Fabrication of compact opto-electronic component packages

1. A wafer-level method of fabricating an opto-electronic component package, the method comprising:

providing a semiconductor wafer having a first surface on a first side and a second surface on a second side opposite the first side;

etching vias in the first surface of the semiconductor wafer, the vias extending partially through the semiconductor wafer;

providing metallization on the first surface of the semiconductor wafer and surfaces in the vias and structuring the metallization to define a thermal pad for heat transfer away from the opto-electronic component and to define anode and cathode contact pads on the first surface electrically connected to metallization in the vias;

attaching a carrier wafer on the first side of the semiconductor wafer;

thinning the semiconductor wafer from the second side to expose the metallization in the vias;

on the second surface of the semiconductor wafer, providing metallization and structuring the metallization to define a die attach pad and to define additional anode and cathode pads for the opto-electronic component, wherein the additional anode and cathode pads are electrically connected to metallization in the vias;

mounting the opto-electronic component on the die attach pad; and

forming a protective cover over the opto-electronic component, wherein the protective cover is transparent to a wavelength of light emitted by or received by the opto-electronic component.

2. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

passivating the second surface after thinning the semiconductor wafer; and

opening the passivation in the region surrounding the metallization before providing metallization on the second surface of the semiconductor wafer.

3. The method of claim 1 further comprising attaching an optical reflector to the second side of the semiconductor wafer, wherein the reflector is arranged to direct light from the opto-electronic component out of the package.

4. The method of claim 1 further comprising forming a wire bond connection from the opto-electronic component to at least one of the additional anode or cathode pads.

5. The method of claim 1 further comprising dicing the wafer to form individual packages each of which houses an opto-electronic component.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein thinning the semiconductor wafer comprises:

mechanically grinding the second surface of the semiconductor wafer; and

etching the semiconductor wafer.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein metallizing the second surface of the semiconductor wafer includes providing metallization arranged to enhance optical reflection of light from the opto-electronic component out of the package.

8. The method of claim 1 wherein metallizing the second surface of the semiconductor wafer includes providing metallization arranged to enhance optical reflection of light from the opto-electronic component out of the package.

9. The method of claim 1 further comprising attaching a molded lens to the second side of the semiconductor wafer, wherein the molded lens is arranged to enhance light output of the opto-electronic component.

10. A wafer-level method of fabricating an opto-electronic component package in which the opto-electronic component is mounted to a semiconductor wafer having first and second surfaces on opposite sides of the wafer, wherein the first surface includes electronic circuitry electrically connected to the opto-electronic component, which is mounted to the side of the semiconductor wafer having the second surface, the method comprising:

selectively removing portions of electronic circuit layers at the first surface to define areas for vias extending partially through the semiconductor wafer, and etching the vias from the first surface of the semiconductor wafer;

providing metallization on the first surface of the semiconductor wafer and surfaces in the vias and structuring the metallization on the first surface to define a thermal pad for heat transfer away from the opto-electronic component and to define anode and cathode contact pads for the opto-electronic component, wherein the contact pads are electrically connected to metallization in the vias;

attaching a carrier wafer to the first surface of the semiconductor wafer;

thinning the semiconductor wafer from its second surface to expose the metallization in the vias;

providing metallization on the second surface of the semiconductor wafer and structuring the metallization to define a die attach pad and to define additional anode and cathode pads for the opto-electronic component, wherein the additional anode and cathode pads are electrically connected to metallization in the vias;

mounting the opto-electronic component on the die attach pad; and

forming a protective cover over the opto-electronic component, wherein the protective cover is transparent to a wavelength of light emitted by or received by the opto-electronic component.

11. The method of claim 10 further comprising:

after removing portions of electronic circuit layers on the first surface to define areas for vias extending partially through the semiconductor wafer, and before etching the vias from the first surface of the semiconductor wafer:

forming a passivation layer over the electronic circuit layers and exposed portions of underlying semiconductor material using a low-temperature passivation process; and

removing portions of the passivation layer in the areas in which the vias are to be etched.

12. The method of claim 11 further comprising, after etching the vias:

stripping the passivation layer;

forming another passivation layer over the electronic circuit layers using a low-temperature passivation process; and

subsequently providing the metallization on the first surface of the semiconductor wafer and surfaces in the vias and structuring the metallization on the first surface.

13. The method of claim 10 comprising using TMAH to etch the vias.

14. The method of claim 10 further comprising attaching an optical reflector to the side of the semiconductor wafer having the second surface, wherein the reflector is arranged to direct light from the opto-electronic component out of the package.

15. The method of claim 10 further comprising attaching a molded lens to the side of the semiconductor wafer having the second surface, wherein the molded lens is arranged to enhance light output of the opto-electronic component.

16. The method of claim 10 further comprising forming a wire bond connection from the opto-electronic component to at least one of the additional anode or cathode pads.

17. The method of claim 10 further comprising dicing the wafer to form individual packages each of which houses an opto-electronic component.

18. The method of claim 17 wherein thinning the semiconductor wafer comprises:

mechanically grinding the second surface of the semiconductor wafer; and

etching the semiconductor wafer.

19. The method of claim 10 further comprising providing metal on the side of the semiconductor wafer having the first surface to form a solder dam.

20. The method of claim 10 further comprising:

passivating the second surface after thinning the semiconductor wafer and

opening the passivation in the region surrounding the metallization before providing metallization on the second surface of the semiconductor wafer.