Multiscale microstructures and microstructural effects on the reliability of microbumps in three-dimensional integration

The dimensions of microbumps in three-dimensional integration reach microscopic scales and thus necessitate a study of the multiscale microstructures in microbumps. Here, we present simulated mesoscale and atomic-scale microstructures of microbumps using phase field and phase field crystal models. Coupled microstructure, mechanical stress, and electromigration modeling was performed to highlight the microstructural effects on the reliability of microbumps. The results suggest that the size and geometry of microbumps can influence both the mesoscale and atomic-scale microstructural formation during solidification. An external stress imposed on the microbump can cause ordered phase growth along the boundaries of the microbump. Mesoscale microstructures formed in the microbumps from solidification, solid state phase separation, and coarsening processes suggest that the microstructures in smaller microbumps are more heterogeneous. Due to the differences in microstructures, the von Mises stress distributions in microbumps of different sizes and geometries vary. In addition, a combined effect resulting from the connectivity of the phase morphology and the amount of interface present in the mesoscale microstructure can influence the electromigration reliability of microbumps

Multiscale microstructures and microstructural effects on the reliability of microbumps in three-dimensional integration

The dimensions of microbumps in three-dimensional integration reach microscopic scales and thus necessitate a study of the multiscale microstructures in microbumps. Here, we present simulated mesoscale and atomic-scale microstructures of microbumps using phase field and phase field crystal models. Coupled microstructure, mechanical stress, and electromigration modeling was performed to highlight the microstructural effects on the reliability of microbumps. The results suggest that the size and geometry of microbumps can influence both the mesoscale and atomic-scale microstructural formation during solidification. An external stress imposed on the microbump can cause ordered phase growth along the boundaries of the microbump. Mesoscale microstructures formed in the microbumps from solidification, solid state phase separation, and coarsening processes suggest that the microstructures in smaller microbumps are more heterogeneous. Due to the differences in microstructures, the von Mises stress distributions in microbumps of different sizes and geometries vary. In addition, a combined effect resulting from the connectivity of the phase morphology and the amount of interface present in the mesoscale microstructure can influence the electromigration reliability of microbumps

On reproducing the copper extrusion of through-silicon-vias from the atomic scale

Three-dimensional system integration with through-silicon-vias (TSVs) is regarded as a promising solution to the 'More-than-Moore' challenge to improve the performance of micro- and nano-electronic devices. However, the copper extrusion of TSVs during the back-end-of-the-line (BEOL) process and under service conditions poses serious reliability concerns. Substantial experimental and simulation work have been carried out to clarify the origins of copper extrusion, which as yet remain unclear. This study uses a two-mode phase field crystal (PFC) model to reproduce the process of the copper extrusion from the atomic scale. A 'penalty term' is added to the governing equations of the PFC model to simulate the application of a compressive strain to the TSV samples. The application of strain reveals the process of emission and annihilation, and the climb and slip motions of dislocations. In general, the irreversible plastic extrusion is a cumulative effect of the motion of dislocations and the migration of the grain boundaries. The simulation results also suggest that the applied strain rate and the grain structure of the polycrystalline TSVs are important factors controlling the process of copper extrusion