Patent ID: 7579854

Claim:
A prober for testing of semiconductor substrates comprising: a chuck, which has a mounting plate for mounting of a semiconductor substrate, a probe holder to accommodate test tips which serve for electrical contacting of the semiconductor substrate for testing, and a positioning device with which the mounting plate can be moved relative to the test tips in X-, Y- and Z-directions, the semiconductor substrate and the test tips being arranged within a housing that is sealed relative to a surrounding atmosphere, the housing comprises two housing parts joined with a seal, and the seal is connected to a pressure generation device for inflation with a plurality of different pressures; the seal comprising a first upwardly extending portion and a second portion of the seal adjacent said first portion, said first portion extending further toward at least one housing part of said housing parts than said second portion extends toward said at least one housing part at a first pressure of the plurality of different pressures; said first portion and said second portion contacting said at least one housing part at a second pressure of the plurality of different pressures, said second pressure allowing movement of said two housing parts relative to each other; and said first portion and said second portion contacting said at least one housing part at a third pressure of the plurality of different pressures, said first portion and said second portion being less deformable and allowing less movement of said two housing parts relative to each other at said third pressure relative to said second pressure, said second pressure being less than said third pressure.