Fine Lines in High Yield (Part CXXIV): High Performance Dielectrics

摘要

As I was reviewing technology roadmaps of OEMs, PWB fabricators, and of industry consortia I was amazed at the multitude of exotic base materials listed for PWBs as well as for IC packaging substrates. I don't mean to declare FR-4 dead; by no means! FR-4 is alive and well, a point that laminate suppliers might be tempted to argue against because it is hard to make a living selling FR-4 these days. Nevertheless, the use of "exotic" materials appears to be increasing and, although this subject matter is a little bit off-target for this column, I found it interesting to get to the bottom of what constitutes "high performance" in the contexts of dielectric materials properties.