Automated pattern clustering detection for wafer probe maps
First Claim
1. A method for characterizing defects of integrated circuit die on a semiconductor wafer comprising:
- storing at least one reference wafer map in a memory corresponding to a known defect pattern of the integrated circuits caused during a manufacturing step thereof;
testing the integrated circuit die on the semiwafer for defective integrated circuit die;
generating a test wafer map for the semiconductor wafer comprising a pattern of each defective integrated circuit die thereon;
comparing the test wafer map to the at least one reference wafer map to determine if the known defect pattern is present in the test wafer map; and
generating a new reference wafer map corresponding to the test wafer map if the test wafer map has an unknown defect pattern.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method for characterizing defects of integrated circuits on a semiconductor wafer includes storing at least one reference wafer map in a memory corresponding to a known defect pattern of the integrated circuits caused during a manufacturing step thereof, testing the integrated circuits for defects, generating a test wafer map for the semiconductor wafer comprising a pattern of each defective integrated circuit thereon, comparing the test wafer map to the at least one reference wafer map to determine if the known defect pattern is present in the test wafer map, and generating a new reference wafer map corresponding to the test wafer map if the test wafer map has an unknown defect pattern. An apparatus for characterizing defects of integrated circuit die on a semiconductor wafer is also provided.
72 Citations
17 Claims
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1. A method for characterizing defects of integrated circuit die on a semiconductor wafer comprising:
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storing at least one reference wafer map in a memory corresponding to a known defect pattern of the integrated circuits caused during a manufacturing step thereof;
testing the integrated circuit die on the semiwafer for defective integrated circuit die;
generating a test wafer map for the semiconductor wafer comprising a pattern of each defective integrated circuit die thereon;
comparing the test wafer map to the at least one reference wafer map to determine if the known defect pattern is present in the test wafer map; and
generating a new reference wafer map corresponding to the test wafer map if the test wafer map has an unknown defect pattern. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A method for characterizing defects of integrated circuit die on a plurality of semiconductor wafers comprising:
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storing a plurality of reference wafer maps in a memory each corresponding to a known defect pattern of the integrated circuits caused during a manufacturing step thereof;
testing the integrated circuit die on each semiconductor wafer for defective integrated circuit die;
generating a test wafer map for each semiconductor wafer comprising a pattern of each defective integrated circuit thereon;
comparing each of the test wafer maps to the plurality of reference wafer maps to determine if at least one known defect pattern is present in the test wafer map;
generating a new reference wafer map corresponding to each generated test wafer map having an unknown defect pattern; and
storing the new reference wafer map in the memory. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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12. An apparatus for characterizing defects of integrated circuit die on a semiconductor wafer comprising:
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a test probe for testing the integrated circuit die for defects;
a memory for storing at least one reference wafer map corresponding to a known defect pattern of the integrated circuit die caused during a manufacturing step thereof; and
a processor connected to said test probe and said memory, said processor generating a test wafer map for the semiconductor wafer comprising a pattern of each defective integrated circuit die thereon, comparing the test wafer map to the at least one reference wafer map to determine if the known defect pattern is present in the test wafer map, and generating a new reference wafer map corresponding to the test wafer map if the test wafer map has an unknown defect pattern.
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Specification