Hostname: page-component-586b7cd67f-dsjbd Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-25T17:59:49.265Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

Mechanical Stress Characterization of Shallow Trench Isolation by Kelvin Probe Force Microscopy

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  10 February 2011

Hernan Rueda
Affiliation:
Department of Electrical Engineering, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611
James Slinkman
Affiliation:
IBM Microelectronics, Essex Junction, VT 05452
Dureseti Chidambarrao
Affiliation:
IBM Microelectronics, Hopewell Junction, NY 12533
Leon Moszkowicz
Affiliation:
IBM Microelectronics, Essex Junction, VT 05452
Phil Kaszuba
Affiliation:
IBM Microelectronics, Essex Junction, VT 05452
Mark Law
Affiliation:
Department of Electrical Engineering, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611
Get access

Abstract

method for characterizing the mechanical stress induced in silicon technology is described. Analysis by scanning Kelvin probe force microscopy (SKPM) coupled with finite-element (FE) mechanical strain simulations is performed. The SKPM technique detects variations in the semiconductor work function due to strain influences on the band gap. This technique is then used to analyze the strain induced by shallow trench isolation processes for electrical isolation. The SKPM measurements agree with the FE simulations qualitatively.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © Materials Research Society 1999

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

REFERENCES

1. Fahey, P. M., Mader, S. R., Stiffler, S. R. et al. ,IBM J. Res. and Develop. 36 (2), 158182 (1992).Google Scholar
2. Goroff, I. and Kleinman, L., Physical Review 132 (3), 10801084 (1963).Google Scholar
3. Hook, T., Slinkman, J., and Biesemans, S., submitted to IEEE Transactions on Electron Devices (1999).Google Scholar
4. Wolf, I. D., Semiconductor Science and Technology 11, 139154 (1996).Google Scholar
5. Henning, A., Hochwitz, T., Slinkman, J. et al. ,J. Appl. Phys. 77 (5), 18881896 (1995).Google Scholar
6. Hochwitz, T., Ph D thesis, Dartmouth College, (1995).Google Scholar
7. Kaszuba, P., presented at the ISTFA 95, Santa Clara, (1995).Google Scholar
8. Law, M. E., Florida Object-Oriented Process Simulator, FLOODS/FLOOPS Manual (University of Florida, Gainesville, 1993).Google Scholar