Integrated circuit test structure and test process

Abstract

For fully testing and burning-in an integrated circuit chip before it is incorporated into a high density interconnect or other standard hybrid bare chip circuit, a temporary test substrate having pins extending therethrough holds the chip within a cavity. Chip pads are electrically connected with the pins to create a package that can be tested using commercially available testing and burn-in devices. After testing, the chip is retrieved from the test structure undamaged. In using HDI techniques to interconnect the chip with the pins, metal-filled vias in a polymer layer overlying the temporary test substrate electrically connect the chip to the pins through a metal interconnect pattern on the polymer layer. In another embodiment, the chip is interconnected with the pins through wire bonds. Metal-filled vias pass through an insulative coating on the chip and make electrical contact with the chip pad. A temporary buffer pad connected to a respective via and offset from the chip pad connected to that via comprises a wire-bonding site.