Roughened Electrical Layer Surfaces for Reliable Chiplet Bonding

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Solution Overview

Problem

In electronic systems, the deformation of polymer layers due to environmental conditions like pressure and temperature fluctuations leads to mechanical displacements, causing issues with layer alignment and adhesion during assembly, resulting in unreliable bonding between chiplets and substrates.

Innovation Solution

Creating a roughened surface on layers using nano-sized organic particles and chemical-mechanical polishing or plasma dry etching to form recesses and protrusions, which act as anchoring points for adhesives, enhancing the adhesion strength between layers and components.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If polymer layers are used in electrical systems, then flexibility and ease of manufacturing are improved, but adhesion reliability deteriorates due to deformation under environmental conditions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of manufactureVSAvoidadhesion reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by creating roughened surface regions on the polymer layer at specific locations where enhanced adhesion is needed. The surface is selectively roughened to provide anchoring points for subsequent layers or components, while other areas maintain the original smooth polymer surface properties. This localized modification resolves the contradiction by preserving the overall ease of manufacture with polymer materials while improving adhesion reliability at critical interface regions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements preliminary action by pre-forming roughened surface features on the polymer layer before bonding or assembly operations. These pre-created surface irregularities serve as ready-made anchoring structures that will enhance adhesion when subsequent layers are applied. This preliminary surface preparation ensures that even when deformation occurs under environmental conditions, the pre-established roughened regions provide reliable mechanical interlocking, thus improving adhesion reliability without compromising the ease of manufacture.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Ease of manufacture

If smooth surfaces are used on layers, then ease of manufacturing is improved, but adhesion strength deteriorates leading to layer slippage and misalignment

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of manufactureVSAvoidadhesion strength
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by creating roughened surface regions on the polymer layer at specific locations where enhanced adhesion is needed. The surface is selectively roughened to provide anchoring points for subsequent layers or components, while other areas maintain the original smooth polymer surface properties. This localized modification resolves the contradiction by preserving the overall ease of manufacture with polymer materials while improving adhesion reliability at critical interface regions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent utilizes surface curvature by creating protrusions and recesses on the layer surface through roughening processes. These curved surface features provide mechanical interlocking capability, where the protrusions act as anchors and the recesses accommodate adhesive material. This geometric modification transforms the flat smooth surface into a three-dimensional rough surface, significantly enhancing adhesion strength while maintaining ease of manufacture through standard surface treatment processes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

3Productivity

If layers are bonded under pressure and temperature variations, then assembly is completed, but mechanical displacement occurs causing misalignment and reduced bonding reliability

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveassembly completionVSAvoidlayer alignment precision
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements preliminary action by pre-forming roughened surface features on the polymer layer before bonding or assembly operations. These pre-created surface irregularities serve as ready-made anchoring structures that will enhance adhesion when subsequent layers are applied. This preliminary surface preparation ensures that even when deformation occurs under environmental conditions, the pre-established roughened regions provide reliable mechanical interlocking, thus improving adhesion reliability without compromising the ease of manufacture.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies beforehand cushioning by creating a roughened surface structure that anticipates and compensates for future deformation under pressure and temperature variations. The protrusions and recesses formed by surface roughening create a mechanical cushioning effect that absorbs and distributes stress, preventing catastrophic failure and maintaining layer alignment even when environmental conditions cause expansion or contraction. This pre-engineered surface structure cushions against the harmful effects of thermal and mechanical stress.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The roughened surface significantly improves the adhesion strength, ensuring that additional layers or components remain securely coupled even under stress conditions, thereby enhancing product reliability by minimizing the risk of slippage and deformation.

Implementation Method 1

Creating a roughened surface on layers using nano-sized organic particles and chemical-mechanical polishing or plasma dry etching to form recesses and protrusions

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectChemical-mechanical polishing:

Implementation Method 2

Creating a roughened surface on layers using nano-sized organic particles and chemical-mechanical polishing or plasma dry etching to form recesses and protrusions

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPlasma dry etching: Plasma

Implementation Method 3

which act as anchoring points for adhesives, enhancing the adhesion strength between layers and components

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAdhesion: Adhesive

Data Source

PatentUS20240222136A1Electrical layer with roughened surfaces
Publication Date: 2024.07.04 INTEL CORP
  • US20240222136A1 patent drawing
  • US20240222136A1 patent drawing
  • US20240222136A1 patent drawing

AI summary

Mechanical or chemical processes can form roughened surfaces which can be used for coupling layers of electrical systems such as when forming dies, substrates, computer chips or the like that, when subjected to high stress, are robust enough to remain coupled together.