Patent ID: 7532020
Filing Date: 2009-05-12
Classification: G01R

Abstract:
1. A probe assembly for use in an electrical test of a semiconductor device having a plurality of electrode pads, comprising: a probe base plate provided with a plurality of anchor portions; and a plurality of probes secured to corresponding anchor portions through fulcrums, and having arm portions extending in a direction away from said anchor portions, said probes having tips at their front ends, said arm portions of the fulcrums being elastically deformable when said tips are pressed against said corresponding electrode pads, said probes forming a first probe group in which the respective tips are arranged on one side of an imaginary straight line of said probe base plate, and a second probe group in which the respective tips are arranged on the other side of said imaginary straight line; wherein the number of probes in the first probe group is greater than the number of probes in the second probe group, all of said plurality of probes are arranged such that the direction from their fulcrums to their tips is approximately at right angles to said imaginary straight line, and one or more of said probes in the first probe group are arranged such that the direction from their fulcrums to their tips is opposite to that of the other probes in the first probe group; and wherein the number of said probes is an even number (2n pieces) (where n is a natural number greater than or equal to 2), of which m (m≠n) probes form said first probe group on one side of the imaginary straight line on said probe base plate, the remaining (2n−m) pieces of said probes form said second probe group on the other side of said imaginary straight line, and said probes in the second probe group are arranged such that the direction from their fulcrums to their tips is the same, while n pieces of said probes in the first probe group are arranged to be directed opposite, and the remaining (n−m or m−n) pieces of said probes are arranged in the same direction as that of the probes in the second probe group.