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NIST MEMS Calculator
NIST Standard Reference Database 166
Last Update to Data Content: 2014
DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.18434/T4CS3T

Developed at the National Institute of Standards and Technology for use with ASTM and SEMI standards and the MEMS 5-in-1 RMs.

This MEMS Calculator determines the following thin film properties from data taken with an optical interferometer or comparable instrument:  a) residual strain from fixed-fixed beams, b) strain gradient from cantilevers, c) step heights or thicknesses from step-height test structures, and d) in-plane lengths or deflections.  Then, residual stress and stress gradient calculations can be made after an optical vibrometer or comparable instrument is used to obtain Young's modulus from resonating cantilevers or fixed-fixed beams.  In addition, wafer bond strength is determined from micro-chevron test structures using a material test machine.


To help navigate through this web page, the symbol five in onedenotes items applicable to the MEMS 5-in-1 Test Chips, reference devices sold as NIST Reference Materials (RM 8096 and 8097); however, the pertinent data sheets should be considered generic.

For the MEMS Calculator, the following material is available:

1)  Preliminary references:

  a) TechBeat.2013five in one - This article from the NIST Tech Beat attracted the news media.
  b) FCMN.2013.pdffive in one - This four-page article provides an overview of the MEMS 5-in-1 RMs and is accompanied by a handout (MEMS.5n1.handout.pdf).
  c) ICMTS.2012.pdffive in one - This six-page article provides an overview of the MEMS 5-in-1 RMs with a tabular summary.
  d) ECST.2014.pdffive in one - This nine-page article provides homogeneity and stability test results.
  e) NIST SP 260-177five in one - This NIST Special Publication (2013 Edition, 253 pages) provides comprehensive details associated with the MEMS 5-in-1 Test Chips (RM 8096 and 8097).
  f) NIST SP 260-174 - This NIST Special Publication (2011 Edition, 244 pages) provides comprehensive details associated with the MEMS 5-in-1 Test Chips (now called RM 8096 and 8097).
  g) Slide Sets:five in one
1-Overview
2-Preliminary Details
3-Young's Modulus
4-Residual Strain
5-Strain Gradient
6-Step Height
7-In-Plane Length
8-Residual Stress/Stress Gradient
9-Thickness (for RM 8096)
10-Thickness (for RM 8097)
11-Remaining Details
- These slide sets are provided for teaching/training purposes and can be used as a quick reference.

2)  Parameters under consideration and the data sheets used for on-line calculations (with the recommended usage of Internet Explorer):

a)

Young's modulus with residual stress and stress gradient calculations
(using SEMI standard MS4)

      i) Data Sheet YM.1 - To find Young's modulus using single layered resonating cantilevers (or fixed-fixed beams)
      ii) Data Sheet YM.2 - To find Young's modulus using single layered resonating cantilevers (or fixed-fixed beams) with the analysis incorporating a frequency calibration
      iii) Data Sheet YM.3five in one- To find Young's modulus using single layered resonating cantilevers (or fixed-fixed beams) with the analysis incorporating a frequency calibration, a new uncertainty analysis, and a frequency correction factor
image - data sheet g

b)

Residual strain (using ASTM standard E 2245)

      i) Data Sheet RS.1 - To find residual strain using fixed-fixed beam test structures
      ii) Data Sheet RS.2 - To find residual strain using fixed-fixed beam test structures with a more detailed calculation of the combined standard uncertainty, ucεr
      iii) Data Sheet RS.3 five in one- To find residual strain using fixed-fixed beam test structures with the analysis incorporating a residual strain correction factor and with a more detailed calculation of ucεr, which includes the repeatability component, urepeat(samp)
        a.) For RM 8096, click here for Sample Data Trace a', a, e, or e'
        b.) For RM 8096, click here for Sample Data Trace b, c, or d
        c.) For RM 8097, click here for Sample Data Trace a', a, e, or e'
        d.) For RM 8097, click here for Sample Data Trace a', a, e, or e' (another possibility)
        e.) For RM 8097, click here for Sample Data Trace b, c, or d
image - data sheet h

c)

Strain gradient (using ASTM standard E 2246)

      i) Data Sheet SG.1 - To find strain gradient using cantilever test structures
      ii) Data Sheet SG.2 - To find strain gradient using cantilever test structures with a more detailed calculation of ucsg
      iii) Data Sheet SG.3 five in one- To find strain gradient using cantilever test structures with the analysis incorporating a strain gradient correction factor and with a more detailed calculation of ucsg, which includes the repeatability component, urepeat(samp)
        a.) For RM 8096, click here for Sample Data Trace a or e
        b.) For RM 8096, click here for Sample Data Trace b, c, or d
        c.) For RM 8097, click here for Sample Data Trace a or e
        d.) For RM 8097, click here for Sample Data Trace a or e (another  possibility)
        e.) For RM 8097, click here for Sample Data Trace b, c, or d

d)

Step height (using SEMI standard MS2)

      i) Data Sheet SH.1 - To find step heights from one step height test structure
      i.a) Data Sheet SH.1.afive in one- To find step heights from one step height test structure with a more detailed calculation of ucSH, which includes the repeatability component, urepeat(samp)
        a.) For RM 8096, click here for Sample Data Trace a, b, or c
        b.) For RM 8097, click here for Sample Data Trace a, b, or c
      ii) Data Sheet SH.2 - To find step heights taken during the same data session from two step height test structures
      ii.a) Data Sheet SH.2.a - To find step heights taken during the same data session from two step height test structures with a more detailed calculation of ucSH, which includes the repeatability component, urepeat(samp)
      iii) Data Sheet SH.3 - To find step heights taken during different data sessions from two step height test structures
      iii.a) Data Sheet SH.3.a - To find step heights taken during different data sessions from two step height test structures with a more detailed calculation of ucSH, which includes the repeatability component, urepeat(samp)
  e) Thickness (using SEMI standard MS2)
      i) Data Sheet T.1five in one- To find the composite oxide thickness in a commercial CMOS process
      ii) Data Sheet T.2 - To find the thicknesses of all the layers in a CMOS process using an electro-physical technique
      iii) Data Sheet T.3 - To find the thicknesses in a surface-micromachining MEMS process using an optomechanical technique
      iv) Data Sheet T.3.afive in one- To find the thicknesses in a surface-micromachining MEMS process using an optomechanical technique and includes an additional calculation of C
image - data sheet a

f)

In-plane length or deflection (using ASTM standard E 2244)

      i) Data Sheet L.0five in one- For all in-plane length measurements with the analysis incorporating an in-plane length correction factor and a more detailed calculation of ucL, which includes the repeatability component, urepeat(samp)
        a.) For RM 8096, click here for Sample Data Trace a', a, e, or e'
        b.) For RM 8097, click here for Sample Data Trace a', a, e, or e'
      ii) Data Sheet L.1 - To find in-plane lengths with two ends anchored (or to find an inside edge-to-inside edge length measurement)
      iii) Data Sheet L.2 - To find in-plane lengths with transitional edges oriented in the same direction (or to find an inside edge-to-outside edge length measurement from one data trace)
      iv) Data Sheet L.3 - To find in-plane lengths with one end anchored (or to find an inside edge-to-outside edge length measurement from two data traces)
      v) Data Sheet L.4 - To find in-plane lengths with two ends unanchored (or to find an outside edge-to-outside edge length measurement)
      vi) Data Sheet L.5 - To find in-plane deflections from released part to released part
      vii) Data Sheet L.6 - To find in-plane deflections from released part to fixed location
Data Sheet P Icon

g)

Wafer bond strength (using SEMI standard MS5)

      i) Data Sheet WBS.1 - To find wafer bond strength using micro-chevron test structures

3)  The MEMS 5-in-1 RMs:five in one

  a) RM number, name, and description: Status
    RM 8096: CMOS MEMS 5-in-1 Test Chip - Now Selling
  Using a multi-user 1.5 μm CMOS/MEMS process followed by a bulk-micromachining etch  
    RM 8097: MEMS 5-in-1 Test Chip - Now Selling
  Using a polysilicon multi-user surface-micromachining MEMS process with a backside etch  
  b) To help determine which RM to order:  RM.Selection.Table.r2.pdf  
  c) Contact information to order a MEMS 5-in-1 RM
(that comes with the five applicable standard test methods):
 
   

mailing address:
            Measurement Services Division
            NIST, 100 Bureau Drive, Stop 2300
            Gaithersburg, MD  20899-2300

 
    phone:  301-975-6776 or 301-975-2200  
    fax:       301-948-3730  
    email:    srminfo@nist.gov  
    URL:    http://www.nist.gov/srm/  
  d) Technical contact:   mems-support@nist.gov  

4)  Design files and accompanying tiff files:

  The following design files (in GDS-II format), as shown in the accompanying tiff files, were used to fabricate the MEMS 5-in-1 RMs:five in one
  a)

5n1CMOSthick.gds
5n1CMOSthick.tif

-

This design file (in GDS-II format) and corresponding tiff file are for chips fabricated on a multi-user 1.5 mm CMOS process followed by a bulk-micromachining etch.1

  b) 5n1MUMPs98.gds
5n1MUMPs98.tif
- These design files (in GDS-II format) and corresponding tiff files are for chips fabricated using a polysilicon multi-user surface-micromachining MEMS process with a backside etch.
5n1MUMPs95.gds
5n1MUMPs95.tif

5) List of pertinent SEMI standard test methods:

  Consult the following three SEMI standards for details concerning the inputs to Data Sheets SH, T, YM, and WBS:

a)

SEMI MS2, Test Method for Step Height Measurements of Thin Films.five in one For ordering information, click here, then click on "SEMI MS2."

b)

SEMI MS4, Test Method for Young's Modulus Measurements of Thin, Reflecting Films Based on the Frequency of Beams in Resonance.five in one For ordering information, click here, then click on "SEMI MS4."

c)

SEMI MS5, Test Method for Wafer Bond Strength Measurements Using Micro-Chevron Test Structures.  For ordering information, click here, then click on "SEMI MS5."

6)  List of pertinent ASTM standard test methods:

  Consult the following three ASTM standards for details concerning the inputs to Data Sheets L, RS, and SG, respectively:five in one

a)

ASTM E 2244, Standard Test Method for In-Plane Length Measurements of Thin, Reflecting Films Using an Optical Interferometer.  For ordering information, click here and search using the designation "E 2244."

b)

ASTM E 2245, Standard Test Method for Residual Strain Measurements of Thin, Reflecting Films Using an Optical Interferometer.  For ordering information, click here and search using the designation "E 2245."

c)

ASTM E 2246, Standard Test Method for Strain Gradient Measurements of Thin, Reflecting Films Using an Optical Interferometer.  For ordering information, click here and search using the designation "E 2246."

  These standards are also available in the Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol. 03.01. For ordering information, click here.

7)  List of MEMS terminology standards:

a)

ASTM E 2444, Terminology Relating to Measurements Taken on Thin, Reflecting Films.  For ordering information, click here and search using the designation "E 2444."  This standard is also available in the Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol. 03.01.  For ordering information, click here.

b)

SEMI MS3, Terminology for MEMS Technology.  For ordering information, click here, then click on "SEMI MS3."

8)  List of other pertinent references:five in one

   

Reference Link

 

Brief Description

Pertinent Parameter(s)

  a)

EDL.vol.28.11.07.pdf

-

This Electron Device Letter presents a method of obtaining the Young's modulus values of all the layers in a CMOS process.  The thicknesses obtained from the electro-physical technique are among the inputs for the optimization program. Young's modulus & thickness
  b) NISTJRes.V115.No5.10.pdf - This NIST Journal of Research article provides the user with a more in-depth understanding of the SEMI test methods used in Data Sheets YM and SH and it presents the 2008-2009 SEMI MEMS Young's Modulus and Step Height Round Robin Results. Young's modulus & step height
  c) NISTJRes.V112.No5.07.pdf - This NIST Journal of Research article presents the electro-physical technique used to obtain all the thicknesses in a CMOS process using Data Sheet T.2.  It also provides the user with a more in-depth understanding of SEMI standard MS2. step height & thickness
  d) JMEMS.Thick.2001.pdf - This JMEMS article presents an optomechanical technique for measuring layer thickness in a surface-micromachining MEMS process.  Data Sheet T.3.a can be used for the calculations. thickness
  e) NISTSP1048.pdf - This 2006 NIST Special Publication (NISTSP 1048) lists (on page 309) the US Measurement System (USMS) critical measurement targets for accelerating innovation in Micro Nano Technology.  
  f) NISTIR7291.pdf - This NIST Internal Report (NISTIR #7291) presents the 2002 ASTM MEMS Length and Strain Round Robin Results and uncertainty equations used in Data Sheets RS, SG, and L. residual strain, strain gradient, &  length
  g)

NISTIR6779.pdf

-

This NIST Internal Report (NISTIR #6779) provides the user with a more in-depth understanding of the ASTM standard test methods used in Data Sheets RS, SG, and L.

residual strain, strain gradient, & length

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Email questions or comments to
mems-support@nist.gov.

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