This book focuses on the experimental and theoretical aspects of the time-dependent breakdown of advanced dielectric films used in gigascale electronics. Coverage includes the most important failure mechanisms for thin low-k films, new and established experimental techniques, recent advances in the area of dielectric failure, and advanced simulations/models to resolve and predict dielectric breakdown, all of which are of considerable importance for engineers and scientists working on developing and integrating present and future chip architectures. The book is specifically designed to aid scientists in assessing the reliability and robustness of electronic systems employing low-k dielectric materials such as nano-porous films. Similarly, the models presented here will help to improve current methodologies for estimating the failure of gigascale electronics at device operating conditions from accelerated lab test conditions. Numerous graphs, tables, and illustrations are included to facilitate understanding of the topics. Readers will be able to understand dielectric breakdown in thin films along with the main failure modes and characterization techniques. In addition, they will gain expertise on conventional as well as new field acceleration test models for predicting long term dielectric degradation.

Metal-dielectric interfaces are ubiquitous in modern electronics. As advanced gigascale electronic devices continue to shrink, the stability of these interfaces is becoming an increasingly important issue that has a profound impact on the operational reliability of these devices. In this book, the authors present the basic science underlying the thermal and electrical stability of metal-dielectric interfaces and its relationship to the operation of advanced interconnect systems in gigascale electronics. Interface phenomena, including chemical reactions between metals and dielectrics, metallic-atom diffusion, and ion drift, are discussed based on fundamental physical and chemical principles. Schematic diagrams are provided throughout the book to illustrate interface phenomena and the principles that govern them. Metal-Dielectric Interfaces in Gigascale Electronics provides a unifying approach to the diverse and sometimes contradictory test results that are reported in the literature on metal-dielectric interfaces. The goal is to provide readers with a clear account of the relationship between interface science and its applications in interconnect structures. The material presented here will also be of interest to those engaged in field-effect transistor and memristor device research, as well as university researchers and industrial scientists working in the areas of electronic materials processing, semiconductor manufacturing, memory chips, and IC design.

In the “More than Moore” era, performance requirements for leading edge semiconductor devices are demanding extremely fine pitch interconnection in semiconductor packaging. Direct copper interconnection has emerged as the technology of choice in the semiconductor industry for fine pitch interconnection, with significant benefits for interconnect density and device performance. Low-temperature direct copper bonding, in particular, will become widely adopted for a broad range of highperformance semiconductor devices in the years to come. This book offers a comprehensive review and in-depth discussions of the key topics in this critical new technology. Chapter 1 reviews the evolution and the most recent advances in semiconductor packaging, leading to the requirement for extremely fine pitch interconnection, and Chapter 2 reviews different technologies for direct copper interconnection, with advantages and disadvantages for various applications. Chapter 3 offers an in-depth review of the hybrid bonding technology, outlining the critical processes and solutions. The area of materials for hybrid bonding is covered in Chapter 4, followed by several chapters that are focused on critical process steps and equipment for copper electrodeposition (Chapter 5), planarization (Chapter 6), wafer bonding (Chapter 7), and die bonding (Chapter 8). Aspects related to product applications are covered in Chapter 9 for design and Chapter 10 for thermal simulation. Finally, Chapter 11 covers reliability considerations and computer modeling for process and performance characterization, followed by the final chapter (Chapter 12) outlining the current and future applications of the hybrid bonding technology. Metrology and testing are also addressed throughout the chapters. Business, economic, and supply chain considerations are discussed as related to the product applications and manufacturing deployment of the technology, and the current status and future outlook as related to the various aspects of the ecosystem are outlined in the relevant chapters of the book. The book is aimed at academic and industry researchers as well as industry practitioners, and is intended to serve as a comprehensive source of the most up-to-date knowledge, and a review of the state-of-the art of the technology and applications, for direct copper interconnection and advanced semiconductor packaging in general.

This book is jointly authored by leading academic and industry researchers. The material is unique in that it spans IC interconnect topics ranging from IBM's revolutionary copper process to an in-depth exploration into interconnect-aware computer architectures.