At&t Bell Laboratories

American Telephone & Telegraph Co., At&t Bell Laboratories

Benjamin H Cranston

Nagesh R Basavanhally

Lloyd Shepherd

A compliant element (23, 25) is provided between an integrated circuit (11) and a substrate (19) which are bonded and interconnected by an anisotropic conductive adhesive (20) comprising conductive particles (21) in a polymer matrix (22). In one embodiment, one set of bonding pads (12, FIG. 2) is coated with a layer (23) of a metal that is significantly softer than the metal from which the conductive particles are made, which permits an oversized conductive particle (21a) to indent into the soft metal layer (23). In another embodiment, one of the sets of bonding pads (15, FIG. 3) is arranged on a relatively thick layer of adhesive (25) which is sufficiently viscous at the temperature at which contact is made to permit the bonding pad (15) to pivot in response to pressure from an oversized conductive particle (21d).

Conductive adhesive film techniques

A conductive polymer interconnect structure (10) is comprised of an insulative polymer (18), a silicone or an epoxy, having a plurality of particles (20) arranged therein to provide conductive paths which extend in the z direction. At least a portion of those particles (20) proximate a separate one of the major surfaces of the matrix has at least a portion thereof coated with a solder 24 whose composition is tailored to melt below the cure temperature of the matrix (18). In this way, when the matrix (18) is sandwiched between a pair of conductive members (12 and 14) and the matrix is cured, a metallurgical bond, rather than a mechanical bond, will be formed between the members.

Growing community of inventors

Princeton, NJ, United States of America

Benjamin H Cranston