Abstract: A probe for measuring the electrical characteristics of integrated circuits or other microelectronic devices at high frequencies may include a dielectric substrate that supports a signal path interconnecting test instrumentation and a probe tip and a ground path that shields both the signal path and the probe tip.

Abstract: A probe for measuring the electrical characteristics of integrated circuits or other microelectronic devices at high frequencies may include a dielectric substrate that supports a signal path interconnecting test instrumentation and a probe tip and a ground path that shields both the signal path and the probe tip.

Abstract: A probe for measuring the electrical characteristics of integrated circuits or other microelectronic devices at high frequencies may include a dielectric substrate that supports a signal path interconnecting test instrumentation and a probe tip and a ground path that shields both the signal oath and the probe tip.

Abstract: A probe for measuring the electrical characteristics of integrated circuits or other microelectronic devices at high frequencies may include a dielectric substrate that supports a signal path interconnecting test instrumentation and a probe tip and a ground path that shields both the signal path and the probe tip.

Abstract: A probe suitable for probing a semiconductor wafer that includes an active circuit. The probe may include a flexible interconnection between the active circuit and a support structure. The probe may impose a relatively low capacitance on the device under test.

Abstract: A probe measurement system having low, stable contact resistance for measuring the electrical characteristics of integrated circuits or other microelectronic devices at high frequencies.

Abstract: A probe suitable for probing a semiconductor wafer that includes an active circuit. The probe may have a rigid probing member and include a flexible interconnection between the active circuit and a support structure. The active circuit may have a relatively low capacitance as seen by the device under test.

Abstract: A probe measurement system for measuring the electrical characteristics of integrated circuits or other microelectronic devices at high frequencies.

Abstract: An interconnect assembly for evaluating a probe measurement network includes a base, respective inner and outer probing areas in mutually coplanar relationship on the upper face of the base, a reference junction, and a high-frequency transmission structure connecting the probing areas and the reference junction so that high-frequency signals can be uniformly transferred therebetween. A preferred method for evaluating the signal channels of the network includes connecting a reference unit to the reference junction and successively positioning each device-probing end that corresponds to a signal channel of interest on the inner probing area.

Abstract: A shielded probe for measuring the electrical characteristics of integrated circuits or other microelectronic devices at high frequencies. The probe may include a probe tip that extends through a dielectric substrate that supports on a first surface a signal path to test instrumentation and on a second surface a ground path that shields both the signal path and the probe tip.

Abstract: A probe measurement system for measuring the electrical characteristics of integrated circuits or other microelectronic devices at high frequencies. The probe measurement system preferably includes a probe having a conductive path extending between the first and second surfaces of a membrane and a probe contact electrically connected to the conductive path.

Abstract: An interconnect assembly for evaluating a probe measurement network includes a base, respective inner and outer probing areas in mutually coplanar relationship on the upper face of the base, a reference junction, and a high-frequency transmission structure connecting the probing areas and the reference junction so that high-frequency signals can be uniformly transferred therebetween. A preferred method for evaluating the signal channels of the network includes connecting a reference unit to the reference junction and successively positioning each device-probing end that corresponds to a signal channel of interest on the inner probing area.

Abstract: A probe measurement system for measuring the electrical characteristics of integrated circuits or other microelectronic devices at high frequencies.

Abstract: A membrane probing assembly includes a support element having an incompressible forward support tiltably coupled to a rearward base and a membrane assembly, formed of polyimide layers, with its central region interconnected to the support by an elastomeric layer. Flexible traces form data/signal lines to contacts on the central region. Each contact comprises a rigid beam and a bump located in off-centered location on the beam, which bump includes a contacting portion. After initial touchdown of these contacting portions, further over-travel of the pads causes each beam to independently tilt locally so that different portions of each beam move different distances relative to the support thus driving each contact into lateral scrubbing movement across the pad thereby clearing away oxide buildup. The elastomeric member backed by the incompressible support ensures sufficient scrub pressure and reliable tilt recovery of each contact without mechanical straining of the beam.

Abstract: A probe measurement system for measuring the electrical characteristics of integrated circuits or other microelectronic devices at high frequencies. The probe measurement system preferably includes a probe having a conductive path between the first and second sides of a substrate and a probe contact electrically connected to the conductive path.

Abstract: An interconnect assembly for evaluating a probe measurement network includes a base, respective inner and outer probing areas in mutually coplanar relationship on the upper face of the base, a reference junction, and a high-frequency transmission structure connecting the probing areas and the reference junction so that high-frequency signals can be uniformly transferred therebetween. A preferred method for evaluating the signal channels of the network includes connecting a reference unit to the reference junction and successively positioning each device-probing end that corresponds to a signal channel of interest on the inner probing area.

Abstract: A membrane probing assembly includes a support element having an incompressible forward support tiltably coupled to a rearward base and a membrane assembly, formed of polyimide layers, with its central region interconnected to the support by an elastomeric layer. Flexible traces form data/signal lines to contacts on the central region. Each contact comprises a rigid beam and a bump located in off-centered location on the beam, which bump includes a contacting portion. After initial touchdown of these contacting portions, further over-travel of the pads causes each beam to independently tilt locally so that different portions of each beam move different distances relative to the support thus driving each contact into lateral scrubbing movement across the pad thereby clearing away oxide buildup. The elastomeric member backed by the incompressible support ensures sufficient scrub pressure and reliable tilt recovery of each contact without mechanical straining of the beam.

Abstract: A probe measurement system for measuring the electrical characteristics of integrated circuits or other microelectronic devices at high frequencies.

Abstract: A probe measurement system for measuring the electrical characteristics of integrated circuits or other microelectronic devices at high frequencies.

Abstract: An interconnect assembly for evaluating a probe measurement network includes a base, respective inner and outer probing areas in mutually coplanar relationship on the upper face of the base, a reference junction, and a high-frequency transmission structure connecting the probing areas and the reference junction so that high-frequency signals can be uniformly transferred therebetween despite, for example, variable positioning of the device-probing ends of the network on the probing areas. A preferred method for evaluating the signal channels of the network includes connecting a reference unit to the reference junction and successively positioning each device-probing end that corresponds to a signal channel of interest on the inner probing area.