• JSTS:Journal of Semiconductor Technology and Science
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• v.17 no.3
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• pp.319-325
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• 2017

Through silicon via (TSV) technology is extensively used in 3D IC integrations. The special structure of the TSV is realized by CMP (Chemically Mechanical Polishing) process with a high Cu removal rate and, low dishing, yielding fine topography without defects. In this study, we investigated the electrochemical behavior of copper slurries with various inhibitors in the Cu CMP process for advanced TSV applications. One of the slurries was carried out for the most promising process with a high removal rate (${\sim}18000{\AA}/Min$ @ 3 psi) and low dishing (${\sim}800{\AA}$), providing good microstructure. The effects of pH value and $H_2O_2$ concentration on the slurry corrosion potential and Cu static etching rate (SER) were also examined. The slurry formula with a pH of 6 and 2% $H_2O_2$, hadthe lowest SER (${\sim}75{\AA}/Min$) and was the best for TSV CMP. A novel Cu TSV CMP process was developed with two CMPs and an additional annealing step after some of the bulk Cu had been removed, effectively improving the condition of the TSV Cu surface and preventing the formation of crack defects by variations in wafer stress during TSV process integration.

• Proceedings of the KIEE Conference
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• 2001.11a
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• pp.112-114
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• 2001

In this letter, we report on the investigation of Si/Ti, Pt/Si/Ti, Co/Si/Ti Ohmic contacts to p-type 4H-SiC. The contacts were formed by a 2-step vacuum annealing at $550^{\circ}C$ for 5 min, $850^{\circ}C$ for 2 min respectively. The contact resistances were measured using the transmission line model method, which resulted in specific $10^{-4}{\Omega}cm^2$, and the physical properties of the contactcontact resistivities in the $9.2{\times}10^{-4}$, $7.1{\times}10^{-4}$ and $4.5{\times}s$ were examined using microscopy, AES(auger electron spectroscopy). AES analysis has shown that, at this anneal temperature, there was a intermixing of the Ti and Si, migration of into SiC. Overlayer of Pt, Co had the effect of decreasing the specific contact resistivity and improving the surface morphology of the annealed contact.

• Proceedings of the Korean Institute of Electrical and Electronic Material Engineers Conference
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• 2008.06a
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• pp.239-240
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• 2008

As semiconductor devices are scaled down for better performance and more functionality, the Cu-based interconnects suffer from the increase of the resistivity of the Cu wires. The resistivity increase, which is attributed to the electron scattering from grain boundaries and interfaces, needs to be addressed in order to further scale down semiconductor devices [1]. The increase in the resistivity of the interconnect can be alleviated by increasing the grain size of electroplating (EP)-Cu or by modifying the Cu surface [1]. Another possible solution is to maximize the portion of the EP-Cu volume in the vias or damascene structures with the conformal diffusion barrier and seed layer by optimizing their deposition processes during Cu interconnect fabrication, which are currently ionized physical vapor deposition (IPVD)-based Ta/TaN bilayer and IPVD-Cu, respectively. The use of in-situ etching, during IPVD of the barrier or the seed layer, has been effective in enlarging the trench volume where the Cu is filled, resulting in improved reliability and performance of the Cu-based interconnect. However, the application of IPVD technology is expected to be limited eventually because of poor sidewall step coverage and the narrow top part of the damascene structures. Recently, Ru has been suggested as a diffusion barrier that is compatible with the direct plating of Cu [2-3]. A single-layer diffusion barrier for the direct plating of Cu is desirable to optimize the resistance of the Cu interconnects because it eliminates the Cu-seed layer. However, previous studies have shown that the Ru by itself is not a suitable diffusion barrier for Cu metallization [4-6]. Thus, the diffusion barrier performance of the Ru film should be improved in order for it to be successfully incorporated as a seed layer/barrier layer for the direct plating of Cu. The improvement of its barrier performance, by modifying the Ru microstructure from columnar to amorphous (by incorporating the N into Ru during PVD), has been previously reported [7]. Another approach for improving the barrier performance of the Ru film is to use Ru as a just seed layer and combine it with superior materials to function as a diffusion barrier against the Cu. A RulTaN bilayer prepared by PVD has recently been suggested as a seed layer/diffusion barrier for Cu. This bilayer was stable between the Cu and Si after annealing at $700^{\circ}C$ for I min [8]. Although these reports dealt with the possible applications of Ru for Cu metallization, cases where the Ru film was prepared by atomic layer deposition (ALD) have not been identified. These are important because of ALD's excellent conformality. In this study, a bilayer diffusion barrier of Ru/TaCN prepared by ALD was investigated. As the addition of the third element into the transition metal nitride disrupts the crystal lattice and leads to the formation of a stable ternary amorphous material, as indicated by Nicolet [9], ALD-TaCN is expected to improve the diffusion barrier performance of the ALD-Ru against Cu. Ru was deposited by a sequential supply of bis(ethylcyclopentadienyl)ruthenium [Ru$(EtCp)_2$] and $NH_3$plasma and TaCN by a sequential supply of $(NEt_2)_3Ta=Nbu^t$ (tert-butylimido-trisdiethylamido-tantalum, TBTDET) and $H_2$ plasma. Sheet resistance measurements, X-ray diffractometry (XRD), and Auger electron spectroscopy (AES) analysis showed that the bilayer diffusion barriers of ALD-Ru (12 nm)/ALD-TaCN (2 nm) and ALD-Ru (4nm)/ALD-TaCN (2 nm) prevented the Cu diffusion up to annealing temperatures of 600 and $550^{\circ}C$ for 30 min, respectively. This is found to be due to the excellent diffusion barrier performance of the ALD-TaCN film against the Cu, due to it having an amorphous structure. A 5-nm-thick ALD-TaCN film was even stable up to annealing at $650^{\circ}C$ between Cu and Si. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) investigation combined with energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) analysis revealed that the ALD-Ru/ALD-TaCN diffusion barrier failed by the Cu diffusion through the bilayer into the Si substrate. This is due to the ALD-TaCN interlayer preventing the interfacial reaction between the Ru and Si.

• The Transactions of the Korean Institute of Electrical Engineers C
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• v.52 no.6
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• pp.235-240
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• 2003

In this paper, we present the fabrication and the characteristic analysis of sequential lateral solidification(SLS) poly-Si thin film transistors(TFT's) with molybdenum gate for active matrix liquid displays (AMLCD's) pixel controlling devices. The molybdenum gate is applied for the purpose of low temperature processing. The maximum processing temperature is 55$0^{\circ}C$ at the dopant thermal annealing step. The SLS processed poly-Si film which is reduced grain and grain boundary effect, is applied for the purpose of electrical characteristics improvements of poly-Si TFT's. The fabricated low temperature SLS poly-Si TFT's had a varying the channel length and width from 10${\mu}{\textrm}{m}$ to 2${\mu}{\textrm}{m}$. And to analyze these devices, extract electrical characteristic parameters (field effect mobility, threshold voltage, subthreshold slope, on off current etc) from current-voltage transfer characteristics curve. The extract electrical characteristic of fabricated low temperature SLS poly-Si TFT's showed the mobility of 100~400cm$^2$/Vs, the off current of about 100pA, and the on/off current ratio of about $10^7$. Also, we observed that the change of grain boundary according to varying channel length is dominant for the change of electrical characteristics more than the change of grain boundary according to varying channel width. Hereby, we comprehend well the characteristics of SLS processed poly-Si TFT's witch is recrystallized to channel length direction.

• Journal of Plant Biotechnology
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• v.5 no.2
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• pp.83-86
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• 2003

A reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) protocol was developed using two specific 22-mer primers located in coat protein gene of SPFMV. A 411 bp PCR-product was detected in virus infected plants as well as tissue culture raised sweet potato but not in healthy plants. For optimization of RT-PCR protocol, the optimum crude nucleic acid concentration, annealing temperature, primer concentration and numbers of PCR-cycle for maximum sensitivity and specificity were determined. The optimum condition for RT-PCR was as follows: RT-PCR reaction mixture was one-step mixture, containing 50 pmol of primer, 30 units of reverse transcriptase, 5 units of RNasin, and the crude nucleic acid extracts (200 ng). In RT-PCR, cDNA was synthesized at $42^{\circ}C$ for 45 min before a quick incubation on ice after pre-denaturation at $95^{\circ}C$ for 5 min. The PCR reaction was carried out for 40 cycles at $96^{\circ}C$ for 30 see, $63^{\circ}C$ for 30 sec, $72^{\circ}C$ for 1 min, and finally at $72^{\circ}C$ for 10 min. The viral origin of the amplified product was confirmed by sequencing, with the sequence obtained having $95-98\%$ homology with published sequence data for SPFMV. The benefits of this RT-PCR based detection of SPFMV would be simple, rapid and specific.

• Proceedings of the Korea Institute of Applied Superconductivity and Cryogenics Conference
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• 2002.02a
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• pp.339-339
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• 2002

In the RABiTS approach to coated conductor development, successful (both economic and technological) depends on the refinement and optimization of each of three important components: the metal tape substrate, the buffer layer(s), and the HTS layer. Here we will report on the ORNL approach and progress in each of these areas. - Most applications will require metal tapes with low magnetic hysteresis, mechanical strength, and excellent crystalline texture. Some of these requirements are competing. We report on progress in obtaining a good combination of these characteristics on metal alloys of Ni-Cr and Ni-W. - The deposition of appropriate buffer layers is a crucial step. Recently, base research has shown that the presence of a stable sulfur superstructure present on the metal surface is needed for the nucleation and epitaxial growth of vapor-deposited seed buffer layers such as YSZ, CeO$_2$ and SrTiO$_3$. We report on the details and control of this superstructure for nickel tapes, as well as recent results for Cu and Ni-13%Cr. - Processes for deposition of the HTS coating must economically provide large values of the figure-of-merit for conductors, current x length. At ORNL, we have devoted efforts to a precursor/post-annealing approach to YBCO coatings, for which the deposition and reaction steps are separate. We describe motivation for and progress toward developing this approach. - Finally, we address some issues for the implementation of coated conductors in real applications, including the need for texture control and electrical stabilization of the HTS coating.

• Journal of Plant Biotechnology
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• v.43 no.1
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• pp.91-98
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• 2016

The growth area of living modified (LM) cotton has steadily increased every year, since its first commercialization in 1996. Development of environmental risk assessment tools and techniques for LM cotton is required for ecosystem safety. We therefore developed multiplex PCR assays for simultaneous detection of two (MON15985, MON531) and four (GHB614, LLCOTTON25, MON88913 and MON1445) LM cotton events approved in Korea, with event specific primer pairs. The PCR reactions were optimized by using event specific primers of six LM cottons at various concentrations. The reactions allows amplification of estimated amplicons of MON15985 (214 bp), MON531 (270 bp), GHB614 (119 bp), LLCOTTON25 (164 bp), MON88913 (276 bp), and MON1445 (389 bp) from multiplex PCR reactions. The multiplex PCR assay developed allowed that two annealing steps (15 cycles at $55^{\circ}C$ and 25 cycles at $60^{\circ}C$) were performed for amplification of distinguished two LM cottons, and only one annealing step (50 cycles at $60^{\circ}C$) was necessary for tetraplex PCR. Primer extension step of all PCR reactions was skipped for time-effective amplification. Our methods suggest that two multiplex PCR assays can be cost-effective and a rapid diagnostic tool for environmental LMO monitoring of six LM cottons.

• Horticultural Science & Technology
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• v.33 no.2
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• pp.242-250
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• 2015

Insertional mutagenesis induced by T-DNA or transposon tagging offers possibilities for analysis of gene function. However, its potential remains limited unless good methods for detecting the target locus are developed. We describe a PCR technique for efficient identification of DNA sequences adjacent to the inserted T-DNA in a higher plant, Chinese cabbage (Brassica rapa ssp. pekinensis). This strategy, which we named variable argument thermal asymmetric interlaced PCR (VA-TAIL PCR), was designed by modifying a single-step annealing-extension PCR by including a touch-up PCR protocol and using long gene-specific primers. Amplification efficiency of this PCR program was significantly increased by employing an autosegment extension method and linked sequence strategy in nested long gene-specific primers. For this technique, arbitrary degenerate (AD) primers specific to B. rapa were designed by analyzing the Integr8 proteome database. These primers showed higher accuracy and utility in the identification of flanking DNA sequences from individual transgenic Chinese cabbages in a large T-DNA inserted population. The VA-TAIL PCR method described in this study allows the identification of DNA regions flanking known DNA fragments. This method has potential biotechnological applications, being highly suitable for identification of target genomic loci in insertional mutagenesis screens.

• Proceedings of the Materials Research Society of Korea Conference
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• 2003.11a
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• pp.235-235
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• 2003

The development of a buffer layer is an important issue for the second -generation wire, YBCO coated metal wire. The buffer layer demands not only on the prohibition of the reaction between YBCO and metal substrate, but also the proper lattice match and conductivity for high critical current density (Jc) of YBCO superconductor, In order to satisfy these demands, we suggested CaRuO3 as a useful candidate having that the lattice mismatches with Ni (200) and with YBCO are 8.2% and 8.0%, respectively. The CaRuO3 thin films were deposited on Ni substrates using various methods, such as e-beam evaporation and DC and RF magnetron sputtering. These films were investigated using SEM, XRD, pole-figure and AES. In e-beam evaporation, the deposition temperature of CaRuO3 was the most important since both hi-axial texturing and NiO formation between Ni and CaRuO3 depended on it. Also, the oxygen flow rate had i[n effect on the growth of CaRuO3 on Ni substrates. The optimal conditions of crystal growth and film uniformity were 400$^{\circ}C$, 50 ㎃ and 7 ㎸ when oxygen flow rate was 70∼100sccm In RF magnetron sputtering, CaRuO3 was deposited on Ni substrates with various conditions and annealing temperatures. As a result, the conductivity of CaRuO3 thin films was dependent on CaRuO3 layer thickness and fabrication temperature. We suggested the multi-step deposition, such as two-step deposition with different temperature, to prohibit the NiO formation and to control the hi-axial texture.

• Proceedings of the Korean Institute of Surface Engineering Conference
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• 2016.11a
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• pp.100-100
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• 2016

물리기상증착방법 (Physical vapor deposition)에 의하여 합성된 천이금속 질화물 박막은 경도, 내마모성 등 절삭공구의 성능을 향상시키며, Ti-Al-N, Ti-Zr-N, Zr-Al-N, Cr-Si-N 등의 3원계 경질 박막에 대한 연구가 지속적으로 이루어지고 있다. 이중에서도 CrAlN 코팅은 높은 경도, 낮은 표면 조도 등의 우수한 기계적 특성 이외에 고온에서 안정한 합금상 형성으로 인하여 우수한 내열성을 보유하여 공구 코팅으로의 적용 가능성이 크다. 그러나 최근 공구사용 환경의 가혹화로 인하여 코팅의 내마모성 및 내열성 등의 물성 향상을 통한 공구의 수명 향상이 필요시 되고 있으며, 코팅에 적합한 중간층을 합성함으로써 공구 코팅으로의 적용 가능성을 높이는 연구들이 진행되고 있다. 본 연구에서는 CrAlN 코팅의 물성을 향상시키기 위해 CrAlN 코팅과 WC-Co 6wt.% 모재 사이에 CrN, CrZrN, CrN/CrZrSiN 등의 다양한 중간층을 합성하였으며, 중간층을 포함한 모든 코팅의 두께는 $3{\mu}m$ 로 제어하였다. 합성된 코팅의 미세조직, 경도 및 탄성계수, 내모성을 분석하기 위해 field emission scanning electron microscopy(FE-SEM), nano-indentation, ball-on-disk 마모시험기 및 ${\alpha}-step$을 사용하였다. 코팅의 내열성을 확인하기 위해 코팅을 furnace에 넣어 공기중에서 500, 600, 700, 800, 900, $1,000^{\circ}C$로 30분 동안 annealing 한 후에 nano-indentation을 사용하여 경도를 측정하였다. CrAlN 코팅을 나노 인덴테이션으로 분석한 결과, 모든 코팅의 경도(35.5-36.2 GPa)와 탄성계수(424.3-429.2 GPa)는 중간층의 종류에 상관없이 비슷한 값을 보인 것으로 확인됐다. 그러나, 코팅의 마찰계수는 중간층의 종류에 따라 다른 값을 보였으며, CrN/CrZrSiN 중간층을 증착한 CrAlN 코팅의 마찰계수는 0.34로 CrZrN 중간층을 증착한 CrAlN 코팅의 마찰계수(0.41)에 비해 낮은 값을 보였다. 또한, 코팅의 마모율 및 마모폭도 비슷한 경향을 보인 것으로 보아, CrN/CrZrSiN 중간층을 합성한 CrAlN 코팅의 내마모성이 상대적으로 우수한 것으로 판단된다. 이것은 중간층의 H/E ratio가 코팅의 내마모성에 미치는 영향에 의한 결과로 사료된다. H/E ratio는 파단시의 최대 탄성 변형율로써, 모재/중간층/코팅의 H/E ratio 구배에 따라 코팅 내의 응력의 완화 정도가 변하게 된다. WC 모재 (H/E=0.040)와 CrAlN 코팅(H/E=0.089) 사이에서 CrN, CrZrSiN 중간층의 H/E ratio 는 각각 0.076, 0.083 으로 모재/중간층/코팅의 H/E ratio 구배가 점차 증가함을 확인 할 수 있었고, 일정 응력이 지속적으로 가해지면서 진행되는 마모시험중에 CrN과 CrZrSiN 중간층이 WC와 CrAlN 코팅 사이에서 코팅 내부의 응력구배를 완화시키는 역할을 함으로써 CrAlN 코팅의 내마모성이 향상된 것으로 판단된다. 모든 코팅을 열처리 후 경도 분석결과, CrN/CrZrSiN 중간층을 증착한 CrAlN 코팅은 $1,000^{\circ}C$까지 약 28GPa의 높은 경도를 유지한 것으로 확인 되었고, 이는 CrZrSiN 중간층 내에 존재하는 $SiN_x$ 비정질상의 우수한 내산화성에 의한 결과로 판단된다.