Stacked microelectronic assembly and method therefor

[0002] This application claims benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/033,353, filed Dec. 13, 1996, which is a division of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/244,581, filed Feb. 4, 1999, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,225,688 which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/987,569, filed Dec. 11, 1997, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,121,676 the disclosures of which are all hereby incorporated by reference herein.

[0003] The present invention relates to microelectronic assemblies and more particularly relates to semiconductor chip assemblies in which a plurality of chips are stacked one atop the other and semiconductor chip assemblies having test contacts.

[0004] Semiconductor chips are commonly provided as individual, prepackaged units. A standard chip has a flat, rectangular body with a large front face having contacts for connection to the internal circuitry of the chip. Each individual chip is typically mounted to a substrate or chip carrier, which in turn is mounted on a circuit panel such as a printed circuit board. Considerable effort has been devoted towards development of so-called “multichip modules” in which several chips having related functions are attached to a common circuit panel and protected by a common package. This approach conserves some of the space which is ordinarily wasted by individual chip packages. However, most multichip module designs utilize a single layer of chips positioned side-by-side on a surface of a planar circuit panel. In “flip chip” designs, the front face of the chip confronts the face of the circuit panel and the contacts on the chip are bonded to the circuit panel by solder balls or other connecting elements. The “flip chip” design provides a relatively compact arrangement; each chip occupies an area of the circuit panel equal to or slightly larger than the area of the chip front face. As disclosed, in commonly assigned U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,148,265 and 5,148,266, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference, certain innovative mounting techniques offer compactness approaching or equaling that of conventional flip chip bonding without the reliability and testing problems commonly encountered in that approach.

[0005] Various proposals have been advanced for packaging chips in a “stacked” arrangement, i.e., an arrangement where several chips are placed one atop the other whereby several chips can be maintained in an area of the circuit board which is less than the total area of the chip faces, such as disclosed in commonly assigned U.S. Pat. No. 5,347,159, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. U.S. Pat. No. 4,941,033 discloses an arrangement in which chips are stacked one atop the other and interconnected with one another by conductors on so-called “wiring films” associated with the chips.

[0006] Commonly assigned U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/705,309 filed Aug. 29, 1996, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein, teaches an assembly of semiconductor chips which are vertically stacked one atop the other. One aspect of the invention in the '309 application provides a plurality of semiconductor chip assemblies whereby each assembly includes an interposer and a semiconductor chip mounted thereto. Each interposer also includes a plurality of leads electrically interconnecting the chip and the interposer. The assembly also includes compliant layers disposed between the chips and the interposers so as to permit relative movement of the chips and interposers to compensate for thermal expansion and contraction of the components. The subassemblies are then stacked one atop the other so that the chips overlie one another. Although the approach set forth in the '309 application offers useful ways of making a stacked assembly, still other methods would be desirable.

[0007] Stacked chip assemblies should deal effectively with the problems associated with heat generation in stacked chips. Chips dissipate electrical power as heat during operation and where chips are stacked one atop the other, it is difficult to dissipate the heat generated by the chips in the middle of the stack. Consequently, the chips in such a stack may undergo substantial thermal expansion and contraction during operation. This, in turn, imposes significant mechanical stress on the interconnecting arrangements and on the mountings which physically retain the chips. Moreover, the assembly should be simple, reliable and easily fabricated in a cost-effective manner.

[0008] Semiconductor chips are typically manufactured in a multi-step process. Because repair costs and yield losses issues in the manufacturing process may be compounded with stacked chip assemblies and other multichip modules, such assemblies should be easily testable.

[0009] One aspect of the present invention provides a method of making a stacked microelectronic assembly. Preferred methods in accordance with this aspect of the invention include providing a flexible substrate having a plurality of attachment sites. The flexible substrate includes conductive terminals accessible at a surface thereof and wiring, such as one or more wiring layers, connected to the conductive terminals and having flexible leads extending to the attachment sites. The flexible substrate preferably includes a polymeric material and has a thickness of approximately between 25 and 75 microns. The wiring layer or layers typically include(s) a flexible electrically conductive metal, such as copper. In certain embodiments, the flexible substrate may include through vias extending from the first surface to the second surface thereof. The through vias may include a conductive material for electrically interconnecting at least some of the flexible leads with the conductive terminals accessible at the one or more surfaces of the flexible substrate.

[0010] In the next stage of the process, a plurality of microelectronic elements are assembled to the attachment sites and electrically interconnected to the leads extending to the attachment sites. Each microelectronic element preferably includes a semiconductor chip having a front face with electrical contacts thereon and a back surface. During the assembly step, the front face of each chip is abutted with one of the attachment sites so that the electrical contacts on the semiconductor chip are aligned with the leads at the attachment sites. The conductive leads which extend to the attachment sites are electrically interconnected with the contacts using bonding techniques such as ultrasonic or thermocompression bonding or by using the bonding techniques disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,398,863; 5,390,844; 5,536,909 and 5,491,302 the disclosures of which are incorporated by reference herein. The other ends of the flexible leads are connected to at least some of the conductive terminals accessible at one of the surfaces of the flexible substrate.

[0011] In certain embodiments, a plurality of compliant pads may be provided between the semiconductor chip and the attachment site. The compliant pads define channels running therebetween and preferably include a resilient material such as silicone. After the leads have been bonded to the contacts, a curable liquid encapsulant is then cured, such as by using heat, to provide a compliant interface between the chip and the flexible substrate.

[0012] Next, the flexible substrate is folded, preferably in an “S”-shaped or gentle zig-zag configuration, and at least some of the microelectronic elements assembled to the flexible substrate are stacked in vertical alignment with one another. During the vertical stacking stage, some of the microelectronic elements may be grouped in pairs and the paired microelectronic elements juxtaposed with one another. Preferably, during the juxtaposing step, the back surfaces of the paired microelectronic elements are positioned close to one another and most preferably are in contact with one another. By vertically aligning at least some of the microelectronic elements in close proximity with one another, the size of the stacked assembly will be minimized. After the flexible substrate is folded and the microelectronic elements are stacked, the conductive terminals of the flexible substrate are preferably exposed at the bottom of the stacked assembly for connecting the assembly with an external circuit element. The attachment sites of the flexible substrate should be spaced sufficiently apart so that the back surfaces of the paired microelectronic elements can be readily juxtaposed with one another during the folding and stacking steps without stretching or tearing the flexible substrate. In embodiments having two or more sets of paired microelectronic elements, the two or more sets preferably are stacked or aligned one atop the other in a substantially vertical alignment.

[0013] Before the stacked assembly is electrically interconnected with an external circuit element, such as a printed circuit board, the stacked pairs are typically secured or maintained in vertical alignment. In one preferred embodiment, the stacked pairs are maintained in vertical alignment by providing a mechanical element which holds the stacked pairs in vertical alignment. The mechanical element may include a bracket which abuts against the top of the stacked microelectronic elements for holding the microelectronic elements in place and transferring heat from the top of the assembly. The mechanical element may include a thermally conductive material, such as a metal, for dissipating heat from the stacked microelectronic assembly. Preferably the mechanical element has openings in the side walls thereof or has no side walls at all so that cooling air may flow freely around the stacked pairs of microelectronic elements for holding the microelectronic elements in place and transferring heat from the top of the stack. The mechanical element may also include cooling fins at one or more surfaces thereof for dissipating heat from the chips.

[0014] Thermally conductive elements, such as flexible thermally conductive sheets including metal may be provided between the back surfaces of said paired microelectronic elements. The thermally conductive sheets transfer heat between the microelectronic elements to the top and the bottom of the stacked assembly. Moreover, the thermally conductive elements conduct heat laterally out of the stack. The thermally conductive sheets are also preferably in heat transfer relation with the mechanical element for transferring heat from the microelectronic elements to the mechanical element. For example, the conductive sheet may be in physical contact with the electrical element. In other embodiments, the paired microelectronic elements may be maintained in the back surface-to-back surface configuration by applying an adhesive, such as a thermally conductive adhesive, between the back surfaces of the paired microelectronic elements before the back surfaces are abutted against one another. The thermally conductive adhesive serves two purposes. First, it adheres the back surfaces of the paired microelectronic elements together to provide rigidity to the assembly and maintain the stacked microelectronic elements in vertical alignment. In addition, the thermally conductive adhesive transfers heat between the stacked microelectronic elements so that heat can be dissipated from the top and/or the bottom of the assembly. Additional layers of the thermally conductive adhesive may also be applied between portions of the flexible substrate which are folded over upon itself during the stacking step to enhance heat transfer. Thus, the stacked microelectronic elements may be maintained in vertical alignment using the mechanical elements or the thermally conductive adhesive or a combination of both. In other embodiments, the adhesive may be applied between the back surfaces of only some of the paired microelectronic elements and/or some of the pairs of microelectronic elements.

[0015] The stacked assembly made in accordance with the various embodiments described above may then be electrically interconnected with an external circuit element, such as a printed circuit board, by electrically connecting the conductive terminals exposed at the bottom of the assembly to conductive pads on an external circuit element. As mentioned above, the flexible substrate is folded in such a manner that the conductive terminals are accessible at the bottom of the stacked assembly so that the stacked assembly can be readily interconnected to an external circuit element.

[0016] As mentioned above, in order to provide a compliant interface, a curable liquid encapsulant composition may be disposed between the flexible substrate and the microelectronic elements and cured. Encapsulant located between adjacent microelectronic elements may however interfere with the proper folding of the flexible substrate. Before the flexible substrate is folded therefore, a dam may be placed on the flexible substrate between adjacent microelectronic elements. The dam serves to insure that area between microelectronic elements is relatively free of encapsulant. Typically, the dam is removed before the flexible substrate is folded.

[0017] In another embodiment, a spacer may be disposed on the flexible substrate intermediate between adjacent microelectronic elements or attachment sites. The spacer is typically placed on the flexible substrate before it is folded. When the flexible substrate is folded, the spacer ensures that a minimum distance is maintained between the folds of the substrate. If two vertically aligned microelectronic elements are to be adhered together using an adhesive, the spacers can be used to define the thickness of the adhesive to be used. If the spacer has a curved bottom surface, the spacer can be used to define the radius of curvature at the fold in the flexible substrate. Defining the radius of curvature can be useful in to minimize breaking or kinking of the flexible substrate.

[0018] In still another embodiment, electrically conductive test contacts may be disposed on one or more surfaces of the flexible substrate. The test contacts are electrically connected to the microelectronic elements, typically through wiring on the flexible substrate. In preferred embodiments, the flexible substrate in folded in such a manner that the test contacts are readily accessible, most preferably at the top of the stacked assembly, so that the stacked assembly can be tested before, during or after the stacked assembly has been connected to an external circuit element, such as a printed circuit board. By testing the stacked assembly before interconnecting the assembly to a printed circuit board, a printed circuit board assembler can minimize yield loss and reduce repair costs.

[0019] Assemblies fabricated according to the preferred embodiments of the present invention save valuable space on circuit boards because at least some of the chips are stacked vertically one atop the other rather than in a side-by-side configuration. The present invention also provides an inexpensive and economical means for manufacturing stacked assemblies. The aforementioned inventive methods and assemblies are preferably used to package memory devices such as a dynamic random access memory device (“DRAM”) or other memory chips. Therefore, in preferred embodiments, the wiring layer will interconnect certain contacts on each of the semiconductor chips together in a bus configuration. Thus, corresponding contacts on each chip can be connected to the same lead. However, even in this configuration, the flexible leads may directly connect one or more of the individual microelectronic element contacts to a respective conductive terminal at one or more surfaces of the flexible substrate.

[0020] Another aspect of the present invention provides a stacked microelectronic assembly including a flexible substrate having a plurality of attachment sites. The flexible substrate includes conductive terminals accessible at a surface thereof and wiring, such as one or more wiring layers, connected to the conductive terminals and including leads extending to the attachment sites. A plurality of microelectronic elements are assembled to the attachment sites and are electrically interconnected with the leads. The flexible substrate is folded for stacking at least some of the microelectronic elements in substantially vertical alignment with one another. A securing element, such as the mechanical element and/or the adhesive described above, maintains the stacked microelectronic elements in a substantially vertical alignment with one another whereby the conductive terminals are exposed at the bottom end of the assembly. In preferred embodiments, the second surface of the flexible substrate includes the conductive terminals which are electrically interconnected with at least some of the leads. However, in other embodiments, the conductive terminals may be provided at the first surface of the flexible substrate. After at least some of the microelectronic elements have been stacked in vertical alignment, the conductive terminals are electrically interconnected with an external circuit element as described above. The flexible substrate typically includes a polymeric material and has a thickness of between 25 to 75 microns and the wiring layer includes a flexible electrically conductive metal. Each of the microelectronic elements preferably includes a semiconductor chip having a front face with one or more electrical contacts thereon which are electrically interconnected with the leads at the attachment sites.

[0021] In another embodiment of the present invention, thermally conductive elements, preferably including a flexible metal sheet, are disposed between the back surfaces of at least some of the paired microelectronic elements in the assembly for transferring heat up and down the assembly. The ends of the thermally conductive sheets extending from the sides of the stack may also contact the mechanical element holding the chips in vertical alignment to transfer heat from the chips to the bracket, which in turn dissipates the heat from the stacked assembly. The ends of the thermally conductive sheets may also include flanges which contact the mechanical element. The flanges ensure a reliable contact between the conductive sheets and the mechanical element and increase the surface area for transferring heat therebetween.

[0022] In other embodiments, some of the microelectronic elements are stacked one atop the other in a vertical stack while other chips are stacked side-by-side. For example, first and second groups of microelectronic elements may be assembled to the flexible substrate so that the elements within any one group are in proximity with one another while the groups are spaced slightly apart from one another. The flexible substrate is then folded so that the back surfaces of the chips in the first group are in contact with the back surfaces of the chips in the second group. Although the chips within any one of the groups are side-by-side, by stacking one group atop another in vertical alignment, the final assembly saves valuable space on the circuit board. Also, the flex circuit is economical to manufacture compared with other more esoteric stacking package elements. In other embodiments, the stacked assembly may include a plurality of microelectronic elements stacked one atop the other in a vertical stack with one or more microelectronic elements positioned to the side of the vertical stack.

[0023] In another embodiment of the invention, some of the microelectronic elements are assembled to attachment sites at the first surface of the flexible substrate while other microelectronic elements are assembled to attachment sites at the second surface of the flexible substrate. The flexible substrate is then folded in an “S”-shaped or gentle zig-zag configuration to provide a stacked assemble whereby the chips are in substantial vertical alignment with one another. The flexible substrate may also be folded in a spiral configuration to provide a substantially vertical stack. The stack is preferably maintained in vertical alignment by using the thermally conductive adhesive and/or the mechanical element discussed above. The thermally conductive plates described above may be positioned between the microelectronic elements to transfer heat from between the chips and to the top and the bottom of the assembly.

[0024] In other embodiments, the conductive terminals can be accessible at either the first surface or the second surface of the flexible substrate. After the chips are assembled to the flexible substrate, the flexible substrate is folded so that the chips are in vertical alignment and so the conductive terminals are exposed at the bottom of the stack. In preferred embodiments, the conductive terminals be accessible at the bottom of the assembly so the assembly may be electrically connected to an external circuit element, such as a printed circuit board.

[0025] In another embodiment, the stacked assembly includes a plurality of electrically conductive test contacts accessible at a surface of the stacked assembly. In preferred embodiments, the test contacts are accessible at the top of the assembly so that the assembly may be tested before, during or after it is electrically interconnected to an external circuit element.

[0026] In another embodiment, the stacked assembly includes at least one spacer disposed between adjacent microelectronic elements.

[0027] In another embodiment, two or more of the stacked assemblies of the present invention may be stacked together to form a multi-part stacked assembly. The multi-part stacked assembly of the present invention includes a first assembly and a second assembly. The first assembly includes a plurality of connection pads accessible at a surface of the flexible substrate, preferably at the top end of the first assembly. The terminals of the second assembly include a plurality of connection elements, such as solder balls. The first and second assemblies are stacked together by aligning and interconnecting the solders balls of the second assembly with the connection pads of the first assembly.

[0028] In yet another embodiment of the present invention, a microelectronic element assembly includes a flexible substrate having an attachment site. The flexible substrate includes conductive terminals accessible at a surface thereof and wiring, such as one or more wiring layers, connected to the conductive terminals and including leads extending to the attachment site. The flexible substrate also includes a plurality of test contacts accessible at a surface thereof. The assembly also includes a microelectronic element connected to the flexible substrate at the attachment site. Contacts on the face surface of the microelectronic element are interconnected to the terminals with the leads. The flexible substrate is folded over and connected to the back surface of the microelectronic element, preferably so that the test contacts are accessible at the top surface of the assembly. The assembly may also include a plurality of connection pads to form a first microelectronic assembly. A second microelectronic assembly may include a plurality of solder balls or other connection elements connected to the terminals. The first and second assemblies of this aspect of the invention may be interconnected, by connecting the solder balls of the second assembly to the connection pads of the first assembly, to form a stacked microelectronic assembly.

[0029] The stacked assemblies described in the above embodiments of the present invention provide economical and space saving structures for use in electronic devices. These and other objects features and advantages of the present invention will be more readily apparent from the description of the preferred embodiments set forth below and taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

[0030] FIG. 1 shows a diagrammatic top view of one stage of a method of making a stacked microelectronic assembly in accordance with one embodiment of the invention.

[0031] FIG. 2 shows a side view of FIG. 1.

[0032] FIGS. 3-6 show still further stages of a method of making a stacked microelectronic assembly in accordance with one embodiment of the invention.

[0033] FIG. 7 shows a diagrammatic side view of a stacked assembly according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0034] FIG. 8 shows a top view similar to FIG. 1 but depicting another embodiment of the present invention.

[0035] FIG. 9 shows a side view similar to FIG. 6 but depicting another embodiment of the present invention.

[0036] FIG. 10 shows a side view similar to FIG. 4A but depicting another embodiment of the present invention.

[0037] FIG. 11 shows a side view similar to FIG. 5 but depicting another embodiment of the present invention.

[0038] FIGS. 12 and 13 show views similar to FIGS. 10 and 11, respectively, but depicting still further embodiments of the present invention.

[0039] FIGS. 14 and 15 show yet further embodiments of the present invention wherein the assembly has a spiral configuration.

[0040] FIGS. 16 and 17 show views similar to FIGS. 12 and 13, respectively, but depicting further embodiments of the present invention.

[0041] FIGS. 18 and 19 show views similar to FIGS. 16 and 17, respectively, but depicting further embodiments of the present invention.

[0042] FIGS. 20 and 21 show side views similar to FIGS. 18 and 19 but depicting further embodiments of the present invention.

[0043] FIGS. 22 and 23 show side views similar to FIGS. 20 and 21 but depicting further embodiments of the present invention.

[0044] FIGS. 24 and 25 show enlarged side views similar to FIGS. 22 and 23 but depicting further embodiments of the present invention.

[0045] FIGS. 26 and 27 show side views similar to FIGS. 24 and 25 but depicting further embodiments of the present invention.

[0046] FIG. 28 is an enlarged side view of a stacked assembly in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention.

[0047] FIGS. 29 and 30 show side views similar to FIGS. 22 and 23 but depicting further embodiments of the present invention.

[0048] FIGS. 31 and 32 show side views similar to FIGS. 29 and 30 but depicting further embodiments of the present invention.

[0049] FIGS. 33 and 34 show side views similar to FIGS. 29 and 30 but depicting further embodiments of the present invention.

[0050] FIG. 35 is a side view of a microelectronic element assembly in accordance with yet another embodiment of the present invention.

[0051] FIG. 36 is a side view of a microelectronic element assembly in accordance with yet another embodiment of the present invention.

[0052] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a method in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention provides a flexible substrate 10 having a wiring layer 12 and including leads 14 having ends 16 extending to a plurality of attachment sites 18. The attachment sites 18 are shown as visible rectangular areas in FIG. 1 for clarity of illustration; however, in actual practice, the attachment sites 18 need not have visible borders. In addition, the thickness of the flexible substrate 10 shown in FIG. 2, as well as in subsequent figures, has been greatly exaggerated for clarity of illustration. The leads 14 preferably have connections sections configured for bonding at each attachment site. For example, the leads 14 may be of the type used in certain methods of tape automated bonding having frangible ends which are broken away from a bus bar during the bonding operation as disclosed in commonly assigned U.S. patent application Ser. No. 07/919,772, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. The plurality of attachment sites 18 and the ends 16 of the leads 14 extending to the attachment sites are provided at a first surface 20 of the flexible substrate 10. The attachment sites 18 are grouped in pairs 25A and 25B which are spaced on the flexible substrate 10 in a particular pattern for reasons which will be discussed in more detail below. The flexible substrate 10 includes conductive terminals 22 accessible at the second surface 24 thereof. The conductive terminals 22 are connected with the wiring layer 12 and at least some of the leads 14. In certain preferred embodiments, all of the leads 14 run to individual conductive terminals 22. Alternatively, in other preferred embodiments some of the leads 14 run between the chips 26 so that the number of conductive terminals 22 accessible at the second surface 24 of the flexible substrate 10 is less than the total number of chip contacts 30 and their corresponding leads 14. For example, the leads 14 could be bussed together or merely serve as common power/ground lines to each chip 26. The flexible substrate 10 is typically utilized to stack chip assemblies for memory devices such as a Dynamic Random Access Memory (DRAM) device or other memory chips. In preferred embodiments, each of the microelectronic elements in the stacked microelectronic assembly of the present invention have the same access time. The access time of a DRAM chip may be determined, for example, by using known good die test sockets. In preferred embodiments, the differences in the lengths of the electrical connection between each contact on each microelectronic element and the associated terminal is minimized in order to minimize problems with any increase in package capacitance.

[0053] FIGS. 3 and 4A show a plurality of microelectronic elements 26 assembled to the attachment sites 18. Preferably, the chips are fully packaged prior to attachment to the “folding substrate.” That way, if one chip is defectively packaged, the whole module need not be replaced. In one embodiment, each microelectronic element 26 preferably includes a semiconductor chip having a front face 28 with one or more electrical contacts 30 thereon. Each semiconductor chip 26 also includes a back surface 32. Before the chips 26 are assembled, a plurality of compliant pads 31 are provided over each attachment site 18. The compliant pads 31 define channels 35 running therebetween and the pads are similar to those disclosed in commonly assigned U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/365,699, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. Next, the front face 28 of the semiconductor chip 26 is abutted against the compliant pads 31 at the attachment site 18 and the contacts 30 on the chip are aligned with the leads 14 extending to each attachment site. The leads 14 are then electrically interconnected with the contacts 30 by using the bonding techniques described above. After the semiconductor chips 26 have been assembled to the attachment sites 18 and bonded to the leads 14, the wiring layer 12 interconnects the semiconductor chips 26 with the conductive terminals 22 at the second surface 26 of the flexible substrate 20. Referring to FIG. 4B, a curable liquid encapsulant 33 is then applied around at least the perimeter of the chips 26 as disclosed in '699 application. The encapsulant 33 flows between the front face 28 of the chip 26 and the attachment site 18, through the channels 35 between the plurality of compliant pads 31 and around the leads 14 bonded to the contacts 30. The encapsulant 33 is then cured using energy, such as heat, to provide a compliant interface between the chip 26 and the flexible substrate 10. As mentioned previously, the wiring layer 12 interconnects some of the chips 12 together in a bus configuration because preferred embodiments of the stacked assembly will be used to package memory devices such as DRAMS. Even in this configuration, however, the leads 14 may directly connect one or more individual chips 26 to a conductive terminal 22.

[0054] Referring to FIG. 5, the flexible substrate 10 is then folded in a gentle zig-zag or an “S” shaped pattern to stack the chips in vertical alignment with one another, whereby portions of the first surface 20 of the flexible substrate 10 bearing the attachment sites 18 face one another. During the folding step, the back surfaces 32 of paired semiconductor chips 26 are juxtaposed with one another. In order for the back surfaces 32 of the pairs of microelectronic elements 26 to be juxtaposed with one another without stretching or tearing the flexible substrate 10, the attachment sites 18 must be spaced sufficiently apart so that there is adequate slack in the flexible substrate 10 between the paired chips 26. The particular embodiment shown in FIG. 5 includes a first pair 34 of semiconductor chips 26 juxtaposed back-to-back to one another and sandwiched between a first section 38 of the flexible substrate 10. The flexible substrate 10 is then folded back over upon itself at an intermediate section 40 thereof, whereby portions of the flexible tape 10 are juxtaposed with one another. Next, the back surfaces 32 of a second pair 36 of semiconductor chips 26 are juxtaposed with one another. The final stacked assembly shown in FIG. 5 includes the first and second pairs 34 and 36 of chips 26 whereby the first pair 34 is provided over the second pair 36 and the two pairs 34 and 36 are substantially in vertical alignment with one another.

[0055] Referring to FIG. 6, in order to maintain the pairs 34 and 36 in vertical alignment, an adhesive 44, such as a thermally conductive adhesive, is provided between the juxtaposed back surfaces 32 of the semiconductor chips 26 and is also provided between the portions of the flexible substrate which overlap one another, i.e., the intermediate section 40 of the flexible substrate 10. The adhesive 44 bonds the back surfaces of the juxtaposed chips 26 together to provide stability to the stacked assembly. The thermally conductive adhesive 44 also promotes even distribution of heat in the stacked chips 26, and thus limits the temperature rise in the hottest chips. The thermally conductive adhesive promotes conduction in the vertical direction within the stack; i.e., transfers the heat to the top and bottom of the stacked assembly for dissipation outside the assembly. To provide additional support for the assembly, a mechanical element 46, such as a bracket, is placed over the vertically aligned chips 26 so that the bracket 46 abuts against the top 48 of the aligned chips 26. Preferably, the bracket 46 does not include any side walls so that cooling air may freely interact with the exposed surfaces of the semiconductor chips 26. In other embodiments, the bracket 46 may include one or more side walls having openings therein for enabling cooling air to flow therethrough. As shown, the bracket 46 may also include cooling fins 47 on an exterior surface thereof for dissipating heat from the stacked assembly. The conductive terminals 22 are exposed at the bottom of the final assembly so that the chips 26 may be electrically interconnected with an external circuit element 48, such as a printed circuit board. Solder balls 50 are provided on the conductive terminals 22 for bonding the terminals 22 to conductive pads 52 located at a top surface 54 of the printed circuit board 48. In certain embodiments, the conductive terminals 22 are interconnected with the leads 14 through conductive vias 56 extending through the flexible substrate 10.

[0056] FIG. 7 shows another embodiment of the present invention wherein a thermally conductive adhesive is not used between the back surfaces of the pairs of chips 126. In this particular embodiment, the semiconductor chips 126 are assembled and electrically interconnected with the flexible substrate 110 as described above. The flexible substrate 110 is then folded so that the chips 126 are stacked in vertical alignment with one another and so that the back surfaces of pairs 134 and 136 are juxtaposed with one another. While the chips 126 are held in vertical alignment, a securing element 146, such as the bracket described above, is placed over the top of the stack. The securing element 146 abuts against the top of the stack to maintain the stacked assembly in vertical alignment. The assembly may then be electrically interconnected with an external circuit element 148 using the methods described above.

[0057] FIGS. 8 and 9 show another embodiment of the present invention whereby thermally conductive metallic plates 250 are attached to or merely disposed between the back surfaces of at least some of the semiconductor chips 226 to transfer heat from the chips 226 during operation. The thermally conductive plates 250 include flanges 252 at one end. The plates can be rigid or preferably flexible. Flexibility enhances engagement with the mechanical element 246. After the chips 226 have been assembled to the attachment sites 218, the flexible metal sheets 250 may be attached to the back surfaces of the chips 226 using an adhesive such as thermally conductive adhesive 244. Alternatively, the flexible metal sheets 250 may be placed between the back surfaces of the chips 226 without using the adhesive. Referring to FIG. 9, the flexible substrate 210 is then folded in an “S”-shaped configuration as described above so as to provide a stacked assembly whereby the flexible metal sheets 250 are between the back surfaces of the pairs of chips 234, 236 for transferring heat from the assembly. Preferably, the flexible metal sheets 250 extend to one or more sides of the stack for transferring heat from the chips 226. The flanges 252 at the end of the flexible metal plates 250 are preferably in direct contact with a mechanical element 246 to transfer heat from the chips 226 to the bracket 246, which in turn dissipates heat from the stacked assembly. Alternatively, a thermally conductive material can be provided between the flanges 250 and the bracket 246. In further embodiments, the flexible metal sheets 250 are first attached to the bracket 246 before the flexible substrate 210 is folded, whereby the flexible metal sheets 250 are passed between the back surfaces of the chips 226 as the chips are stacked in vertical alignment.

[0058] FIGS. 10 and 11 show further embodiments of the present invention whereby chips 326 are stacked in both vertical alignment and side-by-side. For example, first and second groups of microelectronic elements 325A, 325B are assembled to the flexible substrate 310 so that the chips 326 within the respective first and second groups 325A, 325B are in close proximity with one another. As shown in FIG. 11, the flexible substrate 310 is folded over so that the back surfaces 332 of the chips 326 in the first group 325A are in contact with the back surfaces 332 of the chips 326 in the second group 325B. Thus, although the chips 326 in any one group are disposed side-by-side, the chips in the different groups are stacked in vertical alignment, one atop the other, to provide a stacked assembly which will save space on a circuit board.

[0059] FIGS. 12 and 13 show still further embodiments of the present invention whereby some of the chips 426 are assembled to the first surface 420 of the flexible substrate 410 and some of the chips 426 are assembled to the second surface 424 of the flexible substrate 410. Referring to FIG. 13, the flexible substrate 410 is then folded in an “S”-shaped or gentle zig-zag configuration to provide a stacked assembly whereby the chips are in substantial vertical alignment with one another. The stack is maintained in vertical alignment using the thermally conductive adhesive and/or the mechanical element discussed above. Flexible metal sheets (not shown) may be placed between the microelectronic elements to transfer heat from the chips, as described above.

[0060] Referring to FIGS. 14 and 15, in yet further embodiments, the conductive terminals can be accessible at either the first surface or the second surface of the flexible substrate. After the chips are assembled to the flexible substrate, the flexible substrate is folded so that the conductive terminals are exposed at the bottom of the stack so the assembly may be electrically connected to an external circuit element, such as a printed circuit board. FIG. 14 shows a flexible substrate 510 having the chips 526 assembled to both the first and second surfaces 520, 524 of the flexible substrate 510 and the conductive terminals 522 being accessible at the second surface 524 of the flexible substrate 510. FIG. 15 shows another embodiment whereby a flexible substrate 610 has chips assembled to both the first and the second surfaces 620, 624 of the flexible substrate 610; however, the conductive terminals 622 are accessible at the first surface 620 of the flexible substrate 610. In this particular embodiment, an extra fold is provided in the flexible substrate 610 when forming the stacked assembly so that the conductive terminals 622 are exposed at the bottom of the assembly.

[0061] FIGS. 16 and 17 show yet other embodiments of the present invention whereby a large number of conductive terminals 722 are accessible at a surface of the flexible substrate 710. In certain embodiments, the number of conductive terminals 722 may be so large that the chip 726aoverlying the conductive terminals 722 may not provide sufficient support for the conductive terminals 722. For example, in FIG. 5 the conductive terminals 22 are adequately supported by the semiconductor chip 26 at the bottom of the stacked assembly because the conductive terminals 22 do not extend beyond the periphery of the chip 26. In contrast, the conductive terminals 722 in FIG. 16 extend beyond the periphery of the semiconductor chip 726a. As such, is order to adequately support the conductive terminals 722 beyond the periphery of the chip 726a, the flexible substrate 710 includes a rigid element 760 which provides rigidity to the bottom of the assembly when the chips 726 are stacked in substantially vertical alignment, as shown in FIG. 17. The outer perimeter of the rigid element 760 may include slots or other elements for connecting the rigid element 760 to the mechanical element 746. As shown in FIG. 17, the perimeter of the rigid element 760 is in contact with inwardly extending flanges at the bottom of the bracket 746 so that the stacked assembly is adequately secured within the bracket 746.

[0062] FIGS. 18 and 19 show still further embodiments of the present invention whereby the conductive terminals 822 at the bottom of the stacked assembly are supported by a ring 860, such as metallic ring, positioned around a chip 826. The ring 860 provides support for any of the conductive terminals 822 which are located outside the periphery of the chip 826 at the bottom of the stacked assembly.

[0063] FIGS. 20 and 21 show yet another embodiment of the present invention whereby the flexible substrate 910 includes a plurality of electrically conductive test contacts 901. The test contacts 901 are connected to the wiring layer (not shown) and at least some of the leads (not shown) which interconnect the chips 926 with the flexible substrate 910. The test contacts may be disposed on either the first surface 906 of the flexible substrate or the second surface 907. As depicted in FIGS. 22 and 23, the test contacts may be disposed on both the first surface 906 and the second surface 907. In preferred embodiments, and as depicted in FIG. 21, after the flexible substrate is folded, the test contacts are exposed on the top end of the assembly. By incorporating test contacts, the assembly may be tested before, during or after the assembly is connected to a larger circuit panel such as a printed circuit board. Having the test contacts disposed on the top end of the assembly facilitates this testing because the test contacts are more easily accessed.

[0064] FIGS. 24 and 25 depict another embodiment of the present invention whereby the assembly includes an encapsulant. As mentioned above, the encapsulant is disposed between the face of each chip and the flexible substrate. The encapsulant is typically formed by applying a curable liquid encapsulant composition around the perimeter of the chips and then curing the composition to form encapsulant 933. In preferred embodiments, a plurality of complaint pads are disposed on the flexible substrate before the curable liquid encapsulant is disposed on the flexible substrate. In preferred embodiments, the liquid curable encapsulant composition is dispensed onto the flexible substrate 910 after the leads 914 are interconnected to the semiconductor chips 926 and before the substrate 910 is folded. In preferred embodiments, the liquid curable encapsulant composition is cured before the flexible substrate 910 is folded.

[0065] FIGS. 26 and 27 depict another embodiment of the present invention whereby a dam 903 is used to prevent the liquid curable encapsulant composition from contacting folded portion 904 of flexible substrate 910. Dam 903 is placed between adjacent chips 926 before the chips are encapsulated with a liquid curable encapsulating composition. The composition is cured to form an encapsulant 933. In preferred embodiments, dam 903 is removed before the flexible substrate 910 is folded.

[0066] FIG. 28 depicts still another embodiment of the present invention. The multi-part stacked microelectronic assembly of FIG. 26 includes a first stacked microelectronic assembly and a second stacked microelectronic assembly which is interconnected with the first stacked microelectronic assembly. The first stacked microelectronic assembly includes a plurality of vertically aligned first semiconductor chips 926a. The first assembly also includes a first flexible substrate 910awhich is disposed in a folded configuration and which has a plurality of electrically conductive first terminals 922a, and first wiring (not shown) including a plurality first leads 914awhich interconnect the first chips 926awith first terminals 922a. The first stacked microelectronic assembly may also include a first adhesive 909adisposed between the back surfaces of vertically aligned first chips 926a, or another first securing element for maintaining the vertical alignment of such first chips. The first assembly also includes a plurality of electrically conductive test contacts 901adisposed on the first flexible substrate 910a. Such test contacts are electrically interconnected to first chips 926a.

[0067] The second stacked microelectronic assembly includes a plurality of vertically aligned first semiconductor chips 926b. The second assembly also includes a second flexible substrate 910bwhich is disposed in a folded configuration and which has a plurality of electrically conductive second terminals 922b, and second wiring (not shown) including a plurality second leads 914bwhich interconnect the second chips 926bwith second terminals 922b. The second assembly may also include a second adhesive 909bdisposed between the back surfaces of vertically aligned second chips 926b, or another second securing element for maintaining the vertical alignment of such second chips. The second assembly also includes a plurality of electrically conductive connection pads 999bdisposed on second substrate 910b. The first and the second stacked assemblies are interconnected to form a multi-part stacked assembly aligning and interconnecting the first terminals 922aof the first assembly with the connection pads 999bof the second assembly.

[0068] FIGS. 29 and 30 show still another embodiment of the present invention whereby one or more a spacers 902 are disposed on the flexible substrate 910. The spacers are located at or near a fold 904 on the flexible substrate. The spacers 902 are typically disposed on the flexible substrate 902 between adjacent chips 926 before the substrate 910 is folded. In preferred embodiments, an adhesive is used to adhere the bottom surface 905 of spacer 902 to the flexible substrate 910. As depicted in FIGS. 31 and 32, the bottom surface 905 of the spacer 902 may be curved. In preferred embodiments, a spacer with a curved bottom surface is disposed on the flexible substrate 910 before the substrate is folded. In addition to maintaining a predetermined distance between confronting chips 926, as depicted in FIG. 21B, the curved bottom spacer may also help define the radius of curvature of folded flexible substrate.

[0069] FIGS. 33 and 34 show yet another embodiment of the present invention whereby a support element is disposed around one or more of the microelectronic elements 926. As depicted in FIG. 33, the terminals and/or the test contacts may be disposed on an area of the flexible substrate that is greater than the foot print of the adjacent microelectronic element 926. The terminals or text contact may be disposed in such an area because, for example, of a need to match the arrangement of terminals with the arrangement of connection pads on a printed circuit board, because the number of terminals or text contacts needed is greater than the number that can be accommodated in an area that corresponds to the foot print of the microelectronic element or because of a desire to increase the pitch, or center to center, distance between adjacent terminals or test contacts. When some of the terminals and/or contacts are disposed in an area outside the footprint of the adjacent microelectronic element, it may be desirable to incorporate one or more support elements, such as support rings 908, into the assembly. As depicted in FIG. 33, a first support ring 908 is disposed around one of the microelectronic elements 926 and a second support ring 908 is dispose around the other microelectronic element 926. Such support rings may be made of any relatively rigid material such as a metal or a plastic. Metal or epoxy support rings are preferred. The support rings help to maintain the planarity of the assembly, especially when the assembly is incorporated into a larger circuit element ,such as a printed circuit board, and/or when the test contacts are engaged with a testing device. The support rings should be adhered or otherwise connected to the assembly. The support rings may be adhered to the flexible substrate, for example using an adhesive or a liquid curable encapsulant composition. In preferred embodiments, if one of the microelectronic elements is surround by a support element, each of the microelectronic elements is surrounded by a support element.

[0070] FIG. 35 depicts yet another embodiment of the present invention wherein a single chip assembly has a plurality of test contacts for testing the assembly. The single chip assembly includes a semiconductor chip 926, a folded flexible substrate 910 having a plurality of electrically conductive terminals 922, a plurality of electrically conductive test contacts 901, wiring connected to the terminals and test contacts, and a plurality of leads 914. In preferred embodiments, terminals 922 are accessible at the bottom of the assembly. In preferred embodiments, the flexible substrate is folded in such a way that the test contacts are disposed over the top of the chip 926 and are accessible at the top end of the assembly.

[0071] FIG. 36 depicts yet another embodiment of the present invention wherein a multichip assembly has a plurality of test contacts. The multichip assembly includes two semiconductor chips 926, a folded flexible substrate 910 having a plurality of electrically conductive terminals 922, a plurality of electrically conductive test contract 901, wiring connected terminals from each chip to the test contacts and a plurality of leads 914. Although the substantially horizontally aligned semiconductor chips depicted in FIG. 36 are inverted with respect to each other, such chips maybe in oriented in upright (face-up) or face down orientations or some of the chips may be face-up and some may be face down. The spacing of the bond windows on the flexible substrate, however, is less likely to effect the pitch of the test contacts or the pitch of the solder balls when the semiconductor chips are inverted with respect to each other.

[0072] The surface area of the multichip assembly of the present embodiment will generally be larger than the surface area of a stacked assembly having an equivalent number of semiconductor chips. The vertical height of the multichip assembly, however, will generally be less than the height of a stacked assembly. The larger surface area allows the solder balls and the test contacts of the multichip assembly of the present invention to be spaced on a larger pitch. The smaller vertical height allows the multichip assembly of the present embodiment to be used in applications in which the stacked assembly can't be used because of vertical spacing limitations.

[0073] In preferred embodiments, an adhesive, or encapsulant 933 if it has adhesive properties, is disposed between the back surface of each semiconductor chip 926 and the top surface of the flexible substrate 910 and may flow into gaps in the package assembly.

[0074] As will be appreciated, numerous variations and combinations of the features discussed above can be utilized without departing from present invention as defined by the claims. For example, the embodiments shown in FIGS. 1-6 depict a stacked microelectronic assembly which is four chips high, however, more chips or fewer chips may be used in accordance with the chip stacking methods of the present invention. Accordingly, the foregoing description of the preferred embodiments should be taken by way of illustration rather than by way of limitation of the present invention.