Small particles detection and analysis

Collaborators: Sub-micron scale particles are a major problem for the next generation of integrated circuit microprocessors. Particles of this size can cause substantial loss of yield in the IC wafer, raising the costs of producing working devices and limiting the economically achievable smallest feature size. Small particles, around 0.1 micron in size, are very difficult to find and analyze. We are using photoemission microscopy to do both of these tasks. One advantage of this technique is that the spectra tell you the chemical state of the particle, which aids in tracking down the contamination source.


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(last updated 7 Feb 96 by B. Tonner)