Patent ID: 6855928
Filing Date: 2005-02-15
Classification: G01N,H01J

Abstract:
1. A method for determining the concentration of a contaminant in a thin oxide surface layer having a depth, the thin oxide surface layer located on a semiconductor material, the method comprising: providing a mass spectrometer apparatus having a primary sputtering ion beam, directing apparatus, and analyzing apparatus, the directing apparatus and analyzing apparatus for directing and analyzing a secondary ion stream produced by operation of the mass spectrometer apparatus, the mass spectrometer apparatus comprising one of a secondary ion mass spectrometer (SIMS) and a time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometer (TOF-SIMS); predetermining a mass of surface layer required to be sampled for determining a contaminant concentration; supporting the semiconductor material on a movable mechanical stage within the mass spectrometer apparatus; moving the movable mechanical stage in a scanning motion while sputtering the thin oxide surface layer; directing the secondary ion stream produced by operation of the mass spectrometer apparatus for analysis, the semiconductor material sputtered to a depth not generally exceeding the depth of the thin oxide surface layer; moving the movable mechanical stage in a rastering motion to sputter and analyze the thin oxide surface layer over an extended area; and measuring a non-planarity of the thin oxide surface layer.