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Vacuum Scanning Microwave Microscopy for quantitative characterization of sub-10 nm and atto-Farad scale capacitors and memories

Subject Area Measurement Systems
Automation, Mechatronics, Control Systems, Intelligent Technical Systems, Robotics
Term from 2014 to 2018
Project identifier Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 258650972
 
Final Report Year 2019

Final Report Abstract

A large part of the project has been achieved. The SEM2 instrument is operational and the measurements were demonstrated on reference samples, memristors and nanodot capacitances. Time was unfortunately lacking to further investigate the samples and get more quantitative results. However, first results are very encouraging to use this instrument for better understanding electrical measurements based on SMM. AFM and related techniques target a long-term goal for the characterization of matter (in various fields such as, physics, chemistry, biology, among others). SMM is a more recent technique that aims at combining nanoscale and microwaves. It challenges the ultimate sensibility and resolution for RF measurements. Drifts coming from instrumentation are observed and challenges the measurements of materials and devices. Observing with the SEM the interaction of the probe and the sample may help better understand the RF measurements. As an example, previously to the VacSMM project, the impact of parasitic capacitances in the SMM measurements was evidenced as a limitation for measuring nanodot aF capacitances. After this project, we will look at using SMM under vacuum combined with SEM to better control these effects. For device application such as memristor, SMM was the first attempt of measuring those devices in RF condition and at the nanoscale. The obtained results are encouraging further investigation on memristors with other material technology. The VacSMM project has led to a new instrumentation combining a SEM and a SMM. Measurements have been performed showing SEM images and electrical measurements of various devices such as reference samples, memristor and nanodot capacitances. These results bring promising perspectives for nanoscale microwave measurement beyond the present state of the art. Further projects will benefit of the new instrumentation concept. The results bring a new expertise that is used for further project application with various partners outside the consortium.

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