Navigating the Metrology Maze For GAA FETs


The chip industry is pushing the boundaries of innovation with the evolution of finFETs to gate-all-around (GAA) nanosheet transistors at the 3nm node and beyond, but it also is adding significant new metrology challenges. GAA represents a significant advancement in transistor architecture, where the gate material fully encompasses the nanosheet channel. This approach allows for the vertical... » read more

SiC Growth For EVs Is Stressing Manufacturing


The electrification of vehicles is fueling demand for silicon carbide power ICs, but it also is creating challenges in finding and identifying defects in those chips. Coinciding with this is a growing awareness about just how immature SiC technology is and how much work still needs to be done — and how quickly that has to happen. Automakers are pushing heavily into electric vehicles, and t... » read more

Using Generative AI To Connect Lab To Fab Test


Executive Insight: Thomas Benjamin, CTO at National Instruments, sat down with Semiconductor Engineering to discuss a new way of looking at test, using data as a starting point and generative AI as a bridge between different capabilities. SE: What are the big changes you're seeing and how is that affecting movement of critical data from the lab to the fab? Benjamin: If you walk into any m... » read more

3D NAND Needs 3D Metrology


By Nick Keller and Andy Antonelli You’ve read the reports: the memory market is floundering as the semiconductor industry moves through another scarcity/surplus cycle. Be that as it may, innovation is happening as the industry continues to pursue increasingly higher three-dimensional stacks, with 3D NAND stacks taller than 200 layers entering production. However, there are challenges... » read more

The Importance Of Efficient Low Power Validation In Electronics


In the fast-paced world of electronics, innovation is driven not only by cutting-edge features but also by energy efficiency. Low power validation has emerged as a critical aspect of electronics applications, playing a pivotal role in designing devices that are both sustainable and user-friendly. The rise of the Internet of Things (IoT) and wearable technologies has transformed the way we inter... » read more

Sustainable Products For A More Sustainable World


Teradyne’s sustainability journey began three decades ago with a focus on minimizing the environmental impact of our buildings and infrastructure, as outlined in our two part blog series (check out part one and part two). This effort also includes a focus on making our products more sustainable. In this blog, learn how Teradyne’s products and efforts are contributing to a more sustainabl... » read more

Application For Non-Destructive Inspection


IC chip internal measurement We attempted to apply the Hadatomo Z photoacoustic microscope for non-destructive inspection. One of the features of the HadatomoTM Z is simultaneous measurement using photoacoustic imaging and ultrasound imaging. By using an ultrasonic sensor with cen- ter frequency of 60 MHz, high-resolution imaging is possible. Photoacoustic imaging is a method to re... » read more

FMEDA Powered Safety Verification Methodology For Semiconductors


Today’s automobiles require increasingly complex systems and chips, adherence to functional safety processes has become essential during the design development phase. The intricate nature of  semiconductors used in automotive applications is driving the need for functional safety throughout the entire supply chain, reaching not just the automobile manufacturers but also the semiconductor des... » read more

Predictive And Prescriptive Maintenance In The Context Of Automotive Functional Safety


The ever-changing landscape of advanced SOCs reshape traditional approaches of automotive functional safety (FuSa). Electrification (EV), connectivity, driver-assistance (ADAS), and software-defined vehicles (SDV) have ushered in the era of mega-functionality and scale. This paper discusses the paradigm shifts and required methodologies to navigate the surge of innovation and ensure the utmost ... » read more

Week In Review: Semiconductor Manufacturing, Test


China’s restrictions on the export gallium and germanium took effect this week. Any Chinese company exporting gallium or germanium that could be used in military and civil applications (dual-use) must obtain a license from China’s Ministry of Commerce. China produces 60% of the worldwide supply of germanium and 80% of the world’s gallium, both of which have to be processed from other mate... » read more

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