A system and method for preventing cracks is provided. An embodiment comprises placing crack stoppers into a connection between a semiconductor die and a substrate. The crack stoppers may be in the shape of hollow or solid cylinders and may be placed so as to prevent any cracks from propagating through the crack stoppers.

A one-step water soluble (WS) flux process may reduce residue staining and increase yields for bond grid array (BGA) packages. In one example, the WS flux may use increased amounts of bonding polymer (BP) and reduced amounts of amine to increase viscosity. The increased viscosity may eliminate using a second no-clean flux and enable a single WS flux to both clean the associated substrate and provide stable solder ball support during reflow.

A one-step water soluble (WS) flux process may reduce residue staining and increase yields for bond grid array (BGA) packages. In one example, the WS flux may use increased amounts of bonding polymer (BP) and reduced amounts of amine to increase viscosity. The increased viscosity may eliminate using a second no-clean flux and enable a single WS flux to both clean the associated substrate and provide stable solder ball support during reflow.

An electric apparatus may include a plurality of electric patterns arranged on a substrate. Each of the electric patterns may include a pad for connection with a solder ball, an electrical trace laterally extending from a portion of the pad to allow an electrical signal to be transmitted from or to the pad, a first dummy trace laterally extending from other portion of the pad, and a first connection line connecting the first dummy trace to the electrical trace. The first dummy trace may be provided at a position deviated from a straight line connecting the pad to the electrical trace.

An electric apparatus may include a plurality of electric patterns arranged on a substrate. Each of the electric patterns may include a pad for connection with a solder ball, an electrical trace laterally extending from a portion of the pad to allow an electrical signal to be transmitted from or to the pad, a first dummy trace laterally extending from other portion of the pad, and a first connection line connecting the first dummy trace to the electrical trace. The first dummy trace may be provided at a position deviated from a straight line connecting the pad to the electrical trace.

An interconnection structure and method disclosed for providing an interconnection structure that includes conductive features having reduced topographic variations. The interconnection structure includes a contact pad disposed over a substrate. The contact pad includes a first layer of a first conductive material and a second layer of a second conductive material over the first layer. The first conductive material and the second conductive material are made of substantially the same material and have a first average grain size and a second average grain size that is smaller than the first average grain size. The interconnection structure also includes a passivation layer covering the substrate and the contact pad, and the passivation layer has an opening exposing the contact pad.

A microelectronic device has a die with a first electrically conductive pillar, and a second electrically conductive pillar, mechanically coupled to the die. The microelectronic device includes a first electrically conductive extended head electrically coupled to the first pillar, and a second electrically conductive extended head electrically coupled to the second pillar. The first pillar and the second pillar have equal compositions of electrically conductive material, as a result of being formed concurrently. Similarly, the first extended head and the second extended head have equal compositions of electrically conductive material, as a result of being formed concurrently. The first extended head provides a bump pad, and the second extended head provides at least a portion of a first plate of an integrated capacitor. A second plate may be located in the die, between the first plate and the die, or on an opposite of the first plate from the die.

A technique for fabricating a bump structure is disclosed. A substrate that includes a set of pads formed on a surface thereof is prepared, in which the pads includes first conductive material. A metallic adhesion layer is coated on each pad. A bump base is formed on each pad by sintering conductive particles using a mold layer, in which the conductive particles includes second conductive material different from the first conductive material.

A technique for fabricating a bump structure is disclosed. A substrate that includes a set of pads formed on a surface thereof is prepared, in which the pads includes first conductive material. A metallic adhesion layer is coated on each pad. A bump base is formed on each pad by sintering conductive particles using a mold layer, in which the conductive particles includes second conductive material different from the first conductive material.

A SnAgCuSb-based Pb-free solder alloy is disclosed. The disclosed solder alloy is particularly suitable for, but not limited to, producing solder joints, in the form of solder preforms, solder balls, solder powder, or solder paste (a mixture of solder powder and flux), for harsh environment electronics. An additive selected from 0.1-2.5 wt. % of Bi and/or 0.1-4.5 wt. % of In may be included in the solder alloy.