Patent ID: 7589544
Filing Date: 2009-09-15
Classification: G01R

Abstract:
1. A probe test apparatus comprising: a pad layout image storing unit that stores a pad layout image on a permanent storage device for later retrieval; a card holding unit that holds a probe card having a surface on which probe needles are arranged in a state where said probe needles are positioned upward; a probe image capturing unit that captures a probe image, in a real time manner, by which the position of the tip of each of said probe needles can be specified from said probe card held; and an image processing unit that displays said pad layout image retrieved from the permanent storage device and said probe image which are overlaid in the same direction, wherein said pad layout image storing unit comprises: a wafer holding unit that holds a semiconductor wafer having a surface on which a semiconductor device having an electrode pad is formed; and a wafer image capturing unit that captures a pad image by which the position of said electrode pad can be specified from said semiconductor wafer held, wherein said wafer image capturing unit captures an image of the surface of said semiconductor wafer partially, said probe image capturing unit captures an image of the surface of said probe card partially, and the apparatus further comprises a wafer moving unit that moves at least one of said wafer image capturing unit and said wafer holding unit in parallel with the surface of said semiconductor wafer, and a card moving unit that moves at least one of said probe image capturing unit and said card holding unit in parallel with the surface of said probe card, wherein said wafer image capturing unit and said probe image capturing unit are made by a single image capturing device, and said wafer holding unit, said card holding unit, said wafer moving unit, and said card moving unit are made by a single X/Y stage.