Adjustable fixture for use with a wire pull tester

A fixture for use with a wire pull tester that tests the strength of a bond between an electrical contact of a semiconductor device and a wire affixed to the electrical contact. The fixture comprises a device support, a mounting surface provided on the device support, and a port provided at the mounting surface. The device support includes a height adjustment mechanism. The mounting surface is configured to engage a surface of the semiconductor device and includes a port with which an air pressure differential is produced to maintain engagement between the mounting surface and the semiconductor device surface when a pull force provided by a wire pulling member of the tester is imparted to the wire affixed to the electrical contact of the semiconductor device.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
This invention relates generally to test fixtures and, more particularly, 
to a fixture for holding a semiconductor device during a wire pull test. 
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
Increased reliance on semiconductor devices has resulted in a concomitant 
need for increased stringency of manufacturing quality control sceening 
procedures. One traditional quality control test is commonly referred to 
as a wire pull test. To facilitate an understanding of a wire pull testing 
procedure, a description of the general structure of a typical 
semiconductor device is provided. 
A typical semiconductor device includes a die which is fabricated from 
semiconductor material to form electronic components and interconnects 
thereon. The die is generally encompassed by a casing to protect the die 
from damage or degradation caused by external sources. Leads, also 
referred to as pins, protrude externally from the casing to enable 
connectivity between the semiconductor device and other circuitry and 
components external to the device. Die bonding pads are provided on the 
die to couple the die to the leads. Lead pads are mounted on the casing 
and are connected to the leads. To provide connectivity between the die 
and the leads, small wires are connected between the lead pads and the die 
bonding pads using a wire bonding process. 
Semiconductor devices are generally produced in batches or lots. A typical 
quality control procedure involves subjecting a number of randomly 
selected semiconductor devices from a particular lot to a wire pull test 
in accordance with a given test specification. Such a specification 
typically outlines the number of semiconductor devices from each lot that 
must be tested, and the number of wires for each semiconductor device that 
must be subjected to the test. As an example, one specification requires 
the testing of a total of fifteen wires in four semiconductor devices per 
lot. 
A typical wire pull test is designed to assess the strength of the bonds 
between the wire and both the die bonding pads and the lead pads to which 
the wires are connected. The wire pull test is performed by accessing the 
die, the wires, the die bonding pads, and the lead pads, and hooking a 
wire pulling member of the test apparatus to a selected wire of the 
semiconductor device. A force is applied to the wire pulling member so as 
to pull the wire away from the pads. In accordance with a destructive wire 
pull testing procedure, the pull force is increased until either the wire 
breaks or the bond between the wire and either the die bonding pad or the 
lead pad breaks. The breaking force is then determined and recorded. If 
the breaking force is greater than a threshold provided in the 
specification, the test is considered a success, otherwise, the test is 
considered a failure. A typical test specification provides guidelines as 
to the number of tests that must be successful in order for the lot to be 
considered acceptable. 
A typical wire pull testing apparatus includes a fixture which is used, 
with limited success, to support the subject semiconductor device during 
the test. Currently, many conventional fixtures fail to satisfactorily 
constrain the device during the wire pull test, often requiring manual 
holding of the device under test. Other conventional fixtures are 
constructed for use with one particular device type, thus requiring the 
testing facility to make available a multitude of fixtures configured for 
use with a multitude of device types. Performing wire pull testing using 
existing fixtures is often inefficient in terms of testing time and cost, 
due to the need for a high degree of manual intervention during each test. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
The present invention is a fixture that is employed to support a 
semiconductor substrate or device. The fixture is used with an apparatus 
that tests the strength of a bond between an electrical contact of a 
semiconductor device and a wire affixed to the electrical contact. The 
fixture includes a device support which includes a height adjustment 
mechanism. The fixture further includes a mounting surface configured to 
engage a surface of the semiconductor device. An air pressure differential 
is produced at a port provided at the mounting surface to maintain 
engagement between the mounting surface and the semiconductor device when 
a pull force provided by a wire pulling member of the tester is imparted 
to the wire affixed to the electrical contact of the semiconductor device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS 
Referring now to the Drawings, FIG. 1 shows a fixture 20 in accordance with 
one embodiment of the invention. The fixture 20 includes a device support 
22, a mounting surface 24 provided on the device support 22, and a port 26 
provided at the mounting surface 24. The device support 22 includes a 
mechanism for adjusting the height of the fixture 20. 
A semiconductor device 28 is placed on the mounting surface 24 during the 
wire pull test. The semiconductor device 28 is positioned so that it 
covers the port 26 and is in contact with the portion of the mounting 
surface 24 immediately adjacent to the port 26, thereby creating a seal or 
partial seal between the semiconductor device 28 and the mounting surface 
24 so as to restrict airflow through the seal into the port 26. 
To obtain accurate test results, it is desirable that the semiconductor 
device 28 maintain contact with the mounting surface 24 throughout the 
testing procedure. To accomplish this, an air pressure differential is 
produced at the port 26 by use of a vacuum apparatus (not shown) coupled 
to the port 26. The vacuum apparatus evacuates air from the port 26, 
thereby reducing the air pressure at the port 26. One example of a 
suitable vacuum apparatus is a vacuum pump. 
In general, air exerts a pressure or force against a surface with which it 
is in contact. Static air pressure at the port 26 exerts a force against a 
surface 27 of the semiconductor device 28 which tends to push the 
semiconductor device 28 away from the port 26. This force is opposed by a 
force pushing against a surface 29 of device 28 resulting from ambient air 
pressure at the surface 29 of the device 28. When the air at the port 26 
is evacuated by the vacuum apparatus, a concomitant decrease in the force 
pushing against the surface 27 results. A net force applied to the 
semiconductor device 28 toward the mounting surface 24 is thus produced, 
which may be varied in magnitude to maintain contact between the 
semiconductor device 28 and the mounting surface 24. 
One embodiment of the present invention is depicted in FIG. 2. The device 
support 22 in accordance with this embodiment includes a lower stand 
section 30 and an upper stand section 32. The lower stand section 30 may 
be constructed in the form of a hollow cylinder having both ends open and 
an inner surface 34 that is partially threaded to facilitate engagement 
with the upper stand section 32. 
The upper stand section 32 may be constructed in the form of a hollow 
cylinder having an outer surface 36 that is partially threaded in the 
opposite direction, but with the same pitch, as the threaded inner surface 
34 of lower stand section 30. The threading on surfaces 34 and 36 is 
configured so that the two stand sections 30 and 32 can be mated by 
screwing the upper stand section 32 into the lower stand section 30 to 
form the adjustable device support 22. The height of the fixture 20, in 
accordance with this embodiment, is adjusted by altering the engagement of 
stand sections 30 and 32 (e.g., by partially screwing or unscrewing the 
upper stand section 32 relative to the lower stand section 30). 
In one embodiment of the invention, the fixture 20 is configured in this 
manner to provide for device support height adjustments ranging between 
approximately 21/4 inches and 25/8 inches. Those skilled in the art will 
recognize that other methods and mechanisms may be employed for adjusting 
the height of the fixture 20. It is to be understood that the invention is 
not limited to the adjustment mechanism disclosed herein. 
The upper stand section 32 includes an open end. The other end of the upper 
stand surface 32 includes a surface 38. The surface 38 includes a hole 40 
bored through the center of surface 38, the hole 40 being defined by a 
threaded sidewall 41. An adapter 42 is configured to screw into the hole 
40 provided in the upper stand section 32. The adapter 42 includes a 
mounting column 44 and a coupler 46 attached to the mounting column 44. 
The coupler 46 is coupled to the vacuum apparatus (not shown) and 
configured so that air can flow from the coupler 46 to the mounting column 
44. 
The mounting column 44 is constructed in the form of a cylinder with open 
ends and threading along its outer surface. The threading of the mounting 
column 44 is configured so that it will mate with the threading of the 
sidewall 41 of the upper stand section 32. The mounting column 44 is 
configured so that a portion of the mounting column 44 will extend beyond 
the hole 40 and be orthogonal to the surface 38 of the upper stand section 
32 when the adapter 42 is screwed into the hole 40 from the interior of 
upper stand section 32, as is shown in FIG. 4. The mounting surface 24 and 
the port 26 are provided at the end of the portion of mounting column 44 
which extends through the hole 40 and beyond the surface 38 of the upper 
stand section 32. 
FIG. 3 depicts one embodiment of the coupling between the adapter 42 and a 
vacuum apparatus (not shown). In accordance with this embodiment, a 
fitting 46 is connected to a swivel elbow 47. The elbow 47 is connected to 
a flexible hose 48 which exits the fixture 20 through an opening 49 in the 
lower stand section 30, as is shown in FIG. 2. The swivel action of the 
elbow 47 allows the adapter 42 to rotate when the upper stand section 32 
is screwed into the lower stand section 30 without permitting 
corresponding rotation by the hose 48. 
In accordance with the embodiment of the invention depicted in FIG. 3, the 
hose 48 is interrupted by a valve 50. The valve 50 provides control over 
the production and magnitude of the air pressure differential produced at 
the port 26. The valve 50 has at least two positions, an open position and 
a closed position, but may also have intermediate positions. In the open 
position, air is permitted to flow between the port 26 and the vacuum 
apparatus in order to produce an air pressure differential at the port 26. 
As will be described in greater detail hereinbelow, the air pressure 
differential creates a vacuum at the port 26 which maintains engagement 
between the mounting surface 24 and a surface of a semiconductor device 28 
situated proximate the port 26. When the valve 50 is in the closed 
position, the adapter 42 is isolated from the vacuum apparatus. If contact 
between the mounting surface 24 and the semiconductor device 28 is no 
longer desired, the air valve 50 can be operatively actuated to the closed 
position so that the air pressure differential at the port 26 is no longer 
continuously produced. The semiconductor device 28 can then be removed 
with ease from the mounting surface 24. 
In an alternative embodiment, the air valve 50, in either the closed 
position or in an intermediate position, can be configured to permit a 
reduced volume of air to flow through the hose 48 and into the port 26 
when full engagement force is not required, such as when removing the 
semiconductor device 28 from the fixture 20. This configuration is 
advantageous when a low or moderate degree of retention force is desired 
at various times during the testing procedure, such as when placing or 
removing the semiconductor device or substrate 28 respectively on and from 
the device support 22. It is noted that the components of fixture 20 are 
constructed of suitable materials, such as metal or plastic, which provide 
strength and durability. For example, the fixture 20 may be constructed 
from aluminum, steel, or brass. 
Semiconductor devices are available in many different sizes, shapes, and 
configurations. An adverse consequence that results from the proliferation 
and diversity of semiconductor packaging technologies is the current need 
for different support fixture configurations required to hold each device 
package type during a conventional wire pull test. Using an appropriately 
configured support fixture is understood to be important because the wire 
pulling member of a typical wire pull tester has a limited displacement 
range. By way of example, a support fixture used with a large 
semiconductor device may be unsatisfactory for a small semiconductor 
device because such a support fixture will not have sufficient height to 
hold the device within the displacement range of the tester's wire pulling 
member. 
One known solution to this problem involves providing a different support 
fixture for each type of semiconductor device. It can be readily 
appreciated that this solution is inconvenient for an operator who is 
generally required to test many different types of semiconductor devices, 
thus requiring use of many different support fixtures. Another proposed 
solution which has similar deficiencies requires restraining the device 
under test to a support using a clamp. Different clamp configurations, 
however, must be provided to accommodate semiconductor devices that vary 
with respect to size, shape, and configuration. Furthermore, a clamp may 
not be convenient or useful when the device is very small or very thin. 
Another cumbersome yet often used approach requires the operator to 
manually hold the device during the wire pull test. During the test, the 
operator must operate the wire pull testing apparatus, which typically 
involves the use of a microscope or other magnification apparatus needed 
to coordinate the delicate testing procedure. It can be appreciated that 
manually holding the device in place during the wire pull test is both 
inconvenient and problematic. 
An advantage realized by employing a support fixture in accordance with the 
present invention concerns a significant increase in wire pull testing 
efficiency and convenience. Employing a single adaptable support fixture 
for use with a wide variety of semiconductor devices obviates the need for 
customized fixtures which are uniquely suited for specific device types. 
Referring to FIGS. 5a and 5b, the fixture 20 is depicted supporting a flat 
pack semiconductor device 88, which is characterized by leads 70 extending 
outwardly in a horizontal direction from device 88. The semiconductor 
device 88 depicted in FIGS. 5a and 5b includes a chip carrier 66, a die 
68, and a number of leads 70. The chip carrier 66 defines a portion of a 
casing (not shown) which surrounds the die 68 and protects the die 68 from 
damage and degradation from external sources. 
The die 68 contains the active electronic components of the semiconductor 
device 88. Die bonding pads 72 are embedded in the die 68 and connected to 
the electronic components formed in the semiconductor material of the die 
68. The leads 70 terminate at lead pads 76 which are arranged on the chip 
carrier 66. The die bonding pads 72 and lead pads 76 are connected to one 
another by wires 56. A wire 56 will typically connect one or more die 
bonding pads 72 to one or more lead pads 76 as determined by the desired 
lead configuration for a particular semiconductor device 88. These wires 
are typically constructed of aluminum, although other materials are also 
used. The object of the wire pull test is to determine the bond strength 
of the connections between the wire 56 and the various electrical contacts 
of the semiconductor device 88 connected to the wire 56. 
Other types of semiconductor devices have similar components which may be 
arranged differently to achieve desired functionality. FIGS. 6a and 6b 
depict the fixture 20 supporting a semiconductor device 90 of the pin grid 
array (PGA) type. The PGA semiconductor device 90 has leads 70 which 
extend perpendicularly from a surface of device 90. PGA type semiconductor 
devices can have more than 300 leads per device. PGA semiconductor devices 
90, like flat pack devices 88, have a chip carrier 66, a die 68, a number 
of leads 70, die bonding pads 72 attached to the die 68, and lead pads 76 
which are attached to the leads 70. Wires 56 connect the die bonding pads 
72 to the lead pads 76. 
As is shown in FIG. 6a, the PGA semiconductor device 90 is configured so 
that the leads 70 extend outwardly from the device 90 towards the fixture 
20 when the device 90 is mounted on the mounting surface 24 of the fixture 
20. In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, the mounting 
surface 24 is configured so that the leads 70 do not touch any portion of 
the fixture 20. This configuration will ensure that a surface of the 
semiconductor device 90 is in contact with the mounting surface 24 during 
the wire pull test, and that the leads 70 remain undamaged. 
FIGS. 7 and 8 depict cross-sections of PGA type semiconductor devices. FIG. 
7a depicts a cavity-up PGA semiconductor device 92. In cavity-up devices 
92, the die 68 is affixed within a cavity 82 provided in the upper surface 
84 of the chip carrier 66. The leads 70 of the cavity-up semiconductor 
device 92 penetrate the chip carrier 66 and extend perpendicularly from 
the lower surface 86 of chip carrier 66. FIG. 8a depicts a cavity-down PGA 
device 94. In this device, the die 66 is affixed within a cavity 84 
provided on the lower surface 86 of the chip carrier 66. The leads 70 
penetrate the chip carrier 66 and extend perpendicularly from the lower 
surface 86 of the chip carrier 66. 
FIGS. 7b and 8b depict a region 96 of the semiconductor devices 92 and 94, 
respectively, all or part of which is in contact with the mounting surface 
24 and proximate to the port 26 of the fixture 20 during the wire pull 
test. In the case of cavity-up devices 92, as depicted in FIG. 7b, the 
mounting surface 24 is in contact with lower surface 86 of the device 92. 
In the case of cavity down devices 94, as depicted in FIG. 8b, the 
mounting surface 24 is in contact with the upper surface 84 of the device 
94. In both cases, the die 68 and wires 56 are exposed, and are in a 
proper orientation for the wire pull test. 
Referring now to FIG. 4, the embodiment of the fixture 20 depicted in FIGS. 
2 and 3 is shown in operation with a wire pull tester 52. The wire pull 
tester 52 illustrated in FIG. 4 is a depiction of one type of wire pull 
tester, and is similar to a tester produced by UNITEK Equipment Division, 
Model No. Micropull.RTM. III Wire Bond Pull Tester. Those skilled in the 
art will recognize that the fixture 20 of the present invention can be 
used with other wire pull testers having configurations which differ from 
that depicted in FIG. 4. 
The tester 52 includes a tester stand 64, a tester arm 60 attached to the 
stand 64, and a wire pulling member 54 attached to one end of the tester 
arm 60. The wire pulling member 54 is configured to engage a wire 56 of 
the semiconductor device 28. The wire pulling member 54 may be a hook, a 
needle, a clamp, or other known device which can engage the wire 56 during 
the wire pull test and transmit a pull force to the connections between 
the wire 56 and the die bonding pads 72 and lead pads 76. When activated, 
the tester 52 moves the wire pulling member 54 which, in turn, exerts a 
pull force on the wire 56. The tester 52 typically employs a measuring 
device (not shown) that measures the amount of force applied to arm and, 
therefore, to the wire 56. It is noted that a test viewer 62 is provided 
so that an operator can view a magnified image of the region surrounding 
and including the wire 56 subjected to the pull test. 
Referring to the Drawings in general and to FIG. 4 in particular, a 
procedure for using the fixture 20 in a wire pull test is provided as 
follows. A semiconductor device 28 is selected for the test, and the die 
68, wire 56, and both the die bonding pad 72 and the lead pad 76 connected 
to the wire 56 are exposed. The semiconductor device 28 is placed on the 
mounting surface 24 of the fixture 20. The fixture 20 is placed on a 
tester stand 64 or otherwise positioned under the wire pulling member 54 
of the tester 52. The height of the fixture 20 is then adjusted using the 
height adjustment mechanism of the device support 22 to bring the wire 56 
into proximity of the wire pulling member 54 of wire pull tester 52. It is 
noted that the height adjustment mechanism may be manually, mechanically, 
or electro-mechanically actuated. It is further noted that a computer 
controlled electro-mechanical height adjustment mechanism may be desirable 
when a high degree of precision is required. 
An air pressure differential is provided at the port 26 of the mounting 
surface 24 so that the semiconductor device 28 firmly engages, and is 
restrained on, the mounting surface 24 of the fixture 20. The wire pulling 
member 54 is brought into engagement with the wire 56. A force is then 
applied to the tester arm 60 and to the wire pulling member 54 in a 
direction away from the device 28. This force is imparted to the 
connections between the wire 56 and the die bonding pad 72 and lead pad 76 
by the engagement between the wire 56 and the wire pulling member 54. 
In a destructive wire pull test, the pull force is increased until there is 
a mechanical failure indicated by either the wire 56 breaking or the wire 
56 becoming disengaged from the die bonding pad 72 or the lead pad 76. In 
order to accurately determine the occurrence of mechanical failure or 
catastrophic fatigue, an operator typically observes a magnified image of 
the wire pulling member 54, wire 56, and both pads 72 and 76 subjected to 
the test through the test viewer 62. 
The force at which mechanical failure or unacceptable fatigue occurs is 
determined by reading the force level provided by the force measuring 
device (not shown). The test is considered a success if the measured force 
exceeds a predetermined force value required by the specification for the 
semiconductor device under test, otherwise, the test is considered a 
failure. A predetermined number of wires for a prescribed number of 
semiconductor devices as detailed in a customer's specification are tested 
in this manner for each lot of semiconductor devices. The lot is approved 
if the number of successful tests exceeds a predetermined acceptance level 
given in the specification. 
The previously described embodiments of the present invention have many 
advantages over conventional support approaches. One important advantage 
is that the height of the fixture 20 can be adjusted to bring the wire 56 
affixed to the semiconductor device 28 into contact with wire pulling 
member 54 of wire pull tester 52. Because the semiconductor devices have 
varying sizes, shapes, and configurations, a single fixed height support 
fixture cannot be used for all such semiconductor devices. The 
adjustability of the height of the fixture 20 advantageously provides for 
the use of the fixture 20 in conjunction with a wide variety of 
semiconductor devices, and eliminates dependency on multiple fixed height 
fixtures. 
Another advantage of the present invention is the provision of an air 
pressure differential at the port 26 of the fixture 20. This difference in 
pressures at the two surfaces 27 and 29 of the semiconductor device 28 
creates a net force on the semiconductor device 28 which provides secure 
engagement between the device 28 and the mounting surface 24 of the 
fixture 20 without the need for additional hardware, such as a clamp, or 
manual restraint of the device 28 by the operator. 
In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, the air 
pressure differential provides a net force that exceeds an opposing force 
provided by the wire pull tester 52. In another embodiment, the air 
pressure differential provides a net force that exceeds the force required 
to either break the wire 56 or break the bond between the wire 56 and 
either the die bonding pad 72 or lead pad 76. In yet another embodiment, 
the air pressure differential provides a net force that exceeds a force 
specified in a commercial or military specification. In still a further 
embodiment of the present invention, the air pressure differential 
provides a net force that exceeds a two gram opposing force produced by 
the wire pull tester 52 in accordance with Military Specification 883, 
Method 2011. 
It will, of course, be understood that various modifications and additions 
can be made to the embodiments discussed hereinabove without departing 
from the scope or spirit of the present invention. By way of example, the 
disclosed fixture may be employed to provide secure engagement between the 
fixture and a wafer or other semiconductor substrate having bond wires or 
other electrical leads disposed thereon. Accordingly, the scope of the 
present invention should not be limited by the particular embodiments 
described above, but should be defined only by the claims set forth below 
and equivalents thereof.