摘要:
A method of determining a stopping power of a design structure with respect to a traveling particle. The method includes (i) providing design information of the design structure comprising a back-end-of-line layer which includes N interconnect layers, N being a positive integer, (ii) dividing each interconnect layer of the N interconnect layers into multiple pixels, and (iii) determining a first path of the traveling particle in a first interconnect layer of the N interconnect layers, (iv) identifying M path pixels of the multiple pixels of the first interconnect layer on the first path of the traveling particle, M being a positive integer, and (v) determining a first loss energy lost by the traveling particle due to its completely passing through a first pixel of the M path pixels.
摘要:
Grooves are formed in a CMP pad by positioning the pad on a supporting surface with a working surface of the pad in spaced relation opposite to a router bit and at least one projecting stop member adjacent to the router bit, an outer end portion of the bit projecting beyond the stop. When the bit is rotated, relative axial movement between the bit and the pad causes the outer end portion of the bit to cut an initial recess in the pad. Relative lateral movement between the rotating bit and the pad then forms a groove which extends laterally away from the recess and has a depth substantially the same as that of the recess. The depths of the initial recess and the groove are limited by applying a vacuum to the working surface of the pad to keep it in contact with the stop member(s). Different lateral movements between the bit and the pad are used to form a variety of groove patterns, the depths of which are precisely controlled by the stop member(s). The grooves may be formed in the polishing surface and/or the rear opposite surface of the pad and passages may be provided for interconnecting the rear grooves with the polishing surface or the front grooves.
摘要:
A multi-layer metal sandwich structure with taper and reduced etch bias formed on a substrate includes a first metal layer formed on the substrate and a second metal layer formed on the first metal layer. The width of the first metal layer is greater than the width of the second metal layer at the interface of the first metal layer and the second metal layer. The second metal layer has tapered side walls. The taper angle between each side wall and the intersection of the first and second metal layers is between 5.degree. and 90.degree.. The multi-layer metal sandwich may also include a third metal layer formed on the second metal layer.
摘要:
Methods of blocking ionizing radiation to reduce soft errors and resulting IC chips are disclosed. One embodiment includes forming a front end of line (FEOL) for an integrated circuit (IC) chip; and forming at least one back end of line (BEOL) dielectric layer including ionizing radiation blocking material therein. Another embodiment includes forming a front end of line (FEOL) for an integrated circuit (IC) chip; and forming an ionizing radiation blocking layer positioned in a back end of line (BEOL) of the IC chip. The ionizing radiation blocking material or layer absorbs ionizing radiation and reduces soft errors within the IC chip.
摘要:
A memory cell comprises a wordline, a first digital inverter with a first input and a first output, and a second digital inverter with a second input and a second output. Moreover, the memory cell further comprises a first feedback connection connecting the first output to the second input, and a second feedback connection connecting the second output to the first input. The first feedback connection comprises a first resistive element and the second feedback connection comprises a second resistive element. What is more, each digital inverter has an associated capacitance. The memory cell is configured such that reading the memory cell includes applying a read voltage pulse to the wordline. In addition, the first and second resistive elements are configured such that the first and second feedback connections have resistance-capacitance induced delays longer than the applied read voltage pulse.
摘要:
A method and system for mitigating the impact of radiation induced in a data processor incorporating integrated circuits. The method comprises the steps of determining the location of the data processor, determining a set of radiation sources and intensities at that location, and estimating the soft error rate of the data processor as a function of the determined radiation intensities and geometric characteristics of said integrated circuits to provide an estimate value. The data processor is modified (either hardware or software) in response to the estimate value at times the estimate value exceeds a predetermined value.
摘要:
A process is described for the fabrication of submicron interconnect structures for integrated circuit chips. Void-free and seamless conductors are obtained by electroplating Cu from baths that contain additives and are conventionally used to deposit level, bright, ductile, and low-stress Cu metal. The capability of this method to superfill features without leaving voids or seams is unique and superior to that of other deposition approaches. The electromigration resistance of structures making use of CU electroplated in this manner is superior to the electromigration resistance of AlCu structures or structures fabricated using Cu deposited by methods other than electroplating.
摘要:
A test circuit for testing semiconductors includes a plurality of at least first conductors and second conductors. The first and second conductors are operatively connected together by a plurality of conductive vias to form an open chain of alternating first and second conductors. A plurality of conductive taps are included, each of the taps being connected at a first end to a corresponding first conductor. The test circuit further includes a plurality of switching circuits, each of the switching circuits being operatively connected to a second end of a corresponding one of the conductive taps. Each of the switching circuits is configurable for selectively connecting the corresponding conductive tap to one of at least a first bus and a second bus in response to at least one control signal presented to the switching circuit, the first and second buses being connected to first and second bond pads, respectively.
摘要:
An apparatus and method for mapping film thickness of one or more textured polycrystalline thin films. Multiple sample films of known thickness are provided. Each sample film is irradiated by x-ray at a measurement point to generate a diffraction image that captures a plurality of diffraction arcs. Texture information (i.e., pole densities) of the sample film, is calculated based on incomplete pole figures collected on the diffraction image and used to correct the x-ray diffraction intensities from such sample. The corrected diffraction intensities are integrated for each sample film, and then used for constructing a calibration curve that correlates diffraction intensities with respective known film thickness of the sample films. The film thickness of a textured polycrystalline thin film of unknown thickness can therefore be mapped on such calibration curve, using a corrected and integrated diffraction intensity obtained for such thin film of unknown thickness.