Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 25
Claim 1
Independent Claim
170 words
A method of making an article for interconnecting a plurality of electrical elements, comprising the steps of: a. over a substrate, applying a first layer of a conductive material; b. over the first layer of conductive material, forming a first layer of dielectric material; c. in the first layer of dielectric, creating openings for vias in desired locations; d. using the first layer of conductive metal as an electrode, plating via posts into the via openings; e. depositing over the dielectric and the via posts a next layer of a conductive material; f. over the next layer of conductive material, forming a next, top layer of dielectric material; g. in the top layer of dielectric, creating openings for vias in desired locations; h. using the first layer of conductive material as an electrode, plating via posts into the via openings in the top layer of dielectric; i. for each subsequent layer of conductor desired, repeating steps e-h; j. removing the substrate; and k. patterning the first layer of conductive material.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
170 words
A method of making an article for interconnecting a plurality of electrical elements, comprising the steps of: a. over a substrate, applying a first layer of a conductive material; b. over the first layer of conductive material, forming a first layer of dielectric material; c. in the first layer of dielectric, creating openings for vias in desired locations; d. using the first layer of conductive metal as an electrode, plating via posts into the via openings; e. depositing over the dielectric and the via posts a next layer of a conductive material; f. over the next layer of conductive material, forming a next, top layer of dielectric material; g. in the top layer of dielectric, creating openings for vias in desired locations; h. using the first layer of conductive material as an electrode, plating via posts into the via openings in the top layer of dielectric; i. for each subsequent layer of conductor desired, repeating steps e-h; j. removing the substrate; and k. patterning the first layer of conductive material.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
10 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the dielectric is polyimide.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 2 wherein the dielectric is etched using one of plasma etching, reactive ion etching and liquid etching.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the dielectric is a photosensitive polyimide.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method of claim 1 wherein at least a portion of one layer of conductive material has a width substantially greater than that of nearby portions of at least one other layer of conductive material
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 1 wherein at least portions of at least two layers of conductive material are of substantially different thickness.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 6 wherein the thickness of the thicker layer is suitable for use as a tape-automated bonding finger for connection to an integrated circuit bonding pad.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 1 further including the step of: l. mounting the article of step k to a second substrate, while leaving the first conductive layer exposed.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
31 words
The method of any one of claims 1-8 wherein a layer of a protective material is provided adjacent to at least one surface of one of the layers of conductive material.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 9 wherein the protective material is chosen to facilitate selective etching of the conductive layer adjacent to the protective material.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
11 words
The method of claim 9 wherein the conductive material is copper.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
11 words
The method of claim 11 wherein the protective material is titanium.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
11 words
The method of claim 11 wherein the protective material is chromium.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 9 wherein each layer of conductive material is sandwiched between a layer of a first protective material and a layer of a second protective material.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 14 wherein the first and second protective materials are the same material.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 1 wherein a layer of a release material is applied over the substrate prior to the first layer of conductive material being applied over the substrate.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 1 further including the step of plating at least one signal trace on one of the layers of conductive material.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 17 wherein the signal trace is electrolytically plated using one of the layers of conductive material as a cathode.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 18 wherein the layer of conductive material used as the cathode is the first layer of conductive material.
Claim 21
Independent Claim
23 words
The method of any of claims 17-19 wherein a signal trace may have dimensions as small as about 5 microns by 5 microns.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 20 wherein vias are formed which are only about 10 microns by 10 microns in length and width, and 20 microns in height.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 21 wherein at least some of the vias are vertically stacked from one layer to the next.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 22 wherein at least some of the vias are thermal vias.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 1 wherein vias are formed which are only about 10 microns by 10 microns in length and width, and 20 microns in height.