Grazing Incidence X-Ray Photoemission Spectroscopy and the Accuracy of Thickness Measurements of CMOS Gate Dielectrics

Published

August 1, 2001

Author(s)

Terrence J. Jach, E Landree

Abstract

Grazing incidence x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (GIXPS) is a method that offers promise as a non-destructive technique to measure the thickness and chemical state of ultrathin gate dielectric films. This method utilizes the non-linear dependence of the photoelectron yield on the radiation incidence angle to characterize a given layer structure. The accuracy of the results also depends on the input parameters, such as photoemission cross-sections, indices of refraction and electron attenuation lengths within the incident x-ray energy range of application (1-2 keV). Uncertainties in these parameters have consequences not only for GIXPS but also for other techniques that rely on them for materials analysis. We present a study of the impact of uncertainty in the photoionization cross-sections and atomic scattering factors on the GIXPS measurement of film thickness and density. A test of the accuracy of the index of refraction is demonstrated by measurements of a native oxide layer on Si at incident energies below and above the Si K edge. We also discuss the effects of surface and interface roughness.

Citation

Surface and Interface Analysis

Volume

31

Issue

No. 8

Pub Type

Journals

Keywords

GIXPS, grazing incidence, photoemission spectroscopy, TRXPS, x-ray, XPS

Citation

Jach, T. and Landree, E. (2001), Grazing Incidence X-Ray Photoemission Spectroscopy and the Accuracy of Thickness Measurements of CMOS Gate Dielectrics, Surface and Interface Analysis (Accessed October 14, 2025)