Patent · US Active

Method for measuring defects in a silicon substrate by applying a heat treatment which consolidates and enlarges the defects

US9244019B2 · kind B2 · utility

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4References
8Claims
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Key dates

Filing dateJul 12, 2012
Grant dateJan 26, 2016
Priority date
Expiry dateFeb 3, 2034

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC G)Physics
  • CPC primaryG01N21/4795
  • WIPO fieldMeasurement
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

A method for measuring defects in a silicon substrate obtained by silicon ingot pulling, wherein the defects have a size of less than 20 nm. The method includes applying a first defect consolidation heat treatment to the substrate at a temperature of between 750° C. and 850° C. for a time period of between 30 minutes and 1 hour to consolidate the defects; applying a second defect enlargement heat treatment to the substrate at a temperature of between 900° C. and 1000° C. for a time period of between 1 hour and 10 hour hours to enlarge the defects to a size of greater than or equal to 20 nm, with the enlarged defects containing oxygen precipitates; measuring size and density of the enlarged defects in a surface layer of the substrate; and calculating the initial size of the defects on the basis of the measurements of the enlarged defects.

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