Data Sheet HMC-AUH312
Rev. E | Page 15 of 17
MOUNTING AND BONDING TECHNIQUES FOR MILLIMETERWAVE GaAs MMICS
HANDLING GUIDELINES FOR ESD PROTECTION OF
GaAs MMICS
All electrical components are sensitive to some degree to
electrostatic discharge (ESD), and GaAs MMICs are no
exception. Many digital semiconductions have some level of
protection circuitry designed into the input and output pins.
However, GaAs MMIC designs rarely include built-in
protection circuitry because of RF performance issues.
Specifically, protection circuits add reactive parasitics that limit
high frequency performance.
Circuitry on GaAS MMICs can be damaged by ESD at voltages
below 250 V. In some cases, this classifies these devices as
Class 0, meaning that stringent levels of ESD protection must be
observed.
Electrostatic charges are created by the contact and separation
of two objects. The magnitude of this charge buildup varies
within different materials. Conductive and static dissipative
materials release this charge quite easily to a grounded surface.
Insulators retain the charge for a longer period of time.
To protect static sensitive devices from an electrostatic
discharge, the devices must be completely enclosed with
protective conductive packaging. This shielding protects the
devices inside by causing any static discharge to follow the
shortest conductive path to ground. Prior to opening the
protective packaging, the device must be placed on a conductive
workbench to dissipate any charge that has built up on the
outside of the package.
When the device is removed from its protective package, it must
be handled only at a grounded workstation by an operator
grounded through a conductive wrist strap. Equipment used in
the manufacture, assembly, and test of GaAs MMIC devices
must also be properly grounded.
Antistatic or dissipative tubes and pink poly bags provide no
ESD protection to the device. The antistatic or dissipative name
only implies that it does not create an ESD hazard.
The only proper protection is to completely enclose the device
in a conductive static shield; that is, a silver colored bag, black
conductive tote box, and/or conductive carrier tape.
For additional information on proper ESD handling, consult the
Electrostatic Discharge Association Advisory ESD-ADV-2.0-
1994 or MIL-STD-1686. Information contained in this section
of the data sheet was obtained from the ESD Association
Advisory (Reference) AS-9100.
HANDLING PRECAUTIONS
Take the following precautions to avoid permanent damage to
the device.
Opening the Protective Packaging
Prior to opening the protective packaging, the device must be
placed on a conductive workbench to dissipate any charge that
has built up on the outside of the package.
Storage
All bare die are placed in either waffle or gel-based ESD protec-
tive containers and sealed in an ESD protective bag for shipment.
Immediately upon opening the sealed ESD protective bag, store
all die in a dry nitrogen environment.
Cleanliness
Handle the chips in a clean environment. Do not attempt to
clean the chip using liquid cleaning systems.
Static Sensitivity
Follow ESD precautions to protect against ESD strikes. Handle
the device at a grounded workstation only by an operator that is
also grounded through a conductive wrist strap. Equipment
used in the manufacture, assembly, and test of GaAs MMIC
devices must also be properly grounded.
Transients
Suppress instrument and bias supply transients during bias
application. To minimize inductive pickup, use shielded signal
and bias cables.
General Handling
Handle the chip on the edges only using a vacuum collet or a sharp
pair of bent tweezers. Because the surface of the chip may have
fragile air bridges, do not touch the chip surface with a vacuum
collet, tweezers, or fingers.