Apparatus, method and computer program product for defect detection in work pieces

An apparatus for defect detection in a singulated semiconductor device comprising:

• a light source for providing illumination, wherein the light source is configured to direct the illumination into the singulated semiconductor device through a first side face of the singulated semiconductor device and diffusely propagate the illumination through the length of the the singulated semiconductor device to a second side face, wherein the first side face and the second side face have an area smaller than a top face and bottom face of the singulated semiconductor device, wherein at least a portion of the illumination transmitted through the singulated semiconductor device diffusely exits the singulated semiconductor device at a second side face of the singulated semiconductor device opposite the first face, wherein one or more defects block diffuse illumination from exiting the second side face of the singulated semiconductor device;
• and
• a camera configured for collecting the unblocked diffuse illumination transmitted through the singulated semiconductor device and exiting from the second side face of the singulated semiconductor device at small angles, wherein the second side face of the singulated semiconductor device is in focus of the camera to image one or more defects at the second side face of the singulated semiconductor device based on the collected unblocked diffuse illumination.

An apparatus for defect detection in a singulated semiconductor device comprising:

• a light source for providing illumination, wherein the light source is configured to direct the illumination into the singulated semiconductor device through a first side face of the singulated semiconductor device and diffusely propagate the illumination through the length of the the singulated semiconductor device to a second side face, wherein the first side face and the second side face have an area smaller than a top face and bottom face of the singulated semiconductor device, wherein at least a portion of the illumination transmitted through the singulated semiconductor device diffusely exits the singulated semiconductor device at a second side face of the singulated semiconductor device opposite the first face, wherein one or more defects block diffuse illumination from exiting the second side face of the singulated semiconductor device;
• and
• a camera for collecting unblocked diffuse illumination transmitted through the singulated semiconductor device and exiting from the second side face of the singulated semiconductor device at small angles, wherein the second side face of the singulated semiconductor device is in focus of the camera to image one or more defects within the singulated semiconductor device in a region proximate to the second side face of the singulated semiconductor device based on the collected unblocked diffuse illumination.