Patent · US Expired

Calibration target for calibrating semiconductor wafer test systems

US6239590A · kind A · utility

40Cited by
15References
28Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateMay 26, 1998
Grant dateMay 29, 2001
Priority date
Expiry dateMay 26, 2018

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY10T29/49197
  • WIPO fieldMeasurement
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

A calibration target for calibrating semiconductor wafer test systems including probe testers and probe card analyzers is provided. Also provided are calibration methods using the calibration target, and a method for fabricating the calibration target. The calibration target includes a substrate with various three dimensional alignment features formed thereon. A first type of alignment feature includes a contrast layer and an alignment fiducial formed on a tip portion thereof. The contrast layer and alignment fiducial are configured for viewing by a viewing device of the probe card analyzer, or the test system, to achieve X-direction and Y-direction calibration. A second type of alignment feature includes a conductive layer formed on a tip portion thereof, which is configured to electrically engage a contact on a check plate of the probe card analyzer, or a probe contact on a probe card of the test system, to achieve Z-direction calibration. The alignment features can be formed by forming raised members on a silicon substrate, and depositing and etching metal layers on the raised members.

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