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The data demands of artificial intelligence, connected cars, IoT, mobile devices and numerous other applications are driving innovation in memory structures. 3D NAND, DRAM and other advanced memory structures are packing more bits into tighter spaces with higher aspect ratios to meet performance, latency, and capacity demands. With increases in vertical stacking and scaling to smaller cell designs, process complexity, cost, and time-to-market become the greatest challenges affecting manufacturing ramps and profitability.

Challenges in advanced memory technology development

Some of the challenges in 3D NAND development include channel hole and word line profile variability and defectivity, as well as shorts connecting the contacts to the staircase. Challenges in DRAM include storage node capacitor profile variability and defectivity, bit line defects and shrinking multi-patterning overlay error budgets. These process challenges have made current metrology and inspection workflows inadequate. Solving the process issues in these complex stacks requires new tools and workflows that achieve faster time to yield during the development phase and sustain it for high-volume manufacturing.

Memory analysis tools and workflows

Memory analysis tools and workflows must provide manufacturers with high-productivity characterization of a broad range of memory devices to maximize yield in the shortest time possible. This includes equipment for layer-by-layer through-stack metrology, advanced imaging and analysis, automated device de-processing, efficient pathfinding, and ESD compliance testing.

Thermo Fisher Scientific provides the broadest portfolio of high-productivity memory analysis workflows that accelerate development, maximize yields, and ensure the production of high-quality devices that meet current and future industry demands. Explore the pages below to learn how our applications and workflows can address your specific needs.



Resources

Applications

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Semiconductor research and development

Innovation starts with research and development. Learn more about solutions to help you understand innovative structures and materials at the atomic level.

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Semiconductor metrology

Manufacturing today’s complex semiconductors requires exact process controls. Learn more about advanced metrology and analysis solutions to accelerate yield learnings.

Semiconductor Failure Analysis

Semiconductor Failure Analysis

Complex semiconductor device structures result in more places for defects to hide. Learn more about failure analysis solutions to isolate, analyze, and repair defects.

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Semiconductor materials characterization

Many factors impact yield, performance, and reliability. Learn more about solutions to characterize physical, structural, and chemical properties.

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ESD Semiconductor Qualification

Every electrostatic discharge (ESD) control plan is required to identify devices that are sensitive to ESD. We offer a complete suite of test systems to help with your device qualification requirements.


Techniques

Nanoprobing

As device complexity increases, so does the number of places defects have to hide. Nanoprobing provides the precise localization of electrical faults, which is critical for an effective transmission electron microscopy failure analysis workflow.

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Optical Fault Isolation

Increasingly complex designs complicate fault and defect isolation in semiconductor manufacturing. Optical fault isolation techniques allow you to analyze the performance of electrically active devices to locate critical defects that cause device failure.

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Thermal Fault Isolation

Uneven distribution of local power dissipation can cause large, localized increases in temperature, leading to device failure. We offer unique solutions for thermal fault isolation with high-sensitivity lock-in infrared thermography (LIT).

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Semiconductor TEM Imaging and Analysis

Thermo Scientific transmission electron microscopes offer high-resolution imaging and analysis of semiconductor devices, enabling manufacturers to calibrate toolsets, diagnose failure mechanisms, and optimize overall process yields.

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TEM Metrology

Advanced and automated TEM metrology routines deliver significantly greater precision than manual methods. This allows users to generate large amounts of statistically relevant data, with sub-angstrom-level specificity, that is free of operator bias.

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Sample Preparation of Semiconductor Devices

Thermo Scientific DualBeam systems provide accurate TEM sample preparation for atomic-scale analysis of semiconductor devices. Automation and advanced machine learning technologies produce high-quality samples, at the correct location, and a low cost per sample.

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SEM Metrology

Scanning electron microscopy provides accurate and reliable metrology data at nanometer scales. Automated ultra-high-resolution SEM metrology enables faster time-to-yield and time-to-market for memory, logic, and data storage applications.

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Semiconductor Analysis and Imaging

Thermo Fisher Scientific offers scanning electron microscopes for every function of a semiconductor lab, from general imaging tasks to advanced failure analysis techniques requiring precise voltage-contrast measurements.

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Device Delayering

Shrinking feature size, along with advanced design and architecture, results in increasingly challenging failure analysis for semiconductors. Damage-free delayering of devices is a critical technique for the detection of buried electrical faults and failures.

Learn more ›

ESD Compliance Testing

Electrostatic discharge (ESD) can damage small features and structures in semiconductors and integrated circuits. We offer a comprehensive suite of test equipment which verifies that your devices meet targeted ESD compliance standards.

Learn more ›

Nanoprobing

As device complexity increases, so does the number of places defects have to hide. Nanoprobing provides the precise localization of electrical faults, which is critical for an effective transmission electron microscopy failure analysis workflow.

Learn more ›

Optical Fault Isolation

Increasingly complex designs complicate fault and defect isolation in semiconductor manufacturing. Optical fault isolation techniques allow you to analyze the performance of electrically active devices to locate critical defects that cause device failure.

Learn more ›

Thermal Fault Isolation

Uneven distribution of local power dissipation can cause large, localized increases in temperature, leading to device failure. We offer unique solutions for thermal fault isolation with high-sensitivity lock-in infrared thermography (LIT).

Learn more ›

Semiconductor TEM Imaging and Analysis

Thermo Scientific transmission electron microscopes offer high-resolution imaging and analysis of semiconductor devices, enabling manufacturers to calibrate toolsets, diagnose failure mechanisms, and optimize overall process yields.

Learn more ›

TEM Metrology

Advanced and automated TEM metrology routines deliver significantly greater precision than manual methods. This allows users to generate large amounts of statistically relevant data, with sub-angstrom-level specificity, that is free of operator bias.

Learn more ›

Sample Preparation of Semiconductor Devices

Thermo Scientific DualBeam systems provide accurate TEM sample preparation for atomic-scale analysis of semiconductor devices. Automation and advanced machine learning technologies produce high-quality samples, at the correct location, and a low cost per sample.

Learn more ›

SEM Metrology

Scanning electron microscopy provides accurate and reliable metrology data at nanometer scales. Automated ultra-high-resolution SEM metrology enables faster time-to-yield and time-to-market for memory, logic, and data storage applications.

Learn more ›

Semiconductor Analysis and Imaging

Thermo Fisher Scientific offers scanning electron microscopes for every function of a semiconductor lab, from general imaging tasks to advanced failure analysis techniques requiring precise voltage-contrast measurements.

Learn more ›

Device Delayering

Shrinking feature size, along with advanced design and architecture, results in increasingly challenging failure analysis for semiconductors. Damage-free delayering of devices is a critical technique for the detection of buried electrical faults and failures.

Learn more ›

ESD Compliance Testing

Electrostatic discharge (ESD) can damage small features and structures in semiconductors and integrated circuits. We offer a comprehensive suite of test equipment which verifies that your devices meet targeted ESD compliance standards.

Learn more ›

Products

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Spectra Ultra

  • New imaging and spectroscopy capabilities on the most beam sensitive materials
  • A leap forward in EDX detection with Ultra-X
  • Column designed to maintain sample integrity.

Helios 5 PFIB DualBeam

  • Gallium-free STEM and TEM sample preparation
  • Multi-modal subsurface and 3D information
  • Next-generation 2.5 μA xenon plasma FIB column

Helios 5 PXL PFIB Wafer DualBeam

  • PFIB beam current from 1pA–2.6µA
  • Faster yield learning and increased productivity
  • Automated handling of 300 mm FOUP with EFEM (GEM300 compliant

Helios 5 EXL DualBeam

  • Low-voltage performance for high sample preparation quality
  • Ultra-high-resolution immersion-lens field-emission SEM column
  • Automated handling of 300 mm FOUP with EFEM (GEM300 compliant)

Helios 5 HX/Helios 5 UX/Helios 5 FX DualBeam

  • Fully automated, high-quality, ultra-thin TEM sample preparation
  • High throughput, high resolution subsurface and 3D characterization
  • Rapid nanoprototyping capabilities

Metrios AX TEM

  • Automation options to support quality, consistency, metrology, and reduced OPEX
  • Leverages machine learning for superior autofunctions and feature recognition
  • Workflows for both in-situ and ex-situ lamella preparation

ELITE System

  • Electrical defect localization
  • Thermal mapping
  • Advanced packaging analysis

nProber IV

  • Localize transistor and BEOL faults
  • Thermal nanoprobing (-40°C to 150°C)
  • Semi-automated operation

Hyperion II System

  • Atomic Force Probing
  • Localize transistor faults
  • Integrated PicoCurrent (CAFM)


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Electron microscopy services for
semiconductors

To ensure optimal system performance, we provide you access to a world-class network of field service experts, technical support, and certified spare parts.

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