Apparatus capable of high power dissipation during burn-in of a device under test

• US 6,323,665 B1
• Filed: 10/06/1998
• Issued: 11/27/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 10/07/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Reliability Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Reliability Incorporated
• Inventors: Johnson, James E., Darcy, Ronald J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Nguyen, Vinh P.
• Application Number:
  US09/167,238
• Time in Patent Office: 1,148 Days
• Field of Search: 324/765, 324/760, 165/80.3, 165/80.4, 165/104.13, 361/704, 361/700, 361/718, 361/699
• US Class Current: 324/750.07
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 1/0433 Sockets for IC's or transistors
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/2863 Contacting devices, e.g. sockets, burn-in boards or mounting fixtures in general G01R1/04
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/2874 related to temperature

Abstract

A system and method for burning-in an integrated circuit chip including at least a socket capable of receiving and supporting the chip, electrical leads in the socket for connecting to corresponding leads on the chip, and a heat sink in thermal contact with a cooling medium. The heat sink includes a thermal interface in releasable thermal contact with the integrated circuit in the socket. The heat sink removes more heat from the integrated circuit than is generated during the burn-in process and the integrated circuit is maintained within a predetermined desired temperature range by monitoring the temperature of the integrated circuit and supplying make-up heat as needed. Multiple sockets can be grouped together and cooled by a manifolded cooling system, with the temperature of each integrated circuit being individually monitored and controlled.

Claims

1. An apparatus for dissipating power from an integrated circuit, comprising:

a socket capable of receiving and supporting a DUT carrying the integrated circuit, said socket including electrical leads for connecting to corresponding leads on said DUT;

a heat sink in thermal contact with a cooling medium;

a heat spreader in thermal contact with said heat sink and with said DUT, said heat spreader including a thermal interface in releasable mechanical and thermal contact with the DUT in the socket, wherein said thermal interface is mechanically adjustable and includes an outer layer comprising a metal foil; and

a heater and a thermocouple, said heater and said thermocouple being adjacent to said thermal interface, said heater being controlled in response to output from said thermocouple.

2. An apparatus for dissipating power from an integrated circuit, comprising:

a socket capable of receiving and supporting a DUT carrying the integrated circuit, said socket including electrical leads for connecting to corresponding leads on said DUT;

a heat sink in thermal contact with a cooling medium;

a heat spreader in thermal contact with said heat sink and with said DUT, said heat spreader including a thermal interface in releasable mechanical and thermal contact with the DUT in the socket, wherein said thermal interface comprises an amount of a low melting point metal contained in a foil skin; and

a heater and a thermocouple, said heater and said thermocouple being adjacent to said thermal interface, said heater being controlled in response to output from said thermocouple.

3. An apparatus for dissipating power from an integrated circuit, comprising:

a socket capable of receiving and supporting a DUT carrying the integrated circuit, said socket including electrical leads for connecting to corresponding leads on said DUT;

a heat sink in thermal contact with a cooling medium;

a heat spreader in thermal contact with said heat sink and with said DUT, said heat spreader including a thermal interface in releasable mechanical and thermal contact with the DUT in the socket, wherein said thermal interface comprises an amount of a low melting point metal contained in a foil skin, wherein said foil skin has a perimeter that is sealed to said heat spreader; and

a heater and a thermocouple, said heater and said thermocouple being adjacent to said thermal interface, said heater being controlled in response to output from said thermocouple.

4. An apparatus for dissipating power from an integrated circuit, comprising:

a socket capable of receiving and supporting a DUT carrying the integrated circuit, said socket including electrical leads for connecting to corresponding leads on said DUT;

a heat sink in thermal contact with a cooling medium;

a heat spreader in thermal contact with said heat sink and with said DUT, said heat spreader including a thermal interface in releasable mechanical and thermal contact with the DUT in the socket; and

a heater and a thermocouple, said heater and said thermocouple being adjacent to said thermal interface, said heater being controlled in response to output from said thermocouple.

5. An apparatus for dissipating power from an integrated circuit, comprising:

a socket capable of receiving and supporting a DUT carrying the integrated circuit, said socket including electrical leads for connecting to corresponding leads on said DUT;

a heat sink in thermal contact with a liquid-vapor cooling system;

a heat spreader in thermal contact with said heat sink and with said DUT, said heat spreader including a thermal interface in releasable mechanical and thermal contact with the DUT in the socket; and

a heater and a thermocouple, said heater and said thermocouple being adjacent to said thermal interface, said heater being controlled in response to output from said thermocouple.