Real-time in-line testing of semiconductor wafers
First Claim
1. An apparatus for the real-time, in-line testing of a semiconductor wafer, having a first surface and a second surface, during semiconductor processing, said apparatus comprising:
- a head assembly comprising;
a modulated light source exposing at least a portion of said semiconductor wafer to light of a predetermined wavelength and modulated at a predetermined frequency; and
a voltage sensor comprising a plurality of electrodes positioned adjacent said first surface to detect a surface photovoltage induced at said first surface of said semiconductor wafer in response to said light from said modulated light source without contacting said wafer, said plurality of electrodes sufficient for detecting said surface photovoltage on said first surface; and
a conveying apparatus conveying said wafer adjacent said voltage sensor of said head assembly during said semiconductor processing.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An apparatus and method for the real-time, in-line testing of semiconductor wafers during the manufacturing process. In one embodiment the apparatus includes a probe assembly within a semiconductor wafer processing line. As each wafer passes adjacent the probe assembly, a source of modulated light, within the probe assembly, having a predetermined wavelength and frequency of modulation, impinges upon the wafer. A sensor in the probe assembly measures the surface photovoltage induced by the modulated light. A computer then uses the induced surface photovoltage to determine various electrical characteristics of the wafer.
-
Citations
39 Claims
-
1. An apparatus for the real-time, in-line testing of a semiconductor wafer, having a first surface and a second surface, during semiconductor processing, said apparatus comprising:
-
a head assembly comprising; a modulated light source exposing at least a portion of said semiconductor wafer to light of a predetermined wavelength and modulated at a predetermined frequency; and a voltage sensor comprising a plurality of electrodes positioned adjacent said first surface to detect a surface photovoltage induced at said first surface of said semiconductor wafer in response to said light from said modulated light source without contacting said wafer, said plurality of electrodes sufficient for detecting said surface photovoltage on said first surface; and a conveying apparatus conveying said wafer adjacent said voltage sensor of said head assembly during said semiconductor processing. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39)
-
Specification