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Logic & Memory
Semiconductor Logic and Memory

Semiconductor Device Development and Failure Analysis

Better Productivity for Complex Structural and Electrical Characterization

Semiconductor products serve the needs of transportation, work, social communication, and industrial infrastructure. There is constant demand for higher computing performance in ever smaller form factors. Logic and memory semiconductor structure analysis is challenged by novel materials and increasingly complex geometries. Shrinking transistor sizes at the newest technology nodes demand the highest performance for electron microscopy and nanoprobing applications.

Advanced Characterization Without Compromising Throughput

Microscopy techniques must deliver high throughput and success rates for development and failure analysis of semiconductor devices. Advanced characterization methods often require imaging at the highest possible SEM resolution, while using the lowest possible beam energy and beam current to prevent damage during analysis. Large working distance, magnetic-field-free imaging, and beam current stability are critically important to meet the growing demand for in situ characterization, such as nanoprobing for device characterization and defect localization techniques.

ZEISS microscopy solutions include:

  • Industry-leading FE-SEM, FIB-SEM, optical microscopes, and 3D X-ray microscopes for physical and electrical characterization of semiconductor devices, structures, and materials
  • Connected tools for sample-centric workflows to correlate different analytical data sources for new perspectives at maximum success rates and high throughput
  • Microscopes engineered for reliability and longevity, enabling automated microscopy solutions that deliver repeatable results and efficiency across a global supply chain

Semiconductor Logic and Memory Applications

Logic and memory devices are adopting novel materials and increasingly complex geometries. Our fault isolation and imaging solutions provide industry-leading performance and high productivity for beam sensitive materials and 3D devices, enabling fast root cause identification of failures and high throughput characterization.

3D NAND FIB-SEM Tomography
3D NAND FIB-SEM Tomography

FIB-SEM Tomography of 3D NAND

FIB-SEM tomography of a 3D NAND sample acquired using ZEISS Crossbeam 550 and Atlas-3D. Sample was depackaged and mechanically polished down to the topmost word line. Shown is a virtual sub-volume of 2 x 1.5 x 0.7 µm3 size, extracted from the dataset at the transition region of upper to lower deck. Reconstructed voxel size 4 x 4 x 4 nm3.

The resulting reconstruction allows for looking at multiple planes of section across the device from any virtual section.

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FIB-SEM 3D Tomography of 7 nm SRAM

3D FIB-SEM tomography dataset of a 7 nm SRAM, acquired in a ZEISS Crossbeam FIB-SEM.
Volume size 2.34 x 1.18 x 2.35 µm3, voxel size (1.5 nm)3.

The resulting reconstruction allows looking at multiple planes of section to find defects or assess process uniformity.

FIB-SEM Cross Section of 7 nm SRAM
FIB-SEM Cross Section of 7 nm SRAM

FIB-SEM Cross Section of 7 nm SRAM

SEM image of a corner FIB cut into a 7 nm SRAM. FIB milling and SEM imaging were done in a ZEISS Crossbeam FIB-SEM.

Fast cross sectioning with nanometer precision and highest quality combined with high-resolution imaging make Crossbeam a versatile tool for cross-sectional inspection of the most recent technology nodes structures.

FIB-SEM Lamella Prep in 7 nm SRAM
FIB-SEM Lamella Prep in 7 nm SRAM

TEM Prep - 7 nm SRAM

30 kV STEM bright field overview image of a plan view lamella of a 7 nm technology node processor at contact level. Lamella preparation and STEM imaging were done in a ZEISS Crossbeam FIB-SEM.

Inset: A STEM bright field image at high magnification shows the FinFETs in detail and allows to assess process variations.

Low-k Film Stack Imaging with SE2 Detector
Low-k Film Stack Passive Voltage Control with InLens Detector

Ultra Low-k Film Stack Imaging

Mechanical polished section of the same field of view in a 14 nm device imaged with a GeminiSEM FE-SEM.  

Left:
The SE2 image highlights topological features, showing exposed vias.  

Right:
The InLens image demonstrates the passive voltage contrast of areas which are connected to different depths of circuitry or connected to structures of different implant polarity.    

7 nm SRAM Passive Voltage Control with InLens Detector
7 nm SRAM Topography Contrast with SenseBSD detector

7 nm SRAM Imaging with SenseBSD

Same field of view of a mechanical polished 7 nm SRAM, imaged at 1 kV in a GeminiSEM FE-SEM.

Left:
The Inlens image provides surface detail and highlights the passive voltage contrast between contacts of different types in the SRAM structure.

Right:
The SenseBSD image provides a mixture of Z contrast and topography contrast.

80 eV Nanoprobing of 7 nm SRAM
80 eV Nanoprobing of 7 nm SRAM

22 nm SRAM

22 nm SRAM

Ultra Low-kV Imaging of 7 nm SRAM

7 nm SRAM device imaged with a GeminiSEM FE-SEM at 80 eV.  The superior resolution and magnetic-distortion-free imaging provided by the Gemini column are key to navigation and probe landing in nanoprobing.  

EBAC Nanoprobing 14 nm Logic Device at 2 kV
EBAC Nanoprobing 14 nm Logic Device at 8 kV

Logic Tracing with EBAC

Net trace in a 14 nm SRAM imaged in a GeminiSEM FE-SEM with the Electron Beam Absorbed Current (EBAC) method. Images are an overlay of EBAC data (red) on top of the InLens image for the same field of view, at 2 kV (left) and 8 kV (right). Different acceleration potentials allow exploring different depths in the sample, thus tracing the full connective path.    

Left:     2 kV
Right: 8 kV

7 nm SRAM Nanoprobe Image InLens Detector
7 nm SRAM EBIC Nanoprobe

EBIC Analysis of 7 nm SRAM

7 nm SRAM mechanically polished to contact level. The InLens (left) and Electron Beam Induced Current (EBIC) (right) images are compared for the same field of view, taken at 150 eV in a GeminiSEM FE-SEM. The use of EBIC can monitor p/n junction health and localize areas with electrically active defects.

  

EBIRCH Localization on 22 nm SRAM
EBIRCH Localization on 22 nm SRAM

EBIRCH Localization on 22 nm SRAM

22 nm SRAM mechanically polished to contact level. A short was intentionally created in the sample. Using the stable electron beam from the GeminiSEM FE-SEM, the sample was then imaged with Electron Beam Induced Resistance Change (EBIRCH) with only 12 nA flowing across the device during analysis. Both fins in a two-fin pulldown device are imaged..

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    • Preview image of ZEISS GeminiSEM FE-SEM Family

      ZEISS GeminiSEM FE-SEM Family

      Perform versatile, high-resolution semiconductor imaging and characterization.
      File size: 1 MB
      Download
    • Preview image of ZEISS Crossbeam Family

      ZEISS Crossbeam Family

      Your FIB-SEM for High Throughput 3D Analysis and Sample Preparation
      File size: 8 MB
      Download

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