JP2023160951A - Prober control device and prober control method - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a probe control device and a probe control method capable of ensuring good contact between an electrode pad on a wafer and a probe without providing shutter means on a wafer chuck.SOLUTION: A prober control device controls a suction operation that reduces the pressure in a space between a wafer chuck 34 and a probe card 32 using a suction device 44, and a moving operation in which the wafer chuck 34 and the probe card 32 are brought relatively close to each other by means other than the suction device 44. The prober control device includes a control unit that, after starting the suction operation, brings the wafer chuck 34 and the probe card 32 relatively close together by the moving operation to seal the space.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

The present invention relates to a prober and probe testing method for testing the electrical characteristics of a plurality of semiconductor devices (chips) formed on a semiconductor wafer, and particularly to a multi-stage prober and probe testing method equipped with a plurality of measuring sections. Regarding the method.

A semiconductor manufacturing process includes a large number of steps, and various inspections are performed in various manufacturing steps to ensure quality and improve yield. For example, at the stage where multiple chips of a semiconductor device are formed on a semiconductor wafer, the electrode pads of the semiconductor device of each chip are connected to a test head, and power and test signals are supplied from the test head to output the semiconductor device. Wafer level testing is performed in which signals are measured with a test head to electrically test whether the device is operating normally.

After wafer-level inspection, the wafer is attached to a frame and cut into individual chips with a dicer. Of the cut chips, only those that are confirmed to work properly are packaged in the next assembly process, and malfunctioning chips are removed from the assembly process. Furthermore, the packaged final product is inspected before shipping.

Wafer level inspection is performed using a prober that contacts the electrode pads of each chip on the wafer. The probe is electrically connected to the terminal of the test head, and power and test signals are supplied from the test head to each chip via the probe, and the output signal from each chip is detected by the test head to check whether it is operating normally. Measure.

In the semiconductor manufacturing process, wafers are becoming larger and smaller (integration) in order to reduce manufacturing costs, and the number of chips formed on a single wafer has become extremely large. ing. Along with this, the time required to inspect one wafer with a prober is also increasing, and there is a demand for improved throughput. Therefore, in order to improve throughput, multi-probing is being carried out in which a large number of probes are provided so that a plurality of chips can be tested simultaneously. In recent years, the number of chips to be tested simultaneously has been increasing, and attempts have been made to test all chips on a wafer at the same time. Therefore, the tolerance for positioning the electrode pad and the probe into contact is becoming smaller, and there is a need to improve the positional accuracy of the movement of the prober.

On the other hand, the easiest way to increase throughput is to increase the number of probers, but increasing the number of probers causes the problem that the installation area of the probers on the production line also increases. Furthermore, if the number of probers is increased, the cost of the device will also increase accordingly. Therefore, there is a need to increase throughput while suppressing increases in installation area and device costs.

Against this background, for example, Patent Document 1 proposes a multi-stage prober that includes a plurality of measuring sections. This prober is configured such that an alignment device that performs relative alignment between the wafer and the probe card can be moved between the measurement sections. As a result, the alignment device can be shared by each measuring section, and it is possible to save space and reduce costs.

Further, the prober described in Patent Document 1 employs a vacuum suction method in which the wafer chuck is held on the probe card side. In this vacuum suction method, the internal space (sealed space) formed between the wafer chuck and the probe card is depressurized by a decompression means, and the wafer chuck is drawn toward the probe card, thereby attaching the wafer to each probe of the probe card. A contact operation is performed to bring the electrode pads of each chip into contact with each other.

Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2016-032110

By the way, in the prober described in Patent Document 1, in order to remove the oxide film formed on the electrode pads of each chip of the wafer, depressurization of the internal space formed between the wafer chuck and the probe card is started. Before alignment, the wafer chuck is raised toward the probe card by the lifting mechanism of the alignment device, and each probe of the probe card is brought into contact with the electrode pad of each chip of the wafer with a predetermined pressure.

However, when the wafer chuck is raised by the lift mechanism of the alignment device, if the internal space formed between the probe card and the wafer chuck is in a non-communicating state (sealed state) where it does not communicate with the external space, the wafer chuck As the temperature rises, the air in the internal space is instantaneously compressed and a strong reaction force is generated, which may cause the probe card and the wafer to come into contact with each other in an unintended manner. In this case, abnormal contact between the probe card and the wafer may cause damage to the probe card or the wafer. In addition, the reaction force due to the compression of the internal space places a load on the lifting mechanism of the alignment device, which affects the moving speed of the wafer chuck relative to the probe card, and there is a risk that the oxide film on the electrode pad cannot be removed sufficiently. .

To address this problem, the prober described in Patent Document 1 employs a configuration in which a wafer chuck is provided with a shutter means that can selectively open and close a communication path that communicates between an internal space and an external space. According to this configuration, when the wafer chuck is raised by the lifting mechanism of the alignment device, the communication path is opened by the shutter means, so that the internal space is in a communicating state (non-sealed state) with the external space. This makes it possible to prevent damage to the probe card and wafer due to abnormal contact between the probe card and the wafer. Additionally, during contact operation, the wafer chuck can be raised at a desired speed without being affected by the reaction force described above, so it is possible to obtain a movement speed sufficient to remove the oxide film on the electrode pad. It becomes possible.

However, in the prober described in Patent Document 1, although the shutter means provided on the wafer chuck can prevent the influence of the reaction force caused by the compression of the internal space as the wafer chuck rises, it has the following problems. There is.

That is, when the component of the shutter means is attached to the wafer chuck, it becomes a heat dissipation element, which poses a problem of affecting the temperature distribution of the wafer chuck. In particular, when inspection is performed in an unusual environment such as high or low temperatures, the wafer chuck is inspected in a heated or cooled state, and in that case, the influence on the temperature distribution of the wafer chuck is significant. . In addition, the flatness of the mounting surface (wafer holding surface) of the wafer chuck may change due to the influence on the temperature distribution of the wafer chuck, and the contact pressure between each probe of the probe card and the electrode pad of each chip of the wafer may change. becomes non-uniform, which becomes a factor that reduces the measurement accuracy of wafer level inspection.

Furthermore, in the case of a structure in which the wafer chuck is provided with a shutter means, the components of the shutter means become a factor that causes the weight balance of the wafer chuck to be lost. Therefore, the transfer operation of the wafer chuck from the alignment device to the probe card side becomes unstable, and there is a possibility that good contact cannot be achieved between the electrode pads on the wafer and the probes.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and provides a prober and probe inspection that can realize good contact between an electrode pad on a wafer and a probe without providing a shutter means on the wafer chuck. The purpose is to provide a method.

In order to achieve the above object, the following invention is provided.

A prober according to a first aspect of the present invention includes a wafer chuck that holds a wafer, a probe card having a plurality of probes on a surface facing the wafer chuck, and an annular prober that forms an internal space between the wafer chuck and the probe card. It has a sealing member, a wafer chuck fixing part that removably fixes the wafer chuck, a mechanical elevating means for raising and lowering the wafer chuck fixed to the wafer chuck fixing part, and a wafer chuck fixing part that lifts and lowers the wafer chuck by reducing the pressure in the internal space. The probe card includes a suction means that is suctioned and held on the probe card side, and a suction control means that controls the suction operation by the suction means and starts the suction operation by the suction means before the internal space is in a sealed state. .

In the prober according to the second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect, the mechanical lifting means moves the wafer chuck toward the probe card so as to bring the probe into contact with the electrode pad of the wafer in an overdrive state.

In the prober according to the third aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect or the second aspect, the suction control means sets the amount of suction by the suction means based on the moving speed of the wafer chuck by the mechanical elevating means.

A probe inspection method according to a fourth aspect of the present invention includes a wafer chuck that holds a wafer, a probe card having a plurality of probes on a surface facing the wafer chuck, and an internal space formed between the wafer chuck and the probe card. It has a ring-shaped sealing member that removably fixes the wafer chuck, a mechanical elevating means for raising and lowering the wafer chuck fixed to the wafer chuck fixing part, and a wafer chuck fixing part that lifts and lowers the wafer chuck by reducing the pressure in the internal space. A method for inspecting a probe in a prober, comprising: a suction means for suctioning and holding the chuck on the probe card side; a wafer chuck moving step for moving the wafer chuck toward the probe card by a mechanical lifting means; and a state in which the internal space is sealed. A pre-suction step in which the suction operation by the suction means is started before the wafer chuck is moved, and a main suction step in which the wafer chuck is suctioned and held on the probe card side by reducing the pressure in the internal space by the suction means after the wafer chuck movement step is performed. and.

In the probe inspection method according to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the fourth aspect, the wafer chuck moving step moves the wafer chuck to the probe by mechanical lifting means so as to bring the probe into contact with the electrode pad of the wafer in an overdrive state. Move towards the card.

In the probe inspection method according to the sixth aspect of the present invention, in the fourth aspect or the fifth aspect, in the pre-suction step, the amount of suction by the suction means is set based on the moving speed of the wafer chuck by the mechanical elevating means.

According to the present invention, since the suction operation by the suction means is started before the internal space is sealed, good contact can be made between the electrode pad on the wafer and the probe without providing a shutter means on the wafer chuck. It can be realized.

External view showing the overall configuration of the prober of this embodiment A plan view showing the overall configuration of the prober of this embodiment Schematic diagram showing the configuration of the measurement unit in the prober of this embodiment Schematic diagram showing the configuration of the measurement section in the measurement unit shown in Figure 3 Functional block diagram showing the configuration of the prober control device of this embodiment Flowchart showing contact operation in the prober of this embodiment Diagram for explaining contact operation in the prober of this embodiment Diagram for explaining contact operation in the prober of this embodiment Timing chart diagram showing an example of contact operation in the prober of this embodiment

Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

1 and 2 are an external view and a plan view showing the overall configuration of a prober 10 of this embodiment.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the prober 10 of this embodiment includes a loader section 14 that supplies and collects a wafer W to be inspected (see FIG. 4), and a measurement unit 12 disposed adjacent to the loader section 14. It is equipped with The measurement unit 12 has a plurality of measurement sections 16, and when the wafer W is supplied from the loader section 14 to each measurement section 16, each measurement section 16 inspects the electrical characteristics of each chip of the wafer W. (wafer level inspection) is performed. Then, the wafer W inspected by each measuring section 16 is recovered by the loader section 14. Note that the prober 10 also includes an operation panel 22, a control device 60 (see FIG. 5), etc., which will be described later.

The loader section 14 includes a load port 18 on which the wafer cassette 20 is placed, and a transport unit 24 that transports the wafer W between each measurement section 16 of the measurement unit 12 and the wafer cassette 20. The transport unit 24 includes a transport unit drive mechanism (not shown), and is configured to be movable in the X and Z directions and rotatable in the θ direction (around the Z direction). Further, the transport unit 24 includes a transport arm 26 that is configured to be extendable and retractable back and forth by the transport unit drive mechanism. A suction pad (not shown) is provided on the upper surface of the transfer arm 26, and the transfer arm 26 holds the wafer W by vacuum suctioning the back surface of the wafer W with the suction pad. As a result, the wafer W in the wafer cassette 20 is taken out by the transfer arm 26 of the transfer unit 24 and transferred to each measurement section 16 of the measurement unit 12 while being held on its upper surface. In addition, the inspected wafers W that have been inspected are returned from each measuring section 16 to the wafer cassette 20 through the reverse route.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of the measurement unit 12 in the prober 10 of this embodiment. FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of the measuring section 16 in the measuring unit 12 shown in FIG. 3. As shown in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 3, the measurement unit 12 has a laminated structure (multi-tiered structure) in which a plurality of measurement units 16 are stacked in multiple stages, and each measurement unit 16 has two positions along the X direction and the Z direction. arranged dimensionally. In this embodiment, as an example, four measuring units 16 are stacked in the X direction in three stages in the Z direction.

The measurement unit 12 includes a casing (not shown) having a lattice shape in which a plurality of frames are combined in a lattice shape. This housing is formed by combining a plurality of frames extending in the X direction, Y direction, and Z direction in a lattice shape, and the components of the measurement unit 16 are placed in each space formed by these frames. is placed.

Each measuring section 16 has the same configuration, and includes a head stage 30, a probe card 32, and a wafer chuck 34, as shown in FIG. Further, each measuring section 16 is provided with a test head (not shown). Note that the test head is supported above the head stage 30 by a test head holding section (not shown).

The head stage 30 is supported by a frame member (not shown) that constitutes a part of the casing, and a probe card 32 is detachably attached thereto. The probe card 32 mounted and fixed on the head stage 30 is provided so as to face the wafer holding surface 34a of the wafer chuck 34. Note that the probe card 32 is replaced depending on the wafer W (device) to be inspected.

The probe card 32 is provided with a plurality of probes 36, such as cantilevers and spring pins, arranged corresponding to the positions of electrode pads of each chip of the wafer W to be inspected. Each probe 36 is electrically connected to a terminal of a test head (not shown), and power and test signals are supplied from the test head to each chip via each probe 36, and the output signal from each chip is detected by the test head. and measure whether it is working properly. Note that the connection configuration between the probe card 32 and the test head is not a main part of the present invention, and therefore a detailed explanation will be omitted.

The probe 36 has spring characteristics, and by raising the contact point above the tip of the probe 36, it contacts the electrode pad with a predetermined contact pressure. Further, when the probe 36 is contacted with the electrode pad in an overdrive state when performing an electrical test, the tip of the probe 36 sinks into the surface of the electrode pad, forming needle marks on the surface of the electrode pad. It is supposed to be done. Note that overdrive means that the probes are adjusted so that the electrode pads and the probes 36 are in reliable contact, taking into consideration the inclination between the wafer W and the arrangement surface of the tips of the probes 36 and the variations in the positions of the tips of the probes 36. This refers to a state in which the electrode pad, that is, the surface of the wafer W is raised by a distance α to a position higher than the tip of the electrode pad 36. Further, the amount of movement to further raise the surface of the wafer W from the tip position (contact position) of the probe 36, ie, the distance α, is referred to as an overdrive amount.

The wafer chuck 34 vacuum-chucks and fixes the wafer W. The wafer chuck 34 has a wafer holding surface 34a on which a wafer W to be inspected is placed, and the wafer holding surface 34a is provided with a plurality of suction ports 40 (only one is shown in FIG. 4). The suction port 40 is connected to a suction device (vacuum source) 44 such as a vacuum pump via a suction path 42 formed inside the wafer chuck 34 . A wafer suction solenoid valve 46 is provided in a suction path that connects the suction device 44 and the suction path 42 . The wafer suction solenoid valve 46 is controlled by a wafer suction solenoid valve control section 110 (see FIG. 5).

An elastic ring-shaped seal member (chuck seal rubber) 48 is provided outside the wafer holding surface 34a of the wafer chuck 34 and is formed to surround the wafer W held by the wafer holding surface 34a. When the wafer chuck 34 is moved (raised) toward the probe card 32 by the Z-axis moving/rotating unit 72 (described later), the ring-shaped sealing member 48 comes into contact with the lower surface of the head stage 30, so that the wafer chuck 34, An internal space S (see FIG. 7) surrounded by the probe card 32 and the ring-shaped seal member 48 is formed. Note that the ring-shaped seal member 48 is an example of the annular seal member of the present invention.

The head stage 30 is provided with a suction port 50 for reducing the pressure in the internal space S formed between the probe card 32 and the wafer chuck 34. The suction port 50 is connected to the suction device 44 via a suction path 52 formed inside the head stage 30. A vacuum electropneumatic regulator 54 is provided in the suction path connecting the suction device 44 and the suction path 52. The vacuum electropneumatic regulator 54 is a control valve that adjusts the internal pressure (degree of vacuum) of the internal space S. Note that the vacuum electropneumatic regulator 54 is controlled by a suction control section 114 (see FIG. 5), which will be described later. The suction device 44 and the vacuum electropneumatic regulator 54 are examples of suction means of the present invention.

A heating/cooling source is provided inside the wafer chuck 34 so that the electrical characteristics of the wafer W to be inspected can be inspected at a high temperature (for example, a maximum of 150 degrees Celsius) or a low temperature condition (for example, a minimum of -40 degrees Celsius). A heating and cooling mechanism (not shown) is provided. As the heating/cooling mechanism, any suitable known heater/cooler can be adopted. Various types of heating/cooling devices are possible, such as a single-layer heating/cooling device in which a cooling tube with a heater wrapped around it is embedded in a conductor. Further, instead of electrical heating, a method that circulates a thermal fluid may be used, and a Peltier element may be used.

The wafer chuck 34 is detachably supported and fixed to an alignment device 70, which will be described later. The alignment device 70 performs relative alignment between the wafer W held by the wafer chuck 34 and the probe card 32 by moving the wafer chuck 34 in the X, Y, Z, and θ directions.

The alignment device 70 includes a Z-axis moving/rotating unit 72 that removably supports and fixes the wafer chuck 34, moves the wafer chuck 34 in the Z-axis direction, and rotates in the θ direction about the Z-axis; - Equipped with an X-axis moving table 74 that supports the rotating part 72 and moves in the X-axis direction, and a Y-axis moving table 76 that supports the X-axis moving table 74 and moves in the Y-axis direction.

The Z-axis moving/rotating unit 72, the X-axis moving table 74, and the Y-axis moving table 76 are each configured to be able to move or rotate the wafer chuck 34 in a predetermined direction by a mechanical drive mechanism including at least a motor. Ru. The mechanical drive mechanism is, for example, a ball screw drive mechanism that combines a servo motor and a ball screw. Further, the present invention is not limited to the ball screw drive mechanism, and may be configured by a linear motor drive mechanism, a belt drive mechanism, or the like. Note that the Z-axis moving/rotating unit 72, the X-axis moving table 74, and the Y-axis moving table 76 are configured so that the moving distance, moving direction, moving speed, and acceleration of the wafer chuck 34 can be changed by each control unit described later. ing. Specifically, this embodiment has the following configuration.

The Z-axis moving/rotating unit 72 is an example of a mechanical lifting means of the present invention, and includes a Z-axis drive motor 122 (for example, a stepping motor, a servo motor, a linear motor, etc.) for moving the wafer chuck 34 in the Z-axis direction. ) (see FIG. 5), and a Z-axis encoder (for example, a rotary encoder, a linear scale, etc.) (not shown) for detecting the moving distance of the wafer chuck 34 in the Z-axis direction. The Z-axis drive motor 122 is controlled based on a motor control signal from the Z-axis movement control unit 106 (see FIG. 5), which will be described later, and drives the wafer chuck 34 to move to the target position at a desired movement speed or acceleration. . Further, the Z-axis encoder outputs an encoder signal in accordance with the movement of the wafer chuck 34.

The Z-axis moving/rotating unit 72 also includes a rotation drive motor 124 (for example, a stepping motor, a servo motor, a linear motor, etc.) (see FIG. 5) for rotating the wafer chuck 34 in the θ direction, and It includes a rotary encoder (for example, a rotary encoder, etc.) (not shown) for detecting the rotation angle in the θ direction. The rotation drive motor 124 is controlled based on a motor control signal from the θ rotation control unit 108 (see FIG. 5), which will be described later, and drives the wafer chuck 34 to move to a target position at a desired rotation speed or acceleration. Further, the rotary encoder outputs an encoder signal in accordance with the rotation of the wafer chuck 34.

The X-axis moving table 74 includes an X-axis drive motor 118 (for example, a stepping motor, a servo motor, a linear motor, etc.) (see FIG. 5) for moving the wafer chuck 34 in the X-axis direction, and an It includes an X-axis encoder (for example, a rotary encoder, a linear scale, etc.) (not shown) for detecting the moving distance in the direction. The X-axis drive motor 118 is controlled based on a motor control signal from the X-axis movement control unit 102 (see FIG. 5), which will be described later, and drives the wafer chuck 34 to move to a target position at a desired speed or acceleration. . Further, the X-axis encoder outputs an encoder signal in accordance with the movement of the wafer chuck 34.

The Y-axis moving table 76 includes a Y-axis drive motor 120 (for example, a stepping motor, a servo motor, a linear motor, etc.) (see FIG. 5) for moving the wafer chuck 34 in the Y-axis direction, and It includes a Y-axis encoder (for example, a rotary encoder, a linear scale, etc.) (not shown) for detecting the moving distance in the direction. The Y-axis drive motor 120 is controlled based on a motor control signal from a Y-axis movement control unit 104 (see FIG. 5), which will be described later, and drives the wafer chuck 34 to move to a target position at a desired speed or acceleration. . Further, the Y-axis encoder outputs an encoder signal in accordance with the movement of the wafer chuck 34.

The alignment device 70 is provided in each stage (see FIG. 3), and is configured to be movable between the plurality of measuring units 16 arranged in each stage by an alignment device drive mechanism (not shown). . That is, the alignment device 70 is shared between a plurality of (four in this example) measurement units 16 arranged on the same stage, and is mutually movable between the plurality of measurement units 16 arranged on the same stage. do. The alignment device 70 that has been moved to each measurement section 16 is fixed at a predetermined position by a positioning and fixing device (not shown), and the wafer chuck 34 is moved in the X, Y, Z, and θ directions and held on the wafer chuck 34. Then, the wafer W and the probe card 32 are aligned relative to each other. Although not shown in the drawings, the alignment device 70 includes a needle position detection camera and a needle position detection camera in order to detect the relative positional relationship between the electrode pads of each chip of the wafer W held by the wafer chuck 34 and the probe 36. Equipped with a wafer alignment camera. Further, the alignment device drive mechanism is constituted by a mechanical drive mechanism such as a ball screw drive mechanism, a linear motor drive mechanism, or a belt drive mechanism.

An elastic ring-shaped seal member (Z-axis seal rubber) 78 is provided on the wafer chuck support surface 72a of the Z-axis moving/rotating section 72, which constitutes the upper surface of the alignment device 70, and is annularly formed along the outer periphery. Further, a suction port 80 is provided inside the ring-shaped seal member 78 on the wafer chuck support surface 72a. The suction port 80 is connected to the suction device 44 via a suction path 82 formed inside the wafer chuck 34 . A chuck fixing electromagnetic valve 84 and a throttle valve 86 are provided in the suction path connecting the suction device 44 and the suction path 82 in this order from the suction device 44 side. The chuck fixing solenoid valve 84 is controlled by a chuck fixing solenoid valve control section 112 (see FIG. 5), which will be described later. The wafer chuck support surface 72a of the Z-axis moving/rotating section 72 is an example of the wafer chuck fixing section of the present invention. Further, the suction port 80 provided on the wafer chuck support surface 72a is an example of a component of the wafer chuck fixing part.

A positioning pin 88 is provided on the outside of the ring-shaped seal member 78 on the wafer chuck support surface 72a of the Z-axis moving/rotating unit 72 so that the relative positional relationship of the wafer chuck 34 with respect to the alignment device 70 is always constant. ing. The positioning pins 88 are provided at three locations at equal intervals along the circumferential direction centered on the central axis of the wafer chuck 34 (only two are shown in FIG. 4). V blocks 90, which are positioning members, are provided on the lower surface of the wafer chuck 34 at positions corresponding to the positioning pins 88, respectively. When holding and fixing the wafer chuck 34 by vacuum suction, by engaging the corresponding positioning pins 88 in the V grooves of each V block 90, the wafer chuck 34 can be fixed in the horizontal direction (X direction and Y direction). ), relative positioning of the alignment device 70 and the wafer chuck 34 is performed.

In this embodiment, the alignment device 70 fixes the wafer chuck 34 by vacuum suction, but any fixing means other than vacuum suction may be used as long as it can fix the wafer chuck 34, such as mechanical means. It may be fixed.

FIG. 5 is a functional block diagram showing the configuration of the control device 60 of the prober 10 of this embodiment.

The control device 60 operates each part of the prober 10 and stores data necessary for processing. The control device 60 is realized by, for example, a general-purpose computer such as a personal computer or a microcomputer.

The control device 60 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a ROM (Read Only Memory), a RAM (Random Access Memory), an input/output interface, and the like. In the control device 60, various programs such as a control program stored in the ROM are expanded to the RAM, and the programs expanded to the RAM are executed by the CPU, thereby controlling each part in the control device 60 shown in FIG. Functions are realized, and various calculation processes and control processes are executed via the input/output interface.

As shown in FIG. 5, the control device 60 includes an overall control section 100, an X-axis movement control section 102, a Y-axis movement control section 104, a Z-axis movement control section 106, a θ rotation control section 108, and a wafer adsorption electromagnetic valve control section. 110, a chuck fixing electromagnetic valve control section 112, a suction control section 114, and the like.

The overall control section 100 centrally controls each section constituting the prober 10. Specifically, the overall control unit 100 controls the operation (contact operation) of bringing the electrode pads of each chip of the wafer W to be inspected into contact with each probe 36 of the probe card 32. In addition to the contact operation, the overall control section 100 also performs movement control for mutually moving the alignment device 70 between the measurement sections 16, and control of the operation of wafer level inspection by the test head. Note that controls other than the contact operation are not a characteristic part of the present invention, and therefore detailed explanations will be omitted.

The X-axis movement control unit 102 moves the wafer chuck 34 in the X-axis direction by controlling the drive of the X-axis drive motor 118 provided on the X-axis movement table 74 to move the X-axis movement table 74 in the X-axis direction. move it to The Y-axis movement control unit 104 moves the wafer chuck 34 in the Y-axis direction by controlling the drive of the Y-axis drive motor 120 provided on the Y-axis movement table 76 to move the Y-axis movement table 76 in the Y-axis direction. move it to The Z-axis movement control unit 106 moves the wafer chuck 34 in the Z-axis direction by raising and lowering the Z-axis movement/rotation unit 72 by controlling the drive of a Z-axis drive motor 122 provided in the Z-axis movement/rotation unit 72. move it to The θ rotation control unit 108 rotates the Z-axis movement/rotation unit 72 in the θ direction by controlling the drive of the rotation drive motor 124 provided in the Z-axis movement/rotation unit 72, thereby moving the wafer chuck 34 in the θ direction. Rotate it.

The wafer suction solenoid valve control unit 110 controls ON/OFF (open/close) of the wafer suction solenoid valve 46 to adjust the suction pressure by the suction port 40 and fix/fix the wafer W to the wafer chuck 34. Selectively switch non-fixed.

The chuck fixing solenoid valve control unit 112 controls the ON/OFF (open/close) of the chuck fixing solenoid valve 84 to adjust the suction pressure by the suction port 80 and to adjust the suction pressure of the wafer to the Z-axis moving/rotating unit 72. The chuck 34 is selectively fixed/non-fixed.

The suction control unit 114 steplessly adjusts the internal pressure (degree of vacuum) of the internal space S by controlling the operation of the vacuum electropneumatic regulator 54 . Note that the suction control section 114 is an example of suction control means of the present invention.

Next, a contact operation (an example of a probe testing method) in the prober 10 of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 6 to 9. Note that this operation is performed under the control of the overall control section 100.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the contact operation in the prober 10 of this embodiment. 7 and 8 are diagrams for explaining the contact operation in the prober 10 of this embodiment. FIG. 9 is a timing chart showing an example of the contact operation in the prober 10 of this embodiment. Note that the time width of the timing chart shown in FIG. 9 is expressed to simplify the drawing, and is different from the actual time. Further, "Z-axis height" in FIG. 9 indicates the height position of the Z-axis moving/rotating unit 72 (specifically, the position of the wafer chuck support surface 72a in the Z-axis direction). Moreover, "chuck height" in FIG. 9 indicates the height position of the wafer chuck 34 (specifically, the position of the wafer holding surface 34a in the Z-axis direction).

(pre-operation)
The preliminary operation of the contact operation will be explained.

First, as a preliminary operation for the contact operation, the alignment device 70 is moved to the measuring section 16 that will be inspected from now on, and then the wafer chuck 34 is delivered to the alignment device 70 while being positioned and fixed by a positioning and fixing device (not shown). . Note that the transfer operation of the wafer chuck 34 before the start of the contact operation is not an important part of the present invention, and therefore a detailed explanation will be omitted.

(Step S10: Wafer chuck fixing step)
After the wafer chuck 34 is transferred to the alignment device 70, as shown by reference numeral 500A in FIG. The wafer chuck 34 is attracted and fixed to the wafer chuck support surface 72a (see FIG. 4) of the moving/rotating unit 72 (time T1 in FIG. 9). At this time, relative positioning of the alignment device 70 and the wafer chuck 34 is performed by engaging the positioning pin 88 of the Z-axis moving/rotating unit 72 into the V groove of the V block 90 of the wafer chuck 34.

Thereafter, when the wafer W is supplied (loaded) to the wafer chuck 34 supported and fixed on the alignment device 70, the wafer suction solenoid valve control section 110 turns on (opened) the wafer suction solenoid valve 46, and the wafer The wafer W is suctioned and fixed to the holding surface 34a (see FIG. 4) (time T2 in FIG. 9).

(Step S12: Alignment process)
Next, the X-axis movement control section 102, Y-axis movement control section 104, and θ rotation control section 108, under the control of the overall control section 100, perform The X-axis drive motor 118, the Y-axis drive motor 120, and the rotation drive motor 124 are controlled to perform relative alignment between the wafer W held by the wafer chuck 34 and the probe card 32.

(Step S14: Pre-suction step)
Next, the suction control unit 114 controls the operation of the vacuum electropneumatic regulator 54 to start suction through the suction port 50 (time T3 in FIG. 9).

Here, in the present embodiment, when controlling the operation of the vacuum electropneumatic regulator 54, the suction control unit 114 controls the suction amount based on the moving speed (ascent speed) of the wafer chuck 34 in the Z-axis ascending step, which will be described later. do.

Specifically, when the area of the surface (adsorption surface) surrounded by the ring-shaped seal member 48 is A [mm ² ] and the moving speed of the wafer chuck 34 is V _z [mm/s], the ring-shaped seal member 48 48 comes into contact with the head stage 30, the volume (volume) in which the internal space S formed between the wafer chuck 34 and the probe card 32 decreases per unit time as the wafer chuck 34 moves Since V [mm ³ /s] is expressed by the following formula, control is performed so that the suction amount is at least equal to or larger than the volume V.

V=A・_Vz
As a result, when the wafer chuck 34 is moved toward the probe card 32, even after the ring-shaped seal member 48 comes into contact with the head stage 30, the volume of the internal space S due to the movement of the wafer chuck 34 is reduced. Since the gas corresponding to the decrease in volume is suctioned, a reaction force due to compression of the internal space S is not generated.

Note that the pre-suction step may be started at least before the ring-shaped seal member 48 comes into contact with the head stage 30 (see reference numeral 500B in FIG. 7) in the Z-axis ascending step, which will be described later. For example, the pre-suction process may be started between the wafer chuck fixing process and the alignment process, or may be started before the wafer chuck fixing process. Further, the pre-suction process may be started simultaneously with the wafer chuck fixing process or the alignment process.

(Step S16: Z-axis ascending process)
Next, as shown at 500B and 500C in FIG. 7, the Z-axis movement control unit 106 controls the Z-axis drive motor 122 to raise the Z-axis movement/rotation unit 72, thereby moving the wafer chuck 34. It is moved toward the probe card 32 (times T4 to T6 in FIG. 9).

Specifically, the Z-axis movement control unit 106 moves the wafer so that the wafer chuck 34 moves from a predetermined height position (standby position) H0 to a height position H1 where the ring-shaped seal member 48 contacts the head stage 30. The chuck 34 is raised (see reference numeral 500B in FIG. 7), and further raised to a position H2 higher than at least the tip position (contact position) of the probe 36 (see reference numeral 500C in FIG. 7). As a result, each probe 36 of the probe card 32 contacts the electrode pad of each chip of the wafer W in an overdrive state.

Here, in this embodiment, when the wafer chuck 34 is moved toward the probe card 32 as described above, when the ring-shaped seal member 48 comes into contact with the head stage 30, there is a gap between the wafer chuck 34 and the probe card 32. The internal space S formed in is in an airtight state where it is cut off from the outside.

At this time, in this embodiment, the pre-suction process is started before the ring-shaped seal member 48 comes into contact with the head stage 30 in the Z-axis ascending process (see reference numeral 500B in FIG. 7). Even after the sealing member 48 comes into contact with the head stage 30 and the internal space S becomes hermetically sealed, it is not affected by the reaction force due to the compression of the internal space S. Therefore, abnormal contact between the probe card 32 and the wafer W can be prevented, and the wafer chuck 34 can be stably moved toward the probe card 32 at a movement speed sufficient to remove the oxide film on the electrode pads. becomes possible.

In the Z-axis raising process, the height at which the wafer chuck 34 is raised by the Z-axis moving/rotating unit 72 is determined from the tip position (contact position) of the probe 36 to the appropriate overdrive amount (appropriate OD position) of the probe card 32. The height position is preferably 30 to 70% (more preferably 40 to 60%). Note that the Z-axis raising process is an example of the wafer chuck moving process of the present invention.

(Step S18: Main suction process)
Next, as shown by reference numeral 500D in FIG. 8, the suction control unit 114 controls the operation of the vacuum electropneumatic regulator 54 to continuously perform suction from the suction port 50 following the pre-suction step. , the pressure in the internal space S is continuously reduced (time T7 in FIG. 9). At this time, the suction control unit 114 controls the probe card 32 by an appropriate overdrive amount (appropriate OD position H3) when the wafer chuck 34 is released from the suction port 80 (see FIG. ), and the internal pressure of the internal space S is adjusted to reach the set pressure. The set pressure of the internal space S may be determined empirically or experimentally, or may be determined from a designed value. For example, in order to determine the set pressure, the reaction force received from the probe 36 when the wafer chuck 34 rises to the appropriate overdrive amount of the probe card 32 (reaction force when the probe 36 is crushed), and the reaction force applied to the probe card 32 It can be determined from the total number of probes 36 provided in the. Once the total stylus pressure of the probe card 32 (the total pressure received from the probes 36) is known, the necessary negative pressure can be determined by dividing it by the area of the surface surrounded by the ring-shaped seal member 48 (adsorption surface). Required as pressure. However, it is necessary to set the set pressure of the internal space S by taking into account the weight of the wafer chuck 34 and the reaction force caused by crushing the ring-shaped seal member 48.

In this embodiment, the pre-suction process and the main suction process are performed continuously, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the pre-suction process is once completed before the main suction process is started. , the main suction process may be started.

(Step S20: Judgment step)
Next, the suction control unit 114 determines whether the internal pressure (pressure value P1) of the internal space S has reached the set pressure (pressure value P2) set by the vacuum electropneumatic regulator 54. This determination is repeated until the internal pressure (pressure value P1) reaches the set pressure (pressure value P2), and when the set pressure (pressure value P2) is reached, the process advances to the next step S22. As a result, when the internal pressure of the internal space S stabilizes at the set pressure, a wafer chuck release process (step S22), which will be described later, is performed. Note that the internal pressure of the internal space S may be detected directly, for example, by a pressure sensor provided on the wafer chuck 34 or the head stage 30, or may be detected by a pressure sensor built in or connected to the vacuum electropneumatic regulator 54. It may also be detected by a pressure sensor.

(Step S22: Wafer chuck fixing release process)
Next, as shown by reference numeral 500E in FIG. 4)) is released from the wafer chuck 34 (time T8 in FIG. 9).

At this time, the internal pressure of the internal space S is adjusted to the set pressure by the vacuum electro-pneumatic regulator 54, so when the wafer chuck 34 is released from being fixed by the Z-axis moving/rotating unit 72, the wafer chuck 34 moves along the Z-axis. It detaches from the moving/rotating unit 72, is drawn toward the probe card 32, and moves to the appropriate OD position H3 (T8 to T9 in FIG. 9). As a result, the electrode pads of each chip of the wafer W to be inspected and the electrode pads of the probe card 32 are not affected by the inclination between the wafer W and the arrangement plane of the tips of the probes 36 and the variations in the tip positions of the probes 36. The probe 36 is securely contacted with a predetermined contact pressure.

In this manner, in this embodiment, the wafer chuck 34 is released from being fixed after the depressurization of the internal space S is started, so that the wafer chuck 34 is not fixed to either side at the moment of switching between these steps. (free state) is eliminated, and the transfer operation of the wafer chuck 34 can be performed stably.

Further, in this embodiment, since a throttle valve 86 is provided in the suction path connecting the suction path 82 of the Z-axis moving/rotating unit 72 and the chuck fixing electromagnetic valve 84, the pressure in the internal space S can be reduced. Even if the fixation of the wafer chuck 34 is released after the start of the process, the negative pressure on the lower side of the wafer chuck 34 (on the side of the Z-axis moving/rotating unit 72) is not suddenly lost. Therefore, while the wafer chuck 34 is being pulled from both the upper and lower sides (i.e., both sides of the Z-axis moving/rotating unit 72 and the probe card 32), it is suddenly restrained from below (i.e., the Z-axis moving/rotating unit 72 Since the fixing force caused by adsorption from the wafer chuck 34 does not disappear, abnormal vibrations and abnormal contact caused by rapid movement of the wafer chuck 34 can be reduced. Therefore, when the wafer chuck unfixing step is performed, it is possible to prevent the wafer chuck 34 from suddenly separating from the Z-axis moving/rotating section 72, so that the transfer operation of the wafer chuck 34 can be performed more stably. becomes possible.

Note that in this embodiment, as an example, a configuration is shown in which the throttle valve 86 is provided in the suction path that connects the suction path 82 of the Z-axis moving/rotating section 72 and the chuck fixing electromagnetic valve 84. It is sufficient that a throttle valve 86 is provided in the path connecting the suction port 80 of the axial movement/rotation section 72 and the suction device 44. For example, a throttle valve 86 may be provided in the suction path 82 of the Z-axis movement/rotation section 72. may be provided.

(Step S24: Z-axis descending process)
Next, as shown at 500F in FIG. 8, the Z-axis movement control unit 106 controls the Z-axis drive motor 122 to lower the Z-axis movement/rotation unit 72 to a predetermined height position (standby position). (times T10 to T11 in FIG. 9).

As described above, when the wafer chuck 34 is transferred from the alignment device 70 (Z-axis moving/rotating unit 72) to the head stage 30 (probe card 32 side), each probe 36 of the probe card 32 is applied with uniform contact pressure. At this point, the electrode pads of each chip of the wafer W are brought into contact with each other, and a wafer level inspection can be started. Thereafter, power and test signals are supplied from the test head to each chip of the wafer W via each probe 36, and signals output from each chip are detected to perform an electrical operation test.

Note that after the wafer chuck 34 is transferred from the alignment device 70 (Z-axis moving/rotating section 72) to the head stage 30 (probe card 32 side), the alignment device 70 moves to another measurement section 16 and performs the measurement. In the section 16, a contact operation is performed in a similar manner, and wafer level inspection is sequentially performed.

Next, the effects of this embodiment will be explained.

According to this embodiment, the pre-suction process is started before the ring-shaped seal member 48 comes into contact with the head stage 30 (see reference numeral 500B in FIG. 7) in the Z-axis ascending process. Therefore, when the wafer chuck 34 is moved toward the probe card 32, even if the ring-shaped seal member 48 contacts the head stage 30 and the internal space S becomes hermetically sealed, the influence of the reaction force due to the compression of the internal space S I never receive it. Therefore, an unreasonable reaction force (a reaction force that tries to return the wafer chuck 34 to its original position) is not generated on the wafer chuck 34, so abnormal contact between the probe card 32 and the wafer W can be prevented, and the probe card 32 It is possible to prevent problems such as damage to the wafer W or damage to the wafer W. Further, it becomes possible to move the wafer chuck 34 stably, efficiently, and precisely toward the probe card 32 at a movement speed sufficient to remove the oxide film on the electrode pad. Therefore, good contact can be achieved between the electrode pads on the wafer W and the probes 36 without providing a shutter means on the wafer chuck 34.

Furthermore, in this embodiment, since it is not necessary to provide the wafer chuck 34 with a shutter means, the wafer chuck 34 is not provided with a component of the shutter means that serves as a heat dissipation element, and this does not affect the temperature distribution of the wafer chuck 34. can be eliminated. Moreover, since there is no influence on the temperature distribution of the wafer chuck 34, the flatness of the wafer holding surface 34a of the wafer chuck 34 is improved. Thereby, the degree of parallelism between the wafer W and the probe card 32 can be further increased, and wafer level inspection can be performed with high precision. Furthermore, since the number of parts mounted on the wafer chuck 34 can be reduced, it becomes easier to balance the weight of the wafer chuck 34. As a result, it becomes possible to stably perform the contact operation using the vacuum suction method without disturbing the weight balance of the wafer chuck 34.

In addition, in this embodiment, by moving the wafer chuck 34 up and down (in the Z direction) by the Z-axis moving/rotating unit 72, the electrode pads on the wafer W and the probes 36 are brought into contact multiple times in an overdrive state. It may also be configured to perform an action. Since the Z-axis moving/rotating unit 72 in this embodiment is constituted by a mechanical drive mechanism including at least a motor (Z-axis drive motor 122), it is possible to accurately adjust the moving distance, moving speed, etc. of the wafer chuck 34. is possible. Furthermore, the Z-axis moving/rotating unit 72 can move the wafer chuck 34 at a sufficiently faster movement speed than when moving the wafer chuck 34 toward the probe card 32 by reducing the pressure in the internal space S. Therefore, when bringing the electrode pad on the wafer W into contact with the probe 36, the oxide film (insulator) on the electrode pad can be removed by the contact of the probe 36, without damaging the wafer W. , good contact can be achieved between the electrode pads on the wafer W and the probes 36.

In addition, in this embodiment, the Z-axis is moved at a later timing (second timing; time T8 in FIG. 9) than the timing (first timing; time T7 in FIG. 9) at which the main suction process (depressurization of the internal space S) is started. Since the fixation of the wafer chuck 34 by the suction port 80 (see FIG. 4) of the moving/rotating unit 72 is released, an unstable state in which the wafer chuck 34 is not fixed to either side occurs at the moment of switching between these processes. (free state) is eliminated, and the transfer operation of the wafer chuck 34 can be performed stably.

Furthermore, in this embodiment, since a throttle valve 86 for restricting the flow rate of gas is provided in the path connected to the suction port 80 of the Z-axis moving/rotating unit 72, the solenoid valve 84 for fixing the chuck is turned off. (when exposed to the atmosphere), it is possible to prevent the wafer chuck 34 from suddenly separating from the Z-axis moving/rotating unit 72, and it is possible to perform the transfer operation of the wafer chuck 34 more stably.

Although the prober and probe testing method according to the present invention have been described in detail above, the present invention is not limited to the above examples, and various improvements and modifications may be made without departing from the gist of the present invention. Of course it's good.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10... Prober, 12... Measurement unit, 14... Loader section, 16... Measurement section, 18... Load port, 20... Wafer cassette, 22... Operation panel, 24... Transfer unit, 26... Transfer arm, 30... Head stage, 32 ...probe card, 34...wafer chuck, 34a...wafer holding surface, 36...probe, 40...suction port, 42...suction path, 44...suction device, 46...wafer suction solenoid valve, 48...ring-shaped sealing member, 50 ...Suction port, 54...Vacuum electropneumatic regulator, 56...Communication path, 60...Control device, 70...Alignment device, 72...Z-axis moving/rotating unit, 72a...Wafer chuck support surface, 74...X-axis moving table, 76 ...Y-axis moving table, 78...ring-shaped seal member, 78...ring-shaped seal member, 80...suction port, 82...suction path, 84...electromagnetic valve for fixing the chuck, 86...throttle valve, 88...positioning pin, 90... V block, 92...Z-axis movement mechanism, 94...θ rotation mechanism, 100...Overall control section, 102...X-axis movement control section, 104...Y-axis movement control section, 106...Z-axis movement control section, 108...θ rotation Control unit, 110... Wafer suction solenoid valve control unit, 112... Chuck fixing electromagnetic valve control unit, 114... Suction control unit, 118... X-axis drive motor, 120... Y-axis drive motor, 122... Z-axis drive motor, 124...Rotary drive motor, W...Wafer, S...Internal space

Claims (2)

A suction operation in which a space between the wafer chuck and the probe card is depressurized by a suction means, and a movement operation in which the wafer chuck and the probe card are brought relatively close to each other by means other than the suction means are controlled. A control device for a prober,
a control unit that, after starting the suction operation, causes the wafer chuck and the probe card to come relatively close to each other through the movement operation to seal the space;
Control device for prober. A suction operation in which a space between the wafer chuck and the probe card is depressurized by a suction means, and a movement operation in which the wafer chuck and the probe card are brought relatively close to each other by means other than the suction means are controlled. A control method for a prober, comprising:
After starting the suction operation, the moving operation brings the wafer chuck and the probe card relatively close to each other to seal the space;
Control method for prober.

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