Silver Oxide Die Attach for LED Thermal Management

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional die-attach methods for semiconductor elements, such as resin bonding and eutectic bonding, face issues with thermal degradation, poor thermal conductivity, and light extraction efficiency, particularly in light emitting diodes and laser diodes, due to the use of epoxy resins and eutectic metals, which lead to reliability and cost concerns.

Innovation Solution

A method involving the direct bonding of silver or silver oxide-coated surfaces on a semiconductor element and a base using heat between 200°C to 900°C in an air or oxygen environment, eliminating the need for intermediate bonding materials and enhancing thermal conductivity and light reflectivity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If resin bonding is used for mounting semiconductor elements, then the bonding process can be performed at low temperatures (150-200°C), but the resin deteriorates over time due to heat generation, causing discoloration and bonding strength deterioration

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebonding temperatureVSAvoidbonding strength
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the bonding temperature parameter from low temperature (150-200°C for resin bonding) to high temperature (300°C or higher for eutectic bonding). This parameter change allows the use of eutectic metals instead of resin, which do not deteriorate over time due to heat generation, thereby resolving the contradiction between low bonding temperature and long-term reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The invention replaces the durable but heat-sensitive resin bonding material with eutectic metal bonding that can withstand high temperatures and long-term operation. The eutectic bonding creates a permanent, non-deteriorating bond that eliminates the need for replacement due to bonding material degradation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

2Ease of manufacture

If resin bonding is used for mounting semiconductor elements, then the bonding process is simple and convenient, but the resin has poor thermal conductivity and insufficient heat releasability

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebonding process simplicityVSAvoidheat releasability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the bonding material from resin to eutectic metal, which fundamentally alters the thermal conductivity parameter. Eutectic metals provide excellent thermal conductivity and heat releasability, resolving the contradiction by enabling efficient heat dissipation while maintaining a relatively simple bonding process through the use of eutectic alloys.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If eutectic bonding is used for mounting semiconductor elements, then the bonding strength and heat releasability are improved, but the bonding process requires high temperatures (300°C or greater) that cannot be withstood by resin packages

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebonding strengthVSAvoidbonding temperature
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The invention applies local quality by providing heat-resistant coating only in the specific bonding area where high temperature is required, while the rest of the package can remain as standard resin material. This localized heat-resistant structure allows eutectic bonding to be performed at high temperatures without requiring the entire package to be heat-resistant.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

4Reliability

If eutectic bonding is used for mounting light emitting diodes, then the bonding strength is improved, but the light extraction effect cannot be enhanced since eutectic metals have poor reflectivity

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebonding strengthVSAvoidlight extraction effect
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSIllumination intensity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention uses composite materials by combining eutectic metal for bonding strength with silver plating for light reflectivity. The eutectic metal layer provides strong mechanical bonding, while the silver layer enhances light extraction effect through its high reflectivity, resolving the contradiction between bonding strength and light extraction performance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

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

This approach provides a reliable, cost-effective semiconductor device with improved heat dissipation and light emission efficiency, extending the device's lifespan and simplifying the production process while avoiding thermal deterioration of plastic components.

Implementation Method 1

silver oxide provided on at least either one of a surface of the base and a surface of the semiconductor element

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectOxidation: Oxidation

Implementation Method 2

bonding the semiconductor element and the base by applying heat having a temperature of 200 to 900°C

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectReduction: Reduction

Implementation Method 3

arranging the semiconductor element on the base such that silver or silver oxide provided on a surface of the semiconductor element is in contact with silver or silver oxide provided on a surface of the base

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDiffusion welding: Diffusion Welding

Implementation Method 4

silver plating, which has high light reflectivity, is provided over the surface of a wiring board or a lead frame

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight reflection: Reflection

Implementation Method 5

since they have poor thermal conductivity and insufficient heat releasability

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Data Source

PatentEP2390932B1Method for manufacturing a semiconductor device
Publication Date: 2015.09.09 NICHIA CORP
  • EP2390932B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3

AI summary

An object of the invention is to provide a method for producing a conductive member having low electrical resistance, and the conductive member is obtained using a low-cost stable conductive material composition that does not contain an adhesive. A method for producing a semiconductor device in which silver or silver oxide provided on a surface of a base and silver or silver oxide provided on a surface of a semiconductor element are bonded, includes the steps of arranging a semiconductor element on a base such that silver or silver oxide provided on a surface of the semiconductor element is in contact with silver or silver oxide provided on a surface of the base, and bonding the semiconductor element and the base by applying heat having a temperature of 200 to 900°C to the semiconductor device and the base.