Granted Patent B2

US 7,589,545 · App. 11/711,685 · Granted Sep 15, 2009

Abstract

Claims (20)

1. A device for subjecting a plurality of singulated semiconductor components to functional verification, the device comprising:

contact pins that are integrated in a test socket and that establish a mechanical and electrical contact between the test socket and the integrated semiconductor circuits;

a holding fixture connectable to the test socket for transmitting electrical signals to and from a program-controlled electronic switching system;

lines and control devices for operating at least one pneumatic transport and holding device for picking up, orienting, and positioning the singulated semiconductor components;

wherein an inert gas is provided as a medium for operating the pneumatic devices and for displacing air in regions of said contact between the test socket and the integrated semiconductor circuits in order to reduce contact resistance in said regions and prevent oxide formation on said contact pins.

2. The device according to claim 1 , wherein the medium is nitrogen.

3. The device according to claim 1 , wherein the lines and control devices of the pneumatic transport and holding device are provided as flushing devices for at least one of the test sockets, the contact pins, and the semiconductor components.

4. The device according to claim 1 , further comprising a temperature regulating device that includes a plurality of channels and nozzles for controlling the temperature in a holding chamber and in the contact region of the test device, wherein an inert gas is provided as the medium for heating at least one of the holding chamber and the contact region.

5. The device according to claim 4 , wherein the channels and nozzles of the temperature regulating device are provided as flushing devices for at least one of the test sockets, the contact pins, and the semiconductor components.

6. The device according to claim 4 , wherein only one gas source is provided for supplying gas to the temperature regulating device and for temperature control of the semiconductor components and for supplying gas to the lines and control devices of the pneumatic transport and holding device.

7. The device according to claim 4 , wherein additional lines and control devices are provided in at least one of the pneumatic transport and holding device and/or temperature regulating device, by which flushing processes with inert gas are controlled independently of programmed test processes.

8. A method for testing a plurality of singulated electronic semiconductor components, the method comprising:

picking up an individual semiconductor component by a holding head; positioning the semiconductor component relative to a test socket with contact pins;

flushing the semiconductor components and the test socket with an inert gas taken from a pneumatic holding and transport device;

contacting the integrated electronic circuits located on the semiconductor components; and

establishing an electrical connection between semiconductor component and a test socket,

wherein the steps of picking up, positioning, flushing, and contacting are repeated, and wherein said step of flushing with an inert gas displaces air in regions of said connection between the test socket and the integrated electronic circuits in order to reduce contact resistance in said regions and prevent oxide formation on said contact pins.

9. The method according to claim 8 , wherein the semiconductor components are cooled or heated to a defined test temperature by at least one of a fluid and gaseous inert media in a step prior to contacting.

10. The method according to claim 9 , wherein heating of the semiconductor components for testing at high temperatures is accomplished in a holding chamber by a gaseous nitrogen, which is taken from the lines and control devices of the pneumatic holding and transport device.

11. The method according to claim 8 , wherein the steps of picking up, positioning, flushing, and contacting are repeated.

Assignments (19)