scholarly journals Electropolishing—A Practical Method for Accessing Voids in Metal Films for Analyses

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (15) ◽  
pp. 7009
Author(s):  
Sebastian Moser ◽  
Manuel Kleinbichler ◽  
Sabine Kubicek ◽  
Johannes Zechner ◽  
Megan J. Cordill
Keyword(s):  
Sample Preparation ◽  
Material Removal ◽  
Focused Ion Beam ◽  
Ion Beam ◽  
Practical Method ◽  
Lateral Direction ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Metal Thin Films ◽  
Early Degradation ◽  
Microscopy Images

In many applications, voids in metals are observed as early degradation features caused by fatigue. In this publication, electropolishing is presented in the context of a novel sample preparation method that is capable of accessing voids in the interior of metal thin films along their lateral direction by material removal. When performed at optimized process parameters, material removal can be well controlled and the surface becomes smooth at the micro scale, resulting in the voids being well distinguishable from the background in scanning electron microscopy images. Compared to conventional cross-sectional sample preparation (embedded mechanical cross-section or focused ion beam), the accessed surface is not constrained by the thickness of the investigated film and laterally resolved void analyses are possible. For demonstrational purposes of this method, the distribution of degradation voids along the metallization of thermo-mechanically stressed microelectronic chips has been quantified.

TEM Sample Preparation Tricks for Advanced DRAMs

2015 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ching Shan Sung ◽  
Hsiu Ting Lee ◽  
Jian Shing Luo
Keyword(s):  
Electron Microscopy ◽  
Transmission Electron Microscopy ◽  
Sample Preparation ◽  
Integrated Circuit ◽  
Focused Ion Beam ◽  
Ion Beam ◽  
Tem Analysis ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Transmission Electron ◽  
Characterization Of Materials

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.

TEM sample preparation with focused ion beams

1991 ◽  
Vol 49 ◽  
pp. 1108-1109
Author(s):  
S. J. Kirch ◽  
Ron Anderson ◽  
Stanley J. Klepeis
Keyword(s):  
Sample Preparation ◽  
Integrated Circuit ◽  
Focused Ion Beam ◽  
Ion Beam ◽  
Surface Preparation ◽  
Tem Analysis ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Transmission Electron ◽  
Special Surface ◽  
Preparation Techniques

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.

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

2007 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tae-Kwon Lee ◽  
Tae-Sun Back ◽  
Jong-Hyeop Kim ◽  
Yoon-Baek Park ◽  
Ho-Joung Kim ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Sample Preparation ◽  
Focused Ion Beam ◽  
Ion Beam ◽  
Specific Site ◽  
Contact Mode ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Precise Method ◽  
Front End ◽  
Capacitance Variation ◽  
Preparation Techniques

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.

FIB Plan and Side View Cross-Sectional TEM Sample Preparation of Nanostructures

2013 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
pp. 133-140 ◽  
Author(s):  
Filip Lenrick ◽  
Martin Ek ◽  
Daniel Jacobsson ◽  
Magnus T. Borgström ◽  
L. Reine Wallenberg
Keyword(s):  
Sample Preparation ◽  
Cross Sections ◽  
Focused Ion Beam ◽  
Ion Beam ◽  
Substrate Surface ◽  
Side View ◽  
Transmission Electron Microscopy Analysis ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Transmission Electron ◽  
Electron Microscopy Analysis

AbstractFocused ion beam is a powerful method for cross-sectional transmission electron microscope sample preparation due to being site specific and not limited to certain materials. It has, however, been difficult to apply to many nanostructured materials as they are prone to damage due to extending from the surface. Here we show methods for focused ion beam sample preparation for transmission electron microscopy analysis of such materials, demonstrated on GaAs–GaInP core shell nanowires. We use polymer resin as support and protection and are able to produce cross-sections both perpendicular to and parallel with the substrate surface with minimal damage. Consequently, nanowires grown perpendicular to the substrates could be imaged both in plan and side view, including the nanowire–substrate interface in the latter case. Using the methods presented here we could analyze the faceting and homogeneity of hundreds of adjacent nanowires in a single lamella.

Precision Tem Sample Preparation Using Focused Ion Beam Marking Strategies

1991 ◽  
Vol 254 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christopher E. Sanborn ◽  
Sharon A. Myers
Keyword(s):  
Sample Preparation ◽  
Focused Ion Beam ◽  
Ion Beam ◽  
Surface Material ◽  
Conductive Layer ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Gas Source ◽  
Metal Organic ◽  
Time Required ◽  
Focused Beam

AbstractFocused ion beam (FIB) etching has been shown to be an effective method for TEM sample prep. The system uses a finely focused beam of gallium ions to remove surface material from selected areas. When used in conjunction with a metal-organic gas source, a conductive layer can be deposited in specific areas.In a production atmosphere, it is not always possible to use the FIB equipment for the length of time required to completely prepare a cross-sectional sample. Instead, the FIB has been used to indicate specific areas, such as blown fuses or shorts by “marking” the area so that it is easily optically located. Unconventional TEM sample prep techniques were developed to prepare the cross-sectional samples from specific target areas.

Nanocomposite Polyurethane Foams Via POSS Blends

2002 ◽  
Vol 733 ◽  
Author(s):  
Brock McCabe ◽  
Steven Nutt ◽  
Brent Viers ◽  
Tim Haddad
Keyword(s):  
High Temperature ◽  
Sample Preparation ◽  
Room Temperature ◽  
Focused Ion Beam ◽  
Ion Beam ◽  
Polyurethane Foams ◽  
Development Projects ◽  
Polymer Systems ◽  
Polyurethane Resin ◽  
Military Development

AbstractPolyhedral Oligomeric Silsequioxane molecules have been incorporated into a commercial polyurethane formulation to produce nanocomposite polyurethane foam. This tiny POSS silica molecule has been used successfully to enhance the performance of polymer systems using co-polymerization and blend strategies. In our investigation, we chose a high-temperature MDI Polyurethane resin foam currently used in military development projects. For the nanofiller, or “blend”, Cp7T7(OH)3 POSS was chosen. Structural characterization was accomplished by TEM and SEM to determine POSS dispersion and cell morphology, respectively. Thermal behavior was investigated by TGA. Two methods of TEM sample preparation were employed, Focused Ion Beam and Ultramicrotomy (room temperature).

Automated Diagonal Slice and View Solution for 3D Device Structure Analysis

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sang Hoon Lee ◽  
Jeff Blackwood ◽  
Stacey Stone ◽  
Michael Schmidt ◽  
Mark Williamson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cross Section ◽  
Focused Ion Beam ◽  
Ion Beam ◽  
Image Data ◽  
Planar Surface ◽  
Device Structure ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Device Structures ◽  
The Cross ◽  
Planar Analysis

Abstract The cross-sectional and planar analysis of current generation 3D device structures can be analyzed using a single Focused Ion Beam (FIB) mill. This is achieved using a diagonal milling technique that exposes a multilayer planar surface as well as the cross-section. this provides image data allowing for an efficient method to monitor the fabrication process and find device design errors. This process saves tremendous sample-to-data time, decreasing it from days to hours while still providing precise defect and structure data.

To Eliminate Curtain Effect of FIB TEM Samples by a Combination of Sample Dicing and Backside Milling

2014 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jian-Shing Luo ◽  
Hsiu Ting Lee
Keyword(s):  
Sample Preparation ◽  
Focused Ion Beam ◽  
Preparation Method ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Ion Beam ◽  
Sample Preparation Method ◽  
Site Specific ◽  
Dual Beam ◽  
Transmission Electron

Abstract Several methods are used to invert samples 180 deg in a dual beam focused ion beam (FIB) system for backside milling by a specific in-situ lift out system or stages. However, most of those methods occupied too much time on FIB systems or requires a specific in-situ lift out system. This paper provides a novel transmission electron microscopy (TEM) sample preparation method to eliminate the curtain effect completely by a combination of backside milling and sample dicing with low cost and less FIB time. The procedures of the TEM pre-thinned sample preparation method using a combination of sample dicing and backside milling are described step by step. From the analysis results, the method has applied successfully to eliminate the curtain effect of dual beam FIB TEM samples for both random and site specific addresses.

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