Effects of Backside Circuit Edit on Transistor Characteristics

Author(s):  
R.K. Jain ◽  
T. Malik ◽  
T.R. Lundquist ◽  
Q.S. Wang ◽  
R. Schlangen ◽  
...  

Abstract Backside circuit edit techniques on integrated circuits (ICs) are becoming common due to increase number of metal layers and flip chip type packaging. However, a thorough study of the effects of these modifications has not been published. This in spite of the fact that the IC engineers have sometimes wondered about the effects of backside circuit edit on IC behavior. The IC industry was well aware that modifications can lead to an alteration of the intrinsic behavior of a circuit after a FIB edit [1]. However, because alterations can be controlled [2], they have not stopped the IC industry from using the FIB to successfully reconfigure ICs to produce working “silicon” to prove design and mask changes. Reliability of silicon device structures, transistors and diodes, are investigated by monitoring intrinsic parameters before and after various steps of modification.

Author(s):  
Steve K. Hsiung ◽  
Kevan V. Tan ◽  
Andrew J. Komrowski ◽  
Daniel J. D. Sullivan ◽  
Jan Gaudestad

Abstract Scanning SQUID (Superconducting Quantum Interference Device) Microscopy, known as SSM, is a non-destructive technique that detects magnetic fields in Integrated Circuits (IC). The magnetic field, when converted to current density via Fast Fourier Transform (FFT), is particularly useful to detect shorts and high resistance (HR) defects. A short between two wires or layers will cause the current to diverge from the path the designer intended. An analyst can see where the current is not matching the design, thereby easily localizing the fault. Many defects occur between or under metal layers that make it impossible using visible light or infrared emission detecting equipment to locate the defect. SSM is the only tool that can detect signals from defects under metal layers, since magnetic fields are not affected by them. New analysis software makes it possible for the analyst to overlay design layouts, such as CAD Knights, directly onto the current paths found by the SSM. In this paper, we present four case studies where SSM successfully localized short faults in advanced wire-bond and flip-chip packages after other fault analysis methods failed to locate the defects.


Author(s):  
Olivier Crépel ◽  
Philippe Descamps ◽  
Patrick Poirier ◽  
Romain Desplats ◽  
Philippe Perdu ◽  
...  

Abstract Magnetic field based techniques have shown great capabilities for investigation of current flows in integrated circuits (ICs). After reviewing the performances of SQUID, GMR (hard disk head technologies) and MTJ existing sensors, we will present results obtained on various case studies. This comparison will show the benefit of each approach according to each case study (packaged devices, flip-chip circuits, …). Finally we will discuss on the obtained results to classify current techniques, optimal domain of applications and advantages.


2004 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. 462-469 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wolf-Dieter Rau ◽  
Alexander Orchowski

We present and review dopant mapping examples in semiconductor device structures by electron holography and outline their potential applications for experimental investigation of two-dimensional (2D) dopant diffusion on the nanometer scale. We address the technical challenges of the method when applied to transistor structures with respect to quantification of the results in terms of the 2Dp–njunction potential and critically review experimental boundary conditions, accuracy, and potential pitfalls. By obtaining maps of the inner electrostatic potential before and after anneals typically used in device processing, we demonstrate how the “vertical” and “lateral” redistribution of boron during device fabrication can directly be revealed. Such data can be compared with the results of process simulation to extract the fundamental parameters for dopant diffusion in complex device structures.


2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 (1) ◽  
pp. 000125-000130
Author(s):  
Leo Hu ◽  
Sze Pei Lim

Abstract With the leap into the 5G era, the demand for improvements in the performance of mobile phones is on the rise. This is also true for the quantity of radio frequency (RF) front-end integrated circuits (ICs), especially for RF switches and low noise amplifiers (LNA). It is well-known that improvements in performance depend on the combination of new design, package technology, and choice of materials. Ultra-low residue (ULR) flux is an innovative, truly no-clean, flip-chip bonding material. By using ULR flux, the typical water-wash cleaning process can be removed and, in some instances, package reliability can be improved as well. This simplified assembly process will help to reduce total packaging costs. This paper will discuss the application of ULR fluxes on land grid arrays (LGAs) and quad-flat no-leads/dual-flat no-leads (QFN/DFN) packages for RF front-end ICs, as well as the reflow process. The solder joint strength and reliability study will be shared as well.


Author(s):  
Fei Long Xu ◽  
Phoumra Tan ◽  
Dan Nuez

Abstract Physical FA innovations in advanced flip-chip devices are essential, especially for die-level defects. Given the increasing number of metal layers, traditional front-side deprocessing requires a lot of work on parallel lapping and wet etching before reaching the transistor level. Therefore, backside deprocessing is often preferred for checking transistor-level defects, such as subtle ESD damage. This paper presents an efficient technique that involves precise, automated die thinning (from 760µm to 5µm), high-resolution fault localization using a solid immersion lens, and rigorous KOH etch. Using this technique, transistor-level damage was revealed on advanced 7nm FinFET devices with flip-chip packaging.


2015 ◽  
Vol 2015 (1) ◽  
pp. 000787-000792
Author(s):  
E. Misra ◽  
T. Wassick ◽  
I. Melville ◽  
K. Tunga ◽  
D. Questad ◽  
...  

The introduction of low-k & ultra-low-k dielectrics, lead-free (Pb-free) solder interconnects or C4's, and organic flip-chip laminates for integrated circuits have led to some major reliability challenges for the semiconductor industry. These include C4 electromigration (EM) and mechanical failures induced with-in the Si chip due to chip-package interactions (CPI). In 32nm technology, certain novel design changes were evaluated in the last Cu wiring level and the Far Back End of Line levels (FBEOL) to strategically re-distribute the current more uniformly through the Pb-free C4 bumps and therefore improve the C4 EM capabilities of the technology. FBEOL process integration changes, such as increasing the thickness of the hard dielectric (SiNx & SiOx) and reducing the final via diameter, were also evaluated for reducing the mechanical stresses in the weaker BEOL levels and mitigating potential risks for mechanical failures within the Si chip. The supporting white-bump, C4 EM and electrical/mechanical modeling data that demonstrates the benefits of the design and integration changes will be discussed in detail in the paper. Some of the key processing and integration challenges observed due to the design and process updates and the corresponding mitigation steps taken will also be discussed.


1997 ◽  
Vol 3 (S2) ◽  
pp. 467-468
Author(s):  
Lancy Tsung ◽  
Hun-Lian Tsai ◽  
Alwin Tsao ◽  
Makoto Takemura

Ion implantation of arsenic and phosphorus is a common practice in silicon devices for the formation of transistor source/drain regions. We used a TEM equipped with EDX capabilities to investigate effects of ion implantation in actual devices before and after annealing. A 200 kev field emission gun TEM was used in this study. Two implant cases were studied here. Both samples are p-type, (100) Si wafers.Figure 1 shows the microstructure in a common source region of a silicon device after being implanted by phosphorus (4x1014 cm−2 at 30 kv, 0°), while Figure 2 shows a similar region for arsenic implantation (5x1015 cm−2 at 45 kv, 0°). No screen layer was used during implantation. The phosphorus implant results in a ˜0.05 μm amorphous layer sandwiched between heavily damaged crystalline silicon. High resolution images reveal a rough amorphous/damaged crystalline boundary and high density defects due to silicon lattice displacements.


2020 ◽  
Vol 38 (9) ◽  
pp. 2630-2636 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael Theurer ◽  
Martin Moehrle ◽  
Ariane Sigmund ◽  
Karl-Otto Velthaus ◽  
Ruud M. Oldenbeuving ◽  
...  

2013 ◽  
Vol 284-287 ◽  
pp. 375-379 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chieh Kung

System-in-package (SiP) has become a mainstream technology in IC package industry as it provides the solutions to the growing needs of high speed functions, mobility/portability, energy efficiency, and miniaturization of electronic products. One special form of SiP is the multi-chip module (MCM) in which multiple integrated circuits (ICs), semiconductor dies or other discrete components are packaged onto a unifying substrate. Thus, the reliability of package integrity becomes one of the major reliability concerns. In the present paper, a robust design analysis on the thermo-mechanical reliability of an MCM package with flip-chip technology is demonstrated. Our results show that for the specific package, the CTE of the substrate is the most influential factor to the fatigue reliability of the package. The optimal combination of the parameters is recommended. The robust design analysis optimizes the fatigue life from 165 cycles to 1080 cycles which is a 554.5% gain on the fatigue life.


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