Low-Adhesion Coating for Semiconductor Via Contamination Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

The semiconductor industry faces challenges in efficiently and cost-effectively cleaning through-silicon vias (TSVs) and through-polymer vias (TPVs) from contaminants introduced during processing steps, particularly due to the high viscosity of temporary adhesives used in bonding processes, which complicates the cleaning and increases costs and rejects.

Innovation Solution

A method involving a low-adhesion coating applied to the vias before processing, which can be easily removed, preventing contamination and allowing for efficient cleaning at low temperatures, preferably using a non-stick molecular organic compound with a thin coating that can be reapplied and removed multiple times, facilitating quick and inexpensive contamination removal.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If temporary adhesive is applied to bond substrate to carrier, then bonding strength is improved, but via contamination increases due to adhesive penetration

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebonding strengthVSAvoidvia contamination
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

A release agent is applied to the substrate surface before the temporary adhesive bonding process. This preliminary action creates a protective barrier that prevents adhesive contamination of the vias while allowing the adhesive to maintain its bonding function on the substrate surface.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The release agent acts as an intermediary substance between the temporary adhesive and the via structures. It allows the adhesive to perform its bonding function while blocking direct contact between the adhesive and the vias, thus preventing contamination.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Manufacturing precision

If cleaning process is applied to remove adhesive contamination, then via purity is improved, but processing time and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevia purityVSAvoidprocessing time
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The release agent is applied in advance to prevent contamination from occurring in the first place. This preliminary protective action eliminates or greatly reduces the need for subsequent cleaning operations, saving significant processing time and cost.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The release agent, which might seem like an additional material step, actually converts the potential harm of adhesive contamination into a benefit by preventing the need for expensive and time-consuming cleaning operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

3Ease of operation

If temperature is increased to reduce adhesive viscosity, then adhesive flowability is improved, but energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadhesive flowabilityVSAvoidenergy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The release agent serves as a mediator that allows the adhesive to maintain good flowability at lower temperatures by preventing it from penetrating into the vias, thus eliminating the need for high-temperature heating to achieve proper adhesive flow.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 method significantly simplifies and accelerates the cleaning process, reducing contamination-related rejects and costs by enabling fast and energy-efficient removal of impurities from vias, even at room temperature, while maintaining the integrity of the semiconductor substrate.

Implementation Method 1

A method involves a low-adhesion coating being applied to the vias before processing

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAdhesion: Adhesive

Implementation Method 2

The coating material is then removed from the vias, for example, by dissolving in solvent

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDissolution: Solvation

Implementation Method 3

preferably using a non-stick molecular organic compound with a thin coating that can be reapplied and removed multiple times

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectUltrasonic vibration: Ultrasonic Vibration

Data Source

PatentEP3123503B1Method for coating cavities of a semiconductor substrate
Publication Date: 2019.10.16 EV GRP E THALLNER GMBH
  • EP3123503B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP3123503B1 patent drawingFigure 4a~4e

AI summary

The invention relates to a method for temporarily coating cavities (2), with which a semiconductor substrate (1) is at least partially interspersed and which are intended for a permanent coating and/or component mounting, with a temporarily applied coating material (3) before processing steps for processing at least one surface (1o) of the semiconductor substrate (1). The invention further relates to a method for removing a temporary coating from cavities (2) of a semiconductor substrate (1), wherein the coating has been or is applied according to an aforementioned method and wherein thereafter, in particular immediately thereafter, a permanent coating and/or component mounting of the cavities (2) occurs.