STEM EDX Mappings and Tomography for Process Characterization and Physical Failure Analysis of Advanced Devices

Abstract In the context of the increasing complexity of materials used in semiconductor device processes, the STEM EDX technique is now used routinely. It can be used to discriminate stacked layers in advanced devices where STEM HAADF Z-contrast is not sufficient. Moreover, it allows a new use of planar preparation for layer investigation. The complexity of analyzed structures drives a need for 3D information which can also be obtained with the chemical information of the EDX analysis.