitable adhesive material known in the art, for example, a tape adhesive or die attach adhesive, as described with respect to adhesive element 64′. The adhesive element 66′ can have a thickness such that it functions as a spacer to control the degree of insertion of the second die 46′ into the recess 88′. The first and/or second dies 42′, 46′ can be provided in a pre-taped form with an adhesive tape attached thereto, or an adhesive element 66′ can be applied to either or both dies during fabrication of the stacked die package 40′. The adhesive element 66′ can be applied by conventional methods known in the art.
As depicted in
The wire bonded stacked die assembly 78′ can then be partially or fully encapsulated with a dielectric encapsulation material 82′ using known methods in the art to form the encapsulated stacked die package 40′ shown in
External contacts 54′ (e.g., conductive solder balls can then be mounted on the second (bottom) surface 84′ of the support substrate 44′ for connecting the die package 40′ to a motherboard or other electrical apparatus (not shown).
Where applicable, a panel substrate comprising a plurality of dies (e.g.,
A further embodiment of a multiple chip die assembly package according to the invention is depicted in a cross-sectional, side elevational view in
As illustrated in
The stacked die package 40″ of
Prior to mounting, the recesses 88″, 62″ can be formed in the first (bottom) die 42″ and the third (top) die 94″, respectively.
A recess 88″ can be formed in the second (inactive) surface 72″ of the bottom die 42″ (
A recessed edge 62″ along the perimeter 56″ of the second (inactive) surface 58″ of the third (top) die 94″ can be formed as described previously for the second die 46 of package 40 and as depicted in
Similar to the mounting of the first die 42′ on the substrate 44′ shown in
The second (middle) die 46″ is then mounted in the recess 88″ of the bottom die 42″, as depicted in
The bond pads 48b″ of the second die 46″ are then electrically connected to the terminal pads 52b″ on the support substrate 44″, for example, by wire bonding or by TAB binding, resulting in a structure similar to that shown in
Referring now to
The third (top) die 100″ can be attached to the second die 46″ by means of an adhesive element 98″, for example, a tape or die attach adhesive, as described hereinabove with respect to adhesive element 64. The dies 46″, 100″ can be provided in a pre-taped form or an adhesive element 98″ can be applied to either or both dies during mounting of the third die 94″ onto the second die 46″. The recessed edge 62″ of the third (top) die 94″ has a height (h″) to provide an opening 63′″ with sufficient clearance for the bond wires 50b″ extending from the second die 46″ to the support substrate 44″.
Referring to
The die assembly 78″ can be partially or fully encapsulated 82″ resulting in the die package 40″ depicted in
Referring to
Prior to mounting, the recesses 102′″, 62′″ can be formed in the first (bottom) die 42′″ and the second (top) die 46′″, respectively.
As shown in
A recessed edge 62′″ along the perimeter 56′″ of the second (inactive) surface 58′″ of the second (top) die 46′″ can be formed as described previously for the second die 46 (package 40) depicted in
Referring to
The first die 42′″ is attached to the support substrate 44′″ by means of an adhesive element 104′″. The adhesive element 104′″ can be applied to the recess surface 106′″ of the recess 102′″ of the first (bottom) die 42′″, and/or onto the first (upper) surface 68′″ of the substrate 44′″ and aligned with the recess 102′″ to be received therein. The adhesive element 104′″ can comprise an adhesive gel or tape, as described hereinabove with respect to adhesive element 64 (package 40). The first die 44′″ and/or the substrate 44′″ can be provided in a pre-taped form, or an adhesive element 104′″ can be applied to the surface of either or both the first die 42′″ and the substrate 44′″ during the attachment step. The first die 42′″ is attached to the substrate 44′″ such that the terminal pads 52a′″, 52b′″ on the surface of the substrate are exposed.
Referring to
As depicted in
The wire-bonded stacked die assembly 78′″ can be partially or fully encapsulated with an encapsulant material 82′″ using known techniques in the art to form the encapsulated stacked die package 40′″ as depicted in
Singulation of a multiple die panel or strip can then be performed to provide individual die packages 40′″.
Referring to
Prior to mounting, the recess 108″″ can be formed in the second (bottom) surface 58″″ of the second (top) die 46″″, as shown in
As depicted in
The second (top) die 46″″ is then mounted onto the first (bottom) die 42″″ to form the stacked die assembly 78″″. The second die 46″″ comprises a first (active) surface 80″″ with bond pads 48b″″, and a second (inactive) surface 58″″. As shown in
Referring to
Partial or full encapsulation of the die assembly 78″″ can be performed using known techniques in the art to form the encapsulated package 40″″ shown in
Individual die packages of a multiple die panel (e.g., as shown with reference to panel 74 in
A comparison of the package design shown in
By utilizing a package design according to the invention, a lower package height can be achieved using thicker dies. In addition, thicker dies can be utilized to help reduce the number of cracked dies that occur during the assembly process.
In compliance with the statute, the invention has been described in language more or less specific as to structural and methodical features. It is to be understood, however, that the invention is not limited to the specific features shown and described, since the means herein disclosed comprise preferred forms of putting the invention into effect. The invention is, therefore, claimed in any of its forms or modifications within the proper scope of the appended claims appropriately interpreted in accordance with the doctrine of equivalents.
Claims
1. A die assembly, comprising:
- a first die comprising a surface abutting a substrate and recess adjacent to the substrate, wherein the recess extends from the surface into the first die and is defined by at least two sides and an end surface, an edge defining a perimeter of the recess is defined by an intersection of the at least two sides of the recess with the surface of the first die, and the perimeter of the recess does not extend to a perimeter of the first die;
- an adhesive element contained within the recess and attaching the first die to the substrate, wherein a height of the adhesive element does not contribute to an overall height of the die assembly; and
- a second die situated on the first die, the second die comprising a non-rectangular cross-sectional shape.
2. A die assembly, comprising:
- a first die mounted to a substrate, the first die comprising a recess extending from a surface of the first die on a side opposing a side on which the substrate is located into the first die, the recess being defined by at least two sides and a bottom surface;
- a second die at least partially received within the recess and secured to the first die; and
- a third die secured to the second die on a side of the second die opposing a side on which the first die is located, the third die comprising a non-rectangular cross-sectional shape, wherein the third die comprises a recess around an entire periphery of the third die and on a side distal from circuitry of the third die.
3. A die assembly, comprising:
- a first die mounted to a substrate; and
- a second die secured to the first die on a side of the first die opposing a side on which the substrate is located, the second die comprising a larger cross-sectional area than a cross-sectional area of the first die and a cavity defined by at least two opposing sides and a bottom surface, a cross-sectional area of the cavity being smaller than a cross-sectional area of the second die, wherein the first die is at least partially received within the cavity.
4. The die assembly of claim 3, wherein an active surface of the first die faces the substrate.
5. The die assembly of claim 4, wherein an active surface of the second die faces away from the first die.
6. A die assembly, comprising:
- a first die situated on a support substrate and comprising a cavity extending from a surface on a side of the first die opposing a side on which the support substrate is located into the first die; and
- a second die at least partially disposed in the cavity and secured to the first die on a side opposing a side on which the support substrate is located.
7. The die assembly of claim 6, wherein active surfaces of the first and second dice face opposite directions.
8. A method of fabricating a semiconductor device, comprising:
- disposing an adhesive element in a cavity defined by at least two sides and a bottom surface extending into a first die, wherein a height of the adhesive element does not add to an effective height of the first die;
- mounting the first die to a substrate with the cavity facing the substrate; and
- securing a second die to the first die on a side of the first die opposing a side on which the substrate is located, wherein the second die comprises a T-shaped cross-sectional shape and a recess defined at a periphery of the second die defines a space between the first die and the second die.
9. The method of claim 8, wherein disposing the adhesive element in the cavity defined by the at least two sides and the bottom comprises disposing the adhesive element in the cavity defined by four sides and the bottom surface.
10. The method of claim 8, wherein securing a second die to the first die comprises securing the second die over the substrate and to the first die, the second die comprising a larger footprint than a footprint of the first die.
11. The method of claim 8, further comprising maintaining the semiconductor device free of a spacer structure between the first and second dice.
12. A method of fabricating a semiconductor device, comprising:
- disposing an adhesive element in a cavity extending into a first die, wherein a height of the adhesive element does not increase a height of the semiconductor device;
- adhering the first die to a substrate using the adhesive element with the cavity facing the substrate;
- mounting a second die on a side of the first die opposing a side on which the cavity is located, wherein the second die comprises a non-rectangular cross-sectional shape defining a space between an active surface of the first die and a recessed surface of the second die; and
- electrically connecting the first die to the substrate using bond wires extending from the active surface of the first die, beyond the space defined between the first and second dice, to the substrate.
13. The method of claim 12, wherein mounting the second die on the side of the first die comprises mounting the first and second dice with active surfaces of the first and second dice facing the same direction.
14. The method of claim 12, further comprising maintaining the semiconductor device free of a spacer structure between the first and second dice.
15. The method of claim 12, wherein mounting the second die on the first die, wherein the second die comprises a non-rectangular cross-sectional shape comprises mounting the second die on the first die, wherein the second die comprises a T-shaped cross-sectional shape.
16. A method of fabricating a semiconductor device, comprising:
- mounting a first die on a substrate, wherein the first die comprises a recess extending into the first die on a side of the first die opposing a side on which the substrate is located;
- at least partially inserting a second die into the recess and securing the second die to the first die, wherein an active surface of the second die is on a side of the second die opposing a side on which the first die is located;
- securing a third die to the active surface of the second die, wherein the third die comprises a non-rectangular cross-sectional shape defining an opening between the second and third dice; and
- electrically connecting the second die to the substrate using conductive elements extending from the active surface of the second die, beyond the opening defined between the second and third dice, to the substrate.
17. The method of claim 16, wherein at least partially inserting a second die into the recess comprises leaving at least a portion of the second die to extend beyond the recess.
18. The method of claim 16, wherein securing the third die to the active surface of the second die, wherein the third die comprises the non-rectangular cross-sectional shape, comprises securing the third die to the active surface of the second die, wherein the third die comprises a T-shaped cross-sectional shape.
19. A method of fabricating a semiconductor device, comprising:
- mounting a first die on a substrate, wherein an active surface of the first die faces the substrate and the first die comprises an inner cavity extending into the first die on a side opposing a side on which the substrate is located;
- partially inserting a second die within the inner cavity of the first die with an active surface of the second die facing away from the first die, wherein a portion of the second die extends above the inner cavity; and
- securing the second die to the first die.
20. The method of claim 19, further comprising electrically connecting the second die to the substrate using conductive elements extending from the active surface of the second die, beyond a periphery of the first die, to the substrate.
21. The method of claim 20, further comprising mounting a third die to the active surface of the second die, wherein the third die comprises a recessed portion at a periphery of the third die and the conductive elements extend from within the recessed portion to beyond the recessed portion to connect to the substrate.
22. The method of claim 21, further comprising maintaining the semiconductor device free of a spacer structure between the second and third dice.
23. The method of claim 21, wherein footprints of the second and third dice are smaller than a footprint of the first die.
24. A semiconductor die assembly, comprising:
- a first semiconductor die secured to a substrate with an active surface of the first semiconductor die facing the substrate, the first semiconductor die comprising a first footprint over the substrate; and
- a second semiconductor die comprising a recess extending into an inactive surface of the second semiconductor die and secured to the first semiconductor die on a side opposing a side on which the substrate is located wherein the first semiconductor die is partially inserted into the recess of the second semiconductor die and the second semiconductor die comprises a second, larger footprint over the substrate.
25. The die assembly of claim 24, wherein the second semiconductor die comprises a U-shaped cross-sectional shape.
26. The die assembly of claim 24, further comprising an adhesive element located in the recess securing the first semiconductor die to the second semiconductor die.
27. The die assembly of claim 24, wherein the recess is defined by four sides and a bottom surface.
28. A die assembly, comprising:
- a die situated on and in contact with a substrate, the die comprising a recess defined by at least two opposing sides and a bottom surface extending from an inactive surface of the die into the die and not extending to lateral edges of the die;
- an adhesive element contained within the recess of the die securing the die to the substrate, wherein the adhesive element does not add to an overall height of the die assembly.
29. The die assembly of claim 28, further comprising another die secured to the die on a side opposing a side on which the substrate is located, wherein the another die comprises a recessed portion extending along at least lateral edges of the another die to form a space between the die and the another die.
30. The die assembly of claim 29, further comprising conductive elements extending from an active surface of the die within the space between the die and the another die, beyond the space, to the substrate.
31. The die assembly of claim 29, wherein the die assembly is free from spacer structures between the die and the another die.
32. A die assembly, comprising:
- a die situated on and in contact with a support substrate, the die comprising a perimeter defined by an inactive surface abutting the support substrate extending around the perimeter of the die and a cavity inset in the inactive surface of the die within the perimeter, the cavity defined by four sides and a bottom surface; and
- an adhesive element contained within the cavity and securing the die to the support substrate, wherein a height of the adhesive element does not increase an elevation of an active surface of the die as measured from the support substrate.
Type: Application
Filed: Feb 12, 2013
Publication Date: Jun 20, 2013
Applicant: MICRON TECHNOLOGY, INC. (Boise, ID)
Inventor: MICRON TECHNOLOGY, INC. (Boise, ID)
Application Number: 13/765,077
International Classification: H01L 25/07 (20060101); H01L 25/00 (20060101);