Patent ID: 6127195
Filing Date: 2000-10-03
Classification: G01R,H01L,H05K,Y10S,Y10T

Abstract:
A method of forming an apparatus for engaging electrically conductive pads on a semiconductor substrate having integrated circuitry fabricated therein, the method comprising the following steps:providing a locally substantially planar outer surface of a first material on a semiconductor substrate;providing a layer of second material atop the substantially planar outer surface of first material, the second material being capable of substantially masking the underlying first material from oxidation when the semiconductor substrate is exposed to oxidizing conditions;patterning and etching the layer of second material to selectively outwardly expose the first material and define a grouping of discrete first material masking blocks, the discrete first material masking blocks of the grouping having respective centers, the respective centers of the grouping being positioned in sufficient proximity to one another such that the centers of the grouping fall within confines of a given single conductive pad which the apparatus is adapted to electrically engage;forming projecting apexes beneath the masking blocks at the masking block centers, the projecting apexes forming a group falling within the confines of the given single conductive pad of which the apparatus is adapted to electrically engage, the forming projecting apexes comprising exposing the semiconductor substrate to oxidizing conditions effective to oxidize the exposed outer surface of first material and oxidize first material beneath the masking blocks to form the projecting apexes at the masking block centers, and stripping oxidized first material from the substrate;removing the discrete first material masking blocks from the substrate after the exposing step; andrendering the projecting apexes electrically conductive.