Research Capabilities - Young Research Group

For electrical characterization and reliability measurements, the eCOMETS (electrical Characterization of Materials Evaluation Test Structures) laboratory is equipped with a Cascade Summit series probe station with integrated environmental control capable of probing structures on wafers (up to 200 mm diameter) over a temperature range of -65 to 200 °C. The probe station provides for current measurement down to fA and capacitance measurement down to tens of fF. A Lakeshore Cryogenic low temperature probe station expands the accessible temperature range and permits device level characterization on structures down to temperatures of ~4.5K. Using these probe stations in conjunction with appropriate test equipment coupled with robust analysis, our group conducts comprehensive electrical characterization methodologies (includes measurement and analysis) that will provide important, fundamental properties electrically active defects (i.e., traps). Specific measurement techniques are applied to provide trap properties that will be corroborated with physical characterization methods and modeling/simulation to ascertain the physical nature of the defects found. Currently, we are investigating various inorganic, non-silicon-based semiconductors with high-k dielectrics for future nanodevice applications [e.g., transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs), zinc oxide (ZnO), Group II-VI materials, hafnium-based dielectrics, etc.].

Through a collaboration with the Everbeing Int'l Corp. and the eCOMETS lab, Everbeing has generously donated a Everbeing EB6IMG_probe station and SR-4 Four Point Probe which has help expose students' and other interested parties' to their products while enabling additional accessibility and exposure to those interested in using these systems. Chad met Hsiao Taylor, a representative of Everbeing Int'l Corp, at International Conference on Microelectronic Test Structures (ICMTS) 2016 in Yokohama, Japan. It is Everbeing's wish to gain marketshare in the US while there is a need for affordable and easy to use tools for electrical measurements by students and researchers. We look forward to helping them reach this goal.