Patent · US Expired

Switch potential electron beam substrate tester

US5602489A · kind A · utility

12Cited by
6References
21Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateDec 2, 1994
Grant dateFeb 11, 1997
Priority date
Expiry dateDec 2, 2014

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC G)Physics
  • CPC primaryG01R31/307
  • WIPO fieldMeasurement
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

The present invention describes a method for testing the interconnect networks of a multichip module for opens and shorts. An electron beam lands on a pad of an interconnect network located on a substrate. The electron beam is used to interrogate the pad. An extract grid located above the substrate is maintained at a positive potential. While the electron beam interrogates the pad, the pad emits secondary electrons until such a point that the pad reaches a positive potential near that of the positive potential of the extract grid. The extract grid is then switched to a negative potential. The pad, still being interrogated by the electron beam, then collects secondary electrons until such a point that the pad reaches a negative potential near that of the negative potential of the extract grid. The test time, the length of time it takes for the pad to change from the positive potential to the negative potential, is measured and compared to a reference value. From this comparison it can be determined whether the interconnect network is defect-free, open, or shorted. If the test time is approximately equal to the reference value then the interconnect network is defect-free. If the test…

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.