Patent Abstract:
One or more embodiments are directed to a system-in-package (SiP) that includes a plurality of semiconductor chips and an interposer that that are molded in an encapsulation layer together. That is, a single processing step may be used to encapsulate the semiconductor chips and the interposer in the encapsulation layer. Furthermore, prior to setting or curing, the encapsulation layer is able to flow between the semiconductor chips and the interposer to provide further mechanical support for the semiconductor chips. Thus, the process for forming the SiP is reduced, resulting in a faster processing time and a lower cost. Additionally, one or more embodiments described herein reduce or eliminate warpage of the interposer.

Full Description:
BACKGROUND 
       [0001]    1. Technical Field 
         [0002]    The present disclosure is directed to system-in-packages (SiP) and methods for forming same. 
         [0003]    2. Description of the Related Art 
         [0004]    System-in-packages (SiP) include multiple semiconductor dice or chips enclosed in a single package body. The semiconductor chips may be located side by side, such as in 2.5-D packages, or stacked on top of each other, such as in 3-D packages. 
         [0005]    The SiP typically includes an interposer that is located between the package substrate and the semiconductor chips. In a 2.5-D package, each of the semiconductor chips is electrically coupled to a first side of the interposer substrate, such as in a flip chip configuration. 
         [0006]    Generally described, flip chip technology refers to a process and structure in which electrical contacts, e.g., solder bumps, are placed on a semiconductor chip in contact with contact pads of the chip, forming a ball grid array (BGA) on the face of the chip. The chip is then placed active-side down on the interposer with the solder bumps coupled to interconnects or pillars of the interposer. In a reflow step, the solder bumps are reflowed in a heating step to form a solder joint that adheres the contact pads of the chip to the interconnects or pillars of the interposer. 
         [0007]    Typically, the first side of the interposer has high density interconnects for coupling bond pads of the semiconductor chips. Thus, the bumps for connecting the bond pads with the interconnects of the first side of the interposer are quite small, such as about 50 microns. 
         [0008]    A second side of the interposer is coupled to a package substrate, which forms an outer surface of the SiP. The second side of the interposer includes interconnects that allow for larger solder bumps, such as about 100 microns, for connection to the package substrate. The total thickness of a typical SiP at this stage is about 300 microns. The package substrate may be further processed to have package bumps, e.g., solder balls, formed thereon for coupling to another substrate or board, such as a printed circuit board. 
         [0009]    The process of forming the above-described SiP involves separately processing the first and second side of the interposer at wafer level. Typically, the second side of the interposer is processed first to form metal interconnects, copper pillars on the metal interconnects, and solder bumps over the copper pillars. A dielectric layer is formed over the second side of the interposer and around the copper pillars and solder bump. A carrier substrate is mounted to the dielectric layer. The carrier substrate provides support to the interposer while the first side of the interposer is processed to form metal interconnects and copper pillars. 
         [0010]    After the copper pillars have been formed on the first side of the interposer, solder bumps of the semiconductor chips are coupled to the front side copper pillars using flip chip technology as discussed. An underfill step is performed to provide underfill material between the semiconductor chips and the interposer. The underfill material is typically an electrically insulating adhesive that is provided around the solder bumps and pillars that couple the semiconductor chip to the interposer. The underfill material provides further mechanical support for the semiconductor chips. 
         [0011]    An encapsulation step is performed to encapsulate the semiconductor chips and the interposer. The carrier substrate and the dielectric layer may then be removed. The interposer-chip assembly is then singulated and coupled to a package substrate using flip chip technology. That is, the solder bumps on the first side of the interposer are placed face down onto the package substrate. Again, an underfill step is performed to provide underfill material between the package substrate and the interposer. An encapsulation step is again performed to encapsulate the interposer and over package substrate. Finally, in view of the process being performed at wafer level, a dicing step is then performed for separating into individual SiPs. 
         [0012]    The above process includes repetitive steps, such as the underfill and encapsulation steps. In that regard, the process can be unduly costly and time consuming. Furthermore, mounting and demounting the carrier substrate to the interposer can cause warpage of the interposer. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY 
       [0013]    One or more embodiments are directed to a system-in-package (SiP) that includes a plurality of semiconductor chips and an interposer that that are molded in an encapsulation layer together. That is, a single processing step may be used to encapsulate the semiconductor chips and the interposer in the encapsulation layer. Furthermore, prior to setting or curing, the encapsulation layer is able to flow between the semiconductor chips and the interposer to provide further mechanical support for the semiconductor chips. Thus, the process for forming the SiP is reduced, resulting in a faster processing time and a lower cost. Additionally, one or more embodiments described herein reduce or eliminate warpage of the interposer. 
         [0014]    In one embodiment a surface of the interposer itself may be coupled directly to a printed circuit board, thereby eliminating a need for a package substrate, resulting in yet a thinner package than was previously available. In one embodiment, the SiP has a thickness of about 100 microns, which is more than half the thickness of the SiPs described above. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0015]    In the drawings, identical reference numbers identify similar elements. Sizes and relative positions of elements in the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale. 
           [0016]      FIG. 1  is a schematic illustration of a package in accordance with one embodiment of the disclosure. 
           [0017]      FIGS. 2A-2G  illustrate exemplary method steps for forming an interposer of the package of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0018]      FIGS. 3A and 3B  illustrate exemplary method steps for forming an interposer-chip assembly of the package of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0019]      FIGS. 4A-4G  illustrate exemplary method steps for forming a redistribution layer on the interposer chip assembly. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0020]      FIG. 1  illustrates a 2.5-D system-in-package (SiP)  10  in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure. The package  10  includes two or more semiconductor chips  12  having an electronic device, such as integrated circuits, formed on an active face thereof. The semiconductor chips  12  are mounted active face down and side by side in a flip chip configuration on a first side of an interposer  14 . The interposer  14  may be any substrate configured to support the semiconductor chips  12 . In some embodiments, the interposer  14  is silicon or glass. 
         [0021]    The interposer  14  includes conductive through vias  16  that extend from the first side  52  to a second side  54  of the interposer  14 . Between the conductive through vias  16  at the first side  52  and the semiconductor chips  12  are metal interconnects  24 , pillars  26 , and solder bumps  28 . The solder bumps  28  couple bond pads of the semiconductor chips  12  to the pillars  26 . 
         [0022]    An encapsulation layer  30  surrounds the semiconductor chips  12  and portions of the interposer  14 . Additionally, the encapsulation layer  30  is located between the active face of the semiconductor chips  12  and the first side  52  of the interposer  14 . That is, the encapsulation layer  30  surrounds the pillars  26  and solder bumps  28  that couple the semiconductor chips  12  to the interposer  14 , thereby providing further mechanical support therebetween. The encapsulation layer  30  also protects the semiconductor chips  12  and the interposer  14  from external environmental sources of damage, such as corrosion, physical damage, moisture damage, or other causes of damage to electrical devices. 
         [0023]    The encapsulation layer  30  is formed from a flowable material that hardens over time, such as in one or more curing steps. In one embodiment, the encapsulation layer  30  is a molding compound, such as a polymer resin. Prior to hardening, the encapsulation material that forms the encapsulation layer  30  preferably has a suitable low viscosity so that the encapsulation material can flow between the semiconductor chip  12  and the interposer  14  around the conductive pillars  26  and solder bumps  28  as mentioned above. In that regard, an underfill material is not needed. It is to be appreciated, however, that an underfill material may be used, if desired. 
         [0024]    The second side  54  of the interposer  14  and a surface of the encapsulation layer  30  form a substantially planar surface on which a redistribution layer  32  is formed. The redistribution layer  32  includes at least one dielectric and conductive layer that redistribute electrical contacts of the conductive through vias  16  of the interposer  14 . In particular, first and second dielectric layers  34 ,  36  are stacked on the second side  54  of the interposer  14 . Openings in the first dielectric layer  34  are provided at the conductive through vias  16 . In the openings and between the first and second dielectric layers  34 ,  36  are first and second contacts  40 ,  42  and traces  44 . The second contact  42  is redistributed from the first contact  40  and may be larger than the first contact  40  to accommodate the package bumps  46 . The package bumps  46  are solder balls that electrically couple the package  10  to a substrate or board (not shown), such as a printed circuit board. The redistribution layer  32  and the encapsulation layer  30  form the outer surfaces of the package  10 . 
         [0025]    As shown in  FIG. 1 , a further package substrate is not provided in the SiP  10 . Rather, the interposer  14  acts as the package substrate. In that regard, the SiPs disclosed herein may be substantially thinner than SiPs previously formed. In particular, the SiP of  FIG. 1  may have a thickness of about 100 microns. This thickness, however, excludes the thickness of the package bumps  46 , which may be about 200 microns, formed on the redistribution layer  32 . 
         [0026]    Although not shown, rather than having the semiconductor chips side by side on the interposer  14 , the semiconductor chips may be stacked on top of each other to form a 3-D package, as is well known in the art. Furthermore, the semiconductor chips  12  may be coupled to each other without having the conductive path first exit the package  10 . That is, the semiconductor chips may be coupled together through the interposer. Although the semiconductor chips  12  have the same reference number, it is to be understood that the semiconductor chips may be different from each other. For instance, one chip may be a memory chip and the other chip may be a microprocessor chip. This package has particular benefits if two different chips are present that interconnect with each other without the need to the interconnection to be outside of the package that houses both of them. The interposer board  14  can have connections between the microprocessor and the memory that permit instructions and data to be interchanged between them without any having additional pins and solder balls  46  outside of the package. Although two semiconductor chips are shown, it is to be appreciated that any number of chips may be included in the package, including three, four or one chip stacked on top the other, in a vertical rather than horizontal relationship. In the vertical arrangement, only a first, single chip is in contact with the interposer board  14  and the second chip is in electrical contact only with the first chip and not with the interposer board  14 . 
         [0027]      FIGS. 2A-2G  illustrate exemplary method steps for forming an interposer  14  of the package of  FIG. 1 .  FIG. 2A  illustrates a portion of a substrate  50  having first and second sides  52 ,  54 . The substrate  50  is sized and shaped as a wafer for processing on standard semiconductor equipment. As mentioned above, the substrate  50  in some embodiments may be silicon or glass. Although not shown, a dielectric (or insulating) layer may be located on one or more of the first and second sides  52 ,  54 . The substrate  50  is patterned using standard semiconductor processing, such as photoresist and the like, to form a plurality of openings  56  in the first side  52  of the substrate  50 , as shown in  FIG. 2B . The openings  56  include bottom surfaces  57  and side surfaces  59 . The openings may be about 10 microns or less. 
         [0028]    As shown in  FIG. 2C , a dielectric material  58  is deposited on the bottom surfaces  57  and side surfaces  59  of the openings  56  using standard semiconductor deposition techniques. The dielectric material  58  is also deposited on the first side  52  of the substrate  50 . The dielectric material  50  in one embodiment is silicon dioxide. 
         [0029]    As shown in  FIG. 2D , a conductive material  60  is deposited over the dielectric material  58  in the openings  56 , filling the openings  56 . In the illustrated embodiment, the conductive material  60  is also deposited over the first side  52  of the substrate  50 . In one embodiment, the conductive material  60  is copper that is deposited by plating techniques. 
         [0030]    Referring to  FIG. 2E , the conductive material  60  deposited over the first side  52  of the substrate  50  is removed during dry and/or wet etch processes using standard semiconductor processing techniques. The conductive material  60  in the openings  56  remains, forming first surfaces. 
         [0031]    As shown in  FIG. 2F , interconnects  24  are formed over the first surfaces of the conductive material  60  located in the openings  56 . The interconnects  24  extend over a portion of the dielectric material  58  to provide a larger contact surface area. The interconnect material may be any conductive material suitable for providing adequate adhesion to the conductive material  60  and to pillar  26 . 
         [0032]    The pillars  26 , such as copper pillars, are formed over the interconnects  24 , respectively, as shown in  FIG. 2G . The pillars  26  may be formed using standard plating techniques. The pillars  26  may allow for increased density of solder bumps, in part due to the fact that the pillars do not reflow with the solder material during flip chip attach. Pillars are discussed in detail in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/232,780, filed on Sep. 14, 2011, and incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.  FIG. 2G  illustrates the interposer  14  before the second side  54  of the substrate  50  is thinned as will be described below. 
         [0033]    In  FIG. 3A  semiconductor chips  12  are attached to a first face of the interposer  14  using flip chip techniques. That is, bond pads on a front face of the semiconductor chips  12  are coupled to the pillars  26  of the first face of the interposer  14  by solder bumps  28  formed on the bond pads of the active face of the semiconductor chips  12 , as discussed above. 
         [0034]    The interposer  14  is diced into individual interposer-chip assemblies  70  in a dicing step in streets, such as at a location indicated by the arrow in  FIG. 3B . The dicing step may include a laser or saw process. Each interposer-chip assembly  70  includes two or more semiconductor chips  12 . The interposer-chip assembly  70  has a back face, which is a backside of the semiconductor chips  12 , and a front face, which is the second side  54  of the interposer  14 . 
         [0035]    As shown in  FIG. 4A , each of the interposer-chip assemblies  70  is positioned onto a carrier substrate  72  with the second side  54  of the interposer  14  facing the carrier substrate  72 . The carrier substrate  72  may be any material configured to support the interposer-chip assemblies  70  during subsequent processing steps. The carrier substrate  72  is a glass substrate in one embodiment. 
         [0036]    The interposer-chip assemblies  70  may be positioned on the carrier substrate  72  using a standard pick-and-place tool, in which each interposer-chip assembly  70  is positioned relative to another interposer-chip assembly  70  on the carrier substrate  72 . Any number of interposer-chip assemblies  70  may be placed onto the carrier substrate  72 . 
         [0037]    The carrier substrate  72  includes an adhesive material and is configured to hold the individual interposer-chip assemblies  70  in position during subsequent process steps. The adhesive material is double-sided tape in one embodiment. 
         [0038]    As shown in  FIG. 4B , a reconstituted wafer  73  is formed by depositing an encapsulation layer  30  around the interposer-chip assembly  70  and on the carrier substrate  72 . That is, the encapsulation layer  30  is formed around side surfaces and back surfaces of the interposer-chip assembly  70 . The encapsulation material that forms the encapsulation layer  30  is suitably flowable prior to setting so that it penetrates between the interposer  14  and the semiconductor chips  12  to surround the solder bumps  28  and pillars  26 . The encapsulation material may be molding compound that has a viscosity to provide the desired flow. The encapsulation material sets or hardens over time and may be curable. The molding compound process for forming the encapsulation layer  30  may be a compression molding process in which pressure is applied to the molding compound as it sets. In one embodiment, the encapsulation material is resin. 
         [0039]    After the encapsulation layer  30  has set, the carrier substrate  72  may be removed, as shown in  FIG. 4C , leaving the second side  54  of the substrate  50  exposed and surface  31  of the molding compound  30  and forming a reconstituted wafer  73 . The reconstituted wafer  73  has a first face  75  and a second face  77 . 
         [0040]    In the illustrated embodiment, the surface  31  of the molding compound  30  of the reconstituted wafer  73  is offset slightly from the second side  54  of the interposer  14 . The offset may occur due to the compression molding process discussed above and due to the adhesive material on the carrier compressing farther under the interposer-chip assembly  70  than under the molding compound  30 . The offset may be about 5-10 microns. 
         [0041]    As shown in  FIG. 4D , the first face  75  of the reconstituted wafer  73  is subject to a chemical-mechanical polishing (CMP) step. The CMP step removes material from both the second side  54  of the interposer  14  and the surface  31  of the molding compound  30 . In one embodiment, the CMP process the second side  54  of the interposer  14  is polished until the the conductive material  60  in the openings  54  is 5-10 microns from the second side  54  of the interposer  14 . 
         [0042]    As shown in  FIG. 4E , the second side  54  of the interposer  14  and the surface  31  of the molding compound  30  are further thinned to expose a second surface  62  of the conductive material  60  and to form a substantially planar surface  75 . In that regard, conductive through vias  16  (or a silicon through via (STV)) are formed through the interposer  14 . The second side  54  of the interposer  14  may be thinned using any standard semiconductor processing techniques, such as one of or a combination of grinding and etching. In one embodiment, the second side  54  of the interposer  14  is thinned in a dry etching step. The final thickness of the interposer  14  may be any thickness suitable to support the semiconductor chips  12  in conjunction with the encapsulation layer  30 . In one embodiment, the thickness of the interposer is between 50 and 100 microns. 
         [0043]    The reconstituted wafer  73  can be made in any shape or size. Generally, however, the reconstituted wafer  73  is of a size and shape that conforms to standard semiconductor material wafers so that equipment designed for processing semiconductor wafers can be used to process the reconstituted wafer  73 . 
         [0044]    A redistribution layer  32  is formed on the front face of the reconstituted wafer  73  using techniques that are well known in the art. As indicated above, the redistribution layer  32  includes one or more dielectric layer and conductive layers that redistribute the surface contacts of the conductive layer through vias of the interposer. 
         [0045]    With reference to  FIGS. 4F and 1 , in one embodiment the redistribution layer  32  is formed by depositing a first dielectric layer  34  over the front face  75  of the reconstituted wafer  73 . The first dielectric layer  34  is patterned to provide openings facing the conductive through vias  16 . Conductive material is deposited over the first dielectric layer  34  and in the openings to form the first contacts  40  and traces  44 . A second dielectric layer  36  is deposited and patterned to cover the traces  44 , first contacts  40 , and the first dielectric layer  34  with the second contacts  42  remaining exposed. The first and second dielectric layers  34 ,  36  may be polyimide and are 5-10 microns thick in one embodiment. The contacts can be “redistributed” to conform to any desired configuration, by providing the desired electrical traces. Solder bumps  46  are formed on the second contacts  42  and are configured to couple the SiP  10  to a PCB. 
         [0046]    As shown in  FIG. 4F , the reconstituted wafer  73  is subject to a dicing step in which the packages  10  are separated from each other along streets that separate the packages from each other. 
         [0047]    The various embodiments described above can be combined to provide further embodiments. All of the U.S. patents, U.S. patent application publications, U.S. patent applications, foreign patents, foreign patent applications and non-patent publications referred to in this specification and/or listed in the Application Data Sheet are incorporated herein by reference, in their entirety. 
         [0048]    Aspects of the embodiments can be modified, if necessary to employ concepts of the various patents, applications and publications to provide yet further embodiments. 
         [0049]    These and other changes can be made to the embodiments in light of the above-detailed description. In general, in the following claims, the terms used should not be construed to limit the claims to the specific embodiments disclosed in the specification and the claims, but should be construed to include all possible embodiments along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled. Accordingly, the claims are not limited by the disclosure.

Technology Classification (CPC): 7