Probe systems configured to test a device under test and methods of operating the probe systems are disclosed herein. The probe systems include an electromagnetically shielded enclosure, which defines an enclosed volume, and a temperature-controlled chuck, which defines a support surface configured to support a substrate that includes the DUT. The probe systems also include a probe assembly and an optical microscope. The probe systems further include an electromagnet and an electronically controlled positioning assembly. The electronically controlled positioning assembly includes a two-dimensional positioning stage, which is configured to selectively position a positioned assembly along a first two-dimensional positioning axis and also along a second two-dimensional positioning axis. The electronically controlled positioning assembly also includes a first one-dimensional positioning stage that operatively attaches the optical microscope to the positioned assembly and a second one-dimensional positioning stage that operatively attaches the electromagnet to the positioning assembly.

Probes that define retroreflectors, probe systems that include the probes, and methods of utilizing the probes. The probes include the retroreflector, which is defined by a retroreflector body. The retroreflector body includes a first side, an opposed second side, a tapered region that extends from the first side, and a light-receiving region that is defined on the second side. The probes also include a probe tip, which is configured to provide a test signal to a device under test (DUT) and/or to receive a resultant signal from the DUT. The retroreflector is configured to receive light, via the light-receiving region, at a light angle of incidence. The retroreflector also is configured to emit at least an emitted fraction of the light, from the retroreflector body and via the light-receiving region, at a light angle of emission that is at least substantially equal to the light angle of incidence.

A probe head structure is provided. The probe head structure includes a flexible substrate having a top surface and a bottom surface. The probe head structure includes a first probe pillar passing through the flexible substrate. The first probe pillar has a first protruding portion protruding from the bottom surface. The probe head structure includes a redistribution structure on the top surface of the flexible substrate and the first probe pillar. The redistribution structure is in direct contact with the flexible substrate and the first probe pillar. The redistribution structure includes a dielectric structure and a wiring structure in the dielectric structure. The wiring structure is electrically connected to the first probe pillar. The probe head structure includes a wiring substrate over the redistribution structure. The probe head structure includes a first conductive bump connected between the wiring substrate and the redistribution structure.

A system is provided for detecting a forcer misalignment, e.g., due to forcer loss of registration (FLR), in a wafer prober used for electrical testing of a semiconductor wafer. The system includes an optical sensor system including a transmitter and receiver affixed to the forcer or to a reference structure (e.g., the prober platen), and a reflector affixed to the other one of the forcer or reference structure. The transmitter emits radiation toward the reflector, which reflects the radiation toward the receiver. The receiver detects the reflected radiation, and generates an output signal indicating the quantity of received radiation. Alignment monitoring circuitry is configured to identify a misalignment of the forcer relative to the reference structure (e.g., platen) based on the output signal generated by the receiver, and in response, output an alert signal, e.g., to suspend operations of the prober and/or display an error notification to an operator.

A wafer probe alignment system includes a test probe needle including a body having a tip that is configured to make contact with a surface of a wafer at a first tip position, wherein the body is deformable and includes a sensing area that undergoes a deformation in response to at least one force, including a lateral friction force, applied to the tip; at least one sensor configured to monitor the sensing area for deformation caused by a lateral friction force and generate at least one first sensor information representative of the lateral friction force; and a controller configured to control a position of the tip, wherein the controller is configured to receive the at least one first sensor information and reposition the tip to counteract the lateral friction force in order to maintain the tip at the first tip position.

A safety system for a needle probe card for test machines for high-voltage and high-current testing of power semiconductor electronic devices is provided. The needle probe card has a plurality of needles adapted to be placed in contact with a device under test (DUT), each needle being configured to allow a flow of electric current. The safety system has a control unit capable of determining the electric current flowing in every single needle, and a plurality of switching devices configured to selectively interrupt the electric current flowing in the needles. At least one switching device is associated with each needle of the needle probe card. The control unit is configured to drive every single switching device to selectively interrupt the flow of electric current in a corresponding needle.

The present disclosure describes a probe design to measure cycles of microdevices. In particular, the probe comprises, electrodes, dielectric, stimulating capacitor, voltage stimulating source for time varying stimulating voltage signal and a series switch to control biasing condition. The probe structure further has a probe tip and resting pads (ring shape or otherwise) along with a leveling mechanism and apparatus. The disclosure also describes a method to measure cycles of microdevices using the probe structure.

A measurement system is described. The measurement system comprises a measurement device and a probe unit, wherein the measurement device comprises an image analysis circuit or module. The probe unit comprises at least one image sensor, wherein the at least one image sensor is connected to the image analysis module in a signal transmitting manner. The image sensor is configured to capture an image of a measurement area being associated with a device under test. The image analysis module is configured to analyze the image captured and to determine at least one characteristic quantity of the image captured via an image analysis technique. The image analysis module is further configured to gather an information concerning a test position of the probe unit from the at least one characteristic quantity. Further, a method for operating a measurement system is described.

Provided is a probe position inspection device that can inspect with ease and higher precision a position of a probe included in a semiconductor evaluation apparatus. The probe includes an inspection magnetic field producing part that produces a magnetic field corresponding to a contact point with a subject semiconductor apparatus. The probe position inspection device includes: a base part having a front surface that can be contacted by the probe, and including a plurality of magnetic field sensors placed in a plane parallel to the front surface, each of the magnetic field sensors sensing the magnetic field produced by the inspection magnetic field producing part; and an output part electrically connected to the magnetic field sensors, the output part outputting, based on the magnetic field, a signal corresponding to each of the magnetic field sensors.

A test system can include a probe suitable to be coupled between a test measurement device and a device under test (DUT). The probe can include a signal input to receive an active signal from the DUT and a signal output to provide the active signal to the test measurement device. The probe can also include an input ground to connect to the DUT ground and an output ground to connect to the test measurement device ground. A probe ground connection checking device can automatically determine whether the probe ground connections to the DUT ground and test measurement device ground are solid.