Patent · US Expired

Methods and systems for determining a property of an insulating film

US7012438B1 · kind B1 · utility

41Cited by
18References
30Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateJul 9, 2003
Grant dateMar 14, 2006
Priority date
Expiry dateJan 10, 2024

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
  • CPC primaryH01L2924/0002
  • WIPO fieldMeasurement
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

A method for determining a property of an insulating film is provided. The method may include obtaining a charge density measurement of the film, a surface voltage potential of the film relative to a bulk voltage potential of the substrate, and a rate of voltage decay of the film. The method may also include determining the property of the film using the charge density, the surface voltage potential, and the rate of voltage decay. A method for determining a thickness of an insulating film is provided. The method may include depositing a charge on the film, measuring a surface voltage potential of the film relative to a bulk voltage potential of the substrate, and measuring a rate of voltage decay of the film. The method may also include determining a thickness of the film using the rate of voltage decay and a theoretical model relating to leakage and film thickness.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.