Oxide thickness determination by XPS, AES, SIMS, RBS and TEM

J. R. Shallenberger, D. A. Cole, S. W. Novak, R. L. Moore, M. J. Edgell, S. P. Smith, C. J. Hitzman, J. F. Kirchhoff, E. Principe, S. Biswas, R. J. Bleiler, W. Nieveen, K. Jones

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contribution

22 Scopus citations

Abstract

As the Rp of ion implants steadily decreases an ever-increasing percentage of the implant species lies in the oxide layer and is, therefore, not electrically active. For this reason it is important to have analytical techniques capable of accurately measuring the thickness of ultra-thin oxide layers. A round-robin study was performed on a series of SiO2 films ranging from 0.3 to 20 nm in order to evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of five commonly used analytical techniques. High resolution cross-section transmission electron microscopy (TEM) offers the only true measurement of oxide thickness because no density assumptions are made. In this study TEM is used as the standard for all the other techniques. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and Auger electron spectroscopy (AES) offer precise measurements for ultra-thin (<3 nm) films, but are limited for thicker films (>15 nm) due to the exponential decay functions that describe the sampling depth in both techniques. Secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS) has historically been used for characterizing relatively thick films (>10 nm) but not for thinner films because of atomic mixing effects. Encapsulating oxides with amorphous silicon prior to performing a SIMS experiment can negate these effects. A comparison of SIMS on encapsulated and as received films is made. Rutherford backscattering (RBS) is an excellent technique for determining oxide thickness over a wide thickness range by channeling the Si signal from the crystalline substrate and analyzing oxygen from the amorphous oxide.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Title of host publicationProceedings of the International Conference on Ion Implantation Technology
PublisherIEEE
Pages79-82
Number of pages4
ISBN (Print)078034538X
StatePublished - 1999
EventProceedings of the 1998 International Conference on 'Ion Implantation Technology' Proceedings (IIT'98) - Kyoto, Jpn
Duration: Jun 22 1998Jun 26 1998

Publication series

NameProceedings of the International Conference on Ion Implantation Technology
Volume1

Other

OtherProceedings of the 1998 International Conference on 'Ion Implantation Technology' Proceedings (IIT'98)
CityKyoto, Jpn
Period6/22/986/26/98

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • General Engineering

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