Stacked Photoelectric Conversion Substrates for Warpage-Controlled Bonding

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Solution Overview

Problem

The increasing complexity of stack type photoelectric conversion apparatuses leads to warpage issues in substrates, which can result in defects such as void generation or misalignment during bonding, particularly in Cu-Cu connection type systems, where a configuration to reduce warpage is not adequately addressed.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of a photoelectric conversion apparatus with a second silicon nitride film having higher compression stress and thicker film thickness than the first silicon nitride film, along with a low-k interlayer film, to reduce the warpage of the circuit substrate and prevent bonding defects, while managing stress gradients to avoid stress-induced voids.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the number of wiring layers is increased to handle complex photoelectric conversion apparatus, then the functionality and signal processing capability are improved, but the warpage of substrates increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovefunctionalityVSAvoidwarpage
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the physical parameters of the silicon nitride film, specifically increasing its thickness and adjusting its compression stress characteristics. By forming a second silicon nitride film with greater thickness than the first silicon nitride film, the stress distribution in the substrate is modified to counteract the warpage induced by multiple wiring layers, thus maintaining substrate flatness while supporting increased functionality

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs a composite structure consisting of multiple silicon nitride films with different thicknesses and stress characteristics. The first silicon nitride film provides baseline stress control, while the second, thicker silicon nitride film adds enhanced compression stress to specifically address warpage issues, creating a multi-layer composite solution that balances functionality and structural stability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Ease of manufacture

If substrates with large warp are bonded, then manufacturing complexity is reduced, but defects such as void generation or misalignment occur

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebonding processVSAvoidbonding quality
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary anti-action by pre-compensating for potential bonding defects through the strategic design of the second silicon nitride film. The enhanced compression stress and increased thickness of this film are configured in advance to counteract the warpage that would otherwise lead to void generation or misalignment during the bonding process, ensuring both ease of manufacture and high bonding quality

Inventive Principle:
Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

3Shape

If a second silicon nitride film with higher compression stress and greater thickness is added, then warpage is reduced, but stress gradient increases which may cause stress-induced voids

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewarpage reductionVSAvoidstress gradient
Core Design Contradiction:
ShapeVSStress or pressure

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by positioning the second silicon nitride film with enhanced compression stress and greater thickness at specific locations where warpage control is most critical. This localized enhancement provides targeted warpage reduction while minimizing the overall stress gradient across the entire substrate, preventing stress-induced voids in regions where they are less likely to occur

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

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 effectively reduces warpage in the circuit substrate, preventing bonding failures and misalignment, and facilitates hydrogen supply to photodiodes, thereby reducing dark current and enhancing the reliability of the photoelectric conversion apparatus.

Implementation Method 1

a second silicon nitride film having higher compression stress and a greater film thickness than a first silicon nitride film

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCompression stress: Compression

Implementation Method 2

While it is effective to form a low-k interlayer film, a stress gradient occurs in the low-k interlayer film, and stress-induced voids are generated due to the stress gradient

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectStress gradient management: Stress Relaxation

Data Source

PatentEP4432362A1Photoelectric conversion apparatus, photoelectric conversion system, and movable body
Publication Date: 2024.09.18 CANON KK
  • EP4432362A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4432362A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4432362A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

In a stack type photoelectric conversion apparatus in which a first substrate and a second substrate are bonded with junction electrodes disposed on the respective substrates, a first silicon nitride film disposed on the first substrate and a second silicon nitride film disposed on the second substrate differ in compression stress.