Patent ID: 6265888
Filing Date: 2001-07-24
Classification: G01R

Abstract:
A substrate probing and heating apparatus for testing the electrical characteristics of a plurality devices on a semiconductor wafer substrate at a plurality of temperatures, the apparatus comprising:a probe card sized to probe all devices on a semiconductor wafer substrate, the probe card having a plurality of probe tips and signal contacts positioned over a surface of the probe card corresponding to devices on a semiconductor wafer substrate to be tested, the probe tips disposed on a surface of the probe card facing the substrate and arranged in a manner corresponding to a plurality of contact pads on the substrate, each probe tip electrically connected to a signal contact for transmitting signals between an external tester and the probe tip, the probe card including a ground plane within the probe card, the ground plane extending between the plurality of probe tips and the plurality of signal contacts, at least one of the contact pads in electrical contact with the ground plane; anda support unit comprising:a first support member on which the substrate is removably mounted on a planar surface, the substrate having contact pads facing away from the planar surface of the member, the member having a heater;a second support member on which the probe card is removably mounted; anda means for disengagably coupling the first member and the second member to one another in a fixed position with the substrate and probe card therebetween to achieve electrical contact between each probe tip of the probe card and the corresponding contact pad of the substrate.