Visual Examination and Photography in Failure Analysis

2022 ◽  
pp. 1-11
Author(s):  
Richard P. Baron
Keyword(s):  
Failure Analysis ◽  
Digital Camera ◽  
Visual Examination ◽  
High Quality ◽  
Root Cause ◽  
Surrounding Environment ◽  
Photographic Documentation ◽  
Investigative Process ◽  
Visual Observations

Abstract Failure analysis is an investigative process in which the visual observations of features present on a failed component and the surrounding environment are essential in determining the root cause of a failure. This article reviews the basic photographic principles and techniques that are applied to failure analysis, both in the field and in the laboratory. It discusses the processes involved in visual examination, field photographic documentation, and laboratory photographic documentation of failed components. The article describes the operating principles of each part of a professional digital camera. It covers basic photographic principles and manipulation of settings that assist in producing high-quality images. The need for accurate photographic documentation in failure analysis is also presented.

A New Failure Analysis Flow of Gate Oxide Integrity Failure in Wafer Fabrication

2009 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hua Younan ◽  
Chu Susan ◽  
Gui Dong ◽  
Mo Zhiqiang ◽  
Xing Zhenxiang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Failure Analysis ◽  
Gate Dielectric ◽  
Dielectric Breakdown ◽  
Defect Density ◽  
Gate Oxide ◽  
Oxide Thickness ◽  
Fault Isolation ◽  
Wafer Fabrication ◽  
Root Cause ◽  
Gate Oxide Integrity

Abstract As device feature size continues to shrink, the reducing gate oxide thickness puts more stringent requirements on gate dielectric quality in terms of defect density and contamination concentration. As a result, analyzing gate oxide integrity and dielectric breakdown failures during wafer fabrication becomes more difficult. Using a traditional FA flow and methods some defects were observed after electrical fault isolation using emission microscopic tools such as EMMI and TIVA. Even with some success with conventional FA the root cause was unclear. In this paper, we will propose an analysis flow for GOI failures to improve FA’s success rate. In this new proposed flow both a chemical method, Wright Etch, and SIMS analysis techniques are employed to identify root cause of the GOI failures after EFA fault isolation. In general, the shape of the defect might provide information as to the root cause of the GOI failure, whether related to PID or contamination. However, Wright Etch results are inadequate to answer the questions of whether the failure is caused by contamination or not. If there is a contaminate another technique is required to determine what the contaminant is and where it comes from. If the failure is confirmed to be due to contamination, SIMS is used to further determine the contamination source at the ppm-ppb level. In this paper, a real case of GOI failure will be discussed and presented. Using the new failure analysis flow, the root cause was identified to be iron contamination introduced from a worn out part made of stainless steel.

Burn-in Failure Analysis of 0.5μm 1MB SRAM: Barrier Glue Layer Cracks and Tungsten Plug “Worm Holes”

1996 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. Widener ◽  
S. Tatti ◽  
P. Schani ◽  
S. Crown ◽  
B. Dunnigan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Failure Analysis ◽  
Product Quality ◽  
Cmos Process ◽  
Designed Experiments ◽  
Root Cause ◽  
Poly Silicon ◽  
New Process ◽  
Supply Current ◽  
Electrical Analysis ◽  
Current Characteristics

Abstract A new 0.5 um 1 Megabit SRAM which employed a double metal, triple poly CMOS process with Tungsten plug metal to poly /silicon contacts was introduced. During burn-in of this product, high currents, apparently due to electrical overstress, were experienced. Electrical analysis showed abnormal supply current characteristics at high voltages. Failure analysis identified the sites of the high currents of the bum-in rejects and discovered cracks in the glue layer prior to Tungsten deposition as the root cause of the failure. The glue layer cracks allowed a reaction with the poly/silicon, causing opens at the bottom of contacts. These floating nodes caused high currents and often latch-up during burn-in. Designed experiments in the wafer fab identified an improved glue layer process, which has been implemented. The new process shows improvement in burn in performance as well as outgoing product quality.

Analysis Approach on DMOS Transistor Vth Mismatch Due to Trapped Charges

2015 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hashim Ismail ◽  
Ang Chung Keow ◽  
Kenny Gan Chye Siong
Keyword(s):  
Failure Analysis ◽  
Threshold Voltage ◽  
Gate Oxide ◽  
Analysis Approach ◽  
Test Results ◽  
Root Cause ◽  
Switching Event ◽  
Output Transistor ◽  
Event Based ◽  
Trapped Charge

Abstract An output switching malfunction was reported on a bridge driver IC. The electrical verification testing revealed evidence of an earlier over current condition resulting from an abnormal voltage sense during a switching event. Based on these test results, we developed the hypothesis that a threshold voltage mismatch existed between the sense transistor and the output transistor. This paper describes the failure analysis approach we used to characterize the threshold voltage mismatch as well as our approach to determine the root cause, which was trapped charge on the gate oxide of the sense transistor.

Precision Xe Plasma FIB Delayering for Physical Failure Analysis of Sub-20 nm Microprocessor Devices

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. Zudhistira ◽  
V. Viswanathan ◽  
V. Narang ◽  
J.M. Chin ◽  
S. Sharang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Failure Analysis ◽  
Dielectric Films ◽  
Planar Surface ◽  
Chemical Methods ◽  
Root Cause ◽  
Essential Step ◽  
Dielectric Layers ◽  
Wet Chemical ◽  
20 Nm ◽  
Low K

Abstract Deprocessing is an essential step in the physical failure analysis of ICs. Typically, this is accomplished by techniques such as wet chemical methods, RIE, and mechanical manual polishing. Manual polishing suffers from highly non-uniform delayering particularly for sub 20nm technologies due to aggressive back-end-of-line scaling and porous ultra low-k dielectric films. Recently gas assisted Xe plasma FIB has demonstrated uniform delayering of the metal and dielectric layers, achieving a planar surface of heterogeneous materials. In this paper, the successful application of this technique to delayer sub-20 nm microprocessor chips with real defects to root cause the failure is presented.

SEM-Based Nanoprobing on 40, 32 and 28 nm CMOS Devices Challenges for Semiconductor Failure Analysis

2013 ◽  
Author(s):  
Erik Paul ◽  
Holger Herzog ◽  
Sören Jansen ◽  
Christian Hobert ◽  
Eckhard Langer
Keyword(s):  
Electron Microscope ◽  
High Resolution ◽  
Scanning Electron Microscope ◽  
Failure Analysis ◽  
Case Studies ◽  
State Of The Art ◽  
Root Cause ◽  
Highly Efficient ◽  
Technology Nodes ◽  
Scanning Electron

Abstract This paper presents an effective device-level failure analysis (FA) method which uses a high-resolution low-kV Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) in combination with an integrated state-of-the-art nanomanipulator to locate and characterize single defects in failing CMOS devices. The presented case studies utilize several FA-techniques in combination with SEM-based nanoprobing for nanometer node technologies and demonstrate how these methods are used to investigate the root cause of IC device failures. The methodology represents a highly-efficient physical failure analysis flow for 28nm and larger technology nodes.

Marginal RF Gain Investigation and Root Cause Determination

2013 ◽  
Author(s):  
Keith Harber ◽  
Steve Brockett
Keyword(s):  
Radio Frequency ◽  
Failure Analysis ◽  
Power Amplifier ◽  
Physical Analysis ◽  
Root Cause ◽  
S Parameter ◽  
Mode Of Operation ◽  
S Parameters

Abstract This paper outlines the failure analysis of a Radio Frequency only (RF-only) failure on a complex Multimode Multiband Power Amplifier (MMPA) module, where slightly lower gain was observed in one mode of operation. 2 port S-parameter information was collected and utilized to help localize the circuitry causing the issue. A slight DC electrical difference was observed, and simulation was utilized to confirm that difference was causing the observed S-parameters. Physical analysis uncovered a very visible cause for the RF-only failure.

Novel FIB Use for Failure Analysis of MEMS Gyroscopes

2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nathan Wang ◽  
Saunil Shah ◽  
Camille Garcia ◽  
Vicente Pasating ◽  
George Perreault
Keyword(s):  
Thin Films ◽  
Integrated Circuits ◽  
Failure Analysis ◽  
New Techniques ◽  
Unique Challenge ◽  
Root Cause ◽  
Large Size ◽  
Mems Gyroscopes

Abstract MEMS samples, with their relatively large size and weight, present a unique challenge to the failure analyst as they also included thin films and microstructures used in conventional integrated circuits. This paper describes how to accommodate the large MEMS structures without skimping on the microanalyses needed to get to the root cause. Investigations of tuning folk gyroscopes were used to demonstrate these new techniques.

Case Study—Failure Analysis of a Multiplexer

2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael Woo ◽  
Marcos Campos ◽  
Luigi Aranda
Keyword(s):  
Failure Analysis ◽  
High Reliability ◽  
Component Failure ◽  
Root Cause ◽  
Knowing That ◽  
Cause Of Failure ◽  
The Cost

Abstract A component failure has the potential to significantly impact the cost, manufacturing schedule, and/or the perceived reliability of a system, especially if the root cause of the failure is not known. A failure analysis is often key to mitigating the effects of a componentlevel failure to a customer or a system; minimizing schedule slips, minimizing related accrued costs to the customer, and allowing for the completion of the system with confidence that the reliability of the product had not been compromised. This case study will show how a detailed and systemic failure analysis was able to determine the exact cause of failure of a multiplexer in a high-reliability system, which allowed the manufacturer to confidently proceed with production knowing that the failure was not a systemic issue, but rather that it was a random “one time” event.

Root Cause Analysis for Pin Leakage

2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zhigang Song ◽  
Jochonia Nxumalo ◽  
Manuel Villalobos ◽  
Sweta Pendyala
Keyword(s):  
Failure Analysis ◽  
Root Cause Analysis ◽  
Advanced Technology ◽  
Process Step ◽  
Cause Analysis ◽  
Hard Mask ◽  
Technology Node ◽  
Root Cause ◽  
Tools And Techniques

Abstract Pin leakage continues to be on the list of top yield detractors for microelectronics devices. It is simply manifested as elevated current with one pin or several pins during pin continuity test. Although many techniques are capable to globally localize the fault of pin leakage, root cause analysis and identification for it are still very challenging with today’s advanced failure analysis tools and techniques. It is because pin leakage can be caused by any type of defect, at any layer in the device and at any process step. This paper presents a case study to demonstrate how to combine multiple techniques to accurately identify the root cause of a pin leakage issue for a device manufactured using advanced technology node. The root cause was identified as under-etch issue during P+ implantation hard mask opening for ESD protection diode, causing P+ implantation missing, which was responsible for the nearly ohmic type pin leakage.

Failure Analysis of Broken Stitch Bonds in TSSOP Packages Using Scanning Acoustic Microscopy (SAM) and Time Domain Reflectometry (TDR)

2004 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bilal Abd-AlRahman ◽  
Corey Lewis ◽  
Todd Simons
Keyword(s):  
Failure Analysis ◽  
Mechanical Stress ◽  
Time Domain ◽  
Open Circuit ◽  
Time Domain Reflectometry ◽  
Acoustic Microscopy ◽  
Scanning Acoustic Microscopy ◽  
Root Cause ◽  
Analysis Application

Abstract A failure analysis application utilizing scanning acoustic microscopy (SAM) and time domain reflectometry (TDR) for failure analysis has been developed to isolate broken stitch bonds in thin shrink small outline package (TSSOP) devices. Open circuit failures have occurred in this package due to excessive bending of the leads during assembly. The tools and their specific application to this technique as well as the limitations of C-SAM, TDR and radiographic analyses are discussed. By coupling C-SAM and TDR, a failure analyst can confidently determine whether the cause of an open circuit in a TSSOP package is located at the stitch bond. The root cause of the failure was determined to be abnormal mechanical stress placed on the pins during the lead forming operation. While C-SAM and TDR had proven useful in the analysis of TSSOP packages, it can potentially be expanded to other wire-bonded packages.

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