JP5987967B2 - Probing apparatus and probe contact method - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a probing apparatus and a probe contact method for bringing an electrode pad on a wafer held by a wafer chuck into contact with a probe provided on a probe card.

  Conventionally, the wafer chuck is raised by the elevating mechanism until the seal member provided on the wafer chuck contacts the probe card to form an internal space (sealed space) surrounded by the wafer chuck, the probe card, and the seal member. Thereafter, the internal space is decompressed by a decompression means (vacuum pump), whereby the wafer chuck is drawn toward the probe card and provided on the electrode pad and the probe card on the wafer (semiconductor wafer) held by the wafer chuck. There are known a probing apparatus and a probe contact method for bringing a probe into contact with the probe (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

  Conventionally, when contacting the electrode pad on the wafer and the probe, from the viewpoint of electrical contact reliability, the oxide film, which is an insulator formed on the electrode pad on the wafer, is removed, and new metal surfaces Is required to contact (see, for example, Patent Document 2).

  In addition, the semiconductor manufacturing process includes a number of processes, and various inspections are performed in various manufacturing processes in order to ensure quality and improve yield. For example, when a plurality of chips of a semiconductor device are formed on a semiconductor wafer, electrode pads of the semiconductor device of each chip are connected to a test head, a power supply and a test signal are supplied from the test head, and the semiconductor device outputs A wafer level inspection is performed in which a signal is measured by a test head to electrically inspect whether it operates normally.

  After wafer level inspection, the wafer is affixed to the frame and cut into individual chips with a dicer. For each chip that has been cut, only chips that have been confirmed to operate normally are packaged in the next assembly process, and defective chips are excluded from the assembly process. Further, the packaged final product is subjected to shipping inspection.

  The wafer level inspection is performed using a prober in which a probe is brought into contact with an electrode pad of each chip on the wafer. The probe is electrically connected to the terminals of the test head, and power and test signals are supplied from the test head to each chip through the probe, and whether the output signal from each chip is detected by the test head and is operating normally Measure.

  In the semiconductor manufacturing process, in order to reduce the manufacturing cost, the wafer is increased in size and further miniaturized (integrated), and the number of chips formed on one wafer becomes very large. ing. Along with this, the time required for inspecting a single wafer with a prober has also become longer, and an improvement in throughput is required. Therefore, in order to improve the throughput, multi-probing is performed in which a large number of probes are provided so that a plurality of chips can be inspected simultaneously. In recent years, the number of chips to be inspected at the same time has increased, and attempts have been made to inspect all chips on a wafer at the same time. For this reason, the tolerance of alignment for bringing the electrode pad and the probe into contact with each other is small, and it is required to improve the positional accuracy of the movement in the prober.

  On the other hand, as the simplest method for increasing the throughput, it is conceivable to increase the number of probers. However, when the number of probers is increased, there is a problem that the installation area of the prober in the production line also increases. Further, if the number of probers is increased, the cost of the apparatus will increase accordingly. Therefore, it is required to increase the throughput while suppressing an increase in installation area and an increase in apparatus cost.

  Under such a background, for example, Patent Document 1 proposes a test apparatus having a plurality of measurement units each having a probe card to which a test head is electrically connected. In this test apparatus, an alignment apparatus that performs relative alignment between the wafer and the probe card is configured to be able to move between the measurement units.

JP 2010-186998 A JP 2003-287552 A

  However, in the probing apparatus and the probe contact method described in Patent Document 1, the electrode pad on the wafer and the probe do not come into contact with each other when the wafer chuck is lifted by the lifting mechanism, and the wafer chuck is then pulled by the decompression unit. Since the contact of the wafer chuck for the first time by the operation and the pulling speed of the wafer chuck by the depressurizing means are slower than the rising speed of the wafer chuck by the lifting mechanism, the pulling operation of the wafer chuck by the depressurizing means causes the electrode pad and the probe on the wafer to The oxide film, which is an insulator formed on the electrode pad on the wafer, cannot be removed even if contact is made, and it is difficult to improve the electrical contact reliability between the electrode pad on the wafer and the probe. There's a problem.

  Moreover, although the test apparatus described in Patent Document 1 can achieve space saving and cost reduction by sharing the alignment apparatus among the measurement units, there are the following problems.

  That is, when the movement distance of the alignment apparatus becomes longer, the movement mechanism for moving the alignment apparatus to each measurement unit and the support member (frame) to which the movement mechanism is attached are affected by the weight of the alignment apparatus, thermal expansion, or thermal contraction. As a result, distortion is likely to occur, which causes a decrease in the positional accuracy of the alignment apparatus moved to each measurement unit. For this reason, it takes time to detect the positions of the electrode pads and probes on the wafer using the imaging means, resulting in a problem that the alignment operation takes time and throughput is slow.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and provides a probing apparatus and a probe contact method capable of improving the electrical contact reliability between an electrode pad on a wafer and a probe. Objective.

  It is also possible to provide a probing apparatus and a probe contact method capable of improving throughput by suppressing an increase in installation area and an increase in apparatus cost while maintaining the accuracy of the movement position of the alignment apparatus shared by each measurement unit. Second purpose.

  In order to achieve the first object, the probing apparatus according to the present invention moves the wafer chuck supporting the wafer in a direction approaching the probe card having the probe, thereby bringing the probe into contact with the wafer to achieve electrical characteristics. An electrode pad on the wafer, comprising: a sealing mechanism for forming a sealed space between the wafer chuck and the probe card; and a wafer chuck fixing portion for detachably fixing the wafer chuck. In order to remove the oxide film formed on the wafer, the wafer chuck is moved up to a position where the electrode pad and the probe come into contact with each other at a predetermined speed, thereby bringing the probe into contact with the wafer. And the oxide film is removed by the wafer chuck lifting / lowering means. Contact pressure applying means for bringing the probe into contact with the wafer at a predetermined pressure by reducing the pressure of the sealed space in a state where the wafer chuck is fixed by the wafer chuck fixing portion. And

  In one aspect of the probing apparatus of the present invention, the wafer chuck lifting / lowering means lifts and lowers the wafer chuck so that the probe contacts the wafer a plurality of times, and the contact pressure applying means causes the probe to be last on the wafer. Then, the sealed space is depressurized so that the probe contacts the wafer at a predetermined pressure.

  One aspect of the probing device of the present invention further includes a probe card support member that supports the probe card, and the wafer chuck or the probe card support member opens and closes a communication hole that communicates the sealed space with an external environment. Shutter means is provided.

  In one aspect of the probing apparatus of the present invention, the shutter means opens the communication hole while the wafer and the probe are contacted by the wafer chuck lifting / lowering means.

  In one aspect of the probing device of the present invention, the shutter means closes the communication hole while the sealed space is decompressed by the contact pressure applying means.

  According to one aspect of the probing apparatus of the present invention, the rising speed of the wafer chuck relative to the probe card by the wafer chuck lifting means is V1, and the rising speed of the wafer chuck relative to the probe card is V2 by the contact pressure applying means. V1> V2.

  According to one aspect of the probing apparatus of the present invention, the contact pressure of the wafer held by the wafer chuck with respect to the probe by the wafer chuck lifting and lowering means is Pr1, and the wafer held by the wafer chuck by the contact pressure applying means. When the contact pressure with respect to the probe is Pr2, Pr1 <Pr2.

  In order to achieve the second object, a probing apparatus according to the present invention includes a plurality of measurement units having the probe card, a wafer provided on a base and held by the wafer chuck, and a relative relationship between the probe card and the probe card. An alignment device that performs accurate positioning, a moving device that moves the alignment device between each measurement unit, and a base that is provided for each measurement unit and moves to each measurement unit. A positioning and fixing device for fixing.

  In order to achieve the first object, according to the probe contact method of the present invention, the probe is brought into contact with the wafer by moving the wafer chuck supporting the wafer in a direction approaching the probe card having the probe. In the probe contact method in the probing apparatus for measuring the above, a sealing step for forming a sealed space between the wafer chuck and the probe card, and the wafer chuck is detachably fixed and formed on the electrode pad on the wafer. A mechanical wafer chuck raising / lowering step for bringing the probe into contact with the wafer by raising the wafer chuck to a position where the electrode pad and the probe are in contact with each other at a predetermined speed in order to remove the oxidized film; The oxide film is removed by the wafer chuck lifting / lowering process. And a contact pressure applying step of bringing the probe into contact with the wafer at a predetermined pressure by depressurizing the sealed space in a state in which the wafer chuck is not fixed by the wafer chuck fixing portion. It is characterized by that.

  In one embodiment of the probe contact method of the present invention, in the wafer chuck lifting / lowering step, the wafer chuck is lifted / lowered so that the probe contacts the wafer a plurality of times, and the contact pressure applying step includes the probe on the wafer. After the last contact, the sealed space is depressurized so that the probe contacts the wafer at a predetermined pressure.

  In one aspect of the probe contact method of the present invention, the probing apparatus further includes a probe card support member that supports the probe card, and the wafer chuck or the probe card support member communicates the sealed space with an external environment. Shutter means for opening and closing the communication hole.

  One aspect of the probe contact method of the present invention further includes a communication hole opening step in which the shutter means opens the communication hole while the wafer and the probe are in contact with each other by the wafer chuck lifting / lowering step.

  One aspect of the probe contact method of the present invention further includes a communication hole closing step in which the shutter means closes the communication hole while the sealed space is decompressed by the contact pressure applying step.

  In one aspect of the probe contact method of the present invention, the rising speed of the wafer chuck with respect to the probe card in the wafer chuck raising / lowering step is V1, and the rising speed of the wafer chuck with respect to the probe card in the contact pressure applying step When V2, V1> V2.

  In one aspect of the probe contact method of the present invention, the contact pressure of the wafer held by the wafer chuck with respect to the probe in the wafer chuck raising / lowering step is Pr1, and the wafer chuck is held by the wafer chuck in the contact pressure applying step. When the contact pressure of the wafer to the probe is Pr2, Pr1 <Pr2.

  In order to achieve the second object, in the probe contact method of the present invention, the probing apparatus includes a plurality of measurement units having the probe card, a wafer provided on a base and held on the wafer chuck, and An alignment device that performs relative alignment with a probe card, a moving device that moves the alignment device to and from each other, and an alignment device that is provided for each measuring unit and has moved to each measuring unit. A positioning and fixing device for positioning and fixing the base, and a step of moving the alignment device between the measuring units, and positioning and fixing the base of the alignment device moved to the measuring units. A positioning and fixing step, and a state in which the base of the alignment device is positioned and fixed. An alignment step of performing a relative alignment between the wafer held by the wafer chuck and the probe card by an alignment device, and the wafer chuck lifting step is performed after the alignment step is performed. .

  In order to achieve the second object, a prober (probing apparatus) according to the present invention holds a plurality of measuring units having a probe card electrically connected to a test head and a wafer on which a plurality of chips are formed. Provided for each measurement unit, a wafer chuck for holding the wafer, an alignment device for performing relative alignment between the wafer held by the wafer chuck and the probe card, a moving device for moving the alignment device between the measurement units, and a measurement unit. And a positioning and fixing device that positions and fixes the alignment device that has moved to each measurement unit.

  According to one aspect of the prober of the present invention, the positioning and fixing device includes a clamp mechanism that positions and fixes at least three positions of the alignment device in a detachable manner.

  According to one aspect of the prober of the present invention, the positioning and fixing device includes positioning means for positioning at least three positions of the alignment device.

  In one aspect of the prober of the present invention, the positioning and fixing device is configured separately from the positioning unit, and includes a holding unit that detachably holds at least one position of the alignment device.

  In one aspect of the prober of the present invention, the positioning and fixing device includes a height adjusting means capable of adjusting the horizontal direction of the alignment device.

  In one aspect of the prober of the present invention, the alignment apparatus includes a first imaging unit that images a wafer and a second imaging unit that images a probe card.

  In one aspect of the prober of the present invention, the moving device moves the alignment device by the belt drive mechanism.

  In one aspect of the prober of the present invention, the plurality of measurement units are two-dimensionally arranged along the first direction and the second direction orthogonal to the first direction. Further, the first direction or the second direction may be a vertical direction.

  In order to achieve the second object, the probe inspection method of the present invention holds a plurality of measuring units having a probe card electrically connected to a test head and a wafer on which a plurality of chips are formed. A probe inspection method in a prober comprising: a wafer chuck to be aligned; and an alignment apparatus for performing relative alignment between the wafer held by the wafer chuck and the probe card, wherein the alignment apparatus is moved between the measurement units. A positioning step for positioning and fixing the alignment device moved to each measurement unit, and a wafer and a probe card held on the wafer chuck by the alignment device in a state where the alignment device is positioned and fixed. And an alignment step for performing relative alignment.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the probing apparatus and probe contact method which can improve the electrical contact reliability of the electrode pad on a wafer and a probe can be provided. In addition, a positioning and fixing device that positions and fixes the alignment device that has moved to each measurement unit has been provided, improving the throughput while maintaining the accuracy of the alignment device's moving position and suppressing an increase in installation area and device cost. Can be made.

The figure which shows schematic structure of the system which performs wafer level inspection of embodiment of this invention Diagram showing the configuration around the probe card Upper perspective view showing schematic configuration of alignment apparatus Lower perspective view showing schematic configuration of alignment apparatus Plan view schematically showing a configuration example of a moving device Side view schematically showing a configuration example of a moving device Plan view schematically showing another configuration example of the moving device Diagram showing the alignment and positioning of the alignment device The figure which showed the composition by which the measurement part group which consists of a plurality of measurement parts was piled up in the perpendicular direction Example of inspection operation including probe contact method using prober Example of inspection operation including a probe contact method using a prober provided with a wafer chuck 16A as a modification.

  Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

  First, a system for performing wafer level inspection according to the first embodiment will be described.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a system for performing wafer level inspection according to the first embodiment of the present invention. A system for performing wafer level inspection includes a prober 10 for contacting a probe to an electrode pad of each chip on a wafer, and a power supply and a test signal to each chip for electrical inspection, while being electrically connected to the probe. It comprises a tester 20 that detects output signals from each chip and measures whether they operate normally.

  In FIG. 1, a base 11, a side plate 12, and a head stage 13 constitute a housing of the prober 10. In some cases, an upper plate supported by the side plate 12 is provided, and the head stage 13 is provided on the upper plate.

  The prober 10 is provided with a plurality of measurement units (first to third measurement units) 14A to 14C. Each of the measurement units 14A to 14C includes a wafer chuck 16 for holding the wafer W and a probe card 18 having a number of probes 28 corresponding to the electrodes of each chip of the wafer W, and each of the measurement units 14A to 14C. At the same time, all the chips on the wafer W held by the wafer chuck 16 are simultaneously inspected. In addition, since the structure of each measurement part 14A-14C is common, below, a measurement part shall be shown with the code | symbol 14 on behalf of these.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a configuration around the probe card.

  The wafer chuck 16 sucks and fixes the wafer by vacuum suction or the like. The wafer chuck 16 is detachably supported by an alignment device 50 described later, and can be moved in the XYZ-θ direction by the alignment device 50.

  The wafer chuck 16 is provided with a sealing mechanism. The sealing mechanism includes an elastic ring-shaped seal member 40 provided near the outer periphery of the upper surface of the wafer chuck 16. A suction port 42 is provided between the wafer W and the ring-shaped seal member 40 on the upper surface of the wafer chuck 16. The suction port 42 is connected to a suction control unit 46 that controls the vacuum pressure via a suction path 43 formed inside the wafer chuck 16. The suction control unit 46 is connected to the vacuum pump 44. When the suction controller 46 is operated in a state where the ring-shaped seal member 40 is in contact with the probe card 18, the sealed internal space S formed between the probe card 18 and the wafer chuck 16 is decompressed, and the wafer chuck 16 is It is drawn toward the probe card 18. As a result, the probe card 18 and the wafer chuck 16 are brought into close contact with each other, and each probe 28 comes into contact with the electrode pad of each chip so that the inspection can be started.

  The head stage 13 is provided with a mounting hole (card mounting portion) 26 for each measuring unit 14, and a probe card 18 is mounted in each mounting hole 26 in a replaceable manner. In the portion of the probe card 18 facing the respective chips on the wafer W, a plurality of spring pin type elastic probes 28 corresponding to the electrodes of all the chips are formed. Here, the configuration in which the probe card 18 is directly attached to the head stage 13 is shown, but a card holder may be provided on the head stage 13 and the probe card 18 may be attached to the card holder.

  The tester 20 includes a plurality of test heads 22 (22A to 22C) provided for each measurement unit 14. Each test head 22 is placed on the upper surface of the head stage 13. Each test head 22 may be held above the head stage 13 by a support mechanism (not shown).

  The terminals of each test head 22 are connected to the corresponding terminals of the probe card 18 through a large number of connection pins of the contact ring 24. As a result, the terminals of the test heads 22 are electrically connected to the probe 28.

  Each measurement unit 14 is provided with a support mechanism (chuck removal prevention mechanism) to prevent the wafer chuck 16 from falling off. The support mechanism includes a plurality of holding units 30 that hold the wafer chuck 16. Each holding portion 30 is provided around the mounting hole 26 of the head stage 13 at predetermined intervals. In this example, four holding portions 30 are provided around the mounting hole 26 at intervals of 90 degrees (only two holding portions 30 are shown in FIGS. 1 and 2).

  Each holding part 30 is configured to be movable (expandable in diameter) so as to be close to / separated from each other around the mounting hole 26. A moving mechanism (not shown) of each holding unit 30 is constituted by, for example, a ball screw or a motor. In a state where the holding portions 30 are close to each other (a state indicated by a solid line in FIGS. 1 and 2), the inner diameter of the passage hole 32 formed in the central portion of each holding portion 30 is smaller than the diameter of the wafer chuck 16. Therefore, the wafer chuck 16 is held by each holding unit 30. On the other hand, when the holding portions 30 are separated from each other (shown by broken lines in FIGS. 1 and 2), the inner diameter of the passage hole 32 is larger than the diameter of the wafer chuck 16, so that the alignment device 50 is used for the wafer chuck. 16 can be supplied or recovered.

  In addition, about the structure of a support mechanism, it is possible to employ | adopt various modifications as described in the above-mentioned patent document 1. FIG.

  The prober 10 of the present embodiment includes an alignment apparatus 50 that detachably supports the wafer chuck 16 and performs an alignment operation of the wafer W held on the wafer chuck 16, and a direction in which the measurement units 14 are arranged in the alignment apparatus 50. And a moving device 100 that moves between the measurement units 14 along the (X-axis direction).

  The alignment apparatus 50 includes a moving / rotating mechanism for moving the wafer chuck 16 in the XYZ-θ direction, an electrode of each chip of the wafer W held by the wafer chuck 16, and each probe 28 of the probe card 18. An alignment mechanism that detects a relative positional relationship, and detachably supports the wafer chuck 16 to perform an alignment operation of the wafer W held on the wafer chuck 16. That is, the relative positional relationship between the electrode of each chip of the wafer W held on the wafer chuck 16 and each probe 28 of the probe card 18 is detected, and based on the detection result, the electrode of the chip to be inspected is detected by the probe 28. The wafer chuck 16 is moved so as to come into contact with.

  The alignment apparatus 50 sucks and fixes the wafer chuck 16 by vacuum suction or the like. However, any fixing means other than vacuum suction may be used as long as the wafer chuck 16 can be fixed. For example, it is fixed by mechanical means. May be. The alignment device 50 is provided with a positioning member (not shown) so that the relative positional relationship with the wafer chuck 16 is always constant.

  3 and 4 are diagrams showing a schematic configuration of the alignment apparatus 50. FIG. Specifically, FIG. 3 is an upper perspective view of the alignment apparatus 50, and FIG. 4 is a lower perspective view of the alignment apparatus 50. 3 and 4 show a state where the wafer chuck 16 is supported on the upper surface of the alignment apparatus 50. FIG.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the alignment apparatus 50 includes a Z-axis moving / rotating unit that detachably supports the wafer chuck 16 and moves the wafer chuck 16 in the Z-axis direction and rotates about the Z-axis. 52, a probe position detection camera 54 that detects the position of the probe 28, a camera movement mechanism 56 that moves the probe position detection camera 54 in the Z-axis direction, a Z-axis movement / rotation unit 52, and a camera movement mechanism 56. An X-axis moving table 58 that moves in the X-axis direction, a Y-axis moving table 60 that supports the X-axis moving table 58 and moves in the Y-axis direction, a base 62 that supports the Y-axis moving table 60, and a column 64. And an alignment camera 66 supported by. The moving / rotating mechanism for moving the wafer chuck 16 in the XYZ-θ direction includes a Z-axis moving / rotating unit 52, an X-axis moving table 58, and a Y-axis moving table 60. The alignment mechanism includes a probe position detection camera 54, an alignment camera 66, a camera moving mechanism 56, and an image processing unit (not shown).

  Two guide rails 68 are provided in parallel on the base 62, and the Y-axis moving base 60 is movable on the guide rails 68. A drive motor and a ball screw 70 rotated by the drive motor are provided in a portion between the two guide rails 68 on the base 62. The ball screw 70 is engaged with the bottom surface of the Y-axis moving table 60, and the Y-axis moving table 60 slides on the guide rail 68 by the rotation of the ball screw 70.

  Two parallel guide rails 72 orthogonal to the above-described two guide rails 68 are provided on the Y-axis moving table 60, and the X-axis moving table 58 can move on the guide rail 72. It has become. A drive motor and a ball screw 74 that is rotated by the drive motor are provided in a portion between the two guide rails 72 on the Y-axis moving table 60. The ball screw 74 is engaged with the bottom surface of the X-axis moving table 58, and the X-axis moving table 58 slides on the guide rail 72 by the rotation of the ball screw 74.

  A linear motor may be used instead of the ball screw.

  Next, the configuration of the moving device 100 will be described.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the moving device 100 includes a transport pallet 102 on which the alignment device 50 is placed and transported. The conveyance pallet 102 is configured to be movable between the measurement units 14 along the X-axis direction. The moving mechanism (horizontal feed mechanism) for moving the transport pallet 102 may be a linear moving mechanism, and includes, for example, a belt driving mechanism, a linear guide mechanism, a ball screw mechanism, and the like. The transport pallet 102 is provided with a lifting mechanism 106 that lifts and lowers the alignment device 50 in the Z-axis direction. The elevating mechanism 106 is configured by a known cylinder mechanism or the like. Thereby, the alignment apparatus 50 is configured to be movable between the measuring units 14 along the X-axis direction and configured to be movable up and down in the Z-axis direction. Note that the movement mechanism and the lifting mechanism 106 of the transport pallet 102 are driven by control by a control unit (not shown).

  5 and 6 are schematic diagrams illustrating a configuration example of the moving device 100. FIG. Specifically, FIG. 5 is a plan view of the moving device 100, and FIG. 6 is a side view of the moving device 100.

  As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, two guide rails 101 are provided in parallel on the base 11, and the transport pallet 102 can move on the guide rail 101. A timing belt 110 that is parallel to the guide rail 101 and fixed at both ends to the base 11 is provided on the outer portion of the two guide rails 101.

  A drive unit 108 is fixed to the transport pallet 102. The drive unit 108 includes a drive motor 112, a drive pulley 114 connected to the rotation shaft of the drive motor 112, and two idle pulleys 116 disposed around the drive pulley 114. A timing belt 110 is wound around the driving pulley 114, and the tension of the timing belt 110 is adjusted by idle pulleys 116 disposed on both sides thereof. When the drive motor 112 is driven, the conveyance pallet 102 slides on the guide rail 101 by the rotation of the drive pulley 114. Thereby, the alignment apparatus 50 supported by the conveyance pallet 102 moves between each measurement part 14 along an X-axis direction.

  FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram illustrating another configuration example of the moving apparatus 100. The configuration example shown in FIG. 7 uses a ball screw mechanism. That is, the base 11 is provided with a drive unit composed of the drive motor 118 and the ball screw 120 between the two guide rails 101. The ball screw 120 is engaged with the bottom surface of the conveyance pallet 102, and the conveyance pallet 102 slides on the guide rail 101 by the rotation of the ball screw 120. Thereby, the alignment apparatus 50 supported by the conveyance pallet 102 moves between the measurement units 14 along the X-axis direction.

  In the present embodiment, there is provided a positioning and fixing device having a clamp mechanism that positions and positions three positions of the alignment device 50 moved to the respective measurement units 14 and detachably holds and fixes them. Specifically, the alignment device 50 is provided with a plurality of positioning pins 130 (130 </ b> A to 130 </ b> C) at three locations on the base 62. On the other hand, the base 11 of the housing is provided with a plurality of chuck members (positioning holes) 134 (134A to 134C) for clamping the positioning pins 130, and these are provided for each measurement unit 14. The clamp mechanism includes a positioning pin 130 and a chuck member 134.

  As the clamp mechanism, for example, a well-known clamp mechanism such as a ball lock system or a taper sleeve system is applied, and detailed description thereof is omitted here.

  When positioning and fixing the alignment device 50 moved to each measuring unit 14, the alignment device 50 is lowered by the lifting mechanism 106, and each positioning pin 130 is fitted into the corresponding chuck member 134 as shown in FIG. And clamp. As a result, the alignment device 50 is positioned in the horizontal direction and the vertical direction, and the alignment device 50 is fixed to the base 11 in a state where the rotation of the alignment device 50 around the vertical direction is restricted. On the other hand, when the alignment device 50 is moved to another measuring unit 14, the alignment device 50 is raised by the lifting mechanism 106, and the positioning pins 130 are detached from the chuck members 134. As a result, the positioning and fixing of the alignment apparatus 50 is released, and the alignment apparatus 50 becomes movable to the other measurement unit 14 by the moving apparatus 100.

  Next, an inspection operation using the prober of this embodiment will be described.

  First, the alignment device 50 is moved to the measuring unit 14 to be inspected and positioned and fixed, and then the Z-axis moving / rotating unit 52 is raised to hold the wafer chuck 16 on the alignment device 50. In this state, the decompression of the internal space S by the suction control unit 46 is released, and the holding units 30 of the support mechanism are separated from each other, and then the wafer chuck 16 is lowered by the Z-axis moving / rotating unit 52.

  Next, the alignment device 50 that supports the wafer chuck 16 is moved to a predetermined delivery position, and the wafer W is loaded on the wafer chuck 16 by a wafer delivery mechanism (loader) (not shown) and fixed by vacuum suction.

  Next, an alignment operation is performed. Specifically, the X-axis moving table 58 is moved so that the probe position detection camera 54 is located below the probe 28, and the probe position detection camera 54 is moved in the Z-axis direction by the camera moving mechanism 56 to focus. In addition, the tip position of the probe 28 is detected by the probe position detection camera 54. The position (X and Y coordinates) of the tip of the probe 28 in the horizontal plane is detected by the coordinates of the camera, and the position in the vertical direction is detected by the focal position of the camera. The probe card 18 is usually provided with hundreds to thousands or more of probes 28, and usually the tip positions of specific probes are detected without detecting the tip positions of all the probes 28.

  Next, with the wafer W to be inspected held by the wafer chuck 16, the X-axis moving table 58 is moved so that the wafer W is positioned under the alignment camera 66, and the position of the electrode pad of each chip of the wafer W is moved. Is detected. It is not necessary to detect the positions of all the electrode pads of one chip, and the positions of several electrode pads may be detected. Further, it is not necessary to detect the electrode pads of all the chips on the wafer W, and the positions of the electrode pads of several chips are detected.

  Next, based on the arrangement of the probes 28 and the arrangement of the electrode pads detected as described above, the wafer chuck is performed by the Z-axis moving / rotating unit 52 so that the arrangement direction of the probes 28 and the arrangement direction of the electrode pads coincide with each other. After rotating 16, the wafer chuck 16 is moved in the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction so that the electrode pad of the chip to be inspected is located below the probe 28, and the Z-axis moving / rotating unit 52 moves the wafer chuck 16 to Z. Raise in the axial direction.

  In this state, the elevation of the wafer chuck 16 is stopped at a height at which the corresponding electrode pad contacts the probe. At this time, the ring-shaped sealing member 40 comes into contact with the probe card 18, and a sealed internal space S is formed between the probe card 18 and the wafer chuck 16. When the suction controller 46 is operated to reduce the pressure in the internal space S, the wafer chuck 16 is drawn toward the probe card 18, and the probe card 18 and the wafer chuck 16 are brought into close contact with each other. The probe 28 contacts the corresponding electrode pad with a uniform contact pressure.

  On the other hand, when the probe card 18 and the wafer chuck 16 are brought into close contact with each other due to the decompression of the internal space S by the vacuum pump 44, the Z-axis moving / rotating unit 52 is lowered in the Z-axis direction to remove the wafer chuck 16 from the alignment device 50. Let Further, in order to prevent the wafer chuck 16 from falling off, the holding portions 30 of the support mechanism are brought close to each other.

  Next, power and a test signal are supplied from the test head 22 to each chip of the wafer W, and an electric operation test is performed by detecting a signal output from the chip.

  Thereafter, the other measurement units 14 are loaded in the same procedure on the wafer chuck 16 and after the alignment operation and the contact operation are completed in each measurement unit 14, the respective chips on the wafer W are simultaneously inspected. It is done sequentially. That is, power and a test signal are supplied from the test head 22 to each chip on the wafer W, and an electric operation test is performed by detecting a signal output from the chip. The wafer chuck 16 may be inspected while being supported by the alignment apparatus 50.

  When the inspection is completed in each measurement unit 14, the alignment apparatus 50 is sequentially moved to each measurement unit 14 to collect the wafer chuck 16 on which the inspected wafer W is held.

  That is, when the inspection is completed in each measuring unit 14, the alignment device 50 is moved to the measuring unit 14 that has been inspected, and after positioning and fixing, the Z-axis moving / rotating unit 52 is raised in the Z-axis direction, After the wafer chuck 16 is supported by the alignment apparatus 50, the decompression of the internal space S by the suction control unit 46 is released, specifically, atmospheric pressure is introduced into the internal space S. Thereby, the contact state between the probe card 18 and the wafer chuck 16 is released. And each holding part 30 of a support mechanism is made into an expanded state. After that, the wafer chuck 16 is lowered in the Z-axis direction by the Z-axis moving / rotating unit 52 to release the positioning and fixing of the alignment apparatus 50, and then the alignment apparatus 50 is moved to a predetermined delivery position. The fixation is released, and the inspected wafer W is unloaded from the wafer chuck 16. The unloaded inspected wafer W is collected by the delivery mechanism.

  In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, one wafer chuck 16 is assigned to each measurement unit 14, but the plurality of wafer chucks 16 are arranged between the plurality of measurement units 14. May be handed over.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, since each measuring unit 14 includes a positioning and fixing device that positions and fixes the alignment device 50 shared by each measuring unit 14, the position reproducibility of the alignment device 50 moved to each measuring unit 14. The position of the electrode pad and the probe 28 on the wafer W can be easily detected, and the alignment time can be shortened. Therefore, while maintaining the accuracy of the movement position of the alignment apparatus 50, an increase in installation area and an increase in apparatus cost can be suppressed and throughput can be improved.

  In the present embodiment, it is not necessary to perform the alignment operation from the beginning every time the wafer W is replaced, and a part of the alignment operation can be simplified. For example, when inspecting the first wafer W, the relative positional relationship between the wafer W and the probe card 18 is detected and the alignment data is stored, and when inspecting the second and subsequent wafers W, Based on the alignment data acquired when the eye wafer W is inspected, the wafer W and the probe card 18 can be relatively aligned.

  Further, in this embodiment, since the positioning and fixing device is provided, the accuracy of the movement position of the alignment device 50 can be ensured. Therefore, a belt drive mechanism that is relatively difficult to move with high accuracy is preferably used as the moving device 100. Can do.

  Further, in this embodiment, the positioning and fixing device has a clamp mechanism that positions and fixes the three positions of the alignment device 50 so as to be detachable, so that the alignment device 50 has a so-called three-point support configuration in the horizontal direction and the vertical direction. The alignment device 50 can be fixed to the base 11 in a state where the alignment device 50 is positioned in the direction and the rotation of the alignment device 50 around the vertical direction is restricted. Thereby, it becomes possible to position and fix the alignment device 50 moved to each measurement unit 14 with high accuracy at the same position every time.

  In the present embodiment, the configuration in which the three positions of the alignment device 50 are positioned and fixed by the clamp mechanism is shown. However, it is possible to position the alignment device 50 in the horizontal direction, the vertical direction, and the rotation direction around the vertical direction. For example, not only the three positions of the alignment device 50 but also four or more positions may be positioned and fixed by the clamp mechanism.

  Further, in this embodiment, the positioning and fixing are performed at the same position at the three positions of the alignment device 50 by the clamp mechanism, but these positions do not necessarily have to be the same position. The fixed positions may be configured separately.

  For example, in a state in which the three positions of the alignment device 50 are positioned in the horizontal direction, the vertical direction, and the rotation direction around the vertical direction (that is, in a state where they are not fixed), one or a plurality of positions different from these positions are known holding means. You may make it hold | maintain and fix with. As the holding means, for example, a configuration in which the front and back surfaces of the base 62 are sandwiched from above and below by an urging force of an elastic member such as a torsion coil spring is suitable.

  In the present embodiment, the clamp mechanism preferably has a height adjustment mechanism that adjusts the horizontal direction of the alignment device 50. As the height adjustment mechanism, for example, a known screw type height adjustment mechanism using a push screw or a pull screw can be used. Thereby, for example, even if the surface accuracy of the base 11 to which the alignment device 50 is fixed deteriorates due to deformation, the alignment device 50 can be adjusted in parallel by the height adjustment function, thereby preventing a decrease in alignment accuracy. Is possible.

  In the present embodiment, the alignment apparatus 50 is equipped with an alignment camera 66 (first imaging means) and a probe position detection camera 54 (second imaging means). For this reason, compared with the case where an imaging means is provided for each measurement unit 14, it is less affected by distortion such as heat caused by a difference in temperature change for each measurement unit 14, and the alignment camera 66 and the probe position detection camera 54 are not affected. There is no relative displacement. Therefore, the alignment operation can be performed with high accuracy and in a short time.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the configuration in which the three measurement units 14 are arranged along the X-axis direction is shown, but the number and arrangement of the measurement units 14 are not particularly limited, and for example, the X-axis direction and A plurality of measurement units 14 may be two-dimensionally arranged in the Y-axis direction.

  Moreover, it is good also as a multistage structure by which the measurement part group which consists of several measurement part 14 was piled up in the Z-axis direction. For example, the configuration example illustrated in FIG. 9 is a configuration in which measurement unit groups 15 (15A to 15C) including four measurement units 14 are stacked in three stages in the Z-axis direction. In this configuration, an alignment device 50 is provided for each measurement unit group 15, and the alignment device 50 is shared between the measurement units 14 in the same measurement unit group 15. Note that the alignment apparatus 50 may be shared by all the measurement units 14. According to such a configuration, the footprint of the entire apparatus can be reduced, the processing capacity per unit area can be increased, and the cost can be reduced.

  The prober and the probe inspection method of the present invention have been described in detail above. However, 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.

  Next, a wafer level inspection system (corresponding to the probing apparatus of the present invention) according to the second embodiment will be described although it partially overlaps with the first embodiment. The wafer level inspection system according to this embodiment is basically configured in the same manner as in the first embodiment except that the probe contact method is different. Hereinafter, the same code | symbol is used about the structure similar to 1st Embodiment.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a system for performing wafer level inspection according to a second embodiment of the present invention. In the wafer level inspection system, the electrical characteristics are measured by moving the wafer chuck 16 supporting the wafer W in a direction approaching the probe card 18 having the probe 28 to bring the probe 28 into contact with the electrode pad on the wafer W. A prober 10 for contacting a probe to an electrode pad of each chip on the wafer (hereinafter also referred to as an electrode pad on the wafer), and a prober 10 electrically connected to the probe for each electrical inspection. The tester 20 is configured to supply power and test signals to the chip and detect output signals from each chip and measure whether or not the chip operates normally.

  In FIG. 1, a base 11, a side plate 12, and a head stage 13 constitute a housing of the prober 10. In some cases, an upper plate supported by the side plate 12 is provided, and the head stage 13 is provided on the upper plate.

  The prober 10 is provided with a plurality of measurement units (first to third measurement units) 14A to 14C. Each of the measurement units 14A to 14C includes a wafer chuck 16 for holding the wafer W and a probe card 18 having a number of probes 28 corresponding to the electrodes of each chip of the wafer W, and each of the measurement units 14A to 14C. At the same time, all the chips on the wafer W held by the wafer chuck 16 are simultaneously inspected. In addition, since the structure of each measurement part 14A-14C is common, below, a measurement part shall be shown with the code | symbol 14 on behalf of these.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a configuration around the probe card.

  The wafer chuck 16 sucks and fixes the wafer by vacuum suction or the like. The wafer chuck 16 is detachably supported by an alignment device 50 described later, and can be moved in the XYZ-θ direction by the alignment device 50.

  The wafer chuck 16 is provided with a sealing mechanism. The sealing mechanism is a sealing mechanism that forms a sealed space S between the wafer chuck 16 and the probe card 18, and includes a ring-shaped sealing member 40 having elasticity provided near the outer periphery of the upper surface of the wafer chuck 16. A suction port 42 is provided between the wafer W and the ring-shaped seal member 40 on the upper surface of the wafer chuck 16. The suction port 42 is connected to a suction control unit 46 that controls the vacuum pressure via a suction path 43 formed inside the wafer chuck 16. The suction control unit 46 is connected to the vacuum pump 44. The suction control unit is in a state where the ring-shaped seal member 40 contacts the probe card 18 and a sealed internal space S (sealed space) surrounded by the wafer chuck 16, the probe card 18, and the ring-shaped seal member 40 is formed. When 46 is operated, the internal space S is depressurized and the wafer chuck 16 is drawn toward the probe card 18. As a result, the probe card 18 and the wafer chuck 16 are brought into close contact with each other, and each probe 28 comes into contact with the electrode pad of each chip so that the inspection can be started. As shown in FIG. 10B, the inner space S is surrounded by the wafer chuck 16, the head stage 13, the probe card 18, and the ring-shaped seal member 40 when the ring-shaped seal member 40 contacts the head stage 13. It may be formed as a sealed internal space.

  The head stage 13 (corresponding to the probe card support member of the present invention) is provided with a mounting hole (card mounting portion) 26 for each measuring portion 14, and the probe card 18 is replaceably mounted in each mounting hole 26. . In the portion of the probe card 18 facing the respective chips on the wafer W, a plurality of spring pin type elastic probes 28 corresponding to the electrodes of all the chips are formed. Here, the configuration in which the probe card 18 is directly attached to the head stage 13 is shown, but a card holder may be provided on the head stage 13 and the probe card 18 may be attached to the card holder.

  The tester 20 includes a plurality of test heads 22 (22A to 22C) provided for each measurement unit 14. Each test head 22 is placed on the upper surface of the head stage 13. Each test head 22 may be held above the head stage 13 by a support mechanism (not shown).

  The terminals of each test head 22 are connected to the corresponding terminals of the probe card 18 through a large number of connection pins of the contact ring 24. As a result, the terminals of the test heads 22 are electrically connected to the probe 28.

  Each measurement unit 14 is provided with a support mechanism (chuck removal prevention mechanism) to prevent the wafer chuck 16 from falling off. The support mechanism includes a plurality of holding units 30 that hold the wafer chuck 16. Each holding portion 30 is provided around the mounting hole 26 of the head stage 13 at predetermined intervals. In this example, four holding portions 30 are provided around the mounting hole 26 at intervals of 90 degrees (only two holding portions 30 are shown in FIGS. 1 and 2).

  Each holding part 30 is configured to be movable (expandable in diameter) so as to be close to / separated from each other around the mounting hole 26. A moving mechanism (not shown) of each holding unit 30 is constituted by, for example, a ball screw or a motor. In a state where the holding portions 30 are close to each other (a state indicated by a solid line in FIGS. 1 and 2), the inner diameter of the passage hole 32 formed in the central portion of each holding portion 30 is smaller than the diameter of the wafer chuck 16. Therefore, the wafer chuck 16 is held by each holding unit 30. On the other hand, when the holding portions 30 are separated from each other (shown by broken lines in FIGS. 1 and 2), the inner diameter of the passage hole 32 is larger than the diameter of the wafer chuck 16, so that the alignment device 50 is used for the wafer chuck. 16 can be supplied or recovered.

  In addition, about the structure of a support mechanism, it is possible to employ | adopt various modifications as described in the above-mentioned patent document 1. FIG.

  The prober 10 of the present embodiment includes an alignment apparatus 50 that detachably supports the wafer chuck 16 and performs an alignment operation of the wafer W held on the wafer chuck 16, and a direction in which the measurement units 14 are arranged in the alignment apparatus 50. And a moving device 100 that moves between the measurement units 14 along the (X-axis direction).

  The alignment apparatus 50 includes a moving / rotating mechanism for moving the wafer chuck 16 in the XYZ-θ direction, an electrode of each chip of the wafer W held by the wafer chuck 16, and each probe 28 of the probe card 18. An alignment mechanism that detects a relative positional relationship, and detachably supports the wafer chuck 16 to perform an alignment operation of the wafer W held on the wafer chuck 16. That is, the relative positional relationship between the electrode of each chip of the wafer W held on the wafer chuck 16 and each probe 28 of the probe card 18 is detected, and based on the detection result, the electrode of the chip to be inspected is detected by the probe 28. The wafer chuck 16 is moved so as to come into contact with.

  The alignment device 50 (Z-axis moving / rotating unit 52) sucks and fixes the wafer chuck 16 by vacuum suction or the like, but may be a fixing means other than vacuum suction as long as the wafer chuck 16 can be fixed. It may be fixed by mechanical means or the like. The alignment device 50 is provided with a positioning member (not shown) so that the relative positional relationship with the wafer chuck 16 is always constant.

  3 and 4 are diagrams showing a schematic configuration of the alignment apparatus 50. FIG. Specifically, FIG. 3 is an upper perspective view of the alignment apparatus 50, and FIG. 4 is a lower perspective view of the alignment apparatus 50. 3 and 4 show a state where the wafer chuck 16 is supported on the upper surface of the alignment apparatus 50. FIG.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the alignment apparatus 50 includes a Z-axis moving / rotating unit that detachably supports the wafer chuck 16 and moves the wafer chuck 16 in the Z-axis direction and rotates about the Z-axis. 52, a probe position detection camera 54 that detects the position of the probe 28, a camera movement mechanism 56 that moves the probe position detection camera 54 in the Z-axis direction, a Z-axis movement / rotation unit 52, and a camera movement mechanism 56. An X-axis moving table 58 that moves in the X-axis direction, a Y-axis moving table 60 that supports the X-axis moving table 58 and moves in the Y-axis direction, a base 62 that supports the Y-axis moving table 60, and a column 64. And an alignment camera 66 supported by. The moving / rotating mechanism for moving the wafer chuck 16 in the XYZ-θ direction includes a Z-axis moving / rotating unit 52, an X-axis moving table 58, and a Y-axis moving table 60. The alignment mechanism includes a probe position detection camera 54, an alignment camera 66, a camera moving mechanism 56, and an image processing unit (not shown).

  Two guide rails 68 are provided in parallel on the base 62, and the Y-axis moving base 60 is movable on the guide rails 68. A drive motor and a ball screw 70 rotated by the drive motor are provided in a portion between the two guide rails 68 on the base 62. The ball screw 70 is engaged with the bottom surface of the Y-axis moving table 60, and the Y-axis moving table 60 slides on the guide rail 68 by the rotation of the ball screw 70.

  Two parallel guide rails 72 orthogonal to the above-described two guide rails 68 are provided on the Y-axis moving table 60, and the X-axis moving table 58 can move on the guide rail 72. It has become. A drive motor and a ball screw 74 that is rotated by the drive motor are provided in a portion between the two guide rails 72 on the Y-axis moving table 60. The ball screw 74 is engaged with the bottom surface of the X-axis moving table 58, and the X-axis moving table 58 slides on the guide rail 72 by the rotation of the ball screw 74.

  A linear motor may be used instead of the ball screw.

  Next, the configuration of the moving device 100 will be described.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the moving device 100 includes a transport pallet 102 on which the alignment device 50 is placed and transported. The conveyance pallet 102 is configured to be movable between the measurement units 14 along the X-axis direction. The moving mechanism (horizontal feed mechanism) for moving the transport pallet 102 may be a linear moving mechanism, and includes, for example, a belt driving mechanism, a linear guide mechanism, a ball screw mechanism, and the like. The transport pallet 102 is provided with a lifting mechanism 106 that lifts and lowers the alignment device 50 in the Z-axis direction. The elevating mechanism 106 is configured by a known cylinder mechanism or the like. Thereby, the alignment apparatus 50 is configured to be movable between the measuring units 14 along the X-axis direction and configured to be movable up and down in the Z-axis direction. Note that the movement mechanism and the lifting mechanism 106 of the transport pallet 102 are driven by control by a control unit (not shown).

  5 and 6 are schematic diagrams illustrating a configuration example of the moving device 100. FIG. Specifically, FIG. 5 is a plan view of the moving device 100, and FIG. 6 is a side view of the moving device 100.

  As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, two guide rails 101 are provided in parallel on the base 11, and the transport pallet 102 can move on the guide rail 101. A timing belt 110 that is parallel to the guide rail 101 and fixed at both ends to the base 11 is provided on the outer portion of the two guide rails 101.

  A drive unit 108 is fixed to the transport pallet 102. The drive unit 108 includes a drive motor 112, a drive pulley 114 connected to the rotation shaft of the drive motor 112, and two idle pulleys 116 disposed around the drive pulley 114. A timing belt 110 is wound around the driving pulley 114, and the tension of the timing belt 110 is adjusted by idle pulleys 116 disposed on both sides thereof. When the drive motor 112 is driven, the conveyance pallet 102 slides on the guide rail 101 by the rotation of the drive pulley 114. Thereby, the alignment apparatus 50 supported by the conveyance pallet 102 moves between each measurement part 14 along an X-axis direction.

  FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram illustrating another configuration example of the moving apparatus 100. The configuration example shown in FIG. 7 uses a ball screw mechanism. That is, the base 11 is provided with a drive unit composed of the drive motor 118 and the ball screw 120 between the two guide rails 101. The ball screw 120 is engaged with the bottom surface of the conveyance pallet 102, and the conveyance pallet 102 slides on the guide rail 101 by the rotation of the ball screw 120. Thereby, the alignment apparatus 50 supported by the conveyance pallet 102 moves between the measurement units 14 along the X-axis direction.

  In the present embodiment, there is provided a positioning and fixing device having a clamp mechanism that positions and positions three positions of the alignment device 50 moved to the respective measurement units 14 and detachably holds and fixes them. Specifically, the alignment device 50 is provided with a plurality of positioning pins 130 (130 </ b> A to 130 </ b> C) at three locations on the base 62. On the other hand, the base 11 of the housing is provided with a plurality of chuck members (positioning holes) 134 (134A to 134C) for clamping the positioning pins 130, and these are provided for each measurement unit 14. The clamp mechanism includes a positioning pin 130 and a chuck member 134.

  As the clamp mechanism, for example, a well-known clamp mechanism such as a ball lock system or a taper sleeve system is applied, and detailed description thereof is omitted here.

  When positioning and fixing the alignment device 50 moved to each measuring unit 14, the alignment device 50 is lowered by the lifting mechanism 106, and each positioning pin 130 is fitted into the corresponding chuck member 134 as shown in FIG. And clamp. As a result, the alignment device 50 is positioned in the horizontal direction and the vertical direction, and the alignment device 50 is fixed to the base 11 in a state where the rotation of the alignment device 50 around the vertical direction is restricted. On the other hand, when the alignment device 50 is moved to another measuring unit 14, the alignment device 50 is raised by the lifting mechanism 106, and the positioning pins 130 are detached from the chuck members 134. As a result, the positioning and fixing of the alignment apparatus 50 is released, and the alignment apparatus 50 becomes movable to the other measurement unit 14 by the moving apparatus 100.

  Next, an inspection operation including a probe contact method using the prober of this embodiment will be described.

  FIG. 10 is an example of an inspection operation including a probe contact method using the prober of this embodiment.

  First, after the alignment device 50 is moved to the measuring unit 14 to be inspected and positioned and fixed by a positioning and fixing device having a clamp mechanism, the Z-axis moving / rotating unit 52 is raised to align the alignment device 50 (Z-axis moving and moving). The wafer chuck 16 is detachably supported by the rotating part 52). The wafer chuck 16 is supported by the alignment device 50 (Z-axis movement / rotation unit 52) in a state of being fixed by, for example, vacuum suction. In this state, the decompression of the internal space S by the suction control unit 46 is released, and the holding units 30 of the support mechanism are separated from each other, and then the wafer chuck 16 is lowered by the Z-axis moving / rotating unit 52.

  Next, the alignment device 50 that supports the wafer chuck 16 is moved to a predetermined delivery position, and the wafer W is loaded on the wafer chuck 16 by a wafer delivery mechanism (loader) (not shown) and fixed by vacuum suction.

  Next, the alignment device 50 is moved again to the measuring unit 14 to be inspected and positioned and fixed by a positioning and fixing device having a clamp mechanism, and then an alignment operation is performed. Specifically, the X-axis moving table 58 is moved so that the probe position detection camera 54 is located below the probe 28, and the probe position detection camera 54 is moved in the Z-axis direction by the camera moving mechanism 56 to focus. In addition, the tip position of the probe 28 is detected by the probe position detection camera 54. The position (X and Y coordinates) of the tip of the probe 28 in the horizontal plane is detected by the coordinates of the camera, and the position in the vertical direction is detected by the focal position of the camera. The probe card 18 is usually provided with hundreds to thousands or more of probes 28, and usually the tip positions of specific probes are detected without detecting the tip positions of all the probes 28.

  Next, with the wafer W to be inspected held by the wafer chuck 16, the X-axis moving table 58 is moved so that the wafer W is positioned under the alignment camera 66, and the position of the electrode pad of each chip of the wafer W is moved. Is detected. It is not necessary to detect the positions of all the electrode pads of one chip, and the positions of several electrode pads may be detected. Further, it is not necessary to detect the electrode pads of all the chips on the wafer W, and the positions of the electrode pads of several chips are detected.

  Next, based on the arrangement of the probes 28 and the arrangement of the electrode pads detected as described above, the wafer chuck is performed by the Z-axis moving / rotating unit 52 so that the arrangement direction of the probes 28 and the arrangement direction of the electrode pads coincide with each other. After rotating 16, the wafer chuck 16 is moved in the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction so that the electrode pad of the chip to be inspected is below the probe 28 (see FIG. 10A), and the Z-axis movement / rotation is performed. While the wafer chuck 16 is detachably supported by the portion 52, it is raised in the Z-axis direction. That is, the wafer chuck 16 is moved in a direction in which the distance between the wafer chuck 16 and the probe card 18 approaches.

  Specifically, as shown in FIG. 10B, the ring-shaped seal member 40 provided on the wafer chuck 16 is brought into contact with the head stage 13 (or the probe card 18), and the wafer chuck 16 and the head stage 13 are contacted. An internal space S that is a sealed space surrounded by the probe card 18 and the ring-shaped seal member 40 (or an internal space S surrounded by the wafer chuck 16, the probe card 18, and the ring-shaped seal member 40 may be formed). Further, the electrode pad on the wafer W held by the wafer chuck 16 is brought into contact with the probe 28 provided on the probe card 18 (first contact).

  This contact is performed by causing the Z-axis moving / rotating unit 52 to raise the wafer chuck 16 to a predetermined position Po1 at a predetermined speed V1 (or acceleration) with respect to the probe card 18 (probe 28).

  Since the Z-axis moving / rotating unit 52 is driven by a motor, the wafer chuck 16 can be moved to an arbitrary position (height) at an arbitrary speed (or acceleration). The Z-axis moving / rotating unit 52 corresponds to mechanical wafer chuck lifting / lowering means for bringing the probe 28 into contact with the electrode pad on the wafer W by raising the wafer chuck 16 to a predetermined position at a predetermined speed.

  The position Po1 is a position where the electrode pad on the wafer W and the probe 28 are in contact with each other with the contact pressure Pr1. The velocity V1 (or acceleration) is an oxide film that is an insulator formed on the electrode pad when the tip of the probe 28 is rubbed against the electrode pad when the electrode pad on the wafer W comes into contact with the probe 28. Is a speed (or acceleration) that is considered so that the electrical connection between the electrode pad and the probe 28 can be obtained. The speed V1 is, for example, 20 to 30 [mm / sec].

  With the above first contact, the electrical contact reliability between the electrode pad on the wafer W and the probe 28 can be enhanced.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 10C, after the wafer chuck 16 is lowered in the Z-axis direction while detachably supporting the Z-axis moving / rotating unit 52 as shown in FIG. 10C, as shown in FIG. Similarly to the above, the position is raised again to the position Po1 (chuck delivery height) at the speed V1 (or acceleration) to form the internal space S, and the electrode pad on the wafer W held by the wafer chuck 16 and the probe card 18 Is brought into contact with the probe 28 (second contact). The position Po1 and the speed V1 (or acceleration) in the second contact may be the same as or different from the position Po1 and the speed V1 (or acceleration) in the first contact.

  When the wafer chuck 16 reaches the position Po1 in the second contact, the position Po1 in the second contact is a contact pressure Pr1 (for example, a target pressure Pr1) in which the contact pressure of the electrode pad on the wafer W with respect to the probe 28 is lower than a target contact pressure Pr2 described later. The position is considered so that the contact pressure Pr1) is about 70% of the contact pressure Pr2.

  Since the second contact as described above can be expected to remove the oxide film that could not be removed at the time of the first contact, the electrical contact reliability between the electrode pad on the wafer W and the probe 28 can be further improved.

  After the contact process (for example, first contact and second contact) is performed a plurality of times as described above, the wafer chuck 16 and the alignment device 50 (Z-axis moving / rotating unit 52) are fixed (for example, fixed by vacuum suction). ) Is canceled. Thereafter, the suction controller 46 is operated and the internal space S is decompressed by the vacuum pump 44 as a drive source, whereby a decompression process is performed to further reduce the distance between the wafer chuck 16 and the probe card 18 (probe 28). .

  The depressurization step is performed after the last contact step (for example, second contact) among a plurality of contact steps (for example, first contact and second contact), and is not performed after the other contact steps. As a result, as shown in FIG. 10 (e), the wafer chuck 16 is drawn toward the probe card 18 at a speed V2 with respect to the probe card 18 (probe 28) and from the alignment device 50 (Z-axis moving / rotating unit 52). After being separated (separated), the probe card 18 and the wafer chuck 16 are brought into close contact with each other, and each probe 28 of the probe card 18 contacts the corresponding electrode pad with a uniform contact pressure. Since the drive source is the vacuum pump 44, the speed V2 is slower than the speed V1 (speed V2 <speed V1), for example, 0.25 [mm / sec].

  The suction controller 46 (vacuum pump 44) reduces the internal space S until the contact pressure of the electrode pad on the wafer W with respect to the probe 28 reaches the target contact pressure Pr2 (target contact pressure Pr2> contact pressure Pr1). The target contact pressure Pr2 is a contact pressure that is considered so that the reliability of the electrical contact between the electrode pad on the wafer W and the probe 28 is increased. The suction controller 46 (vacuum pump 44) corresponds to contact pressure applying means for reducing the pressure in the sealed space S and bringing the probe 28 into contact with the wafer W at a predetermined pressure.

  On the other hand, when the probe card 18 and the wafer chuck 16 are brought into close contact with each other due to the decompression of the internal space S by the vacuum pump 44, the Z-axis moving / rotating unit 52 is lowered in the Z-axis direction to remove the wafer chuck 16 from the alignment device 50. Let Further, in order to prevent the wafer chuck 16 from falling off, the holding portions 30 of the support mechanism are brought close to each other.

  Next, power and a test signal are supplied from the test head 22 to each chip of the wafer W, and an electric operation test is performed by detecting a signal output from the chip.

  Thereafter, the other measurement units 14 are loaded in the same procedure on the wafer chuck 16 and after the alignment operation and the contact operation are completed in each measurement unit 14, the respective chips on the wafer W are simultaneously inspected. It is done sequentially. That is, power and a test signal are supplied from the test head 22 to each chip on the wafer W, and an electric operation test is performed by detecting a signal output from the chip. The wafer chuck 16 may be inspected while being supported by the alignment apparatus 50.

  When the inspection is completed in each measurement unit 14, the alignment apparatus 50 is sequentially moved to each measurement unit 14 to collect the wafer chuck 16 on which the inspected wafer W is held.

  That is, when the inspection is completed in each measuring unit 14, the alignment device 50 is moved to the measuring unit 14 that has been inspected, and after positioning and fixing, the Z-axis moving / rotating unit 52 is raised in the Z-axis direction, After the wafer chuck 16 is supported by the alignment apparatus 50, the decompression of the internal space S by the suction control unit 46 is released, specifically, atmospheric pressure is introduced into the internal space S. Thereby, the contact state between the probe card 18 and the wafer chuck 16 is released. And each holding part 30 of a support mechanism is made into an expanded state. After that, the wafer chuck 16 is lowered in the Z-axis direction by the Z-axis moving / rotating unit 52 to release the positioning and fixing of the alignment apparatus 50, and then the alignment apparatus 50 is moved to a predetermined delivery position. The fixation is released, and the inspected wafer W is unloaded from the wafer chuck 16. The unloaded inspected wafer W is collected by the delivery mechanism.

  In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, one wafer chuck 16 is assigned to each measurement unit 14, but the plurality of wafer chucks 16 are arranged between the plurality of measurement units 14. May be handed over.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, the Z-axis moving / rotating unit 52 (mechanical wafer chuck lifting / lowering means) moves to a predetermined position at a predetermined speed, whereby the probe 28 is protected on the surface of the wafer W. Since the (oxide film) is removed, the contact state and the conduction state are improved. At that time, since the Z-axis moving / rotating unit 52 is a mechanical lifting means, the probe 28 and the wafer W move to a predetermined position at a predetermined speed while maintaining a parallel posture, so that they can be contacted with high accuracy.

  Further, according to the present embodiment, the probe 28 can be brought into contact with the wafer W while maintaining a predetermined speed by the Z-axis moving / rotating unit 52 (mechanical wafer chuck lifting / lowering means). On the other hand, since the probe 28 cannot be contacted at a predetermined speed when the sealed space S is depressurized, the removal of the protective film cannot be controlled.

  Further, according to the present embodiment, since the Z-axis moving / rotating unit 52 (mechanical wafer chuck lifting / lowering means) can be moved to a predetermined position, the surface protective film can be greatly shaved by applying some overdrive. . On the other hand, overdrive cannot be applied by reducing the pressure in the sealed space S.

  In addition, according to the present embodiment, the wafer chuck 16 is pressed against the probe card 18 with a predetermined pressure by the decompression of the sealed space S. Thereby, each probe 28 and the wafer W can be pressed with a fixed pressure. Further, even during measurement, each probe 28 can be pressed at a constant pressure to stabilize the conduction state. At that time, the pressure is automatically and uniformly set based on the pressure reduction of the sealed space S, that is, the Pascal principle, rather than the positioning by the Z-axis moving / rotating unit 52 (mechanical wafer chuck lifting / lowering means). As a result, even if there is a slight misalignment due to the length of the probe 28 that is difficult to improve by positioning alone or due to a mutual parallelism error, the probe 28 is pressed with a predetermined pressure by reducing the pressure, and the probe 28 is applied to the wafer W with a predetermined pressure. Contact can be made.

  Further, according to the present embodiment, in addition to the effects of the first embodiment, a probe contact method and a prober 10 that can further improve the electrical contact reliability between the electrode pad on the wafer W and the probe 28 are provided. can do.

  This is because the ascending speed V1 of the wafer chuck 16 by the Z-axis moving / rotating unit 52 whose driving source is a motor is faster than the drawing speed V2 of the wafer chuck 16 whose driving source is the vacuum pump 44 (V1> V2). The electrode pad on the wafer W comes into contact with the probe 28 provided on the probe card 18 at the fast speed V1, and the tip of the probe 28 is rubbed against the electrode pad. This is because the film is scraped (broken) and an electrical connection between the electrode pad and the probe 28 is obtained.

  Further, according to the present embodiment, since the contact (contact at the speed V1) between the electrode pad on the wafer W and the probe 28 is performed a plurality of times (for example, first contact and second contact), the electrode on the wafer W The electrical contact reliability between the electrode pad on the wafer W and the probe 28 can be improved as compared with the case where the contact between the pad and the probe 28 is once.

  Further, according to the present embodiment, the contact pressure of the electrode pad on the wafer W with respect to the probe 28 can be easily set to the target contact pressure Pr2 in the decompression step.

  This is because the contact pressure Pr1 (for example, about 70% of the target contact pressure Pr2) is lower than the target contact pressure Pr2 as the contact pressure of the electrode pad on the wafer W with respect to the probe 28 in the final contact process (for example, second contact). This is because the internal space S is reduced until the contact pressure of the electrode pad on the wafer W with respect to the probe 28 becomes the target contact pressure Pr2 after the pressure Pr1).

  In the final contact process (for example, the second contact), the contact pressure of the electrode pad on the wafer W to the probe 28 is set to the target contact pressure Pr2, and then the contact pressure of the electrode pad on the wafer W to the probe 28 in the decompression process. However, it is also conceivable to reduce the internal space S so as to maintain the target contact pressure Pr2 in the final contact process. However, it is difficult to control the pressure reduction of the internal space S so as to maintain the target contact pressure Pr2 in the final contact process.

  On the other hand, like the former, first, the contact pressure Pr1 lower than the target contact pressure Pr2 is set in the final contact step, and then the internal space S is controlled to be reduced until the target contact pressure Pr2 is reached in the pressure reduction step. In the decompression step, the contact pressure of the electrode pad on the wafer W with respect to the probe 28 can be easily set to the target contact pressure Pr2.

  Next, a modified example will be described.

  FIG. 11 is an example of an inspection operation including a probe contact method using a prober equipped with a wafer chuck 16A which is a modified example.

  The wafer chuck 16A of this modification corresponds to the wafer chuck 16 shown in FIG. 10 provided with a communication hole 16Aa that communicates the internal space S with the external environment and is opened and closed by the shutter means 48. The communication hole 16Aa is provided inside the wafer chuck 16A, and penetrates the region near the outer periphery where the wafer W is not placed on the upper surface of the wafer chuck 16A and the side surface.

  As shown in FIG. 11C, the internal space S becomes a sealed space when the communication hole 16Aa is closed by the shutter unit 48, while the communication hole 16Aa is formed by the shutter unit 48 as shown in FIG. When opened, it becomes an unsealed space.

  The shutter unit 48 is a unit that opens and closes the communication hole 16Aa that communicates the internal space S and the external environment to make the internal space S a sealed space or a non-sealed space. For example, the shutter body 48a and the shutter body 48a are connected to the communication hole 16Aa. It is constituted by a shutter control means (not shown) for moving to a position for opening (see FIG. 11 (a)) or a position for closing (see FIG. 11 (c)). As the shutter control means, a known device (not shown) such as a motor connected to the shutter main body 48a and a controller for controlling the motor can be used. The communication holes 16Aa and the shutter means 48 are not limited to the wafer chuck 16A, and may be provided in the head stage 13 or the probe card 18.

  Next, an inspection operation including a probe contact method using a prober using the wafer chuck 16A of this modification will be described.

  The inspection operation using the prober 10 using the wafer chuck 16A of the present modification is basically the same as that of the second embodiment, except for the following points.

  That is, in each contact process in which the first contact and the second contact are performed, at least the ring-shaped seal member 40 is brought into contact with the head stage 13 (or the probe card 18) (see FIG. 11A), and the electrode on the wafer W is contacted. Until the pad is brought into contact with the probe 28 (see FIG. 11B), the communication hole 16Aa is opened by the shutter means 48 to make the internal space S unsealed (the communication hole 16Aa is opened). Point) is different.

  For example, each contact process in which the first contact and the second contact are performed is completed, and the fixation (for example, fixation by vacuum suction) between the wafer chuck 16A and the alignment device 50 (Z-axis movement / rotation unit 52) is released. Until the communication hole 16Aa is opened, the internal space S is not sealed (the communication hole 16Aa is opened).

  Then, at the timing when the fixation (for example, fixation by vacuum suction) between the wafer chuck 16A and the alignment device 50 (Z-axis movement / rotation unit 52) is released, as shown in FIG. The internal space S is closed and closed (the communication hole 16Aa is closed), and the internal space S is depressurized in the depressurization step. The rest is the same as in the second embodiment.

  In the second embodiment, the internal space S is sealed in each contact process in which the first contact and the second contact are performed. Therefore, the sealed space (air inside) is compressed at each contact, and the reaction caused by the compression is performed. The force becomes a load when the wafer chuck 16 </ b> A is raised, and the raising speed of the electrode pad on the wafer W with respect to the probe 28 may be reduced. As a result, there is a possibility that the oxide film that is an insulator formed on the electrode pad cannot be sufficiently cut (broken).

  On the other hand, according to the present modification, the internal space S is not sealed in each contact process in which the first contact and the second contact are performed, so that a sealed space (inside air) is formed at each contact. The reaction force due to the compression is prevented from becoming a load when the wafer chuck 16 is raised, and the ascent rate of the electrode pad on the wafer W with respect to the probe 28 is prevented from decelerating. As a result, it can be expected that the oxide film which is an insulator formed on the electrode pad is sufficiently scraped (broken).

  In the second embodiment, the contact process is performed twice, and after the final contact process is performed, the pressure reduction process is performed. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the contact process is performed only once. After that, a decompression step may be performed. Moreover, after performing a contact process 3 times or more and performing the last contact process, you may implement a pressure reduction process. That is, the wafer chuck 16 is moved up and down so that the probe 28 contacts the electrode pad on the wafer W at least once. After the probe 28 finally contacts the wafer W, the probe 28 contacts the wafer W at a predetermined pressure. Thus, the sealed space S only needs to be decompressed.

  In the second embodiment, the configuration in which the three measurement units 14 are arranged along the X-axis direction is shown. However, the number and arrangement of the measurement units 14 are not particularly limited. For example, the X-axis A plurality of measurement units 14 may be two-dimensionally arranged in the direction and the Y-axis direction.

  Moreover, it is good also as a multistage structure by which the measurement part group which consists of several measurement part 14 was piled up in the Z-axis direction. For example, the configuration example illustrated in FIG. 9 is a configuration in which measurement unit groups 15 (15A to 15C) including four measurement units 14 are stacked in three stages in the Z-axis direction. In this configuration, an alignment device 50 is provided for each measurement unit group 15, and the alignment device 50 is shared between the measurement units 14 in the same measurement unit group 15. Note that the alignment apparatus 50 may be shared by all the measurement units 14. According to such a configuration, the footprint of the entire apparatus can be reduced, the processing capacity per unit area can be increased, and the cost can be reduced.

  Although the probe contact method and the prober of 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.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Prober, 11 ... Base part, 12 ... Side plate, 13 ... Head stage, 14 ... Measuring part, 15 ... Measuring part group, 16, 16A ... Wafer chuck, 16Aa ... Communication hole, 18 ... Probe card, 20 ... Tester, 22 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS ... Test head, 24 ... Contact ring, 26 ... Mounting hole, 28 ... Probe, 30 ... Holding part, 32 ... Passing hole, 40 ... Ring-shaped sealing member, 42 ... Suction port, 43 ... Suction passage, 44 ... Vacuum pump, 46 ... Suction control unit, 48 ... Shutter means, 48a ... Shutter body 48a, 50 ... Alignment device, 52 ... Z-axis movement / rotation unit, 54 ... Probe position detection camera, 56 ... Camera movement mechanism, 58 ... X-axis movement table , 60 ... Y-axis moving table, 62 ... base, 64 ... support, 66 ... alignment camera, 68 ... guide rail, 70 ... ball screw, 72 ... guide rail, 74 Ball screw, 100 ... moving device, 101 ... guide rail, 102 ... transport pallet, 106 ... lifting mechanism, 108 ... drive unit, 110 ... timing belt, 112 ... drive motor, 114 ... drive pulley, 116 ... idle pulley, 118 ... drive Motor 120 ... Ball screw 130 ... Positioning pin 134 134 Chuck member

Claims (8)

In a probing apparatus for measuring electrical characteristics by bringing the probe into contact with the wafer by moving a wafer chuck supporting the wafer in a direction approaching a probe card having a probe,
A contact pressure applying means for forming a sealed space between the wafer chuck and the probe card, and bringing the probe into contact with the wafer at a predetermined pressure by depressurizing the sealed space;
In order to remove the oxide film formed on the electrode pad on the wafer, the wafer chuck is raised at a predetermined speed to a position where the electrode pad on the wafer and the probe are in contact with each other, and the probe is placed on the wafer. Mechanical wafer chuck lifting means for contacting,
And positioning fixing means said wafer chuck lifting means slides up position opposed to the probe card, for positioning and fixing the position of the wafer chuck lifting means,
Probing device comprising: The wafer chuck lifting / lowering means has a wafer chuck fixing part that detachably fixes the wafer chuck.
The probing device according to claim 1. The contact pressure applying means depressurizes the sealed space in a state where the fixation of the wafer chuck by the wafer chuck fixing portion is released;
The probing device according to claim 2. The wafer chuck lifting / lowering means raises the wafer chuck at a predetermined speed to a position where the electrode pad and the probe come into contact with each other, and brings the probe into contact with the wafer, thereby forming an oxide film formed on the electrode pad. Remove,
The probing device according to claim 1. In the probe contact method in the probing apparatus for measuring the electrical characteristics by bringing the probe into contact with the wafer by moving the wafer chuck supporting the wafer in a direction approaching the probe card having the probe,
Forming a sealed space between the wafer chuck and the probe card, and reducing the pressure of the sealed space, thereby bringing the probe into contact with the wafer at a predetermined pressure; and
In order to remove the oxide film formed on the electrode pad on the wafer, the wafer chuck is moved up to a position where the electrode pad on the wafer and the probe come into contact with each other by a wafer chuck lifting / lowering means, A mechanical wafer chuck lifting and lowering step for bringing the probe into contact with a wafer;
Wherein the wafer chuck lifting means slides to a position opposed to the probe card, and positioning fixing step for positioning and fixing the position of the wafer chuck lifting means,
A probe contact method comprising: The wafer chuck raising / lowering step raises the wafer chuck in a state where the wafer chuck is detachably fixed by a wafer chuck fixing portion.
The probe contact method according to claim 5. In the contact pressure applying step, the sealed space is decompressed in a state in which the wafer chuck is fixed by the wafer chuck fixing unit.
The probe contact method according to claim 6. The wafer chuck raising / lowering step raises the wafer chuck at a predetermined speed to a position where the electrode pad and the probe come into contact with each other, and brings the probe into contact with the wafer, thereby forming an oxide film formed on the electrode pad. Remove,
The probe contact method of any one of Claims 5-7.

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