# US 6,293,817 B1 · Extended length, high frequency contactor block > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 6,293,817 B1 - Document ID: US6293817B1 - Status: Granted - Kind: B1 - Application number: 09/368,602 - Filed: 1999-08-04 - Granted: 2001-09-25 - Earliest claimed: 1999-08-04 - Assignees: Micron Technology, Inc. - Inventors: Steven L. Hamren; Justin L. Lawrence - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US6293817B1 ## CPC - G01R 1/0416: {Connectors, terminals (G01R1/0425 and G01R1/0433 take precedence; with measurement function for battery poles G01R31/364)} - H01R 13/6625: {with capacitive component} - G01R 1/045: {Sockets or component fixtures for RF or HF testing} - G01R: MEASURING ELECTRIC VARIABLES; MEASURING MAGNETIC VARIABLES (indicating correct tuning of resonant circuits H03J3/12) - H01R: ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS ## Abstract An extended length, high frequency contactor block has a plurality of signal conductors, each having a contact element formed at its end. Each signal conductor has an inductance which is an inherent material property. The signal conductors are disposed within a plurality of layers configured to form a capacitor with each signal conductor. The plurality of layers is further configured to provide a capacitance which has a controlled relationship to the inductance of the signal conductors. The relationship may be controlled such that the impedance of each signal conductor is minimized. Because impedance is independent of length, the contactor block can be made to any length desired. A method of manufacturing a contactor block is also disclosed. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An extended length, high frequency contactor block, comprising: a plurality of signal conductors having contact elements formed on ends thereof, each signal conductor having an inductance associated therewith; a plurality of layers configured to form a capacitor with each signal conductor, wherein each signal conductor acts as one of the plates of the capacitor and wherein said plurality of layers is further configured to provide a capacitance having a relationship to said inductance such that an impedance of the contactor is constant and independent of length; and an outer shell of rigid non-conductive material applied to said plurality of layers to form a first face and a second face. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) An extended length, high frequency contactor block as in claim 1 further comprising: a second plurality of signal conductors disposed within said outer shell and having flexible contact elements formed on ends thereof, each signal conductor having an inductance associated therewith; and a second plurality of layers disposed within said outer shell and configured to form a capacitor with each signal conductor of said second plurality of signal conductors, wherein each signal conductor acts as one of the plates of the capacitor and wherein said second plurality of layers is further configured to provide a capacitance having a relationship to said inductance such that an impedance of the contactor is constant and independent of length. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) An extended length, high frequency contactor block as in claim 1 wherein said contactor block is between one and six inches in length. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) An extended length, high frequency contactor block as in claim 1 wherein the number of signal conductors is at least equal to the number of pins of a semiconductor device to be tested. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) An extended length, high frequency contactor block as in claim 1 wherein said signal conductors are approximately 0.010 inches in width and 0.0007 inches thick. ### Claim 6 A high frequency contactor block, comprising: a layer of rigid dielectric material having two outer surfaces; a plurality of signal conductors extending through said dielectric material, said conductors having flexible contact elements formed on ends thereof extending beyond said dielectric material; and a plurality of conductive strips positioned along said outer surfaces of said layer of dielectric material such that two of each of said plurality of conductive strips are aligned with one of said plurality of signal conductors so that there is one conductive strip on either side thereof and an impedance of each signal conductor is independent of its length. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) A high frequency contactor block as in claim 6 wherein said impedance of each signal conductor is minimized. ### Claim 8 (depends on 6) A high frequency contactor block as in claim 6 wherein said dielectric layer has a plurality of channels on said outer surfaces and said conductive strips are positioned within said channels. ### Claim 9 (depends on 6) A high frequency contactor block as in claim 6 further comprising an outer shell of non-conductive material applied to said dielectric layer to form a first face and a second face. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) A high frequency contactor block as in claim 9 further comprising a second layer of rigid dielectric material disposed within said outer shell, said second layer having two surfaces; a second plurality of signal conductors extending through said second layer of dielectric material, said conductors having flexible contact elements formed on ends thereof and extending beyond said second layer of dielectric material; and a second plurality of conductive strips positioned along said surfaces of said second layer of dielectric material such that two of each of said second plurality of conductive strips are aligned with one of said second plurality of signal conductors so that there is one conductive strip on either side thereof and an impedance of each signal conductor is independent of its length. ### Claim 11 (depends on 6) A high frequency contactor block as in claim 6 wherein said device is between one and six inches in length. ### Claim 12 (depends on 6) A high frequency contactor block as in claim 6 wherein the number of signal conductors is at least equal to the number of pins of a semiconductor device to be tested. ### Claim 13 (depends on 6) A high frequency contactor block as in claim 6 wherein the width of the conductive strips is approximately equal to the width of said signal conductors. ### Claim 14 A rigid device, comprising: a plurality of signal conductors having flexible contact elements formed on ends thereof, each signal conductor having an inductance associated therewith; a layer of dielectric material substantially surrounding said plurality of conductors; a plurality of conductive layers configured such that a capacitance is provided by said plurality of signal conductors, layer of dielectric material, and plurality of conductive layers whereby an impedance of each of said signal conductors is independent of its length; and an outer shell of non-conductive material applied to said plurality of conductive layers to form a first face and a second face. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) A rigid device as in claim 14 further comprising a second plurality of signal conductors disposed within said outer shell, said second plurality of signal conductors having flexible contact elements formed on ends thereof, each signal conductor having an inductance associated therewith; a second layer of dielectric material disposed within said outer shell and substantially surrounding said second plurality of conductors; and a second plurality of conductive layers disposed within said outer shell and configured such that a capacitance is provided by said second plurality of signal conductors, second layer of dielectric material, and second plurality of conductive layers whereby an impedance of said second plurality of signal conductors is independent of its length. ### Claim 16 (depends on 14) A rigid device as in claim 14 wherein said device is between one and six inches in length. ### Claim 17 (depends on 14) A rigid as in claim 14 wherein the number of signal conductors is at least equal to the number of pins of a semiconductor device to be tested. ### Claim 18 (depends on 14) A rigid device as in claim 14 wherein said signal conductors are approximately 0.010 inches in width and 0.0007 inches thick, said conductive layers selected from the group consisting of copper, aluminum and brass. ### Claim 19 A device, comprising: a pair of substantially parallel conductive plates; a layer of rigid dielectric material positioned between said plates; a plurality of signal conductors each having an inductance associated therewith, said signal conductors extending through said dielectric material and being substantially parallel to said plates such that a capacitance is formed which has a relationship to said inductance so that an impedance of each signal conductor is constant and independent of length; flexible contact elements formed on at least one end of said signal conductors; and an outer shell of non-conductive material applied to said pair of plates to form a first face and a second face. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) A device as in claim 19 further comprising: a second a pair of substantially parallel conductive plates disposed within said outer shell; a second layer of dielectric material positioned between said plates; a second plurality of signal conductors each having an inductance associated therewith, said signal conductors extending through said dielectric material and being substantially parallel to said second pair of plates such that a capacitance is formed which has a relationship to said inductance such that an impedance of each signal conductor of said second plurality of signal conductors is constant and independent of length; and flexible contact elements formed on at least one end of said second plurality of signal conductors. ### Claim 21 (depends on 19) A device as in claim 19 wherein said device is between one and six inches in length. ### Claim 22 (depends on 19) A device as in claim 19 wherein the number of signal conductors is at least equal to the number of pins of a semiconductor device to be tested. ### Claim 23 (depends on 19) A device as in claim 19 wherein said signal conductors are approximately 0.010 inches in width and 0.0007 inches thick, said conductive plates selected from the group consisting of copper, aluminum and brass. ### Claim 24 An extended length, high frequency contactor block comprising: a rectangular block having a front face, a rear face, a top face, a bottom face and two side faces, said front face and said rear face comprised of a rigid non-conductive support material; a first layer of dielectric material disposed beneath said front face; a second layer of dielectric material disposed beneath said rear face; an inner layer of non-conductive support material disposed between said first layer of dielectric material and said second layer of dielectric material; a first plurality of signal conductors disposed within said first layer of dielectric material, said signal conductors having an inductance associated therewith, said signal conductors running between said top face and said bottom face and having flexible contact elements formed on the ends thereof; a second plurality of signal conductors disposed within said second layer of dielectric material, said signal conductors having an inductance associated therewith, said signal conductors running between said top face and said bottom face and having flexible contact elements formed on the ends thereof; a first plurality of conductive strips disposed between said front face and said first layer of dielectric material and between said first layer of dielectric material and said inner layer of non-conductive support material and positioned so that two of said conductive strips are aligned with each one of said first plurality of flexible contact elements; and a second plurality of conductive strips disposed between said rear face and said second layer of dielectric material and between said second layer of dielectric material and said inner layer of non-conductive support material and positioned so that two of said conductive strips are aligned with one of each said second plurality of flexible contact elements; wherein said configuration of signal conductors, dielectric material and conductive strips provides a capacitance having a relationship to said inductance so that the impedance of the contactor is constant and independent of length. ### Claim 25 (depends on 24) An extended length, high frequency contactor block as in claim 24 wherein said impedance of the contactor block is minimized. ### Claim 26 (depends on 24) An extended length, high frequency contactor block as in claim 24 wherein said contactor block is between one and six inches in length. ### Claim 27 (depends on 24) An extended length, high frequency contactor block as in claim 24 wherein the number of signal conductors is at least equal to the number of pins of a semiconductor device to be tested. ### Claim 28 (depends on 24) An extended length, high frequency contactor block as in claim 24 wherein the width of the conductive strips is approximately equal to the width of said signal conductors. ### Claim 29 A combination, comprising: test equipment; a temperature controlled test chamber; an interface board located adjacent to said test chamber and connected to said test equipment; a high frequency contactor block having a first end connected to said interface board and a second end extending substantially into said temperature controlled test chamber; a handler adapted to bring integrated circuit chips into and out of contact with said second end of said contactor block; wherein said contactor block comprises: a plurality of signal conductors having flexible contact elements formed on said second end of said contactor block, each signal conductor having an inductance associated therewith; a plurality of layers configured to form a capacitor with each signal conductor, wherein each signal conductor acts as one of the plates of the capacitor and wherein said plurality of layers is further configured to provide a capacitance having a relationship to said inductance such that the impedance of the contactor is constant and independent of length, and an outer shell of non-conductive material applied to said plurality of layers to form a first and a second face; said contactor block being of a substantial length such that said contactor block will not affect the temperature in said temperature controlled chamber. ### Claim 30 A rigid device comprising: a plurality of signal conductors having flexible contact elements formed on the ends thereof, each signal conductor having an inductance associated therewith; a layer of dielectric material substantially surrounding said plurality of conductors and having two outer surfaces; a plurality of conductive strips positioned along said outer surfaces of said layer of dielectric material such that two of each of said plurality of conductive strips are aligned with one of said plurality of signal conductors so that there is one conductive strip on either side thereof and an impedance of each signal conductor is independent of its length. ### Claim 31 (depends on 30) A device as in claim 30, wherein said impedance of each signal conductor is minimized. ### Claim 32 (depends on 30) A device as in claim 30, wherein said dielectric layer has a plurality of channels on said outer surfaces and said conductive strips are positioned within said channels. ### Claim 33 (depends on 30) A device as in claim 30 further comprising an outer shell of non-conductive material applied to said dielectric layer to form a first face and a second face. ### Claim 34 (depends on 33) A device in claim 33 further comprising a second layer of rigid dielectric material disposed within said outer shell, said second layer having two surfaces; a second plurality of signal conductors extending through said second layer of dielectric material, said conductors having flexible contact elements formed on the ends thereof and extending beyond said second layer of dielectric material; and a plurality of conductive strips positioned along said surfaces of said layer of dielectric material such that two of each of said plurality of conductive strips are aligned with one of said plurality of signal conductors so that there is one conductive strip on either side thereof and an impedance of each signal conductor is independent of its length. ### Claim 35 (depends on 30) A device as in claim 30, wherein said device is between one and six inches in length. ### Claim 36 (depends on 30) A device as in claim 30, wherein the number of signal conductors is at least equal to the number of pins of a semiconductor device to be tested. ### Claim 37 (depends on 30) A device as in claim 30, wherein the width of the conductive strips is approximately equal to the width of said signal conductors.