Probe tip
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A probe assembly for use in a probe station having a chamber for receiving a sample to be measured, the probe assembly comprising:
- a probe body;
a probe tip; and
a resilient member connected to the probe body,wherein the probe body is supported in the chamber by a probe arm having a longitudinal axis,wherein the probe tip is connected to the resilient member,wherein the probe tip is configured to contact a sample in the chamber at a location to be measured,wherein the longitudinal axis of the probe arm is parallel to the sample; and
wherein the resilient member decouples the probe tip from the probe body such that the probe tip resists movement from said location on the sample during movement of the probe body in a direction substantially parallel to said longitudinal axis of the probe arm, said movement of the probe body resulting from contraction or expansion of the probe arm due to a temperature change in the chamber.
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Abstract
To eliminate or otherwise reduce unintended movement of a probe tip of a probe assembly being held by a probe arm, the probe assembly includes one or more resilient members that compensate for the contraction or expansion of the probe arm in accordance with the coefficient of thermal expansion of the material from which the probe arm is made. Thus, the probe tip can remain in contact with a sample being measured at the desired location on the sample, during an automated full or wide scale temperature range sweep.
44 Citations
29 Claims
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1. A probe assembly for use in a probe station having a chamber for receiving a sample to be measured, the probe assembly comprising:
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a probe body; a probe tip; and a resilient member connected to the probe body, wherein the probe body is supported in the chamber by a probe arm having a longitudinal axis, wherein the probe tip is connected to the resilient member, wherein the probe tip is configured to contact a sample in the chamber at a location to be measured, wherein the longitudinal axis of the probe arm is parallel to the sample; and wherein the resilient member decouples the probe tip from the probe body such that the probe tip resists movement from said location on the sample during movement of the probe body in a direction substantially parallel to said longitudinal axis of the probe arm, said movement of the probe body resulting from contraction or expansion of the probe arm due to a temperature change in the chamber. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A probe station comprising:
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a chamber for receiving a sample to be measured; a probe arm; and a probe assembly, wherein the probe arm has a longitudinal axis and supports the probe assembly within the chamber, wherein the probe assembly includes a probe body, a probe tip, and a resilient member, wherein the resilient member is connected to the probe body, wherein the probe tip is connected to the resilient member, wherein the probe tip is configured to contact a sample in the chamber at a location to be measured, wherein the longitudinal axis of the probe arm is parallel to the sample; and wherein the resilient member decouples the probe tip from the probe body such that the probe tip resists movement from said location on the sample during movement of the probe body in a direction substantially parallel to said longitudinal axis of the probe arm, said movement of the probe body resulting from contraction or expansion of the probe arm due to a temperature change in the chamber. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29)
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Specification