Patent ID: 6077719
Filing Date: 2000-06-20
Classification: G01N,H01L

Abstract:
A semiconductor device evaluation method comprising:a first step of applying, to an insulating layer disposed in a semiconductor device, an electric field of which intensity undergoes a change with the passage of time;a second step of measuring the electric current densities applied to said insulating layer at a plurality of points of time during the application of said electric field;a third step of integrating, with respect to time, said electric current densities applied until said insulating layer is broken down, thereby to calculate the amount of electric charge used until said insulating layer is broken down;a fourth step of dividing said insulating layer electric charge to breakdown calculated at said third step, by each of said electric current densities at said points of time measured at said second step, thereby to obtain each of the estimated values of insulating layer lifetime at the time when it is supposed that each of said electric current densities at said points of time was constantly applied;a fifth step of approximating said insulating layer lifetime estimated values in the form of a function of the field intensities; anda sixth step of conducting, based on said function, at least one of an extraction of field acceleration coefficient and an estimation of the insulating layer lifetime at an optional field intensity.