IP Library Granted Patent US 7,932,737
Granted Patent B2
US 7,932,737 · App. 12/345,980 · Granted Apr 26, 2011

Prober for testing devices in a repeat structure on a substrate

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,932,737
App. No.
12/345,980
Granted
Apr 26, 2011
Kind
B2
Abstract

A prober for testing devices in a repeat structure on a substrate is provided with a probe holder plate, probe holders mounted on the plate, and a test probe associated with each holder. Each test probe is displaceable via a manipulator connected to a probe holder, and a substrate carrier fixedly supports the substrate. Testing of devices, which are situated in a repeat structure on a substrate, in sequence without a substrate movement and avoiding individual manipulation of the test probes in relation to the contact islands on the devices, is achieved in that the probe holders are fastened on a shared probe holder plate and the probe holder plate is moved in relation to the test substrate.

Claims (9)

1. A prober for testing devices in a repeat structure on a substrate, comprising a probe holder plate, probe holders provided on said plate, a test probe associated with each probe holder, each test probe being displaceable via a manipulator connected to the associated probe holder, and a substrate carrier on which the substrate may be fixed, wherein the probe holder plate is movable in relation to the substrate carrier, the probe holder plate is situated in a vacuum chamber, and displacement wheels of the manipulator of the associated probe holder are connected to rotating universal shafts linked by universal joints, which are led to the outside through a wall of the vacuum chamber in a vacuum-tight way.

2. The prober according to claim 1 , wherein the probe holder plate is movable in an X direction running parallel to a surface of the substrate carrier and a Y direction running parallel to the surface of the substrate carrier and perpendicular to the X direction.

3. The prober according to claim 2 , wherein the probe holder plate is movable in a Z direction lying perpendicular to the X and Y directions.

4. The prober according to claim 1 , wherein the probe holder plate is situated on a cross table.

5. The prober according to claim 1 , wherein the manipulator is motor driven.

6. The prober according to claim 1 , wherein the substrate carrier is movable in relation to the probe holder plate.

7. The prober according to claim 1 , wherein the substrate carrier is connected fixed to a low temperature source.

8. A method for testing devices in a repeat structure on a substrate, comprising: providing the prober of claim 1 , positioning test probes of the prober using the manipulator in relation to test contacts on a first device, testing the first device with said prober, and subsequently positioning the test probes in relation to test contacts on a second device, and testing the second device with the prober, wherein the probe holders are moved jointly while maintaining a relation to one another between the testing of the first device and the second device.

9. The method according to claim 8 , wherein the probe holders are fastened on the probe holder plate and all probe holders are moved jointly by moving the probe holder plate.

Assignments (6)
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Aug 7, 2025
From: HSBC BANK USA, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
To: FORMFACTOR, INC.
Reel/Frame 072853/0001 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Sep 1, 2021
From: FORMFACTOR BEAVERTON, INC.
To: FORMFACTOR, INC.
Reel/Frame 057393/0609 →
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Jul 18, 2018
From: CASCADE MICROTECH, INC.
To: FORMFACTOR BEAVERTON, INC.
Reel/Frame 046573/0664 →
SECURITY INTEREST IN UNITED STATES PATENTS AND TRADEMARKS Recorded Jul 12, 2016
From: FORMFACTOR, INC.; ASTRIA SEMICONDUCTOR HOLDINGS, INC.; CASCADE MICROTECH, INC.; MICRO-PROBE INCORPORATED
To: HSBC BANK USA, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
Reel/Frame 039184/0280 →
MERGER Recorded May 9, 2011
From: SUSS MICROTEC TEST SYSTEMS GMBH
To: CASCADE MICROTECH, INC.
Reel/Frame 026246/0706 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jan 29, 2009
From: WERNER, FRANK-MICHAEL; ZIEGER, MATTHIAS; GIESSMANN, SEBASTIAN
To: SUSS MICROTEC TEST SYSTEMS GMBH
Reel/Frame 022171/0903 →