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A NEMS-based sensor to monitor stress in deep sub-micron Cu/Low-k interconnects

C J Wilson1,2,3, K Croes2, M Van Cauwenberghe2, Zs Tőkei2, G P Beyer2, A B Horsfall1 and A G O'Neill1

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This work reports the integration of a mechanical sensor to monitor stress directly in 100 nm critical dimension Cu interconnects designed to be compatible with industrial processes. The existing release methodology developed for larger scale sensors is discussed and evaluated for Cu/Low-k damascene integration schemes relevant to high-performance integrated circuits. Etching the advanced low-k SiOCH dielectrics and SiCN/O liners requires an extension of the existing techniques based on wet HF etching or dry fluorine plasma etching of SiO2. Thus, sensor release methods are optimized for the new materials and the scaled Cu sensor geometry optimized. Finally the released structure is demonstrated in both single and dual damascene technology.


PACS

81.65.Cf Surface cleaning, etching, patterning

77.55.+f Dielectric thin films

68.60.Bs Mechanical and acoustical properties

85.85.+j Micro- and nano-electromechanical systems (MEMS/NEMS) and devices

Subjects

Electronics and devices

Surfaces, interfaces and thin films

Nanoscale science and low-D systems

Dates

Issue 11 (November 2009)

Received 28 April 2009, in final form 21 August 2009

Published 20 October 2009



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