Patent ID: 7675300
Filing Date: 2010-03-09
Classification: G01N,G01R,H01J

Abstract:
1. A method, comprising: transferring a probe to a chamber of a charged particle beam device (CPBD); establishing contact between the probe and a contact point of a device under test (DUT) positioned within the CPBD chamber; measuring a characteristic of the DUT while the probe is contacting the DUT contact point; contacting a first probe tip of the probe with a second probe tip of another probe within the CPBD chamber, prior to establishing contact between the probe and the DUT contact point; and heating the first probe tip such that a portion of material forming the first probe tip dislodges to sharpen the first probe tip, prior to establishing contact between the probe and the DUT contact point; wherein at least one of the transferring, the establishing and the measuring is via substantial automation.