Microelectronic components are commonly tested with probe cards.
Certain aspects of the invention provide alternative probes, probe cards, and methods
of testing microelectronic components. In one specific example, a probe card includes
a base and a probe carried by the base. An actuator is associated with the probe
and is adapted to selectively position the probe with respect to an electrical
contact on the microelectronic component. A test power circuit is coupled to the
first probe and adapted to deliver test power to the first probe. In one exemplary
method, a microelectronic component is tested by contacting each of a plurality
of second probes carried by the probe card to one of a plurality of spaced-apart
second contacts on the microelectronic component, thereby aligning each of the
first probes with a first contact of the microelectronic component. The second
probes may then be moved out of contact with the second contacts while keeping
the base of the probe card stationary with respect to the microelectronic component.