Substrate barcode readability enhancement structures and method
Substrates for use with semiconductor devices are provided. The substrates include a barcode laser etched into a metallic surface or layer of the substrate. A wall of non-metallic material may be formed on the metallic surface or layer and frame the barcode. Separately or in combination, an optically transparent encapsulant may cover a region of the metallic surface or layer that includes the barcode, where the optically transparent encapsulant reduces oxidation of metallic debris produced by laser etching of the barcode and that remains on or near the barcode. Separately or in combination, the substrate may include an electrically insulative body covered by the metallic layer and a trench formed in the metallic layer along a perimeter of the barcode and that exposes the electrically insulative body. Methods of improving readability of the barcode are also provided.
1 . A substrate, comprising:
a metallic surface;
a barcode laser etched into the metallic surface; and
a wall of non-metallic material formed on the metallic surface and framing the barcode,
wherein metallic debris produced by laser etching of the barcode is disposed on the wall of non-metallic material.
2 . The substrate of claim 1 , further comprising:
an electrically insulative body,
wherein the metallic surface covers the electrically insulative body.
3 . The substrate of claim 2 , wherein the electrically insulative body is ceramic, wherein the metallic surface comprises a copper layer bonded to the electrically insulative body, and wherein the wall of non-metallic material is formed on the copper layer.
4 . The substrate of claim 1 , wherein the substrate is a lead frame, wherein the metallic surface is a surface of the lead frame, and wherein the wall of non-metallic material is formed on the surface of the lead frame.
5 . The substrate of claim 1 , wherein the substrate is a metallic baseplate, wherein the metallic surface is a surface of the metallic baseplate, and wherein the wall of non-metallic material is formed on the surface of the metallic baseplate.
6 . The substrate of claim 1 , wherein the substrate is a metallic terminal or busbar, wherein the metallic surface is a surface of the metallic terminal or busbar, and wherein the wall of non-metallic material is formed on the surface of the metallic terminal or busbar.
7 . The substrate of claim 1 , wherein the metallic surface is patterned into a plurality of islands, wherein the barcode is laser etched into one of the islands, and wherein the wall of non-metallic material is formed on the same island as the barcode.
8 . The substrate of claim 1 , wherein the wall of non-metallic material comprises polyimide.
9 . A substrate, comprising:
a metallic surface;
a barcode laser etched into the metallic surface; and
an optically transparent encapsulant covering a region of the metallic surface that includes the barcode,
wherein the optically transparent encapsulant reduces oxidation of metallic debris produced by laser etching of the barcode and that remains on or near the barcode.
10 . The substrate of claim 9 , further comprising:
an electrically insulative body,
wherein the metallic surface covers the electrically insulative body.
11 . The substrate of claim 10 , wherein the electrically insulative body is ceramic, wherein the metallic surface comprises a copper layer bonded to the electrically insulative body, and wherein the optically transparent encapsulant covers a region of the copper layer that includes the barcode.
12 . The substrate of claim 9 , wherein the substrate is a lead frame, wherein the metallic surface is a surface of the lead frame, and wherein the optically transparent encapsulant covers a region of the surface of the lead frame that includes the barcode.
13 . The substrate of claim 9 , wherein the substrate is a metallic baseplate, wherein the metallic surface is a surface of the metallic baseplate, and wherein the optically transparent encapsulant covers a region of the surface of the metallic baseplate that includes the barcode.
14 . The substrate of claim 9 , wherein the substrate is a metallic terminal or busbar, wherein the metallic surface is a surface of the metallic terminal or busbar, and wherein the optically transparent encapsulant covers a region of the surface of the metallic terminal or busbar that includes the barcode.
15 . The substrate of claim 9 , wherein the metallic surface is patterned into a plurality of islands, wherein the barcode is laser etched into one of the islands, and wherein the optically transparent encapsulant covers a region of the island that includes the barcode.
16 . The substrate of claim 9 , wherein the optically transparent encapsulant comprises polyimide.
17 . A substrate, comprising:
an electrically insulative body;
a metallic layer covering the electrically insulative body;
a barcode laser etched into the metallic layer; and
a trench formed in the metallic layer along a perimeter of the barcode and exposing the electrically insulative body,
wherein metallic debris produced by laser etching of the barcode is disposed in the trench.
18 . The substrate of claim 17 , wherein the metallic layer is patterned into a plurality of islands, wherein the barcode is laser etched into a region of one of the islands, wherein the trench is formed in the same island as the barcode, and wherein the region of the island with the barcode is electrically connected to the remainder of the island through one or more gaps in the trench filled by the metallic layer.
19 . The substrate of claim 18 , further comprising:
an optically transparent encapsulant covering a region of the metallic layer that includes the barcode,
wherein the optically transparent encapsulant reduces oxidation of the metallic debris.
20 . A substrate, comprising:
an electrically insulative body;
a metallic layer covering the electrically insulative body;
a barcode laser etched into the metallic layer; and
a trench formed in the metallic layer along a perimeter of the barcode and exposing the electrically insulative body,
wherein the metallic layer is patterned into a plurality of islands, wherein the barcode is laser etched into a region of one of the islands,
wherein the trench is formed in the same island as the barcode,
wherein the region of the island with the barcode is electrically connected to the remainder of the island through one or more gaps in the trench filled by the metallic layer.