Apparatus with compliant electrical terminals, and methods for forming same

• Main Author: LUTZ MICHAEL A
• Format: Patent
• Language: English
• Published: 27.07.2004
• Edition: 7
• Subjects: BASIC ELECTRIC ELEMENTS; ELECTRIC SOLID STATE DEVICES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; ELECTRICITY; SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES

An apparatus is disclosed including an electrical conductor and an electrically conductive, compliant bump formed on the electrical conductor. The compliant bump includes an electrically conductive, solderable capping layer and an electrically conductive, compliant body positioned between the solderable capping layer and the electrical conductor. The compliant body electrically couples the solderable capping layer to the electrical conductor. The electrical conductor may be, for example, an input/output (I/O) pad of the apparatus, and the compliant bump may form an electrical terminal of the apparatus. The compliant body forms a mechanically flexible, electrically conductive path between the solderable capping layer and the electrical conductor. The compliant bump deforms elastically when subjected to a force exerted between the solderable capping layer and the electrical conductor, allowing the compliant bump to form a highly reliable connection between the apparatus and an external element. Several embodiments of the compliant bump, and methods for forming the compliant bump, are presented.