Patent ID: 8061224

Claim:
A method of fabricating an IC comprising: providing a batch of wafers comprising the IC which has been partially processed; testing a test wafer of the batch of wafers to determine if the batch of wafers comprises a desired shelf life, wherein the testing comprises determining an acceleration factor based on first and second test parameters and first and second storage parameters, calculating a test time from the acceleration factor which corresponds to the desired shelf life, and testing the test wafer in a first test environment with the first and second test parameters for a test period equal to at least the test time; determining a post-test value of a contamination parameter of the test wafer, wherein the post-test contamination parameter comprises a post-test value of a second contamination parameter of the test wafer; and if the test wafer comprises the desired shelf life, storing the batch of wafers for a period of time equal to or less than the desired shelf life before continuing to process the wafers to complete forming the IC.