Hostname: page-component-586b7cd67f-gb8f7 Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-20T13:39:05.607Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

Characterisation of Low-K Dielectric Films by Ellipsometric Porosimetry

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  17 March 2011

M.R. Baklanov
Affiliation:
IMEC, B-3001 Leuven, Belgium, [email protected]
K.P. Mogilnikov
Affiliation:
Institute of Semiconductor Physics, 630090 Novosibisrk, Russia
Get access

Abstract

Ellipsometric porosimetry (EP) is a simple and effective method for the characterization of the porosity (volume of both open and close pores), average pore size, specific surface area and pore size distribution (PSD) in thin porous films deposited on top of any smooth solid substrat e. Because a laser probe is used, small surface area can be analyzed. Therefore, EP can be used on patterned wafers and it is compatible with microelectronic technology. This method is a new version of adsorption (BET) porosimetry. In situ ellipsometry is used to determine the amount of adsorptive which adsorbed/condensed in the film. Change in refractive index is used to calculate of the quantity of adsorptive present in the film. EP also allows the study of thermal stability, adsorption and swelling properties of low-K dielectric films. Room temperature EP based on the adsorption of vapor of some suitable organic solvents and method of calculation of porosity and PSD is discussed. Examination of the validity of Gurvitsch rule for various organic adsorptives (toluene, heptane, carbon tetrachloride and isopropyl alcohol) has been carried out to assess the reliability of measurements of pore size distribution by the ellipsometric porosimetry.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © Materials Research Society 2000

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

1. Julbe, A. and Ramsay, D.J., Methods for the characterization of porous structure in membrane materials, Fundamentals of Inorganic membrane Science and Technology, Chapter 4, ed. Burrgraaf, A.J. and Cot, L. (Elsevier, 1996) pp.67118.10.1016/S0927-5193(96)80007-6Google Scholar
2. Wu, W., Wallace, W.E., Lin, E., Lynn, G.W., Glinka, C.J., Ryan, R.T. and Ho, H., J.Appl.Phys., 87, 1 1193 (2000).10.1063/1.371997Google Scholar
3. Gidley, D.W., Frieze, W.E., Dull, T.L., Sun, J., Yee, A.F., Nguyen, C.V. and Yoon, D.Y., Appl.Phys.Lett., 76, 10, 1282 (2000).10.1063/1.126009Google Scholar
4. Gregg, S.J. and Sing, S.W., Adsorption, Surface Area and Porosity, 2nd ed., (Academic Press, NY, 1982).Google Scholar
5. Baklanov, M. R., Dultsev, F. N. and Repinsky, S. M., Poverkhnost', 11, 1445 (1988) (Russ.).Google Scholar
6. Baklanov, M. R., Vasilyeva, L. L., Gavrilova, T. A., Dultsev, F. N., Mogilnikov, K. P. and Nenasheva, L. A., Thin Solid Films, 171, 43 (1989).10.1016/0040-6090(89)90032-1Google Scholar
7. Spooner, Y. et al. Presented at 1999 SEMATECH Workshop, Orlando, FL, (1999).Google Scholar
8. Dultsev, F.N. and Baklanov, M.R., Electrochem.Sol.St.Lett. 2(4), 192 (1999).10.1149/1.1390780Google Scholar
9. Mogilnikov, K.P., Polovinkin, V.G., Dultsev, F.N. and Baklanov, M.R., MRS Proceeding “Low-Dielectric Constant Materials Y, ed. Hummel, J.P., Endo, K., Lee, W.W., Mills, M.E., Wang, S-Q., v.565 (2000).10.1557/PROC-565-81Google Scholar
10. Baklanov, M.R., Mogilnikov, K.P., Polovinkin, V.G. and Dultsev, F.N., J.Vac.Sci.Technol.B, 18, (2000).Google Scholar
11. Muranova, G.A. and Perveev, A.F., Sov.J.Opt.Technol., 60, 2, 92 (1993).Google Scholar
12. Gurvitsch, L., J.Phys.Chem.Russ., 47, 805 (1915).Google Scholar
13. Karnaukhov, A.P., Kinet.Kataliz, 8, 172 (1967); K.G. Ione, A.P. Karnaukhov and E.E. Kuon, Kinet.Kataliz, 12, 457 (1971).Google Scholar
14. Ramsay, J.D.F., private communication.Google Scholar
15. Baklanov, M.R., Muroyama, M., Judelewicz, M., Kondoh, E., Li, H., Waeterloos, J.J., Vanhaelemeersch, S. and Maex, K., J.Vac.Sci.Technol., B17 (5), 21362146, 1999.10.1116/1.590883Google Scholar
16. Shamiryan, D.G., Baklanov, M.R. et al. , to be publishedGoogle Scholar
17. Ramsay, J.D.F. and Avery, R.G., Adsorption in silica compacts containing pores odf molecular size, in: Pore Structure and Properties of Materials, Part 1, Proc.Int.Symp.IUPAC, Academia Prague, 1973, pp.B37–B45.Google Scholar
18. Rogers, C.E., Permeation of gases and vapours in Polymers, in: Polymer Permeability, ed. Comin, J., Chapter 2, Elsevier, 19.., pp. 1173.Google Scholar