Measurement of interfacial adhesion strength of Copper-Silicon based dielectric interfaces via laser spallation test

In this study, the interfacial adhesion strength between copper (Cu) and dielectric films was investigated using laser spallation test. To quantitatively evaluate the interfacial strength, the compressive stress wave generated by laser pulse was precisely calibrated, and interface stress was analyze...

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Main Authors: Young-Min Ju, Dukyong Kim, Se-Min Lee, Heuisu Kim, Daewoong Lee, Yeon-Taek Hwang, Seung Hwan Lee, Hak-Sung Kim
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2025-08-01
Series:Applied Surface Science Advances
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Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666523925000911
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author Young-Min Ju
Dukyong Kim
Se-Min Lee
Heuisu Kim
Daewoong Lee
Yeon-Taek Hwang
Seung Hwan Lee
Hak-Sung Kim
author_facet Young-Min Ju
Dukyong Kim
Se-Min Lee
Heuisu Kim
Daewoong Lee
Yeon-Taek Hwang
Seung Hwan Lee
Hak-Sung Kim
author_sort Young-Min Ju
collection DOAJ
description In this study, the interfacial adhesion strength between copper (Cu) and dielectric films was investigated using laser spallation test. To quantitatively evaluate the interfacial strength, the compressive stress wave generated by laser pulse was precisely calibrated, and interface stress was analyzed through wave propagation simulation. The highest adhesion strength was observed in plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD) silicon oxide (63.57±11.31 MPa), followed by PECVD silicon nitride (53.95±12.04 MPa) and low-pressure chemical vapor deposition (LPCVD) silicon nitride (26.06±6.44 MPa). Scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive spectroscopy (SEM-EDS) analysis confirmed that failure consistently occurred at the Cu/dielectric interface. The relatively high adhesion of PECVD silicon oxide was attributed to both mechanical and chemical factors. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) analysis revealed its rougher surface enhances mechanical interlocking. In addition, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) analyses confirmed the presence of hydroxyl groups (-OH) at the interface, facilitating Cu oxidation and Cu-O bond formation. Overall, this comprehensive study provides critical understanding for improving Cu/dielectric interfacial reliability in semiconductor devices.
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spelling doaj-art-abc650d8ad3f48e8be1836c77d0b98f72025-08-20T04:01:48ZengElsevierApplied Surface Science Advances2666-52392025-08-012810078310.1016/j.apsadv.2025.100783Measurement of interfacial adhesion strength of Copper-Silicon based dielectric interfaces via laser spallation testYoung-Min Ju0Dukyong Kim1Se-Min Lee2Heuisu Kim3Daewoong Lee4Yeon-Taek Hwang5Seung Hwan Lee6Hak-Sung Kim7Department of Mechanical Engineering, Hanyang University, 222, Seongdong-gu, Seoul 04763, South KoreaDepartment of Mechanical Engineering, Hanyang University, 222, Seongdong-gu, Seoul 04763, South KoreaDepartment of Mechanical Engineering, Hanyang University, 222, Seongdong-gu, Seoul 04763, South KoreaDepartment of Mechanical Engineering, Hanyang University, 222, Seongdong-gu, Seoul 04763, South KoreaSK hynix Inc. Icheon, Gyeonggido, South KoreaSK hynix Inc. Icheon, Gyeonggido, South KoreaDepartment of Mechanical Engineering, Hanyang University, 222, Seongdong-gu, Seoul 04763, South Korea; Hanyang Research Center for Advanced Semiconductor Packaging, Hanyang University, Seoul 04763, South Korea; Co-corresponding authors.Department of Mechanical Engineering, Hanyang University, 222, Seongdong-gu, Seoul 04763, South Korea; Hanyang Research Center for Advanced Semiconductor Packaging, Hanyang University, Seoul 04763, South Korea; Co-corresponding authors.In this study, the interfacial adhesion strength between copper (Cu) and dielectric films was investigated using laser spallation test. To quantitatively evaluate the interfacial strength, the compressive stress wave generated by laser pulse was precisely calibrated, and interface stress was analyzed through wave propagation simulation. The highest adhesion strength was observed in plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD) silicon oxide (63.57±11.31 MPa), followed by PECVD silicon nitride (53.95±12.04 MPa) and low-pressure chemical vapor deposition (LPCVD) silicon nitride (26.06±6.44 MPa). Scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive spectroscopy (SEM-EDS) analysis confirmed that failure consistently occurred at the Cu/dielectric interface. The relatively high adhesion of PECVD silicon oxide was attributed to both mechanical and chemical factors. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) analysis revealed its rougher surface enhances mechanical interlocking. In addition, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) analyses confirmed the presence of hydroxyl groups (-OH) at the interface, facilitating Cu oxidation and Cu-O bond formation. Overall, this comprehensive study provides critical understanding for improving Cu/dielectric interfacial reliability in semiconductor devices.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666523925000911Laser spallation testMulti-level metallizationDielectric layerInterfacial strengthDelamination
spellingShingle Young-Min Ju
Dukyong Kim
Se-Min Lee
Heuisu Kim
Daewoong Lee
Yeon-Taek Hwang
Seung Hwan Lee
Hak-Sung Kim
Measurement of interfacial adhesion strength of Copper-Silicon based dielectric interfaces via laser spallation test
Applied Surface Science Advances
Laser spallation test
Multi-level metallization
Dielectric layer
Interfacial strength
Delamination
title Measurement of interfacial adhesion strength of Copper-Silicon based dielectric interfaces via laser spallation test
title_full Measurement of interfacial adhesion strength of Copper-Silicon based dielectric interfaces via laser spallation test
title_fullStr Measurement of interfacial adhesion strength of Copper-Silicon based dielectric interfaces via laser spallation test
title_full_unstemmed Measurement of interfacial adhesion strength of Copper-Silicon based dielectric interfaces via laser spallation test
title_short Measurement of interfacial adhesion strength of Copper-Silicon based dielectric interfaces via laser spallation test
title_sort measurement of interfacial adhesion strength of copper silicon based dielectric interfaces via laser spallation test
topic Laser spallation test
Multi-level metallization
Dielectric layer
Interfacial strength
Delamination
url http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666523925000911
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