Laser terahertz emission microscope for inspecting electrical failures in integrated circuits

Masatsugu Yamashita, Toshihiko Kiwa, Masayoshi Tonouchi, Kiyoshi Nikawa, Chiko Otani, Kodo Kawase

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contribution

6 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

The inspection and fault analysis of semiconductor devices has become a critical issue with increasing demands for quality and reliability in circuits as stated in L. A. Krauss et al. (2001), K. Nikawa (2002) and K. Nikawa et al. (2003). Recently, we have developed a laser-terahertz (THz) emission microscope (LTEM) that can be applied for the noncontact and nondestructive inspection of the electrical faults in circuits presented in K. Nikawa et al. (2003). The LTEM can image the amplitude profile of the THz wave emitted by scanning the sample with femtosecond (fs) laser pulses. The amplitude of the THz emission generated by the transient photocurrent is proportional to the local electric field at the laser-irradiated area according to T. Kowa et al. (2003). Therefore, the LTEM image of the semiconductor device while it operates reflects the electric field distribution in the chip. By comparing the LTEM image of a damaged chip with that of a normal one, we can localize the electrical faults. In this work, we report experimental results on a biased 8-bit microprocessor, as well as unbiased MOSFETs embedded in a test element group (TEG).

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationIMFEDK 2004 - International Meeting for Future of Electron Devices, Kansai
EditorsHiroshi Nozawa
PublisherInstitute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Inc.
Pages29-30
Number of pages2
ISBN (Electronic)0780384237, 9780780384231
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Jan 1 2004
Event2nd International Meeting for Future of Electron Devices, Kansai, IMFEDK 2004 - Kyoto, Japan
Duration: Jul 26 2004Jul 28 2004

Publication series

NameIMFEDK 2004 - International Meeting for Future of Electron Devices, Kansai

Other

Other2nd International Meeting for Future of Electron Devices, Kansai, IMFEDK 2004
Country/TerritoryJapan
CityKyoto
Period7/26/047/28/04

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Electrical and Electronic Engineering

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Laser terahertz emission microscope for inspecting electrical failures in integrated circuits'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this