Laser Logic State Imaging (LLSI)

Abstract

Abstract Logic State Imaging (LSI) using Infra-Red Emission Microscopy (IREM) [1-4] has been an indispensable technology for silicon CMOS process development and product debug applications. Its main limitations are relatively poor spatial resolution due to the broadband near-infrared photons emitted, and poor Signal to Noise Ratio (SNR) with low voltage and low leakage processes and products. Continuous-Wave Laser Scanning Microscope (CW-LSM) based Signal Imaging and Probing (CW-SIP) [5-9] technology is also widely used. It features inherently better spatial resolution than IREM, due to the use of monochromatic 1319nm or 1064nm laser light, and high SNR due to its weaker dependence on voltage and leakage, and, for signal imaging applications, the use of narrow band detection to reduce noise. However, CW-SIP can only detect modulating signals, so it couldn’t previously be applied to LSI. In this paper, we introduce an innovative approach that overcomes this limitation to enable Laser Logic State Imaging (LLSI). Actual fault isolation and design debug cases using this technology are presented to show its advantages in terms of resolution (>50% better), SNR (>2X better) and throughput time improvement, especially at low voltages (down to 500mV).