Micro-scale copper bumps for build-up PCB were electroplated using a pulse-reverse method. The effects of the current density, pulse-reverse ratio and brightener concentration of the electroplating process were investigated and optimized for suitable performance. The electroplated micro-bumps were characterized using various analytical tools, including an optical microscope, a scanning electron microscope and an atomic force microscope. Surface analysis results showed that the electroplating uniformity was viable in a current density range of 1.4-3.0 A/dm2 at a pulse-reverse ratio of 1. To investigate the brightener concentration on the electroplating properties, the current density value was fixed at 3.0 A/dm2 as a dense microstructure was achieved at this current density. The brightener concentration was varied from 0.05 to 0.3 ml/L to study the effect of the concentration. The optimum concentration for micro-bump electroplating was found to be 0.05 ml/L based on the examination of the electroplating properties of the bump shape, roughness and grain size.

Micro-sized bumps on a multi-layered build-up PCB were fabricated by pulse-reverse copper electroplating. The values of the current density and brightener content for the electroplating were optimized for suitable performance with maximum efficiency. The micro-bumps thus electroplated were characterized using a range of analytical tools that included an optical microscope, a scanning electron microscope, an atomic force microscope and a hydraulic bulge tester. The optical microscope and scanning electron microscope analyses results showed that the uniformity of the electroplating was viable in the current density range of 2-4 A/dm2; however, the uniformity was slightly degraded as the current density increased. To study the effect of the brightener concentration, the concentration was varied from zero to 1.2 ml/L. The optimum concentration for micro-bump electroplating was found to be 0.6 ml/L based on an examination of the electroplating properties, including the roughness, yield strength and grain size.