Effect of interface strength on electromigration-induced inlaid copper interconnect degradation: Experiment and simulation

Ehrenfried Zschech, Hans-Jürgen Engelmann, Moritz Andreas Meyer, Volker Kahlert, Anand V. Vairagar, Subodh G. Mhaisalkar, Ahila Krishnamoorthy, Minyu Yan, K. N. Tu, Valeriy Sukharev

Research output: Journal Publications and ReviewsRGC 21 - Publication in refereed journalpeer-review

25 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Both in situ microscopy experiments at embedded inlaid copper interconnect structures and numerical simulations based on a physical model provide information about electromigration-induced degradation mechanisms in on-chip interconnects. It is shown that the modification of the bonding strength of the weakest interface results in completely changed degradation and failure mechanisms. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) images of standard Cu/SiNx interfaces are compared with strengthened interfaces, e.g., after applying an additional metal coating or a self-as-sembled monolayer (SAM) on top of the polished copper lines. The changed degradation mechanisms as observed with the in situ scanning electron microscopy (SEM) experiment and as predicted based on the numerical simulations are explained based on TEM images. © Carl Hanser Verlag, München.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)966-971
JournalZeitschrift für Metallkunde/Materials Research and Advanced Techniques
Volume96
Issue number9
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Sept 2005
Externally publishedYes

Bibliographical note

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Research Keywords

  • Electromigration
  • Interface
  • Microstructure

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