Cu-Sn is currently being investigated as an alternative to Pb-Sn solders. It is especially interesting for small scale solder bumps and fine pitches. With the appropriate bonding conditions, the preferred phase of Cu-Sn (Cu3Sn) can be formed at the interface of two bond pads. This phase should be thermodynamically stable (for up to 350°C) and withstand multiple reflow cycles encountered during the assembly process of a multilayer interconnect stack. This paper investigates the thermal stability and reliability of Cu-Sn bonded die with different Sn thicknesses and bonding pressures. The samples are isothermally aged at 125°C ± 10°C and also subjected to thermal cycling from 125°C to -55°C. The samples are analyzed before and after experiments to track any changes in inter-metallic growth, grain-structure, die cracking, package cracking, and bond lifting with analytical tools including Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Electron Back Scattered Diffraction (EBSD).
Available at: http://works.bepress.com/megan_frary/5/