A broad overview of packaging involving interconnecting, powering, protecting, and cooling semiconductor chips to meet a variety of computer system needs is presented. The general requirements for ceramics in terms of their thermal, mechanical, electrical, and dimensional control requirements are presented, both for high-performance and low-performance applications. Glass-ceramics are identified as the best candidates for high-performance systems, and aluminum nitride, alumina, or mullite are identified for low-performance systems. Glass-ceramic/copper substrate technology is discussed as an example of high-performance ceramic packaging for use in 1990s. Lower-dielectric-constant ceramics such as composites of silica, borosilicate, and cordierite, with or without polymers and porosity, are projected as potential ceramic substrate materials by the year 2000.
