Patent Description:
Liquid crystal displays (LCDs) and organic light-emitting diode (OLED) displays have been widely used as display devices. Recently, there has been an increasing interest in a technology for manufacturing high-resolution display devices by using micro-light-emitting diodes.

Micro-semiconductor chips, e.g., light-emitting diodes (LEDs), have advantages of low power consumption and environmental friendliness. Owing to these advantages, the industrial demand for LEDs has increased. In manufacturing micro-LED display devices, it is necessary to transfer micro-LEDs to a substrate. A pick-and-place method has been widely used for transferring micro-LEDs. However, the pick-and-place method causes a decrease in productivity as the size of a micro-LED decreases and the size of a display increases.

<CIT> discloses a wet chip alignment apparatus of the prior art.

Provided are micro-semiconductor chip transfer apparatuses capable of reusing micro-semiconductor chips.

According to an aspect of the disclosure, there is provided a micro-semiconductor chip transfer apparatus for wet-aligning a plurality of micro-semiconductor chips in a plurality of grooves of a transfer substrate, the micro-semiconductor chip transfer apparatus including: a wet chip supply module configured to supply the plurality of micro-semiconductor chips and a first liquid onto the transfer substrate in a flowable manner; a chip alignment module comprising an absorber configured to move along a surface of the transfer substrate to align first micro-semiconductor chips, among the plurality of micro-semiconductor chips, respectively in the plurality of grooves and to absorb the first liquid; and a chip extraction module configured to extract, from the absorber, second micro-semiconductor chips, among the plurality of micro-semiconductor chips, which are attached to the absorber.

The chip extraction module may include a liquid spray cleaner configured to spray a second liquid to the absorber to extract the second micro-semiconductor chips from the absorber.

The liquid spray cleaner may be configured to be rotatable or movable.

The chip extraction module may include a holder configured to fix the absorber.

The chip extraction module may include an ultrasonic cleaner configured to emit ultrasonic waves towards the absorber to extract the second micro-semiconductor chips from the absorber.

The chip extraction module may include a vibration cleaner configured to vibrate the absorber to extract the second micro-semiconductor chips from the absorber.

The wet chip supply module may include a liquid supply module configured to supply the first liquid, and a chip supply module configured to supply the plurality of micro-semiconductor chips.

The wet chip supply module may be further configured to supply a suspension containing the plurality of micro-semiconductor chips and the first liquid.

The chip alignment module may further include a supply roller to supply the absorber, a recovery roller to recover the absorber, a roller arranged between the supply roller and the recovery roller to support the absorber, and a pressing roller to press the absorber to contact with the transfer substrate.

The chip alignment module and the chip extraction module may be arranged adjacent to each other, and the chip alignment module and the chip extraction module may be provided between the supply roller and the recovery roller, and the absorber is supported between the supply roller and the recovery roller to be continuously moved from the chip alignment module to the chip extraction module.

The chip extraction module may be a reservoir, and a plurality of rollers may be arranged above the reservoir to guide and move the absorber.

The micro-semiconductor chip transfer apparatus may further include an inspection module configured to inspect a state of the transfer substrate.

The micro-semiconductor chip transfer apparatus may further include a controller configured to control operations of the wet chip supply module and the chip alignment module, based on a result of inspection performed by the inspection module.

The micro-semiconductor chip transfer apparatus may further include a cleaning module configured to remove dummy micro-semiconductor chips remaining on the surface of the transfer substrate.

The chip extraction module may further include a recovery module configured to recover the second micro-semiconductor chips separated from the transfer substrate.

The chip extraction module may further include a filtration module configured to separate impurities from the micro-semiconductor chips extracted by the chip extraction module.

The chip extraction module may further include an antistatic module configured to supply, onto the transfer substrate, ions for preventing an occurrence of static electricity.

The absorber may include a woven, a tissue, polyester fiber, paper, or a wiper.

The micro-semiconductor chip may be one of a micro-light-emitting device, a pressure sensor, a photodiode, a thermistor, or a piezoelectric device.

According to another aspect of the disclosure, there is provided a chip extraction apparatus including: a holder configured to hold an absorber configured to move along a surface of the transfer substrate to absorb liquid from a transfer substrate during a wet alignment process; a cleaner configured to release micro-semiconductor chips attached to the absorber during the wet alignment process; and a container configured to collected the micro-semiconductor chips released from the absorber.

The cleaner may include a liquid spray cleaner configured to spray liquid onto the absorber to release the micro-semiconductor chips attached to the absorber during the wet alignment process.

Hereinafter, a micro-semiconductor chip transfer apparatus according to various embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the following drawings, like reference numerals refer to like elements, and sizes of elements in the drawings may be exaggerated for clarity and convenience of description. Terms such as "first" or "second" may be used to describe various elements, but the elements should not be limited by the terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element from another element.

The singular expression also includes the plural meaning as long as it is not inconsistent with the context. In addition, when an element is referred to as "including" a component, the element may additionally include other components rather than excluding other components as long as there is no particular opposing recitation. In the following drawings, the size or thickness of each element in the drawings may be exaggerated for clarity of description. Also, when a material layer is referred to as being "on" another substrate or layer, the material layer may be directly on the another substrate or layer, or a third layer may also be present therebetween. In addition, materials constituting each layer in the embodiments below are exemplary, and other materials than the described ones may also be used.

Also, the terms described in the specification, such as ". er (or)", ". module", etc., denote a unit that performs at least one function or operation, which may be implemented as hardware or software or a combination thereof.

Particular implementations described in the embodiments are merely exemplary, and do not limit the scope of the disclosure in any way. For the sake of conciseness, descriptions of related art electronic configurations, control systems, software, and other functional aspects of the systems may be omitted. In addition, the lines or connecting elements between elements shown in the drawings are intended to represent exemplary functional relationships and/or physical or logical couplings between the various elements, and many alternative or additional functional relationships, physical connections or logical connections may be present in a practical device.

The term "the" and other demonstratives similar thereto should be understood to include a singular form and plural forms.

The operations of a method may be performed in any suitable order unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context. In addition, all example terms (e.g., "such as" or "etc.") are used for the purpose of description and are not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure unless defined by the claims.

<FIG> is a block diagram schematically illustrating a micro-semiconductor chip transfer apparatus <NUM> according to an example embodiment, and <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG> and <FIG> are diagrams illustrating transfer substrates <NUM>, 10A, and 10B according to example embodiments.

Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, in the micro-semiconductor chip transfer apparatus <NUM> may align a plurality of micro-semiconductor chips <NUM> in a plurality of grooves <NUM> of a transfer substrate <NUM>. According to an example embodiment, the micro-semiconductor chip transfer apparatus <NUM> may be a wet alignment apparatus configured to perform wet alignment of the plurality of micro-semiconductor chips <NUM> in a plurality of grooves <NUM> of a transfer substrate <NUM> during a transfer process. The micro-semiconductor chip transfer apparatus <NUM> includes a wet chip supply module <NUM>, a chip alignment module <NUM>, a cleaning module <NUM>, an inspection module <NUM>, and a chip reuse module <NUM>. According to an example embodiment, the chip reuse module <NUM> may include a chip extraction module <NUM>. Moreover, the micro-semiconductor chip transfer apparatus <NUM> may include a controller <NUM> for controlling operations of the wet chip supply module <NUM> and the chip alignment module <NUM>.

According to an example embodiment, the controller <NUM> may include a processor and a memory. For example, the controller may include a memory storing one or more instructions or program codes, and the processor is further configured to execute the one or more instructions to control operations of one or more of the wet chip supply module <NUM>, the chip alignment module <NUM>, the cleaning module <NUM>, the inspection module <NUM>, and the chip reuse module <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG>, the transfer substrate <NUM> may include the plurality of grooves <NUM> into which the micro-semiconductor chips <NUM> may be provided, respectively. According to an example embodiment, the micro-semiconductor chips <NUM> may be placed or inserted into the plurality of grooves <NUM>. Each of the plurality of grooves <NUM> may have a size such that at least a portion of one of the micro-semiconductor chips <NUM> may be placed into one of the groove. For example, the groove <NUM> may have a microscopic size. For example, the size of the groove <NUM> may be less than <NUM> µm, e.g., <NUM> µm or less, <NUM> µm or less, or <NUM> µm or less. The size of the groove <NUM> may be greater than the size of the micro-semiconductor chip <NUM>.

The pitch between the plurality of grooves <NUM> may correspond to the pitch between adjacent micro-semiconductor chips <NUM> inserted into adjacent grooves <NUM>. For example, when the micro-semiconductor chips <NUM> are light-emitting devices, the pitch between the plurality of grooves <NUM> may correspond to the pixel pitch of a display device used in a final product. For example, the pitch between adjacent grooves among the plurality of grooves <NUM> may correspond to the pixel pitch of a display device used in the final product. However, the pitch between the plurality of grooves <NUM> is not limited thereto, and may be variously changed as necessary.

Referring to <FIG>, the transfer substrate <NUM> may include a plurality of layers. For example, the transfer substrate <NUM> may include a base substrate <NUM> and a guide mold <NUM>. According to an example embodiment, materials of the base substrate <NUM> and the guide mold <NUM> may be different from each other. However, the disclosure is not limited thereto, and as such, the base substrate <NUM> and the guide mold <NUM> may be the same as each other. Alternatively, as illustrated in <FIG>, the transfer substrate 10A may be configured as a single layer. In addition, the plane shape of the transfer substrate <NUM> may be a quadrangle as illustrated in <FIG>, but is not limited thereto, and for example, the plane shape of the transfer substrate 10B may be a circle as illustrated in <FIG> according to another example embodiment.

<FIG> is a block diagram of the wet chip supply module <NUM>. The wet chip supply module <NUM> may include a liquid supply module <NUM> for supplying a liquid onto the transfer substrate <NUM> and a chip supply module <NUM> for supplying the plurality of micro-semiconductor chips <NUM> onto the transfer substrate <NUM>. <FIG> illustrates an example of the wet chip supply module <NUM> supplying liquid L and the micro-semiconductor chips <NUM> onto the transfer substrate <NUM>. The liquid supply module <NUM> may supply the liquid L toward the transfer substrate <NUM> to fill the grooves <NUM> with the liquid L. The chip supply module <NUM> may supply the micro-semiconductor chips <NUM> onto the transfer substrate <NUM>. Although <FIG> illustrates an example in which the liquid supply module <NUM> and the chip supply module <NUM> are separately provided, the wet chip supply module <NUM> may include a suspension including the micro-semiconductor chips <NUM> and be configured as a single module to supply the suspension onto the transfer substrate <NUM>. According to an example embodiment, the liquid supply module <NUM> may be a container configured to contain liquid L and the chip supply module <NUM> may be a container configured to contain micro-semiconductor chips <NUM>.

Referring back to <FIG>, the micro-semiconductor chip transfer apparatus <NUM> may include a cleaning module <NUM>. The cleaning module <NUM> may be configured to remove dummy micro-semiconductor chips remaining on the surface of the transfer substrate <NUM> after the plurality of micro-semiconductor chips <NUM> are completely aligned respectively in the plurality of grooves <NUM> by the chip alignment module <NUM>. The cleaning module <NUM> may remove the dummy micro-semiconductor chips in various manners. For example, the cleaning module <NUM> may include an absorber, and remove the dummy micro-semiconductor chips by moving the absorber in contact with the transfer substrate <NUM>. According to an example embodiment, the cleaning module <NUM> may use a new absorber when removing the dummy micro-semiconductor chips by moving the absorber in contact with the transfer substrate. However, the disclosure is not limited thereto, and as such, according to another example embodiment, the cleaning module <NUM> may use the same absorber when removing the dummy micro-semiconductor chips by moving the absorber in contact with the transfer substrate.

The micro-semiconductor chip transfer apparatus <NUM> may further include an inspection module <NUM> for inspecting a state of the transfer substrate <NUM>. The inspection module <NUM> may be a camera capable of high-resolution image analysis. The inspection module <NUM> may inspect the state of the transfer substrate <NUM> through image analysis.

For example, the inspection module <NUM> may inspect the alignment state of the micro-semiconductor chips <NUM> on the transfer substrate <NUM>. Based on a result of inspection by the inspection module <NUM>, the controller <NUM> may control at least one of the wet chip supply module <NUM> and the chip alignment module <NUM> to operate. Through this process, the accuracy of alignment of the plurality of micro-semiconductor chips <NUM> may be improved.

For example, in a result of inspection by the inspection module <NUM>, the position of the groove <NUM> into which none of the plurality of micro-semiconductor chips <NUM> is inserted may be identified among the plurality of grooves <NUM> of the transfer substrate <NUM>. In this case, based on the result of inspection by the inspection module <NUM>, the controller <NUM> may control at least one of the wet chip supply module <NUM> and the chip alignment module <NUM> to operate around the position of the groove <NUM> in which none of the plurality of micro-semiconductor chips <NUM> is inserted.

As another example, the inspection module <NUM> may inspect the supply state of the micro-semiconductor chips <NUM> and the liquid L on the transfer substrate <NUM>. For example, the inspection module <NUM> may inspect whether the liquid L is present on the transfer substrate <NUM>, or whether the amount of the liquid L on the transfer substrate <NUM> is sufficient. Based on a result of inspection by the inspection module <NUM>, the controller <NUM> may control the liquid supply module <NUM> to operate to either provide the liquid L onto the transfer substrate <NUM> or stop providing the liquid L onto the transfer substrate <NUM>.

Moreover, the inspection module <NUM> may inspect whether the micro-semiconductor chips <NUM> are present on the transfer substrate <NUM>, or whether the quantity of micro-semiconductor chips <NUM> on the transfer substrate <NUM> is sufficient. Based on a result of inspection by the inspection module <NUM>, the controller <NUM> may control the chip supply module <NUM> to operate to either provide the micro-semiconductor chips <NUM> onto the transfer substrate <NUM> or stop providing the micro-semiconductor chips <NUM> onto the transfer substrate <NUM>.

As described above, based on a result of inspection by the inspection module <NUM>, the controller <NUM> may control at least one of the wet chip supply module <NUM> and the chip alignment module <NUM> to operate, thereby improving the accuracy of alignment of the plurality of micro-semiconductor chips <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG>, the liquid L supplied onto the transfer substrate <NUM> forms a thin layer on the transfer substrate <NUM>, and at least a portion of each of the plurality of micro-semiconductor chips <NUM> may be immersed in the liquid L.

According to an example embodiment, because the plurality of micro-semiconductor chips <NUM> are immersed in the liquid L, they may be flowable above the transfer substrate <NUM>. In this case, the plurality of micro-semiconductor chips <NUM> may flow in the liquid L supplied onto the transfer substrate <NUM>, and the layer of the liquid L may be thinly formed on the transfer substrate <NUM> to prevent or minimize unintended flow by the chip alignment module <NUM>, which will be described below.

The liquid L may be any type of liquid as long as it does not corrode or damage the micro-semiconductor chips <NUM>. For example, the liquid L may include at least one of water, ethanol, alcohol, polyol, ketone, halocarbon, acetone, flux, or an organic solvent. The organic solvent may include, for example, isopropyl alcohol (IPA). The liquid L is not limited thereto, and may be variously changed.

The micro-semiconductor chip <NUM> may be a semiconductor device having a microscopic size, for example, a micro-light-emitting device, a pressure sensor, a photodiode, a thermistor, a piezoelectric device, or the like.

Referring to <FIG>, the chip alignment module <NUM> includes an absorber <NUM> that absorbs the liquid L. The transfer substrate <NUM> may be scanned by using the absorber <NUM>. The chip alignment module <NUM> may move the absorber <NUM> along the surface of the transfer substrate <NUM>. The absorber <NUM> may move along the surface of the transfer substrate <NUM> while in contact with the transfer substrate <NUM>.

The absorber <NUM> may include, for example, a woven, a tissue, fiber, paper, or a wiper. The fiber may be, for example, natural fiber such as cotton or silk, or artificial fiber such as nylon, polyester, or acryl. However, the absorber <NUM> is not limited thereto, and may be any material that absorbs the liquid L. The absorber <NUM> may include, for example, a wiper formed of microfiber (e.g., a micro-denier wiper). The microfiber has a thickness of <NUM> denier or less, and has a liquid absorption rate greater than that of a cotton material. The absorber <NUM> may be made of a woven and a knit.

<FIG> illustrates an example of the absorber <NUM>. A woven is made of horizontal yarns (wefts) and vertical yarns (warps), which are entangled with each other to form fabric, and has a strength greater than that of a knit. The absorber <NUM> may have a mesh structure capable of absorbing the liquid L. The absorber <NUM> has a plurality of mesh holes, the size of which may be less than that of the micro-semiconductor chip <NUM> to prevent the micro-semiconductor chip <NUM> from being stuck or caught therein.

The absorber <NUM> may be used alone without any other auxiliary mechanisms. However, the disclosure is not limited thereto, and the absorber <NUM> may be coupled to a support <NUM> such that scanning of the transfer substrate <NUM> using the absorber <NUM> is facilitated. The support <NUM> may have various shapes and structures suitable for scanning the transfer substrate <NUM>. The support <NUM> may include, for example, a rod, a blade, a plate, or a wiper. The absorber <NUM> may be provided on one surface of the support <NUM>, or may be wound around the support <NUM>.

The chip alignment module <NUM> may scan the transfer substrate <NUM> while the absorber <NUM> presses the transfer substrate <NUM> with an appropriate pressure. When the chip alignment module <NUM> performs scanning, the absorber <NUM> may be in contact with the transfer substrate <NUM> and traverse the plurality of grooves <NUM>. During the scanning, the liquid L may be absorbed by the absorber <NUM>.

The scanning may be performed in various manners including, for example, at least one of sliding, rotating, translating, reciprocating, rolling, spinning, or rubbing of the absorber <NUM>, and may be performed in a regular or irregular manner. Alternatively, the scanning may include at least one of rotating, translating, rolling, or spinning of the transfer substrate <NUM>. Alternatively, the scanning may be performed by cooperation between the absorber <NUM> and the transfer substrate <NUM>. For example, while the absorber <NUM> presses the transfer substrate <NUM>, the transfer substrate <NUM> may move or rotate to perform scanning.

Scanning the transfer substrate <NUM> with the absorber <NUM> may include absorbing the liquid L in the plurality of grooves <NUM> by moving the absorber <NUM> to traverse the plurality of grooves <NUM>. While the absorber <NUM> traverses the grooves <NUM>, the liquid L in the grooves <NUM> is absorbed, and in this process, the micro-semiconductor chips <NUM> may be aligned in the grooves <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrates an embodiment of the invention of a chip extraction module <NUM> included in a chip reuse module <NUM>. The chip extraction module <NUM> may extract and collect the micro-semiconductor chips <NUM> remaining on the absorber <NUM> after the scanning of the transfer substrate <NUM> using the absorber <NUM>. For example, the chip extraction module <NUM> may include a liquid spray cleaner <NUM> configured to provided liquid L1 to the absorber <NUM> to extract the micro-semiconductor chips <NUM> from the absorber <NUM>. Here, the liquid L1 may comprise same liquid as the liquid L supplied onto the transfer substrate <NUM>. According to an example embodiment, the liquid spray cleaner <NUM> may be configured to inject or spray the liquid L1 to the absorber <NUM> to extract the micro-semiconductor chips <NUM> from the absorber <NUM>. The liquid spray cleaner <NUM> may be arranged at various positions at which it is able to effectively extract the micro-semiconductor chips <NUM> from the absorber <NUM>. For example, the liquid spray cleaner <NUM> may be arranged above the absorber <NUM>, and spray the liquid L1 toward the absorber <NUM> such that the micro-semiconductor chips <NUM> remaining on the absorber <NUM> are separated from the absorber <NUM>. A reservoir <NUM> may be provided under the absorber <NUM>, and the micro-semiconductor chips <NUM> separated from the absorber <NUM> may be collected in the reservoir <NUM>.

In addition, the liquid spray cleaner <NUM> may be movable to uniformly spray a liquid to the entire absorber <NUM>, or selectively spray the liquid to a certain region of the absorber <NUM>.

The liquid spray cleaner <NUM> may include a pressure device, a flow control valve, a solenoid valve, a pressure gage, one or more nozzles, etc., to spray high-pressure droplets. The area to which the droplets are sprayed may be set to be wider than the area of the absorber <NUM> in which the micro-semiconductor chips <NUM> are attached during the scanning process. The liquid spray cleaner <NUM> may include a plurality of nozzles to simultaneously spray a liquid to a wide area of the absorber <NUM>, or may include a single nozzle to spray liquid while moving the nozzle. The liquid spray cleaner <NUM> including one nozzle may be configured to spray a liquid while rotating the nozzle.

The liquid L1 may be any type of liquid as long as it does not corrode or damage the micro-semiconductor chips <NUM> and the absorber <NUM>. For example, the liquid L1 may include at least one of water, ethanol, alcohol, polyol, ketone, halocarbon, acetone, flux, or an organic solvent. The organic solvent may include, for example, IPA. The liquid L1 is not limited thereto, and may be variously changed.

<FIG> illustrates an embodiment of the invention in which the chip extraction module <NUM> further includes a frame for supporting the absorber <NUM> according to an example embodiment. For example, the chip extraction module <NUM> may include support walls <NUM> each including a holder <NUM> capable of holding both ends of the absorber <NUM>, and a cover <NUM> provided on the support walls <NUM> to cover the holders <NUM>. The support walls <NUM> and the cover <NUM> may be coupled to each other by coupling members <NUM>, e.g., bolts, and the both ends of the absorber <NUM> may be fixed by the holders <NUM>, respectively. The distance between the support walls <NUM> may be adjustable, and may be adjusted according to the width of the absorber <NUM> to tightly hold the ends of the absorber <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrates an example of a modification of the structure of the chip extraction module <NUM> for supporting the absorber <NUM> illustrated in <FIG>, according to another embodiment of the invention.

The chip extraction module <NUM> may include two or more pairs of rollers <NUM> at upper and lower portions of the absorber <NUM>. The absorber <NUM> may be guided and movably supported by the rollers <NUM>. When the absorber <NUM> is moved by the rollers <NUM>, the micro-semiconductor chips <NUM> may be extracted from a wide area of the absorber <NUM> being moved. Alternatively, as described below, the absorber <NUM> may be configured to be continuously moved in a roll-to-roll structure, from the chip alignment module <NUM> to the chip extraction module <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrates another example of the chip extraction module <NUM> according to another embodiment of the invention. The chip extraction module <NUM> may include a frame <NUM> for supporting the absorber <NUM> and a rotatable arm <NUM> coupled to the frame <NUM> and for adjusting the slope of the frame <NUM>. The liquid spray cleaner <NUM> may be positioned to spray the liquid L1 toward the absorber <NUM>. As the slope of the frame <NUM> is adjusted, the liquid L1 may be sprayed onto the entire absorber <NUM>, and thus, the rate of recovery of the micro-semiconductor chips <NUM> from the absorber <NUM> may increase.

<FIG> illustrates another embodiment of the invention in which the chip extraction module illustrated in <FIG> further includes a rotary roll support <NUM> capable of rotating the liquid spray cleaner <NUM>.

The rotary roll support <NUM> may rotate the liquid spray cleaner <NUM> to adjust the angle of the liquid spray cleaner <NUM> toward the absorber <NUM>. The liquid spray cleaner <NUM> may be moved to spray the liquid L1 to the entire absorber <NUM>, and thus, the rate of recovery of the micro-semiconductor chips <NUM> may increase. According to an example embodiment, the liquid spray cleaner <NUM> may be attached to a rotatable arm of the rotary roll support <NUM>. The micro-semiconductor chips <NUM> may be rapidly and efficiently extracted by, selectively, adjusting the slope of the absorber <NUM> by using the rotatable arm <NUM> and/or adjusting the slope of the liquid spray cleaner <NUM> by using the rotary roll support <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrates an example in which a chip extraction module <NUM> includes an ultrasonic cleaner <NUM> according to another example embodiment.

The ultrasonic cleaner <NUM> may be configured to extract the micro-semiconductor chips <NUM> from the absorber <NUM> by emitting ultrasonic waves to the absorber <NUM>. The ultrasonic cleaner <NUM> may include a reservoir <NUM> for accommodating liquid L2, ultrasonic transducers <NUM> attached below the reservoir <NUM> to generate ultrasonic waves, and an ultrasonic generator <NUM> for applying an electrical signal of a certain frequency to the ultrasonic transducers <NUM>. The inner wall of the reservoir <NUM> may be surface-treated such that the micro-semiconductor chips <NUM> do not adhere thereto, or may be made of a material to which the micro-semiconductor chips <NUM> do not adhere.

The ultrasonic transducers <NUM> may be coupled to the reservoir <NUM> accommodating the liquid L2 to vibrate the reservoir <NUM> such that microbubbles are formed by vibration energy and thus the micro-semiconductor chips <NUM> adhered to the absorber <NUM> are extracted. The extracted micro-semiconductor chips <NUM> may sink to the bottom of the reservoir <NUM>, and then be collected by opening a valve <NUM> coupled to the reservoir <NUM>.

The ultrasonic cleaner <NUM> may extract the micro-semiconductor chips <NUM> from the absorber <NUM> by using a cavitation effect of ultrasonic waves. Cavitation refers to a phenomenon in which a change in the pressure of a medium, e.g., the liquid L2, caused by a change in the speed of the medium when ultrasonic waves propagate through the medium, causes the formation of microbubbles (cavities) in the medium. The micro-semiconductor chips <NUM> may be extracted by using the cavitation effect and the particle acceleration effect of ultrasonic waves. By using such effects, the micro-semiconductor chips <NUM> stuck between the surface and the inner fiber tissue of the absorber <NUM> may be extracted. The microbubbles formed due to propagation of the ultrasonic waves reach the surface of the absorber <NUM> or even penetrate into the absorber <NUM>, and then burst at a high pressure to generate energy. Consequently, the micro-semiconductor chips <NUM> remaining on the surface and inside the absorber <NUM> are withdrawn to the outside.

The degree of cavitation is proportional to the surface tension of the liquid L2 and is inversely proportional to the temperature, the frequency, the amount of dissolved gas, and the vapor pressure of the liquid L2. Accordingly, as the temperature of the liquid L2 increases, the degree of cavitation decreases, and thus it is preferable to perform ultrasonic cleaning at room temperature. As the amount of dissolved gas increases, the degree of cavitation decreases, and thus it is preferable to use a solution with a low amount of dissolved gas.

As the frequency of ultrasonic waves increases, the degree of cavitation decreases, thus the physical force applied to the absorber <NUM> decreases, but the cavitation density increases, and thus the penetration force may be improved. Therefore, selection of an appropriate frequency is critical. For example, the ultrasonic cleaner <NUM> may include frequencies in the range of <NUM> to <NUM>.

As the surface tension of the liquid L2 decreases, the degree of cavitation decreases, thus the physical force applied to the absorber <NUM> decreases, but the cavitation density increases, and thus the penetration force may be improved. Because the surface tension of acetone or ethanol is less than that of water, the degree of cavitation may be low, but the penetration force may be improved. The surface tension may be adjusted by mixing water with acetone or ethanol.

According to another example illustrated in <FIG>, the ultrasonic cleaner <NUM> is different from that illustrated in <FIG> in that the absorber <NUM> is movably supported in a roll-to-roll structure. The absorber <NUM> may be supported by a plurality of rollers <NUM>, and an area from which the micro-semiconductor chips <NUM> are to be collected may be limited by the rollers <NUM> to be positioned in the liquid L2. The plurality of rollers <NUM> may include a pair of rollers arranged outside the reservoir <NUM>, and two pairs of rollers for allowing a chip extraction area of the absorber <NUM> to be in the reservoir <NUM>. While a chip extraction process is not performed, the rollers <NUM> may be positioned not to be in contact with the absorber <NUM>. After scanning, when the absorber <NUM> used for the scanning is moved and positioned at the center of the reservoir <NUM>, the rollers <NUM> may press the absorber <NUM> to be fixed. Then, the rollers <NUM> may be moved such that the absorber <NUM> is immersed in the liquid L2 in the reservoir <NUM>. Then, the micro-semiconductor chips <NUM> may be separated from the absorber <NUM> by cavitation caused by using the ultrasonic transducers <NUM>. After extraction of the micro-semiconductor chips <NUM>, a monitoring device <NUM> may detect whether the micro-semiconductor chips <NUM> remain in the absorber <NUM>. When the micro-semiconductor chips <NUM> remain in the absorber <NUM> according to a result of detection, the ultrasonic cleaning operation described above may be repeated.

<FIG> illustrate examples in which a chip extraction module according to an embodiment of the invention includes a vibration cleaner <NUM>. Referring to <FIG>, the vibration cleaner <NUM> may include a reservoir <NUM> accommodating liquid L3, holders <NUM> provided on the inner wall of the reservoir <NUM> for holding the absorber <NUM>, and the vibrators <NUM> for vibrating the absorber <NUM>. The vibrators <NUM> may be in contact with the absorber <NUM> to directly apply vibration, thereby causing the micro-semiconductor chips <NUM> to be separated from the absorber <NUM>. The vibrators <NUM> may be configured such that a plurality of rods intersect with each other to vibrate the absorber <NUM>. Although <FIG> illustrates an example in which the vibrators <NUM> includes the plurality of rods, the vibrators <NUM> may include a single rod, which may scan the surface of the absorber <NUM> while applying vibration thereto to extract the micro-semiconductor chips <NUM>. The frequency of vibration applied by the vibrators <NUM> may be in an ultrasonic band.

Compared to the absorber <NUM> illustrated in <FIG>, referring to <FIG>, the absorber <NUM> may be supported by a plurality of rollers <NUM>, and may be positioned outside the reservoir <NUM>. In addition, the vibration cleaner <NUM> may be positioned above the absorber <NUM> and vibrate the absorber <NUM> to extract the micro-semiconductor chips <NUM>.

<FIG>, and <FIG> illustrate an example of a chip alignment module <NUM> of a roll-driven type.

The chip alignment module <NUM> may include a supply roller <NUM>, a recovery roller <NUM> spaced apart from the supply roller <NUM>, the absorber <NUM> positioned between the supply roller <NUM> and the recovery roller <NUM> and the absorber <NUM> wound around the supply roller <NUM> and the recovery roller <NUM>, transfer rollers <NUM> arranged below the absorber <NUM>, and a pressing roller <NUM> arranged above the absorber <NUM>. The chip alignment module <NUM> may move toward the transfer substrate <NUM>. The micro-semiconductor chip transfer apparatus <NUM> may be configured by using a roll-to-roll-type absorber transfer apparatus.

In an initial state, the chip alignment module <NUM> may be spaced apart from the transfer substrate <NUM>, and the pressing roller <NUM> may be positioned above the absorber <NUM> not to be in contact with the absorber <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrates a state in which the chip alignment module <NUM> reaches the front end of the transfer substrate <NUM>. The pressing roller <NUM> of the chip alignment module <NUM> may move to cause the absorber <NUM> to be in contact with the transfer substrate <NUM>. At this time, the supply roller <NUM> may perform an unwinding operation and the recovery roller <NUM> may perform a winding operation such that the absorber <NUM> droops with a constant tension. The pressing roller <NUM> may allow the absorber <NUM> to maintain force required for wet alignment.

Referring to <FIG>, as the pressing roller <NUM> moves while pressing the transfer substrate <NUM>, the absorber <NUM> wound around the pressing roller <NUM> may move in contact with the transfer substrate <NUM>. The chip alignment module <NUM> may repeatedly perform scanning in a scanning area to align the micro-semiconductor chips <NUM> in the grooves <NUM> of the transfer substrate <NUM>. In the chip alignment process, the supply roller <NUM> may unwind the absorber <NUM> while the recovery roller <NUM> may wind the absorber <NUM> such that the contact area of the absorber <NUM> with the transfer substrate <NUM> shifts while scanning the transfer substrate <NUM>. In this way, the micro-semiconductor chips <NUM> may be aligned in the grooves <NUM> of the transfer substrate <NUM>. After the chip alignment process is finished, in order to return to the initial state, the pressing roller <NUM> moves upward to reach its initial position, and simultaneously, the supply roller <NUM> and the recovery roller <NUM> performs a winding operation to tighten the absorber <NUM>. The cleaning module <NUM> may be configured in the same manner as described above to remove the micro-semiconductor chips <NUM> remaining on the transfer substrate <NUM>. The chip alignment module <NUM> may further include a tension adjuster <NUM> for adjusting the tension of the absorber <NUM>.

<FIG>, <FIG> illustrate an embodiment of the invention in which the chip alignment module <NUM> and a chip extraction module <NUM> are arranged adjacent to each other, and the absorber <NUM> is configured to be continuously move from the chip alignment module <NUM> to the chip extraction module <NUM>. According to an example embodiment, the chip extraction module <NUM> may be the chip extraction module <NUM> illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG> described above.

The chip alignment module <NUM> in this example is substantially the same as that described with reference to <FIG>, and <FIG>, and thus a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

The chip extraction module <NUM> may include a liquid spray cleaner <NUM>, rollers <NUM> arranged above and below the absorber <NUM>, and a reservoir <NUM> for accommodating liquid L4 and arranged below the liquid spray cleaner <NUM>. The chip alignment module <NUM> and the chip extraction module <NUM> are arranged adjacent to each other between the supply roller <NUM> and the recovery roller <NUM>, and the absorber <NUM> is supported to be movable from the supply roller <NUM> to the recovery roller <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG>, the chip alignment module <NUM> may move, and the absorber <NUM> may be brought in contact with the transfer substrate <NUM> by the pressing roller <NUM>, and thus scan the transfer substrate <NUM>. In addition, referring to <FIG>, after the chip alignment module <NUM> completely scans the transfer substrate <NUM> and reaches the end thereof, the pressing roller <NUM> may stop pressing the absorber <NUM>. Then, when the absorber <NUM> to which the remaining micro-semiconductor chips <NUM> adhere moves toward the chip extraction module <NUM> and is then positioned below the liquid spray cleaner <NUM>, the liquid L4 may be sprayed from the liquid spray cleaner <NUM> to extract the micro-semiconductor chips <NUM>. The extracted micro-semiconductor chips <NUM> may be collected in the reservoir <NUM>. A heater <NUM> may be further provided outside the reservoir <NUM>. The heater <NUM> may be arranged between the chip extraction module <NUM> and the recovery roller <NUM>. The heater <NUM> may dry the absorber <NUM> wet by sprayed liquid.

As described above, in the roll-to-roll structure, the whole process may be performed while the absorber <NUM> continuously moves from the chip alignment module <NUM> to the chip extraction module <NUM>, and accordingly, the time taken for the process may be reduced and the productivity may increase. Although <FIG>, <FIG> illustrate an example in which the liquid spray cleaner <NUM> is employed for the chip extraction module <NUM>, the roll-driven ultrasonic cleaner illustrated in <FIG> or the roll-driven vibration cleaner <NUM> illustrated in <FIG> may be provided instead of the liquid spray cleaner <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrates an example of a combined chip extraction module according to an embodiment of the invention.

According to an example embodiment, a combined chip extraction module <NUM> may include a reservoir <NUM> accommodating the liquid L4, and the absorber <NUM> is positioned between a supply roller <NUM> and a recovery roller <NUM> and wound therearound, and is supported by a plurality of rollers <NUM> between the supply roller <NUM> and the recovery roller <NUM>. In addition, the rollers <NUM> may limit the position of the absorber <NUM> to pass through the liquid L4. An ultrasonic cleaner <NUM> may be provided below the reservoir <NUM>, and a liquid spray cleaner <NUM> may be provided adjacent to a portion of the absorber <NUM> positioned outside the reservoir <NUM>. According to an example embodiment, the combined chip extraction module <NUM> is implemented with a combination of the ultrasonic cleaner <NUM> and the liquid spray cleaner <NUM>. The micro-semiconductor chips <NUM> adhered to the absorber <NUM> may be primarily extracted by ultrasonic waves generated by the ultrasonic cleaner <NUM>, then the liquid spray cleaner <NUM> may spray a liquid onto the absorber <NUM>, and consequently, the remaining micro-semiconductor chips <NUM> may be secondarily extracted. Furthermore, the chip extraction module may be implemented with a combination of the ultrasonic cleaner <NUM> and the vibration cleaner <NUM> (see <FIG>) or a combination of the vibration cleaner <NUM> and the liquid spray cleaner <NUM>. A clamper <NUM> may be further provided to tightly hold the portion of the absorber <NUM> positioned outside the reservoir <NUM>.

<FIG> is a block diagram of a micro-semiconductor chip transfer apparatus 100A according to another example embodiment.

The chip reuse module <NUM> of the micro-semiconductor chip transfer apparatus 100A may further include a recovery module <NUM>, a filtration module <NUM>, and a chip mixing module <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrates an example of a recovery module <NUM> according to an example embodiment not forming part of the invention.

The recovery module <NUM> may recover dummy micro-semiconductor chips 15A. The transfer substrate <NUM> may be supported by a rotatable substrate support <NUM>. The substrate support <NUM> may be rotatably coupled to a case <NUM>. However, the support structure and operation of the substrate support <NUM> are not limited thereto, and may be variously modified. The substrate support <NUM> may support the transfer substrate <NUM> not to be unintentionally moved while the absorber <NUM> and the transfer substrate <NUM> move relatively to each other. The substrate support <NUM> may adsorb and support the lower surface of the transfer substrate <NUM>.

The recovery module <NUM> may include an accommodation unit <NUM> for accommodating the dummy micro-semiconductor chips 15A separated from the transfer substrate <NUM>. The dummy micro-semiconductor chips 15A accommodated in the accommodation unit <NUM> may be reused. The recovery module <NUM> may have a structure in which a liquid flows on a bottom surface <NUM> of the case <NUM> toward the accommodation unit <NUM> such that the dummy micro-semiconductor chips 15A are transferred to the accommodation unit <NUM>. The bottom surface <NUM> may be downwardly inclined toward a drain hole <NUM>. When the dummy micro-semiconductor chips 15A remaining after a transfer process onto the transfer substrate <NUM> are dropped on the bottom surface <NUM> of the case <NUM>, and the liquid is caused to flow in the case <NUM>, the dummy micro-semiconductor chips 15A may be recovered to the accommodation unit <NUM> through the drain hole <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrates an example of the filtration module <NUM> according to an example embodiment not forming part of the invention.

The micro-semiconductor chips <NUM> recovered from at least one of the chip extraction module <NUM> and the recovery module <NUM> may be accommodated in a reservoir <NUM>. The reservoir <NUM> may be substituted with the reservoir <NUM> (<FIG>), <NUM> (<FIG>), <NUM> (<FIG>), <NUM> (<FIG>), or <NUM> (<FIG>) of the chip extraction module described above. Alternatively, the reservoir <NUM> may be substituted with the accommodation unit <NUM> of the recovery module <NUM> described with reference to <FIG>. The reservoir <NUM> is filled with liquid L5 in which the micro-semiconductor chips <NUM> are immersed. Impurities <NUM> may also be accommodated in the reservoir <NUM>. The liquid L5, the micro-semiconductor chips <NUM>, and the impurities <NUM> may constitute a suspension <NUM>. The filtration module <NUM> may remove the impurities <NUM> from the suspension <NUM> and collect only the micro-semiconductor chips <NUM>.

In the suspension <NUM> stored in the reservoir <NUM>, the specific gravity of the micro-semiconductor chip <NUM> may be greater than that of the liquid L5. The specific gravity of the micro-semiconductor chip <NUM> may be two times or greater, for example, four times or greater, or six times or greater the specific gravity of the liquid L5. The specific gravity of the micro-semiconductor chip <NUM> may be less than or equal to <NUM> times the specific gravity of the liquid L5.

For example, the impurities <NUM> may include materials other than the micro-semiconductor chips <NUM>, which are collected together with the micro-semiconductor chips <NUM>. As another example, the impurities <NUM> may include fragments broken off from the micro-semiconductor chips <NUM> due to collision therebetween. Accordingly, the impurities <NUM> may include materials, at least one of the size and mass of which is different from those of the micro-semiconductor chip <NUM>, and may include materials different from that of the micro-semiconductor chip <NUM>, and portions of the micro-semiconductor chips <NUM>, e.g., fragments broken off from the micro-semiconductor chips <NUM>.

The filtration module <NUM> may receive the suspension <NUM> introduced from the reservoir <NUM>, separate a first suspension containing the micro-semiconductor chips <NUM> and a second suspension containing the impurities <NUM> from the suspension <NUM>, and provide only the first suspension to the chip mixing module <NUM>. The chip mixing module <NUM> may gather the collected micro-semiconductor chips <NUM> and supply them to the wet chip supply module <NUM> to be reused.

The filtration module <NUM> may include a substrate <NUM>, an inlet <NUM> through which the suspension <NUM> is introduced from the reservoir <NUM> to the substrate <NUM>, a channel <NUM> through which the suspension <NUM> flows, and a first outlet <NUM> through which the first suspension containing the micro-semiconductor chips <NUM> is discharged to a first reservoir <NUM>. The filtration module <NUM> may further include a second outlet <NUM> through which the second suspension containing the impurities <NUM> is discharged.

The inlet <NUM> may be connected to an outlet <NUM> of the reservoir <NUM>, and the first outlet <NUM> may be connected to an upper region of the first reservoir <NUM>. A difference in pressure allows the suspension <NUM> to naturally pass through the channel <NUM>. The second outlet <NUM> may be connected to a second reservoir <NUM>. The second outlet <NUM> may be connected to an upper region of the second reservoir <NUM> such that the second suspension naturally flows by pressure to be accommodated in the second reservoir <NUM>.

The sizes of the inlet <NUM>, the channel <NUM>, and the first and second outlets <NUM> and <NUM> may be greater than the size of the micro-semiconductor chip <NUM>. For example, the sizes of the inlet <NUM>, the channel <NUM>, and the first and second outlets <NUM> and <NUM> may be in the range of <NUM> µm to <NUM> µm.

The substrate <NUM> may be formed of at least one of silicon, glass, polymer, plastic, or metal, and the channel <NUM> may be embedded in the substrate <NUM>. The filtration module <NUM> may separate the micro-semiconductor chips <NUM> from the impurities <NUM> by using at least one of a microfluidic scheme, an acoustophoretic scheme, a dielectrophoretic scheme, a magnetophoretic scheme, a centrifugal scheme, and a pinched flow fractionation scheme.

As another example, the filtration module <NUM> may include a mesh filter. When the micro-semiconductor chip <NUM> has a size less than those of the impurities <NUM>, the holes of the mesh filter may be formed to be larger than the micro-semiconductor chip <NUM> and smaller than the impurities <NUM>. Accordingly, the impurities <NUM>, the greatest cross-sectional dimension of which is greater than the hole diameter of the mesh filter, may be filtered out. For example, when the cross-sectional dimension of the micro-semiconductor chip <NUM> is <NUM> µm, the hole diameter of the mesh filter may be <NUM> µm or greater.

Alternatively, when the micro-semiconductor chip <NUM> has a size greater than those of the impurities <NUM>, the holes of the mesh filter may be formed to be smaller than the micro-semiconductor chip <NUM> and larger than the impurities <NUM>. For example, when the cross-sectional dimension of the micro-semiconductor chip <NUM> is <NUM> µm, the hole diameter of the mesh filter may be <NUM> µm or less. Small impurities having passed through the mesh filter may be removed, and high-quality micro-semiconductor chips filtered out by the mesh filter may be collected by performing back-flushing.

Alternatively, the filtration module <NUM> may include a microfluidic filter to separate impurities from a continuous flow of fluid. The microfluidic filter may be configured in a passive manner of controlling fine particles in fluid by using the hydrodynamic properties of microfluidic channels, or in an active manner of controlling fine particles in a microfluidic channel by using force applied from the outside of the microfluidic channel.

Referring back to <FIG>, the chip mixing module <NUM> may produce, as necessary, a liquid for use in transfer, from a liquid containing micro-semiconductor chips and from which impurities are filtered out by the filtration module <NUM>. At this time, the chip mixing module <NUM> may adjust the amount of the liquid to allow the suspension being prepared by the wet chip supply module <NUM> to contain an appropriate quantity of chips.

<FIG> illustrates an example of an antistatic module <NUM> included in the micro-semiconductor chip transfer apparatus. The antistatic module <NUM> may supply ions onto the transfer substrate <NUM> to remove static electricity from the transfer substrate <NUM>.

The plurality of micro-semiconductor chips <NUM> are significantly small in size, and accordingly, even weak static electricity may cause them to be damaged or unintentionally moved. Considering this issue, the antistatic module <NUM> may supply ions for preventing an occurrence of static electricity, to the transfer substrate <NUM> or the plurality of micro-semiconductor chips <NUM>.

The antistatic module <NUM> may supply ions for preventing an occurrence of static electricity to the transfer substrate <NUM> before the plurality of micro-semiconductor chips <NUM> are supplied onto the transfer substrate <NUM>. As another example, referring to <FIG>, the antistatic module <NUM> may supply ions for preventing an occurrence of static electricity after the plurality of micro-semiconductor chips <NUM> are supplied onto the transfer substrate <NUM> and their alignment progresses to some extent.

<FIG> is a block diagram of an electronic device <NUM> including a display device manufactured by transferring micro-semiconductor chips.

Referring to <FIG>, the electronic device <NUM> may be provided in a network environment <NUM>. In the network environment <NUM>, the electronic device <NUM> may communicate with another electronic device <NUM> through a first network <NUM> (e.g., a short-range wireless communication network, etc.) or communicate with another electronic device <NUM> and/or a server <NUM> through a second network <NUM> (e.g., a long-range wireless communication network, etc.). The electronic device <NUM> may communicate with the electronic device <NUM> through the server <NUM>. The electronic device <NUM> may include a processor <NUM>, a memory <NUM>, an input device <NUM>, an audio output device <NUM>, a display device <NUM>, an audio module <NUM>, a sensor module <NUM>, an interface <NUM>, a haptic module <NUM>, the camera module <NUM>, a power management module <NUM>, a battery <NUM>, a communication module <NUM>, a subscriber identification module <NUM>, and/or an antenna module <NUM>. Some of these components may be omitted or other components may be additionally included in the electronic device <NUM>. Some of these components may be implemented in one integrated circuit. For example, the sensor module <NUM> (e.g., a fingerprint sensor, an iris sensor, an illuminance sensor, etc.) may be embedded in the display device <NUM> (e.g., a display, etc.) to be implemented.

The processor <NUM> may execute software (e.g., programs <NUM>, etc.) to control one or more other components (e.g., hardware, software components, etc.) of the electronic device <NUM> connected to the processor <NUM>, and may perform a variety of data processing or operations. As part of the data processing or operations, the processor <NUM> may load commands and/or data received from other components (e.g., the sensor module <NUM>, the communication module <NUM>, etc.) into a volatile memory <NUM>, process the commands and/or data stored in the volatile memory <NUM>, and store result data in a nonvolatile memory <NUM>. The nonvolatile memory <NUM> may include an internal memory <NUM> and an external memory <NUM>. The processor <NUM> may include a main processor <NUM> (e.g., a central processing unit, an application processor, etc.) and an auxiliary processor <NUM> (e.g., a graphics processing unit, an image signal processor, a sensor hub processor, a communication processor, etc.) that may operate independently of or together with the main processor <NUM>. The auxiliary processor <NUM> may consume less power than the main processor <NUM>, and may perform a specialized function.

The auxiliary processor <NUM> may control functions and/or states related to some components (e.g., the display device <NUM>, the sensor module <NUM>, the communication module <NUM>, etc.) of the electronic device <NUM>, on behalf of the main processor <NUM> while the main processor <NUM> is in an inactive (e.g., sleep) state, or with the main processor <NUM> while the main processor <NUM> is in an active (e.g., application execution) state. The auxiliary processor <NUM> (e.g., an image signal processor, a communication processor, etc.) may be implemented as part of other functionally relevant components (e.g., the camera module <NUM>, the communication module <NUM>, etc.).

The memory <NUM> may store a variety of data required by components (e.g., the processor <NUM>, the sensor module <NUM>, etc.) of the electronic device <NUM>. The data may include, for example, software (e.g., the programs <NUM>, etc.) and input data and/or output data for commands related thereto. The memory <NUM> may include the volatile memory <NUM> and/or the nonvolatile memory <NUM>.

The programs <NUM> may be stored as software in the memory <NUM>, and may include an operating system <NUM>, middleware <NUM>, and/or an application <NUM>.

The input device <NUM> may receive commands and/or data to be used for the components (e.g., the processor <NUM>, etc.) of the electronic device <NUM> from the outside (e.g., a user, etc.) of the electronic device <NUM>. The input device <NUM> may include a remote controller, a microphone, a mouse, a keyboard, and/or a digital pen (e.g., a stylus pen, etc.).

The audio output device <NUM> may output an audio signal to the outside of the electronic device <NUM>. The audio output device <NUM> may include a speaker and/or a receiver. The speaker may be used for general purposes such as multimedia playback or recording playback, and the receiver may be used to receive an incoming call. The receiver may be combined as part of the speaker or may be implemented as an independent separate device.

The display device <NUM> may visually provide information to the outside of the electronic device <NUM>. The display device <NUM> may include a display, a hologram device, or a projector, and a control circuit for controlling the same. The display device <NUM> may include a display device manufactured by using the micro-semiconductor chip transfer apparatus described with reference to <FIG>. The display device <NUM> may include a touch circuitry configured to detect a touch, and/or a sensor circuitry (e.g., a pressure sensor) configured to measure the strength of force generated by the touch.

The audio module <NUM> may convert a sound into an electrical signal or vice versa. The audio module <NUM> may obtain a sound through the input device <NUM> or may output the sound through the audio output device <NUM> and/or a speaker and/or headphones of another electronic device (e.g., the electronic device <NUM>, etc.) directly or wirelessly connected to the electronic device <NUM>.

The sensor module <NUM> may detect an operating state (e.g., power, temperature, etc.) of the electronic device <NUM> or an external environment state (e.g., a user state, etc.), and may generate an electrical signal and/or a data value corresponding to the detected state. The sensor module <NUM> may include a gesture sensor, a gyro sensor, a barometric sensor, a magnetic sensor, an acceleration sensor, a grip sensor, a proximity sensor, a color sensor, an infrared (IR) sensor, a biometric sensor, a temperature sensor, a humidity sensor, and/or an illuminance sensor.

The interface <NUM> may support one or more designated protocols, which may be used to directly or wirelessly connect the electronic device <NUM> to another electronic device (e.g., the electronic device <NUM>, etc.). The interface <NUM> may include a high-definition multimedia interface (HDMI), a universal serial bus (USB) interface, a secure digital (SD) card interface, and/or an audio interface.

A connection terminal <NUM> may include a connector through which the electronic device <NUM> may be physically connected to another electronic device (e.g., the electronic device <NUM>, etc.). The connection terminal <NUM> may include an HDMI connector, a USB connector, an SD card connector, and/or an audio connector (e.g., a headphone connector, etc.).

The haptic module <NUM> may convert an electrical signal into a mechanical stimulus (e.g., vibration, movement, etc.) or an electrical stimulus that a user may perceive through a tactile or motor sensations. The haptic module <NUM> may include a motor, a piezoelectric element, and/or an electrical stimulation device.

The camera module <NUM> may capture a still image or a moving image. The camera module <NUM> may include a lens assembly including one or more lenses, image sensors, image signal processors, and/or flashes. The lens assembly included in the camera module <NUM> may collect light emitted from an object to be image-captured.

The power management module <NUM> may be implemented as part of a power management integrated circuit (PMIC).

The battery <NUM> may supply power to components of the electronic device <NUM>. The battery <NUM> may include a non-rechargeable primary cell, a rechargeable secondary cell, and/or a fuel cell.

The communication module <NUM> may support establishment of a direct (wired) communication channel and/or a wireless communication channel between the electronic device <NUM> and other electronic devices (e.g., the electronic devices <NUM> and <NUM>, the server <NUM>, etc.), and communication through the established communication channel. The communication module <NUM> may operate independently of the processor <NUM> (e.g., an application processor, etc.), and may include one or more communication processors for supporting direct communication and/or wireless communication. The communication module <NUM> may include a wireless communication module <NUM> (e.g., a cellular communication module, a short-range wireless communication module, a global navigation satellite system (GNSS) communication module, etc.) and/or a wired communication module <NUM> (e.g., a local area network (LAN) communication module, a power line communication module, etc.). The corresponding communication module among these communication modules may communicate with other electronic devices through the first network <NUM> (e.g., a short-range communication network such as Bluetooth, Wi-Fi Direct, or Infrared Data Association (IrDA)) or the second network <NUM> (e.g., a long-range communication network such as a cellular network, the Internet, or a computer network (a LAN, a wide area network (WAN))). These various types of communication modules may be integrated into a single component (e.g., a single chip, etc.) or may be implemented as a plurality of separate components (e.g., a plurality of chips). The wireless communication module <NUM> may identify and authenticate the electronic device <NUM> within a communication network such as the first network <NUM> and/or the second network <NUM> by using subscriber information (e.g., an international mobile subscriber identifier (IMSI), etc.) stored in the subscriber identification module <NUM>.

The antenna module <NUM> may transmit or receive a signal and/or power to or from the outside (e.g., other electronic devices, etc.). An antenna may include a radiator made of a conductive pattern formed on a substrate (e.g., a printed circuit board (PCB), etc.). The antenna module <NUM> may include one or more antennas. When a plurality of antennas is included, the communication module <NUM> may select an antenna suitable for a communication scheme used in a communication network such as the first network <NUM> and/or the second network <NUM>, from among the plurality of antennas. A signal and/or power may be transmitted or received between the communication module <NUM> and other electronic devices through the selected antenna. In addition to the antenna, other components (e.g., a radio-frequency integrated circuit (RFIC), etc.) may be included as part of the antenna module <NUM>.

Some of the components may be connected to each other and exchange signals (e.g., commands, data, etc.) through a communication method between peripheral devices (e.g., a bus, a general-purpose input and output (GPIO), a serial peripheral interface (SPI), a mobile industry processor interface (MIPI), etc.).

Commands or data may be transmitted or received between the electronic device <NUM> and the external electronic device <NUM> through the server <NUM> connected to the second network <NUM>. The other electronic devices <NUM> and <NUM> may be of a type that is the same as or different from the electronic device <NUM>. All or some of the operations executed by the electronic device <NUM> may be executed by one or more of the other electronic devices <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM>. For example, when the electronic device <NUM> is required to perform a certain function or service, the electronic device <NUM> may request one or more other electronic devices to perform some or all of the function or service instead of executing the function or service by itself. The one or more other electronic devices that have received the request may execute an additional function or service related to the request, and may transmit a result of the execution to the electronic device <NUM>. To this end, cloud computing, distributed computing, and/or client-server computing technologies may be used.

<FIG> illustrates an example in which an electronic device is applied to a mobile device <NUM>, according to an example embodiment. The mobile device <NUM> may include a display device <NUM>, which may have a foldable structure, e.g., a multi-foldable structure.

<FIG> illustrates an example in which a display device is applied to a vehicle, according to an example embodiment. The display device may be a vehicle head-up display device <NUM>, and may include a display <NUM> provided at one area of a vehicle, and an optical path changing member <NUM> for changing an optical path to allow a driver to view an image generated by the display <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrates an example in which a display device is applied to augmented reality glasses or virtual reality glasses <NUM>, according to an example embodiment. The augmented reality glasses <NUM> may include a projection system <NUM> configured to form an image, and an element <NUM> configured to guide the image from the projection system <NUM> to reach an eye of a user.

<FIG> illustrates an example in which a display device is applied to a large-size signage <NUM>, according to an example embodiment. The signage <NUM> may be used for outdoor advertising using a digital information display, and the content of an advertisement may be controlled through a communication network. The signage <NUM> may be implemented, e.g., by using the electronic device <NUM> described with reference to <FIG>.

<FIG> illustrates an example in which a display device is applied to a wearable display <NUM>, according to an example embodiment. The wearable display <NUM> may include a display device manufactured by using the micro-semiconductor chip transfer apparatus according to an example embodiment, and may be implemented by using the electronic device <NUM> described with reference to <FIG>.

The display device according to an example embodiment may be applied to various products such as a rollable television (TV) or a stretchable display.

The micro-semiconductor chip transfer apparatus according to an example embodiment may efficiently transfer micro-semiconductor chips onto a display device by using a fluidic self assembly method. In addition, the micro-semiconductor chip transfer apparatus includes a chip extraction module for extracting micro-semiconductor chips remaining in an absorber after a transfer process to reuse the extracted micro-semiconductor chips, and thus, the amount of waste micro-semiconductor chips may be reduced and production costs may also be reduced.

Claim 1:
A micro-semiconductor chip transfer apparatus (<NUM>) for wet-aligning a plurality of micro-semiconductor chips (<NUM>) in a plurality of grooves (<NUM>) of a transfer substrate (<NUM>), the micro-semiconductor chip transfer apparatus comprising:
a wet chip supply module (<NUM>) configured to supply the plurality of micro-semiconductor chips (<NUM>) and a first liquid (L) onto the transfer substrate (<NUM>) in a flowable manner characterized by
a chip alignment module (<NUM>) comprising an absorber (<NUM>) configured to move along a surface of the transfer substrate (<NUM>) to align first micro-semiconductor chips (<NUM>), among the plurality of micro-semiconductor chips, respectively in the plurality of grooves (<NUM>) and to absorb the first liquid (L); and
a chip extraction module (<NUM>) configured to extract, from the absorber (<NUM>), second micro-semiconductor chips (<NUM>), among the plurality of micro-semiconductor chips, which are attached to the absorber (<NUM>).