Probe structure having a plurality of discrete insulated probe tips projecting from a support surface, apparatus for use thereof and methods of fabrication thereof

A structure comprising:

• a substrate having a surface;
• a plurality of elongated electrical conductors extending away from said surface;
• each of said elongated electrical conductors having a first end affixed to said surface and a second end projecting away from said surface;
• said elongated electrical conductor having a dielectric coating disposed thereon so that said second end is not coated with said dielectric coating;
• a coating of an electrically conductive material disposed on said dielectric coating and on said surface to form a plurality of coaxial elongated electrical conductors having electrically common outer conductors.

A structure comprising:

• a substrate having a surface;
• a plurality of elongated electrical conductors extending away from said surface;
• each of said elongated electrical conductors having a first end affixed to said surface and a second end projecting away from said surface;
• said elongated electrical conductor having a dielectric coating disposed thereon so that said second end is not coated with said dielectric coating;
• a sheet of material having a plurality of through-holes therein;
• said sheet of material is disposed so that said second ends extend through said through-holes;
• a coating of a first electrically conductive material disposed on said dielectric coating;
• said sheet of material comprising a second electrically conductive material;
• said first electrically conductive material disposed on said dielectric coating being electrically connected to said second electrically conductive material.

A structure comprising:

• a surface having a plurality of electrical contact locations thereon;
• a plurality of elongated coaxial electrical conductors each having a center conductor and an outer conductor, said center conductor has a first end and a second end,
• said first end is affixed to one of said plurality of electrical contact locations, said second end projects away therefrom;
• means for electrically interconnecting said outer conductors of at least a portion of said plurality of said elongated coaxial electrical conductors.

A structure comprising:

• a substrate having a surface;
• a plurality of elongated electrical conductors extending away from said surface;
• each of said elongated electrical conductors having a first end affixed to said surface and a second end projecting away from said surface;
• said elongated electrical conductor having a dielectric coating disposed thereon so that said second end is not coated with said dielectric coating;
• a coating of an electrically conductive material disposed on said dielectric coating to form a plurality of coaxial elongated electrical conductors;
• having electrically common outer conductors;
• and
• an electrically conductive material disposed between coaxial elongated electrically conductors providing a common electrical connection between said outer conductors.

A structure comprising:

• a substrate having a surface;
• a three dimensional arrangement of electrical conductors disposed on said surface;
• said three dimensional arrangement of conductor having a dielectric coating disposed thereon;
• a coating of an electrically conductive material disposed on said dielectric coating to form a three dimensional arrangement of coaxial elongated electrical conductors having electrically common outer conductors;
• and
• a material disposed between said three dimensional arrangement of coaxial electrical conductors.

A structure comprising:

• a substrate having a surface;
• a plurality of elongated electrical conductors extending away from said surface;
• a continuous dielectric coating disposed on each of said plurality of elongated electrical conductors and on said surface;
• and
• each of said elongated electrical conductors having a first end affixed to said surface and a second end projecting away from said surface.

A structure comprising:

• a substrate having a surface;
• a plurality of elongated electrical conductors extending away from said surface;
• said elongated electrical conductors having an electrochemically deposited dielectric coating thereon;
• and
• each of said elongated electrical conductors having a first end affixed to said surface and a second end projecting away from said surface.

A structure comprising:

• a substrate having a surface;
• a plurality of elongated electrical conductors extending away from said surface;
• said elongated electrical having a dielectric coating;
• an electrically conductive coating disposed on said dielectric coating;
• each of said elongated electrical conductors having a first end affixed to said surface and a second end projecting away from said surface;
• said second end is exposed and not covered by said dielectric coating;
• and
• said electrically conductive coating conformally coats said dielectric coating.

A structure comprising:

• a first fan out substrate having a first surface;
• said first surface having a plurality of contact locations;
• a plurality of ball bonds attached to said plurality of contact locations;
• a plurality of wires extending outward from said ball bonds, away from said first surface on fan out substrate;
• a plurality of ball shaped contacts on the ends of said plurality of wires;
• a substantially continuous layer of dielectric material disposed on said first surface and on said plurality of wires without covering said ball shaped contacts on the ends of said wires;
• a substantially continuous layer of electrically conductive material covering said dielectric material on said wires;
• and
• said electrically conductive layer is electrically connected to a common plane on said first surface of the said fan out substrate.

A structure comprising:

• a substrate having a surface;
• a plurality of elongated electrical conductors extending away from said surface;
• said elongated electrical having a dielectric coating;
• each of said elongated electrical conductors having a first end affixed to said surface and a second end projecting away from said surface;
• and
• said dielectric coating is disposed on said surface and on said elongated conductor, said elongated conductor has a second end which is not coated with said dielectric material.

A structure comprising:

• a substrate having a surface;
• a plurality of elongated electrical conductors extending away from said surface;
• each of said elongated electrical conductors having a first end affixed to said surface and a second end projecting away from said surface;
• said elongated electrical having a dielectric coating disposed on said elongated electrical conductor leaving said second end exposed;
• an electrically conductive coating disposed on said dielectric coating;
• and
• a polymeric material comprising electrically conductivity disposed between said elongated electrical conductors comprising a means for electrically interconnecting said electrically conductive coating on at least a part of said plurality of elongated electrical conductors.

A structure comprising:

• a substrate having a surface;
• a plurality of elongated electrical conductors extending away from said surface;
• each of said elongated electrical conductors having a dielectric coating;
• each of said elongated electrical conductors having a first end affixed to said surface and a second end projecting away from said surface;
• and
• a coating of an electrically conductive material disposed substantially completely coating said dielectric coating.

A structure comprising:

• a substrate having a surface;
• a plurality of elongated electrical conductors extending away from said surface;
• each of said elongated electrical conductors having a dielectric coating;
• each of said elongated electrical conductors having a first end affixed to said surface and a second end projecting away from said surface;
• and
• said substrate has a perimeter, said second end is positioned with respect to said surface so that a perpendicular line from said second end intersects said surface within said perimeter.