c7c8 - Key/Specs/Resources/Appl/Tech/Doc/Contact

Demand for high-performance, energy-efficient electronics is driving the development of advanced devices with ever smaller, more densely packed features and complex 3D structures. Ramping production of these cutting-edge microprocessors, memory devices, and other products is extremely challenging and requires high-resolution, atomic-scale analysis of features buried deep within the device. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) is increasingly becoming the go-to technique for this kind of analysis and relies on high-quality samples produced with focused ion beam (FIB) milling.

The Thermo Scientific Helios 5 EXL DualBeam is a 300mm full-wafer focused ion beam scanning electron microscope (FIB-SEM), designed to address TEM sample preparation challenges in the semiconductor industry. The Helios 5 EXL DualBeam is capable of preparing samples for today’s most advanced process nodes, including sub-5nm and gate-all-around technology.

Maximizing sample throughput and productivity

Utilizing advanced machine learning and closed-loop end pointing, the Helios 5 EXL DualBeam delivers enhanced cut placement precision and enables you to consistently extract high-quality lamella from your most challenging samples.

Flexible automation capabilities make ultra-thin TEM sample generation routine and consistent, providing unparalleled, sub-nanometer insight into more interfaces, films, and profiles to measure at sub-nanometer resolution. The Helios 5 EXL DualBeam ensures efficient and consistent TEM sample preparation workflows by combining wafer and defect navigation with recipe definition and execution in a single, fully integrated program. This automation supports a higher tool-to-operator ratio, maximizing sample throughput and technical resource productivity.

Revolutionizing Semiconductor Analysis: Thermo Scientific Helios 5 EXL Overview

TEM image of a gate-all-around transistor.
TEM image of a Si/SiGe gate-all-around (GAA) fin.
TEM cross-section of a transistor gate along a nanowire.
TEM image of a gate cross-section along a nanowire.

Key Features

Automated TEM sample preparation software

Thermo Scientific AutoTEM 5 Software combines wafer and defect navigation with recipe definition and execution in a single, fully integrated program, ensuring efficiency and consistency among operators with varying levels of expertise. AutoTEM Software simplifies TEM sample preparation, allowing users to easily schedule multi-site jobs for inverted, plan-view, and top-down TEM sample preparation workflows.

Repeatable, automated deposition and etch

Developed specifically to support automated TEM preparation, the Thermo Scientific MultiChem Gas Delivery System provides highly consistent deposition and etching capabilities and can be utilized with automated applications. The motorized injection needle with saved position presets can be accurately positioned for optimized, reproducible gas delivery to the sample surface. The MultiChem Gas Delivery System is also engineered for serviceability, maximizing tool uptime.

Precision FIB milling for advanced sample preparation

The Helios 5 EXL DualBeam includes the Thermo Scientific Phoenix Ion Column, which provides revolutionary low-kV performance and leading-edge TEM sample preparation.

Automated alignments, high resolution, and consistent results

The high-performance Thermo Scientific Elstar Electron Column features our unique UC monochromatic technology, offering improved resolution and TEM sample end-pointing. New SEM auto-alignments ensure consistent results across multiple tools and operators.

Automated sample manipulation and lift out

With an intuitive method for lift-out and transfer of TEM samples to a grid, the Thermo Scientific EasyLift Nanomanipulator offers low-drift, high-precision movements for simple and consistent creation of traditional or ultra-thin TEM lamella. Highly accurate, easy-to-use, and fast motorized rotation makes the EasyLift Nanomanipulator ideally suited for high-speed inverted or plan-view sample preparation.

Fab-compatible Automated FOUP Loader (AFL) option

The optional Automated FOUP Loader (AFL) enables the Helios 5 EXL DualBeam to be located inside the semiconductor wafer fab. By being closer to the wafer process line (near-line), it can deliver critical information up to three times faster than laboratory-based analysis of cleaved wafer pieces, accelerating the development of new processes and the yield ramp to high-volume production.


Specifications

Thermo Scientific Phoenix Ion Column
  • Gallium focused ion beam
  • Up to 65 nA maximum beam current
  • Low-voltage (500 V) performance for high sample preparation quality
  • Ion beam resolution at coincident point and 30 kV: 4.0 nm using preferred statistical method
  • Ion source lifetime: 1,000 hours guaranteed
Thermo Scientific Elstar Electron Column
  • An ultra-high-resolution immersion-lens field-emission SEM (FESEM) column
  • The ultra-stable Schottky field emitter gun features UC+ monochromator technology
  • Electron beam resolution:
    • 1.0 nm @ 15 kV
    • 0.9 nm @ 1 kV
  • Electron source lifetime: 12 months
Gas delivery
  • Thermo Scientific MultiChem Gas Delivery System
  • Slots for up to 6 individual chemistries
  • Single gas injection system
  • Port for up to 3 independent GIS units
Detectors
  • Elstar in-lens SE detector (TLD-SE)
  • Elstar in-lens BSE detector (TLD-BSE)
  • High-performance ion conversion and electron (ICE) detector for secondary ions (SI) and electrons (SE)
Sample handling
  • Automated handling of 300 mm FOUP with EFEM (GEM300 compliant)
  • Manual loading of 300 mm, 200 mm, and 150 mm wafers
Additional options
  • Optical microscope with 920 µm field of view
  • 30 kV STEM detector with BF/DF/HAADF segments
  • Oxford EDS
  • CAD Navigation Compatibility (NEXS and Synopsys Camelot)
  • Thermo Scientific iFast Software Semiconductor Wafer Navigation (optional)
  • Integrated defect navigation based on KLARF 1.2 and 1.8 standards
  • User-defined wafer maps and site plans

Resources

The Thermo Scientific Helios DualBeam Family

The Thermo Scientific Helios DualBeam Family

Applications

Semiconductor Device Packaging

Semiconductor Device Packaging

Advanced semiconductor device packaging requires new integration approaches and innovation in performance, power efficiency, area, and cost. See how Thermo Scientific failure analysis workflows provide fast, precise, and accurate time-to-data for device packaging development.

pathfinding_thumb_274x180_144dpi

Semiconductor Pathfinding and Research

Advanced electron microscopy, focused ion beam, and associated analytical techniques for identifying viable solutions and design methods for the fabrication of high-performance semiconductor devices.

yield_ramp_metrology_2_thumb_274x180

Yield Ramp and Metrology

We offer advanced analytical capabilities for defect analysis, metrology, and process control, designed to help increase productivity and improve yield across a range of semiconductor applications and devices.

Semiconductor Failure Analysis

Semiconductor Failure Analysis

Increasingly complex semiconductor device structures result in more places for failure-inducing defects to hide. Our next-generation workflows help you localize and characterize subtle electrical issues that affect yield, performance, and reliability.

physical_characterization_thumb_274x180_144dpi

Physical and Chemical Characterization

Ongoing consumer demand drives the creation of smaller, faster, and cheaper electronic devices. Their production relies on high-productivity instruments and workflows that image, analyze, and characterize a broad range of semiconductor and display devices.


Techniques

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 ›

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 ›

Contact us

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.

Learn more ›

Style Sheet to change Applications H3 to p with em-h3-header class
Style Sheet to change H3 to p with em-h3-header class
Style Sheet to change H2 style to p with em-h2-header class
Style Sheet for Komodo Tabs
Style Sheet for Support and Service footer
Style Sheet for Fonts
Style Sheet for Cards