Microelectronic packages having an array of resilient leads and methods therefor

Abstract

A method of making a microelectronic package having an array of resilient leads includes providing a first element having a plurality of conductive leads at a first surface thereof, the conductive leads having terminal ends permanently attached to the first element and tip ends remote from the terminal ends, the tip ends being movable relative to the terminal ends. A second element having a plurality of contacts on a first surface thereof is then juxtaposed with the first surface of the first element, and the tip ends of the conductive leads are connected with the contacts of the second microelectronic element. The first and second elements are then moved away from one another so as to vertically extend the conductive leads between the first and second elements. After the moving step, a layer of a spring-like conductive material is formed over the conductive leads to form composite leads. The layer of a spring-like material desirably has greater yield strength than the conductive leads, thereby enhancing the resiliency of the composite lead structure.