• 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.

• Journal of the Institute of Electronics Engineers of Korea SD
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• v.46 no.12
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• pp.18-23
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• 2009

The effect of hydrogen-nitrogen annealing on the interface trap properties of Metal-Oxide-Nitride-Oxide-Silicon (MONOS) capacitors is investigated by analyzing the capacitors' gate leakage current and the interface trap density between the Si and $SiO_2$ layer. MONOS samples annealed at $850^{\circ}C$ for 30 s by rapid thermal annealing (RTA) are treated by additional annealing in a furnace, using annealing eases $N_2$ and 2% hydrogen and 98% nitrogen gas mixture $(N_2-H_2)$ at $450^{\circ}C$ for 30 mins. Among the three samples as-deposited, annealed in $N_2$ and $N_2-H_2$, MONOS sample annealed in an $N_2-H_2$ environment is found to have the lowest increase of interface-trap density from the capacitance-voltage experiments. The leakage current of sample annealed in $N_2-H_2$ is also lower than that of sample annealed in $N_2$.

• Proceedings of the KWS Conference
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• 2009.11a
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• pp.37-37
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• 2009

Due to their high corrosion resistance and improved mechanical properties super-duplex stainless steel (SDSS) are extensively used in petrochemical plants such as facilities in modern oil platform and off-shore process equipment. It is well known that the best mechanical and corrosion resistance properties of super-duplex stainless steel are obtained with a microstructure having approximately equal amounts of austenite and ferrite. And it is also known that sigma($\sigma$), chi($\chi$), secondary austenite(${\gamma}2$), chromium carbides and nitride affected adversely their properties. Therefore these phases must be avoided. However, effects of succeeding weld thermal cycle on the change of microstructure of weldment at multi-pass weld were not seldom experimentally researched. Therefore in the present work, the change of weldmetal microstructure and the effect of microstructure on pitting corrosion property at $40^{\circ}C$ by succeeding each weld thermal cycle were researched. The thermal history of root side was measured experimentally and the change of microstructure of root weld according to thermal cycle of each weld layer was evaluated. And the relationship between microstructure of root weld and pitting corrosion property at $40^{\circ}C$ was also investigated. Results of the present work are show as below. 1. The ferrite contents of root weld are gradually reduced by succeeding weld thermal cycle. 2. The 2nd phases such as sigma($\sigma$), chi($\chi$), secondary austenite(${\gamma}2$), chromium carbides and nitride are increased gradually by succeeding weld thermal cycle. 3. The pitting corrosion was detected in root weld part and weight loss by pitting corrosion is increased in proportional to the time exposed over $600^{\circ}C$ of the root weld. 4. The succeeding weld thermal cycles affect the microstructure of the former weldments and promote the formation of 2nd phases. That is, the more succeeding welds are added, the more 2nd phases are gradually increased. Consequently, it is thougth that this adversely affects pitting corrosion property.

• Proceedings of the Korean Vacuum Society Conference
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• 2012.02a
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• pp.96-97
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• 2012

In nitride and oxide film deposition, sputtered metals react with nitrogen or oxygen gas in a vacuum chamber to form metal nitride or oxide films on a substrate. The physical properties of sputtered films (metals, oxides, and nitrides) are strongly influenced by magnetron plasma density during the deposition process. Typical target power densities on the magnetron during the deposition process are ~ (5-30) W/cm2, which gives a relatively low plasma density. The main challenge in reactive sputtering is the ability to generate a stable, arc free discharge at high plasma densities. Arcs occur due to formation of an insulating layer on the target surface caused by the re-deposition effect. One current method of generating an arc free discharge is to use the commercially available Pinnacle Plus+ Pulsed DC plasma generator manufactured by Advanced Energy Inc. This plasma generator uses a positive voltage pulse between negative pulses to attract electrons and discharge the target surface, thus preventing arc formation. However, this method can only generate low density plasma and therefore cannot allow full control of film properties. Also, after long runs ~ (1-3) hours, depends on duty cycle the stability of the reactive process is reduced due to increased probability of arc formation. Between 1995 and 1999, a new way of magnetron sputtering called HIPIMS (highly ionized pulse impulse magnetron sputtering) was developed. The main idea of this approach is to apply short ${\sim}(50-100){\mu}s$ high power pulses with a target power densities during the pulse between ~ (1-3) kW/cm2. These high power pulses generate high-density magnetron plasma that can significantly improve and control film properties. From the beginning, HIPIMS method has been applied to reactive sputtering processes for deposition of conductive and nonconductive films. However, commercially available HIPIMS plasma generators have not been able to create a stable, arc-free discharge in most reactive magnetron sputtering processes. HIPIMS plasma generators have been successfully used in reactive sputtering of nitrides for hard coating applications and for Al2O3 films. But until now there has been no HIPIMS data presented on reactive sputtering in cluster tools for semiconductors and MEMs applications. In this presentation, a new method of generating an arc free discharge for reactive HIPIMS using the new Cyprium plasma generator from Zpulser LLC will be introduced. Data (or evidence) will be presented showing that arc formation in reactive HIPIMS can be controlled without applying a positive voltage pulse between high power pulses. Arc-free reactive HIPIMS processes for sputtering AlN, TiO2, TiN and Si3N4 on the Applied Materials ENDURA 200 mm cluster tool will be presented. A direct comparison of the properties of films sputtered with the Advanced Energy Pinnacle Plus + plasma generator and the Zpulser Cyprium plasma generator will be presented.

• Journal of the Korean Vacuum Society
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.188-192
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• 2013

Many studies have been conducted for preventing from diffusion between silicon wafer and metallic thin film due to a decrease of line-width and multi-layer thin film for miniaturization and high integration of semiconductor. This paper has focused on the nano-mechanical property of diffusion barrier which sample is prepared for various gas flow rate of nitrogen with tungsten (W) base from 2.5 to 10 sccm. The deposition rate, resistivity and crystallographic properties were measured by a ${\beta}$-ray back-scattering spectroscopy, 4-point probe and x-ray diffraction (XRD), respectively. We also has investigated the nano-mechanical property using the nano-indenter. As a result, the surface hardness of W-N thin film was increased rapidly from 10.07 to 15.55 GPa when the nitrogen gas flow was increased from 2.5 to 5 sccm. And the surface hardness of W-N thin film had 12.65 and 12.77 GPa at the nitrogen gas flow of 7.5 and 10 sccm respectively. These results were decreased by the comparison with the W-N thin film at nitrogen gas flow of 5 sccm. It was inferred that these severe changes were caused by the stoichiometric difference between the crystalline and amorphous state in W-N thin film. In addition, these results were caused by increased compressive stress.

• Journal of the Korean institute of surface engineering
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• v.42 no.1
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• pp.26-33
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• 2009

Recently ultra-supercritical steam power plants operate at $1000^{\circ}F$ ($538^{\circ}C$) and 3500 psi (24.1 MPa). Thermal efficiency of power plant will be increased about 2% if steam temperature increases from $1000^{\circ}F$ to $1150^{\circ}F$ ($621^{\circ}C$). In this study valve materials Incoloy901 (IC901) and Inconel718 (IN718) were nitrided to improve the surface hardness and solid lubrication function of the valve materials. The hardness of both IC901 and IN718 increased about two times by ion nitriding. IC901, IN718 and their nitrided specimens were corroded under ultra super-critical condition (USC) of $621^{\circ}C$. and 3600 psi (24.8 MPa) for 2000 hours. Oxidations of both IC901 and IN718 were very small due to the formation of protective oxide layer on the surface. But the corrosion resistance of both nitrided specimens decreased because of the formation of non-protective nitride layer of $Fe_{4}N$, $Fe_{2}N$ and CrN on the surface layer. The hardness of both nitrided IC901 and IN718 at $20{\mu}m$ depth from the surface decreased about 30% and 20% respectively by USC 2000 hours.

• Proceedings of the Korean Vacuum Society Conference
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• 2013.02a
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• pp.100-102
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• 2013

Magnetron-sputtering법을 사용하여 기존에 연구하였던 CrAlN (Cr 7：Al 3)박막에 Si를 첨가하여 Si의 함량 변화에 따라 미세구조와 화학적 결합상태, 온도저항계수(TCR) 및 산화저항의 영향과 기계적특성 개선을 통한 multi-functional heater resistor layer로써의 가능성을 연구하였다. CrAlSiN 박막의 Si 함량에 변화에 따라 온도저항계수 변화를 확인하였으며 X-선 회절 분석(XRD) 패턴 분석결과 CrAlSiN 박막의 결정구조가 Bl-NaCl 구조를 가지고 있는 것을 확인하였으며 SEM과 AFM을 통한 표면 및 미세구조 분석결과 Si의 함량이 증가할수록 입자가 조밀해짐을 알 수 있었다. 최근 digital priting technology의 핵심 기술로 부각되고 있는 inkjet priting technology는 널리 태양전지뿐만 아니라 thin film process, lithography와 같은 반도체 공정 기술에 활용 할 수 있기 때문에 반도체 제조장비에도 사용되고 있으며, 현재 thermal inkjet 방식을 사용하고 있다. Inkjet printing technology는 전기 에너지를 잉크를 배출하기 위해 열에너지로 변환하는 thermal inkjet 방식을 사용하고 있는데, 이러한 thermal inkjet 방식은 기본적으로 전기저항이 필요하지만 electrical resistor layer는 잉크를 높은 온도에서 순간적으로 가열하기 때문에 부식이나 산화 등의 문제가 발생할 수 있어 이에 대한 보호층을 필요로 한다. 하지만, 고해상도, 고속 잉크젯 프린터, 대형 인쇄 등을 요구되고 있어 저 전력 중심의 잉크젯 프린터의 열효율을 방해하는 보호층 제거에 필요성이 제기되고 있다. 본 연구는 magnetron-sputtering을 사용하여 기존의 CrAlN 박막에 Si를 합성하여 anti-oxidation, corrosion resistance 그리고 low temperature coefficient of resistance 값을 갖는 multi-functional heater resistor layer로써 CrAlSiN 박막의 Si 함량에 따른 효과에 초점을 두었다. 본 실험은 CrAlN 박막에 Si 함량을 4~11 at%까지 첨가시켜 함량의 변화에 따른 특성변화를 확인하였다. 함량이 증가할수록 amorphous silicon nitride phase의 영향으로 박막의 roughness는 감소하였으며 XRD 분석결과 (111) peak의 Intensity가 감소함을 확인하였으며 SEM 관찰시 모든 박막이 columnar structure를 나타내었으며 Si함량이 증가할수록 입자가 치밀해짐을 보여주었다.Si함량이 증가할수록 CrAlN 박막에 비하여 면저항은 증가하였으며 TCR 측정결과 Si함량이 6.5 at%일 때 가장 안정한 TCR값을 나타내었다. Multi-functional heater resistor layer 역할을 하기 위해서, CrAlSiN 박막의 원소 분포, 표면 거칠기, 미세조직, 전기적 특성 등을 조사하였다. CrAlN 박막의 Si의 첨가는 크게 XRD 분석결과 주상 성장을 억제 할 수 있으며 SEM 분석을 통하여 Si 함량이 증가할수록 Si3N4 형성이 감소하며 입자크기가 작아짐을 확인하였다. 면저항의 경우 Si 함량이 증가함에 따라 높은 면저항을 나타내었으며 Si함량이 6.5 at%일 때 가장 낮은 TCR 값인 3120.53 ppm/K값을 보였다. 이 값은 상용되고 있는 heater resistor보다 높지만, CrAlSiN 박막이 더 우수한 기계적 특성을 가지고 있기 때문에 hybrid heater resistor로 적용할 수 있을 것으로 기대된다.

• Korean Journal of Optics and Photonics
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• v.16 no.4
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• pp.384-391
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• 2005

A polymer optical microring resonator, which is laterally coupled to a straight bus waveguide, has been proposed and demonstrated using a nanoimprint technique. The propagation loss of the ring waveguide and the optical power coupling between the ring and bus waveguides was calculated by using a beam propagation method, then the dependence of the device performance on them was investigated using a transfer matrix method. We have especially introduced an imprint stamp incorporating a smoothing buffer layer made of a silicon nitride thin film. This layer played an efficient role in improving the sidewall roughness of the waveguide pattern engraved on the stamp and thus reducing the scattering loss. As a result the overall Q factor of the resonator was greatly increased. Also it reduced the gap between the ring and bus waveguides effectively to enhance the coupling between them, without relying on the direct writing method based on an e-beam writer. As for the achieved device performance at the wavelength of 1550 nm, the quality factor, the extinction ratio, and the free spectral range were ~103800, ~11 dB, and 1.16 m, respectively.

• Journal of the Microelectronics and Packaging Society
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.75-81
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• 2018

The effect of $Ar-N_2$ plasma treatment on Cu surface as one of solutions to realize reliable Cu-Cu wafer bonding was investigated. Structural characteristic of $Ar-N_2$ plasma treated Cu surface were analyzed using X-ray diffraction, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, atomic force microscope. Ar gas was used for a plasma ignition and to activate Cu surface by ion bombardment, and $N_2$ gas was used to protect the Cu surface from contamination such as -O or -OH by forming a passivation layer. The Cu specimen under high Ar partial pressure plasma treatment showed more copper oxide due to the activation on Cu surface, while Cu surface after high $N_2$ gas partial pressure plasma treatment showed less copper oxide due to the formation of Cu-N or Cu-O-N passivation layer. It was confirmed that nitrogen plasma can prohibit Cu-O formation on Cu surface, but nitrogen partial pressure in the $Ar-N_2$ plasma should be optimized for the formation of nitrogen passivation layer on the entire surface of Cu wafer.

• Journal of the Korean Crystal Growth and Crystal Technology
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.101-104
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• 2008

GaN films were grown on the vertical and horizontal reactors by the hydride vapour phase epitaxy (HVPE). The structural and optical characteristics of the GaN films were investigated depending on the reactor-type. GaN epilayers were characterized by double crystal X-ray diffraction (DC-XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and photoluminescence (PL). Surface defects of two kinds of the GaN films were revealed by the wet chemical etching method, using $H_3PO_4$ acid at $200^{\circ}C$ for 8 minutes. Hexagonal etch pits were analyzed by optical microscopy and SEM. Etch pit densities were calculated to be approximately $1.4{\times}10^7$ and $1.2{\times}10^6\;cm^{-2}$ for GaN layers grown on horizontal and vertical reactors, respectively. Those results show GaN grown in the vertical reactor having a better quality of optical properties and crystallinity than that in the horizontal reactor.