Metallurgical Active Line Repair for Matrix Addressed Displays --- Process Optimization and Reliability

Data line defects are one of many manufacturing yield detractors in the production of displays that are matrix addressed. Any process that can repair data line defects reliably, directly impacts the manufacturing cost of the displays. This paper evaluates a repair technique that is based on ultrasonic bonding of a metallic disc over two adjacent pads to provide an alternate path for completing an electrical circuit. The paper also discusses a method to optimize the bonding process to yield mechanically strong bonds and presents some encouraging early data on the reliability of these bonds when subjected to thermal and humidity stressing.