I would be sort of surprised if the machine ran for very long without a
cover on the chip. Sure there isn't a glass sheet over it? I've seen that
several times at IBM and VLSI.
--John
-----Original Message-----
From: cctalk-admin_at_classiccmp.org [mailto:cctalk-admin_at_classiccmp.org]On
Behalf Of Tothwolf
Sent: Wednesday, May 22, 2002 19:45
To: cctalk_at_classiccmp.org
Subject: Re: [CCTECH] more Hobbit photos
On Wed, 22 May 2002, Jeff Hellige wrote:
>
>http://www.geocities.com/siliconvalley/lakes/6757/images/be044_inside_close
.jpg
> >
> >Is that an exposed chip die I see in the closeup photo? If so, you should
> >be very careful with that. It should have had a metal or ceramic cover
> >taped over it if it was a prototype chip, but it might have come off.
>
> Yes, that's what it looks like. There was nothing loose in the case
> though. I've been very careful not to get too close to that chip.
> It's pretty interesting looking up close. It was the main reason we
> took the closeup and I thought the cables had been pulled back enough
> so it wouldn't be blocked.
They are very delicate, and even dust can damage exposed chip dies. The
bonding wires are another concern, since they are a very fine gold or
silver wire. If a bonding wire gets broken, it can be replaced, but not
without access to an expensive machine. What size QFP is that chip? I
doubt I have any covers that fit it, but I'll keep a look out.
-Toth
Received on Wed May 22 2002 - 19:19:44 BST