Patent Description:
A scanning acoustic microscope may thus be used to scan samples of different sizes and shapes, where a custom fixture is typically needed for each different sample. Therefore, a scanning acoustic microscope system or a user thereof may require many different fixtures, and changing from one custom fixture to another, which can reduce the time available for scanning as the fixtures are replaced and interchanged.

There remains a need for a fixture capable of holding samples of different sizes and shapes, e.g., to be inspected and scanned by a scanning acoustic microscope.

Document <NPL> discloses a Microscope Universal Holder for Object Slide and Petri Dishes for a Piezo Scanner Stage for Inverted Nikon Microscope with Well Plate Size Aperture.

Document <NPL> discloses another holder.

Document <NPL> discloses a PCB holding device that holds your circuit board flat so you can solder with stability at table level.

Document <NPL> discloses a universal spring-loaded vise clamp which includes two reversible vise plates and four dowel pins which fit into the top of the brass sliding bar.

Additional non-claimed embodiments, examples and aspects are also presented in the description for the better understanding of the invention.

The accompanying drawings provide visual representations which will be used to more fully describe various representative embodiments and can be used by those skilled in the art to better understand the representative embodiments disclosed and their inherent advantages. The drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon illustrating the principles of the devices, systems, and methods described herein. In these drawings, like reference numerals may identify corresponding elements.

The various methods, systems, apparatuses, and devices described herein generally include holding and securing samples in a scanning acoustic microscope for inspection of the samples.

While this invention is susceptible of embodiment in many different forms, there is shown in the drawings and will herein be described in detail specific embodiments, with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered as an example of the principles of the invention and not intended to limit the invention to the specific embodiments shown and described. In the description below, like reference numerals may be used to describe the same, similar or corresponding parts in the several views of the drawings.

In this document, relational terms such as first and second, top and bottom, and the like may be used solely to distinguish one entity or action from another entity or action without necessarily requiring or implying any actual such relationship or order between such entities or actions. The terms "comprises," "comprising," "includes," "including," "has," "having," or any other variations thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements does not include only those elements but may include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, article, or apparatus. An element preceded by "comprises. a" does not, without more constraints, preclude the existence of additional identical elements in the process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises the element.

Reference throughout this document to "one embodiment," "certain embodiments," "an embodiment," "implementation(s)," "aspect(s)," or similar terms means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, the appearances of such phrases or in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Furthermore, the particular features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments without limitation.

The term "or" as used herein is to be interpreted as an inclusive or meaning any one or any combination. Therefore, "A, B or C" means "any of the following: A; B; C; A and B; A and C; B and C; A, B and C. " An exception to this definition will occur only when a combination of elements, functions, steps or acts are in some way inherently mutually exclusive. Also, grammatical conjunctions are intended to express any and all disjunctive and conjunctive combinations of conjoined clauses, sentences, words, and the like, unless otherwise stated or clear from the context. Thus, the term "or" should generally be understood to mean "and/or" and so forth.

All documents mentioned herein are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety. References to items in the singular should be understood to include items in the plural, and vice versa, unless explicitly stated otherwise or clear from the text.

Recitation of ranges of values herein are not intended to be limiting, referring instead individually to any and all values falling within the range, unless otherwise indicated, and each separate value within such a range is incorporated into the specification as if it were individually recited herein. The words "about," "approximately," or the like, when accompanying a numerical value, are to be construed as indicating a deviation as would be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art to operate satisfactorily for an intended purpose. Ranges of values and/or numeric values are provided herein as examples only, and do not constitute a limitation on the scope of the described embodiments. The use of any and all examples, or exemplary language ("e.g.," "such as," or the like) provided herein, is intended merely to better illuminate the embodiments and does not pose a limitation on the scope of the embodiments. No language in the specification should be construed as indicating any unclaimed element as essential to the practice of the embodiments.

For simplicity and clarity of illustration, reference numerals may be repeated among the figures to indicate corresponding or analogous elements. Numerous details are set forth to provide an understanding of the embodiments described herein. The embodiments may be practiced without these details. In other instances, well-known methods, procedures, and components have not been described in detail to avoid obscuring the embodiments described. The description is not to be considered as limited to the scope of the embodiments described herein.

In the following description, it is understood that terms such as "first," "second," "top," "bottom," "up," "down," "above," "below," and the like, are words of convenience and are not to be construed as limiting terms. Also, the terms apparatus and device may be used interchangeably in this text.

A scanning acoustic microscope may image objects using ultrasound. In some scanning acoustic microscopes, the object is held in place in a tank of fluid and insonified with pulses of ultrasound from a transmitting transducer at a number of locations. The reflected and transmitted ultrasound may be sensed at a receiving transducer and analyzed to form an image of the object. The fluid in the tank may couple the ultrasound between the object and the transducer.

In general, the devices, systems, and methods described herein may include an adjustable fixture, or the use of an adjustable fixture, for holding and securing objects for inspection using a scanning acoustic microscope or the like. It will be understood that any reference to one or more of supporting, stabilizing, holding, securing, and similar terms when discussing the adjustable fixture, will be understood to include any and all such terms unless explicitly stated to the contrary or otherwise clear from the context. Further, any reference to one or more of scanning, inspection, measuring, analyzing, imaging, and the like (e.g., by a scanning acoustic microscope), will be understood to include any and all such terms unless explicitly stated to the contrary or otherwise clear from the context. Thus, although the disclosure may refer to "scanning," "imaging," or "inspection" using a scanning acoustic microscope, the techniques described herein may be used for other functions of a scanning acoustic microscope or similar devices in which a sample is held for analysis. In this manner, it will be understood that references in this disclosure to the use of the adjustable fixture with a "scanning acoustic microscope," may also or instead include use by similar devices unless explicitly stated to the contrary or otherwise clear from the context.

An object to be scanned is generally referred to herein as a "sample," which will be understood to include any object or item to be held for inspection, scanning, or imaging using a scanning acoustic microscope or the like, where the "sample" may include a single object, a single object in a holder (e.g., a frame, an adapter plate, a support surface, and the like), multiple objects, or multiple objects in a holder. The samples described herein may also or instead include Joint Electron Device Engineering Council (JEDEC) trays, strip samples, wafer samples, board samples, and combinations thereof.

As described herein, the present teachings include an adjustable fixture for a scanning acoustic microscope that can be adjusted for holding samples and sample holders of different types, sizes, shapes, weights, and so on, for inspection by the scanning acoustic microscope. For example, the adjustable fixture may be adjusted for holding single microelectronic packages, tray holders of microelectronic packages (such as, for example, tray holders that conform to a JEDEC standard), various sized boat holders of microelectronic packages, various sized microelectronic strips, various sized microelectronic wafers and bonded wafers (e.g., up to <NUM> in diameter, either on their own or in a wafer holder), and so on. The adjustable fixture may allow for either or both pulse echo (PE) and through transmission (TT) inspection modes on various sample types, where the adjustable fixture can hold a sample still, and can minimize warpage of a sample for improved inspection. An adjustable fixture of the present teachings may secure a sample at its edges, such that the area under the sample is substantially clear, where "substantially clear" will be understood to include a condition where the sample can be properly inspected via a scanning acoustic microscope. In this manner, the adjustable fixture may allow for TT inspection of an almost infinite number of sample types. In addition, securing the sample at its edges may include having a component of the adjustable fixture extend only minimally above the sample edge, if at all, e.g., such that there is a limited risk of collision between the ultrasonic transducer and the adjustable fixture.

Other fixtures of the prior art may have significant limitations relative to the present teachings, where several other fixtures of the prior art are discussed below by way of example.

JEDEC tray-sized fixtures have been used in the art. That is, one of the most common type of fixtures in the art includes a rectangular frame with sliding C-clamps that are adjusted to match the x-dimension of a JEDEC tray, where the y-dimension is fixed to the y-dimension of the JEDEC tray. Such JEDEC tray-sized fixtures were useful because, initially, scanning acoustic microscopes were used for inspecting finished microelectronic packages. Typically, these units were transported in JEDEC trays, which follow JEDEC guidelines for the outer dimensions of the tray, but can have a variety of inner dimensions to properly fit the particular microelectronic packages. A JEDEC tray with at least some microelectronic packages was then loaded into a scanning acoustic microscope for the samples to be inspected.

In some cases, individual parts that were not in a JEDEC tray were also inspected. This was typically done by using a JEDEC-sized plate that fits into a JEDEC tray-sized fixture, where the sample(s) were placed on the plate for inspection. In such cases, double-sided tape was often used to fix the samples in place for inspection. However, for TT inspection, the tape would often impede the propagation of the ultrasound, so the sample(s) had to be placed on the edge of the double-sided tape, or placed between two right-angle rulers to limit side-to-side motion. Initially, a plastic plate was used, thicker for PE and thinner for TT (to minimize attenuation effects), but over time the plastic plate can absorb water and become warped. A stainless-steel plate with gridlines was used for PE to better maintain flatness, but the stainless-steel plate does not allow for a TT signal to reach the receiver, so the plastic plate was still used for TT inspection.

In further cases, samples were transported in boats rather than JEDEC trays. These boats would vary in size, but prior art fixtures designed for JEDEC trays may only be used with JEDEC tray-sized boats. The limitations of this approach may include that: (a) the fixture is not designed to minimize warpage of JEDEC trays or sample plates; (b) a specific double-sided tape must be used to maintain adhesion in water, but leave no residue on samples; (c) if rulers are used to hold samples, there may still be some 'wiggle room' or slack, necessitating slower scan speeds and decreased throughput; and (d) boats may be limited to JEDEC tray dimensions.

Strip samples are used in the art. As the use of scanning acoustic microscopes matured in the microelectronic industry, it became desirable to inspect samples at earlier stages in the production process. One such earlier stage is when the samples are in strip form, i.e., the samples have not been separated into individual packages. Instead, the samples are combined on a strip of substrate material and may or may not have been over-molded. The strip dimensions can vary widely and the substrate material may be flexible making it difficult to maintain sample flatness across the whole strip.

In one prior art approach, the strips are simply placed on a JEDEC tray-sized plate for inspection, assuming that the strip is smaller than a JEDEC tray. A challenge with this approach may include that, if double-sided tape is used to hold the strip in place, when the strip is removed from the tape, the strip tends to curl up. And using less tape at the edges tends to limit the amount of flattening that can be applied to the strip during inspection. Consequently, only smaller sections of the strip are typically able to be done at one time using this technique. Further, if the tape was not used, the strips could either curl up, rock back and forth during scanning, or otherwise move during scanning. A further limitation of this approach is that the tape or plate may limit TT inspection capability.

Another approach includes the inspection of wafer samples using a wafer chuck or the like. That is, microelectronic samples can be inspected when they are still in the wafer state, e.g., as wafer samples. Wafer samples may include bonded wafers for inspection using a scanning acoustic microscope. In this manner, scanning systems may be present in a front-end fabrication environment used for bonded wafer inspection. A standard approach may be to use a wafer chuck or the like to hold a wafer sample flat. The wafer chuck can be metal or ceramic, with various hole patterns, suction cups, posts, and porous material approaches. Wafer chucks tend to hold a wafer sample with minimum contamination to the wafer sample itself. On these systems, a pressurized film of water in the area of inspection may be used to limit water contact. However, some types of wafer warpage may be difficult to pull flat or make a sufficient connection thereto. Also, TT inspection may not be possible with a wafer chuck. Also, in a laboratory or research and development environment, there is often insufficient volume to necessitate a fully automated system and, in many cases, wafer samples are not the only samples being inspected. A wafer chuck still remains a common approach even though TT may not generally be possible. Thus, in order to switch between sample types, the wafer chuck may be fully removed from the tank to be replaced by an alternate fixture that is then leveled. Further, a water bath may be needed for various strips and packages of samples. For example, if TT is required on wafer samples, a water bath may be needed and the wafers may be balanced on at least two JEDEC tray-sized fixtures. Alternatively, the wafer samples may be placed in a wafer holder that is then balanced on at least two JEDEC tray-sized fixtures. The limitations of this approach may include that the wafer sample can move during scanning, and support bars in the fixture may scatter the ultrasound producing shadows in the TT image that can hide potential defects in the sample.

Another approach includes the inspection of board samples. Thus, another sample type that may be inspected may include a populated or unpopulated printed circuit board (PCB). This inspection usually entails looking for a delamination within the layers of the board sample. The most common approach is to use TT inspection to look for defects in any layer. If specific layer information is needed, then pulse echo (PE) inspection may be used. If the board samples are smaller than a JEDEC tray, they may be placed on a standard JEDEC tray-sized fixture. However, it may be difficult to fix samples in place, which can result in movement during scanning. If the board samples are larger than a JEDEC tray, then samples tend to be balanced on one or two JEDEC tray-sized fixtures, as in the wafer case discussed above, which has similar limitations.

Other approaches for holding different sized samples have been tried previously, but have also had significant limitations. Several such approaches are discussed below.

In a first approach, a metal frame is placed on top of a strip sample with y-direction frame lines and set so that it is between device array sections on the strip sample. However, because the thickness of the metal frame cannot exceed the height of the device or there may be a collision risk, this limits the weight of the metal frame and its ability to flatten and hold the strip sample in place. Further, a different frame would be needed for each strip layout. And, for TT inspection, the plate underneath may limit the TT signal.

A second approach uses a magnetized plate under the sample. In some cases, the strip substrate is able to be pulled flat by the magnetic force of the substrate, but in some cases, a metal frame that is attracted to the magnet is used to try and further flatten the strip. However, only some strip samples are sufficiently attracted to the magnet and, further, the limitations on frame thickness and the need to have a different frame for each strip layout are still present. Also, the magnetized plate does not allow for TT inspection.

A third approach is to lay a frame with wires in a mesh pattern on top of a strip sample to pull the strip flat. However, a difficulty with this approach may include that the wires scatter the ultrasound, which can lead to shadows in sample images (using both PE and TT) that hide regions of the device. Thus, it may not be possible to know whether a defect is present in areas disposed under the wires. Also, there may be a risk of collision between the wires and the transducer.

A fourth approach is to use a vacuum chuck to pull a strip sample flat. Versions of this approach may use a standard vacuum as well as the Bernoulli effect (with air or water motion). This approach does tend to pull the strip flat, but it may be expensive, require a way to separate water and air in the vacuum lines, tend to require a way to lift the fixture out of the water to affix the sample, and provide no way to conduct TT inspection.

A fifth approach is to use clips to hold a strip sample flat against the support plate. The clips may be rotated into position and then tightened down, or a type of spring clip may be used to hold, release, and change samples. Drawbacks of this approach may include that the clips cannot be located any higher than the height of the strip sample to avoid collisions, which limits the amount of force that can be used to flatten the strip sample. Further, changing a sample may take several motions for each clip, thus making this approach user intensive and time consuming. Also, metal clips can scratch or damage a strip sample, and a support plate may not allow for TT scanning.

Therefore, devices, systems, and methods according to the present teachings may be desirable to overcome the above-identified deficiencies. More specifically, an adjustable fixture as described herein may overcome the above-identified deficiencies.

In certain implementations, an adjustable fixture operates by the use of at least two horizontal bars, e.g., a first horizontal bar and a second horizontal bar, where one or more is movable with respect to the other. For example, a second horizontal bar may be adjusted to a position according to a size of the sample to be inspected, and a spring-loaded first horizontal bar may allow the sample to be loaded and hold the sample firmly in place. Once the second horizontal bar is in position, multiple samples may be loaded quickly and easily by slotting a sample into a groove or the like disposed in the first horizontal bar (e.g., a "v-groove"), pressing the first horizontal bar against a spring element to allow a side of the sample to be loaded into a corresponding groove or the like disposed in the second horizontal bar (e.g., a "v-groove"), and then releasing the first horizontal bar thereby pressing the sample into place between the first and second horizontal bars. In addition to holding the sample, this configuration may assist in flattening warpage of the sample.

Additional features for the adjustable fixture may include "quick-release" cam levers or the like for ease of moving the horizontal bars to a desired position according to the sample to be secured, grid lines or the like for ease of targeting the appropriate setting of the horizontal bars for different sample types, leveling screws or the like to align the adjustable fixture with a scanning plane, side pins or the like to lock the adjustable fixture against tank walls of a scanning acoustic microscope and to maintain alignment of the adjustable fixture, and a locator mechanism (e.g., a pin, a clamp, or the like) on a horizontal bar to ensure sample positioning.

<FIG> illustrates such an adjustable fixture <NUM>, in accordance with a representative embodiment, e.g., an adjustable fixture <NUM> for holding a sample for inspection with a scanning acoustic microscope <NUM>. The adjustable fixture <NUM> may include a frame <NUM>, horizontal bars (e.g., a first horizontal bar <NUM> and a second horizontal bar <NUM>), one or more side bars <NUM>, side walls (e.g., a first side wall <NUM> and a second side wall <NUM>), and an engagement mechanism <NUM>.

The adjustable fixture <NUM> is structurally configured to secure a sample at its edges (and nowhere else), or substantially at its edges, such that the area under the sample (the underside of the sample) is clear and unobstructed for inspection with a scanning acoustic microscope <NUM> or the like. In this manner, securing or holding the sample substantially at or along its edges allows for TT inspection of various types of samples. In addition, securing or holding the sample substantially at or along its edges may result in having portions of the adjustable fixture <NUM> only extending minimally above the sample edge such that there is a limited risk of collision between the ultrasonic transducer of a scanning acoustic microscope <NUM> and portions of the adjustable fixture <NUM>. Also, or instead, no portion of the adjustable fixture <NUM> may protrude above the sample (over the sample) so as to interfere with scanning. In general, the adjustable fixture <NUM> may operate by adjusting one or more of the horizontal bars to a desired position for the sample to be inspected, where one or more of the horizontal bars is spring loaded to allow the sample to easily be loaded and to hold the sample firmly in place within the adjustable fixture <NUM>.

The frame <NUM> includes a first end <NUM>, a second end <NUM>, a first side <NUM>, and a second side <NUM>. The frame <NUM> may be made from materials that provide sufficient stability to support a sample, including without limitation metal, ceramic, plastic, composites, and combinations thereof.

The horizontal bars include a first horizontal bar <NUM> and a second horizontal bar <NUM>. In general, and as described below, at least one of the horizontal bars is movable for adjustment to secure a sample on the adjustable fixture <NUM>. Also, or instead, at least one of the horizontal bars may be spring loaded. Although generally adjustable fixtures <NUM> with two horizontal bars are shown, it will be understood that more horizontal bars are possible. For example, an alternate adjustable fixture may include three horizontal bars, where a first sample may be held between a first and second horizontal bar, and a second, distinct sample may be held between a second and third horizontal bar.

The first horizontal bar <NUM> is disposed on the first end <NUM> of the frame <NUM>, and the second horizontal bar <NUM> may be disposed on the second end <NUM> of the frame <NUM>. The first horizontal bar <NUM> may include a first face <NUM> structurally configured for engagement with a first end of a sample, and the second horizontal bar <NUM> may include a second face <NUM> opposing the first face <NUM>, where the second face <NUM> is structurally configured for engagement with a second end of the sample. Thus, the first face <NUM> and the second face <NUM> may generally include opposing surfaces structurally configured to engage with the sample. As described in more detail below, the second horizontal bar <NUM> may be engaged with the frame <NUM> to be movable between the first end <NUM> and the second end <NUM> of the frame <NUM>.

The adjustable fixture <NUM> includes one or more side bars <NUM>. A side bar <NUM> is disposed on one or more of the first side <NUM> and the second side <NUM> of the frame <NUM>. An end of the second horizontal bar <NUM> (e.g., one or more of a first end <NUM> thereof and a second end <NUM> thereof-see <FIG> described below) is slidable and lockable along the side bar <NUM>. To this end, the adjustable fixture <NUM> includes an engagement mechanism <NUM> releasably coupling an end of the second horizontal bar <NUM> (e.g., one or more of a first end <NUM> thereof and a second end <NUM> thereof-see <FIG> described below) to the side bar <NUM>. It will be understood that the term "lock" and the like, as well as variations thereof, as used throughout this disclosure, shall include a releasable coupling or securing, e.g., where one component remains sufficiently coupled or secured in a releasable manner relative to another component for an intended purpose, such as inspection via a scanning acoustic microscope <NUM>.

As discussed above, at least one of the horizontal bars may be spring loaded. For example, the first horizontal bar <NUM> may be spring loaded via one or more spring elements. In this manner, the first face <NUM> may be movable toward the first end <NUM> of the frame <NUM> when a force greater than a spring force of the spring elements is applied thereto. The spring force may be selected to allow the first face <NUM> to move toward the first end <NUM> of the frame <NUM> when receiving the first end of the sample. Also, or instead, the spring force may be selected to secure the sample on the frame <NUM> when the second end of the sample is engaged with the second face <NUM> of the second horizontal bar <NUM>.

To facilitate a spring-loaded horizontal bar, support members may be connected to one or more of the horizontal bars, where one or more of the support members and the horizontal bars are movable relative to one another. For example, the adjustable fixture <NUM> may include a first support member <NUM> engaged to the first horizontal bar <NUM> via the one or more spring elements and movable relative to the first horizontal bar <NUM> via a predetermined spring force applied thereto. The first face <NUM> may thus be disposed on the first support member <NUM>. Stated otherwise, the first support member <NUM> may include the first face <NUM>, where the first face <NUM> is structurally configured for engagement with the first end of the sample.

One or more of the horizontal bars includes a groove. For example, the first horizontal bar <NUM> may include a first groove on the first face <NUM>, and the second horizontal bar <NUM> may include a second groove on the second face <NUM>. One or more of the first groove and the second groove may be tapered. In certain implementations, the tapering of one or more of the first groove and the second groove is structurally configured to flatten warpage of a sample when the sample is secured between the first horizontal bar <NUM> and the second horizontal bar <NUM>.

As discussed above, one or more of the horizontal bars is movable. For example, certain implementations include an adjustable fixture <NUM> where the first horizontal bar <NUM> is fixed on the first end <NUM> of the frame <NUM>, and the second horizontal bar <NUM> is movable. In other implementations, each of the first horizontal bar <NUM> and the second horizontal bar <NUM> is movable between the first end <NUM> and the second end <NUM> of the frame <NUM>.

In certain implementations, one or more of the side bar <NUM>, the first horizontal bar <NUM>, and the second horizontal bar <NUM> includes one or more markings <NUM>. For example, as shown in <FIG>, the side bar <NUM> may include markings <NUM>. The markings <NUM> may correspond to different sample types for configuring the adjustable fixture <NUM> to hold at least one of the different sample types. The markings <NUM> may include grid lines, measurements (e.g., ruler markings), text, illustrations, and the like, as well as combinations thereof. For example, the markings <NUM> on the side bar <NUM> may be used to maintain a parallel arrangement of the second horizontal bar <NUM> with the first horizontal bar <NUM>.

The side bar <NUM> may include a slot <NUM>. The slot <NUM> may be structurally configured for one or more of the horizontal bars to engage and slide therethrough between the first end <NUM> and the second end <NUM> of the frame <NUM>. To this end, the adjustable fixture <NUM> may include a protuberance <NUM> disposed on one or more of the engagement mechanism <NUM> and an end of one or more of the horizontal bars (e.g., the second horizontal bar <NUM>), where the protuberance <NUM> is sized and shaped for engagement with the slot <NUM>. The protuberance <NUM> may further be structurally configured to prevent rotation of one or more of the horizontal bars relative to the side bar <NUM>, and to maintain a predetermined alignment of one or more of the horizontal bars relative to the side bar <NUM>. For example, the protuberance <NUM> may be structurally configured to prevent rotation of the second horizontal bar <NUM> relative to the side bar <NUM>, and to maintain a predetermined alignment of the second horizontal bar <NUM> with the first horizontal bar <NUM>. To this end, the protuberance <NUM> may be extended along a first axis <NUM>, which may prevent rotation of a horizontal bar. The protuberance <NUM> may also or instead help to maintain the second horizontal bar <NUM> parallel with the first horizontal bar <NUM>.

The side bar <NUM> may also or instead include one or more notches <NUM> for positioning one or more of the horizontal bars relative to the side bar <NUM>. For example, the notches <NUM> may be structurally configured for positioning the second horizontal bar <NUM> in predetermined locations between the first end <NUM> and the second end <NUM> of the frame <NUM>. In certain implementations, one or more of the horizontal bars and the engagement mechanism <NUM> includes a component to engage with the notches <NUM> for positioning of a horizontal bar along the side bar <NUM>.

The engagement mechanism <NUM> may work in conjunction with one or more of the horizontal bars and the side bar <NUM> for securing a position of a horizontal bar along the side bar <NUM>. To this end, the engagement mechanism <NUM> may include a quick-release mechanism such as a quick-release lever, and more specifically a quick-release cam lever or the like, as shown in <FIG>. The engagement mechanism <NUM> may also or instead include a thumbscrew. In general, the engagement mechanism <NUM> may include any mechanism or component for releasably securing or locking the position of a horizontal bar along the side bar <NUM>.

The adjustable fixture <NUM> further includes side walls. Specifically, the adjustable fixture <NUM> includes a first side wall <NUM> disposed on the first side <NUM> of the frame <NUM>, and a second side <NUM> wall disposed on the second side <NUM> of the frame <NUM>. The side bar <NUM> is supported by one or more of the first side wall <NUM> and the second side wall <NUM>.

Each of the first side wall <NUM> and the second side wall <NUM> is sized and shaped for alignment with a wall <NUM> of an immersion tank of a scanning acoustic microscope <NUM>. Thus, the adjustable fixture <NUM> may be sized and shaped to fit inside of an immersion tank, and can either be mounted to the bottom of the tank (which may be sloping) or to existing mounting points along the top of the immersion tank. The orientation of the adjustable fixture <NUM> may be adjustable so as to enable the adjustable fixture <NUM> to be leveled, for example. In this manner, alignment of each of the first side wall <NUM> and the second side wall <NUM> with the wall <NUM> of the immersion tank may be adjustable. To this end, one or more frame locking mechanisms <NUM> may be included on the side walls, e.g., where the frame locking mechanisms <NUM> are structurally configured to secure the frame <NUM> with a scanning acoustic microscope <NUM>. For example, a frame locking mechanism <NUM> may be disposed on each of the first side wall <NUM> and the second side wall <NUM>. The frame locking mechanisms <NUM> may include, e.g., one or more pins or the like. The frame locking mechanisms <NUM> may also or instead be separate from the side walls, and otherwise included on the frame <NUM>. In either case, in general, the frame locking mechanisms <NUM> may be structurally configured to secure the frame <NUM> with the scanning acoustic microscope <NUM>. The frame locking mechanisms <NUM> may also or instead allow for adjustment of an orientation of the frame <NUM> relative to the scanning acoustic microscope <NUM>.

Also, or instead, the first side wall <NUM> and the second side wall <NUM> may be structurally configured to maintain a predetermined alignment between a sample plane <NUM> of the frame <NUM> and a scanning plane <NUM> of the scanning acoustic microscope <NUM>, where the sample plane <NUM> of the frame <NUM> intersects both the first horizontal bar <NUM> and the second horizontal bar <NUM>. The predetermined alignment may include a configuration where the sample plane <NUM> of the frame <NUM> is parallel to the scanning plane <NUM> of the scanning acoustic microscope <NUM>.

The adjustable fixture <NUM> may further include one or more leveling elements <NUM> structurally configured to align the frame <NUM> with the scanning plane <NUM> of the scanning acoustic microscope <NUM>. For example, the leveling elements <NUM> may include one or more leveling screws or the like.

Thus, in general, the adjustable fixture <NUM> may be structurally configured for easily and conveniently securing different sized and shaped samples therein for inspection. The adjustable fixture <NUM> may include features to this end, such as quick-release cam levers for ease of moving one or more of the horizontal bars to the correct position for a particular sample, grid lines or other markings <NUM> on the side bar <NUM> for ease of targeting an appropriate dimension for different sample types, leveling elements <NUM> (e.g., leveling screws) to align the frame <NUM> with a scanning plane <NUM>, a frame locking mechanism <NUM> (e.g., side pins) to lock the adjustable fixture <NUM> against tank walls <NUM> and to maintain perpendicularity of the adjustable fixture <NUM> to a scanning tool, and sample locator mechanisms (e.g., locator pins as described herein) disposed on one or more of the horizontal bars to ensure proper positioning of the sample in the adjustable fixture <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrates an adjustable fixture <NUM> holding a sample <NUM>, in accordance with a representative embodiment, and <FIG> illustrates a top view of the adjustable fixture <NUM> shown in <FIG>. The sample <NUM> shown in these figures may include a strip sample. As shown in the <FIG> and <FIG>, the adjustable fixture <NUM> may secure the sample <NUM> only at its edges so that the area under the sample <NUM> is clear, which can allow for TT inspection of the sample <NUM>. In <FIG> and <FIG>, the second horizontal bar <NUM> has been moved forward along the first axis <NUM> to a position corresponding to the size and shape of the sample <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, the adjustable fixture <NUM> may include at least two side bars <NUM>, where each may include markings <NUM> such as ruler measurements (in centimeters, millimeters, inches, or another appropriate unit of measurement). The adjustable fixture <NUM> may also include at least two engagement mechanisms <NUM>, e.g., in the form of quick-release cam levers that are used to secure at least the second horizontal bar <NUM> to the side bars <NUM>.

<FIG> also shows an example of a configuration for a spring-loaded horizontal bar, i.e., the first horizontal bar <NUM> in this example. As shown in the figure, spring elements <NUM> may be disposed between, and may connect, a first support member <NUM> to the first horizontal bar <NUM>. The first support member <NUM> may be movable relative to the first horizontal bar <NUM>, e.g., where the first support member <NUM> is structurally configured to move toward the first horizontal bar <NUM> against a predetermined spring force applied by the spring elements <NUM>. In this manner, in certain implementations, the second horizontal bar <NUM> may be positioned along the first axis <NUM> such that the distance D1 between the second horizontal bar <NUM> and the face <NUM> of the first support member <NUM> is substantially equal to a width W1 of the sample <NUM>. This distance D1 may be slightly increased, e.g., by a distance D2 (a distance between the first support member <NUM> and the first horizontal bar <NUM>), through compression of the first support member <NUM> against the first horizontal bar <NUM> via compression of the spring elements <NUM>. This may facilitate both placement of the sample <NUM> onto the adjustable fixture <NUM> and removal of the sample <NUM> from the adjustable fixture <NUM>, e.g., while the second horizontal bar <NUM> and the first horizontal bar <NUM> are in fixed positions via a locking of the engagement mechanisms <NUM>.

The spring elements <NUM>, or any other springs or spring elements described herein, may include a biasing member such as any of a variety of springs and spring mechanisms. For example, a spring element <NUM> may include a coil spring, a leaf spring, or any other type of spring or combination of springs. Other biasing members may also or instead be utilized.

<FIG> illustrates an adjustable fixture <NUM> receiving a sample <NUM>, in accordance with a representative embodiment, and <FIG> illustrates the adjustable fixture <NUM> holding the sample <NUM>. In these figures, the sample <NUM> may include a JEDEC tray or the like, where an adapter plate <NUM> is used to aid in securing the sample <NUM>. Thus, in these figures, one or more of the first horizontal bar <NUM> and the second horizontal bar <NUM> may be adjusted to enable the adapter plate <NUM> to be placed therebetween, for holding a sample <NUM> for inspection with a scanning acoustic microscope or the like. Alternatively, the sample <NUM> may be held in the adjustable fixture <NUM> without the use of the adapter plate <NUM>.

Thus, as shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, the adjustable fixture <NUM> may include an adapter plate <NUM> structurally configured for placement and securement between the first horizontal bar <NUM> and the second horizontal bar <NUM>. The adapter plate <NUM> may be sized and shaped to hold a predetermined sample-including without limitation the sample <NUM> shown in the figures such as a JEDEC tray or the like, a wafer, a wafer holder, a strip sample, and so on.

In certain implementations, the adapter plate <NUM> may be metal, ceramic, glass, plastic, or a combination thereof. For example, samples <NUM> may be placed on an adapter plate <NUM> that includes a plastic baffle plate that provides support for the sample <NUM>. In certain implementations, care should be taken to avoid trapping air between a sample <NUM> and the adapter plate <NUM>, e.g., because trapped air may present an acoustic impedance mismatch that impairs TT scanning in a scanning acoustic microscope.

<FIG> illustrates an adjustable fixture <NUM> with a wafer holder <NUM>, in accordance with a representative embodiment, and <FIG> illustrates the adjustable fixture <NUM> with an adapter plater <NUM> and a wafer holder <NUM>. The wafer holder <NUM> may be structurally configured to hold, or otherwise support or engage, a sample in the form of a wafer or the like.

As shown in <FIG>, the adjustable fixture <NUM> may be configured to engage a wafer holder <NUM>, which may be supported by the first horizontal bar <NUM> and the second horizontal bar <NUM>-e.g., being supported as shown in either or both of <FIG> and <FIG>. For example, the wafer holder <NUM> may be supported from underneath by one or more of the horizontal bars, the wafer holder <NUM> may be supported by being disposed between the horizontal bars, or the wafer holder <NUM> may be supported by an adapter plater <NUM>. As such, <FIG> will be understood as depicting either (i) the wafer holder <NUM> being supported, or (ii) the adjustable fixture <NUM> before the second horizontal bar <NUM> is moved toward the second end <NUM> of the frame <NUM> for supporting the wafer holder <NUM> between the first horizontal bar <NUM> and the second horizontal bar <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, one or more of the first horizontal bar <NUM> and the second horizontal bar <NUM> is adjusted to enable an adapter plate <NUM> to be disposed and held therebetween, where the adapter plate <NUM> is structurally configured to support a wafer holder <NUM>. Alternatively, the wafer holder <NUM>, or even a wafer itself, may be held in the adjustable fixture <NUM> without the use of an adapter plate <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrates a close-up view of a portion of an adjustable fixture holding a sample <NUM>, in accordance with a representative embodiment. Specifically, <FIG> shows an example of a first horizontal bar <NUM>, a first support member <NUM>, spring elements <NUM>, a second horizontal bar <NUM>, and a sample <NUM>. The figure also shows an example of a first groove <NUM> on the first horizontal bar <NUM> and a second groove <NUM> on the second horizontal bar <NUM>.

As shown in the figure, one or more of the first horizontal bar <NUM> and the second horizontal bar <NUM> may be adjusted to a predetermined position for the sample <NUM> to be inspected, e.g., by a scanning acoustic microscope. The first support member <NUM> may support one or more spring elements <NUM> located between first horizontal bar <NUM> and the first support member <NUM>. The spring elements <NUM> may be compressed against a predetermined spring force to enable the sample <NUM> to be loaded into the first groove <NUM> of the first horizontal bar <NUM>, and expanded to hold the sample <NUM> in a corresponding second groove <NUM> in the second horizontal bar <NUM>. Thus, once the horizontal bars are in predetermined, proper positions, multiple samples <NUM> having generally the same size and shape may be loaded quickly and easily-e.g., by slotting a first end <NUM> of a sample <NUM> into the first groove <NUM> of the first horizontal bar <NUM>, pressing the first support member <NUM> with at least the spring force against the spring elements <NUM> to allow a second end <NUM> of the sample to be loaded into the second groove <NUM> of the second horizontal bar <NUM>, and then releasing the compression of the first support member <NUM> so the sample <NUM> is pressed into place between the horizontal bars. The first groove <NUM> and the second groove <NUM> may include a ledge that is disposed on the horizontal bars, the support members, or otherwise on the frame (e.g., a stepped surface). The first groove <NUM> and the second groove <NUM> may also or instead include a tapered or substantially "v-shaped" profile that can help flatten warpage of the sample <NUM>, a slot, an indent, a cavity, a clearance, or combinations thereof. Grooves or slots with other profiles may also or instead be used. Further, although only a first support member <NUM> engaged with spring elements <NUM> is shown, another support member may also or instead be present-e.g., a second support member coupled with the second horizontal bar <NUM> via one or more spring elements <NUM>.

<FIG> is a photograph of an adjustable fixture <NUM> holding a JEDEC tray <NUM>, in accordance with a representative embodiment. As shown in the figure, the JEDEC tray <NUM> may be structurally configured to hold one or more samples <NUM> therein. <FIG> is a photograph of an adjustable fixture <NUM> holding one or more samples <NUM>, which may include a strip sample, in accordance with a representative embodiment. <FIG> is a photograph of an adjustable fixture <NUM> holding a wafer holder <NUM>, in accordance with a representative embodiment.

Thus, as demonstrated by way of example in <FIG>, the fixture may be adjustable to support different types of samples, e.g., for inspection in a tank of a scanning acoustic microscope. As discussed above, the fixture may hold a sample (where samples may include a wafer up to <NUM> in size, or larger, or flexible strips, which may be warped or curved), a holder configured to hold or secure a sample, an adapter plate (such as a plastic baffle plate), a JEDEC tray (e.g., with a provision to hold it flat), and so on. The fixture may be configured to hold a sample flat without damaging (e.g., scratching) the sample. In certain implementations, the sample mold compound can be very thin, e.g., less than <NUM>. For proper sample support, it may be desirable that no part of the fixture is disposed significantly above the top of a sample so that the fixture does not interfere with an ultrasonic transducer or the like during scanning and inspection. The present teachings may make it easy for a user to switch between different sample types, while also making it simple for a user to place samples into a fixture without the use of tools.

<FIG> illustrates insertion of a sample <NUM> into an adjustable fixture <NUM>, in accordance with a representative embodiment. In general, the figure shows three parts of a process for inserting a sample <NUM> into an adjustable fixture <NUM>-a first part <NUM>, a second part <NUM>, and a third part <NUM>.

The figure further shows a first horizontal bar <NUM> and a second horizontal bar <NUM>, which each include one or more clamp jaws <NUM>. Specifically, one or more of the first horizontal bar <NUM> and the second horizontal bar <NUM> may include a clamp jaw <NUM> structurally configured to hold the sample <NUM>, or the sample and an adapter plate <NUM>. The clamp jaw <NUM> may thus be disposed on one or more of the horizontal bars, e.g., where it is movable relative to the horizontal bars against a spring force. Movement of the clamp jaw <NUM> toward one or more of the first end of the frame or the second end of the frame may create a channel for receiving an end of the sample <NUM>.

For example, the clamp jaw <NUM> may be disposed on the first horizontal bar <NUM> and may be movable relative to the first horizontal bar <NUM> against a spring force, where movement of the clamp jaw <NUM> toward the first end of the frame creates a first channel <NUM> for receiving the first end of the sample <NUM>. The clamp jaw <NUM> may also or instead be disposed on the second horizontal bar <NUM> and may be movable relative to the second horizontal bar <NUM> against a spring force, where movement of the clamp jaw <NUM> toward the second end of the frame creates a second channel <NUM> for receiving the second end of the sample <NUM>. In other embodiments, the clamp jaw <NUM> is disposed on each of the first horizontal bar <NUM> and the second horizontal bar <NUM>, but the clamp jaw <NUM> on one or more of the horizontal bars is fixed, e.g., the clamp jaw <NUM> on the second horizontal bar <NUM> may be fixed while the clamp jaw <NUM> on the first horizontal bar <NUM> is movable. Regardless of whether the clamp jaw <NUM> on the second horizontal bar <NUM> is fixed or movable, the clamp jaw <NUM> on the second horizontal bar <NUM> may include the second channel <NUM> for receiving the second end of the sample <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, the clamp jaw <NUM> may be engaged with a top surface <NUM> of one or more of the first horizontal bar <NUM> and the second horizontal bar <NUM>. However, other configurations are also or instead possible. For example, the clamp jaw <NUM> may be engaged with an interior surface of one or more of the first horizontal bar <NUM> and the second horizontal bar <NUM>. A clamp jaw <NUM> may thus include one or more of the first face and the second face as described herein, e.g., the faces or surfaces that contact (partially or wholly) the edges or ends of the sample <NUM>.

Further, one or more of the first horizontal bar <NUM>, the second horizontal bar <NUM>, and the clamp jaw <NUM> may be engaged with another frame member. For example, a fixed frame member or a movable frame member such as the first support member as described herein. The frame member may also or instead include a stepped surface, e.g., as described below with reference to <FIG>.

Thus, turning back to <FIG>, two clamp jaws <NUM> (one that is spring loaded and movable, and one that is fixed) may be used to hold a sample <NUM>. As shown in the first part <NUM> and the second part <NUM>, the clamp jaw <NUM> that is movable may slide away from the opposite clamp jaw <NUM> against a spring force. In the second part <NUM>, a first end or edge of the sample <NUM> may be positioned to engage the first channel <NUM>, which is created by sliding the clamp jaw <NUM> away from the opposite clamp jaw <NUM>. In the third part <NUM>, a second end or edge of the sample <NUM> may be placed in the second channel <NUM>, which may be present adjacent to, or disposed in, a fixed clamp jaw <NUM>, or which may be created by a sliding clamp jaw <NUM>. One or more of the sliding/movable clamp jaws <NUM> may then be released, where the sample <NUM> is then held firmly in place by the spring loading of one or more of the clamp jaws <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrates an adjustable fixture <NUM> holding a sample <NUM>, in accordance with a representative embodiment, and <FIG> illustrates clamp jaws <NUM> of the adjustable fixture <NUM>, which may be used to hold a sample <NUM> or a support surface <NUM> therebetween. <FIG> further shows a spring element <NUM>, which may be disposed between one or more of the clamp jaws <NUM> and a horizontal bar or other frame member <NUM>, such that one or more of the clamp jaws <NUM> is spring loaded. Stated otherwise, one or more of the clamp jaws <NUM> may be spring loaded, using the spring element <NUM> that reacts against a support member or frame member <NUM>, which may be fixed to the frame of the adjustable fixture <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, one or more clamping surfaces <NUM> of the clamp jaws <NUM> may include a groove <NUM>, e.g., a tapered groove or "v-groove" that is structurally configured to provide accurate and repeatable positioning of a sample <NUM> therein. In this manner, once the horizontal bars of the adjustable fixture <NUM> are properly positioned, multiple samples <NUM> may be loaded quickly and easily by slotting a sample <NUM> into the groove <NUM>. Slotting the sample <NUM> into the grooves <NUM> may first occur in a spring-loaded horizontal bar, where an end of the sample <NUM> presses a portion of the horizontal bar against a spring element <NUM> or the like to allow an opposite end of the sample <NUM> to be loaded into a corresponding groove <NUM> of a corresponding horizontal bar, where releasing the force against the spring-loaded horizontal bar may press the sample into place. By design, the groove <NUM> may help to flatten warpage of the sample <NUM>. Grooves <NUM> or slots with profiles other than those shown in the figures may also or instead be used.

<FIG> illustrates a cross-sectional view of an adjustable fixture holding a sample <NUM>, in accordance with a representative embodiment. Specifically, the sample <NUM> is shown as being held in place by a clamp jaw <NUM> that is spring loaded relative to a frame member <NUM> via a spring element <NUM>. The sample <NUM> may also or instead be supported on a stepped surface <NUM> of the frame of the adjustable fixture, e.g., for providing accurate and repeatable positioning of the sample <NUM>. In certain implementations, one or more of the clamp jaw <NUM>, the frame member <NUM>, and the stepped surface <NUM> is disposed on a horizontal bar.

<FIG> illustrates an adjustable fixture <NUM> holding a sample <NUM>, in accordance with a representative embodiment. As shown in the figure, the adjustable fixture <NUM> may include one or more clamps <NUM>. The clamps <NUM> may include hold-down clamps or the like, which are structurally configured to hold down edges of the sample <NUM> (or a holder, adapter plate, or similar). The clamps <NUM> may be positioned on a support surface <NUM>. The support surface <NUM> may be included on one or more of a horizontal bar, a side bar, a frame member, a support member, an adapter plate, a wafer holder (or other sample holder), and combinations thereof. The positions of the clamps <NUM> may be adjustable, e.g., as further shown in <FIG> and <FIG> described below.

<FIG> is a photograph of a clamp <NUM> of an adjustable fixture holding a sample <NUM>, in accordance with a representative embodiment, e.g., an embodiment similar to that described above with reference to <FIG>. As shown in <FIG>, the clamp <NUM> may be adjustably attached to a support surface <NUM> via a screw element <NUM> (or other hold-down element as is known in the art). The screw element <NUM> may be structurally configured to allow for rotation of the clamp <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrates an adjustable fixture <NUM> holding a sample <NUM>, in accordance with a representative embodiment, e.g., an embodiment similar to those described above with reference to <FIG>. As shown in <FIG>, multiple clamps <NUM> may be used to hold the sample <NUM>, where one or more of the clamps <NUM> is adjustable. In such embodiments, the clamps <NUM> may be coupled using screw elements <NUM> or the like (e.g., thumbscrews) that pass through slotted holes <NUM> or the like in the clamps <NUM>. This configuration may allow the clamps <NUM> to be both rotatable and slidable relative to a support surface, e.g., to allow for samples <NUM> of different sizes, as well as to allow easy insertion and removal of samples <NUM>.

<FIG> is a photograph of an adjustable fixture <NUM> holding a sample <NUM>, in accordance with a representative embodiment, e.g., an embodiment similar to those described above with reference to <FIG>. Thus, as shown in <FIG>, the adjustable fixture <NUM> may include a clamp <NUM>, where the clamp <NUM> is adjustable. For example, the clamp <NUM> may be slidably engaged on a component of the frame, e.g., on one or more of the first horizontal bar, the second horizontal bar, the side bar, a support surface <NUM>, an adapter plate, and a frame member. The clamp <NUM> may further be lockable on a component of the frame, e.g., lockable along one or more of the first horizontal bar and the second horizontal bar. Adjustability and lockability may be provided by a screw element <NUM> or the like. For example, the clamp <NUM> may include a slotted hole, where the screw element <NUM> is disposed therethrough for slidable adjustment of the clamp <NUM>. The clamp <NUM> may further be rotatable.

<FIG> illustrates a guide rail <NUM> of an adjustable fixture, in accordance with a representative embodiment. The guide rail <NUM> may include a slot <NUM>, where the slot <NUM> is structurally configured to receive an edge (or otherwise an end) of a sample. The slot <NUM> may also or instead be structurally configured to receive an edge of one or more of a support surface and an adapter plate. The guide rail <NUM> may be disposed on one or more of a horizontal bar (e.g., the first horizontal bar and the second horizontal bar as described herein), a side bar, a support member, an adapter plate, or otherwise on a frame member. An adjustable fixture may include a plurality of guide rails <NUM>, e.g., a first guide rail on a first horizontal bar and a second guide rail on a second horizontal bar, so as to hold opposite edges of a sample.

<FIG> illustrates a clamp <NUM> (e.g., a spring clamp) of an adjustable fixture, in accordance with a representative embodiment. The clamp <NUM> may include one or more of a hold-down arm <NUM>, a push-down element <NUM>, and a spring element <NUM>. In operation, and as shown in the figure, a downward force on the push-down element <NUM> may compress the spring element <NUM> causing the hold-down arm <NUM> to rise and enable insertion or removal of a sample or an adapter plate. The hold-down arm <NUM> may thus be spring loaded, but other types of hold-down arms <NUM> may be used. A benefit of this approach may include that no tools may be needed when inserting or removing a sample. The clamp <NUM> may be used to supplement or replace any other clamps or hold-down elements as described elsewhere herein. For example, the clamp <NUM> may be disposed on one or more of a horizontal bar, a side bar, a support member, an adapter plate, or otherwise on a frame member.

<FIG> illustrates an adjustable fixture <NUM> holding a sample <NUM>, in accordance with a representative embodiment. The adjustable fixture <NUM> shown in <FIG> may include one or more sample locator mechanisms <NUM> disposed on one or more of the horizontal bars, e.g., the first horizontal bar <NUM> and the second horizontal bar <NUM>. The sample locator mechanisms <NUM> may be structurally configured to secure a position of the sample <NUM> relative to the frame of the adjustable fixture <NUM>. The sample locator mechanisms <NUM> may be slidable along one or more of the horizontal bars, and may further include locking mechanisms <NUM> to secure or lock a position of the sample locator mechanisms <NUM> along the horizontal bar. The locking mechanisms <NUM> may include thumbscrews, pins, bolts, screws, or the like. As shown in <FIG>, the sample locator mechanisms <NUM> may be formed as, or may otherwise include, clamps or the like. In operation, the horizontal bars and the sample locator mechanisms <NUM> may be adjusted for a desired sample size, where the sample locator mechanisms <NUM> may be structurally configured to insert and release a sample <NUM>.

<FIG> also shows engagement mechanisms <NUM> in the form of thumbscrews, which may be rotated to secure or lock a position of one or more of the first horizontal bar <NUM> and the second horizontal bar <NUM>, which may each be independently movable.

<FIG> illustrates an adjustable fixture <NUM> holding a sample <NUM>, in accordance with a representative embodiment. This figure includes an alternate embodiment of the sample locator mechanisms <NUM> disposed on one or more of the horizontal bars, e.g., the first horizontal bar <NUM> and the second horizontal bar <NUM>. Specifically, the sample locator mechanisms <NUM> may be slidable along the horizontal bars, and may further include locking mechanisms <NUM> to secure or lock a position of the sample locator mechanisms <NUM> along the horizontal bars, where the locking mechanisms <NUM> include spring grips or the like. The locking mechanisms <NUM> may also or instead be used to adjust portions of the sample locator mechanisms <NUM> that are engaged with the sample <NUM>, e.g., to lock a sample <NUM> in a specific position within the adjustable fixture <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrates spring clamps <NUM> of an adjustable fixture, in accordance with a representative embodiment. The spring clamps <NUM> may include a hold-down arm <NUM> and a spring element <NUM>. Torsion in the spring element <NUM> may be applied to the hold-down arm <NUM>, which, in turn, holds an edge of a sample <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrates clamps <NUM> of an adjustable fixture <NUM>, in accordance with a representative embodiment. The adjustable fixture <NUM> may further include at least one of a guide <NUM> and a fin <NUM> for controlling positions of at least a portion of the clamp <NUM>. The guides <NUM> and fins <NUM> may control the movement of the clamps <NUM> to secure the sample <NUM>. Spring elements <NUM> may be used to clamp the sample <NUM>, where the spring elements <NUM> may be disposed on an underside of a support surface as shown in the figure.

<FIG> is a flow chart of a method <NUM> for inspecting a sample, in accordance with a representative embodiment. The method <NUM> includes the use of one or more of the adjustable fixtures as discussed herein, for a sample for inspection with a scanning acoustic microscope.

As shown in block <NUM>, the method <NUM> includes securing an adjustable fixture within a scanning acoustic microscope. As described above, the adjustable fixture may include a frame, a first horizontal bar that is spring loaded on a first end of the frame, and a second horizontal bar that is movable between the first end and a second end of the frame.

As shown in block <NUM>, the method <NUM> includes adjusting a position of the second horizontal bar between the first end and the second end of the frame. Adjusting the position of the second horizontal bar between the first end and the second end of the frame includes sliding the second horizontal bar along a side bar.

As shown in block <NUM>, the method <NUM> may include releasably coupling the second horizontal bar at a desired position on the side bar using an engagement mechanism.

As shown in block <NUM>, the method <NUM> includes displacing, using a first end of a sample, at least a portion of the first horizontal bar toward the first end of the frame by applying a force greater than a predetermined spring force.

As shown in block <NUM>, the method <NUM> includes engaging a second end of the sample with the second horizontal bar. Engaging the second end of the sample with the second horizontal bar may include placing the second end of the sample within a groove in the second horizontal bar. The predetermined spring force may secure the sample between the first horizontal bar and the second horizontal bar. The engagement of the sample between the horizontal bars may act to flatten the sample, and thus, the method <NUM> may further include flattening warpage of the sample.

As shown in block <NUM>, the method <NUM> may include sliding a clamp (or other sample locator mechanism) along at least one of the first horizontal bar and the second horizontal bar toward the sample, and securing a position of the clamp (or other sample locator mechanism) along the horizontal bar.

As shown in block <NUM>, the method <NUM> may include clamping the sample using the clamp (or other sample locator mechanism) to further secure the sample.

As shown in block <NUM>, the method <NUM> includes scanning the sample, e.g., with a scanning acoustic microscope. The scanning of the sample includes a through transmission inspection of the sample.

As shown in block <NUM>, the method <NUM> may include displacing at least a portion of the first horizontal bar toward the first end of the frame by applying a force greater than the predetermined spring force to release the sample.

As shown in block <NUM>, the method <NUM> may include removing the sample. Removing the sample may include releasing the second end of the sample from engagement with the second horizontal bar when the portion of the first horizontal bar is displaced, and releasing the first end of the sample from engagement with the first horizontal bar.

Thus, in general, the method <NUM> may include positioning a moveable horizontal bar according to a depth of a sample to be held in an adjustable fixture, and locking the horizontal bar in place. A first horizontal bar, a second horizontal bar, or both horizontal bars may be moved. A first edge of the sample may be located in a groove in one of the horizontal bars, which may be spring loaded, and pushed to decompress the spring loading. The spring-loaded horizontal bar may be moved by the exerted force (greater than the spring force) enabling a second edge of the sample to be located in a groove in the other horizontal bar. The force on the sample may then be released, where the spring-loaded horizontal bar moves back and the sample is gripped between the two horizontal bars. The grooves in the horizontal bars may ensure that the sample is positioned accurately (and can be repeatedly positioned accurately), and may help to minimize sample warpage. The sample may then be scanned. After scanning, the sample is pushed back into the spring-loaded horizontal bar to compress the spring elements and move the horizontal bar such that the sample can be removed from the groove in the other horizontal bar. The sample may then be removed completely. If another sample is to be scanned, the process may repeat itself. If the next sample to be scanned is not the same size as the previous sample, the moveable horizontal bar may be repositioned to accommodate the next sample.

It will be appreciated that the devices, systems, and methods described above are set forth by way of example and not of limitation. Absent an explicit indication to the contrary, the disclosed steps may be modified, supplemented, omitted, and/or re-ordered without departing from the scope of this disclosure. Numerous variations, additions, omissions, and other modifications will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art. In addition, the order or presentation of method steps in the description and drawings above is not intended to require this order of performing the recited steps unless a particular order is expressly required or otherwise clear from the context.

The method steps of the implementations described herein are intended to include any suitable method of causing such method steps to be performed, consistent with the patentability of the following claims, unless a different meaning is expressly provided or otherwise clear from the context. So, for example performing the step of X includes any suitable method for causing another party such as a remote user, a remote processing resource (e.g., a server or cloud computer) or a machine to perform the step of X. Similarly, performing steps X, Y, and Z may include any method of directing or controlling any combination of such other individuals or resources to perform steps X, Y, and Z to obtain the benefit of such steps. Thus, method steps of the implementations described herein are intended to include any suitable method of causing one or more other parties or entities to perform the steps, consistent with the patentability of the following claims, unless a different meaning is expressly provided or otherwise clear from the context. Such parties or entities need not be under the direction or control of any other party or entity, and need not be located within a particular jurisdiction.

It should further be appreciated that the methods above are provided by way of example. Absent an explicit indication to the contrary, the disclosed steps may be modified, supplemented, omitted, and/or re-ordered without departing from the scope of this disclosure.

It will be appreciated that the methods and systems described above are set forth by way of example and not of limitation. Numerous variations, additions, omissions, and other modifications will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art. In addition, the order or presentation of method steps in the description and drawings above is not intended to require this order of performing the recited steps unless a particular order is expressly required or otherwise clear from the context. Thus, while particular embodiments have been shown and described, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications in form and details may be made therein without departing from the scope of this disclosure and are intended to form a part of the disclosure as defined by the following claims, which are to be interpreted in the broadest sense allowable by law.

Claim 1:
An adjustable scanning acoustic microscope sample fixture (<NUM>), comprising:
a frame (<NUM>) comprising a first end (<NUM>), a second end (<NUM>), a first side (<NUM>), and a second side (<NUM>);
a first horizontal bar (<NUM>) disposed on the first end of the frame;
a first support member (<NUM>), movably coupled to the first horizontal bar, including a first face (<NUM>) having a first groove structurally configured for engagement with a first end of a sample;
a first side bar (<NUM>) disposed on the first side of the frame;
a first side wall (<NUM>), disposed on the first side of the frame, supporting the first side bar and structurally configured to attach to an immersion tank of a scanning acoustic microscope (<NUM>);
a second horizontal bar (<NUM>) disposed on the second end of the frame, the second horizontal bar (<NUM>) comprising a second face (<NUM>) opposing the first face of the first horizontal bar, the second face comprising a second groove structurally configured for engagement with a second end of the sample, the second horizontal bar engaged with the frame to be movable between the first end and the second end of the frame;
a second side bar (<NUM>) disposed on the second side of the frame;
a second side wall (<NUM>), disposed on the second side of the frame, supporting the second side bar and structurally configured to attach to the immersion tank of the scanning acoustic microscope; and
a first engagement mechanism (<NUM>) releasably coupling a first end of the second horizontal bar (<NUM>) to the first side bar;
wherein the second horizontal bar is slidable along the first and second side bars,
wherein the second groove opposes the first groove, and
wherein the sample is securable on at least two edges by the first and second grooves such that an underside of the sample is unobstructed thereby allowing for through transmission inspection of a plurality of types of samples.