Low field TDDB of BEOL interconnects using >40 months of data

Over 40 months of low field BEOL TDDB data obtained on different test vehicles with spacings ranging from 90-30nm and OSG low-k dielectrics with k-values ranging from 3.22.0 are summarized. For the dielectrics with k≥2.5, a simultaneous maximum likelihood fit with a fixed acceleration factor and varying distributional shapes is performed. By considering the log-likelihood of each model fit, this approach allows a comparison of fitted lifetime models. This approach also allows estimating the parameters of the impact damage model, which is more difficult to fit due to its multiple acceleration factors. From a statistical point of view and by using a 95% significance level, the results show that the power law and the impact damage model equally outperform all other proposed models and that their prediction to lower fields are very similar. As from a practical point of view the power law model is much more easy to use due to its limited number of fitting parameters, we propose to use the power law model for low-k dielectrics with k-value between 2.5 and 3.2. Regardless of the presence of a protection film, our low-field data obtained on the k=2.0 material show different acceleration factors at high and low fields. This suggests that different breakdown mechanisms are present at different fields and that, in order to allow reliable predictions to operating fields, future TDDB tests of highly porous films will require stresses at much wider field ranges.