Apparatus and method for terminating probe apparatus of semiconductor wafer

Abstract

A method and apparatus for terminating a probe that probes a semiconductor device with a signal cable from a tester is provided to connect layers of the probe to layers of the signal cable side by side. The probe and signal cable can be a co-axial or tri-axial probe and signal cable, respectively. A center conductive probe needle of the probe is disposed side by side with and electrically connects to a center signal conductor of the signal cable. A dielectric layer of the probe is disposed side by side with and connects to a dielectric layer of the signal cable. A conductive guard layer of the probe is disposed side by side with and electrically connects to a conductive dispersion / guard layer of the signal cable, and a sleeve of the probe is disposed side by side with and connects to a sleeve of the signal cable. In a tri-axial embodiment, a second dielectric layer of the probe is disposed side by side with and connects to a second dielectric layer of the signal cable.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION [0001] None. FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0002] The present invention relates generally to semiconductor test equipment, and more particularly, to a probe apparatus used in semiconductor test equipment for electrically probing devices on a semiconductor wafer. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0003] The semiconductor industry has a need to access many electronic devices on a semiconductor wafer. As the semiconductor industry grows and devices become more complex, many electrical devices, most commonly semiconductor devices, must be electrically tested, for example, for leakage currents and extremely low operating currents. These currents are often below 100 fA. In addition, the currents and device characteristics are often required to be evaluated over a wide temperature range to understand how temperature affects a device. Also, because of materials characteristics of dielectrics, it is often difficult to test characteristics of semiconductor devices in...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

"The present invention provides a probe apparatus for testing semiconductor devices that includes a probe and a signal cable connected side by side. The probe has a layer of shielding material made of a center conductive probe needle, a dielectric layer, a conductive guard layer, and a non-conductive sleeve. The signal cable has a center conductor, a dielectric layer, a conductive dispersion / guard layer, and a non-conductive sleeve. The apparatus also includes a chassis or dielectric block for retaining the probe and a tri-axial cable for connecting the probe to the signal cable. The apparatus also includes a shrink tube for shrink-tubing the probe and signal cable together. The apparatus further includes a plate and a cover for improving test performance and mechanical stability. The invention also provides a purge port and a purge tube for providing dry air in the probe apparatus. The technical effects of the invention include improved signal quality, reduced interference, and improved test performance."

Problems solved by technology

As the semiconductor industry grows and devices become more complex, many electrical devices, most commonly semiconductor devices, must be electrically tested, for example, for leakage currents and extremely low operating currents.

Also, because of materials characteristics of dielectrics, it is often difficult to test characteristics of semiconductor devices in a wide operating temperature range.

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