For price, delivery and to place orders: Hittite Microwave Corporation, 2 Elizabeth Drive, Chelmsford, MA 01824

Phone: 978-250-3343

Fax: 978-250-3373

Order On-line at www.hittite.com

Application Support: Phone: 978-250-3343 or apps@hittite.com

8

HMC1081

v01.0713

GaAs MMIC MIXER

50 - 75 GHz

Mounting & Bonding Techniques for Millimeterwave GaAs MMICs

The die should be attached directly to the ground plane eutectically or with

conductive epoxy (see HMC general Handling, Mounting, Bonding Note).

50 Ohm Microstrip transmission lines on 0.127mm (5 mil) thick alumina

thin film substrates are recommended for bringing RF to and from the chip

(Figure 1). One way to accomplish this is to attach the 0.102mm (4 mil)

thick die to a 0.150mm (6 mil) thick molybdenum heat spreader (moly-

tab) which is then attached to the ground plane (Figure 2). Microstrip

substrates should be located as close to the die as possible in order to

minimize bond wire length. Typical die-to-substrate spacing is 0.076mm to

0.152 mm (3 to 6 mils).

Handling Precautions

Follow these precautions to avoid permanent damage.

Storage: All bare die are placed in either Waffle or Gel based ESD protec-

tive containers, and then sealed in an ESD protective bag for shipment.

Once the sealed ESD protective bag has been opened, all die should be

stored in a dry nitrogen environment.

Cleanliness: Handle the chips in a clean environment. DO NOT attempt

to clean the chip using liquid cleaning systems.

Static Sensitivity: Follow ESD precautions to protect against > ± 250v

ESD strikes.

Transients: Suppress instrument and bias supply transients while bias is

applied. Use shielded signal and bias cables to minimize inductive pick-

up.

General Handling: Handle the chip along the edges with a vacuum collet

or with a sharp pair of bent tweezers. The surface of the chip may have

fragile air bridges and should not be touched with vacuum collet, tweezers,

or fingers.

Mounting

The chip is back-metallized and can be die mounted with AuSn eutectic preforms or with electrically conductive epoxy.

The mounting surface should be clean and flat.

Eutectic Die Attach: A 80/20 gold tin preform is recommended with a work surface temperature of 255 °C and a tool

temperature of 265 °C. When hot 90/10 nitrogen/hydrogen gas is applied, tool tip temperature should be 290 °C. DO

NOT expose the chip to a temperature greater than 320 °C for more than 20 seconds. No more than 3 seconds of

scrubbing should be required for attachment.

Epoxy Die Attach: Apply a minimum amount of epoxy to the mounting surface so that a thin epoxy fillet is observed

around the perimeter of the chip once it is placed into position. Cure epoxy per the manufacturer’s schedule.

Wire Bonding

Ball or wedge bond with 0.025mm (1 mil) diameter pure gold wire. Thermosonic wirebonding with a nominal stage

temperature of 150 °C and a ball bonding force of 40 to 50 grams or wedge bonding force of 18 to 22 grams is recom-

mended. Use the minimum level of ultrasonic energy to achieve reliable wirebonds. Wirebonds should be started on

the chip and terminated on the package or substrate. All bonds should be as short as possible <0.31mm (12 mils).

0.102mm (0.004”) Thick GaAs MMIC

Wire Bond

RF Ground Plane

0.127mm (0.005”) Thick Alumina

Thin Film Substrate

0.076mm

(0.003”)

Figure 1.

0.102mm (0.004”) Thick GaAs MMIC

Wire Bond

RF Ground Plane

0.254mm (0.010”) Thick Alumina

Thin Film Substrate

0.076mm

(0.003”)

Figure 2.

0.150mm (0.005”) Thick

Moly Tab

Information furnished by Analog Devices is believed to be accurate and reliable. However, no

responsibility is assumed by Analog Devices for its use, nor for any infringements of patents or other

rights of third parties that may result from its use. Specifications subject to change without notice. No

license is granted by implication or otherwise under any patent or patent rights of Analog Devices.

Trademarks and registered trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

For price, delivery, and to place orders: Analog Devices, Inc.,

One Technology Way, P.O. Box 9106, Norwood, MA 02062-9106

Phone: 781-329-4700 • Order online at www.analog.com

Application Support: Phone: 1-800-ANALOG-D