Patent ID: 7138817
Filing Date: 2006-11-21
Classification: G01R

Abstract:
1. An apparatus for testing a defect, comprising: a semiconductor element, in which a conductive film is formed on an STI (shallow trench isolation) insulating film, which fills a shallow trench extending into a semiconductor region, opposing said semiconductor region through an insulating film in an ordinary state, wherein said shallow trench is not completely or sufficiently filled with said STI insulating film in a defective state; a control circuit configured to set a test mode in response to a test mode designation signal; a first voltage applying circuit configured to output a first voltage to said conductive film in said test mode; and a second voltage applying circuit configured to output a second voltage to said semiconductor region in said test mode, wherein said first voltage is higher than said second voltage, and a voltage difference between said first voltage and said second voltage is sufficient to cause breakdown between said conductive film and said semiconductor region in the defective state.