IP Library Granted Patent US 9,463,613
Granted Patent B2
US 9,463,613 · App. 14/307,321 · Granted Oct 11, 2016

Micro device transfer head heater assembly and method of transferring a micro device

Inventors: Andreas Bibl (Los Altos, CA); John A. Higginson (Santa Clara, CA); Hung-Fai Stephen Law (Los Altos, CA); Hsin-Hua Hu (Los Altos, CA)
Assignee: Apple Inc.
B32B38/18H01L24/75H01L24/83H01L24/95H01L24/97H01L21/67144H01L2224/7598H01L2224/75725H01L2224/83005H01L2224/97H01L2924/10253H01L2924/10329H01L2924/12041H01L2924/12042H01L2924/14H01L2924/1421H01L2924/1431H01L2924/1434H01L2924/1461Y10T156/1153Y10T156/17Y10T156/1705Y10T156/1707Y10T156/1744Y10T156/1749Y10T156/1776Y10T156/1911
View Patent ↗
Loading inventors, assignments & file history…
Monitor This Case
Get email alerts when status or documents change.
Order Certified Copies
Most orders are placed with the USPTO same day — all within 24 business hours.
Order via The Patent Place →
Pre-filled with this patent's details
Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 9,463,613
App. No.
14/307,321
Granted
Oct 11, 2016
Kind
B2
Abstract

A method of transferring a micro device and an array of micro devices are disclosed. A carrier substrate carrying a micro device connected to a bonding layer is heated to a temperature below a liquidus temperature of the bonding layer, and a transfer head is heated to a temperature above the liquidus temperature of the bonding layer. Upon contacting the micro device with the transfer head, the heat from the transfer head transfers into the bonding layer to at least partially melt the bonding layer. A voltage applied to the transfer head creates a grip force which picks up the micro device from the carrier substrate.

Claims (20)

1. A transfer head assembly comprising:

a base substrate supporting an array of electrostatic transfer heads;

wherein each electrostatic transfer head comprises a mesa structure of 1 to 100 μm scale in both x and y dimensions; and

a heater assembly to transfer heat through the base substrate to each electrostatic transfer head.

2. The transfer head assembly of claim 1 , wherein the heater assembly comprises a heating element.

3. The transfer head assembly of claim 1 , further comprising a dielectric layer covering the mesa structure of each electrostatic transfer head.

4. The transfer head assembly of claim 3 , wherein each mesa structure is integrally formed with the base substrate.

5. The transfer head assembly of claim 3 , wherein the dielectric layer is 0.5-2.0 μm thick.

6. The transfer head assembly of claim 3 , wherein each mesa structure is 1-5 μm thick.

7. The transfer head assembly of claim 1 , wherein each electrostatic transfer head incorporates a monopolar electrode configuration.

8. The transfer head assembly of claim 1 , wherein each electrostatic transfer head incorporates a bipolar electrode configuration.

9. The transfer head assembly of claim 8 , wherein each electrostatic transfer head comprises a pair of mesa structures, with each mesa structure of 1 to 100 μm scale in both x and y dimensions.

10. The transfer head assembly of claim 9 , wherein each mesa structure is integrally formed with the base substrate.

11. The transfer head assembly of claim 10 , wherein each mesa structure and the base substrate comprise silicon.

12. The transfer head assembly of claim 11 , further comprising a dielectric layer covering the pair of mesa structures of each electrostatic transfer head.

13. The transfer head assembly of claim 12 , wherein the dielectric layer comprises Al 2 O 3 .

14. The transfer head assembly of claim 12 , wherein the dielectric layer comprises Ta 2 O 5 .

15. The transfer head assembly of claim 9 , wherein each electrostatic transfer head comprises a trench that separates the pair of mesa structures.

16. The transfer head assembly of claim 1 , wherein each electrostatic transfer head is configured to apply a separate electrostatic grip pressure to a separate micro device of 1 to 100 μm scale.

17. The transfer head assembly of claim 1 , wherein the heater assembly further comprises a heat distribution plate.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Apr 25, 2016
From: LUXVUE TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
To: APPLE INC.
Reel/Frame 038521/0255 →
Continuity (7)
Continuation 13708686 · Dec 7, 2012
Continuation 13372422 · Feb 13, 2012
Provisional Application 61561706 · Nov 18, 2011
Provisional Application 61594919 · Feb 3, 2012
Provisional Application 61597109 · Feb 9, 2012
Provisional Application 61597658 · Feb 10, 2012
Related Publication 20140290867A1 · Oct 2, 2014