Enabling EFA on Single Die

Author(s):  
Rudolf Schlangen ◽  
Chen Chih (Ronan) Chien ◽  
Christopher Nemirow ◽  
Eddy Yang ◽  
Jiff Cheng ◽  
...  

Abstract Working on wafer-level has been the only way of performing electrical failure analysis (EFA) without the need for die-packaging. The introduction of Si-interposer based 2.5D packaging, with high bandwidth memory (HBM) stacks surrounding our GPU chip, drastically increasing packaging turn around times from approximately 3 days to 3-4 weeks. Having to wait more than 3 weeks for EFA and debug work of 1st Silicon chips is a significant risk for chip bring-up. To address these challenges, this paper presents different ways of reusing the existing wafer-level EFA tool for single die EFA, and introduces a concept for a novel and dedicated single die tool. Additionally, singulated die fixturing and support windows are designed to enable the usage of a 2.45 Numerical Aperture Solid Immersion Lens, and first results from a near reticle limited 16 nm Fin-FET GPU product are also presented.

Author(s):  
S.H. Goh ◽  
Y.H. Chan ◽  
B.L. Yeoh ◽  
H. Hao ◽  
M.H. Thor ◽  
...  

Author(s):  
Li-Qing Chen ◽  
Ming-Sheng Sun ◽  
Jui-Hao Chao ◽  
Soon Fatt Ng ◽  
Kapilevich Izak ◽  
...  

Abstract This paper presents the success story of the learning process by reporting four cases using four different failure analysis techniques. The cases covered are IDDQ leakage, power short, scan chain hard failure, and register soft failure. Hardware involved in the cases discussed are Meridian WS-DP, a wafer-level electrical failure analysis (EFA) system from DCG Systems, V9300 tester from Advantest, and a custom cable interface integrating WSDP and V9300 with the adaption of direct-probe platform that is widely deployed for SoC CP test. Four debug cases are reported in which various EFA techniques are proven powerful and effective, including photon emission, OBIRCH, Thermal Frequency Imaging, LVI, LVP, and dynamic laser stimulation.


Author(s):  
Yi-Sheng Lin ◽  
Yu-Hsiang Hsiao ◽  
Shu-Hua Lee

Abstract Electro Optical Terahertz Pulse Reflectometry (EOTPR) is an E-FA (Electrical Failure Analysis) technique in the semiconductor industry for non-destructive electrical fault isolation for shorts, leakages and opens. This paper introduces the capability and presents several case studies identifying the physical location of defects where EOTPR is useful as a non-destructive analysis technique. In this paper, the methodology and application of EOTPR on open and short failure isolations in advanced 2.5D IC and wafer level packages (WLP) have been presented. The experimental results of P-FA (Physical Failure Analysis) verify the accuracy of the EOTPR system in determining the distance to defect.


Author(s):  
P. Schwindenhammer ◽  
H. Murray ◽  
P. Descamps ◽  
P. Poirier

Abstract Decapsulation of complex semiconductor packages for failure analysis is enhanced by laser ablation. If lasers are potentially dangerous for Integrated Circuits (IC) surface they also generate a thermal elevation of the package during the ablation process. During measurement of this temperature it was observed another and unexpected electrical phenomenon in the IC induced by laser. It is demonstrated that this new phenomenon is not thermally induced and occurs under certain ablation conditions.


Author(s):  
H. Sur ◽  
S. Bothra ◽  
Y. Strunk ◽  
J. Hahn

Abstract An investigation into metallization/interconnect failures during the process development phase of an advanced 0.35μm CMOS ASIC process is presented. The corresponding electrical failure signature was electrical shorting on SRAM test arrays and subsequently functional/Iddq failures on product-like test vehicles. Advanced wafer-level failure analysis techniques and equipment were used to isolate and identify the leakage source as shorting of metal lines due to tungsten (W) residue which was originating from unfilled vias. Further cross-section analysis revealed that the failing vias were all exposed to the intermetal dielectric spin-on glass (SOG) material used for filling the narrow spaces between metal lines. The outgassing of the SOG in the exposed regions of the via prior to and during the tungsten plug deposition is believed to be the cause of the unfilled vias. This analysis facilitated further process development in eliminating the failure mechanism and since then no failures of this nature have been observed. The process integration approach used to eliminate the failure is discussed.


Author(s):  
Jason H. Lagar ◽  
Rudolf A. Sia

Abstract Most Wafer Level Chip Scale Package (WLCSP) units returned by customers for failure analysis are mounted on PCB modules with an epoxy underfill coating. The biggest challenge in failure analysis is the sample preparation to remove the WLCSP device from the PCB without inducing any mechanical defect. This includes the removal of the underfill material to enable further electrical verification and fault isolation analysis. This paper discusses the evaluations conducted in establishing the WLCSP demounting process and removal of the epoxy underfill coating. Combinations of different sample preparation techniques and physical failure analysis steps were evaluated. The established process enabled the electrical verification, fault isolation and further destructive analysis of WLCSP customer returns mounted on PCB and with an epoxy underfill coating material. This paper will also showcase some actual full failure analysis of WLCSP customer returns where the established process played a vital role in finding the failure mechanism.


Author(s):  
Hui Pan ◽  
Thomas Gibson

Abstract In recent years, there have been many advances in the equipment and techniques used to isolate faults. There are many options available to the failure analyst. The available techniques fall into the categories of electrical, photonic, thermal and electron/ion beam [1]. Each technique has its advantages and its limitations. In this paper, we introduce a case of successful failure analysis using a combination of several fault localization techniques on a 0.15um CMOS device with seven layers of metal. It includes electrical failure mode characterization, front side photoemission, backside photoemission, Focused Ion Beam (FIB), Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) and liquid crystal. Electrical characterization along with backside photoemission proved most useful in this case as a poly short problem was found to be causing a charge pump failure. A specific type of layout, often referred to as a hammerhead layout, and the use of Optical Proximity Correction (OPC) contributed to the poly level shorts.


2007 ◽  
Vol 46 (6B) ◽  
pp. 3889-3893 ◽  
Author(s):  
Coen A. Verschuren ◽  
Dominique M. Bruls ◽  
Bin Yin ◽  
Jack M. A. van den Eerenbeemd ◽  
Ferry Zijp

Author(s):  
Hyungtae Kim ◽  
Geonho Kim ◽  
Yunrong Li ◽  
Jinyong Jeong ◽  
Youngdae Kim

Abstract Static Random Access Memory (SRAM) has long been used for a new technology development vehicle because it is sensitive to process defects due to its high density and minimum feature size. In addition, failure location can be accurately predicted because of the highly structured architecture. Thus, fast and accurate Failure Analysis (FA) of the SRAM failure is crucial for the success of new technology learning and development. It is often quite time consuming to identify defects through conventional physical failure analysis techniques. In this paper, we present an advanced defect identification methodology for SRAM bitcell failures with fast speed and high accuracy based on the bitcell transistor analog characteristics from special design for test (DFT) features, Direct Bitcell Access (DBA). This technique has the advantage to shorten FA throughput time due to a time efficient test method and an intuitive failure analysis method based on Electrical Failure Analysis (EFA) without destructive analysis. In addition, all the defects in a wafer can be analyzed and improved simultaneously utilizing the proposed defect identification methodology. Some successful case studies are also discussed to demonstrate the efficiency of the proposed defect identification methodology.


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