Patent Publication Number: US-2013241588-A1

Title: Wafer inspection apparatus

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application claims the benefit of Japanese Patent Application No. 2012-057204 filed on Mar. 14, 2012, the entire disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present disclosure relates to a wafer inspection apparatus configured to inspect electrical characteristics of semiconductor devices formed on a wafer. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     As a wafer inspection apparatus, there is known, for example, a burn-in inspection apparatus or a probe apparatus that inspects electrical characteristics of a multiple number of semiconductor devices formed on a wafer. 
       FIG. 13  is a cross sectional view schematically illustrating a configuration of a conventional probe apparatus. 
     Referring to  FIG. 13 , a probe apparatus  100  includes a loader chamber  101  serving as a wafer transfer section for transferring a wafer W; and an inspection chamber  102  for inspecting therein electrical characteristics of a multiple number of semiconductor devices formed on the wafer W. This probe apparatus  100  is configured to inspect the electrical characteristics of the semiconductor devices by controlling various types of devices in the loader chamber  101  and the inspection chamber  102  under the control of a controller. The inspection chamber  102  includes a mounting table  106 , a pogo frame  109 , a probe card  108 , and an alignment device  110 . The mounting table  106  mounts thereon a wafer W loaded from the loader chamber  101  by a loading arm  103  and is configured to be movable in X, Y, Z, and θ directions. The pogo frame  109  is disposed above the mounting table  106 , and the probe card  108  is supported on the pogo frame  109 . The alignment device  110  is configured to perform alignment (position adjustment) between a multiple number of probes (inspection needles) of the probe card  108  and electrodes of the semiconductor devices formed on the wafer W in cooperation with the mounting table  106 . After the wafer W and the probe card  108  are aligned with each other by the alignment device  110  and the mounting table  106  in cooperation, each probe of the probe card  108  is brought into contact with the electrodes of the wafer W, so that the electrical characteristics of the multiple number of semiconductor devices formed on the wafer W are inspected (see, for example, Patent Document 1). 
     Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Laid-open Publication No. 2004-140241 
     However, the transfer device in the conventional wafer inspection apparatus is configured to load an uninspected wafer to a certain position in the inspection chamber and unload an inspected wafer from the inspection chamber. The transfer device cannot load or unload a member other than the wafer, e.g., the probe card, into/from the inspection chamber. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In view of the foregoing, illustrative embodiments provide a wafer inspection apparatus capable of loading and unloading both a wafer and a probe card into and from an inspection chamber by a single transfer device, and also capable of accurately aligning the wafer with the probe card to have an electrical characteristic inspection position where electrical characteristics of semiconductor devices are inspected. 
     In accordance with one aspect of an illustrative embodiment, there is provided a wafer inspection apparatus having an inspection chamber for inspecting electrical characteristics of semiconductor devices formed on a wafer and a transfer device for loading and unloading the wafer into and from the inspection chamber. The inspection chamber includes a probe card having a multiple number of probes on a surface of the probe card facing the wafer; a frame that is brought into in contact with a surface of the probe card opposite to the surface of the probe card facing the wafer and supports the probe card; a table-shaped chuck member disposed to face the probe card with the wafer placed therebetween; and at least one positioning pin provided on the chuck member. Further, the transfer device includes a transfer arm having at least one recess to be fitted to the at least one positioning pin. Furthermore, the probe card is loaded into the inspection chamber by the transfer arm, and after the probe card is aligned with the at least one positioning pin by fitting the at least one recess to the at least one positioning pin, the probe card is brought into contact with and supported by the frame. Moreover, the wafer is loaded into the inspection chamber by the transfer arm, and after the wafer is aligned with the at least one positioning pin by fitting the at least one recess to the at least one positioning pin, the wafer is brought into contact with the surface of the probe card facing the wafer to become an electrical characteristic inspection state in which the electrical characteristics of the semiconductor devices are inspected. 
     The transfer device may further include a wafer plate detachably mounted on the transfer arm. Further, the probe card may be transferred by being mounted on the transfer arm, and the wafer may be transferred by being mounted on the transfer arm via the wafer plate. 
     The transfer arm may have an opening formed through a central portion of the transfer arm in a thickness direction thereof. 
     The number of the at least one positioning pin may be at least two, and the at least two positioning pins may be provided on the chuck member to be arranged along a periphery thereof. Further, the number of the at least one recess may be at least two, and the at least two recesses may be formed on the transfer arm to be fitted to the at least two positioning pins of the chuck member, respectively. 
     At least two positioning recesses may be formed on the probe card along a periphery thereof, and at least two protrusions to be fitted to the at least two positioning recesses of the probe card may be provided at the transfer arm. 
     The probe card may be attracted to and held on the transfer arm while being transferred, and the wafer may be attracted to and held on the transfer arm via the wafer plate while being transferred. 
     The wafer inspection apparatus may further include a position adjusting device configured to adjust a position of the wafer with respect to the transfer arm of the transfer device. Further, the position adjusting device may include a position adjusting chamber; a base frame that is provided in the position adjusting chamber and has an opening formed through a central portion of the base frame in a thickness direction thereof; at least one positioning pin provided on a periphery of the base frame; and a sub chuck member configured to pass through the opening of the base frame. Furthermore, the sub chuck member may be configured to pass through the opening of the base frame and the opening of the transfer arm while the at least one recess of the transfer arm on which the wafer is mounted is fitted to the at least one positioning pin of the base frame. Moreover, the sub chuck member may be configured to slightly move the wafer to align the wafer with the transfer arm. 
     The wafer may be mounted on the transfer arm via a wafer plate detachably mounted on the transfer arm, and the sub chuck member may be configured to slightly move the wafer along with the wafer plate to align the wafer with the transfer arm. 
     The number of the at least one positioning pin may be at least two, and the at least two positioning pins may be provided on the base frame to be arranged along the periphery thereof. 
     A position of the at least one positioning pin of the base frame may correspond to a position of the at least one positioning pin of the chuck member. 
     In accordance with the illustrative embodiments, the probe card is loaded into the inspection chamber by the transfer arm. Then, after the probe card is aligned with the positioning pins by fitting the recesses of the transfer arm to the positioning pins of the chuck member, the probe card is brought into contact with and supported by the frame. Further, the wafer is loaded into the inspection chamber by the same transfer arm. Then, after the wafer is aligned with the positioning pins by fitting the recesses of the transfer arm to the positioning pins of the chuck member, the wafer is brought into contact with the surface of the probe card facing the wafer to become the electrical characteristic inspection state in which the electrical characteristics of the semiconductor devices are inspected. Accordingly, both the wafer and the probe card can be loaded into and unloaded from the inspection chamber by the single transfer device, and the wafer can be accurately aligned with the probe card to have the electrical characteristic inspection position where the electrical characteristics of the semiconductor devices are inspected. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Non-limiting and non-exhaustive embodiments will be described in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Understanding that these drawings depict only several embodiments in accordance with the disclosure and are, therefore, not to be intended to limit its scope, the disclosure will be described with specificity and detail through use of the accompanying drawings, in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view illustrating an exterior view of a wafer inspection apparatus in accordance with an illustrative embodiment; 
         FIG. 2  is a cross sectional view taken along a line II-II of the wafer inspection apparatus of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is a cross sectional view schematically illustrating a configuration of a wafer inspection interface included in an inspection chamber of  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view illustrating a transfer arm of  FIG. 3 ; 
         FIG. 5  is a cross sectional view taken along a line V-V of the transfer arm of  FIG. 4 ; 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective view illustrating a configuration in which a wafer plate is mounted on the transfer arm of  FIG. 4 ; 
         FIG. 7  is a perspective view illustrating a configuration in which a probe card is mounted on the transfer arm of  FIG. 4 ; 
         FIG. 8  is a cross sectional view schematically illustrating a configuration of an alignment chamber provided in an alignment section of  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 9  is a process diagram for inspecting electrical characteristics of semiconductor devices on a wafer by using the wafer inspection apparatus including the wafer inspection interface of  FIG. 3 ; 
         FIG. 10  is a process diagram for inspecting the electrical characteristics of the semiconductor devices on the wafer by using the wafer inspection apparatus including the wafer inspection interface of  FIG. 3 ; 
         FIG. 11  is a process diagram for inspecting the electrical characteristics of the semiconductor devices on the wafer by using the wafer inspection apparatus including the wafer inspection interface of  FIG. 3 ; 
         FIG. 12  is a process diagram for inspecting the electrical characteristics of the semiconductor devices on the wafer by using the wafer inspection apparatus including the wafer inspection interface of  FIG. 3 ; and 
         FIG. 13  is a cross sectional view schematically illustrating a configuration of a conventional probe apparatus. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Hereinafter, illustrative embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view illustrating an exterior view of a wafer inspection apparatus in accordance with an illustrative embodiment. The wafer inspection apparatus  10  is configured as a whole contact type inspection apparatus that inspects electrical characteristics by bringing all probes of a probe card into contact with all electrodes of semiconductor devices formed on a wafer at one time. This wafer inspection apparatus  10  is developed based on the technical concept of sharing many devices. Accordingly, the wafer inspection apparatus  10  includes a multiple number of inspection chambers, and the wafer is aligned by a position adjusting device provided at a place other than the inspection chambers. 
     In  FIG. 1 , the wafer inspection apparatus  10  includes a loading/unloading section S 10 , provided at a rear side of the wafer inspection apparatus  10 , for loading and unloading a wafer; an inspection section S 40  provided at a front side of the wafer inspection apparatus  10  while facing the loading/unloading section S 10 ; and a transfer section S 30  provided between the loading/unloading section S 10  and the inspection section S 40 . 
     The loading/unloading section S 10  is partitioned into a multiple number of unit loading/unloading areas corresponding to a multiple number of mounting devices. The inspection section S 40  is also partitioned into a multiple number of unit inspection areas corresponding to a multiple number of inspection chambers. That is, each of the loading/unloading section S 10  and the inspection section S 40  is partitioned into the multiple number of chambers in a 3-dimensional grid shape. A transfer device to be described later (see  FIG. 2 ) is moved in the transfer section S 30  between the loading/unloading section S 10  and the inspection section S 40 . 
       FIG. 2  is a cross sectional view taken along a line II-II of  FIG. 1 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 2 , a multiple number of accommodation devices for accommodating therein FOUPs F are provided in the loading/unloading section S 10  as example mounting devices. An alignment section S 20  including the position adjusting device (hereinafter, referred to as “alignment chamber”)  12  is provided at a left end of the loading/unloading section S 10 . A needle mark inspection section S 50  including a needle mark inspection apparatus  17  is provided at a right end of the loading/unloading section S 10 . Further, a transfer device  13  is provided in the transfer section S 30 , and a multiple number of inspection chambers  14  are arranged in the inspection section S 40 . 
     The transfer device  13  includes, for example, a rotational body provided on a base; two vertically arranged transfer arms, i.e., an upper arm and a lower arm, configured to be individually moved back and forth on the rotational body in one direction; an elevation device configured to move the base and the transfer arms up and down; and a moving device configured to move these devices back and forth along the transfer section S 30 . For example, the wafer W is transferred while being mounted on the upper transfer arm. 
     In the wafer inspection apparatus  10 , the transfer device  13  receives an uninspected wafer W and transfers the uninspected wafer W into the alignment chamber  12  from a FOUP F. In the alignment chamber  12 , the wafer W is aligned with the transfer arm of the transfer device  13 . Then, the transfer device  13  transfers the aligned wafer W into an inspection chamber  14 . The inspection chamber  14  includes a wafer inspection interface  18  to be described later. The wafer inspection interface  18  is configured to inspect electrical characteristics of semiconductor devices formed on the wafer W. 
     Further, the transfer device  13  transfers the inspected wafer W from the inspection chamber  14  to the needle mark inspection device  17  disposed in the needle mark inspection section S 50  located at one end of the loading/unloading section S 10 . The needle mark inspection device  17  is configured to inspect a needle mark (i.e., a mark of a contact with a probe  25 ) on an electrode of the respective semiconductor devices on the inspected wafer W. Then, the transfer device  13  loads the inspected wafer W into the FOUP F within the loading/unloading section S 10 . 
     Here, the transfer device  13  transfers a first wafer W unloaded from a first FOUP F into a first inspection chamber  14  via the alignment chamber  12 . While inspecting the electrical characteristics of semiconductor devices formed on the first wafer W in the first inspection chamber  14 , the transfer device  13  may transfer a second wafer W unloaded from a second FOUP F into a second inspection chamber  14  via the alignment chamber  12 . Alternatively, while inspecting the electrical characteristics of the semiconductor devices formed on the first wafer W in the first inspection chamber  14 , the transfer device  13  may unload an inspected third wafer W from a third inspection chamber and load the inspected third wafer W into a third FOUP F. That is, the transfer device  13  transfers the wafers W in sequence between the multiple number of FOUPs F and the multiple number of inspection chambers  14 , and electrical characteristics of semiconductor devices formed on the wafers W are inspected in sequence in the respective inspection chambers  14 . 
       FIG. 3  is a cross sectional view schematically illustrating a configuration of a wafer inspection interface included in the inspection chamber of  FIG. 2 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 3 , the wafer inspection interface  18  includes a head plate  19 , a frame (hereinafter, referred to as a “pogo frame”)  40 , a probe card  20 , a rod-shaped lifter  22  and a table-shaped chuck member  23 . The head plate  19  is provided at a ceiling portion of the inspection chamber  14  and is made of a plate-shaped member. The pogo frame  40  forms a bottom surface of the head plate  19 . The probe card  20  is disposed to be in contact with a bottom surface of the pogo frame  40 . The lifter  22  stands uprightly from a bottom portion of the inspection chamber  14  and is configured to be moved up and down. The chuck member  23  is provided on a top portion of the lifter  22 . 
     The probe card  20  includes a base  20 A; and the probes  25  provided on a surface of the base  20 A facing the wafer W. A multiple number of notches  20 B are formed at the base  20 A along the periphery thereof. The notches  20 B are formed of, e.g., recesses, and each of the notches  20 B is respectively inserted into and fitted to each of multiple positioning pins  63  provided on a transfer arm  13 A of the transfer device  13  to be described later. 
     The chuck member  23  has a cross section in which a central portion of the chuck member  23  is protruded. Further, the chuck member  23  includes an upwardly protruding portion  23 A; and a step-shaped portion  23 B surrounding the protruding portion  23 A and formed to be lower than the protruding portion  23 A. For example, three positioning pins  61  are arranged on a top surface of the step-shaped portion  23 B at a regular interval along the periphery of the step-shaped portion  23 B. A top flat surface of the protruding portion  23 A serves as a mounting surface  23 C on which the wafer W is mounted. 
     The transfer device  13  includes the transfer arm  13 A and a wafer plate  15  detachably mounted on the transfer arm  13 A. When loading the wafer W into the inspection chamber  14 , the wafer W is mounted on the transfer arm  13 A via the wafer plate  15 , i.e., while mounted on the wafer plate  15  and is loaded. Meanwhile, when loading the probe card  20  into the inspection chamber  14 , the probe card  20  is directly mounted on the transfer arm  13 A and is loaded. 
       FIG. 4  is a perspective view illustrating the transfer arm  13 A of  FIG. 3 , and  FIG. 5  is a cross sectional view taken along a line V-V of the transfer arm of  FIG. 4 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 3 to 5 , an opening  13 C is formed through a central portion of the transfer arm  13 A in a thickness direction thereof. Three insertion grooves  62  as recesses, which are arranged at a regular interval along the periphery of the transfer arm  13 A, are provided on a bottom surface of a periphery of the transfer arm  13 A surrounding the opening  13 C. Each insertion groove  62  has a V-shaped cross sectional shape. Each of the insertion grooves  62  is fitted to each of the three positioning pins  61  on the step-shaped portion  23 B of the chuck member  23 . As a result, the transfer arm  13 A can be aligned with the positioning pins  61 , and further, the member transferred by the transfer arm  13 A, e.g., the wafer W, can be aligned with the positioning pins  61 . Further, three positioning pins  63  as protrusions, which are arranged at a regular interval along the periphery of the transfer arm  13 A, are provided on a top surface of the transfer arm  13 A. Further, an attraction line  13 B for attracting and holding a member mounted on the top surface of the transfer arm  13 A is formed at the transfer arm  13 A. A side of the transfer arm  13 A where the attraction line  13 B is provided is configured as a connection part to a loader. Further, in  FIG. 3 , the insertion grooves  62  and the positioning pins  63  formed at the transfer arm  13 A are shown to be located on the same cross section for the convenience of explanation. 
       FIG. 6  is a perspective view illustrating a configuration in which the wafer plate  15  is mounted on the transfer arm  13 A of  FIG. 4 . When loading the wafer W by the transfer arm  13 A having the opening  13 C, the wafer plate  15  is used in order to prevent the wafer W from being bent or deformed. That is, the wafer W is mounted on the transfer arm  13 A via the wafer plate  15 . In an alignment chamber to be described later, the wafer W and the wafer plate  15  aligned with the transfer arm  13 A are attracted and held by the attraction line  13 B formed at the transfer arm  13 A. 
     The wafer W is mounted on the wafer plate  15  aligned with the transfer arm  13 A, and the wafer W is attracted via the wafer plate  15  by the attraction line  13 B formed at the transfer arm  13 A. Accordingly, the wafer W is indirectly held on the transfer arm  13 A. 
       FIG. 7  is a perspective view illustrating a configuration in which the probe card  20  is mounted on the transfer arm  13 A of  FIG. 4 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 3 to 7 , since the probe card  20  has higher stiffness than the wafer W, the probe card  20  may not be bent even if there exists the opening  13 C at the central portion of the transfer arm  13 A. Accordingly, when transferring the probe card  20  by the transfer arm  13 A, the probe card  20  is directly mounted on the transfer arm  13 A and transferred thereon without using the wafer plate  15 . The three positioning pins  63  arranged along the periphery of the transfer arm  13 A at the regular interval are respectively inserted and fitted to the three notches  20 B formed along the periphery of the probe card  20  at the regular interval. As a result, the probe card  20  is aligned with the transfer arm  13 A. The probe card  20  aligned with the transfer arm  13 A is attracted and held by the attraction line  13 B formed at the transfer arm  13 A. 
       FIG. 8  is a cross sectional view schematically illustrating an alignment chamber provided in the alignment section S 20  of  FIG. 2 . 
     In  FIG. 8 , the alignment chamber  12  includes a base frame  71 , positioning pins  72 , a sub chuck member  73 , and a lifter  74 . The base frame  71  is positioned at a substantially central portion of the alignment chamber  12 , and the base frame  71  has an opening  71 A formed through a central portion thereof in a thickness direction. For example, three positioning pins  72  are provided on a top surface of the base frame  71  at a regular interval along the periphery thereof. The sub chuck member  73  is provided to pass through the opening  71 A of the base frame  71 . The lifter  74  serves as a position adjusting device configured to slightly move the sub chuck member  73  in X, Y, Z, and θ directions. 
     Positions of the positioning pins  72  provided at the base frame  71  substantially correspond to positions of the positioning pins  61  (see  FIG. 3 ) provided at the chuck member  23  in the inspection chamber  14 . Further, the probe card  20  has been aligned with the positioning pins  61  in the inspection chamber  14 . Under this state, the wafer W, which has been aligned with the transfer arm  13 A in the alignment chamber  12 , is loaded into the inspection chamber  14  and aligned with the positioning pins  61  of the chuck member  23 . As a result, the wafer W can be placed at a certain position aligned with the probe card  20 . For example, the wafer can be aligned with a position in which the electrical characteristics of the semiconductor devices formed on the wafer W are inspected (hereinafter, referred to as “electrical characteristic inspection state”). 
     In the alignment chamber  12  having the above-described configuration, the positioning of the wafer W with respect to the transfer arm  13 A is performed as follows. 
     That is, the transfer device  13  receives an uninspected wafer W from the FOUP F (see  FIG. 2 ). This uninspected wafer W is mounted on the transfer arm  13 A via the wafer plate  15  and is transferred into the alignment chamber  12 . Then, the transfer arm  13 A is placed on the base frame  71 . At this time, for example, the three insertion grooves  62  formed on the bottom surface of the transfer arm  13 A are inserted and fitted to, for example, the three positioning pins  72  provided at the base frame  71 , respectively. As a result, the transfer arm  13 A is aligned with the positioning pins  72 . 
     At this time, the position of the wafer W is detected by a monitoring camera  75  provided at a ceiling portion of the alignment chamber  12 . That is, it is checked whether the position of the wafer W with respect to the positioning pins  72  of the base frame  71 , i.e., the position of the wafer W with respect to the transfer arm  13 A is coincident with a previously detected certain position, i.e., an electrical characteristic inspection position where the electrical characteristics of the semiconductor devices formed on the wafer are inspected, with respect to the probe card  20  aligned with the positioning pins  61  of the chuck member  23  in the inspection chamber  14 . If the position of the wafer W is found to be coincident with the electrical characteristic inspection position, the wafer W is loaded into the inspection chamber  14  by the transfer arm  13 A. If, however, the position of the wafer W is not coincident with the electrical characteristic inspection position, the sub chuck member  73  is moved up by the lifter  74  to be protruded above the opening  71 A of the base frame  71  and the opening  13 C of the transfer arm  13 A. Then, a top surface of the sub chuck member  73  is brought into contact with a bottom surface of the wafer plate  15 . In this state, the sub chuck member  73  is moved up and down or in left and right directions, or rotated in the direction of an arrow R (θ direction) in  FIG. 8  so that the wafer W is slightly moved along with the wafer plate  15 . Accordingly, the positions of the wafer W and the wafer plate  15  with respect to the positioning pins  72  are adjusted to the positions coincident with the electrical characteristic inspection position in the inspection chamber  14 . 
     When slightly moving the wafer W by the sub chuck member  73 , the attraction of the wafer plate  15  and the wafer W by the attraction line  13 B is released, and after adjusting the positions of the wafer plate  15  and the wafer W, the wafer W and the wafer plate  15  are attracted and held again. At this time, it may be re-checked by the monitoring camera  75  whether the position of the wafer W with respect to the positioning pins  72  is deviated from the target position when the attraction of the wafer W is released. In this way, positioning accuracy of the wafer W with respect to the transfer arm  13 A can be achieved. 
     Now, a process for inspecting the electrical characteristics of the semiconductor devices on a wafer by using the wafer inspection apparatus having the above-described configuration will be explained. 
       FIGS. 9 to 12  are process diagrams for inspecting the electrical characteristics of the semiconductor devices on a wafer by using the wafer inspection apparatus including the wafer inspection interface of  FIG. 3 . 
     First, the probe card  20  is loaded into the inspection chamber  14  by the transfer device  13 . That is, the transfer device  13  loads the probe card  20  mounted on the transfer arm  13 A into a space between the pogo frame  40  and the chuck member  23  in the inspection chamber  14  (FIG.  9 (A)), and locates the transfer arm  13 A on the chuck member ( FIG. 9(B) ). At this time, each of the insertion grooves  62  formed on the bottom surface of the transfer arm  13 A and each of the positioning pins  61  formed at the chuck member  23  are fitted to each other, so that the probe card  20  is aligned with the positioning pins  61 . 
     After the positioning of the probe card  20  with respect to the positioning pins  61  is completed, the lifter  22  supporting the chuck member  23  moves up the probe card  20  mounted on the transfer arm  13 A along with the chuck member  23 . Thus, the probe card  20  is brought into contact with the pogo frame  40  on the bottom surface of the head plate  19 , and the probe card  20  is supported by the pogo frame  40  ( FIG. 9(C) ). At this time, the positional relationship between the inspection chamber  14  and the probe card  20  is checked by a non-illustrated monitoring camera. When the position of the probe card  20  is deviated from the electrical characteristic inspection position of the semiconductor devices, the loading process of the probe card  20  into the inspection chamber  14  is restarted again, and by slightly moving the transfer arm  13 A, the position of the probe card is adjusted to the electrical characteristic inspection position in the inspection chamber  14 . 
     At this time, a dummy probe card may be loaded into and held in the inspection chamber  14  previously, and a deviation amount from the electrical characteristic inspection position may be measured in advance. Then, after correcting this deviation amount, the actual probe card  20  may be loaded into the inspection chamber  14 . 
     Subsequently, after supporting the probe card  20  by the pogo frame  40 , the lifter  22  moves down the transfer arm  13 A along with the chuck member  23  ( FIG. 10(A) ). Thereafter, the transfer arm  13 A is retreated out of the inspection chamber  14  ( FIG. 10(B) ). The position of the probe card  20  supported by the pogo frame  40  in the inspection chamber  14  is detected by the non-illustrated camera and is used when aligning the wafer W with the positioning pins  72 , i.e., when aligning the wafer W with the transfer arm  13 A in the alignment chamber  12 . 
     Thereafter, a wafer W is loaded into the inspection chamber  14  into which the probe card  20  has been loaded. That is, the wafer W is mounted on the transfer arm  13 A of the transfer device  13  via the wafer plate  15 , and the transfer device  13  loads the wafer W (see  FIG. 8 ) aligned with the transfer arm  13 A into the inspection chamber  14  and locates the wafer W to face the probe card  20  ( FIG. 11(A) ). Then, the transfer device  13  places the transfer arm  13 A on the chuck member  23  ( FIG. 11(B) ). At this time, each of the insertion grooves  62  formed on the bottom surface of the transfer arm  13 A and each of the positioning pins  61  provided at the chuck member  23  are fitted to each other, so that the transfer arm  13 A is aligned with the positioning pins  61 , and further, the wafer W is aligned with the positioning pins  61 . 
     After the alignment of the wafer W with the positioning pins  61  is completed, the lifter  22  supporting the chuck member  23  moves up the wafer W mounted on the transfer arm  13 A via the wafer plate  15  along with the chuck member  23 . Thus, the wafer W is brought into contact with the probe card  20  supported by the pogo frame  40  ( FIG. 11(C) ). The wafer W is temporarily held to the probe card by a non-illustrated holding device such as a suction device. 
     After the wafer W is temporarily held to the probe card  20 , the transfer arm  13 A on which the wafer plate  15  is mounted is moved down by the lifter  22  along with the chuck member  23  ( FIG. 12(A) ). Then, the transfer arm  13 A mounting the wafer plate  15  thereon is retreated out of the inspection chamber  14  ( FIG. 12(B) ). 
     Afterward, the lifter  22  supporting the chuck member  23  moves the chuck member  23  up so that the wafer mounting surface  23 C of the chuck member  23  is brought into contact with the wafer W. Here, a seal member  65  is provided between the head plate  19  and the chuck member  23 , and there is formed a space S surrounded by the head plate  19 , the pogo frame  40 , the chuck member  23 , and the seal member  65  ( FIG. 12(C) ). Although the seal member  65  is shown to be located at an outside of the positioning pins  61 , the seal member  65  may be positioned at an inside of the positioning pins  61 . 
     Now, the space S is depressurized by a non-illustrated depressurizing device to, e.g., from about −1 kPa to about −50 kPa. Accordingly, the probes  25  provided on the probe card  20  are made to come into firm contact with the electrodes of the semiconductor devices formed on the wafer W. At this time, since the wafer W is aligned with the positioning pins  61 , the wafer W is brought into contact with the probe card  20  that has been previously aligned with the positioning pins  61 . Thus, a preset positional relationship is achieved, i.e., the wafer W is located at the electrical characteristic inspection position where the electrical characteristics of the semiconductor devices are inspected. Thereafter, the lifter  22  is moved down in the drawing and separated from the chuck member  23  ( FIG. 12(D) ). 
     Subsequently, an electric current of a preset value flows to the electrodes of the semiconductor devices from the probes  25  of the probe card  20 , and electrical characteristics of the semiconductor devices are inspected. Then, the inspection process is finished. 
     In accordance with the present illustrative embodiment, the probe card  20  is loaded into the inspection chamber  14  by the transfer arm  13 A having the insertion grooves  62  to be fitted to the positioning pins  61  and  72 . Then, after aligning the probe card  20  with the positioning pins  61  by fitting the insertion grooves  62  of the transfer arm  13 A to the positioning pins  61  on the chuck member  23 , the probe card  20  is moved up until it comes into contact with the pogo frame  40  and supported by this pogo frame  40 . Subsequently, the wafer W aligned with the transfer arm  13 A is also transferred by the same transfer arm  13 A into the inspection chamber  14 . Then, after aligning the wafer W with the positioning pins  61  by fitting the insertion grooves  62  on the transfer arm  13 A to the positioning pins  61  on the chuck member  23 , the wafer W is moved up to the surface of the probe card  20  facing the wafer W such that the wafer W comes into contact with the probe card  20 . Accordingly, the position of the wafer W with respect to the probe card  20  can be accurately adjusted through the positioning pins  61  provided on the chuck member  23 . Thus, the wafer W can be accurately adjusted with respect to the probe care  20  to have the electrical characteristic inspection position where the electrical characteristics of the semiconductor devices are inspected. 
     Furthermore, in accordance with the present illustrative embodiment, since the opening  13 C is formed through the central portion of the transfer arm  13 A in the thickness direction thereof, the position of the wafer W with respect to the positioning pins  72  can be slightly adjusted by the sub chuck member  73  configured to pass through the opening  13 C in the alignment chamber  12 . 
     In addition, in accordance with the illustrative embodiment, the electrical characteristics of the semiconductor devices on the wafer W are inspected by brining all the probes  25  of the probe card  20  into contact with all the electrodes of the semiconductor devices on the wafer W at one time. Accordingly, productivity of the semiconductor devices can be improved. 
     In the present illustrative embodiment, the term “electrical characteristic inspection state” for inspecting the electrical characteristics of the semiconductor devices implies a state in which the wafer W is brought into contact with the probe card  20  at an appropriate position, and the probes  25  of the probe card  20  are in contact with the electrodes of the semiconductor devices formed on the wafer W. 
     While various aspects and embodiments have been described herein, other aspects and embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art. The various aspects and embodiments disclosed herein are for the purposes of illustration and are not intended to be limiting. Therefore, the true scope of the disclosure is indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description, and it shall be understood that all modifications and embodiments conceived from the meaning and scope of the claims and their equivalents are included in the scope of the disclosure.