Cascade Microtech Introduces New Line of Terahertz Probes

New T-Wave(TM) Probe Series Delivers High-Accuracy Measurement From 220 GHz Through 1.1 THz

http://www.marketwatch.com/story/cascade-microtech-introduces-new-line-of-terahertz-probes-2014-07-08

BEAVERTON, OR, Jul 08, 2014 (Marketwired via COMTEX) -- Cascade Microtech, Inc. CSCD -0.13% , a leading supplier of solutions that enable precision measurements of integrated circuits at the wafer level, today announced the launch of the T-Wave series of waveguide probes for on-wafer probing of millimeter wave and sub-millimeter wave circuits.

Applications such as short-range communication, terahertz imaging, astronomy and other high-speed communications applications require the ability to characterize sub-millimeter wave devices with data that is accurate and repeatable. Recent technology innovation in photonics and nanotechnology is enabling terahertz research which is being applied in many emerging technology sectors. Terahertz technology is finding use in an increasingly wide variety of applications: information and communications technology; biology and medical sciences; non-destructive evaluation; homeland security; quality control of food and agricultural products; global environmental monitoring; and ultra-fast computing among others. These applications present unique challenges, particularly with transmission line losses as testing approaches 600 GHz and beyond.

Significant progress has been made in terahertz band (300-3000 GHz) circuit fabrication, and continued growth in terahertz applications requires the availability of quality test and measurement equipment. Robust and calibrated on-wafer measurements of planar millimeter and sub-millimeter wave devices can significantly reduce the effort required to characterize a wafer of devices while increasing the accuracy of the measurement by eliminating errors and effects associated with fixtures.

Cascade Microtech now offers its new T-Wave probe series which includes millimeter and sub-millimeter wavelength on-wafer ground-signal-ground probes and associated components for electrical measurement of devices and materials with frequencies up to 1.1 terahertz. The T-Wave probe's innovative silicon probe tip is instrumental in achieving not only small pitches as narrow as 25 um, but also delivers low contact resistance and insertion loss of less than 1.5 dB between 140 GHz and 220 GHz. The T-Wave probe has excellent tip visibility for accurate probe placement, and with easily replaceable probe tips, cost of ownership is significantly reduced.

"Our strategic MeasureOne collaboration with Dominion MicroProbes, Inc. has afforded us the opportunity to expand our probe product line to now address the challenges of the terahertz frequency spectrum while improving our customers' time to first measurement," said Debbora Ahlgren, vice president of marketing, Cascade Microtech, Inc. "Complete solutions incorporating the new T-Wave probe will enable customers involved in imaging, astronomy and high-speed communications to broaden the capabilities of their Cascade Microtech probe stations. When purchased as part of a comprehensive MeasureOne Terahertz Solution, Cascade Microtech offers Solutions Experts for installation, system integration, training and service."

MeasureOne customers benefit by having the confidence in knowing leaders of their respective industries are collaborating on their behalf to achieve faster time to first measurement. For details about MeasureOne Solutions, visitwww.cascademicrotech.com/measureone .

To learn more about the new T-Wave series of probes, visitwww.cascademicrotech.com/probes .

About MeasureOne MeasureOne provides a single point of contact to deliver the optimal customer solution for configuration, installation, service and performance of application-specific measurement solutions. The MeasureOne program is designed to address applications including device modeling, load pull, WLR, emission microscopy, THz measurements and pulsed RF. The MeasureOne framework ensures that Cascade Microtech and its solutions partners will provide hardware and software support as well as a portfolio of service levels. The MeasureOne service levels include validated, optimized and guaranteed solution configurations and performance, as well as installation and support by our solutions experts. To find out more about the MeasureOne program, visit www.cascademicrotech.com/measureone .

About Cascade Microtech, Inc. Cascade Microtech, Inc. CSCD -0.13% is a worldwide leader in precision contact, electrical measurement and test of integrated circuits (ICs), optical devices and other small structures. For technology businesses and scientific institutions that need to evaluate small structures, Cascade Microtech delivers access to electrical data from wafers, ICs, IC packages, circuit boards and modules, MEMS, 3D TSV, LED devices and more. Cascade Microtech's leading-edge stations, probes, probe cards, advanced thermal subsystems and integrated systems deliver precision accuracy and superior performance both in the lab and during production manufacturing of high-speed and high-density semiconductor chips. For more information visitwww.cascademicrotech.com .