An upward facing probing mechanism using mercury probe contacts for
accurate automatic multi-site measurements of a semiconductor wafer,
especially of ultra-shallow ion implanted layers on a semiconductor wafer
held top surface facing downward. A fixed force is applied to the wafer
regardless of the thickness of the wafer through the of use of a
regulated pressure piston. Incorporated are a plurality of spring-loaded
rod assemblies to support the floating probe head to position the probe
head face into full contact with the wafer surface accurately placing all
mercury contacts on the surface of the wafer regardless of the
inclination of the wafer as a result of the even support of the probe
head by the spring-loaded rod assemblies. Included is a mechanism to
refresh the mercury contacts for each probing with full containment and
recovery of the mercury used in each probing.