Characteristics extraction of Pb free solder fillet profile for external feature inspection

First, the light intensity (luminance) distributions reflected from quad flat package (QFP) gull wing lead solder fillets were calculated by a simple geometrical model, using a modified diffusion equation. The dependence of the microscope angle θ (= incident angle of light) on the highlight distribution from specular surfaces was obtained. Luminance distributions from top to toe fillets were experimentally observed, using Sn-Pb eutectic solder and two kinds of Pb-free solder (Sn-Ag-Cu and Sn-Zn-Bi systems) and the characteristics were compared with the simulation results. As the Sn-Pb solder fillet has a specular (or smooth) surface, it is not so difficult to identify the profiles of Sn-Pb fillets by changing θ. On the other hand, the luminance distributions for Pb-free solder were strongly affected by the surface roughness. However, it is not impossible to extract the characteristics of the fillet profile if wetting properties of Pb-free solder are taken into consideration. It was found for Pb-free solder that the fillet formation characteristics extraction becomes easy if elements of Bi and In are doped because the wetting properties were improved. In addition, some problems with characteristics extraction of fillet formation for Pb free solder are discussed from the viewpoint of an external feature inspection system