Abstract:
One embodiment relates to an apparatus for forming an electron image using electrons with a narrow range of electron energies from an electron beam with a wide range of energies. An electron beam source is configured to generate an electron beam, and condenser lenses collimate the beam into an objective lens configured to illuminate the specimen. The illuminating electrons are scattered by the specimen and form an electron beam with a range of energies that enter a magnetic prism separator. After a 90 degree deflection, the prism separator introduces an angular dispersion that disperses the incoming electron beam according to its energy. A knife-edge plate removes either the high or low energy tail from the propagating beam. An electron lens is configured to focus the electron beam into an electron mirror so that after the reflection, the other energy tail is stopped on the same knife-edge plate. The remaining nearly monochromatic beam reenters the prism separator and is deflected toward the projection system and used to form a two-dimensional electron image on an electron detector. By adjusting the strength of the prism separator, the specific electron energy used for imaging is selected from the energy distribution of the scattered electrons. Other embodiments are also disclosed.
Abstract:
A method of defect root cause analysis. First, a sample with a plurality defects thereon is provided. Then, a defect inspection is performed to detect the sizes and positions of the defects. After that, a chemical state analysis is performed, and a mapping analysis is made according to a result of the chemical state analysis. Thus, a root cause of defects can be obtained according to a result of the mapping analysis.
Abstract:
The semiconductor substrate is removed from a wafer or a chip wherein a defect has occurred and, thereby, the surface, which faces the substrate, that contacts the semiconductor substrate in an element formation portion is exposed. A cross section of the element formation portion is exposed through the irradiation of a focused ion beam. Furthermore, a microprober is adhered to the sample and, then, the sample including a foreign substance that is considered to be a cause of defects is detached from the element formation portion. The extracted sample is moved onto a supporting base for analysis and the sample is secured to the supporting base for analysis by forming a tungsten film. Thereby, detailed information can be gained concerning a defective portion that is located, in particular, in the vicinity of the surface of the semiconductor substrate from among defective portions that have occurred in the semiconductor device.
Abstract:
A method of Auger Electron Spectroscopic (AES) analysis for a surface of an insulating sample. The method is characterized by performing an AES analysis after depositing a conductive layer of a designated thickness on the surface of a sample containing an insulating layer by means of an ion beam sputtering for the purpose of the preventing charge accumulation. The conductive layer preferably is deposited to have a thickness of at least 6 .ANG. to 50 .ANG. and a beam voltage used for applying the conductive layer is at least 3 Kev. The conductive layer is made of any of iridium(Ir), chrome(Cr) and gold(Au). Because any electron charge generated on the sample is discharged via the conductive layer, the AES analysis can be performed for a sample containing an insulating layer.
Abstract:
A background reduction system may include, but is not limited to: a charged particle source configured to generate a charged-particle beam; a louvered structure including one or more apertures configured to selectively transmit charged particles according to their angle of incidence; and a charged-particle detector configured to receive charged particles selectively transmitted by the louvered structure.
Abstract:
A scanning electron beam apparatus with an Auger spectrometer. The apparatus includes at least an electron column for generating a primary electron beam, a magnetic objective lens configured to focus the primary electron beam onto a surface of a target substrate, and a spectrometer configured to detect Auger electrons emitted from the surface of the target substrate. The magnetic objective lens applies a magnetic field strength greater than 10 Gauss and less than 50 Gauss at the surface of the target substrate. Other embodiments, aspects and features are also disclosed.
Abstract:
The semiconductor substrate is removed from a wafer or a chip wherein a defect has occurred and, thereby, the surface, which faces the substrate, that contacts the semiconductor substrate in an element formation portion is exposed. A cross section of the element formation portion is exposed through the irradiation of a focused ion beam. Furthermore, a microprober is adhered to the sample and, then, the sample including a foreign substance that is considered to be a cause of defects is detached from the element formation portion. The extracted sample is moved onto a supporting base for analysis and the sample is secured to the supporting base for analysis by forming a tungsten film. Thereby, detailed information can be gained concerning a defective portion that is located, in particular, in the vicinity of the surface of the semiconductor substrate from among defective portions that have occurred in the semiconductor device.
Abstract:
In a SEM it is desirable, in given circumstances, to acquire an image of the sample (14) by means of Auger electrons extracted from the sample and traveling back through the bore of the objective lens (8) in the direction opposing the direction of the primary beam. It is known to separate extracted electrons from the primary beam by positioning Wien filters (32, 34) in front of the objective lens (8), the filters being energized in such a way that they do not cause deflection of the primary beam but do deflect the secondary electrons. This technique cannot be used for Auger electrons, considering their high energy and hence much stronger fields in the Wien filters, thus causing substantial imaging aberrations in the primary beam. According to the invention a quadrupole field is applied in the same position as the fields of each Wien filter (32, 34, 36), thus ensuring that the resolution of the image of the sample (14) is not degraded by the fields of the Wien filters.
Abstract:
A charged particle beam device acquires an image by scanning a specimen with a probe formed from a charged particle beam and detects a signal emitted from the specimen. The charged particle beam device includes an optical system that forms the probe; a control unit that repeatedly performs correction processing and image acquisition processing for acquiring a frame image; and an image processing unit that generates an image of the specimen based on a plurality of the frame images. In the correction processing, the control unit acquires a reference image, and corrects the shifting of the irradiation position of the probe. The image processing unit acquires position shift information, corrects a position shift between the frame images based on the position shift information, and generates an image of the specimen based on the plurality of corrected frame images.
Abstract:
A background reduction system may include, but is not limited to: a charged particle source configured to generate a charged-particle beam; a louvered structure including one or more apertures configured to selectively transmit charged particles according to their angle of incidence; and a charged-particle detector configured to receive charged particles selectively transmitted by the louvered structure.