ALOX™ is a unique multilayer substrate technology developed for microelectronics packaging applications.
The technology is protected by several patents.
In ALOX™, no via drill and plating is required - the via is of solid full aluminium and the dielectric is of a high quality ceramic nature. The process is simple and low cost, and contains a low number of process steps.
The ALOX™ technology serves as a wide technology platform, and can be implemented in various electronics packaging applications such as for RF, SiP, 3-D memory stacks, MEMS and high power modules and components.
The advantages of ALOX™ substrates over the competition - either laminate/build-up substrate based or ceramic based - are both in technical performance and in cost.
Main technical advantages:
Superior thermal properties, due to embedded integral aluminium heat-sink option: ceramic matrix, very thin, low profile.
High speed, due to the special vias built of full aluminium of very low inductance.
Very high routing density - metal layers having copper signal layers of <1/1 mil line/space.
Option for building special features needed for RF applications, strip lines, wave guide structures and controlled impedance lines.
Easy option for including integrated passives such as resistors in the multilayer.
Cost advantages:
Production costs are significantly lower relative to competitive PCB-type substrate technologies, mainly due to lack of the drilling and hole plating processes.
Basically, ALOX™ provides a ceramic-based substrate, fabricated by a minimal number of steps of PCB-like processes and manufacturing techniques.
Fig. 1a: ALOX Cross Section View - Core of 3 Metal Layers