A multi-point electrical probe for testing location-specific electrical
properties on circuit boards. Four generally parallel, electrically
conducting probe arms are produced preferably by wafer-based techniques,
although any even number of probe arms between two and 64 may be used.
The precision of wafer-based manufacturing techniques permits
miniaturization beyond that which is conventionally obtained by
assembling discrete components. The probe arms are generally flexible,
and may be shaped suitably to accommodate a particular circuit geometry.
The probe and/or the sample under test may be precisely located by
suitable translation and/or rotation stages, which may optionally be
placed under computer control. A suitable wiring diagram is provided, and
preferable manufacturing techniques are discussed. In addition, the
conducting probe arms benefit from active guarding, which reduces leakage
resistance and increases the measuring accuracy of the probe, by the
inclusion of electrically-isolated conducting regions located between the
probe arms.