Patent · US Expired

Use of converging beams for transmitting electromagnetic energy to power devices for die testing

US6184696A · kind A · utility

27Cited by
5References
6Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateMar 23, 1998
Grant dateFeb 6, 2001
Priority date
Expiry dateMar 23, 2018

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC G)Physics
  • CPC primaryG01R31/311
  • WIPO fieldMeasurement
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

The described method and apparatus wirelessly test individual integrated circuit die on a wafer containing multiple die. The method incorporates activating a selected die on the wafer by wirelessly impacting the die with at least two beams of electromagnetic radiation so that the die receives radiation energy having at least a first energy level, thereby activating the die by causing a current to flow in the die. Each beam of electromagnetic energy individually has less than the first energy level required to activate the die. The beams of electromagnetic energy are directed so that they at least partially overlap on the selected die. In the region of overlap, the two beams together impact the die with an energy level at least equal to the first energy level required to activate the die. The method may additionally include detecting electromagnetic radiation emitted by the die in response to the electromagnetic energy received from the beams of electromagnetic energy. The apparatus includes an integrated circuit wafer and test apparatus. The integrated circuit wafer contains a plurality of individual die. Each die can be activated by directing electromagnetic energy having at least…

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