May 18, 2022 
Heraeus Electronics today announced the launch of its new PowerCu Soft Laser Ribbons (LRB) for Laser Bonding during PCIM Europe in Nuremburg. This innovative optimized copper ribbon is proven to effectively achieve more efficiency and stability in power electronic systems. It enables module operation temperatures higher than 250°C and allows the highest power density designs.
In power electronics, the limit of current carrying capacity using wire bonding will be reached one day. Ribbon bonding offers an alternative to wire bonding and tape automated bonding (TAB), and is attractive since many conventional ultrasonic wedge/wedge wire bonding equipment can be easily adapted to handle ribbons.
Laser ribbon bonding is a new field of application for laser micro welding in the electronics industry, especially in the area of power electronics. It is particularly suitable for joining bonding wire onto battery terminals and onto DCB substrates and copper terminals in power electronic modules. With laser bonding, the application of ribbon bonding for much higher currents is accomplished.
In comparison with standard copper bonding ribbons, PowerCu-Soft LRB comes along with a special one-sided roughening to guarantee a more reliable coupling of the laser beam on to the highly reflective copper surface. The roughening process allows a residual-free clean and homogeneous surface. The PowerCu-Soft LRB can be processed with all currently available laser bond equipment.
PowerCu-Soft LRB is ideal for power devices and battery packages dedicated for high currents. In addition, cost optimization within production (UPH improvement) can be achieved by upgrading wires to ribbons. One PowerCu-Soft LRB (0.3x2mm) can replace up to three 500µm Cu wires.
To learn more about the new PowerCu Soft Laser Ribbons, visit www.heraeus-electronics.com
Heraeus, the technology group headquartered in Hanau, Germany, is a leading international family-owned portfolio company. The company’s roots go back to a family pharmacy started in 1660. Today, the Heraeus group includes businesses in the environmental, electronics, health, and industrial applications sectors. Customers benefit from innovative technologies and solutions based on broad materials expertise and technological leadership. In the 2020 financial year, the FORTUNE Global 500 listed group generated revenues of €31.5 billion with approximately 14,800 employees in 40 countries. Heraeus is one of the top 10 family-owned companies in Germany and holds a leading position in its global markets. Heraeus Electronics, a global business unit of Heraeus, is an expert for materials and matched material solutions for the electronics packaging.
Heraeus Electronics is a leading manufacturer of materials for the assembly and packaging of devices in the electronics industry. The company develops materials solutions for the automotive, power electronics and advanced semiconductor packaging market and offers its customers a broad product portfolio - from materials and material systems to services.
