Abstract: The invention is directed to a system and method for analyzing an integrated circuit having silicon on insulator (SOI) structure. According to one example embodiment of the present invention, an optical beam arrangement is adapted to direct a modulated beam at a selected portion of the integrated circuit. The beam is sufficiently modulated to inhibit optical beam intrusion on the structure and operation of the integrated circuit. A reflected optical waveform response is obtained from the SOI selected portion. The inhibition of optical beam intrusion enhances the ability to analyze integrated circuits using an optical beam, making possible the use of analysis methods that otherwise would be difficult or even impossible to use.

Abstract: The present invention is directed analysis of a flip-chip integrated circuit die having SOI structure that improves the ability to image and analyze selected portions of circuitry in the die. According to an example embodiment of the present invention, a lens is formed in a back side of a flip-chip die and over the insulator portion of SOI structure in the die. Light is directed at the lens and the lens is used to focus the light to target circuitry in the die. A reflection from the circuitry is detected and used to analyze the die, such as by imaging the circuitry in the die and identifying defects therein. The lens formed in the die enhances the ability to focus light to selected circuitry in the die and improves the ability to analyze dies having SOI structure through the insulator.

Abstract: Semiconductor analysis is improved via the use of fiber optic communications. According to an example embodiment of the present invention, a stimulation device is adapted to stimulate an integrated circuit die, and the die generates a response to the stimulation. An optical signal generator, either incorporated into the die or coupled to the die, detects the response, converts the response to an optical signal and transmits the optical signal. The optical signal is received at a testing arrangement adapted to analyze the die therefrom. The optical signal is used to analyze the die, improving signal quality and the ability to perform high-speed analysis of the die.

Abstract: Analysis of a semiconductor die having silicon-on-insulator (SOI) structure is enhanced by accessing the circuitry within die from the back side without breaching the thin insulator layer of the SOI structure. According to an example embodiment, a portion of substrate is removed from the back side of a semiconductor die having a SOI structure and a backside opposite circuitry in a circuit side. Electrical connection is made to a portion of the circuitry within the die via a capacitive coupling arrangement. The electrical connection is used to obtain an electrical measurement correlated with circuitry logic states of the die that is used for analysis.

Abstract: Semiconductor analysis is enhanced using a system and method for improving the heat-dissipation characteristics of a semiconductor die. According to an example embodiment of the present invention, a flip-chip integrated circuit die having circuitry in a circuit side opposite a back side is formed having a back side including a thermal conductivity enhancing material. The thermal conductivity enhancing material improves the heat dissipating characteristics of the die during operation and testing and helps to reduce or prevent overheating. An epitaxial layer of silicon is formed in the back side, and circuitry is constructed in the epitaxial layer. Pre-existing circuitry on the circuit side and the newly formed circuitry in the back side are electrically coupled.

Abstract: According to an example embodiment of the present invention, a semiconductor die having a buried insulator layer between a circuit side and a back side is selectively thinned. During thinning, a selected portion of the bulk silicon layer on the back side is removed and a void created. A circuit is formed in the void and is coupled to the existing circuitry on the circuit side of the die. The new circuit is used to analyze the die during operation, testing, or other conditions. The newly formed circuit enhances the ability to analyze the semiconductor die by adding flexibility to the traditional analysis methods used for integrated circuit dice. The newly formed circuit enables many new ways of interactively using the existing circuitry some of which include replacement of defective circuitry, modification of existing circuit operations, and stimulation of existing circuitry for testing.

Abstract: According to one aspect of the disclosure, the present invention provides methods and arrangements for testing a flip chip SOI semiconductor device after the back side of the chip has been thinned to expose a selected region in the substrate. For some chips, thinning removes substrate material useful for drawing heat away from the internal circuitry when the circuitry is running at high speeds. To compensate for this material loss, a special test fixture having a passive, corrosion-resistant heat-dissipating device is arranged to draw heat from the device.

Abstract: Analysis of a semiconductor die having silicon-on-insulator (SOI) structure is enhanced by accessing the circuitry within the die from the back side without necessarily breaching the insulator layer of the SOI structure. According to an example embodiment of the present invention, a semiconductor die having a SOI structure and a backside opposite circuitry in a circuit side is analyzed. An atomic force microscope is scanned across a thinned portion of the back side. The microscope responds to an electrical characteristic, such as a logic state, coupled from circuitry via the insulator portion of the die over which the microscope is being scanned. The response of the microscope to the die is detected and used to detect an electrical characteristic of the die.

Abstract: Analysis of a flip-chip type IC die having SOI structure is enhanced via analysis and repair of the die that make possible analysis that would typically result in the die being in a state of disrepair. According to an example embodiment of the present invention, a focused ion beam (FIB) is directed at a back side of a flip-chip die having a circuitry in a circuit side opposite a back side, wherein the circuitry including silicon on insulator (SOI) structure. The FIB is used to remove a selected portion of substrate including a portion of the insulator of the SOI structure from the die. The removed substrate exposes an insulator region in the die, and a signal is coupled from circuitry in the die via the exposed insulator region and used to analyze the die. Material is deposited in the exposed region and the selected portion of the die that had been removed is reconstructed.

Abstract: Analysis of a semiconductor die having silicon-on-insulator (SOI) structure is enhanced by accessing the circuitry within the die from the back side without breaching the thin insulator layer of the SOI structure. According to an example embodiment of the present invention, a portion of substrate is removed from the back side of a semiconductor die having a SOI structure and a backside opposite circuitry in a circuit side. Electrical connection is made to a portion of the circuitry within the die via a capacitive coupling arrangement. The electrical connection is used to obtain an electrical measurement correlated with circuitry logic states of the die that is used for analysis.

Abstract: Analysis of a semiconductor die having silicon-on-insulator (SOI) structure is enhanced by capacitively coupling a signal to the die. According to an example embodiment of the present invention, a die having a thinned back side is analyzed by capacitively coupling an input signal through the insulator portion of the SOI structure and effecting a state change to circuitry in the die. The state change is used to evaluate a characteristic of the die, such as by detecting a response to the state change. The ability to force such a state change is helpful for evaluating dies having SOI structure, and is particularly useful for evaluation techniques that require or benefit from maintaining the insulator portion of the SOI structure intact.

Abstract: A system and method provides for effective analysis of an integrated circuit having silicon on insulator (SOI) structure. According to one example embodiment of the present invention, the system includes a system (e.g., a nanomachining arrangement) adapted to remove a selected portion of the backside of a semiconductor device having SOI structure, and to electrically isolate a selected portion of circuitry on the SOI semiconductor device circuitry side. The isolated circuitry then is analyzed.