Patent ID: 6429672
Filing Date: 2002-08-06
Classification: G01R

Abstract:
A test probe used in a test system for testing a single pad of a device, the probe comprising:a test head moveable relative to the device; a cluster of at least two buckling beams secured to the test head, the buckling beams extending generally outwardly from the test head and terminating in distal ends, each of the buckling beams having strength characteristics selected so as to establish sufficient electrical contact for testing the single pad of the device when the test head is moved into a test position, the buckling beams deflecting laterally when subjected to force other than tensile force, the distal ends of the at least two buckling beams being spaced from each other by a distance not greater than the maximum linear dimension of the single pad being tested; and means for electrically connecting each of the buckling beams in a cluster in parallel, the means for electrically connecting including a space transformer secured to the test head, the buckling beams having proximal ends electrically connected to the space transformer; whereby, when the test head is in the test position, the test head is electrically connected to the single pad under test even if only one of the buckling beams contacts the pad.