BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a package and a method of making the same, and more particularly to a three-dimensional package and a method of making the same.
2. Description of the Related Art
Referring toFIG. 1, it shows a schematic view of a three-dimensional package before reflow disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,499,655. The conventional three-dimensional package1 comprises afirst unit10 and asecond unit20. Thefirst unit10 comprises afirst wafer11, at least onefirst hole12, a firstconductive layer13 and afirst solder14. Thefirst wafer11 has afirst surface111 and asecond surface112. Thefirst surface111 has at least one first pad (not shown) and afirst protection layer113 exposing the first pad. Thefirst hole12 penetrates thefirst wafer11. The firstconductive layer13 is disposed on the side wall of thefirst hole12 and covers the first pad and thefirst protection layer113. Thefirst solder14 is disposed in thefirst hole12 and is electrically connected to the first pad via the firstconductive layer13. The upper end of thefirst solder14 extends above thefirst surface111 of thefirst wafer11, and the lower end extends below thesecond surface112 of thefirst wafer11.
Thesecond unit20 is stacked on thefirst unit10. Thesecond unit20 comprises asecond wafer21, at least onesecond hole22, a secondconductive layer23 and asecond solder24. Thesecond wafer21 has afirst surface211 and asecond surface212. Thefirst surface211 has at least one second pad (not shown) and asecond protection layer213 exposing the second pad. Thesecond hole22 penetrates thesecond wafer21. The secondconductive layer23 is disposed on the side wall of thesecond hole22 and covers the second pad and thesecond protection layer213. Thesecond solder24 is disposed in thesecond hole22 and is electrically connected to the second pad via the secondconductive layer23. The upper end of thesecond solder24 extends above thefirst surface211 of thesecond wafer21, and the lower end of thesecond solder24 extends below thesecond surface212 of thesecond wafer21. The lower end of thesecond solder24 is aligned with and contacts the upper end of thefirst solder14. After performing a reflow process, thefirst unit10 and thesecond unit20 are joined to form a conventional three-dimensional package1, as shown inFIG. 2.
In the conventional three-dimensional package1, thefirst solder14 and thesecond solder24 are formed by disposing thefirst wafer11 and thesecond wafer21 above a solder bath, and the solder enter thefirst hole12 and thesecond hole22 according to the capillary phenomenon so as to form thefirst solder14 and thesecond solder24.
The disadvantages of the conventional three-dimensional package1 are described as follows. As thefirst solder14 and thesecond solder24 are formed according to the capillary phenomenon, the upper and the lower ends of the foregoing solders are in a hemispherical shape (FIG. 1). As such, when thefirst unit10 and thesecond unit20 are aligned and joined, alignment becomes more difficult and the joining between thefirst unit10 and thesecond unit20 after reflow is not stable. Moreover, after the joining of thefirst unit10 and thesecond unit20, the overall height cannot be effectively reduced due to the excess hemispherical solders.
Therefore, it is necessary to provide a three-dimensional package and a method of making the same to solve the above problems.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONThe main objective of the invention is to provide a method of making a three-dimensional package, which comprises the following steps:
(a) providing a wafer, having a first surface and a second surface, the first surface having at least one pad and a protection layer exposing the pad;
(b) forming at least one blind hole on the first surface of the wafer;
(c) forming an isolation layer on the side wall of the blind hole;
(d) forming a conductive layer covering the pad, the protection layer, and the isolation layer;
(e) forming a dry film on the conductive layer, wherein the dry film has an opening at the position corresponding to the blind hole;
(f) filling the blind hole with a solder;
(g) removing the dry film;
(h) patterning the conductive layer;
(i) removing a part of the second surface of the wafer and a part is of the isolation layer, so as to expose a part of the conductive layer;
(j) stacking a plurality of the wafers, so as to perform the reflow process; and
(k) cutting the stacked wafers, so as to form a plurality of three-dimensional packages.
As such, the lower end of the conductive layer is exposed below the second surface of the wafer. Therefore, during the reflow process after stacking, the lower end of the conductive layer is inserted into the solder of the lower wafer, so as to enhance the joint between the conductive layer and the solder, and effectively reduce the overall height of the three-dimensional package after joining.
Another objective of the present invention is to provide a three-dimensional package, which comprises a first unit and a second unit. The first unit comprises a first wafer, at least one first hole, a first isolation layer, a first conductive layer, and a first solder.
The first wafer has a first surface and a second surface. The first surface has at least one first pad and a first protection layer exposing the first pad. The first hole penetrates the first wafer. The first isolation layer is disposed on the side wall of the first hole. The first conductive layer covers the first pad, a part of the first protection layer, and the first isolation layer. The lower end of the first conductive layer extends below the second surface of the first wafer. The first solder is disposed in the first hole, and is electrically connected to the first pad via the first conductive layer.
The second unit is stacked on the first unit. The second unit comprises a second wafer, at least one second hole, a second isolation layer, a second conductive layer, and a second solder. The second wafer has a first surface and a second surface. The first surface has at least one second pad and a second protection layer exposing the second pad. The second hole penetrates the second wafer. The second isolation layer is disposed on the side wall of the second hole. The second conductive layer covers the second pad, a part of the second protection layer, and the second isolation layer. The lower end of the second conductive layer extends to below the second surface of the second wafer and contacts the upper end of the first solder. The second solder is disposed in the second hole and is electrically connected to the second pad via the second conductive layer.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGSFIG. 1 shows a schematic view of the three-dimensional package before reflow disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,499,655;
FIG. 2 shows a schematic view of the three-dimensional package after reflow disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,499,655;
FIG. 3 shows a schematic flow chart of the method for making a three-dimensional package according to the first embodiment of the present invention;
FIGS. 4 to 17 show the schematic views of each step of the method of making a three-dimensional package according to the first embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 18 shows a schematic flow chart of the method for making a three-dimensional package according to the second embodiment of the present invention;
FIGS. 19 to 21 show the schematic views of a part of the steps of the method for making a three-dimensional package according to the second embodiment of the present invention; and
FIG. 22 shows a cross-sectional view of the three-dimensional package according to the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTIONReferring toFIG. 3, it shows a schematic flow chart of the method for making a three-dimensional package according to the first embodiment of the present invention. Referring toFIGS. 4 to 17, the schematic views of each step of the method for making a three-dimensional package according to the first embodiment of the present invention are shown. First, referring toFIGS. 3 and 4, as shown in step S301, awafer31 is provided. Thewafer31 has afirst surface311 and asecond surface312. Thefirst surface311 has at least onepad32 and aprotection layer33 exposing thepad32.
Then, referring toFIGS. 3 and 5, as shown in step S302, at least oneblind hole34 is formed in thefirst surface311 of thewafer31. In the embodiment, theblind hole34 is disposed beside thepad32. However, in other applications, theblind hole34 can penetrate thepad32.
Next, referring toFIGS. 3 and 6, as shown in step S303, anisolation layer35 is formed on the side wall of theblind hole34.
Afterward, referring toFIGS. 3 and 7, as shown in step S304, aconductive layer36 is formed to cover thepad32, theprotection layer33, and theisolation layer35. Theconductive layer36 is made of Ti, Cu, Cu/Ti alloy, or other metals.
Then, referring toFIGS. 3 and 8, as shown in step S305, adry film37 is formed on theconductive layer36. Thedry film37 has anopening371 at the position corresponding to theblind hole34.
After that, referring toFIGS. 3 and 9, preferably, as shown in step S306, theblind hole34 is filled with asolder38. In the embodiment, theblind hole34 is filled with thesolder38 by plating. However, it should be understood that theblind hole34 can be filled with thesolder38 by other manners.
Then, referring toFIGS. 3 and 10, as shown in step S307, thedry film37 is removed, and theconductive layer36 is patterned.
Afterward, referring toFIGS. 3 and 11, preferably, as shown in step S308, apassivation layer39 is formed on theconductive layer36 to protect the patternedconductive layer36. Thepassivation layer39 can be formed by any conventional manners. Moreover, it should be understood that this step is optional.
Then, as shown in step S309, a part of thesecond surface312 of thewafer31 and a part of theisolation layer35 are removed to expose a part of theconductive layer36. Referring toFIG. 12, in the present embodiment, thesecond surface312 of thewafer31 is first ground by means of backside grinding until thesecond surface312 and the lower end of theisolation layer35 are at the same level, i.e., the lower end of theisolation layer35 is exposed on thesecond surface312. Then, thesecond surface312 of thewafer31 and the lower end of theisolation layer35 are etched to expose the lower end of theconductive layer36. At this moment, the lower end of theconductive layer36 extends below thesecond surface312 of thewafer31, as shown inFIG. 13. However, it should be understood that in other applications, thesecond surface312 of thewafer31 can be directly etched to expose the lower end of theconductive layer36, without using the backside grinding method.
Afterward, referring toFIGS. 3 and 14, preferably, as shown in step S310, abarrier layer40 is formed on the lower end of theconductive layer36, and covers the lower end of the exposedconductive layer36. Thebarrier layer40 is Ni, Cr, Cr/Cu alloy, or other metals. It should be understood that this step is optional. Moreover, preferably, alower solder41 is further formed below thebarrier layer40 or theconductive layer36 and is attached to thebarrier layer40 or the lower end of the exposedconductive layer36. It should be understood that this step is also optional.
Next, referring toFIGS. 3 and 15, as shown in step S311, a plurality of thewafers31 are stacked. Theconductive layers36 and thesolders38 of the upper andlower wafers31 are aligned with each other.
Then, referring toFIGS. 3 and 16, as shown in step S312, the reflow process is performed to make thewafers31 joined by welding theconductive layer36 and thesolder38.
Finally, referring toFIGS. 3 and 17, as shown in step S313, the stackedwafer31 is cut to form a plurality of three-dimensional package structures42. Preferably, as shown in step S314, at least onesolder ball43 is formed below the three-dimensional package structure42. Thesolder ball43 is disposed on the lower end of theconductive layer36 in thelower wafer31. It should be understood that this step is optional.
Referring toFIG. 18, it shows the schematic flow chart of the method for making a three-dimensional package structure according to the second embodiment of the present invention. The steps S401 to S410 are identical to the steps S301 to S310 of the first embodiment. The difference between the second embodiment and the first embodiment is described as follows. In the step S411 of the present embodiment, thewafer31 is cut to form a plurality ofunits44,45, as shown inFIG. 19. Then, in step S412, theunits44,45 are stacked, wherein theconductive layers36 and thesolders38 of the upper and thelower wafers31 are aligned with each other, as shown inFIG. 20. Finally, in step S413, the reflow process is performed to form a plurality of three-dimensional package structures42, as shown inFIG. 21. The three-dimensional package structure42 (FIG. 21) made according to this embodiment is identical to the three-dimensional package structure42 (FIG. 17) made according to the first embodiment.
Preferably, in step S414, at least onesolder ball43 is formed below the three-dimensional package structure42. Thesolder ball43 is disposed on the lower end of theconductive layer36 in thelower wafer31. It should be understood that this step is optional.
Referring toFIG. 22, it shows a cross-sectional view of the three-dimensional package of the present invention. The three-dimensional package5 in this figure is identical to the three-dimensional package42 inFIGS. 17 and 21. However, for the convenience of illustration, the identical elements are designated by different reference numbers. The three-dimensional package5 comprises afirst unit50 and asecond unit60. Thefirst unit50 comprises afirst wafer51, at least onefirst hole52, afirst isolation layer53, a firstconductive layer54, and afirst solder55.
Thefirst wafer51 is a wafer or a chip, and has afirst surface511 and asecond surface512. Thefirst surface511 has at least onefirst pad513 and a first protection layer514 exposing thefirst pad513. Thefirst hole52 penetrates thefirst wafer51. In the present embodiment, thefirst hole52 is disposed beside thefirst pad513. However, in other applications, thefirst hole52 can penetrate thefirst pad513.
Thefirst isolation layer53 is disposed on the side wall of thefirst hole52. The firstconductive layer54 covers thefirst pad513, a part of the first protection layer514, and thefirst isolation layer53. The lower end of the firstconductive layer54 extends below the lower end of thesecond surface512 of thefirst wafer51. Preferably, thefirst unit50 further comprises a first barrier layer (not shown) covering the lower end of the firstconductive layer54.
Thefirst solder55 is disposed inside thefirst hole52, and is electrically connected to thefirst pad513 via the firstconductive layer54. Preferably, a passivation layer (not shown) is further disposed above the firstconductive layer54 and covers the firstconductive layer54 to protect the firstconductive layer54.
Thesecond unit60 is stacked above thefirst unit50. Thesecond unit60 comprises asecond wafer61, at least onesecond hole62, asecond isolation layer63, a secondconductive layer64, and asecond solder65. Thesecond wafer61 is a wafer or a chip, and has a first surface611 and a second surface612. The first surface611 has at least onesecond pad613 and asecond protection layer614 exposing thesecond pad613. Thesecond hole62 penetrates thesecond wafer61. In the present embodiment, thesecond hole62 is disposed beside thesecond pad613. However, in other applications, thesecond hole62 can penetrate thesecond pad613.
Thesecond isolation layer63 is dispose on the side wall of thesecond hole62. The secondconductive layer64 covers thesecond pad613, a part of thesecond protection layer614, and thesecond isolation layer63. The lower end of the secondconductive layer64 extends below the second surface612 of thesecond wafer61 and contacts the upper end of thefirst solder55. Preferably, thesecond unit60 further comprises a second barrier layer (not shown) covering the lower end of the secondconductive layer64.
Thesecond solder65 is disposed inside thesecond hole62 and is electrically connected to thesecond pad613 via the secondconductive layer64. Preferably, a passivation layer (not shown) is disposed above the secondconductive layer64 and covers the secondconductive layer64 to protect the secondconductive layer64.
Preferably, the three-dimensional package structure5 further comprises at least onesolder ball43 disposed on the lower end of the firstconductive layer54.
In the three-dimensional package structure5, as the lower end of the secondconductive layer64 is exposed below the second surface612 of thesecond unit60, during the reflow process, the lower end of the secondconductive layer64 is inserted into thefirst solder55, so as to enhance the joint between the secondconductive layer64 and thefirst solder55. Further, thefirst hole52 and thesecond hole62 can be designed as a taper shape to enhance the foregoing joint. Moreover, the lower end of the secondconductive layer64 is inserted into thefirst solder55, such that the overall height of the three-dimensional package5 after joining can be effectively reduced.
While several embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated and described, various modifications and improvements can be made by those skilled in the art. The embodiments of the present invention are therefore described in an illustrative but not restrictive sense. It is intended that the present invention may not be limited to the particular forms as illustrated, and that all modifications which maintain the spirit and scope of the present invention are within the scope as defined in the appended claims.