Application of Scanning Capacitance Microscopy on SOI device with wafer edge low yield pattern

As semiconductor technology keeps scaling down, many advanced technology and process were applied in the semiconductor process. Especially for the application of IOT (internet of thing) technology, the low leakage and low power consumption product was the key component for this kind of application. SOI (Silicon-On-Insulator) wafer process is one of the advanced and important branches of the semiconductor manufacturing process. Its intrinsic advantage, low leakage and lower power consuming make it very suitable for personal communication device and IOT which match well with the application requirement. As is well known the SOI wafer is different form the normal bulk silicon wafer. The active sits on the silicon oxide insulator, which makes the final device separate from the substrate. Basically, all of the devices are floating on a nonconductive oxide layer. It comes with many challenges for process and analysis as compared with the conventional bulk silicon process.The most conventional analysis method is not applicable in the SOI device such as the PVC (passive voltage contrast) and current image methodology which are a very powerful and important in the failure analysis.In this paper, scanning capacitance is successfully used as the substitution of the PVC method. The SCM (Scanning Capacitance Microscopy) is a complicated process. Since all of the abnormality or physical change will affect the measured capacitance, then the capacitance signal will theoretically has many information with itself, including open, short and leakage. Through the detailed study, the contact level top-down SCM was successfully applied on the SOI unit. By proper setting of SCM bias condition, it can not only visualize the possible leaky location but also can reveal the possible path. Further nanoprobing and TEM (Transmission Electron Microscopy) have confirmed the SCM analysis.     

Modeling of thermal behavior in SOI structures

Several physics-based analytical steady-state heat flow models for silicon-on-insulator (SOI) devices are presented, offering approaches at different levels of accuracy and efficiency for prediction of temperature profiles induced by power dissipated in SOI MOSFETs. The approaches are verified with the rigorous device simulation based on the energy transport model coupled with the heat flow equation. The models describe the one-dimensional temperature profile in the silicon film of SOI structure and two-dimensional heat flow in FOX, accounting for heat loss to the substrate via BOX and FOX, heat loss to (or gain from) interconnects, and heat exchanges between devices. These models are applied to investigate thermal behavior in single SOI devices and two-device SOI structures.     

基于介质电场增强理论的SOI横向高压器件与耐压模型

SOI(Silicon On Insulator)高压集成电路(High Voltage Integrated Circuit,HVIC)因其具有高速、低功耗、抗辐照以及易于隔离等优点而得以广泛应用。作为SOIHVIC的核心器件,SOI横向高压器件较低的纵向击穿电压,限制了其在高压功率集成电路中的应用。为此,国内外众多学者提出了一系列新结构以提高SOI横向高压器件的纵向耐压。但迄今为止,SOI横向高压器件均采用SiO2作为埋层,且实用SOI器件击穿电压不超过600V;同时,就SOI横向器件的电场分布和耐压解析模型而言,现有的模型仅针对具有均匀厚度埋氧层和均匀厚度漂移区的SOI器件建立,而且没有一个统一的理论来指导SOI横向高压器件的纵向耐压设计。笔者围绕SOI横向高压器件的耐压问题,从耐压理论、器件结构和耐压解析模型几方面进行了研究。基于SOI器件介质层电场临界化的思想,提出介质电场增强ENDIF(Enhanced Dielectric LayerField)理论。在ENDIF理论指导下,提出三类SOI横向高压器件新结构,建立相应的耐压解析模型,并进行实验。(1)ENDIF理论对现有典型横向SOI高压器件的纵向耐压机理统一化ENDIF理论的思想是通过增强埋层电场而提高SOI横向器件的纵向耐压。ENDIF理论给出了增强埋层电场的三种途径:采用低εr(相对介电常数)介质埋层、薄SOI层和在漂移区/埋层界面引入电荷,并获得了一维近似下埋层电场和器件耐压的解析式。ENDIF理论可对现有典型SOI横向高压器件的纵向耐压机理统一化,它突破了传统SOI横向器件纵向耐压的理论极限,是优化设计SOI横向高压器件纵向耐压的普适理论。(2)基于ENDIF理论,提出以下三类SOI横向高压器件新结构,并进行理论和实验研究①首次提出低εr型介质埋层SOI高压器件新型结构及其耐压解析模型低εr型介质埋层SOI高压器件包括低εr介质埋层SOI高压器件、变εr介质埋层SOI高压器件和低εr介质埋层PSOI(PartialSOI)高压器件。该类器件首次将低介电系数且高临界击穿电场的介质引入埋层或部分埋层,利用低εr介质增强埋层电场、变εr介质调制埋层和漂移区电场而提高器件耐压。通过求解二维Poisson方程,并考虑变εr介质对埋层和漂移区电场的调制作用,建立了变εr介质埋层SOI器件的耐压模型,由此获得RESURF判据。此模型和RESURF判据适用于变厚度埋层SOI器件和均匀介质埋层SOI器件,是变介质埋层SOI器件(包括变εr和变厚度介质埋层SOI器件)和均匀介质埋层SOI器件的统一耐压模型。借助解析模型和二维器件仿真软件MEDICI研究了器件电场分布和击穿电压与结构参数之间的关系。结果表明,变εr介质埋层SOI高压器件的埋层电场和器件耐压可比常规SOI器件分别提高一倍和83%,当源端埋层为高热导率的Si3N4而不是SiO2时,埋层电场和器件耐压分别提高73%和58%,且器件最高温度降低51%。解析结果和仿真结果吻合较好。②提出并成功研制电荷型介质场增强SOI高压器件笔者提出的电荷型介质场增强SOI高压器件包括:(a)双面电荷槽SOI高压器件和电荷槽PSOI高压器件,其在埋氧层的一侧或两侧形成介质槽。根据ENDIF理论,槽内束缚的电荷将增强埋层电场,进而提高器件耐压。电荷槽PSOI高压器件在提高耐压的基础上还能降低自热效应;(b)复合埋层SOI高压器件,其埋层由两层氧化物及其间多晶硅构成。该器件不仅利用两层埋氧承受耐压,而且多晶硅下界面的电荷增强第二埋氧层的电场,因而器件耐压提高。开发了基于SDB(Silicon Direct Bonding)技术的非平面埋氧层SOI材料的制备工艺,并研制出730V的双面电荷槽SOILDMOS和760V的复合埋层SOI器件,前者埋层电场从常规结构的低于120V/μm提高到300V/μm,后者第二埋氧层电场增至400V/μm以上。③提出薄硅层阶梯漂移区SOI高压器件新结构并建立其耐压解析模型该器件的漂移区厚度从源到漏阶梯增加。其原理是:在阶梯处引入新的电场峰,新电场峰调制漂移区电场并增强埋层电场,从而提高器件耐压。通过求解Poisson方程,建立阶梯漂移区SOI器件耐压解析模型。借助解析模型和数值仿真,研究了器件结构参数对电场分布和击穿电压的影响。结果表明:对tI=3μm,tS=0.5μm的2阶梯SOI器件,耐压比常规SOI结构提高一倍,且保持较低的导通电阻。仿真结果证实了解析模型的正确性。     

一种采用局域注氧技术制备的新型DSOI器件

为了克服传统SOI器件的浮体效应和自热效应,采用创新的工艺方法将低剂量局域SIMOX工艺及传统的CMOS工艺结合,实现了DSOI结构的器件.测试结果表明,该器件消除了传统SOI器件的浮体效应,同时自热效应得到很大的改善,提高了可靠性和稳定性.而原先SOI器件具备的优点得到了保留     

一种采用局域注氧技术制备的新型DSOI器件

为了克服传统SOI器件的浮体效应和自热效应,采用创新的工艺方法将低剂量局域SIMOX工艺及传统的CMOS工艺结合,实现了DSOI结构的器件.测试结果表明,该器件消除了传统SOI器件的浮体效应,同时自热效应得到很大的改善,提高了可靠性和稳定性.而原先SOI器件具备的优点得到了保留.     

Linearity and low-noise performance of SOI MOSFETs for RFapplications

The MOSFET parameters important for RF application at GHz frequencies: a) transition frequency, b) noise figure, and c) linearity are analyzed and correlated with substrate type. This work demonstrates that, without process changes, high-resistivity silicon-on-insulator (high-ρ SOI) substrates can successfully enhance the RF performance of on-chip inductors and fully depleted (FD)-SOI devices in terms of reducing substrate losses and parasitics. The linearity limitations of the SOI low-breakdown voltage and "kink" effect are addressed by judicious device and circuit design. Criteria for device optimization are derived. A NF = 1.7 dB at 2.5 GHz for a 0.25 μm FD-SOI low-noise amplifier (LNA) on high-ρ SOI substrate obtained the lowest noise figure for applications in the L and S-bands     

An enhanced quasi-monolithic integration technology for microwave and millimeter wave applications

A new technology for integration of high frequency active devices into low cost silicon substrate has been introduced. The novel fabrication process gives excellent advantages such as extremely low thermal resistance, and a much lower thermo-mechanical stress than the earlier quasimonolithic integration technology (QMIT) concept . This highly improves the packaging lifetime and electrical characteristics of the active devices. The fabrication process is simple and compatible with fabrication of high-Q passive elements. Successful integration of high-Q passive elements on low resistivity silicon substrate in this technology has been possible for the first time. In comparison to the earlier concept of QMIT, elimination of air-bridges in this technology not only reduces the parasitic elements but also enables the fabrication of the rest of the circuit after measuring the microwave characteristics of the embedded active devices. This makes very accurate microwave and millimeter-wave designs possible. Using the new fabrication process, microwave and millimeter-wave circuits (with both coplanar and microstrip lines) containing power devices have for the first time been possible. Furthermore, the enhanced QMIT can be considered as an organic deposited multi chip module (MCM-D), which is a potential candidate for integration an system on a package (SOP) at microwave and millimeterwave frequencies.     

Fabrication and Characterization of 150-mm Silicon-on-Polycrystalline Silicon Carbide Substrates

Silicon-on-insulator (SOI) substrates can reduce radiofrequency (RF) substrate losses due to their buried oxide (BOX). On the other hand, the BOX causes problems since it acts as a thermal barrier. Oxide has low thermal conductivity and traps heat generated by devices on the SOI. This paper presents a hybrid substrate which uses a thin layer of polycrystalline silicon and polycrystalline silicon carbide (Si-on-poly-SiC) to replace the thermally unfavorable BOX and the silicon substrate. Substrates of 150 mm were fabricated by wafer bonding and shown to be stress and strain free. Various electronic devices and test structures were processed on the hybrid substrate as well as on a low-resistivity SOI reference wafer. The substrates were characterized electrically and thermally and compared with each other. Results showed that the Si-on-poly-SiC wafer had 2.5 times lower thermal resistance and exhibited equal or better electrical performance compared with the SOI reference wafer.     

SOI集成光电子器件

Silicon-on-insula tor(SOI)集成光电子器件的工艺与标准CMOS工艺完全兼容,采用SOI技术可以实现低成本的整片集成光电子回路。文章回顾了近几年来SOI集成光电子器件的发展以及一些最新的研究进展。     

Fabrication of 70 nm narrow metal nanowire structure on flexible PET film by nanoimprint lithography

As a promising substrate for various kinds of devices, polyethylene-terephthalate (PET) film has many advantages in terms of transparency, flexibility, chemical stability, thermal resistance, mechanical strength and low fabrication cost. In order to build actual device structure on PET substrate, micro to nanometer scale patterns of functional material have to be formed. In this work, 70 nm sized resist patterns with near zero residual layer were made on PET film, using nanoimprint lithography process, based on ‘partial filling effect’. After brief oxygen plasma treatment and e-beam evaporation of functional materials such as Cr metal, resist patterns were lifted-off with acetone solution and 70 nm sized Cr nanowire structure was uniformly formed on flexible PET substrate.     

Study of novel techniques for reducing self-heating effects in SOI power LDMOS

Self-heating effects in silicon-on-insulator (SOI) power devices have become a serious problem when the active silicon layer thickness is reduced and buried oxide thickness is increased. Hence, if the temperature of the active region rises, the device electrical characteristics can be seriously modified in steady state and transient modes. In order to alleviate the self heating, two novel techniques which lead to a better heat flow from active silicon layer to silicon substrate through the buried oxide layer in SOI power devices are proposed. No significant changes on device electrical characteristics are expected with the inclusion of the novel techniques. The electro-thermal performance of lateral power devices including the proposed techniques is also presented.     

SOI Technologies Overview for Low-Power Low-Voltage Radio-Frequency Applications

Thanks to their structure, the SOI technologies present several intrinsic advantages for analog and RF applications. Indeed, as it is well established now, these technologies allow the reduction of the power consumption at a given operating frequency. Moreover, the high-insulating properties of SOI substrates, in particular when high resistivity substrate is used, make that these technologies are perfect candidates for mixed-signal applications. In the present paper, we will discuss the performances of the SOI technologies in radio-frequency range. First of all, the high-frequency behavior of SOI substrates, thanks to the characterization of transmission lines, will be shown. The impact of the SOI substrate resistivity on the performances of passive components will also be analyzed. Then, an overview of RF performances of SOI MOSFETs for two different architectures, fully- and partially-depleted, will be achieved and compared to the bulk ones. Finally, the influence of some specific parasitic effects, such as the kink effect, the self-heating effect and the kink-related excess noise, on the RF performances of SOI devices will be studied, thanks to a specific high-frequency characterization.     

Vertically integrated SOI circuits for low-power and high-performance applications

Vertical integration offers numerous advantages over conventional structures. By stacking multiple-material layers to form double gate transistors and by stacking multiple device layers to form multidevice-layer integration, vertical integration can emerge as the technology of choice for low-power and high-performance integration. In this paper, we demonstrate that the vertical integration can achieve better circuit performance and power dissipation due to improved device characteristics and reduced interconnect complexity and delay. The structures of vertically integrated double gate (DG) silicon-on-insulator (SOI) devices and circuits, and corresponding multidevice-layer (3-D) SOI circuits are presented; a general double-gate SOI model is provided for the study of symmetric and asymmetric SOI CMOS circuits; circuit speed, power dissipation of double-gate dynamic threshold (DGDT) SOI circuits are investigated and compared to single gate (SG) SOI circuits; potential 3-D SOI circuits are laid out. Chip area, layout complexity, process cost, and impact on circuit performance are studied. Results show that DGDT SOI CMOS circuits provide the best power-delay product, which makes them very attractive for low-voltage low-power applications. Multidevice-layer integration achieves performance improvement by shortening the interconnects. Results indicate that up to 40% of interconnect performance improvements can be expected for a 4-device-layer integration.     

Reduction of self-heating effect on SOIM devices

The silicon-on-insulator (SOI) power devices have an inherent self-heating effect, which limits their operation at high current levels. This is a consequence of the very low thermal conductivity of the thick buried oxide layer. A novel solution to reduce the self-heating effect is proposed in this paper, based on silicon-over-insulator-multilayer (SOIM) emerging technology. A significant reduction of the insulator layer thermal resistance is achieved while keeping constant the electrical behaviour of integrated power devices in comparison to the conventional SOI counterparts. The effectiveness of the proposed solution has been corroborated with numerical simulations. Moreover, no additional steps in fabrication processes are required with regard to the conventional SOI technology.     

SOI power devices

This paper provides an introduction to silicon-on-insulator (SOI) technology and the operating principles of high-voltage SOI devices, reviews the performance of the available SOI switching devices in comparison with standard silicon devices, discusses the reasoning behind the use of SOI technology in power applications and covers the most advanced novel power SOI devices proposed to date. The impact of SOI technology on power integrated circuits (PICs) and the problems associated with the integration of high-voltage and low-voltage CMOS are also analysed     

具有T型电荷补偿区的横向超结SOILDMOS

非平衡超结器件的电荷补偿能力在薄层SOI器件中受到限制,文中提出一种具有T型电荷补偿区的器件结构。通过漏端刻蚀的PSOI结构使硅衬底与埋氧层同时参与纵向耐压,可以提高非平衡超结n区的电荷补偿能力;在埋氧层刻蚀区增加垂直的n型补偿区,弥补埋氧层的缺失。由横向的非平衡超结n区和漏端垂直的n区共同构成T型补偿区,可以有效缓解薄层SOI超结器件中的衬底辅助耗尽效应,优化横向电场,提高器件的耐压。器件的制作可以通过改进传统的PSOI工艺实现,应用于SOI功率集成电路。三维器件仿真结果表明,新结构下的器件耐压达到290V,相对于常规的SOI超结器件和非平衡超结器件提高了267%和164%。     

抗辐射128kb PDSOI静态随机存储器

介绍在部分耗尽绝缘体上硅(PD SOI)衬底上形成的抗辐射128kb静态随机存储器.在设计过程中,利用SOI器件所具有的特性,对电路进行精心的设计和层次化版图绘制,通过对关键路径和版图后全芯片的仿真,使得芯片一次流片成功.基于部分耗尽SOI材料本身所具有的抗辐射特性,通过采用存储单元完全体接触技术和H型栅晶体管技术,不仅降低了芯片的功耗,而且提高了芯片的总体抗辐射水平.经过测试,芯片的动态工作电流典型值为20mA@10MHz,抗总剂量率水平达到500krad(Si),瞬态剂量率水平超过2.45×1011 rad(Si)/s.这些设计实践必将进一步推动PD SOI CMOS工艺的研发,并为更大规模抗辐射电路的加固设计提供更多经验.     

Unclamped inductive switching behaviour of high power SOI vertical DMOS transistors with lateral drain contacts

The switching dynamics of silicon-on-insulator (SOI) high power vertical double diffused MOS (VDMOS) transistors with an inductive load has been investigated by device simulation. Unlike other conventional VDMOS devices, this device has drain contacts at the top surface. In general the switching behaviour of a power device during the unclamped inductive switching (UIS) test will determine the reliability of the power device as the energy stored in the inductor during the on state is dumped directly into the device when it is turned off. In this paper we compare the switching dynamics of the SOI VDMOS transistor with standard bulk silicon VDMOS device by doing numerical simulations. It is shown here, using 2D-device simulations that the power dissipated in the SOI VDMOS device during the UIS test is smaller by approximately a factor of 2 than in the standard bulk silicon VDMOSFET. The lower dissipation is due to the presence of the silicon film/buried oxide/substrate structure (this structure forms a SOI capacitor). In the case of the SOI VDMOS transistor the energy released from the inductor during the UIS test is stored to some extent in the SOI capacitor and partly dumped directly into the device. As a result the maximum current through the SOI device is separated in time from the maximum voltage across the device, unlike in the bulk case, thereby reducing the maximum power.     

CMOS兼容近红外Si0.7Ge0.3/Si p-i-n(SOI)光电探测器

报道了一种采用UHV/CVD锗硅工艺和CMOS工艺流程在SOI衬底上制作的横向叉指状Si0.7Ge0.3/Si p-i-n光电探测器.测试结果表明:其工作波长范围为0.7～1.1μm,在峰值响应波长为0.93μm,响应度为0.38A/W.在3.0V的偏压下,其暗电流小于1nA,寄生电容小于1.0pF,上升时间为2.5ns.其良好的光电特性以及与CMOS工艺的兼容性,为研制能有效工作于近红外光的高速、低工作电压硅基光电集成器件提供了一种新的尝试,在高速光信号探测等应用中有一定的价值.     

CMOS兼容近红外Si0.7Ge0.3/Si p-i-n(SOI)光电探测器

报道了一种采用UHV/CVD锗硅工艺和CMOS工艺流程在SOI衬底上制作的横向叉指状Si0.7Ge0.3/Si p-i-n光电探测器.测试结果表明:其工作波长范围为0.7～1.1μm,在峰值响应波长为0.93μm,响应度为0.38A/W.在3.0V的偏压下,其暗电流小于1nA,寄生电容小于1.0pF,上升时间为2.5ns.其良好的光电特性以及与CMOS工艺的兼容性,为研制能有效工作于近红外光的高速、低工作电压硅基光电集成器件提供了一种新的尝试,在高速光信号探测等应用中有一定的价值.