How to choose the appropriate probe station

The probe station is a very professional instrument, whose main function is to detect semiconductor components and packaging. The voltage, current, resistance, and capacitance voltage characteristic curves of integrated circuits can be detected by using a probe station in conjunction with measuring instruments. Used for scientific research analysis, spot checks, and testing of chips, it can ensure the quality of these semiconductor components, shorten research and development time, and reduce the cost of device manufacturing processes. Chip testing is a very important part of the chip manufacturing process.

With the gradual opening and growth of the semiconductor market, the market for probe stations, which are essential instruments for semiconductor testing, is also growing and expanding year by year. Whether it is overseas brands or domestic brands, their scale in the semiconductor testing instrument market has been expanding year by year in recent years.

From the perspective of the global probe station market, foreign enterprises are still the main players, occupying the majority of the probe station market. Nearly 70% of the market share is occupied by foreign probe companies, while only 30% of the market is occupied by Taiwanese companies and domestic manufacturers, which can be said to have a relatively low proportion.

Probe stations can be divided into room temperature probe stations, high temperature probe stations, high and low temperature probe stations, Hall probe stations, and other customized special probe stations according to their functions. Currently, room temperature probe stations and high temperature probe stations are comparable to imported brands in terms of performance and ease of operation. The liquid nitrogen (77K) temperature zone of high and low temperature probe stations has developed over the past few years, and the quality is also stable enough. As for the ultra-low temperature liquid helium (4K) temperature zone, more honing and development are needed. It is worth noting that regardless of the technical requirements, the price of imported probe stations is several times, or even dozens of times, higher than that of domestic probe stations. There is great potential for the development of domestically produced probe stations. In recent years, Tektronics has taken the lead in product technologies such as probe stations, chip testing machines, and blue film ribbon machines in China. Some technologies can compete with imported products and have also been recognized and used by many domestic and foreign customers.

10 precautions you need to know when selecting a probe station

1. What is the maximum number of inches of wafer or device you need to measure? Do we need to test fragments or individual chips, and the minimum size of a single chip?

2. What is the mechanical accuracy requirement for the probe table you require?

3. What is the electrode size of the point measurement sample you require? one hundred μ M * 100 μ M or 60 μ M * 60 μ M pad, mini pad made by FIB, or internal metal circuit of IC?

4. What is the maximum number of probes you need to simultaneously measure? Will probe cards be used for testing?

5. What is the minimum resolution required for the optical microscope you require?

6. Do you need to add polarizers for LC liquid crystal hotspot detection in terms of the microscope you require?

7. Can the current requirement for the probe point measurement you require reach 100fa or below? Can the low capacitance requirement reach 0.1pf? Do you have any RF requirements?

8. Will heating or cooling be required for the testing environment you require? Do we need a sealed chamber?

9. What are the leakage requirements for Chuck for the probe station you require? Do you need to add a low impedance chuck?

10. Do you need an earthquake resistant table? If a shock-absorbing table is added, is there compressed air?

Through the above 10 questions, congratulations. Based on your specific needs, you can customize or choose the best probe station product solution that suits you. Tech Optoelectronics's probe station can provide customized product solutions based on customer requirements. So as to achieve the best performance, cost-effectiveness, and most suitable product solution that meets the needs of customers for each product.