Intermetallic Void Formation in Cu-Sn Micro-Connects

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School of Electrical Engineering | Doctoral thesis (article-based) | Defence date: 2019-02-01
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Authors

Date

2019

Department

Sähkötekniikan ja automaation laitos
Department of Electrical Engineering and Automation

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Mcode

Degree programme

Language

en

Pages

85 + app. 51

Series

Aalto University publication series DOCTORAL DISSERTATIONS, 8/2019

Abstract

The compatibility of new materials and their interfaces are key components in the pursuit of highly integrated and reliable systems. An extensive understanding is required of the behaviour and stability of the materials not only during device fabrication but over the entire functional lifetime of a device. A microstructural defect, and the focus of this thesis, that threatens the mechanical and electrical performance of 3D-intergrated systems is Cu-Sn intermetallic void formation. Results of this work has been separated as follows: (i) understanding the sporadic behaviour of void formation, (ii) understand the key parameters influencing voiding formation, (iii) examine the microstructural and chemical properties associated with void formation, (iv) present a void formation hypothesis and (v) discuss void reduction and detection methods for the microelectronic industry. Historically void formation has been sporadic and uncontrolled and led this author, in additional to several other authors, to question whether formation is only due to the Kirkendall effect (interdiffusion imbalance between two joined metals). The Cu electroplating process and the parameters used play a large role in effecting the voiding propensity. These parameters, including the additive chemistry and current density, influence the microstructural properties and chemical composition of the deposited film such as, grain structure, residual stresses, crystal defect density and trace impurities. A new intermetallic void formation hypothesis is proposed based on microstructural and chemical state of the Cu-Sn system. Intermetallic voids can be suppressed when the Cu electroplating process is well controlled, which requires careful observation of the electroplating parameters. This requires cooperation and understanding of the process between the semiconductor fabrication companies and the Cu process suppliers. However, it is difficult to control voiding completely, therefore non-destructive void detection methods need to be developed.

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Supervising professor

Paulasto-Kröckel, Mervi, Prof., Aalto University, Department of Electrical Engineering and Automation, Finland

Thesis advisor

Vuorinen, Vesa, Dr., Aalto University, Department of Electrical Engineering and Automation, Finland

Keywords

Cu-Sn intermetallic voids, Kirkendall voids, micro-connects, reliability, thermodynamics, solid-state diffusion, microstructure

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Parts

  • [Publication 1]: Ross, Glenn; Vuorinen, Vesa; Paulasto-Kröckel, Mervi. Void formation and its impact on Cu-Sn intermetallic compound formation. Journal of Alloys and Compounds, 2016, volume 677, pp. 127-138.
    DOI: 10.1016/j.jallcom.2016.03.193 View at publisher
  • [Publication 2]: Ross, Glenn; Tao, Xiaoma; Broas, Mikael; Mäntyoja, Nikolai; Vuorinen, Vesa; Graff, Andreas; Altmann, Frank; Petzold, Matthias; Paulasto-Kröckel, Mervi. Interfacial Void Segregation of Cl in Cu-Sn Micro-Connects. Electronics Material Letters, 2017, volume 13, issue 4, pp. 307-312.
    DOI: 10.1007/s13391-017-6304-5 View at publisher
  • [Publication 3]: Ross, Glenn; Vuorinen, Vesa; Petzold, Matthias; Paulasto-Kröckel, Mervi; Brand, Sebastian. Gigahertz scanning acoustic microscopy analysis of voids in Cu-Sn micro-connects. American Institute of Physics. Applied Physics Letters, 2017, volume 110, pp. 1 -5. Full Text in Acris/Aaltodoc: http://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:aalto-201808014068.
    DOI: 10.1063/1.4975305 View at publisher
  • [Publication 4]: Ross, Glenn; Vuorinen, Vesa; Krause, Matthias; Reissaus, Stephan; Petzold, Matthias; Paulasto-Kröckel, Mervi. XRD and ToF-SIMS study of intermetallic void formation in Cu-Sn micro-connects. Microelectronics Reliability, 2017, volume 76-77, pp. 390-394.
    DOI: 10.1016/j.microrel.2017.07.044 View at publisher
  • [Publication 5]: Ross, Glenn; Malmberg, Per; Vuorinen, Vesa, Paulasto-Kröckel, Mervi. The Role of Ultrafine Crystalline Behavior and Trace Impurities in Copper on Intermetallic Void Formation. American Chemical Society. Applied Electronic Materials, 2018.
    DOI: 10.1021/acsaelm.8b00029 View at publisher

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https://urn.fi/URN:ISBN:978-952-60-8376-6

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[diss] Sähkötekniikan korkeakoulu / ELEC