Patent ID: 6111421
Filing Date: 2000-08-29
Classification: G01R

Abstract:
A probe method comprising the steps of:placing an object to be inspected having a plurality of inspection items on a main chuck which is movable in X, Y, Z, and .theta. directions and controlled to a predetermined high temperature;aligning the object to be inspected and probes provided to said probe card with each other;indexing said main chuck to set at least one inspection item of the inspection items of the object to be inspected at an inspection preparation position;contacting electrodes of at least one of the inspection items and said probes electrically with each other by moving said main chuck toward said probe card; andmeasuring electrical characteristics of the inspection item with a tester connected to said probes,the indexing step, the contacting step, and the measuring step being repeatedly performed to inspect successively the electrical characteristics of predetermined inspection items of the inspection items, whereinthe contacting step comprises the steps ofdetecting that a temperature of said probe card and said probes has fallen below the predetermined high temperature as said main chuck retreats from said predetermined inspection preparation position in a direction to separate from said probe card, andcorrecting misalignment of said probes resulting from the temperature fall when it is detected that the temperature of said probe card and said probe has fallen below the predetermined high temperature.