Patent ID: 7098650
Filing Date: 2006-08-29
Classification: G01R

Abstract:
1. An apparatus for use with a wafer prober and with a probe card having a substrate layer provided with central and peripheral portions and a depending probe assembly mounted to the central portion of the substrate layer and having a plurality of probe elements provided with respective probe tips extending substantially in a first plane and an array of contact elements accessible from above the substrate layer and electrically coupled with respective probe elements for permitting electrical communication with the probe elements comprising a stiffening member having a feature defining a second plane, the stiffening member being adapted to mount atop the central portion of the substrate layer so as to add rigidity to the central portion of the substrate layer, a reference member adapted for mounting to the wafer prober and having an underside with a feature defining a third plane whereby when the feature of the stiffening member defining the second plane is urged against the feature of the reference member defining the third plane the first plane extends substantially parallel to the third plane so that the probe tips are substantially planarized relative to the wafer prober, and a latching mechanism mounted to the reference member, the latching mechanism including a latch plate, a lift plate mechanically coupled to the latch plate and an actuator mechanically coupled to the lift plate for moving the lift plate and the latch plate laterally and upwardly.