Patent · US Expired

Method and apparatus for detection of defects using thermal stimulation

US6840667B2 · kind B2 · utility

25Cited by
12References
27Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateApr 18, 2003
Grant dateJan 11, 2005
Priority date
Expiry dateApr 18, 2023

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC G)Physics
  • CPC primaryG01N25/72
  • WIPO fieldMeasurement
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

A method for inspecting an object and detecting defects is taught (BGA and Flip-Chip solder joints on a PCB particularly). The method comprises injecting a thermal stimulation on the object; capturing a sequence of consecutive infrared images of the object to record heat diffusion resulting from the heat pulse; comparing the heat diffusion on said object to a reference; and determining whether the object comprises any defects. Also described is a system comprising a mounting for mounting the object; a thermal stimulation module for applying a thermal stimulation to the bottom surface of the object; an infrared camera for capturing infrared images of the object on the top surface of the object to record a change in infrared radiation from the top surface resulting from the thermal stimulation; and a computer for comparing the change in infrared radiation within a region on the top surface to a reference and determining whether the object comprises any defects.

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