IP Library Granted Patent US 7,564,252
Granted Patent B2
US 7,564,252 · App. 12/054,468 · Granted Jul 21, 2009

Semiconductor inspection apparatus

View Patent ↗
Loading inventors, assignments & file history…
Monitor This Case
Get email alerts when status or documents change.
Order Certified Copies
Most orders are placed with the USPTO same day — all within 24 business hours.
Order via The Patent Place →
Pre-filled with this patent's details
Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,564,252
App. No.
12/054,468
Granted
Jul 21, 2009
Kind
B2
Abstract

A semiconductor inspection apparatus includes a force probe applying voltage to a semiconductor device, and a sense probe detecting voltage of the semiconductor device, in which the force probe is contacted with an electrode pad of the semiconductor device and the force probe and the sense probe are contacted with each other to measure electric characteristics of the semiconductor device, and the force probe and the sense probe are arranged substantially on the same line when seen from a vertical direction with respect to an electrode surface (principal surface) of the semiconductor device.

Claims (45)

1. A semiconductor inspection apparatus comprising:

a force probe applying voltage to a semiconductor device, the force probe having an end portion; and

a sense probe detecting voltage of the semiconductor device, the sense probe having a distal end portion,

wherein the force probe end portion is contacted with an electrode of the semiconductor device and an upper surface of the force probe is contacted by the distal end portion of the sense probe to measure electric characteristics of the semiconductor device, and

the force probe and the sense probe are arranged substantially on the same line when seen from a vertical direction with respect to an electrode surface of the semiconductor device.

2. The semiconductor inspection apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein,

the force probe end portion is horizontal,

the force probe extends in an oblique upward direction from the force probe end portion at a first angle with a principal surface of the semiconductor device, and bends at an area so that the force probe is substantially horizontal and parallel to the principal surface of the semiconductor device, and

the sense probe end portion extends in an oblique upward direction with a second angle with the principal surface of the semiconductor device,

the sense probe bending at an area so that the sense probe is substantially parallel to the principal surface of the semiconductor device from the sense probe end portion and the sense probe extends in a lateral direction of the semiconductor device, and

the sense probe extends vertically over the force probe.

3. The semiconductor inspection apparatus according to claim 2 , wherein,

the sense probe end portion has a sharpened shape, the sharpened shape being in contact with the upper surface of the force probe.

4. The semiconductor inspection apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein,

the force probe and the sense probe are formed by a W material.

5. The semiconductor inspection apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein,

the force probe and the sense probe are formed by a Be—Cu material.

6. The semiconductor inspection apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein,

the force probe and the sense probe are formed by a Be—Cu material.

7. A semiconductor inspection apparatus comprising:

a force probe applying voltage to a semiconductor device, the force probe having an end portion formed of a flat shape, the force probe end portion having a lower contact surface and an upper surface; and

a sense probe detecting voltage of the semiconductor device, the sense probe having a distal end portion,

wherein the lower surface of the force probe end portion is contacted with an electrode of the semiconductor device and upper surface of the force probe end portion is contacted by the distal end portion of the sense probe to measure electric characteristics of the semiconductor device.

8. The semiconductor inspection apparatus according to claim 7 , wherein the force probe and the sense probe are arranged substantially on the same line when seen from a vertical direction with respect to an electrode surface of the semiconductor device with the sense probe being located vertically over the force probe.

9. The semiconductor inspection apparatus according to claim 7 , wherein,

the force probe extends in an oblique upward direction from the force probe end portion at a first angle with a principal surface of the semiconductor device, and bends at an area so that the force probe is substantially horizontal and parallel to the principal surface of the semiconductor device, and

the sense probe end portion extending in an oblique upward direction with a second angle with the principal surface of the semiconductor device,

the sense probe bending at an area so that the sense probe is substantially parallel to the principal surface of the semiconductor device from the sense probe end portion and the sense probe extends in a lateral direction of the semiconductor device, and

the sense probe extends vertically over the force probe.

10. The semiconductor inspection apparatus according to claim 9 , wherein,

the sense probe end portion has a sharpened shape, the sharpened shape being in contact with the upper surface of the force probe.

11. The semiconductor inspection apparatus according to claim 7 , wherein,

the force probe and the sense probe are formed by a W material.

12. A semiconductor inspection apparatus comprising:

a force probe applying voltage to a semiconductor device; and

a sense probe detecting voltage of the semiconductor device,

wherein the force probe is contacted with an electrode of the semiconductor device and the force probe and the sense probe are contacted with each other to measure electric characteristics of the semiconductor device,

an end portion of the force probe contacted with the electrode is formed in a sharp shape,

the force probe includes a flat portion in the end portion side of the force probe, and

an end portion of the sense probe is contacted with the flat portion of the force probe so that the sense probe and the force probe are contacted with each other.

13. The semiconductor inspection apparatus according to claim 12 , wherein the force probe and the sense probe are arranged substantially on the same line when seen from a vertical direction with respect to an electrode surface of the semiconductor device.

14. The semiconductor inspection apparatus according to claim 12 , wherein,

the force probe and the sense probe are formed by a W material.

15. The semiconductor inspection apparatus according to claim 12 , wherein,

the force probe and the sense probe are formed by a Be—Cu material.

Assignments (2)
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Nov 2, 2010
From: NEC ELECTRONICS CORPORATION
To: RENESAS ELECTRONICS CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 025235/0497 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Mar 25, 2008
From: KAMAHORI, HIDEO
To: NEC ELECTRONICS CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 020696/0236 →