• JSTS:Journal of Semiconductor Technology and Science
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.198-203
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• 2016

We investigate the effects of magnesium (Mg) suppressor layer on the electrical performances and stabilities of amorphous indium-zinc-tin-oxide (a-ITZO) thin-film transistors (TFTs). Compared to the ITZO TFT without a Mg suppressor layer, the ITZO:Mg TFT exhibits slightly smaller field-effect mobility and much reduced subthreshold slope. The ITZO:Mg TFT shows improved electrical stabilities compared to the ITZO TFT under both positive-bias and negative-bias-illumination stresses. From the X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy O1s spectra with fitted curves for ITZO and ITZO:Mg films, we observe that Mg doping contributes to an enhancement of the oxygen bond without oxygen vacancy and a reduction of the oxygen bonds with oxygen vacancies. This result shows that the Mg can be an effective suppressor in a-ITZO TFTs.

• JSTS:Journal of Semiconductor Technology and Science
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.239-244
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• 2017

We experimentally investigate the physical mechanism for asymmetrical degradation in amorphous indium-gallium-zinc oxide (a-IGZO) thin-film transistors (TFTs) under simultaneous gate and drain bias stresses. The transfer curves exhibit an asymmetrical negative shift after the application of gate-to-source ($V_{GS}$) and drain-to-source ($V_{DS}$) bias stresses of ($V_{GS}=24V$, $V_{DS}=15.9V$) and ($V_{GS}=22V$, $V_{DS}=20V$), but the asymmetrical degradation is more significant after the bias stress ($V_{GS}$, $V_{DS}$) of (22 V, 20 V) nevertheless the vertical electric field at the source is higher under the bias stress ($V_{GS}$, $V_{DS}$) of (24 V, 15.9 V) than (22 V, 20 V). By using the modified external load resistance method, we extract the source contact resistance ($R_S$) and the voltage drop at $R_S$ ($V_{S,\;drop}$) in the fabricated a-IGZO TFT under both bias stresses. A significantly higher RS and $V_{S,\;drop}$ are extracted under the bias stress ($V_{GS}$, $V_{DS}$) of (22 V, 20V) than (24 V, 15.9 V), which implies that the high horizontal electric field across the source contact due to the large voltage drop at the reverse biased Schottky junction is the dominant physical mechanism causing the asymmetrical degradation of a-IGZO TFTs under simultaneous gate and drain bias stresses.

• Proceedings of the Korean Vacuum Society Conference
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• 2016.02a
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• pp.355-355
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• 2016

There has been an explosive development of nanocrystal (NC) synthesis and application due to their composition-dependent specific properties. Despite the composition, shape, and size of NCs foremost determine their physicochemical properties, the surface state and molecule conjugation also drastically change their characteristics. To make practical use of NCs, it is a prerequisite to understand the NC surface state and the degree to which they have been modified because the reaction occurs on the interface between the NCs and the surrounding medium. We report in here an analysis method to identify conjugated ligands and their binding states on semiconductor nanocrystals based on their molecular information. Surface science techniques, such as time-of-flight secondary-ion mass spectrometry (ToF-SIMS) and FT-IR spectroscopy, are adopted based on the micro-aggregated sampling method. Typical trioctylphosphine oxide-based synthesis methods of CdSe/ZnS quantum dots (QDs) have been criticized because of the peculiar effects of impurities on the synthesis processes. Since the ToF-SIMS technique provides molecular composition evidence on the existence of certain ligands, we were able to clearly identify the n-octylphosphonic acid (OPA) as a surface ligand on CdSe/ZnS QDs. Furthermore, the complementary use of the ToF-SIMS technique with the FT-IR technique could reveals the OPA ligands' binding state as bidentate complexes.

• Journal of the Korean Ceramic Society
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• v.53 no.4
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• pp.400-405
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• 2016

Ferric oxide (${\alpha}-Fe_2O_3$, hematite) is an n-type semiconductor; due to its narrow band gap ($E_g=2.1eV$), it is a highly attractive and desirable material for use in solar hydrogenation by water oxidation. However, the actual conversion efficiency achieved with $Fe_2O_3$ is considerably lower than the theoretical values because the considerably short diffusion length (2-4 nm) of holes in $Fe_2O_3$ induces excessive charge recombination and low absorption. This is a significant hurdle that must be overcome in order to obtain high solar-to-hydrogen conversion efficiency. In consideration of this, it is thought that elemental doping, which may make it possible to enhance the charge transfer at the interface, will have a marked effect in terms of improving the photoactivities of ${\alpha}-Fe_2O_3$ photoanodes. Herein, we report on the synthesis by pulsed electrodeposition of ${\alpha}-Fe_2O_3$-based anodes; we also report on the resulting photoelectrochemical (PEC) properties. We attempted Ti-doping to enhance the PEC properties of ${\alpha}-Fe_2O_3$ anodes. It is revealed that the photocurrent density of a bare ${\alpha}-Fe_2O_3$ anode can be dramatically changed by controlling the condition of the electrodeposition and the concentration of $TiCl_3$. Under optimum conditions, a modified ${\alpha}-Fe_2O_3$ anode exhibits a maximum photocurrent density of $0.4mA/cm^2$ at 1.23 V vs. reversible hydrogen electrode (RHE) under 1.5 G simulated sunlight illumination; this photocurrent density value is about 3 times greater than that of unmodified ${\alpha}-Fe_2O_3$ anodes.

• Proceedings of the Korean Vacuum Society Conference
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• 2015.08a
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• pp.51.2-51.2
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• 2015

Understanding interfacial phenomena has been one of the main research issues not only in semiconductors but only in life sciences. I have been trying to meet the atomic scale surface and interface analysis challenges from semiconductor industries and furthermore to extend the application scope to biomedical areas. Optical imaing has been most widely and successfully used for biomedical imaging but complementary ion beam imaging techniques based on mass spectrometry and ion scattering can provide more detailed molecular specific and nanoscale information In this presentation, I will review the 27 years history of medium energy ion scattering (MEIS) development at KRISS and DGIST for nanoanalysis. A electrostatic MEIS system constructed at KRISS after the FOM, Netherland design had been successfully applied for the gate oxide analysis and quantitative surface analysis. Recenlty, we developed time-of-flight (TOF) MEIS system, for the first time in the world. With TOF-MEIS, we reported quantitative compositional profiling with single atomic layer resolution for 0.5~3 nm CdSe/ZnS conjugated QDs and ultra shallow junctions and FINFET's of As implanted Si. With this new TOF-MEIS nano analysis technique, details of nano-structured materials could be measured quantitatively. Progresses in TOF-MEIS analysis in various nano & bio technology will be discussed. For last 10 years, I have been trying to develop multimodal nanobio imaging techniques for cardiovascular and brain tissues. Firstly, in atherosclerotic plaque imaging, using, coherent anti-stokes raman scattering (CARS) and time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry (TOF-SIMS) multimodal analysis showed that increased cholesterol palmitate may contribute to the formation of a necrotic core by increasing cell death. Secondly, surface plasmon resonance imaging ellipsometry (SPRIE) was developed for cell biointerface imaging of cell adhesion, migration, and infiltration dynamics for HUVEC, CASMC, and T cells. Thirdly, we developed an ambient mass spectrometric imaging system for live cells and tissues. Preliminary results on mouse brain hippocampus and hypotahlamus will be presented. In conclusions, multimodal optical and mass spectrometric imaging privides overall structural and morphological information with complementary molecular specific information, which can be a useful methodology for biomedical studies. Future challenges in optical and mass spectrometric imaging for new biomedical applications will be discussed.

• Proceedings of the Korean Vacuum Society Conference
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• 2015.08a
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• pp.208.1-208.1
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• 2015

최근, 차세대 투명 디스플레이 구동소자로서 산화물 반도체를 이용한 Transparent Amorphous Oxide Semiconductor (TAOS) 기술이 큰 주목을 받고 있다. 산화물 반도체는 기존의 a-Si에 비해 우수한 전기적인 특성과 낮은 구동전압 그리고 넓은 밴드 갭으로 인한 투명성의 장점들이 있다. 그리고 낮은 공정 온도에서도 제작이 가능하기 때문에 유리나 플라스틱과 같은 다양한 기판에서도 박막 증착이 가능하다. 하지만 기존의 furnace를 이용한 열처리 방식은 낮은 온도에서 우수한 전기적인 특성을 내기 어려우며, 공정 시간이 길어지는 단점들이 있다. 따라서 본 연구에서는 산화물 반도체중 In-Ga-Zn-O (IGZO)와 In-Sn-O(ITO)를 각각 채널 층과 게이트 전극으로 이용하였다. 또한 마이크로웨이브 열처리 기술을 이용하여 기존의 열처리 방식에 비해 에너지 전달 효율이 높고 짧은 시간동안 저온 공정이 가능하며 우수한 전기적인 특성을 가지는 투명 박막 트랜지스터를 구현 하였다. 본 실험은 glass 기판위에서 진행되었으며, RF sputter를 이용하여 ITO를 150 nm 증착한 후, photo-lithography 공정을 통하여 하부 게이트 전극을 형성하였다. 이후에 RF sputter를 이용하여 SiO2 와 IGZO 를 각각 300, 50 nm 증착하였고, patterning 과정을 통하여 채널 영역을 형성하였다. 또한 소자의 전기적인 특성 향상을 위해 마이크로웨이브 열처리를 1000 Watt로 2 분간 진행 하였고, 비교를 위하여 기존 방식인 furnace 를 이용하여 N2 분위기에서 $400^{\circ}C$로 30분간 진행한 소자도 병행하였다. 그 결과 마이크로웨이브를 통해 열처리한 소자는 공정 온도가 $100^{\circ}C$ 이하로 낮기 때문에 glass 기판에 영향을 주지 않고 기존 furnace 열처리 한 소자보다 전체적으로 전기적인 특성이 우수한 것을 확인 하였다.

• Journal of Korean Society for Atmospheric Environment
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• v.20 no.5
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• pp.625-632
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• 2004

Perfluorocompounds ($PFC_s$), such as tetrafluoromethane ($CF_4$) and hexafluoroethane ($C_2F_6$), have been widely used as plasma etching and chemical vapor deposition (CVD) gases for semiconductor manufacturing processes. Since these $PFC_s$ are known to cause a greenhouse effect intensively, there has been a growing interest in reducing $PFC_s$ emissions. Among various $CF_4$ decomposing techniques, a dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) is considered as one of a promising candidate because it has been successfully used for generating ozone ($O_3$) and decomposing nitrogen oxide (NO). Firstly, optimal concentration of oxygen for $CF_4$ decomposition was found to figure out how many primary and secondary reactions are associated with DBD process. Secondary, to find effective discharge method for $CF_4$ decomposition, a streamer and a glow mode in DBD are experimentally compared, which includes (i) coaxialcylinder DBD, (ii) DBD reactor packed with glass beads. and (iii) a glow mode operation with a helium gas. The test results showed that optimal concentration of oxygen was ranged 500 ppm~1% for treating 500 ppm of $CF_4$ and helium glow discharge was the most efficient one to decompose $CF_4$.

• Proceedings of the Korean Institute of Electrical and Electronic Material Engineers Conference
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• 2009.06a
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• pp.59-59
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• 2009

현재 CMP분야는 광역 평탄화 반도체 소자의 집적화 및 소형화가 진행됨에 따라서 CMP 공정의 중요성은 날로 성장하고 있다. 하지만 이러한 CMP공정은 불가피하게도 scratch, pit, CMP residue와 같은 defect들을 발생시키고 있으며, 점점 선폭이 작아짐에 따라, 이러한 defect들이 반도체 수율에 미치는 영향은 심각해지고 있다. Defect들 중에 특히 scratch는 반도체에 치명적인 circuit failure를 일으키게 된다. 또한 반도체 내구성과 신뢰성을 감소시키게 되고, 누전전류를 증가시키는 등 바람직하지 못한 현상들이 생기게 된다. 본 연구에서는 scratch 와 같은 deflect들을 효율적으로 검출, 분석하고, scratch를 감소시키는데 그 목적이 있다. 본 실험을 위해 8" TEOS wafer와 commercial oxide slurry 및 friction polisher (Poli-500, G&P tech., Korea)를 사용하여 CMP 공정을 진행하였으며, CMP 공정조건은 각각 80rpm/80rpm/1psi(Platen speed/Head speed/Pressure)에서 1분 동안 연마를 한 후 scratch 발생 경향을 살펴보았다. CMP 후 wafer위에 오염되어 있는 slurry residue들을 제거하기 위해 SC-1, HF 세정을 이용하여 최적화된 post-CMP 공정기술을 제안하였다. Scratch 검출 및 분석을 위해 wafer surface analyzer (Surfscan 6200, Tencor, USA)와 optical microscope (LV100D, Nicon, Japan)를 사용하였다. CMP 공정 변수들에 따른 scratch 발생정도를 비교하였으며, scratch 발생 요인들에 따른 scratch 형태 및 발생정도를 살펴보았다. 최적화된 post-CMP 세정 조건은 메가소닉과 함께 SC-1 세정을 실시하여 slurry residue들을 제거한 후, HF 세정을 실시하여 잔여 오염물들을 제거하고 검출이 용이하도록 scratch를 확장시킬 수 있도록 제안하였으며, 100%의 particle removal efficiency (PRE)를 얻을 수 있었다. 실제 CMP 공정후 post-CMP 세정 단계별 scratch 개수를 측정한 결과, SC-1 세정 후 약 220개의 scratch가 검출되었으며, 검출되지 않았던 scratch가 HF 세정 후 확장되어 드러남에 따라 약 500개의 scratch 가 검출되었다.

• Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research
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• v.28 no.6
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• pp.756-767
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• 2007

For the combination of phosphor screens having various thicknesses and a photodiode array manufactured by complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) process, we report the observation of image-quality degradation under the irradiation of 45-kVp spectrum x rays. The image quality was assessed in terms of dark pixel signal, dynamic range, modulation-transfer function (MTF), noise-power spectrum (NPS), and detective quantum efficiency (DQE). For the accumulation of the absorbed dose, the radiation-induced increase both in dark signal and noise resulted in the gradual reduction in dynamic range. While the MTF was only slightly affected by the total ionizing dose, the noise power in the case of $Min-R^{TM}$ screen, which is the thinnest one among the considered screens in this study, became larger as the total dose was increased. This is caused by incomplete correction of the dark current fixed-pattern noise. In addition, the increase tendency in NPS was independent of the spatial frequency. For the cascaded model analysis, the additional noise source is from direct absorption of x-ray photons. The change in NPS with respect to the total dose degrades the DQE. However, with carefully updated and applied correction, we can overcome the detrimental effects of increased dark current on NPS and DQE. This study gives an initial motivation that the periodic monitoring of the image-quality degradation is an important issue for the long-term and healthy use of digital x-ray imaging detectors.

• The Journal of the Korea institute of electronic communication sciences
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• v.12 no.5
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• pp.791-796
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• 2017

In this study, we investigated the influence of the fabrication process of stacked capacitors on the cell capacitance by using Load Lock (L/L) LPCVD system for dielectric thin film of DRAM capacitor. As a result, it was confirmed that the capacitance difference of about 3-4 fF is obtained by reducing the effective thickness of the oxide film by about $6{\AA}$ compared to the conventional non-L/L device. In addition, Cs was found to be about 3-6 fF lower than the calculated value, even though the measurement range of the thickness of the nitride film as an insulating film was in a normal management range. This is because the node poly FI CD is managed at the upper limit of the spec, resulting in a decrease in cell surface area, which indicates a Cs reduction of about 2fF. Therefore, it is necessary to control the thickness of insulating film and CD management within 10% of the spec center value in order to secure stable Cs.