Patent · US Active

Structures for testing and locating defects in integrated circuits

US7772867B2 · kind B2 · utility

9Cited by
4References
17Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateFeb 26, 2008
Grant dateAug 10, 2010
Priority date
Expiry dateAug 31, 2028

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
  • CPC primaryH01L2924/0002
  • WIPO fieldSemiconductors
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

A method for detecting defects during semiconductor device processing can include providing a substrate having a semiconductor comprising layer with electrically isolated application and test circuits are formed thereon, directing an electron current inducing beam to the test circuit; measuring a current between the first and the second contact pads in the test circuit; determining an electron beam induced current (EBIC); and identifying one or more defect locations in the test circuit based on the EBIC and a location of the electron beam corresponding to the EBIC. A test circuit can include a plurality of semiconductor devices connected in parallel, a first contact pad coupled to a first terminal of the semiconductor devices, and at least a second contact pad coupled to a substrate terminal associated with the semiconductor devices.

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