Patent ID: 6232600
Filing Date: 2001-05-15
Classification: G01N,H01J

Abstract:
A method for determining the concentration of a contaminant in a thin oxide surface layer of depth Q on a semiconductor material, said method comprising:providing a mass spectrometer apparatus having a primary sputtering ion beam, directing apparatus, and analyzing apparatus, said directing apparatus and analyzing apparatus for directing and analyzing a secondary ion stream produced by operation of said mass spectrometer apparatus;predetermining a mass of surface layer required to be sampled for determining a contaminant concentration;supporting said semiconductor material on a movable mechanical stage within said mass spectrometer apparatus;moving said movable mechanical stage in a scanning motion while sputtering said thin oxide surface layer and directing said secondary ion stream formed during the operation of said mass spectrometer apparatus for analysis whereby said semiconductor material is sputtered to a depth not generally exceeding the depth Q of said thin oxide surface layer; andmoving said movable mechanical stage in a rastering motion whereby said thin oxide surface layer is sputtered and analyzed over an extended area.