Device packages with low stress assembly process

A microelectromechanical device package and a low-stress inducing method for packaging a microelectromechanical device are disclosed in this invention. The microelectromechanical device is accommodated within a cavity comprised by a first package substrate and a second substrate, wherein a third substrate is disposed between and bonded to both the microelectromechanical device lower semiconductor substrate and the package bottom substrate. The first and second package substrates are then bonded so as to package the microelectromechanical device inside.

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is generally related to the art of packaging devices, and more particularly, to packaging stress sensitive devices.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Stress sensitive devices, such as optical devices (e.g. photo detectors, CCDs, LCD, photodiodes), microelectromechanical systems (e.g. spatial light modulators using micromirrors) may suffer from device failure due to warping and stresses induced either during device packaging processes or in operation after improper packaging processes. In a typical packaging process, the device is attached to a package substrate for holding the device. When the coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) of the package substrate does not match the device substrate that contacts the package substrate, the device will be warped, resulting in device failure.

An approach to solve this problem is to select device substrate and package substrate having the same or similar CTEs. However, this is not achievable in many situations because the selection of the device substrate and also the package substrate need to satisfy other requirements with higher priority.

Therefore, a method is desired for packaging stress sensitive devices with a low stress assembly process, while allows for employing a wide range of adhesives and packaging materials.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the foregoing, the present invention discloses a method of packaging stress sensitive devices. Stresses, such as thermal stresses and warpage are reduced to tolerable levels by providing one or more substrates between the device and package substrates.

According to an embodiment of the invention, a substrate of a package for packaging a micromirror array device is provided therein. The substrate comprises: According to another embodiment of the invention, a method of packaging a micromirror array device is disclosed. The method comprises: providing a first package substrate; attaching a semiconductor device or a microelectromechanical device to an intermediate substrate layer; attaching said contraption to the first package substrate; placing a second substrate on the first package substrate; and bonding the first and second substrate using appropriate techniques.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Turning to the drawings, the present invention is illustrated as being implemented in a suitable packaging process for stress sensitive devices, such as optical devices (e.g. photo detectors, CCDs, LCD, photodiodes) and microelectromechanical systems (e.g. spatial light modulators using micromirrors). The following description is based on selected embodiments of the invention and should not be interpreted as a limitation of the invention with regard to alternative embodiments that are not explicitly described herein.

Referring toFIG. 1a, a packaging substrate for packaging stress sensitive devices is illustrated therein. Packaging substrate200comprises substrate layer210and substrate layer215. Substrate layer210has a concave surface that forms a cavity in which the stress sensitive device can be disposed. As an alternative feature, heater220is formed along the periphery of the concave surface of substrate layer210. Electric current from external electric power source can be introduced into heater220via two leads222so as to generating heat. Heater220is laminated between substrate layers210and215. A cross-sectional view of packaging substrate200is illustrated inFIG. 1b.

Substrate layers210and215can be any suitable preferably non-electrically conducting materials, preferably ceramic or glass, and more preferably ceramic. Other materials (e.g. organic or hybrid organic-inorganic materials) could also be used depending upon their melting points. In another embodiment of the invention, substrate layers210and215each can be a multilayered structure that further comprises a plurality of substrate layers. In this situation, the top layer, on which the heater is disposed, of substrate210and the bottom layer, which face the heater, of substrate215are preferably non-electrically conducting. Other layers, including the substrate layers underneath the top layer of substrate210and the substrate layers above the bottom layer of substrate215can be any desired materials, such as ceramic, glass and metallic materials.

As discussed above, substrate layer210has a concave surface that forms a cavity in which micromirror array device can be placed. Alternatively, the substrate layers can be flat plates, as shown inFIG. 2. Referring toFIG. 2, substrate layers266and262of package substrate260both are flat plates. Alternatively, heater220is provided. The heater is formed on substrate layer266and along the periphery of the surface of substrate layer266and is laminated between substrate layers266and262. Stress sensitive device, such as micromirror array device105can be bonded to substrate layer106and supported thereby by package substrate262. Alternatively, the intermediate substrate layer106can be attached to package substrate262and further on provide support for micromirror array device105. Substrate106consists preferably of a material with similar mechanical properties to that of the lower substrate material of the micromirror array device105(e.g. Si).

In the following, exemplary implementations of the embodiments of the present invention will be discussed with reference to packages of micromirror array devices and packaging processes for making the same. It will be understood by those skilled in the art that the following exemplary implementations are for demonstration purposes only and should not be interpreted by any ways as a limitation. In particular, although not limited thereto, the present invention is particularly useful for packaging semiconductor devices or micromirror array devices. The methods and packages disclosed can also be applied in packaging other type of stress sensitive devices, such as MEMS-based optical switches, image sensors or detectors and semiconductor devices. Other variations of the packaging substrates without departure from the spirit of the present invention may also be applicable. For example, the packaging substrate layers can be any desired shapes, other than the preferred rectangular shape.

Referring toFIG. 3a, a micromirror array device package using the packaging substrate with an integral heater inFIG. 1is illustrated therein. Specifically, micromirror array device105with attached substrate layer106is packed in the cavity of packaging substrate200, which comprises integral heater220as shown inFIG. 1and the intermediate layer106attached to said package substrate. A double substrate type micromirror device is illustrated, however, as in all the drawings, a single substrate device (e.g. micromirrors formed on silicon wafer) could be used. Cover substrate235, which is preferably glass, is provided for sealing the micromirror array device within the cavity. In order to bond cover substrate270and packaging substrate200, sealing medium230, preferably one that forms a hermetic seal and has a melting temperature of 300° C. or less, and preferably 200° C. or less, is disposed between the cover substrate and packaging substrate as shown. Preferably the sealing material is an inorganic material such as a metal, metal alloy or metal compounds (e.g. a metal or metalloid oxide). Alternatively, sealing medium layer230can also be deposited directly on the surface of packaging substrate200, or on the surface of the lower surface of cover substrate235, in which case, sealing medium layer230is preferably deposited along the periphery of the lower surface of the cover substrate. Sealing medium230is preferably a material that is stable, reliable, cost-effective and has good thermal-properties (e.g. co-efficient of thermal expansion (CTE), thermal-conductivity etc.) compatible with the other components, such as package substrate200and cover substrate235, of the micromirror array device package. It is further preferred that sealing medium has a low melting temperature (when the sealing medium is non-metallic) or soldering temperature (when the sealing medium is metallic). Glass frit, such as Kyocera KC-700, is an acceptable candidate for the sealing medium. During the bonding process, an electric current is driven through the integral heater via the two heater leads (i.e. leads222) for generating heat. The amplitude of the electric voltage is dominated by electric characteristics of the heater (e.g. electric properties of the material of the heater, the shape of the heater), thermal characteristics and geometry of the substrate layers of packaging substrate200and the desired temperature on the surface of packaging substrate200for melting sealing medium (e.g. sealing medium layer230). As an example, the melting temperature, also the desired temperature on the surface of packaging substrate200, of sealing medium230is from 100 to 300° C., preferably around 350° C. The heater is embedded underneath the surface of the packaging substrate at a distance preferably from 1 millimeter to 10 millimeters, preferably around 7 millimeters. In this example, the packaging substrate is ceramic. Then the voltage set up between the two heater leads222is preferably from 40 to 100 volts, preferably around 70 volts. In other words, this voltage causes the heater generating heat with an amount that raises the surface temperature of the packaging substrate to the melting temperature of sealing medium layer230. As a result, sealing medium is melted and used to bond cover substrate235and packaging substrate200. Meanwhile, the temperature at the micromirror device location is far less than the temperature that causes mechanical failure of the micromirrors of the micromirror device. In the embodiment of the invention, the temperature at the micromirror device location is preferably less than 70° C.

During the bonding process, external pressure may be applied to the cover substrate, as shown inFIG. 3b, wherein a cross-sectional view ofFIG. 3ais illustrated therein. After a predetermined time period when the cover substrate and the packaging substrate are securely bonded, the voltage, as well as the external pressure, can be withdrawn, but not necessarily at the same time. As shown inFIG. 3b, one or more getters325can be provided within the package270for absorbing moistures and impurity particles (e.g. organic particles) either sealed within the cavity or emitted from the components of package270during the packaging process, especially during the heating process.

Though cover substrate235is preferably visible light transparent glass, it may also consist of other materials, such as metals or materials that are not transparent to visible light. In these cases, cover substrate235preferably comprises an inlay light transparent glass for allowing light to travel through and shine on micromirror array device105. Alternatively, cover substrate235may have an opening forming window with a light transparent glass mounted on the window for allowing transmission of incident light. Moreover, a light blocking mask with light blocking strips formed around the circumference of the mask may be applied along cover substrate235for blocking incident light not shining on the surface of the micromirror array device. By this, optical performance, such as contrast ratio, of the micromirror array device can be improved.

Other than using glass frit as sealing medium, other suitable materials, such as solderable metallic materials, such as Au, BiSnx, AuSnx, InAgx, PbSnx, and copper, may also be used. However, most solderable metallic materials have poor adhesion to oxide materials or layers that often form on surfaces of the substrates. To solve this problem, a metallization film is preferably employed to metalizing the surface of the substrate before using solderable metallic sealing mediums, which will be discussed in further detail in the following.

Referring toFIG. 4a, sealing medium layer245comprises a solderable metallic material that is preferably stable, reliable, cost-effective and has thermal-properties (e.g. co-efficient of thermal expansion (CTE), thermal-conductivity etc.) compatible with the other components, such as package substrate200and cover substrate235, of the micromirror array device package, and more preferably has a low soldering temperature. In order to enhancing adhesion of sealing medium layer245. to the surfaces of substrates235and200, metallization layers240and250are provided for metalizing the lower surface of cover substrate235and top surface of package substrate200, respectively. Metallization mediums can be any suitable materials, such as aluminum, gold, nickel or composition of two or more of suitable metallic elements, such as gold/nickel, preferably a material with low soldering temperature. These materials can be deposited on the surfaces as thick or thin films using suitable deposition methods, such as those standard methods (e.g. sputtering) for depositing thin film and those standard methods (e.g. print and paste) for depositing thick films. In an embodiment of the invention, metallization medium layer250is a thin layer of noble metallic material, such as gold. This metallization medium layer is preferably deposited, such as sputtered as a film on the lower surface of cover substrate235. Similarly, another metallization layer240is provided between sealing medium layer245and package substrate200for metalizing the top surface of the package substrate. Metallization layer240is also preferably deposited, such as sputtered as a film on the upper surface of package substrate200. When metallization layers250and240are respectively deposited on the lower surface of cover substrate235and the upper surface of substrate200, these metallization layers may have high soldering temperatures. In this situation, theses metallization layers are integral with cover substrate235and substrate200, respectively. Alternatively, metallization layers250and240, each could be a multilayered structure. As an example, the multilayered structure comprises a metal-oxide layer (e.g. CrO2and TiO2), a metallic layer (e.g. Cr and Ti), a second metallic layer (e.g. Ni) and a third metallic layer (e.g. Au) on top. The metal-oxide layer is first deposited on the surface of the non-metallic substrate, such as ceramic and glass, because it presents strong adhesion to the non-metallic substrate's surface, which is generally oxidized. The metallic layer generally comprises a metallic material that has strong adhesion to the metallic-oxidation layer. The second metallic layer is deposited between the third metallic layer and the first metallic layer to prevent diffusion of the first metallic material into the third metallic layer on top. As another example, metallization layer240further comprises a tungsten layer, a nickel layer and a gold layer. Of course, metallization medium layer250may also be a multilayered structure that further comprises a plurality of metallization layers as desired. The third metallic layer on top, preferably comprises a metallic material having low oxidation. Exemplary metallic materials for the third metallic layer are, Au, Cr and other noble metals.

During the packaging process, the integral heater embedded underneath the surface of package substrate200is electrically powered for generating heat so as to solder sealing medium layer245between metallization layers240and250. Meanwhile, external pressure may be applied to the package for enforcing bonding package substrate200and cover substrate235, as shown inFIG. 4b.

In another embodiment of the invention, cover substrate235may also have a heater. As the heater (e.g. heater220) in package substrate200as described with reference ofFIG. 1a, the heater in cover substrate235can be formed along the periphery of the surface of the cover substrate and embedded underneath said surface of the cover substrate. This heater in the cover substrate can be used in bonding the cover substrate and the package substrate. And it is especially useful in soldering metallization medium layer250and sealing medium layer245.

A cross-sectional view of package275inFIG. 4ais illustrated inFIG. 4b. As seen, other features, such as getters325can be provided for absorbing moisture.

Referring toFIG. 5a, a micromirror array device package using the package substrate as shown inFIG. 2according to further embodiment of the invention is illustrated therein. As seen, package substrate300is a flat plate with integral heater220embedded underneath the surface of the package substrate. Micromirror array device105is bonded to substrate layer106and supported thereby by package substrate. Spacer310is placed on the package substrate and forms a space along with package substrate300and layer106for accommodating the micromirror array device. Cover substrate320is placed above the spacer and the package substrate. In order to bonding the package substrate, the spacer and the cover substrate into a micromirror array device package, sealing medium layers315and305are provided between the cover substrate and the spacer, and between the spacer and the package substrate, respectively. In the embodiment of the invention, package substrate300and spacer310are ceramic. Alternatively, spacer310can be, Kovar, Invar, and NiFex. And cover substrate320is light transparent glass. Sealing medium layers315and305are glass frit. During the packaging process, heater220is electrically powered for generating heat so as to melt sealing medium layers305and315. Alternatively, external pressure (not shown) can be applied to enforcing the bonding.

As discussed above, cover substrate320is glass for allowing incident light traveling through to shine on the micromirror array device. Alternatively, the cover substrate can be a ceramic or metallic material or any other desired materials that are not transparent to visible light. In this case, the cover substrate comprises a window with inlay glass for allowing incident light passing through. Alternatively, a glass plate may be mounted on the window of the substrate that is not incident light transparent. As a further alternative feature of the embodiment, a light blocking mask (e.g. a rectangular frame) that blocks incident light around the periphery of the micromirror array device is attached to the surface of the cover substrate, or directly painted or otherwise deposited around the circumference of the cover substrate. This is particularly useful when the cover substrate is glass.

Other than the flat shape, the cover substrate can be a concave cover cap (not shown) with the lower surface of the cover substrate extended towards the opposite surface (e.g. the top surface) of the cover substrate. In this case, the cover cap and package substrate300can form a space for housing the micromirror array device without spacer310. Accordingly, the number of metallization medium layers and the number of sealing medium layers can be reduced, and bonding process can be simplified. For example, when cover substrate320that is a cover cap and package substrate300is provided for housing micromirror array device105, packaging processes described with reference toFIGS. 3aand4acan be directly applied herein.

Referring toFIG. 5b, a cross-sectional view of the micromirror array package inFIG. 5ais illustrated therein. In addition to the packaging substrate, the intermediate layer attached to it, the cover substrate, the sealing medium layer and the metallization medium layers, getters may also be formed within the package. The cover light transmissive substrate need not be parallel to the lower substrate, and the micromirror array device, such as set forth in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/343,307, filed on Jan. 29, 2003 to Huibers, the subject matter of which being incorporated herein by reference.

Referring toFIG. 6a, a cross-sectional view of a micromirror array device package using the packaging substrate with an integral heater ofFIG. 1is illustrated therein. Specifically, a double substrate type micromirror device105is shown with two separate adhesive layers bonding said substrates. An even adhesive layer further bond said device with substrate layer106and the same method is employed in bonding layer106with package substrate210. The addition of substrate layer106to the bonding process of the micromirror device to the packaging substrate allows for a wide range of adhesives and packaging materials to be adapted into the assembly process, since most of the stress induced during assembly and packaging is now supported by insert106instead of micromirror device105. However, substrate layer106can suffer from flexure and/or creep, which can be transferred to micromirror device105, due to this induced stress and the CTE mismatch of the materials. In order to prevent this,FIG. 6bshows a different pattern in adhesive dispensing for bonding the double substrate micromirror device105to layer106according to another embodiment of the invention.

Substrate layer106is in this case attached to micromirror device105using small quantities of adhesive substance, which successfully minimizes flexure problems but may create instead a heat transfer problem between the two substrates due to the reduction of contact surface. As a further alternative,FIG. 6cillustrates another dispensing pattern for the adhesive layer that bonds substrate layer106to the double substrate micromirror device105. Another alternative to this problem is shown inFIG. 6d, which illustrates a cross-sectional view of a micromirror array device package using the packaging substrate with an integral heater ofFIG. 1according to yet another embodiment of the invention. In this embodiment the two substrates of micromirror device105are bonded together using a doped adhesive substance, while substrate insert106is now a discontinuous layer bonded with adhesive substance to both micromirror device105and package substrate210. Alternatively, multiple discontinuous substrate inserts can exist between the assembly and the package, which greatly reduces flexure resulted from the CTE mismatch and/or deformation of the bonding materials or the insert itself.

It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that a new and useful micromirror array package and methods of applying the same for packaging micromirror array devices have been described herein. In view of the many possible embodiments to which the principles of this invention may be applied, however, it should be recognized that the embodiments described herein with respect to the drawing figures are meant to be illustrative only and should not be taken as limiting the scope of invention. For example, those of skill in the art will recognize that the illustrated embodiments can be modified in arrangement and detail without departing from the spirit of the invention. In particular, other protective materials, such as inert gas, may be filled in the space formed by the package substrate and the cover substrate. For another example, the package substrate, as well as the cover substrate and the spacer, can be other suitable materials, such as silicon dioxide, silicon carbide, silicon nitride, and glass ceramic. For yet another example, other suitable auxiliary methods and components, such as applications of Infrared Radiation during bonding for soldering the sealing medium layers, and pillars or other structures for aligning the substrates are also applicable. Moreover, other desired materials, such as anti-stiction material, preferably in vapor phase for reducing stiction of the micromirrors of the micromirror array device, may also be deposited inside the package. The anti-stiction material can be deposited before bonding the cover substrate and lower substrate. When the cover substrate (e.g. cover substrate235inFIGS. 3aand3b) is glass that is visible light transmissive, it can be placed parallel to the micromirror array device (e.g. device105inFIGS. 3aand3b) and the package substrate. Alternatively, the cover substrate may be placed at an angle with the micromirror array device or the package substrate. Therefore, the invention as described herein contemplates all such embodiments as may come within the scope of the following claims and equivalents thereof.