Resistive contrast imaging applied to multilevel interconnection failure analysis

Resistive contrast imaging (RCI) is a new failure analysis technique that uses a scanning electron microscope to generate a relative resistance map of an integrated circuit. The RCI map can be used to localize abrupt changes in resistance and verify continuity. Results using RCI on several two-level interconnection devices are described. The images demonstrate how RCI can be used to differentiate between levels and to localize metal shorts and opens. Methods for improving image quality and level differentiation as well as future development work are discussed