Measurement Traceability and Quality Assurance in a Nanomanufacturing Environment

Published

September 25, 2009

Author(s)

Ndubuisi G. Orji, Ronald G. Dixson, Aaron Cordes, Benjamin Bunday, John Allgair

Abstract

A key requirement for nano-manufacturing is maintaining acceptable traceability of measurements performed to determine size. Given that properties and functionality at the nanoscale are governed by absolute size, maintaining the traceability of dimensional measurements of nanoscale devices is crucial to the success of nanomanufacturing. There are various strategies for introducing traceability into the nano-manufacturing environment. Some involve first principles realization, but most entail the use of calibrated artifacts. In an environment where different types of products are manufactured, it is challenging to maintain traceability across different products mix. In this paper we present some of the work we have done in developing methods to track the traceability of dimensional measurements performed in a wafer fabrication facility. We combine the concepts of reference measurement system, measurement assurance, and metrological timelines to ensure that traceability is maintained through series of measurements that involve different instruments and products mix, and span over a four years period. We show how to use knowledge of process-induced and instrument systematic errors among others to ensure that the traceability of the measurements is maintained

Proceedings Title

Proceedings of SPIE Volume 7042 -Instrumentation, Metrology, and Standards for Nanomanufacturing III

Volume

7405

Conference Dates

August 2-7, 2009

Conference Location

San Diego, CA

Pub Type

Conferences

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Keywords

Traceability, metrological timelines, measurement assurance, reference measurement system

Citation

Orji, N. , Dixson, R. , Cordes, A. , Bunday, B. and Allgair, J. (2009), Measurement Traceability and Quality Assurance in a Nanomanufacturing Environment, Proceedings of SPIE Volume 7042 -Instrumentation, Metrology, and Standards for Nanomanufacturing III, San Diego, CA, [online], https://tsapps.nist.gov/publication/get_pdf.cfm?pub_id=903286 (Accessed October 16, 2025)