Wafer Prober Market Size, Share, Opportunities, COVID-19 Impact, And Trends By Type (Fully Automatic, Semi-Automatic, Manual), And By Geography - Forecast From 2023 To 2028

The wafer prober market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 6.40% from an estimated market size of US$1.196 billion in 2021 to reach US$1.846 billion in 2028.

Wafer prober is a system used in the semiconductor development and manufacturing process for the electrical testing of wafers. Although the semiconductor sector growth rate is expected to decline due to weak consumer demand amidst uncertain economic conditions, affecting the wafer prober market. 

In electronic measurement, the signal from the measuring instrument or measuring device is sent with a probe or probe card to a special device on the wafer, and the signal is sent back. Wafer probes are used to manipulate the wafer so that it can touch the intended surface of the device.

In addition, wafer probes are used to test prototype ICs' properties, reliability testing, and defect detection in semiconductor development. Device and process evaluation involves high-precision measurement and assessment of the Test Element Group (TEG), including transistors, interconnects, and other IC component elements for ICs.

Moreover, the market is segmented into fully automatic, semi-automatic, and manual. Each type caters to the different needs of the semiconductor industry. Fully Automatic wafer probers are known for their high precision, accuracy, and speed, making them ideal for mass-production environments. In contrast, semi-automatic wafer probers balance precision and flexibility and are more accurate than manual probers. Manual wafer probers are suitable for low-volume production, research and development, and academic institutions.

The growing demand for semiconductors is driving the wafer prober market. 

The rise of information and communication technologies and the ongoing transition to a digital society will increase demand for semiconductors in the short term. As a result, the technological requirements for semiconductor manufacturing equipment are becoming increasingly sophisticated and difficult to meet. In addition to process scaling, 3D stacking is gaining popularity in the industry as it enables advanced packaging that includes many devices and heterogeneous components.

The increasing demand for electronic devices is accelerating the wafer prober market.

This is because these devices are heavily reliant on semiconductor chips. Wafer probers test and verify the performance and functionality of semiconductor chips before they are integrated into electronic devices, ensuring that they meet the required standards for quality and reliability. Manufacturers are investing in more advanced wafer prober technologies to keep up with the growing demand for high-performance chips.

Market Developments:

• In August 2021, Tokyo Electron Limited announced the launch of Prexa™, the next generation 300mm wafer prober.
• In June 2021, a fully automated cryogenic wafer probe mechanism operating at 4 Kelvin and below was made available by FormFactor, a leading semiconductor test, and measurement provider, in partnership with Northrop Grumman Corporation, a technology company dedicated to global security and human discovery, to speed the development of superconducting compute applications.
• Semiprobe is one of the leading fully automated wafer probe manufacturers that supply wafer probes to MEMs. The company's Fully Automatic Vacuum Probing System, launched in June 2020, is 150 mm programmable and has a vibration isolation table. The device has a material handling unit, pre-aligner, and end-effector. SEMISHARE introduced the A12 fully automatic wafer probing machine for mass production in July 2022; the state-of-the-art A12 probe station on display includes innovations such as automatic wafer unfolding and loading, micron-level full-closed-loop motion management, automatic, accurate needle alignment of Wafer, automatic and precise optical measurement, high-speed feedback interaction, and data information processing.

Based on geography, the Asia Pacific market is growing due to favourable developments.

The Asia Pacific has been a pioneer in semiconductor technology, with manufacturing units located in Taiwan, China, Japan, and South Korea, known for their advanced semiconductor fabrication facilities. The region has the presence of several key companies like Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co, Samsung Electronics, SK Hynix, and HI Silicon, among others. The Asia Pacific region is further analyzed into China, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, and others.

Major market players include Advantest Corporation, Teradyne Inc., FormFactor Inc., Tokyo Electron Limited (TEL), and MPI Corporation. Advantest Corporation and Teradyne Inc. are leading global providers of automatic test equipment (ATE) and wafer probing solutions. At the same time, FormFactor Inc. is a prominent player in probe cards and probe stations.

Wafer Prober Market Scope:

Market Segmentation:

• By Type
  • Fully Automatic
  • Semi-Automatic
  • Manual
• By Geography
  • Americas
    • USA
    • Others
  • Europe, Middle East and Africa
    • Germany
    • France
    • United Kingdom
    • Others
  • Asia Pacific
    • China
    • South Korea
    • Japan
    • Taiwan
    • Others