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A Novel Technique for Detecting Defects in Ulsi Metallized Systems

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  25 February 2011

C. A. Pico
Affiliation:
Texas Instruments, Semiconductor Design and Processing Center
T. Aton
Affiliation:
Texas Instruments, Semiconductor Design and Processing Center
R. J. Gale
Affiliation:
Texas Instruments, Semiconductor Design and Processing Center
M. Bennett-Lilley
Affiliation:
Texas Instruments, Semiconductor Design and Processing Center
M. Harward
Affiliation:
Texas Instruments, Semiconductor Design and Processing Center
S. Mahant-Shetti
Affiliation:
MOS Memory Semiconductor Group, P.O. BOX 655012, MS 944, Dallas, TX 75265
T. Weaver
Affiliation:
Texas Instruments, Semiconductor Design and Processing Center
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Extract

Defect location and identification in the metallization systems of ultra-large-scale integrated (ULSI) devices is becoming increasingly important because of the demands of high device density. An understanding of the sources of defects is crucial to the fabrication of submicron devices. Typically, defect identification is accomplished by electrically testing large metal combs and serpents followed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) investigation. In order to identify metallization defects quickly, we have fabricated a novel device that bypasses the need to electrically probe. This technique utilizes voltage contrast imaging in-situ SEM to locate defects typically found during ULSI device fabrication. While voltage contrast imaging has been used to locate defects in conjuction with externally applied voltages [1], our technique takes advantage of the SEM's own beam as a charging source and makes close resolution (<0.1μm) inspection unnecessary until appropriate. In this way, defects can be located and identified using ∼/20th the time presently required.

Type
Articles
Copyright
Copyright © Materials Research Society 1990

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References

1) Phillip, E. Russell in Materials Characterization, edited by Cheung, Nathan and Nicolet, Marc-A. (Materials Research Soc, Pittsburgh, PA 1986), V. 69, pp. 1522Google Scholar