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Enhanced Polymer Passivation Layer for Wafer Level Chip Scale ...

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1.3 <strong>Wafer</strong> <strong>Level</strong> <strong>Chip</strong> <strong>Scale</strong> Package<br />

While chip scale packages have been implemented worldwide in both peripherally leaded<br />

and area array <strong>for</strong>mat, they are also being pressured to meet demanding cost targets. To<br />

ameliorate this matter, most of the world's leading IC companies have packaged ICs directly on<br />

the wafer. This concept brings <strong>for</strong>th a lot of new opportunities and benefits compared to<br />

traditional IC packaging methods [8]. The potential economies of processing in this concept<br />

result from batch processing, simplified logistics, elimination of bare chip testing and a reduction<br />

in materials. <strong>Wafer</strong> level package (WLP) is one type of chip scale packages, which enables the<br />

IC to be attached face down to the printed circuit board (PCB) by conventional SMT assembly<br />

methods and the chip's pads connect directly to the PCB pads through individual solder balls. No<br />

requirement of bond wires or interposer connections makes wafer level chip scale package<br />

(WLCSP) a different technology from other leaded and laminate-based CSPs. The principle<br />

advantage is that the IC inductance is minimized while as secondary benefits, both package size<br />

and manufacturing cycle time are reduced. [9]. In its simplest <strong>for</strong>m, the WLCSP process<br />

technology needs a deposited layer of under bump metallization (UBM) which is patterned over<br />

the passivation openings on a wafer. A solder ball is subsequently dropped through a stencil<br />

mask on the UBM stack. The wafer is then subjected to a thermal reflow process in an oven. The<br />

thermal reflow melts the solder ball and cools it in a well defined shape as shown in Figure 1.2.<br />

4

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