Sbir/sttr phase i: An Optical Sensor for semiconductor back-end processes

This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I Project proposes to develop an innovative intelligent optical sensor for semiconductor back-end processes control and inspection by using our matrix-addressable laser/detector array chip. The sensor will be incorporated into the fine pitch component placement machines, to ensure accurate component placement, and co-planarity of component leads and to inspect components immediately before placement. Identification of defective or damage lead tips that lie within the same plane will be. Additional inspection capabilities include solder bump volume and height, bump position and quality, ball height and diameter of ball grit array, ball coplanarity and foreign materials. The sensor actually is a miniature confocal scanning laser microscope without any moving parts. Since there are no moving parts or bulky optics, we are able obtain image rate at least 60 frames per second, and sensor can be made a very small dimension. This sensor will enable semiconductor packaging manufactures to increase operating efficiency, increase product yield, and add to their quality control.