Using atomic force microscopy for deep-submicron failure analysis

Document Type

Article

Date of Original Version

1-1-2001

Abstract

The feasibility study of using atomic force microscopy (AFM) for failure analysis in very deep submicron VLSI systems is presented. AFMs use a probe cantilever and tip to trace a square or rectangular area of a surface and generate an image. It is shown that AFM-based techniques hold strong potential for taking over failure analysis functions when feature sizes decrease to a point beyond FIB capabilities. AFMs can cut channels even at the micron scale, overlapping the range of FIB techniques.

Publication Title, e.g., Journal

IEEE Design and Test of Computers

Volume

18

Issue

1

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