Abstract: A probe card assembly for nondestructive integrated circuit testing is disclosed. The probe card assembly includes an outer gimbal bearing with a tapered bearing surface being mounted on a top surface of a printed circuit board. The probe card assembly further includes an inner gimbal bearing with a spherical bearing surface which contacts the tapered bearing surface of the outer gimbal bearing at a single point of contact about a circumference thereof. The probe card assembly further includes a spring plate mounted to the outer gimbal bearing, providing a downward force to a substrate.

Abstract: A repairable rigid test probe system includes an annular gimbal supported by an annular gimbal bearing of a probe card assembly, a test substrate seated and aligned within the annular gimbal, a rigid die including thick periphery and a thin center containing an array of through holes that is aligned above the test substrate, and an array of rigid probes inserted into each of the array of through holes, where each rigid probe includes: a tail end that contacts a connection on a facing surface of the test substrate, a collar limiting a distance of insertion, and a tip that contacts a corresponding contact on a facing surface of a device under test.

Abstract: A probe card assembly for nondestructive integrated circuit testing is disclosed. The probe card assembly includes an outer gimbal bearing with a tapered bearing surface being mounted on a top surface of a printed circuit board. The probe card assembly further includes an inner gimbal bearing with a spherical bearing surface which contacts the tapered bearing surface of the outer gimbal bearing at a single point of contact about a circumference thereof. The probe card assembly further includes a spring plate mounted to the outer gimbal bearing, providing a downward force to a substrate.

Abstract: A probe tip structure that decreases the accumulation rate of Sn particles to the probe tip and enables considerably more efficient and complete laser cleaning is disclosed. In an embodiment, the probe structure includes an array of probe tips, each probe tip having an inner core; an interfacial layer bonded to the inner core; and an outer layer bonded to the interfacial layer, wherein the outer layer is resistant to adherence of the solder of the ball grid array package.

Abstract: A probe card assembly for nondestructive integrated circuit testing is disclosed. The probe card assembly includes an outer gimbal bearing with a tapered bearing surface being mounted on a top surface of a printed circuit board. The probe card assembly further includes an inner gimbal bearing with a spherical bearing surface which contacts the tapered bearing surface of the outer gimbal bearing at a single point of contact about a circumference thereof. The probe card assembly further includes a spring plate mounted to the outer gimbal bearing, providing a downward force to a substrate.

Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure provide a gimbal assembly test system including: a protective cover affixed to a test surface of a wafer probe card mounted within a gimbal bearing, wherein the protective cover includes an exterior surface oriented outward from the test surface of the wafer probe card; and a recess extending into the exterior surface of the protective cover and shaped to matingly engage a load cell tip therein.

Abstract: A system and method for disassembling a multiple contact probe head including a plurality of contact probes positioned by a first die at a first end of the plurality of probes and a second die at a second end of the plurality of probes, are provided. The system may include a manifold configured to sealingly receive an opposing side of the first die from the second die; and a vacuum source operatively coupled to the manifold to apply a vacuum to an interior of the manifold applying a force to the plurality of contact probes in position in the first die across. Where the probes include a paramagnetic material, a magnetic source may be employed to hold the probes during disassembly.

Abstract: An organic probe substrate structure includes a daughter card; an organic laminate attached to the daughter card; and multiple probes built onto a top surface of the organic laminate.

Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure provide a gimbal assembly test system including: a protective cover affixed to a test surface of a wafer probe card mounted within a gimbal bearing, wherein the protective cover includes an exterior surface oriented outward from the test surface of the wafer probe card; and a recess extending into the exterior surface of the protective cover and shaped to matingly engage a load cell tip therein.

Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure provide a gimbal assembly test system including: a protective cover affixed to a test surface of a wafer probe card mounted within a gimbal bearing, wherein the protective cover includes an exterior surface oriented outward from the test surface of the wafer probe card; and a recess extending into the exterior surface of the protective cover and shaped to matingly engage a load cell tip therein.

Abstract: A probe tip structure that decreases the accumulation rate of Sn particles to the probe tip and enables considerably more efficient and complete laser cleaning is disclosed. In an embodiment, the probe structure includes an array of probe tips, each probe tip having an inner core; an interfacial layer bonded to the inner core; and an outer layer bonded to the interfacial layer, wherein the outer layer is resistant to adherence of the solder of the ball grid array package.

Abstract: A probe card assembly for nondestructive integrated circuit testing is disclosed. The probe card assembly includes an outer gimbal bearing with a tapered bearing surface being mounted on a top surface of a printed circuit board. The probe card assembly further includes an inner gimbal bearing with a spherical bearing surface which contacts the tapered bearing surface of the outer gimbal bearing at a single point of contact about a circumference thereof. The probe card assembly further includes a spring plate mounted to the outer gimbal bearing, providing a downward force to a substrate.

Abstract: A probe tip structure that decreases the accumulation rate of Sn particles to the probe tip and enables considerably more efficient and complete laser cleaning is disclosed. In an embodiment, the probe structure includes an array of probe tips, each probe tip having an inner core; an interfacial layer bonded to the inner core; and an outer layer bonded to the interfacial layer, wherein the outer layer is resistant to adherence of the solder of the ball grid array package.

Abstract: The disclosure describes a probe card assembly for nondestructive integrated circuit testing. The probe card assembly includes an outer gimbal bearing with a tapered bearing surface being mounted on a top surface of a printed circuit board. The probe card assembly further includes an inner gimbal bearing with a spherical bearing surface which contacts the tapered bearing surface of the outer gimbal bearing at a single point of contact about a circumference thereof. The probe card assembly further includes a spring plate mounted to the outer gimbal bearing, providing a downward force to a substrate.

Abstract: A repairable rigid test probe system includes an annular gimbal supported by an annular gimbal bearing of a probe card assembly, a test substrate seated and aligned within the annular gimbal, a rigid die including thick periphery and a thin center containing an array of through holes that is aligned above the test substrate, and an array of rigid probes inserted into each of the array of through holes, where each rigid probe includes: a tail end that contacts a connection on a facing surface of the test substrate, a collar limiting a distance of insertion, and a tip that contacts a corresponding contact on a facing surface of a device under test.

Abstract: A system and method for disassembling a multiple contact probe head including a plurality of contact probes positioned by a first die at a first end of the plurality of probes and a second die at a second end of the plurality of probes, are provided. The system may include a manifold configured to sealingly receive an opposing side of the first die from the second die; and a vacuum source operatively coupled to the manifold to apply a vacuum to an interior of the manifold applying a force to the plurality of contact probes in position in the first die across. Where the probes include a paramagnetic material, a magnetic source may be employed to hold the probes during disassembly.

Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure provide a gimbal assembly test system including: a protective cover affixed to a test surface of a wafer probe card mounted within a gimbal bearing, wherein the protective cover includes an exterior surface oriented outward from the test surface of the wafer probe card; and a recess extending into the exterior surface of the protective cover and shaped to matingly engage a load cell tip therein.

Abstract: An organic probe substrate structure includes a daughter card; an organic laminate attached to the daughter card; and multiple probes built onto a top surface of the organic laminate.

Abstract: A probe card assembly for nondestructive integrated circuit testing is disclosed. The probe card assembly includes an outer gimbal bearing with a tapered bearing surface being mounted on a top surface of a printed circuit board. The probe card assembly further includes an inner gimbal bearing with a spherical bearing surface which contacts the tapered bearing surface of the outer gimbal bearing at a single point of contact about a circumference thereof.

Abstract: A probe tip structure that decreases the accumulation rate of Sn particles to the probe tip and enables considerably more efficient and complete laser cleaning is disclosed. In an embodiment, the probe structure includes an array of probe tips, each probe tip having an inner core; an interfacial layer bonded to the inner core; and an outer layer bonded to the interfacial layer, wherein the outer layer is resistant to adherence of the solder of the ball grid array package.