Thin films can be characterized from different aspects. The below listed applications can provide simple and clear information about the wide range of thin film classification.
In the semiconductor industry, there is continuous demand for higher performance and denser integrated circuits. These requirements push the advancement of technology which requires solving of manufacturing challenges. A key to success is to understand the chemical, mechanical and physical properties of wide range of materials used in a typical integrated circuit.
The µSE tool is designed to measure thin film thickness and optical properties inside a <50µm test pad on semiconductor product wafers. The applied measurement technique for obtaining these parameters in a high accuracy and repeatable way is spectroscopic ellipsometry. The μSE tool uses optimized spectroscopic ellipsometer (SE) arms and optics for the measurement inside small boxes of patterned Si wafers.
Ellipsometry measures the phase of the reflected light from the sample, therefore it is relatively insensitive for intensity fluctuations. The raw measurement data represent the complex information from the layer stack which then need to be modeled optically. The measurement results are obtained through numerical regression process of the model data to the raw measurement spectrum.
Refractive optical design in compact realization: short optical path inside the measurement arms (reduced alignment artifact errors). Active temperature control: stabilized environment for system reli-ability enhancement. Uniqe patented high brightness light source for outstanding SNR. CCD detector array (spectrum is taken simultaneously at different wavelengths).
Semilab produces a Spectroscopic Ellipsometer capable to work down to 135 nm. The entire spectral range is 135–650 nm. This enable to measure all the new materials designed for the next generation lithography (157 nm, Fe excimer laser), like photoresist, ARC layers and all the optics included in the next generation Stepper.
Based on GES5E platform, the ellipsometer works into a purged glove box to reduce the oxygen and water contamination in the part per million ranges. Dry Nitrogen is injected continuously in the box with automatic adjustment of the surpressure. One working face with three gloves allows mounting the sample (up to 200 mm diameter) on the sample holder. The optical set up includes a premonochromator in the polarizer arm to avoid photoresist bleaching.
In addition to ellipsometry, the system can make photometric measurements at fixed polarization state (reflectance and transmittance). Scatterometric measurements are also possible.
Applications:
SE-2000 features the widest spectral range available on a single tool. The ranging is from the deep UV (190 nm) up to mid-IR (25 μm). The tool is uniquely offered with an optional FTIR ellipsometer head on the same goniometer with the visible arms. It can be configured with the fast detection mode by using spectrograph and detector array, with the high resolution mode by using spectrometer and single point detectors, or with both modes together on the same tool. SE-2000 includes Semilab’s new smart electronics with interchangeable components, and operates with the new generation operating and analysis software (SAM / SEA). The system can be controlled from a PC or laptop through LAN network, or by a new touch panel interface.
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SE-1000 provides modularity and high measurement performance in a compact table top footprint. This cost-efficient tool includes manual goniometer and manual sample positioning suitable for R&D laboratories. It performs non-contact and non-destructive optical measurements on substrates, single layer and multi-layer samples to obtain individual thin film thickness and optical properties. SE-1000 includes Semilab’s new smart electronics with interchangeable components, and operates with the new generation operating and analysis software (SAM / SEA). The system can be controlled from a PC or laptop through LAN network, or by a new touch panel interface.
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The new in situ thickness measurement tool, inSE-1000 provides instant access to layer thicknesses and optical properties through ellipsometric specra analysis during layer deposition processes in vacuum chambers and load locks.
inSE-1000 is the part of Semilab's ellipsometry tool family specially designed for the measurement on vacuum chambers during deposition or treatment processes or in load locks. The easily mountable arms can be placed on the vacuum chamber or on an offline testbench for detailed investigation of the final product. The electronic components and supplementary systems are situated in a cabinet, which can be placed next to the deposition tool. The ethernet interface allows on-demand measurement sequence with the deposition tool and the two-way communication protocol.
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SE is traditionally used in the UV/visible/near-infrared wavelength region (250-850 nm) for precision metrology of layer thicknesses, refractive indices and alloy concentrations. SOPRA proposed a Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopic Ellipsometer (IRSE) for research and development as early as in 1993. Infrared region is interesting, because in many cases absorption bounds related to the chemical composition of the sample can be detected. Thickness information can also be gained from the infrared region from interference fringes as in the UV-visible region. Moreover, free carrier concentration affects the absorption coefficient in the infrared range giving a non-destructive way to measure this parameter using the Drude tail.
Request InfoImmediate determination of film uniformity and homogeneity are important factors for in situ coating quality process control. Spectroscopic Ellipsometry (SE), as a measurement method ensures fast and reliable measurement required by characterization of thin film coatings on thin foil substrates. Semilab’s novel R2R SE metrology platform offers multilayer thickness and refractive index determination directly after the coating process on a moving roll-to-roll foil on-the-fly with acquisition time less than 100 ms per point.
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