U.S. patent application number 16/681367 was filed with the patent office on 2020-05-21 for component carrier with improved toughness factor.
The applicant listed for this patent is AT&S (China) Co. Ltd.. Invention is credited to Artan Baftiri, Mikael Tuominen.
Application Number | 20200163211 16/681367 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 68473375 |
Filed Date | 2020-05-21 |
United States Patent
Application |
20200163211 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Baftiri; Artan ; et
al. |
May 21, 2020 |
Component Carrier With Improved Toughness Factor
Abstract
A component carrier is provided, which includes a stack having
at least one electrically conductive layer structure and/or at
least one electrically insulating layer structure; a component on
the stack; and stress propagation suppressing particles in at least
part of the stack suppressing propagation of stress through the
component carrier.
Inventors: |
Baftiri; Artan; (Shanghai,
CN) ; Tuominen; Mikael; (Shanghai, CN) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
AT&S (China) Co. Ltd. |
Shanghai |
|
CN |
|
|
Family ID: |
68473375 |
Appl. No.: |
16/681367 |
Filed: |
November 12, 2019 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
C08L 63/00 20130101;
H05K 1/188 20130101; H05K 2201/0209 20130101; H05K 2201/068
20130101; H05K 1/0373 20130101; H05K 1/185 20130101 |
International
Class: |
H05K 1/03 20060101
H05K001/03; H05K 1/18 20060101 H05K001/18; C08L 63/00 20060101
C08L063/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Nov 21, 2018 |
CN |
201821928593.8 |
Claims
1. A component carrier, comprising: a stack comprising at least one
electrically conductive layer structure and/or at least one
electrically insulating layer structure; a component on the stack;
and stress propagation suppressing particles in at least part of
the stack suppressing propagation of stress through the component
carrier.
2. The component carrier according to claim 1, wherein the stress
propagation suppressing particles are filler particles configured
for reducing a difference in thermal expansion between material of
the stack and material of the component.
3. The component carrier according to claim 1, wherein the stress
propagation suppressing particles are filler particles comprising a
dielectric material.
4. The component carrier according to claim 1, wherein the stress
propagation suppressing particles are filler particles comprising a
ceramic material and/or an amorphous material.
5. The component carrier according to claim 1, wherein the stress
propagation suppressing particles are filler particles comprising
at least one selected from the group consisting of quartz, aluminum
oxide or glass.
6. The component carrier according to claim 1, wherein the stress
propagation suppressing particles are filler particles having an
average particle size in a range of from 15 nm to 20 .mu.m.
7. The component carrier according to claim 1, wherein a volume
percentage of stress propagation suppressing particles in the at
least part of the stack comprising the stress propagation
suppressing particles is from 30% to 95%.
8. The component carrier according to claim 1, wherein the
electrically insulating layer structure has a coefficient of
thermal expansion (CTE) value below 30 ppm/.degree. C., in
particular below 15 ppm/.degree. C.
9. The component carrier according to claim 1, wherein stress
propagation suppressing particles are contained in at least part of
at least one electrically insulating layer structure.
10. The component carrier according to claim 1, wherein stress
propagation suppressing particles are contained in at least part of
at least one electrically conductive layer structure.
11. The component carrier according to claim 1, wherein stress
propagation suppressing particles are contained in at least part of
electrically conductive connections, in particular electrically
conductive connections to the component.
12. The component carrier according to claim 1, wherein the
component is at least partially surrounded by the stress
propagation suppressing particles.
13. The component carrier according to claim 1, wherein stress
propagation suppressing particles are contained in at least part of
at least one electrically insulating layer structure and in at
least part of at least one electrically conductive layer
structure.
14. The component carrier according to claim 1, wherein stress
propagation suppressing particles are contained in at least part of
at least one electrically conductive layer structure and in at
least part of electrically conductive connections, in particular
electrically conductive connections to the component.
15. The component carrier according to claim 1, wherein stress
propagation suppressing particles are contained in at least part of
at least one electrically insulating layer structure, in at least
part of at least one electrically conductive layer structure and in
at least part of electrically conductive connections, in particular
electrically conductive connections to the component.
16. The component carrier according to claim 1, wherein the
component, in particular an electronic component, is mounted on
and/or embedded in the at least one electrically insulating layer
structure and/or at least one electrically conductive layer
structure.
17. The component carrier according to claim 1, wherein the
component is selected from a group consisting of an electronic
component, an electrically non-conductive and/or electrically
conductive inlay, a heat transfer unit, a light guiding element, an
active electronic component, a passive electronic component, an
electronic chip, a storage device, a filter, an integrated circuit,
a signal processing component, a power management component, an
optoelectronic interface element, a light emitting diode, a
photocoupler, a voltage converter, a cryptographic component, a
transmitter and/or receiver, an electromechanical transducer, a
sensor, an actuator, a microelectromechanical system, a
microprocessor, a capacitor, a resistor, an inductance, a battery,
a switch, a camera, an antenna, a magnetic element, a further
component carrier and a logic chip, and an energy harvesting
unit.
18. The component carrier according to claim 1, wherein the
electrically conductive layer structures comprise at least one of
the group consisting of copper, aluminum, nickel, silver, gold,
palladium, and tungsten, any of the mentioned materials being
optionally coated with supra-conductive material such as
graphene.
19. The component carrier according to claim 1, wherein the at
least one electrically insulating layer structure comprises at
least one of the group consisting of resin, in particular
reinforced or non-reinforced resin, for instance epoxy resin or
Bismaleimide-Triazine resin, FR-4, FR-5, cyanate ester,
polyphenylene derivate, glass, prepreg material, polyimide,
polyamide, liquid crystal polymer, epoxy-based build-up material,
such as epoxy-based build-up film, polytetrafluoroethylene, a
ceramic, and a metal oxide.
20. The component carrier according to claim 1, wherein the
component carrier is shaped as a plate; and/or wherein the
component carrier is configured as one of the group consisting of a
printed circuit board, and a substrate; and/or wherein the
component carrier is configured as a laminate-type component
carrier.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims the benefit of the filing date of
Chinese Utility Model Application No. 201821928593.8, filed Nov.
21, 2018, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated herein by
reference.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] Embodiments of the invention relate to a component carrier.
In particular, embodiments of the invention relate to a component
carrier having an improved toughness factor.
TECHNOLOGICAL BACKGROUND
[0003] In the context of growing product functionalities of
component carriers equipped with one or more components and
increasing miniaturization of such components as well as a rising
number of components to be mounted on component carriers such as
printed circuit boards (PCBs), increasingly more powerful
array-like components or packages having several components are
being employed, which have a plurality of contacts or connections,
with ever smaller spacing between these contacts. Temperature
changes, for instance resulting from heat generated by the
components and/or from environmental influences (e.g. solar
irradiation, coldness) become a more and more challenging issue for
such miniaturized component carriers. Repeated temperature changes
or temperature cycles may lead to mechanical stress within the
component carrier, in particular between materials exhibiting
significantly different thermal expansion characteristics. As a
result of such mechanical stress, the toughness of the component
carrier may be impaired and/or cracks may occur within the
component carrier.
SUMMARY
[0004] There may be a need to provide a component carrier with an
improved toughness factor and/or improved resistance to repeated
temperature changes.
[0005] A component carrier according to the independent claim is
provided.
[0006] According to an exemplary embodiment of the invention, a
component carrier is provided, which comprises a stack comprising
at least one electrically conductive layer structure and/or at
least one electrically insulating layer structure, a component on
the stack, and stress propagation suppressing particles (which may
also be referred herein as "crack propagation reducing particles"
or simply as "filler particles") in at least part of the stack
suppressing propagation of stress (in particular reducing the
propagation of cracks and/or increasing the required energy level
for stress propagation) through the component carrier.
Overview of Embodiments
[0007] In the context of the present application, the term "stress
propagation suppressing particles" may particularly denote
particles of any shape which are capable of suppressing propagation
of stress through the component carrier and/or which are capable of
compensating (or reducing) a difference in thermal expansion
between materials, in particular between material of the stack
(such as electrically conductive material and/or electrically
insulating material) and material of the component (such as
silicon). More specifically, stress propagation suppressing
particles may be capable of adjusting or amending thermal expansion
characteristics (e.g. a coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE)
value) of a first material in which they are contained such that
the difference between the thermal expansion characteristics of the
first material approaches or is rendered similar, preferably
substantially identical, to the thermal expansion characteristics
of a second material (which may or may not comprise stress
propagation suppressing particles) adjacent to the first material.
Hence, by appropriately selecting the type and/or the amount of
stress propagation suppressing particles, it may be possible to
substantially suppress mechanical stress within the component
carrier (in particular the propagation of stress through the
component carrier) resulting from repeated temperature changes or
temperature cycles.
[0008] In the following, further exemplary embodiments of the
component carrier as well as of a method of manufacturing a
component carrier and a method of using filler particles will be
explained. However, the present invention is not limited to the
following specific descriptions of exemplary embodiments, but they
are rather for illustrative purposes only.
[0009] It should be noted that features described in connection
with one exemplary embodiment or exemplary aspect may be combined
with any other exemplary embodiment or exemplary aspect, in
particular features described with any exemplary embodiment of a
component carrier may be combined with any other exemplary
embodiment of a component carrier and any exemplary embodiment of a
method of manufacturing a component carrier and a method of using
filler particles and vice versa, unless specifically stated
otherwise.
[0010] Where an indefinite or definite article is used when
referring to a singular term, such as "a", "an" or "the", a plural
of that term is also included and vice versa, unless specifically
stated otherwise, whereas the word "one" or the number "1", as used
herein, typically means "just one" or "exactly one".
[0011] It should be noted that the term "comprising" does not
exclude other elements or steps and, as used herein, includes not
only the meaning of "comprising", "including" or "containing", but
also encompasses "consisting essentially of" and "consisting
of".
[0012] Unless specifically stated otherwise, the expressions "at
least partially", "at least partly", "at least part of" or "at
least a part of", as used herein, may mean at least 1% thereof, in
particular at least 5% thereof, in particular at least 10% thereof,
in particular at least 15% thereof, in particular at least 20%
thereof, in particular at least 25% thereof, in particular at least
30% thereof, in particular at least 35% thereof, in particular at
least 40% thereof, in particular at least 45% thereof, in
particular at least 50% thereof, in particular at least 55%
thereof, in particular at least 60% thereof, in particular at least
65% thereof, in particular at least 70% thereof, in particular at
least 75% thereof, in particular at least 80% thereof, in
particular at least 85% thereof, in particular at least 90%
thereof, in particular at least 95% thereof, in particular at least
98% thereof, and may also include 100% thereof.
[0013] In an embodiment, the stress propagation suppressing
particles are filler particles configured for reducing (in
particular for compensating) a difference in thermal expansion
between material of the stack and material of the component. This
may provide the advantage that upon thermal impact, such as heating
or cooling, the material of the stack (such as electrically
conductive material and/or electrically insulating material) and
the material of the component (such as silicon) may expand or
shrink to a similar or substantially same degree, thereby reducing
(in particular suppressing or avoiding) mechanical stress resulting
from differently expanding or shrinking materials. As a result, the
occurrence of cracks and/or warpage of the component carrier may be
reduced (in particular suppressed or avoided). For example, if
material of the stack (such as electrically conductive material
and/or electrically insulating material) has a smaller coefficient
of thermal expansion (CTE) value than material of the component
(such as silicon), filler particles may be selected which increase
the (overall) CTE value of stack material including the filler
particles. On the other hand, if material of the stack (such as
electrically conductive material and/or electrically insulating
material) has a larger coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) value
than material of the component (such as silicon), filler particles
may be selected which reduce the (overall) CTE value of stack
material including the filler particles.
[0014] In an embodiment, the stress propagation suppressing
particles are filler particles comprising a dielectric material.
Dielectric materials may provide for a particular suitable thermal
expansion compensation and/or stress propagation suppressing
effect. In addition, filler particles comprising a dielectric
material may be contained in electrically insulating material
without significantly impairing its electrically insulating
properties. In other words, by using filler particles comprising a
dielectric material it may be avoided that the electrically
insulating material becomes electrically conductive. On the other
hand, filler particles comprising a dielectric material may also be
contained in electrically conductive material without significantly
impairing its electrically conductive properties. Thus, filler
particles comprising a dielectric material may be versatilely
utilized both in an electrically insulating material and/or in an
electrically conductive material of a stack of a component
carrier.
[0015] In an embodiment, the stress propagation suppressing
particles are filler particles comprising a ceramic material (such
as quartz or aluminum oxide) and/or an amorphous material (such as
glass). Ceramic materials and/or amorphous materials may provide
for a particular suitable thermal expansion compensation and/or
stress propagation suppressing effect. In addition, filler
particles comprising a ceramic material and/or an amorphous
material may be contained in electrically insulating material
without significantly impairing its electrically insulating
properties. In other words, by using filler particles comprising a
ceramic material and/or an amorphous material it may be avoided
that the electrically insulating material becomes electrically
conductive. On the other hand, filler particles comprising a
ceramic material and/or an amorphous material may also be contained
in electrically conductive material without significantly impairing
its electrically conductive properties. Thus, filler particles
comprising a ceramic material and/or an amorphous material may be
versatilely utilized both in an electrically insulating material
and/or in an electrically conductive material of a stack of a
component carrier.
[0016] In an embodiment, the stress propagation suppressing
particles are filler particles comprising at least one selected
from the group consisting of quartz, aluminum oxide or glass. These
are particularly suitable examples for materials for providing a
thermal expansion compensation and/or stress propagation
suppressing effect and which may be versatilely utilized both in an
electrically insulating material and/or in an electrically
conductive material of a stack of a component carrier.
[0017] In an embodiment, the stress propagation suppressing
particles or filler particles are made of a material other than the
material of the at least part of the stack comprising the stress
propagation suppressing particles. In other words, the stress
propagation suppressing particles or filler particles may be made
of a different material than the material of the at least part of
the stack (for instance the material of the electrically conductive
layer structure and/or the material of the at least one
electrically insulating layer structure) comprising the stress
propagation suppressing particles.
[0018] In an embodiment, the stress propagation suppressing
particles are filler particles having an average particle size (or
average particle diameter) in a range of from 15 nm to 20 .mu.m, in
particular between 15 nm and 20 .mu.m. For instance, the average
particle size of the filler particles may be in a range of from 25
nm to 15 .mu.m, such as from 50 nm to 10 .mu.m, such as from 100 nm
to 5 .mu.m, such as from 250 nm to 2.5 .mu.m, such as from 500 nm
to 1 .mu.m. The determination of an average particle size (or
average particle diameter) is known to a person skilled in the art
and can be performed for instance by visual microscopic observation
with an appropriate magnification, for instance by using an
electron microscope (such as a transmission electron microscope,
TEM) and by randomly selecting an appropriate number of particles
and calculating the average of the individual particle diameters.
The determination of an average particle size (or average particle
diameter) can also be performed for instance using light
diffraction, for instance dynamic light scattering, for instance
using X-ray diffraction, of an appropriate sample size and particle
concentration.
[0019] The shape of the stress propagation suppressing particles or
filler particles is not particularly limited, and any shape
thereof, such as spherical, polyhedral, regular or irregular, may
be suitable.
[0020] The stress propagation suppressing particles or filler
particles may be of a core/shell type or the stress propagation
suppressing particles or filler particles may have a homogeneous
(uniform) constitution.
[0021] In an embodiment, a volume percentage of stress propagation
suppressing particles in the at least part of the stack comprising
the stress propagation suppressing particles is from 30% to 95%,
such as from 40% to 90%, in particular from 50% to 80%. By taking
this measure, an appropriate thermal expansion compensation and/or
stress propagation suppressing effect may be achieved. In addition,
a volume percentage of stress propagation suppressing particles as
described above contained in electrically insulating material
and/or electrically conductive material may maintain its respective
electrically insulating properties and/or electrically conductive
properties.
[0022] In an embodiment, the electrically insulating layer
structure has a coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) value below
30 ppm/.degree. C., in particular below 15 ppm/.degree. C. On the
other hand, the electrically insulating layer structure may have a
coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) value of more than 0.5
ppm/.degree. C., in particular more than 1 ppm/.degree. C. By
taking this measure, a particular efficient thermal expansion
compensation and/or stress propagation suppressing effect may be
achieved by stress propagation suppressing particles contained in
such electrically insulating layer structure.
[0023] In an embodiment, (the whole or at least part of the) stress
propagation suppressing particles are contained in at least part of
at least one electrically insulating layer structure. This may be
advantageous if particularly at least part of the at least one
electrically insulating layer structure exhibits a substantial
difference in CTE value with regard to material of the
component.
[0024] In an embodiment, (the whole or at least part of the) stress
propagation suppressing particles are contained in at least part of
at least one electrically conductive layer structure. This may be
advantageous if particularly at least part of the at least one
electrically conductive layer structure exhibits a substantial
difference in CTE value with regard to material of the
component.
[0025] In an embodiment, (the whole or at least part of the) stress
propagation suppressing particles are contained in at least part of
electrically conductive connections, in particular electrically
conductive connections to the component. This may be advantageous
if particularly at least part of the electrically conductive
connections, in particular the electrically conductive connections
to the component, exhibits a substantial difference in CTE value
with regard to material of the component. Electrically conductive
connections may be considered as a part of the electrically
conductive layer structures. Electrically conductive connections to
the component may be portions of electrically conductive material
in close proximity, in particular in physical contact, to the
components. Electrically conductive connections to the component
may be provided at at least one, two, three, four five or all six
sides of the component.
[0026] In an embodiment, the component is at least partially
surrounded by the stress propagation suppressing particles. For
instance, at least one, two, three, four or five sides of the
component are surrounded by the stress propagation suppressing
particles. By taking this measure, a thermal expansion compensation
and/or stress propagation suppressing effect resulting from the
provision of stress propagation suppressing particles may be
tailored according to the actual needs, in particular only at that
positions or sides of the components where a particular difference
in thermal expansion characteristics occurs and/or which are
particularly prone to mechanical stress or cracks.
[0027] In an embodiment, the component is substantially completely
surrounded by the stress propagation suppressing particles. By
taking this measure, a particular complete and efficient thermal
expansion compensation and/or stress propagation suppressing effect
may be achieved.
[0028] In an embodiment, the component is (at least partially or
even completely) embedded within the stack comprising at least one
electrically conductive layer structure and/or at least one
electrically insulating layer structure.
[0029] In an embodiment, (the whole or at least part of the) stress
propagation suppressing particles are contained in at least part of
at least one electrically insulating layer structure and in at
least part of at least one electrically conductive layer structure.
This may be advantageous if particularly at least part of the at
least one electrically insulating layer structure and at least part
of the at least one electrically conductive layer structure exhibit
a substantial difference in CTE value with regard to material of
the component.
[0030] In an embodiment, (the whole or at least part of the) stress
propagation suppressing particles are contained in at least part of
at least one electrically conductive layer structure and in at
least part of electrically conductive connections, in particular
electrically conductive connections to the component. This may be
advantageous if particularly at least part of the at least one
electrically conductive layer structure and at least part of the
electrically conductive connections, in particular the electrically
conductive connections to the component, exhibit a substantial
difference in CTE value with regard to material of the
component.
[0031] In an embodiment, (the whole or at least part of the) stress
propagation suppressing particles are contained in at least part of
at least one electrically insulating layer structure, in at least
part of at least one electrically conductive layer structure and in
at least part of electrically conductive connections, in particular
electrically conductive connections to the component. This may be
advantageous if particularly at least part of the at least one
electrically insulating layer structure, at least part of the at
least one electrically conductive layer structure and at least part
of the electrically conductive connections, in particular the
electrically conductive connections to the component, exhibit a
substantial difference in CTE value with regard to material of the
component.
[0032] In the context of the present application, the term
"component carrier" may particularly denote any support structure
which is capable of accommodating one or more components thereon
and/or therein for providing mechanical support and/or electrical
connectivity. In other words, a component carrier may be configured
as a mechanical and/or electronic carrier for components. In
particular, a component carrier may be one of a printed circuit
board, an organic interposer, and an IC (integrated circuit)
substrate. A component carrier may also be a hybrid board combining
different ones of the above-mentioned types of component
carriers.
[0033] In an embodiment, the component carrier comprises a stack of
at least one electrically insulating layer structure and at least
one electrically conductive layer structure. For example, the
component carrier may be a laminate of the mentioned electrically
insulating layer structure(s) and electrically conductive layer
structure(s), in particular formed by applying mechanical pressure
and/or thermal energy. The mentioned stack may provide a
plate-shaped component carrier capable of providing a large
mounting surface for further components and being nevertheless very
thin and compact. The term "layer structure" may particularly
denote a continuous layer, a patterned layer or a plurality of
non-consecutive islands within a common plane.
[0034] In an embodiment, the component carrier is shaped as a
plate. This contributes to the compact design, wherein the
component carrier nevertheless provides a large basis for mounting
components thereon. Furthermore, in particular a naked die as
example for an embedded electronic component, can be conveniently
embedded, thanks to its small thickness, into a thin plate such as
a printed circuit board.
[0035] In an embodiment, the component carrier is configured as one
of the group consisting of a printed circuit board, and a substrate
(in particular an IC substrate).
[0036] In the context of the present application, the term "printed
circuit board" (PCB) may particularly denote a plate-shaped
component carrier which is formed by laminating several
electrically conductive layer structures with several electrically
insulating layer structures, for instance by applying pressure
and/or by the supply of thermal energy. As preferred materials for
PCB technology, the electrically conductive layer structures are
made of copper, whereas the electrically insulating layer
structures may comprise resin and/or glass fibers, so-called
prepreg such as FR4 material. The various electrically conductive
layer structures may be connected to one another in a desired way
by forming through-holes through the laminate, for instance by
laser drilling or mechanical drilling, and by filling them with
electrically conductive material (in particular copper), thereby
forming vias as through-hole connections. Apart from one or more
components which may be embedded in a printed circuit board, a
printed circuit board is usually configured for accommodating one
or more components on one or both opposing surfaces of the
plate-shaped printed circuit board. They may be connected to the
respective main surface by soldering. A dielectric part of a PCB
may be composed of resin with reinforcing particles (such as
reinforcing spheres, in particular glass spheres).
[0037] In the context of the present application, the term
"substrate" may particularly denote a small component carrier
having substantially the same size as a component (in particular an
electronic component) to be mounted thereon. More specifically, a
substrate can be understood as a carrier for electrical connections
or electrical networks as well as component carrier comparable to a
printed circuit board (PCB), however with a considerably higher
density of laterally and/or vertically arranged connections.
Lateral connections are for example conductive paths, whereas
vertical connections may be for example drill holes. These lateral
and/or vertical connections are arranged within the substrate and
can be used to provide electrical and/or mechanical connections of
housed components or unhoused components (such as bare dies),
particularly of IC chips, with a printed circuit board or
intermediate printed circuit board. Thus, the term "substrate" also
includes "IC substrates". A dielectric part of a substrate may be
composed of resin with reinforcing particles (such as reinforcing
spheres, in particular glass spheres).
[0038] In an embodiment, the at least one electrically insulating
layer structure comprises at least one of the group consisting of
resin (such as reinforced or non-reinforced resins, for instance
epoxy resin or bismaleimide-triazine resin), cyanate ester,
polyphenylene derivate, glass (in particular glass fibers,
multi-layer glass, glass-like materials), prepreg material (such as
FR-4 or FR-5), polyimide, polyamide, liquid crystal polymer (LCP),
epoxy-based build-up material (such as epoxy-based build-up film),
polytetrafluoroethylene (Teflon), a ceramic, and a metal oxide.
Reinforcing materials such as webs, fibers or spheres, for example
made of glass (multilayer glass) may be used as well. Although
prepreg particularly FR4 are usually preferred for rigid PCBs,
other materials in particular epoxy-based build-up film for
substrates may be used as well. For high frequency applications,
high-frequency materials such as polytetrafluoroethylene, liquid
crystal polymer and/or cyanate ester resins, low temperature
cofired ceramics (LTCC) or other low, very low or ultra-low
DK-materials may be implemented in the component carrier as
electrically insulating layer structure.
[0039] In an embodiment, the at least one electrically conductive
layer structure comprises at least one of the group consisting of
copper, aluminum, nickel, silver, gold, palladium, and tungsten.
Although copper is usually preferred, other materials or coated
versions thereof are possible as well, in particular coated with
supra-conductive material such as graphene.
[0040] The at least one component can be selected from a group
consisting of an electrically non-conductive inlay, an electrically
conductive inlay (such as a metal inlay, preferably comprising
copper or aluminum), a heat transfer unit (for example a heat
pipe), a light guiding element (for example an optical waveguide or
a light conductor connection, an electronic component, or
combinations thereof). For example, the component can be an active
electronic component, a passive electronic component, an electronic
chip, a storage device (for instance a DRAM or another data
memory), a filter, an integrated circuit, a signal processing
component, a power management component, an optoelectronic
interface element, a light emitting diode, a photocoupler, a
voltage converter (for example a DC/DC converter or an AC/DC
converter), a cryptographic component, a transmitter and/or
receiver, an electromechanical transducer, a sensor, an actuator, a
microelectromechanical system (MEMS), a microprocessor, a
capacitor, a resistor, an inductance, a battery, a switch, a
camera, an antenna, a logic chip, and an energy harvesting unit.
However, other components may be embedded in the component carrier.
For example, a magnetic element can be used as a component. Such a
magnetic element may be a permanent magnetic element (such as a
ferromagnetic element, an antiferromagnetic element or a
ferrimagnetic element, for instance a ferrite core) or may be a
paramagnetic element. However, the component may also be a
substrate, an interposer or a further component carrier, for
example in a board-in-board configuration. The component may be
surface mounted on the component carrier and/or may be embedded in
an interior thereof. Moreover, also other components, in particular
those which generate and emit electromagnetic radiation and/or are
sensitive with regard to electromagnetic radiation propagating from
an environment, may be used as component.
[0041] In an embodiment, the component carrier is a laminate-type
component carrier. In such an embodiment, the component carrier is
a compound of multiple layer structures which are stacked and
connected together by applying a pressing force and/or heat.
[0042] In an embodiment, the substrate or interposer may consist of
at least a layer of glass, silicon (Si) or a photo-imageable or
dry-etchable organic material like epoxy-based build-up films or
polymer compounds like polyimide, polybenzoxazole, or
benzocyclobutene.
[0043] According to another exemplary embodiment, a method of
manufacturing a component carrier is provided. The method comprises
the steps of forming a stack comprising at least one electrically
conductive layer structure and/or at least one electrically
insulating layer structure, embedding a component on the stack and
providing at least part of the stack with stress propagation
suppressing particles (also referred to herein as "filler
particles") suppressing propagation of stress through the component
carrier.
[0044] In an embodiment, at least part of the stress propagation
suppressing particles are applied in/during the embedding step. In
particular, the filler particles may be used in the step of
embedding. By taking this measure, it may be possible to
(selectively) provide at least one electrically conductive layer
structure and/or at least part of electrically conductive
connections, in particular electrically conductive connections to
the component, with stress propagation suppressing particles or
filler particles.
[0045] In an embodiment, at least part of the stress propagation
suppressing particles are provided to the electrically insulating
layer structure in advance. Similarly, the stress propagation
suppressing particles or filler particles may pre-exist in the
material of the electrically insulating layer structure. By taking
this measure, it may be possible to (selectively) provide at least
part of at least one electrically insulating layer structure (such
as a central core sandwiched between electrically conductive layer
structures) with stress propagation suppressing particles or filler
particles.
[0046] In an embodiment, the filler particles may be used on both
layers or sides of the embedded component (with any type of core,
i.e. including core material (at least partially) filled with
stress propagation suppressing particles and/or free of stress
propagation suppressing particles).
[0047] According to yet another exemplary embodiment, a method of
using filler particles for suppressing propagation of cracks within
a component carrier having an embedded component is provided.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0048] FIG. 1 illustrates a component carrier according to an
exemplary embodiment of the invention.
[0049] FIG. 2 illustrates a component carrier according to another
exemplary embodiment of the invention.
[0050] FIG. 3 illustrates a component carrier according to still
another exemplary embodiment of the invention.
[0051] FIG. 4 illustrates a component carrier according to still
another exemplary embodiment of the invention.
[0052] FIG. 5 illustrates a component carrier according to still
another exemplary embodiment of the invention.
[0053] FIG. 6 illustrates a component carrier according to still
another exemplary embodiment of the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENTS
[0054] The aspects defined above and further aspects of the
application are apparent from the exemplary embodiments to be
described hereinafter and are explained with reference to these
exemplary embodiments.
[0055] The illustrations in the drawings are schematically
presented. In different drawings, similar or identical elements are
provided with the same reference signs.
[0056] Before, referring to the drawings, exemplary embodiments
will be described in further detail, some basic considerations will
be summarized based on which exemplary embodiments of the invention
have been developed.
[0057] According to an exemplary embodiment of the invention, a
component carrier comprising a stack of electrically conductive
layer structure and/or electrically insulating layer structures and
a component on the stack comprises stress propagation suppressing
particles in at least part of the stack suppressing propagation of
stress through the component carrier. The stress propagation
suppressing particles may provide a thermal expansion compensation
and/or stress propagation suppressing effect by compensating (or
reducing) a difference in thermal expansion between materials, in
particular between material of the stack (such as electrically
conductive material and/or electrically insulating material) and
material of the component (such as silicon). More specifically, the
stress propagation suppressing particles may adjust or modify
thermal expansion characteristics (e.g. a coefficient of thermal
expansion (CTE) value) of a first material in which they are
contained such that the difference between the thermal expansion
characteristics of the first material approaches or is rendered
similar, preferably substantially identical, to the thermal
expansion characteristics of a second material (which may or may
not comprise stress propagation suppressing particles) adjacent to
the first material. As a result, by appropriately selecting the
type and/or the amount of stress propagation suppressing particles,
it could be achieved to substantially suppress any mechanical
stress within the component carrier (in particular the propagation
of stress through the component carrier) resulting from repeated
temperature changes or temperature cycles exerted on the component
carrier.
[0058] In particular, the stress propagation suppressing particles
may be filler particles which may reduce (in particular compensate
or balance) a difference in thermal expansion between material of
the stack and material of the component. This may provide the
advantage that upon thermal impact (both internally and externally)
on the component carrier, such as a frequent heating or cooling of
the component carrier, the material of the stack (such as
electrically conductive material and/or electrically insulating
material) and the material of the component (such as silicon) may
expand or shrink to a similar or substantially same degree, thereby
reducing (in particular suppressing or avoiding) mechanical stress
resulting from differently expanding or shrinking materials. As a
result, the occurrence of cracks and/or warpage of the component
carrier may be reduced (in particular suppressed or avoided). For
example, if material of the stack (such as electrically conductive
material and/or electrically insulating material) has a smaller
coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) value than material of the
component (such as silicon), filler particles may be selected which
increase the (overall) CTE value of stack material including the
filler particles. On the other hand, if material of the stack (such
as electrically conductive material and/or electrically insulating
material) has a larger coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) value
than material of the component (such as silicon), filler particles
may be selected which reduce the (overall) CTE value of stack
material including the filler particles.
[0059] FIG. 1 illustrates a component carrier 100 according to an
exemplary embodiment of the invention. The component carrier 100
comprises a stack 101 comprising at least one electrically
conductive layer structure 104, which is embodied in the depicted
embodiment as an upper and a lower electrically conductive layer
structure 104, and at least one electrically insulating layer
structure 102, which is embodied in the depicted embodiment as a
central core sandwiched between the upper and lower electrically
conductive layer structures 104. The component carrier 100 further
comprises a component 110, which is completely embedded within the
stack 101 of the electrically insulating layer structure 102 and
the electrically conductive layer structures 104 in the depicted
embodiment. In alternative embodiments, the component 110 may also
be only partly embedded within the stack 101 of electrically
insulating layer structure 102 and the electrically conductive
layer structures 104 or may be surface-mounted, for instance on a
surface of an electrically conductive layer structure 104.
[0060] In the depicted embodiment, the component carrier 100, more
specifically the stack 101, further comprises electrically
conductive connections 106 (which may be considered as a part of
the electrically conductive layer structures 104), which are
provided in proximity or adjacent to the component 110 and may
therefore also be referred to as electrically conductive
connections 106 to the component 110.
[0061] In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the component carrier 100
further comprises stress propagation suppressing particles 120 or
filler particles 120 in at least part of the stack 101. More
specifically, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, stress propagation
suppressing particles 120 or filler particles 120 are provided in
at least part of the electrically conductive layer structures 104
and of the electrically conductive connections 106. Still further
specifically, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, stress propagation
suppressing particles 120 or filler particles 120 are provided in
only a part of the electrically conductive layer structures 104
(such as in the upper electrically conductive layer structure 104)
and in the electrically conductive connections 106, but not in the
electrically insulating layer structure 102. Such configuration may
be advantageous if particularly at least part of the at least one
electrically conductive layer structure 104 and at least part of
the electrically conductive connections 106 exhibit a substantial
difference in CTE value with regard to material of the component
110. Moreover, such configuration may be obtained for instance by
applying the filler particles 120 in the process of embedding
itself.
[0062] FIG. 2 illustrates a component carrier 100 according to
another exemplary embodiment of the invention. The component
carrier 100 according to the exemplary embodiment of the invention
shown in FIG. 2 may substantially correspond to the component
carrier 100 according to the exemplary embodiment of the invention
shown in FIG. 1, apart from the location of stress propagation
suppressing particles 120 or filler particles 120, so that the
description of like elements is not repeated.
[0063] In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the component carrier 100
comprises stress propagation suppressing particles 120 or filler
particles 120 in at least part of the electrically conductive
connections 106. More specifically, in the embodiment shown in FIG.
2, stress propagation suppressing particles 120 or filler particles
120 are provided only in a part of the electrically conductive
connections 106 (which may be considered as a part of the
electrically conductive layer structures 104), but not in the
electrically insulating layer structure 102. Such configuration may
be advantageous if particularly at least part of the electrically
conductive connections 106 exhibits a substantial difference in CTE
value with regard to material of the component 110. Moreover, such
configuration may be obtained for instance by applying the filler
particles 120 in the process of embedding itself.
[0064] FIG. 3 illustrates a component carrier 100 according to
still another exemplary embodiment of the invention. The component
carrier 100 according to the exemplary embodiment of the invention
shown in FIG. 3 may substantially correspond to the component
carrier 100 according to the exemplary embodiment of the invention
shown in FIG. 1, apart from the location of stress propagation
suppressing particles 120 or filler particles 120, so that the
description of like elements is not repeated.
[0065] In the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, the component carrier 100
comprises stress propagation suppressing particles 120 or filler
particles 120 in (at least part of) the electrically insulating
layer structure 102. More specifically, in the embodiment shown in
FIG. 3, stress propagation suppressing particles 120 or filler
particles 120 are provided only in the (substantially entire)
electrically insulating layer structure 102, but not in the
electrically conductive layer structures 104 or the electrically
conductive connections 106. Such configuration may be advantageous
if particularly at least part of the electrically insulating layer
structure 102 exhibits a substantial difference in CTE value with
regard to material of the component 110 and/or with regard to
material of the electrically conductive layer structures 104.
Moreover, such configuration may be obtained for instance by
providing filler particles 120 to the core material of the
electrically insulating layer structure 102 in advance or if filler
particles 120 pre-exist in the core material of the electrically
insulating layer structure 102.
[0066] FIG. 4 illustrates a component carrier 100 according to
still another exemplary embodiment of the invention. The component
carrier 100 according to the exemplary embodiment of the invention
shown in FIG. 4 may substantially correspond to the component
carrier 100 according to the exemplary embodiment of the invention
shown in FIG. 1, apart from the location of stress propagation
suppressing particles 120 or filler particles 120, so that the
description of like elements is not repeated.
[0067] In the embodiment shown in FIG. 4, the component carrier 100
comprises stress propagation suppressing particles 120 or filler
particles 120 in (at least part of) the electrically insulating
layer structure 102, in at least part of the electrically
conductive layer structures 104 and in at least part of the
electrically conductive connections 106. More specifically, in the
embodiment shown in FIG. 4, stress propagation suppressing
particles 120 or filler particles 120 are provided in only a part
of the electrically conductive layer structures 104 (such as in the
upper electrically conductive layer structure 104), in the
(substantially entire) electrically insulating layer structure 102
and in a part of the electrically conductive connections 106. Such
configuration may be advantageous if particularly at least part of
the at least one electrically insulating layer structure 102, at
least part of the at least one electrically conductive layer
structure 104 and at least part of the electrically conductive
connections 106 exhibit a substantial difference in CTE value with
regard to material of the component 110. Moreover, such
configuration may be obtained for instance by providing filler
particles 120 to the core material of the electrically insulating
layer structure 102 in advance or if filler particles 120 pre-exist
in the core material of the electrically insulating layer structure
102, and by applying the filler particles 120 in the process of
embedding itself.
[0068] FIG. 5 illustrates a component carrier 100 according to
still another exemplary embodiment of the invention. The component
carrier 100 according to the exemplary embodiment of the invention
shown in FIG. 5 may substantially correspond to the component
carrier 100 according to the exemplary embodiment of the invention
shown in FIG. 1, apart from the location of stress propagation
suppressing particles 120 or filler particles 120, so that the
description of like elements is not repeated.
[0069] In the embodiment shown in FIG. 5, the component carrier 100
comprises stress propagation suppressing particles 120 or filler
particles 120 in (at least part of) the electrically conductive
connections 106. More specifically, in the embodiment shown in FIG.
5, stress propagation suppressing particles 120 or filler particles
120 are provided only in the (substantially entire) electrically
conductive connections 106 (which may considered as a part of the
electrically conductive layer structures 104), but not in the
electrically insulating layer structure 102. Such configuration may
be advantageous if particularly the electrically conductive
connections 106 exhibit a substantial difference in CTE value with
regard to material of the component 110.
[0070] FIG. 6 illustrates a component carrier 100 according to
still another exemplary embodiment of the invention. The component
carrier 100 according to the exemplary embodiment of the invention
shown in FIG. 6 may substantially correspond to the component
carrier 100 according to the exemplary embodiment of the invention
shown in FIG. 1, apart from the location of stress propagation
suppressing particles 120 or filler particles 120, so that the
description of like elements is not repeated.
[0071] In the embodiment shown in FIG. 6, the component carrier 100
comprises stress propagation suppressing particles 120 or filler
particles 120 in (at least part of) the electrically insulating
layer structure 102, in (at least part of) the electrically
conductive layer structures 104 and in (at least part of) the
electrically conductive connections 106. More specifically, in the
embodiment shown in FIG. 6, stress propagation suppressing
particles 120 or filler particles 120 are provided substantially in
the (substantially entire) electrically conductive layer structures
104 (i.e. in both the upper and the lower electrically conductive
layer structures 104), in the (substantially entire) electrically
insulating layer structure 102 and in the (substantially entire)
electrically conductive connections 106. Such configuration may be
advantageous if particularly all of the at least one electrically
insulating layer structure 102, the at least one electrically
conductive layer structure 104 and the electrically conductive
connections 106 exhibit a substantial difference in CTE value with
regard to material of the component 110.
[0072] Implementation of the invention is not limited to the
preferred embodiments shown in the figures and described above.
Instead, a multiplicity of variants are possible which use the
solutions shown and the principle according to the invention even
in the case of fundamentally different embodiments.
REFERENCE SIGNS
[0073] 100 Component carrier [0074] 101 Stack [0075] 102
Electrically insulating layer structure [0076] 104 Electrically
conductive layer structure [0077] 106 Electrically conductive
connections [0078] 110 Component [0079] 120 Stress propagation
suppressing particles/Filler particles
* * * * *