Micron Technology Incorporated

Mike Hess

Salman Akram

David R Hembree

Warren M Farnworth

James M Wark

John O Jacobson

Alan G Wood

A test carrier and an interconnect for testing semiconductor components, such as bare dice and chip scale packages, are provided. The carrier includes a base on which the interconnect is mounted, and a force applying mechanism for biasing the component against the interconnect. The interconnect includes interconnect contacts configured to make temporary electrical connections with component contacts (e.g., bond pads, solder balls). The interconnect also includes support members configured to physically contact the component, to prevent flexure of the component due to pressure exerted by the force applying mechanism. The support members can be formed integrally with the interconnect using an etching process. In addition, the support members can include an elastomeric layer to provide cushioning and to accommodate Z-direction dimensional variations.

Method for fabricating interconnect having support members for preventing component flexure

Interconnect for testing semiconductor components having support members for preventing component flexure

Test carrier for testing semiconductor components including interconnect with support members for preventing component flexure

A method for aligning and bonding balls to substrates, such as semiconductor wafers, dice and packages, is provided. The method employs a ball retaining plate having a pattern of micromachined cavities and vacuum conduits for retaining the balls. In addition, a substrate alignment member attached to the ball retaining plate, aligns the substrate to the balls. Using the substrate alignment member, bonding sites on the substrate can be placed in physical contact with the balls which are held by vacuum on the ball retaining plate. Next, the ball alignment plate and substrate can be place in a furnace for reflowing and bonding the balls to the bonding sites. An apparatus for performing the method includes the ball retaining plate and the substrate alignment member. A system for performing the method includes a ball loader mechanism for loading balls onto the ball retaining plate, and a vacuum fixture for applying a vacuum to the ball retaining cavities.

Method and apparatus for aligning and attaching balls to a substrate

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Kuna, ID, United States of America

Mike Hess