Fundamentals of Fast Pulsed IV Measurement - Keysight · B1510A High Power SMU (200V/1A, 10fA...

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Alan Wadsworth Agilent Technologies Fundamentals of Fast Pulsed IV Measurement © Agilent Technologies, 2014

Transcript of Fundamentals of Fast Pulsed IV Measurement - Keysight · B1510A High Power SMU (200V/1A, 10fA...

Page 1: Fundamentals of Fast Pulsed IV Measurement - Keysight · B1510A High Power SMU (200V/1A, 10fA resolution) ... Agilent’s Solution for 10 ns Pulsed IV Measurement Page 16 Agilent

Alan Wadsworth

Agilent Technologies

Fundamentals of Fast Pulsed IV Measurement

© Agilent Technologies, 2014

Page 2: Fundamentals of Fast Pulsed IV Measurement - Keysight · B1510A High Power SMU (200V/1A, 10fA resolution) ... Agilent’s Solution for 10 ns Pulsed IV Measurement Page 16 Agilent

Agenda for Today

Page 2

• Parametric Test: Some Perspective

• Overview of Fast Pulsed Measurement Solutions

• Practical High-Speed Measurement Issues

• High Speed Measurement Examples

• Summary and Conclusions

Page 3: Fundamentals of Fast Pulsed IV Measurement - Keysight · B1510A High Power SMU (200V/1A, 10fA resolution) ... Agilent’s Solution for 10 ns Pulsed IV Measurement Page 16 Agilent

PARAMETRIC TEST: A PERSPECTIVE

Page 3

Page 4: Fundamentals of Fast Pulsed IV Measurement - Keysight · B1510A High Power SMU (200V/1A, 10fA resolution) ... Agilent’s Solution for 10 ns Pulsed IV Measurement Page 16 Agilent

Parametric Test Measures 4 Basic Device Types:

Page 4

Transistors Diodes Resistors Capacitors

Most measurements are either current versus voltage (I-V) or capacitance versus voltage (C-V) measurements.

Page 5: Fundamentals of Fast Pulsed IV Measurement - Keysight · B1510A High Power SMU (200V/1A, 10fA resolution) ... Agilent’s Solution for 10 ns Pulsed IV Measurement Page 16 Agilent

What is a Source/Measure Unit? Simplified Equivalent Circuit:

Page 5

A

V

Consider how many rack & stack instruments you would have to combine together to get equivalent functionality!

Voltage Source

Current Source

Ammeter

Voltmeter

Circuit

Common

Page 6: Fundamentals of Fast Pulsed IV Measurement - Keysight · B1510A High Power SMU (200V/1A, 10fA resolution) ... Agilent’s Solution for 10 ns Pulsed IV Measurement Page 16 Agilent

What Does Parametric Test Involve?

Page 6

Semiconductor parametric test involves the measurement of voltage

and current very accurately and very quickly. It also involves the

measurement of capacitance.

MOSFETs have 4 terminals:

4 SMUs Magic Number!

SMU2

SMU 1

SMU 3

SMU 4

Id

Page 7: Fundamentals of Fast Pulsed IV Measurement - Keysight · B1510A High Power SMU (200V/1A, 10fA resolution) ... Agilent’s Solution for 10 ns Pulsed IV Measurement Page 16 Agilent

DC Versus Fast (Transient) IV Measurement

Page 7

Time M

easure

ment

Valu

e

Wait time for DC Measurement

Wait time for Fast

IV Measurement

Transient Response

Long Averaging (DC)

Minimum Averaging

DC Measurement (Milliseconds)

Fast I/V Measurement

(Microseconds and below)

• Basically “static” measurement

• Can wait for the system to settle down

before making the measurement

• Long measurement times allow sufficient

averaging / integration time for high

accuracy

• Dynamic measurement

• Must make measurement during the

transient response

• Trade-offs must be made between speed

and accuracy

Page 8: Fundamentals of Fast Pulsed IV Measurement - Keysight · B1510A High Power SMU (200V/1A, 10fA resolution) ... Agilent’s Solution for 10 ns Pulsed IV Measurement Page 16 Agilent

Why Is High-Speed Measurement Becoming Critical to Parametric Test?

Page 8

• Lower operating voltages

• Some phenomena (such as NBTI/PBTI) have more impact

than in the past due to smaller operating margins

• Expanded use of new and exotic materials

• Some materials (SOI, high-k gate dielectrics) are more

sensitive to heating effects or experience other issues

requiring fast pulsed measurement

• Random telegraph signal noise (RTN)

• As lithographies shrink, MOSFET drain current variations due

to RTN can affect the stability of SRAM cells

• RTN measurement requires fast (nanosecond) sampling rates

• Circuits and devices are operating hotter

• High temperatures generally exacerbate the above effects

Fast measurement is necessary to obtain the accurate device parameters

Page 9: Fundamentals of Fast Pulsed IV Measurement - Keysight · B1510A High Power SMU (200V/1A, 10fA resolution) ... Agilent’s Solution for 10 ns Pulsed IV Measurement Page 16 Agilent

OVERVIEW OF FAST PULSED MEASUREMENT SOLUTIONS

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Page 10: Fundamentals of Fast Pulsed IV Measurement - Keysight · B1510A High Power SMU (200V/1A, 10fA resolution) ... Agilent’s Solution for 10 ns Pulsed IV Measurement Page 16 Agilent

What is a Pulsed IV Measurement? • IV measurement made using pulses (not DC signals)

• Pulse widths can vary from milliseconds to nanoseconds

DC IV measurement Pulsed IV measurement

Measurement can be slow.

Timing dependency is low.

Measurement must be relatively fast.

Timing dependency is high.

Pulse widths vary from ms to ns

Different equipment is needed depending on

the pulse width requirements

Apply voltage

(or current)

Time

Measure current

(or voltage)

Pulse width

Spot

Sweep

Pulse period

Page 10

Page 11: Fundamentals of Fast Pulsed IV Measurement - Keysight · B1510A High Power SMU (200V/1A, 10fA resolution) ... Agilent’s Solution for 10 ns Pulsed IV Measurement Page 16 Agilent

How Much Bandwidth is Needed?

Page 11

-2.5E-01

-2.0E-01

-1.5E-01

-1.0E-01

-5.0E-02

0.0E+00

5.0E-02

1.0E-01

1.5E-01

2.0E-01

2.5E-01

0 1E-08 2E-08 3E-08 4E-08 5E-08 6E-08

Time (Sec)

Am

plit

ude

-2.0E-01

0.0E+00

2.0E-01

4.0E-01

6.0E-01

8.0E-01

1.0E+00

1.2E+00

0.E+00 5.E-09 1.E-08 2.E-08 2.E-08

Time (sec)

Am

plit

ude

=

A pulse (square wave) is the superposition of sine waves (odd harmonics).

• The base line frequency is determined by pulse period.

• The practical maximum frequency is determined by the width and transition time.

• The DC components only determine the pulse offset.

10 ns pulse width

2 ns edges

100 s period

Can easily need a system with GHz

of bandwidth!

Page 12: Fundamentals of Fast Pulsed IV Measurement - Keysight · B1510A High Power SMU (200V/1A, 10fA resolution) ... Agilent’s Solution for 10 ns Pulsed IV Measurement Page 16 Agilent

Using Standard SMUs for Pulsed Measurement

Easy extension from DC measurement.

Can make pulsed IV measurements down to

500 μs using the same DC measurement setup

Intrinsic hardware based timing control for

pulse width, period and wait time parameters.

Three standard SMU modules are supported

on the B1500A device analyzer.

B1510A High Power SMU (200V/1A, 10fA resolution)

B1511B Medium Power SMU (100V/0.1A, 10fA resolution)

B1517A High resolution SMU (100V/0.1A, 1fA)

Note:

1. Measurement range and DUT impedance may limit the achievable pulse width.

2. Trade-offs need to be made between effective resolution and pulse speed.

SMU module

Vd

Id

Vg

Page 12

Page 13: Fundamentals of Fast Pulsed IV Measurement - Keysight · B1510A High Power SMU (200V/1A, 10fA resolution) ... Agilent’s Solution for 10 ns Pulsed IV Measurement Page 16 Agilent

50 μs Pulsing Using Medium Current SMU (MCSMU) Specialized SMU supporting 50 μs pulsing

(10 times faster than other SMUs)

Power output of 30 V@1 A (pulse mode)

Software supports unique Oscilloscope view that enables you to monitor

voltage & current waveforms directly on B1500A without any additional

equipment

Oscilloscope view permits waveform verification and timing parameter

optimization

Time

Pulse

Level Actual waveform

Programed waveform

Actual waveform does not match programmed

waveform due to capacitive loading, etc.

Risk that measurement is performed

before pulse reaches its peak.

Oscilloscope view Measurement point

Actual waveform can be monitored.

50μs Pulse MCSMU (B1514A)

Page 13

Page 14: Fundamentals of Fast Pulsed IV Measurement - Keysight · B1510A High Power SMU (200V/1A, 10fA resolution) ... Agilent’s Solution for 10 ns Pulsed IV Measurement Page 16 Agilent

The Traditional Solution for Fast Pulsed Measurement

Page 14

D

S

G

R

DC Bias Source and System Controller

Shunt Resistance

Id

Gate bias pulse

Voltage drop due to Id

Pulse Generator (R) resistanceShunt

Id todue drop VoltageId

SMUs for DC bias

Oscilloscope

A seemingly simple

measurement technique,

but…

This is not simple to

implement!

Vd

+

-

Page 15: Fundamentals of Fast Pulsed IV Measurement - Keysight · B1510A High Power SMU (200V/1A, 10fA resolution) ... Agilent’s Solution for 10 ns Pulsed IV Measurement Page 16 Agilent

Challenges When Implementing a Pulsed IV System Using Discrete Instruments

Page 15

System accuracy • The overall error is the sum of the individual instrument errors

• Basic scope resolution is only ~ 8 bits

Requires precision components & connectors • The shunt resistance must be very precise

• The cabling needs to be matched and calibrated

• Connections need to be tightened to known a torque using a torque wrench

Software • The amount of time and effort needed to create the software to integrate

everything together is not trivial

Compensation for Id Voltage Drop • Actual Vd applied to transistor varies with Id, so compensation routines are

needed if a constant Vd is desired

Page 16: Fundamentals of Fast Pulsed IV Measurement - Keysight · B1510A High Power SMU (200V/1A, 10fA resolution) ... Agilent’s Solution for 10 ns Pulsed IV Measurement Page 16 Agilent

Agilent’s Solution for 10 ns Pulsed IV Measurement

Page 16

Agilent 81110A Pulse Generator

Gate Pulse Monitor Ch

Agilent B1500A Semiconductor Device

Analyzer

DC Bias Ch from SMU

Gate Pulse Output Ch

Agilent DSO Digital Storage Oscilloscope

D

S

G

Drain Current Monitor Ch

Bia

s-T

DUT

Optional 11713B Switch Controller:

Provides easy switching between DC

and Pulsed Measurements. Convenient EasyEXPERT GUI

Page 17: Fundamentals of Fast Pulsed IV Measurement - Keysight · B1510A High Power SMU (200V/1A, 10fA resolution) ... Agilent’s Solution for 10 ns Pulsed IV Measurement Page 16 Agilent

Correlation to DC Measurement @ 10ns pulse width using a bulk NMOS transistor w/o self heating

Page 17

0.0E+00

2.0E-03

4.0E-03

6.0E-03

8.0E-03

1.0E-02

1.2E-02

1.4E-02

1.6E-02

0 1 2 3 4 5

Vd (V)

Id (

A)

DC Vg = - 0.5V

DC Vg = 0V

DC Vg = 0.5V

DC Vg = 1V

10nsec Vg = - 0.5V

10nsec Vg = 0V

10nsec Vg = 0.5V

10nsec Vg = 1V

0.E+00

2.E-03

4.E-03

6.E-03

8.E-03

1.E-02

1.E-02

1.E-02

2.E-02

-1 -0.5 0 0.5 1 1.5

Vg (V)Id

(A

)

DC Vd = 1V

DC Vd = 2V

DC Vd = 3V

DC Vd = 4V

10nsec Vd = 1V

10nsec Vd = 2V

10nsec Vd = 3V

10nsec Vd = 4V

IV curves measured using a 10 ns pulse width correlate

well with IV curves measured at DC (as they should).

Id-Vd: DC vs. PLSDIV @ 10ns Id-Vg: DC vs. PLSDIV @ 10ns

Page 18: Fundamentals of Fast Pulsed IV Measurement - Keysight · B1510A High Power SMU (200V/1A, 10fA resolution) ... Agilent’s Solution for 10 ns Pulsed IV Measurement Page 16 Agilent

Key Specs of Agilent 10 ns Solution

Page 18

Id-Vd, Id-Vg measurement with pulsed gate bias.

• Pulse bias sweep measurement using a single pulse.

Variable pulse width

• 10 nsec to 1 sec.

• Pulse period is fixed as 100 sec (10 KHz)

Pulse level

• -4.5 V to +4.5V

• Maximum amplitude is up to 4.5V

• Positive pulse for NMOS FET and negative pulse for PMOS FET

Vd Range

• Maximum 10 V

Id measurement range.

• Maximum 80 mA

• Minimum 1 A resolution (depends on measurement range)

Page 19: Fundamentals of Fast Pulsed IV Measurement - Keysight · B1510A High Power SMU (200V/1A, 10fA resolution) ... Agilent’s Solution for 10 ns Pulsed IV Measurement Page 16 Agilent

An Alternative: Dedicated Hardware for Fast IV Measurement

Page 19

Remote-sense and Switch Unit (RSU) - Located near DUT to minimize signal delay

- Buffered output monitor function

- Can switch between SMU and WGFMU

Output: SMA to/from DUT

SMU connection: Triaxial DC measurement or debug using SMUs

Voltage Monitor: BNC Monitor waveforms using oscilloscope

DUT B1500A mainframe

w/B1530A modules

Furnished

Cables

RSU RSU

Waveform Generator/Fast Measurement Unit (WGFMU)

Page 20: Fundamentals of Fast Pulsed IV Measurement - Keysight · B1510A High Power SMU (200V/1A, 10fA resolution) ... Agilent’s Solution for 10 ns Pulsed IV Measurement Page 16 Agilent

WGFMU: Basic Functionality and Specifications

Page 20

Voltage ranges supported

– PG mode: -5 V to 5 V

– Fast IV mode: -5 V to 5 V, 0 V to 10 V,

-10 V to 0 V

Current measurement ranges (fixed)

– 1 A, 10 A, 100 A, 1 mA, 10 mA

Settling times for current measurement (0.6%)

– 10 mA Range : 125ns

– 1 mA Range : 200 ns

– 100 A Range : 820 ns

– 10 A Range : 5.8 s

– 1 A Range : 37 s

Measurement resolution

– 14 bit ADC

Noise

– Max. 0.1 mVrms (V force)

– Max. 0.4 mVrms (V measure)

– <0.2% of Range (I measure)

Sampling rate

– 200 MSa/s (Interval: 5 ns or 10 ns to 1 s

w/avg.)

Memory length

– 4,000,000 points/channel PG mode: Minimum 50 ns pulse width (50 Load)

Fast IV mode: Minimum 145 ns pulse width

Equivalent circuit of one WGFMU channel

(2 channels / module):

Output

50 V

PG mode

A

V

Fast IV mode

Arbitrary Linear

Waveform

Generator

Note: Fast IV mode eliminates

load line effects

Page 21: Fundamentals of Fast Pulsed IV Measurement - Keysight · B1510A High Power SMU (200V/1A, 10fA resolution) ... Agilent’s Solution for 10 ns Pulsed IV Measurement Page 16 Agilent

Fast IV Sweep Measurement Made Using the Agilent’s WGFMU

Page 21

• A staircase sweep with 100 s per step (50 s delay) was performed to create a baseline

• A staircase sweep with 1 s per step (500 ns delay) correlates well with the 100 s measurement

• A 1 s pulsed IV sweep (100 ns rise/fall time, 500 ns delay, 2 s period) also correlates well with the other two measurements

• Averaging time: 50 ns

• Current measurement range: 10 mA

This data shows that there is no dependency on step size or pulsing; all measurements yield the same results.

-1.E-03

-9.E-04

-8.E-04

-7.E-04

-6.E-04

-5.E-04

-4.E-04

-3.E-04

-2.E-04

-1.E-04

0.E+00

-3 -2.5 -2 -1.5 -1 -0.5 0

Vg (V)

Id (

A)

100 s Step (Reference)

1 s Step

1 s Pulse

Page 22: Fundamentals of Fast Pulsed IV Measurement - Keysight · B1510A High Power SMU (200V/1A, 10fA resolution) ... Agilent’s Solution for 10 ns Pulsed IV Measurement Page 16 Agilent

Rack & Stack Solution vs. Integrated Module

Page 22

Discrete Instrument Solution:

•Extremely fast pulsing (2 ns rise/fall, 10 ns width)

•Complex calibration issues

•Requires very sophisticated software

•Can be subject to load line effects

•Can be expensive

Integrated Module:

•Easy to use

•No calibration issues (off-the-shelf product)

•Slower pulsing capability (10 ns rise/fall, 50 ns width)

•Eliminates load line effects

•Relatively less expensive

Page 23: Fundamentals of Fast Pulsed IV Measurement - Keysight · B1510A High Power SMU (200V/1A, 10fA resolution) ... Agilent’s Solution for 10 ns Pulsed IV Measurement Page 16 Agilent

PRACTICAL HIGH SPEED MEASUREMENT ISSUES

Page 23

Page 24: Fundamentals of Fast Pulsed IV Measurement - Keysight · B1510A High Power SMU (200V/1A, 10fA resolution) ... Agilent’s Solution for 10 ns Pulsed IV Measurement Page 16 Agilent

Proper Structure Design is Crucial to Achieving Clean Pulses on Pulses <200 ns in Width

Page 24

Structure optimized

for RF measurement

Structure for conventional

DC measurement

Large overshoot and ringing Clean pulse shape

Source Gate

Sub Drain

Source

/Sub

Source

/Sub Gate

Source

/Sub

Source

/Sub Drain

Page 25: Fundamentals of Fast Pulsed IV Measurement - Keysight · B1510A High Power SMU (200V/1A, 10fA resolution) ... Agilent’s Solution for 10 ns Pulsed IV Measurement Page 16 Agilent

Pad Arrangement Good Down to ~200 ns

Page 25

Coaxial Probe

Gate Drain

Substrate Source

Coaxial Probe

Signal

GND

Signal

GND

Long, non-50 Ohm current

path distorts the pulse shape.

Page 26: Fundamentals of Fast Pulsed IV Measurement - Keysight · B1510A High Power SMU (200V/1A, 10fA resolution) ... Agilent’s Solution for 10 ns Pulsed IV Measurement Page 16 Agilent

Pad Arrangement Good Down to ~100 ns

Page 26

Coaxial Probe

Gate Drain

Source Substrate

Coaxial Probe

Signal

GND

Signal

GND

Note that a minor change in pad layout significantly improves

measurement results.

Page 27: Fundamentals of Fast Pulsed IV Measurement - Keysight · B1510A High Power SMU (200V/1A, 10fA resolution) ... Agilent’s Solution for 10 ns Pulsed IV Measurement Page 16 Agilent

Pad Arrangement Good Down to 10 ns

Page 27

Coaxial

Probe

Gate Drain

Source/

Subs

Coaxial

Probe

Signal

GND

Signal

GND Source

/ Subs

Source/

Subs

Source/

Subs GND GND

Minimize the loss in

the drain current path

Minimize the loss in

the gate pulse path Minimize the voltage offset caused by the

high-frequency impedance mismatch

between the source and substrate

Page 28: Fundamentals of Fast Pulsed IV Measurement - Keysight · B1510A High Power SMU (200V/1A, 10fA resolution) ... Agilent’s Solution for 10 ns Pulsed IV Measurement Page 16 Agilent

Important! Keep the Signal Path Clean

Page 28

DC bias, ground and

control pads (if needed)

DUT GSG

Pads

GSG

Pads

Signal Path

•Separate probes by at least 200 m to avoid cross-talk

•All grounds should be connected together

200 m

Minimum pad size:

50 m x 50 m

(Infinity Probes)

Page 29: Fundamentals of Fast Pulsed IV Measurement - Keysight · B1510A High Power SMU (200V/1A, 10fA resolution) ... Agilent’s Solution for 10 ns Pulsed IV Measurement Page 16 Agilent

Using DC Probes for High-Speed Measurements

Page 29

Establishes return path

for Drain Current Establishes return path

for Gate Pulse

Terminates Well

and Source

16493R-202

SSMC (Plug) – SMA(m) 200 mm

16493R-202

SSMC(Plug) – SMA(m) 200 mm

16493R-101 or 102

Cable Accessories

To measurement equipment To measurement equipment

Advantages:

•Cheaper than RF probes

•Bandwidth OK for WGFMU module

•Flexible pad layouts

Disadvantages:

•Minimum achievable pulse width ~100 ns

•Mechanical tension created on probes

•Not supported by all prober companies

Page 30: Fundamentals of Fast Pulsed IV Measurement - Keysight · B1510A High Power SMU (200V/1A, 10fA resolution) ... Agilent’s Solution for 10 ns Pulsed IV Measurement Page 16 Agilent

Using RF Probes for High-Speed Measurements

Page 30

Signal Gnd Signal Gnd Gnd

G Gate

Source/

Well

Source/

Well

Source/

Well

Source/

Well

Drain

RF Probe

( ex. Cascade Microtech Infinity Probe)

To measurement equipment

SMA Connectors

Advantages:

•More than sufficient bandwidth

• Impossible to improperly connect

Disadvantages:

•Cost

•Fixed pad layout

Page 31: Fundamentals of Fast Pulsed IV Measurement - Keysight · B1510A High Power SMU (200V/1A, 10fA resolution) ... Agilent’s Solution for 10 ns Pulsed IV Measurement Page 16 Agilent

Can SMUs be Used as Bias Sources in High-Speed Measurements?

Page 31

SMU #1

WGFMU #1

t

Response time of SMU output

NO! SMUs cannot respond fast enough

when the FET is driven by a fast pulse. WGFMU #1

SMU #1

A SMU #2 WGFMU #2

• It is best if you can keep the non-switching nodes

at ground

• If you need to vary the voltage on all nodes, then

use only high-speed equipment (e.g. WGFMU)

even if the node is held at a constant voltage

• If you must use SMUs, then only connect them to

terminals where there is little or no current flow

• Also if using SMUs, make sure that they are set to

their maximum current range for fastest response

Page 32: Fundamentals of Fast Pulsed IV Measurement - Keysight · B1510A High Power SMU (200V/1A, 10fA resolution) ... Agilent’s Solution for 10 ns Pulsed IV Measurement Page 16 Agilent

Wafer Chuck Considerations

Page 32

Wafer Chuck Chuck to ground

capacitance

(>1000 pF)

Vchuck

Vtop

Vchuck

Vtop

Difficult to change chuck voltage quickly

Alternative method

• If left open the chuck will charge up and the

substrate potential may not be stable during

measurement (important if performing long-

duration reliability test)

• If the WGFMU module is connected to the

chuck then it will have a very long settling time

due to the large chuck capacitance

• Use a shorting plug to ground the wafer chuck

(do not leave it open!)

• If the chuck must be biased, keep the voltage

constant throughout your measurement

Page 33: Fundamentals of Fast Pulsed IV Measurement - Keysight · B1510A High Power SMU (200V/1A, 10fA resolution) ... Agilent’s Solution for 10 ns Pulsed IV Measurement Page 16 Agilent

Probe Contact Resistance

Page 33

Maintaining low contact resistance is

critical for pulsed measurements

•High contact resistance combines with stray capacitance to

degrade pulse shape (sometimes quite significantly)

•High contact resistance also reduces both the amplitude of the

pulse voltage and the current flowing into the DUT

Page 34: Fundamentals of Fast Pulsed IV Measurement - Keysight · B1510A High Power SMU (200V/1A, 10fA resolution) ... Agilent’s Solution for 10 ns Pulsed IV Measurement Page 16 Agilent

Cable Capacitance Can Also Affect Measurement Results

Page 34

A

A

50

50

Measured Id

Cable charging

current

Actual Id less than

measured by Ammeter

(or current probe)

Id

Vd

Rising Edge

Falling Edge

Measurement Distortion

One way to avoid this issue (other than making

your cables as short as possible) is to measure

current at the source, since it is usually at a

stable voltage (i.e. zero volts).

Page 35: Fundamentals of Fast Pulsed IV Measurement - Keysight · B1510A High Power SMU (200V/1A, 10fA resolution) ... Agilent’s Solution for 10 ns Pulsed IV Measurement Page 16 Agilent

Issues Caused by Fixed 50 PGU Output Impedance

WGFMU Module (Fast IV Mode) No load lines effects

Vg

Vd

Device Impedance

changes

Conventional Pulse Generator

Voltage applied to DUT changes when device impedance

changes

Voltage applied to DUT does not match programmed

value even when device impedance becomes constant

Vg

Vd

Device Impedance

changes

2

2

Page 36: Fundamentals of Fast Pulsed IV Measurement - Keysight · B1510A High Power SMU (200V/1A, 10fA resolution) ... Agilent’s Solution for 10 ns Pulsed IV Measurement Page 16 Agilent

Electromagnetic Induction Noise

Page 36

noiseloopnoise BSt

tV ___d

d)(

Magnetic Flux: B_noise

Noise

current

Loop Area: S_loop

•Electromagnetic noise is proportional to the loop area

•To reduce noise, make the signal loop as small as possible

Page 37: Fundamentals of Fast Pulsed IV Measurement - Keysight · B1510A High Power SMU (200V/1A, 10fA resolution) ... Agilent’s Solution for 10 ns Pulsed IV Measurement Page 16 Agilent

Twist Cables to Minimize Noise (B1500A WGFMU Module Example)

Page 37

B1500A

Twist long cables between

the RSUs and the B1500A

to minimize signal area

RSU RSU

Must properly connect

probe shields

To make current

return path for drain

current signal.

To make current

return path for gate

pulse signal.

To shorten the

well and source

16493R-202

SSMC (Plug) –

SMA(m) 200 mm

16493R-202

SSMC(Plug) – SMA(m) 200

mm

RSU RSU

16493R-101 or 102

Cable accessories to connect probe shields

Page 38: Fundamentals of Fast Pulsed IV Measurement - Keysight · B1510A High Power SMU (200V/1A, 10fA resolution) ... Agilent’s Solution for 10 ns Pulsed IV Measurement Page 16 Agilent

Beware of “Hidden” Ground Loops

Page 38

SMU

GNDU

WGFMU

Circuit Common

Chamber

Wafer Chuck

Frame

I/F Plate

Chassis Common

B1500A Prober

Ground Loop

SMU Cable (Triaxial)

Connecting with multiple cables reduces the residual resistance,

but it increases total area of ground/signal loop

Page 39: Fundamentals of Fast Pulsed IV Measurement - Keysight · B1510A High Power SMU (200V/1A, 10fA resolution) ... Agilent’s Solution for 10 ns Pulsed IV Measurement Page 16 Agilent

Solution to Ground Loop Issue

Page 39

SMU

GNDU

WGFMU

Circuit Common

Chamber

Wafer Chuck

Frame

I/F Plate

Chassis Common

B1500A Prober SMU Cable (Triaxial)

You may need to disconnect the instrument common from earth

(chassis) ground and/or do the same for the wafer prober.

Page 40: Fundamentals of Fast Pulsed IV Measurement - Keysight · B1510A High Power SMU (200V/1A, 10fA resolution) ... Agilent’s Solution for 10 ns Pulsed IV Measurement Page 16 Agilent

Filtering Noise (If Necessary)

Page 40

RSU RSU

Ferrite Cores

•Ferrite cores are an effective means of eliminating noise

•Cut-off frequencies need to be chosen carefully to avoid removing

the high-frequency components of the signal being measured

Page 41: Fundamentals of Fast Pulsed IV Measurement - Keysight · B1510A High Power SMU (200V/1A, 10fA resolution) ... Agilent’s Solution for 10 ns Pulsed IV Measurement Page 16 Agilent

HIGH-SPEED AND PULSED MEASUREMENT EXAMPLES

Page 41

Page 42: Fundamentals of Fast Pulsed IV Measurement - Keysight · B1510A High Power SMU (200V/1A, 10fA resolution) ... Agilent’s Solution for 10 ns Pulsed IV Measurement Page 16 Agilent

Negative Bias Temperature Instability

Page 42

• Phenomena:

– Shift in Vth and degradation

(reduction) of Ion under negatively

biased gate voltage

– Dynamic recovery

The shift partially recovers if the stress is

removed

– More severe in PMOS transistors

• Accelerated under:

– High temperature

– High Vg bias

VDD

IN Out

PMOS

NMOS

L

H

H

L

ON

OFF

OFF

ON

Page 43: Fundamentals of Fast Pulsed IV Measurement - Keysight · B1510A High Power SMU (200V/1A, 10fA resolution) ... Agilent’s Solution for 10 ns Pulsed IV Measurement Page 16 Agilent

Why Has NBTI Become a Major Issue?

Page 43

• Process Vdds are lower

– At Vdd <= 1.2 V, even a 20-50 mV shift in Vth has a

big impact

• Many ICs are running much hotter than in the

past (circuit self heating)

• Advanced processing issues exacerbate the NBTI

mechanism

– Dependent on gate dielectric material

High-k gate dielectrics have more defects than

standard materials

– Dependent on gate insulator thickness

Effect grows exponentially worse as thickness

decreases

Page 44: Fundamentals of Fast Pulsed IV Measurement - Keysight · B1510A High Power SMU (200V/1A, 10fA resolution) ... Agilent’s Solution for 10 ns Pulsed IV Measurement Page 16 Agilent

NBTI Dynamic Recovery

Page 44

Fast recovery from the stress condition

The defects generated by the stress recover rapidly after removal of the stress:

• The total number of defects consists of the combination of permanent defects and fast recovering defects (different defect mechanisms).

• It is difficult to estimate the number of fast recovery defects prior to measurement because they depend upon a variety of factors (gate material, process factors, bias voltage and stress time).

Stress Measurement

Gate Bias

Drain Bias

Time

Voltage

Transition from stress

to measure

Drain Current

|Id|

Time

Rapid recovery immediately

after stress removal

Start of Measurement

Slow recovery

Page 45: Fundamentals of Fast Pulsed IV Measurement - Keysight · B1510A High Power SMU (200V/1A, 10fA resolution) ... Agilent’s Solution for 10 ns Pulsed IV Measurement Page 16 Agilent

Ultra-fast NBTI Measurement Requirements

Page 45

At the 2006 IRPS H. Reisinger (Infineon) questioned the NBTI data taken via conventional methods. He stated that the dynamic recovery time of charge trapped in the insulator or surface greatly affects the results of the NBTI characterization.

The dynamic recovery time is highly

dependent on the gate insulation

material:

Conventional oxide…200 s

High-k dielectric... <1 s

Conclusion: NBTI measurements

made within 1 s after stress

removal are necessary!

by Reisinger:90nm Conventional

Page 46: Fundamentals of Fast Pulsed IV Measurement - Keysight · B1510A High Power SMU (200V/1A, 10fA resolution) ... Agilent’s Solution for 10 ns Pulsed IV Measurement Page 16 Agilent

Ultra-fast Id Spot Measurement Using WGFMU

Page 46

Id spot measurement within 1 s after removal of the stress*

*Note: 10 mA and 1 mA ranges. The measurement speed depends upon the measurement range settling time.

Magnified

Stress Stress Stress

Measure

Vd

Vg

Page 47: Fundamentals of Fast Pulsed IV Measurement - Keysight · B1510A High Power SMU (200V/1A, 10fA resolution) ... Agilent’s Solution for 10 ns Pulsed IV Measurement Page 16 Agilent

Both AC & DC Stressing Capabilities are Needed

Page 47

Vd

Stress Stress Stress

Vg

DC Stress AC Stress (100 kHz, Duty cycle 50%)

Meas

Vd

Vg

Stress Stress Stress

Meas

• The only difference between the AC and DC cases is the shape of the

stress waveforms

• In both cases there is no delay in transitioning from stress to measure

and no glitching during the transition

Page 48: Fundamentals of Fast Pulsed IV Measurement - Keysight · B1510A High Power SMU (200V/1A, 10fA resolution) ... Agilent’s Solution for 10 ns Pulsed IV Measurement Page 16 Agilent

The Effects of DC & AC Stress on NBTI Device Degradation Are Dramatically Different

Page 48

(s) (s)

1

10

100

1.E-04 1.E-02 1.E+00 1.E+02 1.E+04

Accumulated Nominal Stress Time (sec) Id

(%

)

Duty 25%

Duty 50%

DC

• Pure DC stress causes the largest shift in the Id.

• AC stress is probably a more realistic representation of the stress

experienced by devices under normal operating conditions

1

10

100

1.E-04 1.E-02 1.E+00 1.E+02 1.E+04

Accumulated Absolute Stress Time (sec)

Duty 25%

Duty 50%

DC

Id (

%)

Page 49: Fundamentals of Fast Pulsed IV Measurement - Keysight · B1510A High Power SMU (200V/1A, 10fA resolution) ... Agilent’s Solution for 10 ns Pulsed IV Measurement Page 16 Agilent

Why is RTS Noise* Important?

Page 49

*Note: RTS noise (RTN) is also known as burst noise or popcorn noise.

• As MOSFET device sizes shrink, RTS noise

becomes much more prominent at low frequencies

– RTS noise is believed to be caused by charge

trapping/de-trapping

– If RTS noise occurs it generally dominates all other

low-frequency noise components

• Active pixel sensors (aka CMOS image sensors)

are especially sensitive to RTS noise

– In CMOS image sensors RTS noise generates

erroneous white spots in what should be dark areas

• SRAM Cell Stability

– As lithographies and voltage levels have continued to

shrink, RTS noise is starting to impact SRAM cell

stability.

Page 50: Fundamentals of Fast Pulsed IV Measurement - Keysight · B1510A High Power SMU (200V/1A, 10fA resolution) ... Agilent’s Solution for 10 ns Pulsed IV Measurement Page 16 Agilent

What is a Random Telegraph Signal (RTS)?

Page 50

A random process that has the following properties:

1. X(t) = ±1

2. The number of zero crossings in the interval (0,t) is described by a

Poisson process.

0

+1

-1

Time

Page 51: Fundamentals of Fast Pulsed IV Measurement - Keysight · B1510A High Power SMU (200V/1A, 10fA resolution) ... Agilent’s Solution for 10 ns Pulsed IV Measurement Page 16 Agilent

WGFMU RTS Noise Measurement Technique

Page 51

Gate

Drain

Time

V

Drain current sampling

I

WGFMU

Output waveform

monitor (optional)

(Measured with WGFMU)

Note: Sampling rates need to be in the nanosecond range, and hundreds of

thousands (or even millions) of measurement points may need to be recorded.

Page 52: Fundamentals of Fast Pulsed IV Measurement - Keysight · B1510A High Power SMU (200V/1A, 10fA resolution) ... Agilent’s Solution for 10 ns Pulsed IV Measurement Page 16 Agilent

Sample RTS Noise Measurements Made Using the B1500A WGFMU Module

Zoom

Measured sampling data

Digitized data

Time [s]

Id [

A]

Page 52

Page 53: Fundamentals of Fast Pulsed IV Measurement - Keysight · B1510A High Power SMU (200V/1A, 10fA resolution) ... Agilent’s Solution for 10 ns Pulsed IV Measurement Page 16 Agilent

RTS Noise Power Spectrum Distribution

Slope is constant

at low frequencies.

2

1

fSlope

(At high frequencies)

Page 53

Page 54: Fundamentals of Fast Pulsed IV Measurement - Keysight · B1510A High Power SMU (200V/1A, 10fA resolution) ... Agilent’s Solution for 10 ns Pulsed IV Measurement Page 16 Agilent

When are <100 ns Pulses Required?

Page 54

SOI Transistors

– Short pulse width (under 100 ns) to avoid heat generation.

– Very small duty cycle (< 0.1%) to allow time for the device to cool.

S

G Id

Vg

Vd An ultra short pulse

can be used to

measure the intrinsic

Id of a MOSFET.

Ef Ev

Ec

Gate

p-Si

Barrier Oxide

High-K

MOS-FET on SOI

n+

p-Si

Gate Source Drain

p SiO2

n+ p

Self-heating

effect

Trapped

electrons

tunneling

through the

barrier oxide

MOSFETs Impacted by electron trapping

– Short pulse width to measure Id before any

electrons can get trapped

– Negative gate baseline voltage to remove

electrons before next pulsed measurement.

Page 55: Fundamentals of Fast Pulsed IV Measurement - Keysight · B1510A High Power SMU (200V/1A, 10fA resolution) ... Agilent’s Solution for 10 ns Pulsed IV Measurement Page 16 Agilent

Measurement Example Using 10 ns Pulsing

-1.E-03

0.E+00

1.E-03

2.E-03

3.E-03

4.E-03

5.E-03

6.E-03

7.E-03

8.E-03

9.E-03

0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1 1.2 1.4 1.6

Vg

Id (

A)

W = 10nsec

W = 100nsec

W = 1usec

DC

SiON device with large interface trap density

Charge trapping effects

are clearly visible in the

measurement results.

Page 55

Page 56: Fundamentals of Fast Pulsed IV Measurement - Keysight · B1510A High Power SMU (200V/1A, 10fA resolution) ... Agilent’s Solution for 10 ns Pulsed IV Measurement Page 16 Agilent

SUMMARY AND CONCLUSIONS

Page 56

Page 57: Fundamentals of Fast Pulsed IV Measurement - Keysight · B1510A High Power SMU (200V/1A, 10fA resolution) ... Agilent’s Solution for 10 ns Pulsed IV Measurement Page 16 Agilent

What Are the Key Points to Remember for Successful High-Speed Test?

Page 57

Equipment considerations

• Make sure you know what your fast measurement or pulsing needs are so

that you can chose the proper equipment to meet your requirements.

• If making on-wafer measurements, make sure that your prober supports the

necessary probes and that it has a low enough noise floor for your needs.

• Follow all suggestions in this presentation for on-wafer probing.

Careful planning and device layout can prevent many headaches later

• Optimize layouts for high-speed

• Minimize contact resistance

Follow these basic principles if building a system on your own

• Calibrate scope and pulse generator using precision meter

• Use high-quality cables with known delay times

• Keep cable lengths as short as possible

• Make sure all connections have the proper torque

Page 58: Fundamentals of Fast Pulsed IV Measurement - Keysight · B1510A High Power SMU (200V/1A, 10fA resolution) ... Agilent’s Solution for 10 ns Pulsed IV Measurement Page 16 Agilent

Agilent Parametric Handbook Has More Information

You can download the PDF file (Rev 3) from the web:

http://www.agilent.com/find/parametrichandbook

You can also request it after completing the evaluation form.

>200 pages of invaluable

information on parametric test

Page 58

Page 59: Fundamentals of Fast Pulsed IV Measurement - Keysight · B1510A High Power SMU (200V/1A, 10fA resolution) ... Agilent’s Solution for 10 ns Pulsed IV Measurement Page 16 Agilent

Thank You for Your Kind Attention

Page 59

Page 60: Fundamentals of Fast Pulsed IV Measurement - Keysight · B1510A High Power SMU (200V/1A, 10fA resolution) ... Agilent’s Solution for 10 ns Pulsed IV Measurement Page 16 Agilent

Questions

Page 60