State-of-the-Art Evaluation of Ultra-Clean Ulsi Processes

This work describes recent progress in implementation and applications of synchrotron radiation total reflection x-ray fluorescence (SR-TXRF) to measure trace metals on wafer surfaces. To date, we have achieved state-of-the-art transition metal sensitivity of 3×108 atoms/cm2 (˜3fg) for 1000 sec. counting time for impurities which have an monolayer-like distribution on the surface and <1fg for droplet-like impurities. Recent instrumentation breakthroughs include reduction of detector parasitic backgrounds (particularly Cu) to below our present detection limit, 150 and 200mm whole-wafer handling, wafer-mapping capability and a cleanroom mini-environment. With these upgrades, measurements were made of wafers from various steps in the integrated circuit fabrication process. These results demonstrate that synchtron radiation brings TXRF into a new and useful regime. Further developments are underway to increase throughput and access for broader application.