Application

THIN FILM APPLICATIONS

 

In order to keep the thin film solar cell production stable, the adequate control of the layer deposition and treatment processes is crucial. Semilab offers several metrology solutions for the characterization of electrical and optical properties of the thin layers.

Our special design Four-Point-Probe and Eddy Current sensors provide accurate measurement of the sheet resistance of thin semiconductor, TCO or even metal layers in the total range of interest.

Using Semilab’s „Spectroscopic Ellipsometry” and „Spectroscopic Haze and Reflectance” techniques the complete characterization of the layer thickness and other optical parameters can be accomplished even on multilayer structures.

       

Technology

FOUR POINT PROBE SHEET RESISTANCE

 

The four point probe (4PP) is a widely used contact technique for monitoring of doping density, resistivity or emitter sheet resistance values. The separation of voltage and current electrodes eliminates the effect of contact resistance from the measurement result. The used voltage is limited so in the high resistivity range the measurable current is getting very small which sets a limitation for the measurement. With our six pin probe (6PP) technique we overcome this problem by using two additional pins to suppress the measurement noise as much as possible.

Metrology overview

The sample is contacted by four pins and a current generator leads a defined current through the sample via the outer pins. The two inner pins are used to measure the voltage between them. From these two parameters, the sample’s sheet resistance can be calculated. The space between the pins is equal (1mm for 4PP and 1.5mm for 6PP). The pin material is produced from tungsten carbide (4pp) and stainless steel (6pp). In case of 4pp the contact force and the curvature of the pins can be chosen as required for a given material. Periodical calibration isn’t necessary for this kind of measurement technique because it’s based upon self-calibration.

 

FEATURES

  • Extended measurement range with 6PP up to 1TΩ/sq
  • Wide selection of pin’s curvature and probe force in order to get precise result with minor destruction

Product Line

WT, FPP

The FPP product line uses a simple, easy to use measurement method, well suited to measure semiconductor resistivity and sheet resistance of thin films. It can be used to provide standards for other resistivity measurement methods.

The WT product line is a powerful measurement platform for performing many different semiconductor material characterization measurements.  The base system includes all the overhead functions necessary to perform characterization measurements, including power supplies, computer and operating software, XY measurement stage, etc.
The WT-2000 is typically used to make maps, where the wafer is scanned at a programmable raster. Each system is configured to the user’s requirements by adding treatment and measurement capabilities.
WT-1200 series are non-contact bulk lifetime and resistivity measurement tools developed specially for mono-crystalline ingots and slugs.

 

Products

FPP-1000

FPP-1000 is standalone platform with built-in, conventional four-point probe head. It uses an absolute measurement method without recourse to calibrated standards.

Features and System specifications:

  • Sheet resistance range: 0.1 mΩ/sq – 50M Ω/sq
  • Max. Touchdowns: ~100.000
  • Tip material: Tungsten carbide
  • 4 Point Probe head options:
    • Spacing: 0.500, 0.635, 1.000, 1.591 mm (default: 1 mm)
    • Load force: 10-150g (default: 100g)

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WT-2000 Wafer Tester - Tabletop System

The WT-2000 is a powerful tabletop measurement platform for performing many different semiconductor material characterization measurements. The base system includes all the overhead functions necessary to perform characterization measurements, including power supplies, computer and operating software, X-Y measurement stage and so on. It is typically used to make maps, where the wafer is scanned at a programmable raster. The WT-2000 can also perform measurements at specific, programmable measurement locations.

The WT-2000 is suggested for mid-range fabs and laboratories.

Features and System specifications:

  • Wafer size: up to 300 mm with bare or dielectric coated surface
  • Wafer handling: manual or Semilab-made indexer
  • Loading options:
    • 100-200 mm cassette indexer
    • 300 mm 13 slot cassette indexer, including open cassettes for 100-300 mm wafers
    • 300 mm 25 slot cassette indexer, including FOUP, FOSB, and open cassettes for 100-300 mm wafers
  • Samples: np junction (implanted, annealed)
  • Automation software with SECS/GEM communication option for non 300 mm standards.
  • Factory automation: SECS/GEM for not 300 mm standards

Each system can be configured based on the user’s requirements by adding measurement capabilities and automation capabilities described below.

Measurement capabilities:

 

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