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Since the advent of critical-dimension atomic force microscopes (CD-AFMs) inthe 90s, these tools have enjoyed growing acceptance in semiconductormanufacturing both for process development and to support in-line criticaldimension (CD) metrology. The most
Many semiconductor metrologists are aware that the contribution of line edge roughness (LER), and thus linewidth variation (LWV), can be a significant contributor to measurement uncertainty budget. More generally, the impact of measurand variation and
Ronald G. Dixson, William F. Guthrie, Michael W. Cresswell, Richard A. Allen, Ndubuisi G. Orji
Critical dimension atomic force microscopes (CD-AFMs) are rapidly gaining acceptance in semiconductor manufacturing metrology. These instruments offer non-destructive three dimensional imaging of structures and can provide a valuable complement to CD-SEM
Ndubuisi G. Orji, Ronald G. Dixson, B Bunday, M R. Bishop, Michael W. Cresswell, J Allgair
One of the key challenges in critical dimension (CD) metrology is finding suitable calibration standards. Over the last few years there has been some interest in using features measured with transmission electron microscope (TEM) as primary standards for
A S. Tremsin, Daniel S. Hussey, David L. Jacobson, Muhammad D. Arif, Robert Gregory Downing, W B. Feller, David F. Mildner
A new type of high performance and compact neutron collimator can be manufactured from Gd- or B-doped microchannel plates (MCPs). Structures only a few mm thick have very narrow rocking curves and high out-of-angle rejection ratios, as observed previously
Linda D. Crown, L T. Sebring, R C. Suiter, Juana S. Williams
This is the annual meeting agenda for the standing committees of the National Conference on Weights and Measures. This meeting is scheduled to take place July 8 - 12, 2007.
B C. Park, J Choi, S J. Ahn, D H. Kim, L Joon, Ronald G. Dixson, Ndubuisi George Orji, Joseph Fu, Theodore V. Vorburger
The ever decreasing size of semiconductor features demands the advancement of critical dimension atomic force microscope (CD-AFM) technology, for which the fabrication and use of more ideal probes like carbon nanotubes (CNT) is of considerable interest
This paper focuses on the automation and upgrades performed on the 27.1kN (6100 lbf) dead weight machine located at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) in Gaithersburg, Maryland. Of the six dead weight machines maintained at NIST
B Bunday, J Allgair, E Solecky, C Archie, Ndubuisi George Orji
The need for 3D metrology is becoming more urgent to address critical gaps in metrology for both lithographic and etch processes. Current generation lithographic processing (ArF source, where lambda=193 nm) sometimes results in photoresist lines with re
Bryan M. Barnes, Lowell P. Howard, P Lipscomb, Richard M. Silver
Patterns of lines and trenches with nominal linewidths of 50 nm have been proposed for use as an overlay target appropriate for placement inside the patterned wafer die. The NIST Scatterfield Targets feature groupings of eight lines and/or trenches which
Wafer exposure process simulation and optical photomask feature metrology both rely on optical image modeling for accurate results. The best way to gauge the accuracy of an imaging model is to compare the model results with an actual image. Modeling
Because microwave power measurements are used to support almost every segment of the microwave electronics industry, the accuracy of these measurements is critical. Recently, we have several different problems that affect microwave power measurements which
A measurement method and associated uncertainty analysis have been developed for the measurement of propagation or group delay in electrical transmission lines and optical fibers. The measurement method and uncertainty analysis were applied to measurements
We have recently introduced several important improvements in the measurement of distillation curves distillation curves for complex fluids. The modifications to the classical measurement provide for (1) temperature and volume measurements of low
While most dimensional metrologists know that the reference temperature for dimensional measurements is 20 C, very few know how or why that temperature was chosen. Many people have thought it was, in some sense, arbitrary. In actuality, the decision was
Wei Chu, Joseph Fu, Ronald G. Dixson, Theodore V. Vorburger
In scanned probe measurements of micrometer- or nanometer-scale lines, it is nearly impossible to maintain the sample in a perfectly level position, and even a small amount of tilt angle can contribute to the accuracy of the result of measurand such as
In this paper we have extended the Kinetic Monte-Carlo simulation method to study the etching dynamics of Si (111) surfaces in NH4F in a time-resolved basis. We have examined the step-flow dynamics of Si(111) etching using various simulation window sizes
Michael T. Stocker, Richard M. Silver, Ravikiran Attota, Jay S. Jun
This document describes the physical characteristics of Standard Reference Material SRM 5000, provides guidance for its use in calibrating overlay (OL) tools, and gives information and precautions concerning its care and handling.Standard Reference
Theodore V. Vorburger, H G. Rhee, Thomas B. Renegar, Jun-Feng Song, Xiaoyu A. Zheng
Abstract Optical methods are increasingly used for measurement of surface texture, particularly for areal measurements where the optical methods are generally faster. A new Working Group under Technical Committee (TC) 213 in the International Organization
Richard M. Silver, Thomas A. Germer, Ravikiran Attota, Bryan M. Barnes, B Bunday, J Allgair, Egon Marx, Jay S. Jun
This paper is a comprehensive summary and analysis of a SEMATECH funded project to study the limits of optical critical dimension scatterometry. The project was focused on two primary elements: 1) the comparison, stability, and validity of industry models
The ability to image complex general three-dimensional (3D) structures, including re-entrant surfaces and undercut features using scanning probe microscopy, is becoming increasing important in many small length-scale applications. This paper presents a