In this paper we report the results of diamond bit cutting on metals, such as Cu and Sn, polymers, temporary glue and polyimide. Diamond bit cutting is an attractive, fast and economically viable option when processing on high topography wafers is required, or when smooth surface finish is required. Diamond bit cutting can planarize the surface of the high topography features on which conventional IC processing steps can be performed with ease.
IntroductionWith the new developments in 3D integration there is a high demand for processing wafers with high topography. Conventional IC processing steps like lithography, wafer bonding, deposition steps etc. show limited success on high topography samples. Chemical-mechanical polishing (CMP) is a method to planarize the surface of metal (damascene process); however CMP is not available as a technique to use in post-passivation processing in a packaging environment due to high cost.Diamond bit cutting, also referred as flycutting, is a very attractive option when processing on high topography wafers is required as it can planarize the surface of such high topography wafers, on which conventional IC processing steps can be performed with ease. It can also be used to planarize the surface of electroplated metal/solder bumps or bonding rings, which in turn will result in high yielding bonds.Flycutting is a rather new technique. It is used to planarize metal bumps [1], [2], [3], polymers or polyimide. In the flycutting process, a diamond cutting bit moves over the wafer performing a milling type operation, removing all material it comes into contact with (Fig. 1). The cutting bit is kept at a fixed distance from the chuck table, so, if the substrate is properly attached to the tool table (using vacuum in this case) and has itself only minimal thickness variations (~1 μm for silicon wafer, typically), the distance of the bit to the wafer surface is properly controlled. Fig. 1 shows the schematic of how flycutting planarizes the surface of a wafer with high topography. Usually metals like Cu, Sn and Au embedded in polymer are cut using this technique. The polymer can be easily removed after flycutting, if required.In this paper we present the results of flycutting on metals like Cu and Sn. We also present the flycutting results on high topography surfaces in the presence of polymers, temporary glue and polyimide.