Intrinsic dielectric breakdown of ultra-thin gate oxides
We have investigated the dynamics of intrinsic dielectric breakdown (BD) in SiO2 thin films of thickness in the range from 35 to 3 nm. BD is obtained under constant voltage FowlerNordheim stress at fields between 10 and 12.5 MV/cm. As a function of oxide thickness we have followed with high time resolution the dynamics of the BD transient and analysed the post-BD damage by using transmission electron microscopy, photon emission microscopy and measurements of the post-BD currentvoltage (IV) characteristics. Moreover, the effect of the density of electrons at the cathode on the resulting BD damage is put in evidence. The data are interpreted and discussed in the framework of a model.
intrinsic dielectric breakdown ultra-thin gate oxides reliability breakdown damage