Cross-Sectional Sample Preparation Techniques for 2D Doping Profiling of Specific Site by SCM

Author(s):  
Tae-Kwon Lee ◽  
Tae-Sun Back ◽  
Jong-Hyeop Kim ◽  
Yoon-Baek Park ◽  
Ho-Joung Kim ◽  
...  

Abstract Scanning capacitance microscopy (SCM) is an SPM technique which measures capacitance variation between tip and sample generated by applied AC bias while the tip is scanning in contact mode. Focused ion beam (FIB) milling is the more precise method to perform cross-sectioning of a specific site. The surface amorphization and charge trap layers formed during FIB machining affect the SCM dC/dV signal. This article demonstrates that micro-cleaving and FIB milling are capable of preparing a cross-sectional sample for 2D doping profiling of a specific site for SCM observation. Using the Micro-cleaving technique, a cross-sectional sample can be prepared easily with higher accuracy and shorter time than using a polishing method. However, Micro-cleaving can't be used by itself in the case of cross-sectioning a pattern formed by front end processing of sub-micron patterns. The FIB technique can assist the Micro-cleaving technique in cleaving of front end patterns.

Author(s):  
S. J. Kirch ◽  
Ron Anderson ◽  
Stanley J. Klepeis

The continuing reduction in the sizes of features of interest for integrated circuit failure analysis requires greater precision in transmission electron microscopy (TEM) sample preparation. With minimum feature sizes approaching 0.5 μm, the mere finding of such a feature at a polished edge, let alone preparing a TEM sample containing it becomes a formidable task. The required substantial thinning also increases the risk of loss of what may be a unique sample.We present in this paper a technique that allows localized thinning of cross-sectional TEM samples using a focused ion beam (FIB) machine. Standard preparation techniques are used to make a cross-sectional TEM sample that would otherwise be too thick to be very useful for TEM analysis. This sample is then placed in the FIB machine, which is used as a micromachining tool. No special surface preparation is necessary and the secondary electron signal generated by the ion beam provides an image that can be used to locate the feature of interest.


Author(s):  
Ching Shan Sung ◽  
Hsiu Ting Lee ◽  
Jian Shing Luo

Abstract Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) plays an important role in the structural analysis and characterization of materials for process evaluation and failure analysis in the integrated circuit (IC) industry as device shrinkage continues. It is well known that a high quality TEM sample is one of the keys which enables to facilitate successful TEM analysis. This paper demonstrates a few examples to show the tricks on positioning, protection deposition, sample dicing, and focused ion beam milling of the TEM sample preparation for advanced DRAMs. The micro-structures of the devices and samples architectures were observed by using cross sectional transmission electron microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and optical microscopy. Following these tricks can help readers to prepare TEM samples with higher quality and efficiency.


2001 ◽  
Vol 7 (3) ◽  
pp. 287-291
Author(s):  
Toshie Yaguchi ◽  
Hiroaki Matsumoto ◽  
Takeo Kamino ◽  
Tohru Ishitani ◽  
Ryoichi Urao

AbstractIn this study, we discuss a method for cross-sectional thin specimen preparation from a specific site using a combination of a focused ion beam (FIB) system and an intermediate voltage transmission electron microscope (TEM). A FIB-TEM compatible specimen holder was newly developed for the method. The thinning of the specimen using the FIB system and the observation of inside structure of the ion milled area in a TEM to localize a specific site were alternately carried out. The TEM fitted with both scanning transmitted electron detector and secondary electron detector enabled us to localize the specific site in a halfway milled specimen with the positional accuracy of better than 0.1 µm. The method was applied to the characterization of a precipitate in a steel. A submicron large precipitate was thinned exactly at its center for the characterization by a high-resolution electron microscopy and an elemental mapping.


1997 ◽  
Vol 3 (S2) ◽  
pp. 357-358
Author(s):  
C. Amy Hunt

The demand for TEM analysis in semiconductor failure analysis is rising sharply due to the shrinking size of devices. A well-prepared sample is a necessity for getting meaningful results. In the past decades, a significant amount of effort has been invested in improving sample preparation techniques for TEM specimens, especially precision cross-sectioning techniques. The most common methods of preparation are mechanical dimpling & ion milling, focused ion beam milling (FIBXTEM), and wedge mechanical polishing. Each precision XTEM technique has important advantages and limitations that must be considered for each sample.The concept for both dimpling & ion milling and wedge specimen preparation techniques is similar. Both techniques utilize mechanical polishing to remove the majority of the unwanted material, followed by ion milling to assist in final polishing or cleaning. Dimpling & ion milling produces the highest quality samples and is a relatively easy technique to master.


2002 ◽  
Vol 8 (S02) ◽  
pp. 46-47 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. M. Langford ◽  
A. K. Petford-Long ◽  
P. Gnauck

Author(s):  
R.J. Young ◽  
A. Buxbaum ◽  
B. Peterson ◽  
R. Schampers

Abstract Scanning transmission electron microscopy with scanning electron microscopes (SEM-STEM) has become increasing used in both SEM and dual-beam focused ion beam (FIB)-SEM systems. This paper describes modeling undertaken to simulate the contrast seen in such images. Such modeling provides the ability to help understand and optimize imaging conditions and also support improved sample preparation techniques.


Author(s):  
Jian-Shing Luo ◽  
Hsiu-Ting Lee ◽  
San-Lin Liew ◽  
Ching-Shan Sung ◽  
Yi-Jing Wu

Abstract The use of in-situ lift-out combined with focused ion beam milling has become a favorable choice as it offers several indispensable advantages compared to the conventional mechanical and ex-situ lift-out sample preparation techniques. This paper discusses the procedures of the multiple-post in-situ lift-out grids preparation using a dicing saw. In addition, a real case is described to show that the multiple-post in-situ lift-out grids have been successfully applied to failure analysis. The multiple-post in-situ lift-out grids provide more positions and flatter surfaces for TEM sample mounting. The flat surface greatly increases the mounting efficiency and success rate. For the real case application, a thick Al fluoride oxide layer and Al corrosion were found above the Al bond pads, which had NOSP problem, and their neighbor area, respectively.


1996 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 8-9
Author(s):  
Dave Laken

In the November issue of this publication, we described how focused ion beam (FIB) microsurgery is used to successfully cross-section and prepare material-specific samples for SEM and TEM analysis. Material specific samples have two or more components possessing different characteristics, such as hardness and chemical etch or sputtering rates. Traditional sample preparation techniques (mechanical grinding and polishing, broad ion beam etching, and chemical etching) alter, delaminate, or destroy these samples.FIB handles the preparation of these difficult samples well because of its milling geometry and the high current density of the small beam.


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