Chip-to-interface alignment

Abstract

A rigid alignment of a fixture connection to a chip having the rigidity of the connection transferred from the chip to a chip holder. The chip has an alignment feature that has a specific position relative to a device on the chip to which another device of a fixture is to be aligned. An alignment fixture has an alignment feature and a device site which aligns with the alignment feature and the device on the chip, respectively. The alignment fixture has a fastener on the chip holder. The chip is moveable on the holder and is moved until the alignment features of the fixture are aligned, which also results in the alignment of the device site with the device. The chip is attached with glue or solder to the holder. The alignment fixture is removed and substituted with a connector interface fixture having no alignment feature relative to the chip but rather an alignment mechanism to the block that the chip is attached. The device and a fastener of the connector interface fixture have the same relative positions as the device site and fastener, respectively, of the alignment fixture. Attaching the fastener of the device fixture to the fastener on the chip holder results in passive alignment of the devices on the fixture and the chip, as the fasteners are likened to an alignment mechanism or features. Stresses applied to the device fixture are transferred to the chip holder via the fastener, and not to the chip. applied to the device fixture are transferred to the chip holder via the fastener, and not to the chip.