Piezoresistive Stress Sensors for Structural Analysis of Electronic Packages

1991 ◽  
Vol 113 (3) ◽  
pp. 203-215 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. A. Bittle ◽  
J. C. Suhling ◽  
R. E. Beaty ◽  
R. C. Jaeger ◽  
R. W. Johnson
Keyword(s):  
Integrated Circuit ◽  
Structural Reliability ◽  
Lattice Structure ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Electronic Packages ◽  
Cubic Symmetry ◽  
Piezoresistive Sensors ◽  
Stress Sensors ◽  
Die Stress ◽  
Test Chips

Structural reliability of electronic packages has become an increasing concern for a variety of reasons including the advent of higher integrated circuit densities, power density levels, and operating temperatures. A powerful method for experimental evaluation of die stress distributions is the use of test chips incorporating integral piezoresistive sensors. In this paper, the theory of conduction in piezoresistive materials is reviewed and the basic equations applicable to the design of stress sensors on test chips are presented. General expressions are obtained for the stress-induced resistance changes which occur in arbitrarily oriented one-dimensional filamentary conductors fabricated out of crystals with cubic symmetry and diamond lattice structure. These relations are then applied to obtain basic results for stressed in-plane resistors fabricated into the surface of (100) and (111) oriented silicon wafers. Sensor rosettes developed by previous researchers for each of these wafer orientations are reviewed and more powerful rosettes are presented along with the equations needed for their successful application. In particular, a new sensor rosette fabricated on (111) silicon is presented which can measure the complete three-dimensional stress state at points on the surface of a die

Characterization of the Piezoresistive Coefficients of (100) Silicon From −150 to +125C

2007 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chun-Hyung Cho ◽  
Richard C. Jaeger ◽  
Jeffrey C. Suhling
Keyword(s):  
Integrated Circuit ◽  
Carrier Mobility ◽  
Limited Data ◽  
Experimental Calibration ◽  
Four Point Bending ◽  
Stress Sensors ◽  
Stress Sensing ◽  
Test Chips ◽  
Crystallographic Axes

Stress sensing test chips are widely utilized to investigate integrated circuit die stresses arising from assembly and packaging operations. The test chips incorporate resistor or transistor sensing elements that are able to measure stresses by observing the changes in their resistivity or carrier mobility. This piezoresistive behavior of such sensors is characterized by three piezoresistive coefficients, which are electro-mechanical material constants. We are interested in stress characterization over a very broad range of temperatures. However, the literature provides limited data over the desired range, and even the data at room temperature, exhibit wide discrepancies in magnitude as well as sign. This work focuses on an extensive experimental study of the temperature dependence of the piezoresistive coefficients, π11, π12, and π44, for both p- and n-type silicon. In order to minimize errors associated with misalignment with the crystallographic axes on (100) silicon wafers, anisotropic wet etching was used in this work to accurately locate the axes. A special four-point bending apparatus has been constructed and integrated into an environmental chamber capable of temperatures from −155 to +300°C. Experimental calibration results for the piezoresistive coefficients as a function of temperature from −150°C to +125°C are presented and compared and contrasted with existing values from literature. Measurements were performed using stress sensors fabricated on (100) silicon mounted on PCB material including both die-on-beam and strip-on-beam mounting techniques. Four-point bending (4PB) was used to generate the required stress, and finite element simulations have been used to determine the actual states of stress in the silicon material.

In Situ Chip Stress Extractions for LFBGA Packages Through Piezoresistive Sensors

2009 ◽  
Vol 131 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ben-Je Lwo ◽  
Jeng-Shian Su ◽  
Hsien Chung
Keyword(s):  
Stress Measurements ◽  
Piezoresistive Sensors ◽  
Stress Sensors ◽  
Compressive Stresses ◽  
Fine Pitch ◽  
Low Profile ◽  
Quad Flat Package ◽  
On Chip ◽  
Test Chips

Piezoresistive sensors have been demonstrated to be an accurate and efficient tool for stress measurements on chip surfaces inside microelectronic packaging. In this work, test chips with piezoresistive stress sensors, diode temperature sensors as well as heaters were first designed, fabricated, and calibrated. We next packaged the test chips into low profile, fine pitch ball grid array (LFBGA) packaging with 196 balls and measured the stresses on chip surfaces inside the packaging. After measuring the packaging induced stress as well as the stress under stable environmental temperature rises, it was found that compressive stresses were obtained at room temperature, and the stresses were relaxed as temperature went up at a rate between 0.45 MPa/°C and 0.60 MPa/°C. For thermo-stress experiments, the temperatures on chip surfaces at different power levels were measured, and compressive chip stresses were first extracted. As the chip power increased, the compressive stresses became tensions. Since the LFBGA structure is thinner with higher packaging efficiency, different results from our earlier plastic quad flat package stress measurements were observed and discussed. In addition, the final comparisons between the experimental data and the finite element simulations show good consistency.

Measurement of Stress and Delamination in Flip Chip on Laminate Assemblies

2003 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Kaysar Rahim ◽  
Jeffrey C. Suhling ◽  
D. Scott Copeland ◽  
Richard C. Jaeger ◽  
Pradeep Lall
Keyword(s):  
Flip Chip ◽  
Acoustic Microscopy ◽  
Valuable Insight ◽  
Stress Distributions ◽  
Environmental Testing ◽  
Stress Measurements ◽  
Piezoresistive Sensors ◽  
Die Stress ◽  
Test Chips ◽  
Stress Variations

Mechanical stress distributions in packaged silicon die that have resulted during assembly or environmental testing can be accurately characterized using test chips incorporating integral piezoresistive sensors. In this paper, an overview of recent measurements made in flip chip on laminate assemblies with (111) silicon test chips is presented. Transient die stress measurements have been made during underfill cure, and the room temperature die stresses in final cured assemblies have been compared for several different underfill encapsulants. The experimental stress measurements in the flip chip samples were then correlated with finite element predictions for the tested configurations. In addition, stress variations have been monitored in the assembled flip chip die as the test boards were subjected to slow temperature changes from −40 to +150°C. Finally the stress variations occurring during thermal cycling from −40 to +125°C have been characterized. These measurements have been correlated with the delaminations occurring at the die passivation to underfill interface measured using C-mode Scanning Acoustic Microscopy (C-SAM). Using the measurements and numerical simulations, valuable insight has been gained on the effects of assembly variables and underfill material properties on the reliability of flip chip packages.

On the Study of Piezoresistive Stress Sensors for Microelectronic Packaging

2000 ◽  
Vol 124 (1) ◽  
pp. 22-26 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ben-Je Lwo ◽  
Ching-Hsing Kao ◽  
Tung-Sheng Chen ◽  
Yao-Shing Chen
Keyword(s):  
Input Power ◽  
Microelectronic Packaging ◽  
Piezoresistive Sensors ◽  
Four Point Bending ◽  
Stress Sensors ◽  
Linear Relationships ◽  
Study Test ◽  
As Stress ◽  
Test Chips ◽  
P Type

Stress measurements in microelectronic packaging through piezoresistive sensors take the advantage of both in-situ and nondestructive. In this study, test chips with both p-type and n-type piezoresistive stress sensors, as well as a heat source, were first designed, then manufactured by a commercialized foundry so that the uniformity of the test chips was expected. Both temperature and stress calibrations were next performed through a special designed MQFP (Metal Quad Flat Package) and four-point bending (4PB) structure, respectively. Measurements of stresses which are produced due to both manufacturing process and thermal effects on the test chips were finally executed, and approximately linear relationships were observed between stress and temperature as well as stress and input power. It is concluded that n-type piezoresistive stress sensors are able to extract stress in microelectronic packaging with good accuracy.

Impact of Piezoresistive Coefficient Uncertainty on Stress Measurement Using Silicon Multi-Resistor Sensor Rosettes

2008 ◽  
Author(s):  
Richard C. Jaeger ◽  
Chun-Hyung Cho ◽  
Safina Hussain ◽  
Jeffrey C. Suhling
Keyword(s):  
Integrated Circuit ◽  
Stress Measurement ◽  
Direct Analysis ◽  
Electronic Packages ◽  
Sources Of Error ◽  
Die Surface ◽  
Die Stress ◽  
Many Sources ◽  
Stress Dependent

Multi-element resistor rosettes on silicon are widely utilized to measure integrated circuit die stress in electronic packages and other applications. Previous analyses of many sources of error have led to rosette optimization and the realization that temperature compensated stress extraction should be used whenever possible. However, error in stress extraction due to the inherent uncertainty in knowledge of the values of the piezoresistive coefficients has not been explored in detail. In this work, direct analysis of the sensitivities of the extracted stresses to uncertainties in the piezoresistive coefficients is presented. The sensitivities are found to be stress dependent and therefore vary widely from very small to very large over the die surface. The results indicate that temperature compensated rosette configurations should be utilized whenever possible. Study of these sensitivities may lead to new rosette optimizations.

In-Plane Packaging Stress Measurements Through Piezoresistive Sensors

2002 ◽  
Vol 124 (2) ◽  
pp. 115-121 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ben-Je Lwo ◽  
Tung-Sheng Chen ◽  
Ching-Hsing Kao ◽  
Yu-Lin Lin
Keyword(s):  
Thermal Stresses ◽  
Temperature Sensors ◽  
Internal Stresses ◽  
Microelectronic Packaging ◽  
Stress Measurements ◽  
Piezoresistive Sensors ◽  
Stress Sensors ◽  
Induced Stresses ◽  
Packaging Structure ◽  
Test Chips

In our previous works, the piezoresistive sensors have been demonstrated to be accurate and efficient tools for stress measurements in microelectronic packaging. In this study, we first designed test chips with piezoresistive stress sensors, temperature sensors as well as heats, and the test wafers were next manufactured through commercialized IC processes. Piezoresistive sensors on silicon strips, which were cut directly from silicon wafers at a specific angle, were then calibrated, and highly consistent piezoresistive coefficients were extracted at various wafer sites so that both normal and shear stress on the test chips can be measured. Finally, we packaged the test chips into 100-pin PQFP structures with different batches and measured internal stresses on the test chips inside the packaging. After measuring packaging induced stresses as well as thermal stresses on several batches of PQFPs, it was found that the normal stress diversities were obvious from different batches of the packaging structure, and the shearing stresses were approximately zero in all of the PQFPs at different chip site.

Measurement of Microprocessor Die Stress due to Thermal Cycling, Power Cycling, and Second Level Assembly

2013 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jordan C. Roberts ◽  
Mohammad Motalab ◽  
Safina Hussain ◽  
Jeffrey C. Suhling ◽  
Richard C. Jaeger ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Thermal Cycling ◽  
Flip Chip ◽  
Thermal Power ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Power Cycling ◽  
Die Stress ◽  
Test Chips ◽  
Resistance Data ◽  
Critical Locations

In the current work, we have extended our past studies on Flip Chip Ceramic Ball Grid Array (FC-BGA) microprocessor packaging configurations to investigate in-situ die stress variation during thermal and power cycling. The utilized (111) silicon sensor rosettes were able to measure the complete three-dimensional stress state (all 6 stress components) at each sensor site being monitored by the data acquisition hardware. The test chips had dimensions of 20 × 20 mm, and 3600 lead free solder interconnects (full area array) were used to connect the chips to high CTE ceramic chip carriers. A unique package carrier was developed to allow measurement of the die stresses in the FC-CBGA components under thermal and power cycling loads without inducing any additional mechanical loadings. Initial experiments consisted of measuring the die stress levels while the components were subjected to a slow (quasi-static) temperature changes from 0 to 100 C. In later testing, long term thermal cycling of selected parts was performed from 0 to 100 C (40 minute cycle, 10 minute ramps and dwells). After various durations of cycling, the sensor resistances at critical locations on the die device surface (e.g. die center and die corners) were recorded. From the resistance data, the stresses at each site were calculated and plotted versus time. Finally, thermal and power cycling of selected parts was performed, and in-situ measurements of the transient die stress variations were performed. Power cycling was implemented by exciting the on-chip heaters on the test chips with various power levels. During the thermal/power cycling, sensor resistances at critical locations on the die device surface (e.g. die center and die corners) were recorded continuously. From the resistance data, the stresses at each site were calculated and plotted versus time.

Scanning Electron Microscopy in Hybrid Microelectronics

1976 ◽  
Vol 34 ◽  
pp. 456-457
Author(s):  
S. Khadpe ◽  
R. Faryniak
Keyword(s):  
Integrated Circuits ◽  
Thick Film ◽  
Integrated Circuit ◽  
Failure Modes ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Circuit Components ◽  
Hybrid Microcircuit ◽  
Electrical Connections ◽  
Scanning Electron

The Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) is an important tool in Thick Film Hybrid Microcircuits Manufacturing because of its large depth of focus and three dimensional capability. This paper discusses some of the important areas in which the SEM is used to monitor process control and component failure modes during the various stages of manufacture of a typical hybrid microcircuit.Figure 1 shows a thick film hybrid microcircuit used in a Motorola Paging Receiver. The circuit consists of thick film resistors and conductors screened and fired on a ceramic (aluminum oxide) substrate. Two integrated circuit dice are bonded to the conductors by means of conductive epoxy and electrical connections from each integrated circuit to the substrate are made by ultrasonically bonding 1 mil aluminum wires from the die pads to appropriate conductor pads on the substrate. In addition to the integrated circuits and the resistors, the circuit includes seven chip capacitors soldered onto the substrate. Some of the important considerations involved in the selection and reliability aspects of the hybrid circuit components are: (a) the quality of the substrate; (b) the surface structure of the thick film conductors; (c) the metallization characteristics of the integrated circuit; and (d) the quality of the wire bond interconnections.

Analyzing the Impact of X-Ray Tomography on the Reliability of Integrated Circuits

2015 ◽  
Author(s):  
Halit Dogan ◽  
Md Mahbub Alam ◽  
Navid Asadizanjani ◽  
Sina Shahbazmohamadi ◽  
Domenic Forte ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Integrated Circuits ◽  
Integrated Circuit ◽  
3D Imaging ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Serial Sectioning ◽  
Promising Technique ◽  
Flash Memories ◽  
X Ray ◽  
3D Information ◽  
The Impact

Abstract X-ray tomography is a promising technique that can provide micron level, internal structure, and three dimensional (3D) information of an integrated circuit (IC) component without the need for serial sectioning or decapsulation. This is especially useful for counterfeit IC detection as demonstrated by recent work. Although the components remain physically intact during tomography, the effect of radiation on the electrical functionality is not yet fully investigated. In this paper we analyze the impact of X-ray tomography on the reliability of ICs with different fabrication technologies. We perform a 3D imaging using an advanced X-ray machine on Intel flash memories, Macronix flash memories, Xilinx Spartan 3 and Spartan 6 FPGAs. Electrical functionalities are then tested in a systematic procedure after each round of tomography to estimate the impact of X-ray on Flash erase time, read margin, and program operation, and the frequencies of ring oscillators in the FPGAs. A major finding is that erase times for flash memories of older technology are significantly degraded when exposed to tomography, eventually resulting in failure. However, the flash and Xilinx FPGAs of newer technologies seem less sensitive to tomography, as only minor degradations are observed. Further, we did not identify permanent failures for any chips in the time needed to perform tomography for counterfeit detection (approximately 2 hours).

Dependence of the Deformation of 128×128 InSb Focal-plane Arrays on the Silicon Readout Integrated Circuit Thickness

2015 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 170-174 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xiaoling Zhang ◽  
Qingduan Meng ◽  
Liwen Zhang
Keyword(s):  
Thermal Shock ◽  
Indium Antimonide ◽  
Integrated Circuit ◽  
Focal Plane ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Fracture Probability ◽  
Focal Plane Arrays ◽  
Thermal Shock Test ◽  
Readout Integrated Circuit ◽  
Three Dimensional Modeling

The square checkerboard buckling deformation appearing in indium antimonide infrared focal-plane arrays (InSb IRFPAs) subjected to the thermal shock tests, results in the fracturing of the InSb chip, which restricts its final yield. In light of the proposed three-dimensional modeling, we proposed the method of thinning a silicon readout integrated circuit (ROIC) to level the uneven top surface of InSb IRFPAs. Simulation results show that when the silicon ROIC is thinned from 300 μm to 20 μm, the maximal displacement in the InSb IRFPAs linearly decreases from 7.115 μm to 0.670 μm in the upward direction, and also decreases linearly from 14.013 μm to 1.612 μm in the downward direction. Once the thickness of the silicon ROIC is less than 50 μm, the square checkerboard buckling deformation distribution presenting in the thicker InSb IRFPAs disappears, and the top surface of the InSb IRFPAs becomes flat. All these findings imply that the thickness of the silicon ROIC determines the degree of deformation in the InSb IRFPAs under a thermal shock test, that the method of thinning a silicon ROIC is suitable for decreasing the fracture probability of the InSb chip, and that this approach improves the reliability of InSb IRFPAs.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document