Apparatus for testing semiconductor wafers

• US 5,952,840 A
• Filed: 12/31/1996
• Issued: 09/14/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 12/31/1996
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
• Inventors: Farnworth, Warren M., Hembree, David R., Wark, James M., Wood, Alan G., Akram, Salman, Jacobson, John O.
• Primary Examiner(s): Nguyen, Vinh P.
• Application Number:
  US08/770,942
• Time in Patent Office: 987 Days
• Field of Search: 324/765, 324/755, 324/754, 324/761, 438/14, 438/17, 438/18, 257/40, 257/48
• US Class Current: 324/756.05
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 1/0491 for testing integrated circuits on wafers, e.g. wafer-level test cartridge
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/2886 Features relating to contacting the IC under test, e.g. probe heads; chucks G01R31/2865 takes precedence, test connections, e.g. test sockets, or probes per se, G01R1/04 or G01R1/06

Abstract

A method, apparatus and system for testing semiconductor wafers are provided. The method includes providing a wafer carrier to provide an electrical path for receiving and transmitting test signals to the wafer. The wafer carrier includes a base for retaining the wafer, and an interconnect having contact members configured to establish electrical communication with contact locations on the wafer. The wafer carrier can include one or more compressible spring members configured to bias the wafer and interconnect together in the assembled carrier. The wafer carrier can be assembled, with the wafer in alignment with the interconnect, using optical alignment techniques, and an assembly tool similar to aligner bonder tools used for flip chip bonding semiconductor dice. A system for use with the carrier can include a testing apparatus configured to apply test signals through the carrier to the wafer while the wafer is subjected to temperature cycling.

Claims

1. An apparatus for testing a semiconductor wafer comprising:

a base;

a cover attachable to the base;

an interconnect on the base comprising a substrate and a contact member on the substrate configured to electrically contact a contact location on the wafer; and

a force applying member for biasing the wafer against the interconnect, the force applying member comprising a first spring member between the cover and the wafer, and a second spring member between the interconnect and the base.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the first spring member comprises an elastomeric material.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the second spring member comprises an elastomeric material.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the first spring member comprises a bladder.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the second spring member comprises a bladder.

6. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a second interconnect interchangeable with the interconnect for electrically contacting a second wafer.

7. An apparatus for testing a semiconductor wafer comprising:

a base;

an interconnect on the base comprising a substrate and a contact member on the substrate for establishing electrical communication with a contact location on the wafer;

a cover attachable to the base;

a first compressible spring member placed between the cover and the wafer; and

a second compressible spring member placed between the interconnect and the base.

8. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein the first compressible spring member and the second compressible spring member comprise an elastomeric material.

9. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein the first compressible spring member comprises a gas filled bladder.

10. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein the second compressible spring member comprises a gas filled bladder.

11. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein the contact location comprises a pad and the contact member comprises a projection configured to penetrate the contact location.

12. The apparatus of claim 7 further comprising a second interconnect interchangeable with the interconnect for electrically contacting a second wafer.

13. An apparatus for testing a semiconductor wafer comprising:

a base comprising a conductor and an electrical connector;

a cover attachable to the base;

an interconnect mounted between the base and the cover comprising a substrate and a contact member on the substrate configured to electrically contact a contact location on the wafer;

an electrical path formed between the contact member on the interconnect and the conductor on the base;

a first compressible spring member placed between the cover and the wafer to press the wafer against the interconnect; and

a second compressible spring member placed between the interconnect and the base to press the interconnect against the wafer.

14. The apparatus of claim 13 wherein the base comprises a FR-4 material.

15. The apparatus of claim 13 wherein the electrical path comprises an element selected from the group consisting of TAB tapes, impedance matched TAB tapes, bond wires, and mechanical electrical connectors.

16. The apparatus of claim 13 wherein the substrate comprises silicon and the contact member comprises an etched member covered with a conductive layer.

17. The apparatus of claim 13 wherein the substrate comprises a material selected from the group consisting of silicon, ceramic and photosensitive glass.

18. An apparatus for testing a semiconductor wafer comprising:

a base;

a cover attachable to the base;

an interconnect between the base and the cover comprising a contact member configured to electrically contact a contact location on the wafer;

a first elastomeric spring member between the cover and the wafer; and

a second elastomeric spring member between the base and the interconnect.

19. The apparatus of claim 18 wherein the first elastomeric spring member comprises a material selected from the group consisting of silicone, butyl rubber, and fluorosilicone.

20. The apparatus of claim 18 wherein the second elastomeric spring member comprises a material selected from the group consisting of silicone, butyl rubber, and fluorosilicone.

21. The apparatus of claim 23 further comprising an impedance matched tape electrically connecting the contact member to a connector on the base.