Process Monitor/TID Characterization Valencia M. Joyner

OUTLINE  Current MOSIS Process Monitor  Process Monitor Coupon Objectives  Review of Impact Ionization and TID Correlation Techniques  IBM 130nm Coupon Chip  Expected Results  Proposed Migration to 90nm  Proposed Task on 130nm Library Distribution  Schedule Status

Current MOSIS Process Monitor Overview IBM 8RF Wafer BSIM Array Sheet Res. Ring Oscillator Capacitor Array Test Inverters Contact Kelvin Bridge Metal Step Coverage RO Functional Tests MOSIS PM consists of an array of DC and AC parametric test structures and functional test devices for monitoring fabrication of wafers by foundries

Process Monitor Coupon Objectives (1/3)  Enclosed Layout Transistor (ELT) Device Characterization  To simulate and design an IC using RHBD geometries such as ELTs, the characteristics of this device must be well defined  Coupon includes an array of 24 ELT devices similar to the standard 2-edge transistor array used for BSIM parameter extraction  Characterization will enhance the understanding of:  The direction of current flow through the device  How device parameters ( , V T,, 1/f noise params, etc.) compare to the standard two-edge device  An accurate model for the aspect ratio of the device  How does drain/source placement affect parameters

Process Monitor Coupon Objectives (2/3)  Characterize the TID Radiation Induced Charge Build-up in the Process Oxide Layers (Gate and Field)  Gate Oxide Structures: Coupon includes standard two-edge PMOS and NMOS devices for measurement of TID induced parametric shifts  Field Oxide (FOX) Test Structures are included to characterize the isolation oxide  TID induced leakage paths in the isolation field oxide between neighboring devices can cause severe signal degradation  Highly process dependent N+ N-well VSS N+ VDD + + VG

Process Monitor Coupon Objectives (3/3)  Investigate rapid, low-cost methods of tracking the TID radiation tolerance of the process  The Field Impact Ionization Technique: Used in the past, but is it useful for current deep-submicron technologies?  Experiment:  High voltage pulses are applied across the device, injecting electrons from the substrate into the oxide via Fowler-Nordheim tunneling.  Injected electrons produce electron-hole pairs in the oxide through impact ionization. These e-h pairs behave similarly to e-h pairs generated by TID radiation.  Previous reports of correlation between pre-rad 1/f noise and post-rad oxide-trapped charge are promising

Ionizing Radiation Review N+ - Channel Trapped positive charge Conductor TID Radiation Area density of holes created by ionizing radiation

Field Induced Injection and Impact Ionization (F4I) Technique F-N Tunneling N+ Conductor + - Fowler-Nordheim Electron Current Density Area density of holes created by impact ionization

TID Radiation and F-N Impact Ionization Correlation Equivalent Dose delivered by F4I Technique This technique will attempt to show that damaged introduced by electrical stress does indeed “track” the damage produced by Co60 radiation.

Previous Results on TID and Electrical Stress Correlation Co60 Test F4I Technique [1] Boesch and McGarrity, IEEE Trans. on Nuc Sci, Vol. NS-26, No. 6, Dec Tests reported in [1] on MOS capacitors show relative shift in flatband voltage for irradiated and stressed devices

ISI’s IBM 130nm Process Monitor Custom Coupon Chip 3.22 mm  Process: IBM 8RF-LM CMOS  Submitted to MOSIS for fab on 31 Jan 2005  Pads included for both wafer probe measurments and for wire bonding to packages  Includes a total of 42 devices and test structures

TID Characterization Test Plan Circuit Board Adaptor GSFC (HP) Parametric Analyzer NASA GSFC Co60 Radiation Chamber  TID Radiation Testing to 2Mrad at GSFC  Wafer probe measurements and electrical stress tests will be performed at MOSIS

Proposed Migration to 90nm  A 90nm Process Monitor Coupon will be developed to characterize the TID hardness of the process  RHBD Coupon Gen. 1 will be expanded to include test structures for monitoring the charge collection efficiency of the substrate for SEU Characterization  Test Structures for SEL characterization, gate delay/timing characterization  ISI proposes to collaborate with existing DTRA Digital SET (DSET) program  Provide test structures to measure SET signal propogation for different levels of logic complexity

Proposed Task on 130nm Library Maintenance and Distribution  ISI proposes to  Maintain and distribute a 130nm RHBD library through the MOSIS foundry service  Provide complete library view support and ensure compatibility with commercial EDA tools  Distribute the library to the RHBD community with appropriate export control (ITAR)

Schedule Status  IBM 130nm Process Monitor Chip Submitted to Fab on 31 Jan 2005  Packaged chips expected in early May  TID Radiation Tests scheduled at GSFC for mid-May  TID Test Plan in progress  Development of test plan for electrical stress test correlation (mid-April)  Further investigation of rapid, low-cost radiation tolerance tracking techniques