Fast Preparation of Ultrathin FIB Lamellas for MEMs-Based In Situ TEM Experiments

2016 ◽  
Vol 850 ◽  
pp. 722-727 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hui Wang ◽  
Shang Gang Xiao ◽  
Qiang Xu ◽  
Tao Zhang ◽  
Henny Zandbergen
Keyword(s):  
Sample Preparation ◽  
Focused Ion Beam ◽  
Preparation Method ◽  
Ion Beam ◽  
Metallic Alloy ◽  
In Situ Tem ◽  
Ion Milling ◽  
Electrochemical Polishing ◽  
Argon Ion

The preparation of thin lamellas by focused ion beam (FIB) for MEMS-based in situ TEM experiments is time consuming. Typically, the lamellas are of ~5μm*10μm and have a thickness less than 100nm. Here we demonstrate a fast lamellas’ preparation method using special fast cutting by FIB of samples prepared by conventional TEM sample preparation by argon ion milling or electrochemical polishing methods. This method has been applied successfully on various materials, such as ductile metallic alloy Ti68Ta27Al5, brittle ceramics K0.5Na0.5NbO3-6%LiNbO3 and semiconductor Si. The thickness of the lamellas depends on the original TEM sample.

In-Situ TEM Electrical Characterization of Void Formation and Growth Along Cu Interconnect Via: FIB Based Sample Preparation Method

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hagit Barda ◽  
Irina Geppert ◽  
Avraham Raz ◽  
Rémy Berthier
Keyword(s):  
Sample Preparation ◽  
Focused Ion Beam ◽  
Preparation Method ◽  
Ion Beam ◽  
Void Formation ◽  
Electrical Characterization ◽  
In Situ Tem ◽  
Sample Preparation Method ◽  
Transition Electron Microscopy

Abstract An experimental setup is presented, that allows in-situ Transition Electron Microscopy (TEM) investigation of void formation and growth within fully embedded interconnect structure, as a response to an external bias. A special TEM holder is employed to perform in-situ I-V measurements across the Via, simultaneously monitoring the morphological and chemical changes surrounding the void. This work presents in detail a Focused Ion Beam (FIB) based sample preparation method that allows the analysis of a Cu single Via structure found in the advanced microelectronic 14nm FinFET technology, as well as preliminary TEM observations.

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.

Ga Aggregation in Cu Layer on In-situ TEM Analysis: Observation and Alternative Solutions

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Seo-Jin Kim ◽  
Byung-Kyu Park ◽  
Christopher H. Kang
Keyword(s):  
Sample Preparation ◽  
Semiconductor Manufacturing ◽  
Focused Ion Beam ◽  
Ion Beam ◽  
In Situ Tem ◽  
Preparation Technique ◽  
Tem Analysis ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Alternative Solutions

Abstract In semiconductor manufacturing technology, copper has been widely used for BEOL process due to better conductivity than aluminum. TEM (Transmission Electron Microscopy) characterization has been played in key role to understand the process of semiconductor manufacturing. Gallium base Focused Ion Beam (FIB) is widely used on TEM sample preparation. The experiment to understand the impact of gallium which is from sample preparation process on Cu layer was performed. In-situ TEM studies have shown real time material characteristic of Cu at various temperature [1]. We observed the gallium aggregation phenomenon on Cu layer at round the temperature of 400°C. This thermal aggregation of gallium on Cu layer has been confirmed by EDS analysis in the study. Detectable amount of gallium was found in whole area in the sample before heating the sample at in-situ TEM work. This paper also introduces alternative solutions to resolve this gallium aggregation in copper layer including the sample preparation technique using Xe Plasma Focused Ion Beam (PFIB) [2]. This Xe PFIB showed the substantial improvement of specimen quality for the in-situ TEM experiment of sample preparation.

Sample preparation by focused ion beam without argon ion milling for quantitative electron holography of p-n junctions

2019 ◽  
Vol 126 (6) ◽  
pp. 065702 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. A. Gribelyuk ◽  
J. Mody ◽  
E. Kaganer ◽  
S. S. Furkay ◽  
J. Miller ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Sample Preparation ◽  
Focused Ion Beam ◽  
Ion Beam ◽  
Electron Holography ◽  
Ion Milling ◽  
Argon Ion

Low Energy Ar Ion Milling of FIB TEM Specimens from 14 nm and Future FinFET Technologies

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
C.S. Bonifacio ◽  
P. Nowakowski ◽  
M.J. Campin ◽  
M.L. Ray ◽  
P.E. Fischione
Keyword(s):  
Field Effect Transistor ◽  
Focused Ion Beam ◽  
Ion Beam ◽  
Specimen Preparation ◽  
Ion Milling ◽  
Transmission Electron ◽  
High Resolution Tem ◽  
Effect Transistor ◽  
20 Nm ◽  
Argon Ion

Abstract Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) specimens are typically prepared using the focused ion beam (FIB) due to its site specificity, and fast and accurate thinning capabilities. However, TEM and high-resolution TEM (HRTEM) analysis may be limited due to the resulting FIB-induced artifacts. This work identifies FIB artifacts and presents the use of argon ion milling for the removal of FIB-induced damage for reproducible TEM specimen preparation of current and future fin field effect transistor (FinFET) technologies. Subsequently, high-quality and electron-transparent TEM specimens of less than 20 nm are obtained.

In situ TEM study of stability of TaRhx diffusion barriers using a novel sample preparation method

Micron ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 58 ◽  
pp. 25-31 ◽  
Author(s):  
Neda Dalili ◽  
Peng Li ◽  
Martin Kupsta ◽  
Qi Liu ◽  
Douglas G. Ivey
Keyword(s):  
Sample Preparation ◽  
Preparation Method ◽  
Diffusion Barriers ◽  
In Situ Tem ◽  
Sample Preparation Method

Alternative FIB TEM Sample Preparation Method for Cross-Sections of Thin Metal Films Deposited on Polymer Substrates

2013 ◽  
Vol 19 (4) ◽  
pp. 1080-1091 ◽  
Author(s):  
Felipe Rivera ◽  
Robert Davis ◽  
Richard Vanfleet
Keyword(s):  
Sample Preparation ◽  
Cross Sections ◽  
Elemental Analysis ◽  
Focused Ion Beam ◽  
Preparation Method ◽  
Ion Beam ◽  
Sample Preparation Method ◽  
Site Specific ◽  
Polymer Substrates ◽  
Interface Layers

AbstractTransmission electron microscopy (TEM) and focused ion beam (FIB) are proven tools to produce site-specific samples in which to study devices from initial processing to causes for failure, as well as investigating the quality, defects, interface layers, etc. However, the use of polymer substrates presents new challenges, in the preparation of suitable site-specific TEM samples, which include sample warping, heating, charging, and melting. In addition to current options that address some of these problems such as cryo FIB, we add an alternative method and FIB sample geometry that address these challenges and produce viable samples suitable for TEM elemental analysis. The key feature to this approach is a larger than usual lift-out block into which small viewing windows are thinned. Significant largely unthinned regions of the block are left between and at the base of the thinned windows. These large unthinned regions supply structural support and thermal reservoirs during the thinning process. As proof-of-concept of this sample preparation method, we also present TEM elemental analysis of various thin metallic films deposited on patterned polycarbonate, lacquer, and poly-di-methyl-siloxane substrates where the pattern (from low- to high-aspect ratio) is preserved.

Cutting-Edge Sample Preparation from FIB to Ar Concentrated Ion Beam Milling of Advanced Semiconductor Devices

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
C.S. Bonifacio ◽  
P. Nowakowski ◽  
R. Li ◽  
M.L. Ray ◽  
P.E. Fischione ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Sample Preparation ◽  
Failure Analysis ◽  
Focused Ion Beam ◽  
Ion Beam ◽  
Semiconductor Devices ◽  
Specific Area ◽  
Cutting Edge ◽  
Preparation Technique ◽  
Ion Milling ◽  
Sample Preparation Technique

Abstract Fast and accurate examination from the bulk to the specific area of the defect in advanced semiconductor devices is critical in failure analysis. This work presents the use of Ar ion milling methods in combination with Ga focused ion beam (FIB) milling as a cutting-edge sample preparation technique from the bulk to specific areas by FIB lift-out without sample-preparation-induced artifacts. The result is an accurately delayered sample from which electron-transparent TEM specimens of less than 15 nm are obtained.

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