The Relationship Between Electromigration-Induced Short-Circuit and Open-Circuit Failure Times in Multi-Layer VLSI Technologies

A comparison between the electromigration lifetime, defined as open circuits and short circuits in Cr/Al-Cu conductor stripes undergoing high current density stress, was made. The lifetime, if defined by open-circuit failure time, is much longer with a larger standard deviation than that defined by short-circuit failure time. The implications for reliability predictions are discussed.