Patent · US Active

Methods for imperfect insulating film electrical thickness/capacitance measurement

US7397254B1 · kind B1 · utility

1Cited by
20References
19Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateMar 21, 2006
Grant dateJul 8, 2008
Priority date
Expiry dateJun 15, 2026

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC G)Physics
  • CPC primaryG01R27/26
  • WIPO fieldMeasurement
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

Methods for determining an electrical parameter of an insulating film are provided. One method includes measuring a surface potential of a leaky insulating film without inducing leakage across the insulating film and determining the electrical parameter from the surface potential. Another method includes applying an electrical field across the insulating film. Leakage across the insulating film caused by the electrical field is negligible. The method also includes measuring a surface potential of the specimen and determining a potential of the substrate. In addition, the method includes determining a pure voltage across the insulating film from the surface potential and the substrate potential. The method further includes determining the electrical parameter from the pure voltage. The electrical parameter may be capacitance or electrical thickness of the insulating film.

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