Optical planar metrology mounting device and methods for abrasive cross-sectioning of electrical components

An apparatus for metrology of electrical components using cross sectioning, the apparatus comprising:

• a printed wiring board including a mounting area on a surface of the printed wiring board and configured for mounting of an electrical component to the printed wiring board;
• and
• at least two geometrically shaped traces disposed on the surface of the printed wiring board, each on respective sides of the mounting area generally along a line;
• wherein the apparatus is further configured for encasement of at least a portion thereof including the at least two geometrically shaped traces and the mounting area when the electrical component is mounted thereto;
• and
• wherein the at least two geometrically shaped traces are composed of a material having a predetermined thickness to ensure that the at least two geometrically shaped traces are configured to perform well in abrasive cross sectioning of the printed wiring board such that the at least two geometrically shaped traces are easily visible for optical microscopy techniques.

A method for metrology of electrical components using cross-sectioning comprising:

• providing one or more predefined geometric shapes disposed on a surface of a printed wiring board on which a device under test (DUT) is mounted;
• performing an initial optical imaging including the one or more predefined geometric shapes and the DUT to capture an original image;
• performing at least one cross sectioning process to create a current cross sectioned plane of the printed wiring board including cross sectioning through the one or more predefined geometric shapes and the DUT;
• capturing an image of the current cross sectioned plane;
• and
• comparing one of the original image or a prior captured image of a previous cross sectioned plane with the current cross sectioned plane to determine a location of the current cross sectioned plane with respect to known dimensions determined at least from the original image.