Patent ID: 6211517
Filing Date: 2001-04-03
Classification: A61K,C07K,G01R,H01J

Abstract:
Apparatus for fault detection in semiconductor devices, comprising:an electron beam generator and secondary electron detector arrangement requiring a vacuum to operate;a first chamber open at one end and connected to said electron beam generator and secondary electron detector at the other;a second chamber disposed around said first chamber and open at one end;a first pump mechanism connected to said second chamber for evacuating said second chamber;a second pump mechanism connected to said first chamber for evacuating said first chamber to the vacuum required by said electron beam generator and detector arrangement to operate and a harder vacuum than in said second chamber;a semiconductor device carrier for movably positioning the semiconductor device in close proximity with said open ends of said first and second chambers whereby the semiconductor device seals said first and second chambers without contacting said open ends of said first and second chambers;a control system for placing the semiconductor device in a characterize state; andsaid control system including a probe pad system connecting said control system with the semiconductor device, said probe pad system being disposed outside said second chamber around the perimeter of the semiconductor device whereby said control system places the semiconductor device in the characterize state through said probe pad system.