Saturday, March 26, 2016

Want to Trade Up to a Newer Model Probe Station – We Make it Easy!




Along with Micromanipulator’s commitment to produce wafer probe stations that meet customers’ budget and application needs, we also offer an opportunity to upgrade your present machine with one of our newer models.  We recognize that your needs may have changed or could benefit from the technology behind newer models, which is why we offer an active product upgrade and trade-in program.  Furthermore, you can inquire about the used probe stations and equipment we have available at significantly reduced prices. 

There are a number of reasons why you should take advantage of Micromanipulator’s decades of experience in the industry (2016 marks our 60th year in business).  We offer extended warranties and preventative maintenance programs for all of our probe stations and accessories (even on our used equipment) to protect your investment.  In addition our upgrade paths are even available for obsolete tools so it is much easier than you may have thought to take advantage of some of the newer advancements in the field and get the features you need. 

With over 16 different models to choose from and new products currently under development, you are certain to find a system perfect for your requirements.  In fact we are proud to offer our customers the most comprehensive selection of high-quality probe stations and accessories available on the market today.   

Our selection includes Manual, Motorized, or Semiautomatic models that offer a variety of different price points to match both budget and application needs.  Furthermore, many of our well-designed accessories are exclusive to Micromanipulator and include products such as our thermal chucks series, microscopes, vibration isolation, light and noise shields, manipulators, and DC and RF measurement hardware.

Micromanipulator not only invented analytical probing in 1956 but we remain the leading name in the field. From concept, to production, right through to maintenance, our exclusive Full Life-Cycle Support guarantees customers’ success with our high-tech tools.  Please contact us to find out more about our wide range of probe stations, accessories and consumables.        

Tuesday, March 22, 2016

Providing Support for C-V Measurements





With over decades of experience, Micromanipulator’s probe stations support a broad range of applications including Capacitance-Voltage (C-V) measurement.  Typically used to detect mobile ion contamination in oxide, and in particular very mobile sodium ion, the technique requires varying the voltage in order to measure the capacitance.

One of the challenges of C-V measurement is to design a device that not only passes manufacturers’ testing in a controlled environment but one that can also handle the migration of sodium ions within the device while in the field.  The failure to do so causes a multitude of problems such as changing the parameters of the electrical performance and affecting the timing, source and sink currents as well as the threshold voltages. 

At Micromanipulator, our expertise has allowed us to design and manufacture a probe station that addresses these problems.  Our semi-automatic 8860 model offers C-V users the ideal foundation to obtain quality test results.  The 8860’s stage provides ±1.5mm repeatability and accuracy with a resolution of 0.1mm, which allows thin lines and small pads to be probed. 

Another performance advantage we bring to C-V operators is our exclusive H1000 series thermal wafer chuck, a leader in the wafer probing industry that offers the best planarity, lowest noise, and lowest cost of ownership.  With the ability to support wafer testing from temperature ranges of –65 degrees C to 400 degrees C, the thermal chuck protects the station from the heat that is radiated down the body.  The 8860 is designed to completely contain the footprint of the chuck’s plumbing.  

To prevent fluid leakage, hoses that carry the cooling fluid are self-sealing disconnects. Furthermore, as it is light-weight, the 8860 allows for mobility of the unit.  Check with us for more details.     

At Micromanipulator, we not only invented analytical probing in 1956 but are still the top name in the field.  As such we reliably deliver the tools and life cycle support the semiconductor industry depends on.  A key part of our company’s philosophy and what drives our success is an unfaltering commitment to customers’ satisfaction.  Please contact us to learn more about our wide range of probe stations and accessories. 

Tuesday, February 23, 2016

Our Extensive Areas of Expertise



Celebrating our 60th year in the analytic probing industry, Micromanipulator is proud of the fact that we still recognize the importance of listening and learning from our customers, and then use that input to design products to meet those needs.  We offer one of the most comprehensive range of probe stations on the market as well the consumables, accessories and on-site support you need.      
 
Through our decades of experience, we have become experts in many types of cutting-edge applications ranging from low current to high speed testing and know how to design products to meet those demands.  Areas we are knowledgeable in include low current/ low noise measurement, failure analysis, and high and low temperature characterization.  Furthermore, we are experts in device reliability analysis such as interconnect, EM, HCI, charge pumping, NBTI, PBTI, and TDDB.

Other applications our experts are skilled with include: high speed digital analysis; high frequency up to 200GHz; C-V measurements; sub-micron probing; ESD wafer level testing; laser cutting; and high power device analysis.  Although our engineers are ready to answer questions you may have, we also provide application notes on our website for your review.  Topics range from “CV Probing,” “Identifying Low Current Probing Problems,” “Proven Techniques for Thermal Probing” and more. 

An excerpt from our “Identifying Low Current Probing Problems” note explains how it addresses the identification of common equipment and setup problems in low current probing applications through characteristic distortions and problem “signatures” in the data obtained.  The information expands upon the setup information for low current probing from our “Basics of Low Current Probing.”  Please see our website to learn more.  

Micromanipulator not only invented analytical probing in 1956 but we remain the leading name in the field.  We reliably deliver the tools and life cycle support the semiconductor industry depends on.    Part of our company’s philosophy and what drives our success is an unfaltering commitment to our customers’ satisfaction.

Sunday, February 21, 2016

Outfit Your Probe Station with All the Parts You Need!




As a Micromanipulator customer, you can feel confident purchasing one of our reliable probe stations, and when we say we have all the parts you need to outfit your new station, we mean it.  Our range of accessories include high-quality thermal chucks, microscopes, vibration isolation, light and noise shields, a selection of manipulators, DC and RF measurement hardware, all types of probe card holders, and camera systems. 

By offering such a wide selection, we make it easy to outfit your station to suit personal preferences as well as your application needs.  Furthermore, do not underestimate the value of receiving Micromanipulator’s experienced “Full Life-Cycle Support,” which starts from concept, to production, and goes right through to maintaining your equipment. 

As a part of the life-cycle, our expertly designed consumables include passive probe holders, active probe holders, high frequency probe holders and probe tips.  We design all of these products with extreme care as we know that the right accessories are critical for your application, and we work hard to offer the best products on the market. 

Just as with our probe holders, Micromanipulator’s wafer chucks are another important part of our comprehensive system integration and are designed specifically for our probe stations. Our wafer chucks include features such as: rapid heat up and cool down; minimizing the expansion into the probes; maintaining incredible planarity over temperature changes with our Frictionless Kinematic Mount; and minimizing the heat radiation into the stage to help prolong prober life. 

We encourage you to browse our website to learn more about our products.  Even though it is filled with specifications and details, if you do not see the information you need, give us a call and our engineers will gladly answer your questions. 

At Micromanipulator, we not only invented analytical probing in 1956 but are still the top name in the field.  As such we consistently deliver the tools and life cycle support the semiconductor industry depends on.  Please contact us to learn more about our wide range of probe stations and accessories. 

Tuesday, February 16, 2016

Our Probe Stations are Available Globally




At Micromanipulator, we make it easy to not only buy our dependable probe stations throughout the world but to get support services globally.  We have regional sales and support representatives in China, Taiwan, the Philippines, India, Japan, Korea and South America as well as Singapore and surrounding countries.  Also we have representatives ready to help throughout Europe and the Middle East.

In addition we provide an online sales and service form that can get you started with the help you need.  The form is a useful tool that tells us your area of interest such as: failure analysis, wafer level reliability, device characterization, process modeling and process monitoring (i.e. CV).  Also we ask if you are currently using probing equipment as that too is useful information and helps determine which probe station and accessories are best for your needs.  

Furthermore, in an effort to learn more about your specific application, we provide a survey that gives us important information regarding the type of measurements you want to take.  Here you can tell us about your IV (current/voltage), CV (capacitance/voltage), resistance, timing analysis, and RF requirements and more.  Also it is helpful to know the size of your wafers and if they are individual die or wafer pieces or smaller than 150mm, 200mm, or 300mm.   Next we ask if you are planning to probe current below 1pA.  Additionally if you require temperature testing, is it above ambient only or above and below ambient?  

Other details include sharing with us the smallest feature size you need to resolve with the microscope as well as the smallest feature size you need to touch with the probes?  Finally we ask whether you already know if you need a manual or semiautomatic system.   Keep in mind our engineers are more than happy to answer your questions and will walk you through the features of our different probe stations. 

Micromanipulator not only invented analytical probing in 1956 but we remain the leading name in the field. From concept, to production, right through to maintenance, our exclusive Full Life-Cycle Support guarantees customers’ success with our high-tech tools.  Please contact us to find out more about our wide range of probe stations, accessories and consumables.