Abstract:
This invention provides a solution to increase the yield strength and fatigue strength of miniaturized springs (507), which can be fabricated in arrays with ultra-small pitches. It also discloses a solution to minimize adhesion of the contact pad materials to the spring tips upon repeated contacts without affecting the reliability of the miniaturized springs (507). In addition, the invention also presents a method to fabricate the springs (507) that allow passage of relatively higher current without significantly degrading their lifetime.
Abstract:
Several embodiments of enhanced integrated circuit probe card and package assemblies are disclosed, which extend the mechanical compliance of both MEMS and thin-film fabricated probes, such that these types of spring probe structures can be used to test one or more integrated circuits on a semiconductor wafer. Several embodiments of probe card assemblies, which provide tight signal pad pitch compliance and/or enable high levels of parallel testing in commercial wafer probing equipment, are disclosed. In some preferred embodiments, the probe card assembly structures include separable standard components, which reduce assembly manufacturing cost and manufacturing time. These structures and assemblies enable high speed testing in wafer form. The probes also have built in mechanical protection for both the integrated circuits and the MEMS or thin film fabricated spring tips and probe layout structures on substrates. Alternate card assembly structures comprise a compliant carrier structure, such as a decal or screen, which is adhesively attached to the probe chip substrate.
Abstract:
Several embodiments of enhanced integrated circuit probe card and package assemblies are disclosed, which extend the mechanical compliance of both MEMS and thin-film fabricated probes, such that these types of spring probe structures can be used to test one or more integrated circuits on a semiconductor wafer. Several embodiments of probe card assemblies, which provide tight signal pad pitch compliance and/or enable high levels of parallel testing in commercial wafer probing equipment, are disclosed. In some preferred embodiments, the probe card assembly structures include separable standard components, which reduce assembly manufacturing cost and manufacturing time. These structures and assemblies enable high speed testing in wafer form. The probes also have built in mechanical protection for both the integrated circuits and the MEMS or thin film fabricated spring tips and probe layout structures on substrates. Alternate card assembly structures comprise a compliant carrier structure, such as a decal or screen, which is adhesively attached to the probe chip substrate.
Abstract:
An enhanced sputtered film processing system and method comprises one or more sputter deposition sources each having a sputtering target surface and one or more side shields, to increase the relative collimation of the sputter deposited material, such as about the periphery of the sputtering target surface, toward workpiece substrates. One or more substrates are provided, wherein the substrates have a front surface and an opposing back surface, and may have previously applied layers, such as adhesion or release layers. The substrates and the deposition targets are controllably moved with respect to each other. The relatively collimated portion of the material sputtered from the sputtering target surface travels beyond the side shields and is deposited on the front surface of the substrates. The increase in relative collimation results in deposited films with desirable properties of readily controllable compressive stress and mechanical integrity without the use of ion bombardment.
Abstract:
This invention provides a solution to increase the yield strength and fatigue strength of miniaturized springs (507), which can be fabricated in arrays with ultra-small pitches. It also discloses a solution to minimize adhesion of the contact pad materials to the spring tips upon repeated contacts without affecting the reliability of the miniaturized springs (507). In addition, the invention also presents a method to fabricate the springs (507) that allow passage of relatively higher current without significantly degrading their lifetime.
Abstract:
Several embodiments of enhanced integrated circuit probe card and package assemblies are disclosed, which extend the mechanical compliance of both MEMS and thin-film fabricated probes, such that these types of spring probe structures can be used to test one or more integrated circuits on a semiconductor wafer. Several embodiments of probe card assemblies, which provide tight signal pad pitch compliance and/or enable high levels of parallel testing in commercial wafer probing equipment, are disclosed. In some preferred embodiments, the probe card assembly structures include separable standard components, which reduce assembly manufacturing cost and manufacturing time. These structures and assemblies enable high speed testing in wafer form. The probes also have built in mechanical protection for both the integrated circuits and the MEMS or thin film fabricated spring tips and probe layout structures on substrates. Alternate card assembly structures comprise a compliant carrier structure, such as a decal or screen, which is adhesively attached to the probe chip substrate.
Abstract:
This invention provides a solution to increase the yield strength and fatigue strength of miniaturized springs (507), which can be fabricated in arrays with ultra-small pitches. It also discloses a solution to minimize adhesion of the contact pad materials to the spring tips upon repeated contacts without affecting the reliability of the miniaturized springs (507). In addition, the invention also presents a method to fabricate the springs (507) that allow passage of relatively higher current without significantly degrading their lifetime.
Abstract:
Several embodiments of enhanced integrated circuit probe card and package assemblies are disclosed, which extend the mechanical compliance of both MEMS and thin-film fabricated probes, such that these types of spring probe structures can be used to test one or more integrated circuits on a semiconductor wafer. Several embodiments of probe card assemblies, which provide tight signal pad pitch compliance and/or enable high levels of parallel testing in commercial wafer probing equipment, are disclosed. In some preferred embodiments, the probe card assembly structures include separable standard components, which reduce assembly manufacturing cost and manufacturing time. These structures and assemblies enable high speed testing in wafer form. The probes also have built in mechanical protection for both the integrated circuits and the MEMS or thin film fabricated spring tips and probe layout structures on substrates. Alternate card assembly structures comprise a compliant carrier structure, such as a decal or screen, which is adhesively attached to the probe chip substrate.
Abstract:
An enhanced sputtered film processing system and associated method comprises one or more sputter deposition sources each having a sputtering target surface and one or more side shields extending therefrom, to increase the relative collimation of the sputter deposited material, such as about the periphery of the sputtering target surface, toward workpiece substrates. One or more substrates are provided, wherein the substrates have a front surface and an opposing back surface, and may have one or more previously applied layers, such as an adhesion or release layer. The substrates and the deposition targets are controllably moved with respect to each other. The relatively collimated portion of the material sputtered from the sputtering target surface travels beyond the side shields and is deposited on the front surface of the substrates. The increase in relative collimation results in deposited films with desirable properties including but not limited to high levels of both readily controllable compressive stress and mechanical integrity without the use of ion bombardment.