Patent Publication Number: US-9431327-B2

Title: Semiconductor device

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     1. Field of Invention 
     The present invention relates to a semiconductor device. 
     2. Description of Related Art 
     Semiconductor devices are typically fabricated using a process that involves a number of sequential process steps. Recently, market demands have pushed for smaller size and more functions of semiconductor devices. 
     A semiconductor device, generally speaking, includes a component, or set of components, fabricated onto a wafer that is made of a semiconductor material such as silicon. The wafer in most cases is divided up into a number of dice, which after fabrication will be separated and packaged as components for individual use. Many recently-developed semiconductor devices may contain multiple components, with each components performing its own function either independently or in cooperation with the others. In order to accomplish these functions, the components need to be interconnected. 
     SUMMARY 
     The invention provides a semiconductor device including plural semiconductor components. 
     An embodiment of the invention provides a semiconductor device including a lead frame, a first semiconductor component, a second semiconductor component, and a first conductive member. The lead frame includes a first segment having a first bottom plate, and a second segment having a second bottom plate. The first segment and the second segment are arranged side by side, the first bottom plate is spatially isolated from the second bottom plate, and the first bottom plate is thicker than the second bottom plate. The first semiconductor component is disposed on the first bottom plate, and the second semiconductor component is disposed on the second bottom plate. The second semiconductor component is thicker than the first semiconductor component. The first conductive member electrically connects the second semiconductor component to the first segment. 
     Another aspect of the semiconductor device includes a lead frame, a first semiconductor component, a second semiconductor component, and a first conductive member. The lead frame includes a first segment and a second segment arranged side by side with the first segment, in which the first segment is spatially isolated from the second segment. The first semiconductor component has a top side and a bottom side. The bottom side of the first semiconductor component is disposed on the first segment. The second semiconductor component has a top side and a bottom side. The second semiconductor component is thicker than the first semiconductor component, and the bottom side of the second semiconductor component is disposed on the second segment. The first conductive member electrically connects the second semiconductor component to the first segment. The top side of the first semiconductor component and the top side of the second semiconductor component are substantially at the same level. 
     Another aspect of the semiconductor device includes a lead frame, a first semiconductor component, a second semiconductor component, a first conductive member, and a second conductive member. The lead frame includes a first segment and a second segment arranged side by side and being spatially isolated from each other. The first segment has a first pad portion and a second pad portion with a level relatively high compared to a level of the first pad portion, and the first pad portion is thicker than the second segment. The first semiconductor component has a top side and a bottom side, in which the bottom side of the first semiconductor component is disposed on the first pad portion of the first segment. The second semiconductor component has a top side and a bottom side, in which the bottom side of the second semiconductor component is disposed on the second segment. The first conductive member is disposed on the second pad portion of the first segment and the top side of the second semiconductor component. The second conductive member is disposed on the top side of the second semiconductor component. The second conductive member is separated from the first conductive member. 
     Another aspect of the semiconductor device includes a conductive packaging assembly, a first semiconductor component, and a second semiconductor component. The conductive packaging assembly has a first chamber and a second chamber arranged side by side, in which a depth of the first chamber is smaller than a depth of the second chamber. The first semiconductor component is disposed in the first chamber, and the second semiconductor component is disposed in the second chamber. The second semiconductor component is thicker than the first semiconductor component, and the second semiconductor component is electrically connected to the first semiconductor component via the conductive packaging assembly. 
     Comparing to using the wire for interconnection, using metal plate as the conductive member for interconnection may reduce the height of the semiconductor device. 
     Other objectives, features and advantages of the present invention will be further understood from the further technological features disclosed by the embodiments of the present invention wherein there are shown and described preferred embodiments of this invention, simply by way of illustration of modes best suited to carry out the invention. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding of embodiments and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification. The drawings illustrate embodiments and together with the description serve to explain principles of embodiments. Other embodiments and many of the intended advantages of embodiments will be readily appreciated as they become better understood by reference to the following detailed description. The elements of the drawings are not necessarily to scale relative to each other. Like reference numerals designate corresponding similar parts. 
       The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding of the invention, and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification. The drawings illustrate embodiments of the invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention. In the drawings, 
         FIG. 1A  and  FIG. 1B  are an oblique view and an explosion view of an embodiment of a semiconductor device of the invention; 
         FIG. 1C  is a top view of the semiconductor device as shown in  FIG. 1A ; 
         FIG. 1D  is a cross-sectional view of the semiconductor device taken along line A-A in  FIG. 1C ; 
         FIG. 1E  is a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of the semiconductor device taken along line A-A in  FIG. 1C ; 
         FIG. 2  is a bottom view of another embodiment of the semiconductor device of the invention; 
         FIG. 3A  and  FIG. 3B  are an explosion view and a side view of another embodiment of the semiconductor device of the invention; 
         FIG. 3C  is a side view of yet another embodiment of the semiconductor device of the invention; 
         FIG. 4A  and  FIG. 4B  are an oblique view and a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of the semiconductor device of the invention; 
         FIG. 5A  and  FIG. 5B  are an oblique view and a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of the semiconductor device of the invention; and 
         FIG. 6A  and  FIG. 6B  are an oblique view and a cross-sectional view of yet another embodiment of the semiconductor device of the invention. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS 
     In the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments, reference is made to the accompanying drawings which form a part hereof, and in which are shown by way of illustration specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. In this regard, directional terminology, such as “top,” “bottom,” “front,” “back,” etc., is used with reference to the orientation of the Figure(s) being described. The components of the present invention can be positioned in a number of different orientations. As such, the directional terminology is used for purposes of illustration and is in no way limiting. On the other hand, the drawings are only schematic and the sizes of components may be exaggerated for clarity. It is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and structural changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. The use of “including,” “comprising,” or “having” and variations thereof herein is meant to encompass the items listed thereafter and equivalents thereof as well as additional items. Unless limited otherwise, the terms “connected,” “coupled,” and “mounted” and variations thereof herein are used broadly and encompass direct and indirect connections, couplings, and mountings. Similarly, the terms “facing,” “faces” and variations thereof herein are used broadly and encompass direct and indirect facing, and “adjacent to” and variations thereof herein are used broadly and encompass directly and indirectly “adjacent to”. Therefore, the description of “A” component facing “B” component herein may contain the situations that “A” component directly faces “B” component or one or more additional components are between “A” component and “B” component. Also, the description of “A” component “adjacent to” “B” component herein may contain the situations that “A” component is directly “adjacent to” “B” component or one or more additional components are between “A” component and “B” component. Accordingly, the drawings and descriptions will be regarded as illustrative in nature and not as restrictive. 
     Referring to  FIG. 1A  to  FIG. 1D ,  FIG. 1A  and  FIG. 1B  are an oblique view and an explosion view of an embodiment of a semiconductor device of the invention;  FIG. 1C  is a top view of the semiconductor device as shown in  FIG. 1A , and  FIG. 1D  is a cross-sectional view of the semiconductor device taken along line A-A in  FIG. 1C . 
     The semiconductor device  100  includes a lead frame  200 , a first semiconductor component  300 , and a second semiconductor component  400 . The lead frame  200  includes a first segment  210  and a second segment  220 . The first segment  210  has a first bottom plate  212 , and the second segment  220  has a second bottom plate  222 . The first bottom plate  212  is thicker than the second bottom plate  222 . The first segment  210  and the second segment  220  are arranged side by side. The first bottom plate  212  is spatially isolated from the second bottom plate  222 . The first segment  210  and the second segment  220  are made of metal or alloy. 
     The second semiconductor component  400  is thicker than the first semiconductor component  300 . The first semiconductor component  300  is disposed on and carried by the first bottom plate  212 . The second semiconductor component  400  is disposed on and carried by the second bottom plate  222 . The sum of the thickness of the first bottom plate  212  and the first semiconductor component  300  is substantially equal to the sum of the thickness of the second bottom plate  222  and the second semiconductor component  400 . Namely, the top side of the first semiconductor component  300  and the top side of the second semiconductor component  400  are substantially at the same level. 
     The first semiconductor component  300  needs to be electrically connected to the second semiconductor component  400  as the semiconductor device  100 . The semiconductor device  100  includes a first conductive member  500  for interconnecting the first semiconductor component  300  and the second semiconductor component  400 . The first conductive member  500  is a metal plate. Comparing to using the wire for interconnection, using metal plate as the first conductive member  500  may reduce the height of the semiconductor device  100 . 
     The first semiconductor component  300  and the second semiconductor component  400  are connected to each other via first conductive member  500  and the lead frame  200 . The first semiconductor component  300  and the second semiconductor component  400  can be a III-V compound semiconductor device, such as a transistor. 
     In this embodiment, the first semiconductor component  300  can be a vertical component. The first semiconductor component  300  has a first electrode  310 , a second electrode  320 , and a third electrode  330 . The first electrode  310  is arranged at the bottom surface of the first semiconductor component  300 , and the second electrode  320  and the third electrode  330  are arranged at the top side of the first semiconductor component  300 . The second semiconductor component  400  can be a lateral component. The second semiconductor component  400  has a first electrode  410 , the second electrode  420 , and the third electrode  430 . The first electrode  410 , the second electrode  420 , and the third electrode  430  are arranged at the top side of the second semiconductor component  400 . The first electrodes  310 ,  410  can be drain electrodes. The second electrodes  320 ,  420  can be source electrodes. The third electrodes  330 ,  430  can be gate electrodes. 
     The lead frame  200  further includes a third segment  230  and a fourth segment  240 . The third segment  230  is disposed next to and spatially isolated from the second segment  220 . The fourth segment  240  is disposed next to and spatially isolated from the first segment  210 . The semiconductor device  100  further includes a second conductive member  510  and a third conductive member  520 . The third segment  230  and the fourth segment  240  are made of metal or alloy. The second conductive member  510  and the third conductive member  520  are metal plates. The second conductive member  510  is utilized for electrically connecting the third segment  230  to the second semiconductor component  400 . The third conductive member  520  is utilized for electrically connecting the fourth segment  240  to the first semiconductor component  300 . The first segment  210  has the first bottom plate  212  and a pad portion  214  connected to the first bottom plate  212 . The first bottom plate  212  can be regarded as a first pad portion, and the pad portion  214  can be regarded as a second pad portion. The second pad portion  214  stands on the first pad portion  212  and is arranged between the first pad portion  212  and the second bottom plate  222 . The second pad portion  214  has a level relatively high compared to a level of the first pad portion  212 , i.e., the second pad portion  214  is protruded from the first pad portion  212 . 
     For instance, the third segment  230  as a terminal is connected to the first electrode  410  of the second semiconductor component  400  via the second conductive member  510 . The first electrode  410  is electrically connected to the second electrode  420  within the second semiconductor component  400 . The first conductive member  500  connects the second electrode  420  of the second semiconductor component  400  to the second pad portion  214  of the first segment  210 . The first semiconductor component  300  is carried by the first bottom plate  212 , and the first electrode  310  of the first semiconductor component  300  contacts the first bottom plate  212 . The second pad portion  214  is connected to the first pad portion  212 , thus the second electrode  420  of the second semiconductor component  400  and the first electrode  310  of the first semiconductor component  300  are interconnected by the first conductive member  500  and the first segment  210 . The third conductive member  520  connects the second electrode  320  of the first semiconductor component  300  to the fourth segment  240 , in which the fourth segment  240  is utilized as a terminal. The lead frame  200  further includes a fifth segment  250 , which is made of metal or alloy, spatially isolated from the first to fourth segments  210 - 240 . The third electrodes  330 ,  430  can be connected to the fifth segment  250  by clipping a metal plate or a wire bonding. More particularly, after the semiconductor device  100  is sealed by a sealant, at least one of the first segment  210 , the second segment  220 , the third segment  230 , the fourth segment  240 , and the fifth segment  250  is at least partially exposed of the sealant as a contact pad for communicating with peripheral. 
     The bottom sides of the first segment  210 , the second segment  220 , the third segment  230 , the fourth segment  240 , and the fifth segment  250  are coplanar arranged. Namely, the bottom sides of the first segment  210 , the second segment  220 , the third segment  230 , the fourth segment  240 , and the fifth segment  250  are located at the same level. The first conductive member  500 , the second conductive member  510 , and the third conductive member  520  are substantially at the same level, and the top sides of the first conductive member  500 , the second conductive member  510 , and the third conductive member  520  are coplanar arranged. 
     Referring to  FIG. 1E ,  FIG. 1E  is a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of the semiconductor device taken along line A-A in  FIG. 1C . In this embodiment, the fourth segment  240  can be unitarily formed with the third conductive member  520 ; the first conductive member  500  can be unitarily formed with the first segment  210 ; the second conductive member  510  can be unitarily formed with the third segment  230 . Namely, the fourth segment  240  and the third conductive member  520  can be one-piece formed; the first conductive member  500  and the first segment  210  can be one-piece formed; the second conductive member  510  and the third segment  230 . can be one-piece formed. 
       FIG. 2  is a bottom view of another embodiment of the semiconductor device of the invention. After the interconnection process of the semiconductor device  100  as shown in  FIG. 1A-1D  is done, a sealant  600  is utilized for sealing the first semiconductor component and the second semiconductor component. The lead frame  200  includes the first segment  210 , the second segment  220 , the third segment  230 , the fourth segment  240 , and the fifth segment  250 . The lead frame  200  is made of metal or alloy. After the first semiconductor component and the second semiconductor component are sealed by the sealant  600 , at least one of the first segment  210 , the second segment  220 , the third segment  230 , the fourth segment  240 , and the fifth segment  250  is at least partially exposed of the sealant  600  as a contact pad for communicating with peripheral. In this embodiment, the bottom side of the first segment  210 , the second segment  220 , the third segment  230 , the fourth segment  240 , and the fifth segment  250  are exposed from the sealant  600 . However, in other embodiments, only a few of the first segment  210 , the second segment  220 , the third segment  230 , the fourth segment  240 , and the fifth segment  250  or a part of the bottom sides of the first segment  210 , the second segment  220 , the third segment  230 , the fourth segment  240 , and the fifth segment  250  are exposed from the sealant  600 . 
       FIG. 3A  and  FIG. 3B  are an explosion view and a side view of another embodiment of the semiconductor device of the invention. The semiconductor device  100  includes the first semiconductor component  300 , the second semiconductor component  400 , and a conductive packaging assembly  700 . The conductive packaging assembly  700  includes a first chamber  710  and a second chamber  720 . The first chamber  710  and the second chamber  720  are arranged side by side. The depth d1 of the first chamber  710  is smaller than the depth d2 of the second chamber  720 . 
     The second semiconductor component  400  is thicker than the first semiconductor component  300 . The first semiconductor component  300  is disposed in the first chamber  710 . The second semiconductor component  400  is disposed in the second chamber  720 . The second semiconductor component  400  is electrically connected to the first semiconductor component  300  via the conductive packaging assembly  700 . 
     The conductive packaging assembly  700  includes a first conductive member  730 , a second conductive member  740 , and a plurality of support members  750 . The first conductive member  730  and the second conductive member  740  are disposed at a side of the first chamber  710  and the second chamber  720  and construct a plane. The support elements  750  are disposed at opposite side of the first chamber  710  and the second chamber  720 , and the support elements  750  construct another plane. 
     The first conductive member  730  and second conductive member  740  can be a part of the lead frame. The support elements  750  are utilized for carrying the first semiconductor component  300  and the second semiconductor component  400 . 
     In some embodiments, the first semiconductor component  300  and the second semiconductor component  400  can be supported by the first segment  210  and the second segment  220  (as shown in  FIG. 1D ); in other embodiments, the first semiconductor component  300  and the second semiconductor component  400  can be supported by the support elements  750  (as shown in  FIG. 3B ). A sealant can be used for sealing the first semiconductor component  300  and the second semiconductor component  400 . 
     The first conductive member  730 , the second conductive member  740 , and the support elements  750  include metal plates. The first conductive member  730 , the second conductive member  740 , and the support elements  750  not only support the first semiconductor component  300  and the second semiconductor component  400 , but also electrically connect the first semiconductor component  300  to the second semiconductor component  400 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 3C ,  FIG. 3C  is a side view of yet another embodiment of the semiconductor device of the invention. In this embodiment, the first support element  730  includes a plate portion  734  and an electrode portion  732 . The plate portion  734  has one end coupled to the bottom side of the second semiconductor component  400 . The electrode portion  732  is extended from another end of the plate portion  734 , and is electrically connected to the top side of the first semiconductor component  300 . The plate portion  734  is unitarily formed with the electrode portion  732 . Also, the second conductive member  720  (as shown in  FIG. 3B ) can be omitted in this embodiment. 
     Reference is made to  FIG. 4A  and  FIG. 4B .  FIG. 4A  and  FIG. 4B  are an oblique view and a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of the semiconductor device of the invention. The semiconductor device  100  includes the lead frame  200 , the first semiconductor component  300 , the second semiconductor component  400 , and a plurality of conductive members  500 ,  510 ,  520 , and  530 . 
     The lead frame  200  includes the first segment  210 , the second segment  220 , the third segment  230 , the fourth segment  240 , and the fifth segment  250 . The first segment  210  and the second segment  220  are arranged side by side, and a part of the first bottom plate  212  of the first segment  210  is thicker than a part of the second bottom plate  222  of the second segment  220 . The third segment  230  is arranged next to and spatially isolated from the first segment  210 . The fourth segment  240  and the fifth segment  250  are arranged next to and spatially isolated from second segment  220 . The fourth segment  240  and the fifth segment  250  are spatially isolated from each other. 
     The first semiconductor component  300  can be a lateral component. The first semiconductor component  300  has the first electrode  310 , the second electrode  320 , and the third electrode  330  arranged at the same side of the first semiconductor component  300 . The second semiconductor component  400  can be a vertical component. The second semiconductor component  400  has the first electrode  410  arranged at one side of the second semiconductor component  400 , and the second electrode  420  and the third electrode  430  arranged at opposite side of the second semiconductor component  400 . The first semiconductor component  300  is thinner than the second semiconductor component  400 . The first semiconductor component  300  is disposed on the part of the first bottom plate  212  of the first segment  210 . The second semiconductor component is disposed on the part of the second bottom plate  222  of the second segment  220 . The first electrode  410  of the second semiconductor component  400  contacts the second segment  220 . 
     The conductive members  500 ,  510 ,  520 , and  530  are flat metal plates. The conductive members  500 ,  510 ,  520 , and  530  and the lead frame  200  are utilized for interconnecting the first semiconductor component  300  and the second semiconductor component  400  and for connecting the semiconductor device  100  to peripheral. The conductive member  500  connects the second electrode  320  of the first semiconductor component  300  to the second segment  220 . The conductive member  510  connects the third electrode  330  of the first semiconductor component  300  to the second electrode  420  of the second semiconductor component  400  and the fourth segment  240 . The conductive member  520  connects the third segment  230  to the first electrode  310  of the first semiconductor component  300 . The conductive member  530  connects the third electrode  430  of the second semiconductor component  400  to the fifth segment  250 . 
     Reference is made to  FIG. 5A  and  FIG. 5B .  FIG. 5A  and  FIG. 5B  are an oblique view and a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of the semiconductor device of the invention. The semiconductor device  100  includes the lead frame  200 , the first semiconductor component  300 , the second semiconductor component  400 , and a plurality of conductive members  500 ,  510 ,  520 , and  530 . The difference between this embodiment and the previous embodiment is that the conductive members  500 ,  510 ,  520 , and  530  are metal plates with drop sections. 
     Reference is made to  FIG. 6A  and  FIG. 6B .  FIG. 6A  and  FIG. 6B  are an oblique view and a cross-sectional view of yet another embodiment of the semiconductor device of the invention. The semiconductor device  100  includes the lead frame  200 , the first semiconductor component  300 , the second semiconductor component  400 , a plurality of conductive members  500 ,  510 , and  520 , and a first passive component  810  and a second passive component  820 . 
     The lead frame  200  includes the first segment  210 , the third segment  230 , the fourth segment  240 , and the fifth segment  250 . The first segment  210  has a plurality of recessions  215  for receiving the first semiconductor component  300 , the second semiconductor component  400 , the first passive component  810 , and the second passive component  820 . The third segment  230 , the fourth segment  240  and the fifth segment  250  are arranged next to and are spatially isolated from each other. 
     In this embodiment, both the first semiconductor component  300  and the second semiconductor component  400  are vertical components. The first semiconductor component  300  is stacked on the second semiconductor component  400 . An electrode at the bottom side of the first semiconductor component  300  contacts to one of the electrodes at the top side of the second semiconductor component  400 . Two electrodes of the first passive components  810  respectively connect to the first segment  210  and the fourth segment  240 . An electrode of the second passive component  820  contacts the first segment  210 . 
     The conductive members  500 ,  510 , and  520  are metal plates. The conductive member  500  is the metal plate with a drop section. The conductive member  500  connects the third segment  230  to the second semiconductor component  400 . The conductive members  510  and  520  are flat metal plates. The conductive member  510  connects third segment  230  to another electrode of the second passive component  820 . The conductive member  520  connects the first semiconductor component  300  to the fourth segment  240 . The first semiconductor component  300  and the second semiconductor component  400  can be further connected to the fifth segment  250 . Comparing to using the wire for interconnection, using metal plate as the conductive member for interconnection may reduce the height of the semiconductor device. 
     Although the foregoing description of the embodiments of present invention and their advantages have been described in considerable detail with reference to certain embodiments thereof for purposes of illustration and description, they are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form or to exemplary embodiments disclosed. It should be understood that various changes, substitutions and alterations can be made herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. Moreover, the scope of the present application is not intended to be limited to the particular embodiments of the process, machine, manufacture, and composition of matter, means, methods and steps described in the specification. As one of ordinary skill in the art will readily appreciate from the disclosure of the present invention, processes, machines, manufacture, compositions of matter, means, methods, or steps, presently existing or later to be developed, that perform substantially the same function or achieve substantially the same result as the corresponding embodiments described herein may be utilized according to the present invention. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made to the structure of the present invention without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention. Accordingly, the appended claims are intended to include within their scope such processes, machines, manufacture, compositions of matter, means, methods, or steps. Moreover, no element and component in the present disclosure is intended to be dedicated to the public regardless of whether the element or component is explicitly recited in the following claims.