Patent ID: 6492822
Filing Date: 2002-12-10
Classification: A46D,G01R,H01L

Abstract:
A probe station comprising:(a) a chuck assembly for supporting a test device; (b) a probe support for supporting a probe; (c) a positioning mechanism enabling at least one of said probe and said chuck assembly to move relative to the other; (d) said chuck assembly including at least a pair of electrically-conductive chuck assembly elements positioned one above the other in spaced-apart relationship to each other, each having a respective laterally-extending surface facing toward the other said surface with a laterally-extending area therebetween, at least a portion of said area containing one or more air gaps having a total lateral air gap area coextensive with at least a major portion of said laterally-extending area; (e) said probe station including an electrically-conductive enclosure at least partially enclosing said chuck assembly, said chuck assembly elements being separated by respective electrical insulation members from each other and from said conductive enclosure.