What is a C-SAM Inspection?

C-SAM assists in internal (invisible) manufacturing as well as in eliminating material defects that can critically compromise the performance of encapsulated microelectronic parts. Similarly, accidental constructional failures (missing parts) and counterfeit suppose and non-negligible issue in the current EEE market. Therefore, reliable non-destructive inspection tools are essential for the suitable identification and screening of internal defect in encapsulated systems. In Alter Technology we have all the tools to help you in your design; with ONE-STOP-SHOP that means: find your components in doEEEt and test them in Alter Technology.

However, internal non-destructive inspection becomes a challenging task because of the higher complexity and miniaturizations of current EEE assemblies, for instance, chip-scale packages and 3D integrated circuits stacks. In this regards Scanning Acoustic Microscopy (C-SAM) is one of the preferred methods for the non-destructive inspection of microelectronic assemblies and components.

• Plastic encapsulated IC
• Flip Chip systems (CGA, FCBGA, PBGA, FPBGA…)
• Bonded Wafers
• Printed Circuit Boards
• Capacitors
• MEMS…

Amongst other types of failures, acoustic techniques are particularly suitable for the detection of those irregularities involving materials and density changes including voids and porosity as well as cracks and delamination. In particular, acoustic microscopy has proved to be the ultimate non-destructive approach for the identification of ultrathin air delamination in multilayer systems, being sensitive to air features of sub-micrometric thickness. Therefore this non-destructive testing method is included in different quality control verification programmes such us:

• IPC/JEDEC J-STD-020E “Moisture Reflow Sensitivity Classification for Nonhermetic Surface Mount Devices” 
• GEIA-STD-0006 “Requirements for Using Solder Dip to Replace the Finish on Electronic Piece Parts” 
• MIL-STD-883 Test Method 2030 “Ultrasonic Inspection of die attach” 
• MIL-STD-1580 “Destructive Physical Analysis for Electronic Electromagnetic and Electromechanical Parts” 
• MIL-PRF-123 ”Capacitors Fixed Ceramic Dielectric (Temperature Stable and General Purpose), High Reliability, General Specification For” 
• MIL-PRF-31033 “Capacitor Fixed Ceramic Dielectric High Reliability Discoidal General Specification For”
• MIL-PRF-49470 Capacitors, Fixed Ceramic Dielectric Switch Mode Power Supply (General Purpose and Temperature Stable) Standard Reliability and High Reliability, General Specification For 

General failures:

• Non-bonded interfaces (e.g. bonded wafers)
• Die tilt or cupping
• Interlaminate disbonding
• Porous or insufficient die attach
• Die Cracks
• Molding compound voids
• Chip package cracks
• Delamination within the substrate

Ball Grill Arrays and specific failures:

• Defects in Cu pillars, solder balls, and TSVs
• Excessive filler height or die attach material
• Solder mask or “lead finger” disbanding
• BGA package cracks

Integrated circuits specific failures:

• IC package cracks (“popcorn” cracks)
• Lead frame delamination

Hybrid and Multi-Chip Module (MCM) specific failures:

• Heat sink solder bond integrity
• Lid seal bond quality
• Insufficient solder material
• Excessive solder reflow
• Seal integrity

REAL-TIME FEEDBACK

Our Virtual Lab Platform for Remote Testing provides Alter Technology users with:

• Instant access to test results
• Live chat with our inspectors during and after a test duration
• Access to Alter Technology database (30 years of accumulated data) for performance comparison with other batches and similar components.

Thanks to the Virtual Lab tool the customer can devise his own test solution specifically adapted to the actual needs and requirements and monitor test results in real time, without the need to wait for the completion of all the activities. Therefore, the final user can adapt the inspection areas and planes depending on the initial results. He will also receive feedback and advice from our test engineers during or thereupon inspection.

Detailed inspection records can be accessed immediately after the activity completion. Thus, manufacturers and users gain valuable time to develop contingency plans and solutions to address detected anomalies.