Abstract
In this study, failure mechanisms of Au stud bumps/ACF flip chip joints were investigated underhigh current stressing condition. For the determination of allowable currents, I-V tests were performed on flip chip joints, and applied currents were measured as high as almost 4.2Amps $(4.42\times10^4\;Amp/cm^2)$. Degradation of flip chip joints was observed by in-situ monitoring of Au stud bumps-Al pads contact resistance. All failures, defined at infinite resistance, occurred at upward electron flow (from PCB pads to chip pads) applied bumps (UEB). However, failure did not occur at downward electron flow applied bumps (DEB). Only several $m\Omega$ contact resistance increased because of Au-Al intermetallic compound (IMC) growth. This polarity effect of Au stud bumps was different from that of solder bumps, and the mechanism was investigated by the calculation of chemical and electrical atomic flux. According to SEM and EDS results, major IMC phase was $Au_5Al_2$, and crack propagated along the interface between Au stud bump and IMC resulting in electrical failures at UEB. Therefore. failure mechanisms at Au stud bump/ACF flip chip Joint undo high current density condition are: 1) crack propagation, accompanied with Au-Al IMC growth. reduces contact area resulting in contact resistance increase; and 2) the polarity effect, depending on the direction of electrons. induces and accelerates the interfacial failure at UEBs.