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A Tabletop X-Ray Tomography Instrument for Nanometer-Scale Imaging: Reconstructions

Published

Author(s)

Zachary H. Levine, Bradley Alpert, Amber Dagel, Joseph Fowler, Edward Jiminez, Nathan J. Nakamura, Daniel Swetz, Paul Szypryt, Kyle Thompson, Joel Ullom

Abstract

We show three-dimensional reconstructions of a region of an integrated circuit from a 130 nm copper process. The reconstructions employ x-ray computed tomography, measured with a new and innovative high-magnification x-ray microscope. The instrument uses a focused electron beam to generate x-rays in a 100 nm spot and energy-resolving x-ray detectors that minimize backgrounds and hold promise for the identification of materials within the sample. The x-ray generation target, a layer of platinum, is fabricated on the circuit wafer itself. A region of interest is imaged from a limited range of angles and without physically removing the region from the larger circuit. The reconstruction is consistent with the circuit's design file.
Citation
Microsystems & Nanoengineering
Volume
9

Keywords

Tomography , integrated circuit interconnects , x-ray microscope

Citation

Levine, Z. , Alpert, B. , Dagel, A. , Fowler, J. , Jiminez, E. , Nakamura, N. , Swetz, D. , Szypryt, P. , Thompson, K. and Ullom, J. (2023), A Tabletop X-Ray Tomography Instrument for Nanometer-Scale Imaging: Reconstructions, Microsystems & Nanoengineering, [online], https://doi.org/10.1038/s41378-023-00510-6, https://tsapps.nist.gov/publication/get_pdf.cfm?pub_id=935457 (Accessed October 9, 2025)

Issues

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Created April 14, 2023
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