Abstract:
Semiconductor die packages and methods of making them are disclosed. An exemplary package comprises a leadframe having a source lead and a gate lead, and a semiconductor die coupled to the source and gate leads at a first surface of the leadframe. The source lead has a protruding region at a second surface of the leadframe. A molding material is disposed around the semiconductor die, the gate lead, and the source lead such that a surface of the die and a surface of the protruding region are left exposed by the molding material. An exemplary method comprises obtaining the semiconductor die and leadframe, and forming a molding material around at least a portion of the leadframe and die such that a surface of the protruding region is exposed through the molding material.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/048,314, filed on Jan. 31, 2005, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,332,806, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/271,654, filed on Oct. 15, 2002, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,891,256, which claims the benefit of the filing date of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/349,260, filed Oct. 22, 2001, and U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/352,642, filed Jan. 29, 2002. All of the above applications are herein incorporated by reference in their entirety for all purposes. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     There are a number of semiconductor die packages. In one example of a semiconductor die package, a semiconductor die is mounted to a lead frame with leads. Wires couple the semiconductor die to the leads. The wires, the semiconductor die and then the most of the lead frame (except for the leads that extend outward) are then encapsulated in a molding material. The molding material is then shaped. The formed semiconductor die package includes a molded body that has leads extending laterally away from the molded body. The semiconductor die package can be mounted onto a circuit board. 
     While such semiconductor packages are useful, improvements could be made. For example, it would be desirable if the thickness of a semiconductor die package could be reduced. As consumer electronics (e.g., cell phones, laptop computers, etc.) continue to decrease in size, there is an ever increasing demand for thinner electronic devices and thinner electronic components. In addition, it would be desirable to improve the heat dissipation properties of a semiconductor die package. For example, power semiconductor devices such as vertical MOSFETs (metal oxide field effect transistors) can generate a significant amount of heat. For high output power applications (e.g., more than 60 Watts), special packaging is required to remove heat from the power transistor to prevent overheating. Overheating can also degrade the operational characteristics of a power transistor. 
     Embodiments of the invention address these and other problems individually and collectively. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Embodiments of the invention are directed towards semiconductor die packages. 
     One embodiment of the invention is directed to a semiconductor die package comprising: (a) a semiconductor die including a first surface and a second surface; (b) a source lead structure including protruding region having a major surface, the source lead structure being coupled to the first surface; (c) a gate lead structure being coupled to the first surface; and (d) a molding material around the source lead structure and the semiconductor die, wherein the molding material exposes the second surface of the semiconductor die and the major surface of the source lead structure. 
     Another embodiment of the invention is directed to a semiconductor die package comprising: a) a semiconductor die comprising an RF VDMOS transistor including a source region, a gate region, and a drain region; b) a source lead structure including a protruding portion having a major surface, and a plurality of leads extending laterally away from the protruding region, wherein the source lead structure is coupled to the source region of the semiconductor die; c) a gate lead structure coupled to the gate region of the semiconductor die; and d) a molding material covering at least a portion of the source lead structure, the gate lead structure and the semiconductor die, wherein the major surface is exposed through the molding material. 
     Another embodiment of the invention is directed to a method for forming a semiconductor die package, the method comprising: (a) attaching a semiconductor die including a first surface and a second surface, and solder on the first surface to a lead frame structure including a source lead structure having a protruding portion with a major surface, and a gate lead structure; and (b) molding a molding material around the semiconductor die and the source and the gate lead structures, wherein the second surface of the semiconductor die and the major surface of the source lead structure are exposed through the molding material. 
     These and other embodiments of the invention are described in further detail below. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  shows a perspective view of an upper portion of a semiconductor die package according to an embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 2  shows a perspective view of a lower portion of a semiconductor die package according to an embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 3  shows a semiconductor die with an array of solder bumps. 
         FIG. 4  shows a top perspective view of a lead frame structure including a gate lead structure and a source lead structure. 
         FIG. 5  shows a bottom perspective view of a lead frame structure including a gate lead structure and a source lead structure. 
         FIG. 6  shows a semiconductor die mounted on a lead frame structure including a gate lead structure and a source lead structure. 
         FIG. 7  shows a side view of a semiconductor die mounted on a lead frame structure. 
         FIG. 8(   a ) shows a perspective view of a semiconductor die package including a drain clip. 
         FIG. 8(   b ) shows a side view of a semiconductor die package including a drain clip. 
         FIG. 9(   a ) shows a top view of a semiconductor die package including a drain clip. 
         FIG. 9(   b ) shows a side view of a semiconductor die package including a drain clip. 
         FIG. 10(   a ) shows a side cross-sectional view of a semiconductor die package. 
         FIG. 10(   b ) shows a top view of a semiconductor die package with a block indicating a matching network that is electrically coupled to the semiconductor die package. Some components are shown by invisible lines. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The changing architecture of power supplies, for example, on a notebook computer motherboard necessitates having a drain of a MOSFET heatsunk (as the ground) and the source and the gate (in a semiconductor die) on a different plane instead of having all three terminals on the same plane. This shift by the notebook power supply designers has led to the need to create new and improved surface mount packages. 
     Embodiments of the invention are directed to new and improved semiconductor die packages. In embodiments of the invention, a solder bumped semiconductor die may be flipped over and may be mounted on a lead frame structure including a source lead structure and a gate lead structure. The source lead structure may have a large down-set portion and a partially-etched (e.g., half-etched) portion. A molding material can be molded around the source lead structure, and the semiconductor die so that a surface of the semiconductor die and a surface of the partially-etched portion of the source lead structure can be exposed through the molding material. 
     Embodiments of the invention have a number of advantages. First, the semiconductor die packages according to embodiments of the invention can have a low profile and two major surfaces for heat dissipation. For example, heat can be transferred away from a semiconductor die through a large source lead structure coupled to a first surface of a semiconductor die and also through a drain clip that is coupled to a second surface of the semiconductor die. The thermal resistance of this package is 35% lower than a standard SOIC (Small Outline Integrated Circuit) package and 10-15% lower than a FLMP package (Flipchip in a Leaded Molded Package). Exemplary SOIC and FLMP packages are described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,542,259 (see  FIG. 4 ) and U.S. Pat. No. 6,720,642, respectively, and both packages are described in and article by Joshi, et al., entitled “Flip Chip in Leaded Molded Package (FLMP),” found in the Proceedings of the 51st Electronic Components and Technology Conference, 2001, pages 1009-1012 (published by the IEEE). Second, embodiments of the invention can have a low profile. For example, in some embodiments of the invention, the thickness of the semiconductor die package can be from about 0.7 to about 1.0 mm. The profile of a package according to an embodiment of the invention is about 40-50% smaller than SOIC packages. This is thinner than most conventional semiconductor die packages. Because of its thin profile and its good thermal properties, a semiconductor die package according to an embodiment of the invention can be referred to as a low profile thermal enhanced flip chip in a leaded molded package (TFLMP). 
     The semiconductor dies used in the semiconductor die packages according to embodiments of the invention include vertical power transistors. Vertical power transistors include VDMOS transistors. A VDMOS transistor is a MOSFET that has two or more semiconductor regions formed by diffusion. It has a source region, a drain region, and a gate. The device is vertical in that the source region and the drain region are at opposite surfaces of the semiconductor die. The gate may be a trenched gate structure or a planar gate structure, and is formed at the same surface as the source region. Trenched gate structures are preferred, since trenched gate structures are narrower and occupy less space than planar gate structures. During operation, the current flow from the source region to the drain region in a VDMOS device is substantially perpendicular to the die surfaces. 
       FIG. 1  shows a semiconductor die package  100  according to an embodiment of the invention. The semiconductor die package  100  includes a semiconductor die  101  with a major surface  101 ( b ) that is exposed through a molding material  103 . The entire major surface  101 ( b ) or a substantial portion of the major surface  101 ( b ) may be exposed through the molding material  103 . As shown, the upper surface of the molding material  103  can be co-planar with the major surface  101 ( b ) of the semiconductor die  101 . The major surface  101 ( b ) may correspond to the drain region of a MOSFET (metal oxide semiconductor field effect transistor), and may also correspond to the second surface of the semiconductor die  101 . The other side of the semiconductor die can be the first side of the semiconductor die  101 . Source and gate contact regions of the MOSFET can be at the first side of the semiconductor die. 
     The molding material  103  may comprise any suitable material. Suitable molding materials include biphenyl based materials, and multi-functional cross-linked epoxy resin composite materials. 
     In the semiconductor die package  100 , a number of source leads  107 ( a )- 107 ( c ) extend laterally away from the molding material  103 . The various source leads  107 ( a )- 107 ( c ) can be part of a source lead structure that is partially covered by the molding material  103 . A gate lead  105 ( a ) extends laterally away from the molding material  103 . 
     A number of dummy leads  102 ( a )- 102 ( d ) can also extend laterally away from the molding material  103 . In this example, the dummy leads  102 ( a )- 102 ( d ) provide structural support for the semiconductor die package  100  and are not electrically connected to the semiconductor die  101 . In other embodiments, one or more of the dummy leads  102 ( a )- 102 ( d ) could be source leads so that functional leads are on both sides of the semiconductor die package. 
       FIG. 2  shows a bottom view of a semiconductor die package  100  according to an embodiment of the invention. The semiconductor die package  100  includes a source lead structure  107  including a number of source leads  107 ( a )- 107 ( c ) that extend laterally away from a central region of the source lead structure  107 . The central region is partially covered by the molding material  103 . The central region includes a protruding region with a major surface  107 ( d ), which is exposed through the bottom surface of the molding material  103 . The major surface  107 ( d ) can be coplanar with the bottom surface of the molding material  103 . 
       FIG. 3  shows a semiconductor die  101  with an array of solder bumps  110  on the semiconductor die  101 . One or more of the solder bumps  110  may constitute gate solder bumps and one or more of the solder bumps  110  may constitute source solder bumps. The semiconductor die  101  can include a vertical MOSFET with a source region and a gate region at a first surface  101 ( a ), and a drain region at a second major surface  101 ( b ). The solder bumps  110  may be on the first surface. 
       FIG. 4  shows a top perspective view of a lead frame structure including a source lead structure  107 , a gate lead structure  105 , and a dummy lead structure  102 . The term “lead frame structure” can refer to a structure that is derived from a lead frame. Lead frames can be formed by, for example, a stamping process (known in the art). Lead frames can also be formed by etching a continuous conductive sheet to form a predetermined pattern. However, if stamping is used, the lead frame may originally be one of many lead frames in an array of lead frames that are connected together by tie-bars. During the process of making a semiconductor die package, the lead frame array may be cut to separate the lead frame from other lead frames. As a result of this cutting, portions of a lead frame structure in a final semiconductor die package such as a source lead and a gate lead may be electrically and mechanically uncoupled from each other. Thus, in embodiments of the invention, a lead frame structure in a semiconductor die package may be a continuous metallic structure or a discontinuous metallic structure. 
     The source lead structure  107  includes three source leads  107 ( a )- 107 ( c ). The gate lead structure  105  has one gate lead  105 ( a ). The terminal portions of the source leads  107 ( a )- 107 ( c ) and the gate lead  105 ( a ) can be co-planar and can be physically and electrically coupled to a circuit board (not shown) with solder. The dummy lead structure  102  has dummy leads  102 ( a )- 102 ( d ) that are not coupled to the source lead structure  107 . However, the dummy leads  102 ( a )- 102 ( d ) could be coupled to the source lead structure in other embodiments. 
       FIG. 5  shows a bottom view of the lead frame structure shown in  FIG. 4 . In  FIG. 5 , a protruding portion that extends from a central region of the source lead structure  107  is more clearly shown. The protruding portion  190  includes a major surface  107 ( d ). 
     In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 5 , the protruding portion  190  can be formed by partially-etching (e.g., half-etching) a lead frame. The partially etched lead frame allows a molding material to flow during molding. The partially etched area provides enough area for a mold compound to flow and hold the assembled die package in tact and protected after molding. Partial etching can be performed using photolithography and etching processes that are known in the art. For example, a patterned photoresist layer may be formed on desired areas of a lead frame. The lead frame can then be etched (using, for example, wet or dry etching) to a predetermined depth, so that the lead frame is partially etched in some regions. 
       FIGS. 6 and 7  show a semiconductor die  101  mounted on the source lead structure  107  with a source lead  107 ( c ). As shown, the first surface  101 ( a ) of the semiconductor die is proximate to the source lead structure  107 , while the second, major surface  101 ( b ) of the semiconductor die  101  is distal to it. A dummy lead  102 ( d ) is also shown in  FIG. 6 . A gate lead  105 ( a ) is shown in  FIG. 7 . 
       FIG. 8(   a ) shows a semiconductor die package  200  according to another embodiment of the invention. The semiconductor die package  200  is similar to the previously described semiconductor die package  100 , except that the semiconductor die package  200  shown in  FIG. 8(   a ) includes a drain clip  118  including a plurality of drain leads  118 ( a )- 118 ( d ) that are interleaved between a plurality of dummy leads  102 ( a )- 102 ( d ). Both the drain leads  118 ( a )- 118 ( d ), and the dummy leads  102 ( a )- 102 ( d ) can all be mounted on a drain pad on a circuit board. Solder (not shown) can be used to attach the drain clip  118  to the backside of the semiconductor die. 
       FIG. 8(   b ) shows a side, cross-sectional view of the semiconductor die package  200  shown in  FIG. 8(   a ). The semiconductor die package  200  is mounted on a circuit substrate  130 . The circuit substrate  130  may be a printed circuit board. Solder deposits  120 ,  122 , and  128  may respectively couple a source lead, the protruding portion of a source lead structure, and a drain lead to the circuit substrate  130 . 
       FIGS. 9(   a ) and  9 ( b ) show a semiconductor die package  300  according to yet another embodiment of the invention. In this embodiment, a drain clip  138  including a flat major portion  138 ( b ) and an elongated portion  138 ( a ) is electrically coupled to the backside of a semiconductor die. As shown in  FIG. 9(   b ), the elongated portion  138 ( a ) of the drain clip  138  would be attached to a circuit substrate  130  using solder  133 . As shown in  FIG. 9(   a ), the drain clip  138  is between the sets of source leads  107 ( a )- 107 ( c ) and  107 ( d )- 107 ( g ) at opposite sides of the semiconductor die package  300 . Solder  134  can be used to attach the protruding portion of a source lead structure to the circuit substrate  130 . Solder  136  may also be used to attach the source leads  107 ( a )- 107 ( c ) to the circuit substrate  130 . Solder  132  can be used to couple the gate lead  105 ( a ) to the circuit substrate  130 . The solder bumps may be formed using any suitable process including plating, ball attach, stenciling, etc. 
     Embodiments of the invention may also be used in RF VDMOS (vertical diffused metal oxide semiconductor) packages. Such die packages can be used in RF power applications and can include power transistors. The power transistors can be used in high output power applications (e.g., in the range of 80 to 100 Watts, or more). In some embodiments of the invention, the semiconductor dies include transistors that can be used as active devices in an RF power amplifier. Such amplifiers may operate at frequencies in a range from below 1 MHz to 2 GHz and above. 
       FIG. 10(   a ) shows a side cross-sectional view of an exemplary embodiment.  FIG. 10(   a ) shows an RF VDMOS semiconductor die  17  disposed between a drain clip  228  with drain leads and a source lead structure  19 . Dummy leads  215  also extend laterally from the molding material  27  and are interspersed with the drain leads of the drain clip  228 . A source lead structure  19  provides source current to a source region in a MOSFET in the semiconductor die  17 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 10(   b ), a gate lead structure with a gate lead  21  provides gate current to a gate region in a MOSFET in the semiconductor die  17 . Solder bumps  29  are also shown in  FIG. 10(   b ). 
     Referring again to  FIG. 10(   a ), a molding material  27  can encapsulate the semiconductor die  17 . As in prior embodiments, a major surface  19 ( a ) of a protruding portion of the source lead structure  19  may be exposed through the molding material  27 . 
     A dielectric coating  31  can be on the drain clip  228 . The dielectric coating  31  can be formed in any suitable manner using any suitable dielectric material. For example, the dielectric coating  31  can include a dielectric coating comprising, for example, polyimide or benzcyclobutane (BCB). Of course, a similar or different dielectric coating could be used in the same manner in any of the previously described or shown die package embodiments. The dielectric coating  31  can prevent shorts or potential electrocution during rework, without affecting the heat dissipation properties of the semiconductor die package. 
     As shown in  FIG. 10(   a ), a matching network  13  is coupled to the source lead structure  19 . In some embodiments, the matching network  13  may include semiconductor die capacitors (silicon MOS capacitors). These capacitors can be used to tune either or both of the input and/or output terminals of the power transistor. The MOS capacitors can be coupled to the transistor terminals using parallel small diameter wires so that the capacitance and inductance can be adjusted to specifically match the input and/or output signal of the power transistor to an amplifier circuit. Matching networks are well known in the art. 
     The semiconductor die packages according to embodiments of the invention can be made in any suitable manner. In some embodiments, the semiconductor die packages can be made using flip chip technology. First, a solder bump array may be formed on a semiconductor die as shown in  FIG. 3 . The solder bumps may be formed using any suitable process including plating, ball attach, stencil paste printing, pick and place process, etc. A reflow process can be performed after solder is deposited on the semiconductor die. 
     Second, before or after forming a semiconductor die with solder bumps, a lead frame structure with a large downset (the downset can depend on the thickness of the package) and a protruding region that is partially-etched is formed. The design of the lead frame structure can be such that the backside of the semiconductor die and the major surface of the source lead structure are exposed through the major exterior surfaces of the molding material in the semiconductor die package. Typical lead frame structures are shown in  FIGS. 4 and 5 . Processes for forming the lead frame structures shown in  FIGS. 4 and 5  are described above. 
     Third, the bumped semiconductor die is flipped over and is mounted to the lead frame structure. A reflow process may be performed and the semiconductor die, the source lead structure, and the gate lead structure are then coupled together via solder. This is shown in  FIGS. 6 and 7 . 
     Fourth, the structures shown in  FIGS. 6 and 7  can be placed within a mold cavity so that the molding material can be molded around portions of the semiconductor die, the source lead structure, and the gate lead structure.  FIGS. 1 and 2  show the semiconductor die after a molding process is performed with a molding material. 
     In some embodiments, a tape assisted molding process can be used to mold the molding the molding material around the semiconductor die, the gate lead structure, and the source lead structure. For example, a tape can be placed against the backside of the semiconductor die in the package precursor shown in  FIG. 6 . Then, the combination can be placed in a molding cavity where a molding material is introduced. The molding material does not is molded around the semiconductor die, the gate lead structure, and the source lead structure. Excess molding material is removed from the major surface of the protruding portion of the source lead structure. Dejunk and deflash processes (known in the art) can be used to remove excess molding material. The tape can be removed from the backside of the semiconductor die to thereby expose the backside of the die through the molded molding material. 
     Then, if desired, a drain clip can be attached to the backside of the semiconductor die. A drain clip such as the one shown in  FIGS. 8(   a )- 8 ( b ) could be attached to the semiconductor die. Alternatively, a drain clip such as the one shown in  FIGS. 9(   a )- 9 ( b ) could be attached to the semiconductor die. The drain clip can serve as a heat sink. Alternatively or additionally, a separate heat sink could be attached to the drain clip to facilitate further heat dissipation. 
     After a drain clip is attached to the backside of the semiconductor die, the resulting semiconductor die package may be mounted on a circuit substrate such as a printed circuit board (PCB). The drain clip can be connected to the drain region in the semiconductor die. The drain clip can be extended to connect to the heat sink of the PCB. These general assemblies are shown in  FIGS. 8(   b ) and  9 ( b ). 
     The terms and expressions which have been employed herein are used as terms of description and not of limitation, and there is no intention in the use of such terms and expressions of excluding equivalents of the features shown and described, or portions thereof, it being recognized that various modifications are possible within the scope of the invention claimed. Moreover, one or more features of any embodiment may be combined with one or more features of any other specifically described embodiment without departing from the scope of the invention.