Method to prevent damage to probe card

Abstract

Probe cards are configured with protective circuitry suitable for use in electrical testing of semiconductor dice without damage to the probe cards. Protective fuses are provided in electrical communication with conductive traces and probe elements (e.g., probe needles) of a probe card. The fuses may be active or passive fuses and are preferably self-resetting, repairable, and/or replaceable. Typically, the fuses will be interposed in, or located adjacent to, conductive traces residing over a surface of the probe card. Methods of fabricating a probe card are provided, as well as various probe card configurations. A semiconductor die testing system using the probe card is also provided.

1 . A method of using a probe card for testing at least one semiconductor die comprising: 
 providing a probe card having a plurality of probe elements connected thereto for supplying test signals to the at least one semiconductor die, the probe card including:    a substrate having a first surface, a second surface, and an aperture therethrough;    disposing a plurality of conductive traces adjacent at least one of the first surface and the second surface;    providing a plurality of probe elements in electrical communication with the plurality of conductive traces, at least a first one of the plurality of probe elements for supplying a test signal, and at least a second one of the plurality of probe elements for receiving a test signal, the plurality of probe elements having a portion thereof located on the first surface of the substrate, having a portion thereof extending through the aperture in the substrate, and having a portion thereof located on the second surface of the substrate; and    providing a plurality of fuse elements in respective electrical communication with at least some of the plurality of conductive traces, at least some of the plurality of fuse elements disposed immediately adjacent the at least one of the first surface and the second surface, at least some of the plurality of fuse elements comprising at least two types of fuses of an active fuse element, a passive fuse element, a self-resetting fuse element, a repairable fuse element, and a replaceable fuse element, each fuse element of the plurality of fuse elements for limiting the current level thereof to one of an absolute maximum current level for the probe card without substantial damage thereto and an absolute current level for use in the testing of a semiconductor device without substantial damage thereto;    providing a fuse in electrical communication with at least some of the plurality of probe elements; and    testing the at least one semiconductor die by supplying test signals to the at least one semiconductor die.    
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein providing a plurality of fuse elements comprises providing a fuse element of the plurality of fuse elements in respective electrical communication with substantially each of the plurality of conductive traces.  
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein providing a plurality of fuse elements comprises providing at least one fuse element of the plurality of fuse elements configured to be replaceable or repairable after being tripped.  
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein providing a plurality of fuse elements comprises forming at least some of the plurality of fuse elements using a deposition process.  
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 3 , further comprising constructing at least some of the plurality of conductive traces and at least some of the plurality of fuse elements at substantially the same time and by a single deposition process.  
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 3 , further comprising providing a plurality of test contacts adjacent the at least one of the first surface and the second surface of the substrate, at least some of the plurality of test contacts in electrical communication with respective conductive traces of the plurality of conductive traces, and further comprising forming each of the plurality of conductive traces, the plurality of fuse elements, and the plurality of test contacts of the same materials.  
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein providing a plurality of fuse elements-comprises inserting at least one of the plurality of fuse elements in through-hole portions configured in the at least one of the first surface and the second surface of the substrate.