Sidewall pattern enhances custom thin film substrate

Unlike traditional solutions with plated or filled vias, the product line offers SDWP substrates that accommodate die attach or wire bonding on side walls as well as the top side. Compared with wire bonds, side-patterned connections have lower inductance and therefore operate better at high frequency. This makes the devices suited for custom circuits in electro-mechanical or electro-optical applications, high-frequency circuits in RF applications and high-bit-rate transceivers (TOSA/ROSA).

With this new capability, designers can provide continuity between the top and bottom of a die, connect wire bonds to the traces on the side of the die, or make contact with the side of the die with a pin. The SDWP also allows designers to mount a die on the substrate and then position the substrate in an assembly standing up, with a wire bond placed on what has become the 'top' of the substrate. This allows for better integration with the optical elements of the design, including fibers, prisms and lenses.

SDWP substrates feature a plate thickness of less than 0.025", a minimum line width and gap of more than 0.003" and tight line width and gap tolerances down to ±0.001". Compared with thick film solutions, the thin film devices offer two to three times smaller line width and gap dimensions and tighter dimensional tolerances. The substrates are available in a variety of metals systems, including TiW/Au/Au plate, TiW/Au/Ni plate/Au plate and Cr/Cu/Cu plate/Ni plate/Au plate.

Samples and production quantities of the SDWP substrates are available now, with lead times of four weeks.