Patent ID: 9529041
Filing Date: 2016-12-27
CPC Classification: G01R

Claim Text:
1. A method for testing a Through Silicon Via (TSV) disposed on and extending through a substrate such that the TSV includes a first end portion exposed on a first surface of said substrate, and a second end portion disposed adjacent to a second surface of said substrate, the method comprising: accessing the second end portion of said TSV by way of a test probe; applying a first alternating signal to said TSV through said test probe, said first alternating signal having a first frequency; directing an electron beam onto said first surface of said substrate such that a portion of said electron beam is reflected by said first end portion of said TSV; detecting the reflected electron beam portion and generating beam detection data corresponding to the detected electron beam portion; and determining an integrity of said TSV by comparing the beam detection data with known-good TSV data, wherein determining the integrity of said TSV comprises comparing a first modulation amount included in the reflected electron beam portion, said first modulation amount being produced by said first alternating signal, with a first known-good TSV data value.