Acoustic Imaging of 3D IC and Die Stacks Made Easier with Sonoscan Simulation Software

http://www.sonoscan.com

3D IC and Stacked die configurations are often difficult to image with an
acoustic microscope because the multiple internal surfaces send back so many
echoes and re-echoes from the ultrasound pulsed into the stack. Stacked die
makers wanting to check nondestructively for delaminations between layers
have often been frustrated by this limitation.

Sonoscan (www.sonoscan.com) has now taken a major step toward resolving
this problem with the introduction of its SonoSimulator(TM) software, which is
now a standard feature on the Gen6(TM) C-SAM® acoustic microscope.

The SonoSimulator determines optimal gate positions and other parameters
with far less effort than is possible with the physical stacked parts alone. It also
results in higher quality acoustic images.

This powerful new software allows the operator to create a virtual die stack that
matches the characteristics of the physical 3D IC or die stack to be inspected,
including defects at specified layers.

The virtual defects help determine the optimum placement of gates to image
specific levels in the stack. The imaging parameters are then easily transferred
to the Gen6 Sonolytics(TM) software and used to image the physical 3D IC or die
stack.

In a short time the best gate positions and other parameters for imaging the
physical 3D IC or die stack can be obtained, even by less experienced operators.

About Sonoscan®: Sonoscan is the leading developer and manufacturer of
acoustic microscopes and sophisticated acoustic micro imaging systems, widely
used for nondestructive analysis of defects in industrial products and
semiconductor devices. For over 30 years, Sonoscan's attention to customer
needs and investment in R&D has created systems that set industry standards
for speed and accuracy. Key products include C-SAM® systems for off-line and
laboratory analysis and FACTS2(TM) automated production inspection systems.

Through its SonoLab® division Sonoscan applications engineers, with
experience totaling more than two centuries in acoustic microscopy, assist
hundreds of customers annually in solving materials problems and quality
control issues. SonoLab operates applications testing laboratories in multiple
global locations to serve the inspection needs of customers that do not have
their own capability.