Patent ID: 8486727
Filing Date: 2013-07-16
Classification: G01N,H01L

Abstract:
1. A method for determining an unknown step coverage of a thin film deposited on a three-dimensional (3D) wafer, said method comprising: providing a planar wafer comprising a first film deposited thereon; exposing said planar wafer to X-ray radiation to create first fluorescent radiation; detecting said first fluorescent radiation from said planar wafer; measuring a number of X-ray fluorescence (XRF) counts on said planar wafer as count creating an XRF model of said planar wafer; providing a portion of said 3D wafer comprising troughs and a second film deposited thereon; determining a multiplier factor (N) between said portion of said 3D wafer and said planar wafer; exposing said portion of said 3D wafer to X-ray radiation to create second fluorescent radiation; detecting said second fluorescent radiation from said portion of said 3D wafer; measuring a number of XRF counts on said portion of said 3D wafer as count calculating a step coverage of said portion of said 3D wafer using and determining a uniformity of said 3D wafer based on the calculated step coverage of said portion of the 3D wafer.