Modeling crack propagation for advanced 4-point bending testing of metal-dielectric thin film stacks

K. R. Gadelrab, M. Chiesa, M. Hecker, H. J. Engelmann

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

6 Scopus citations

Abstract

For monitoring and improving mechanical properties of BEoL (back-end of line) interconnect structures in microprocessor technology, it is crucial to analyze their adhesion and crack propagation properties. In the present investigation, a camera assisted 4-point bending beam technique has been used to obtain fast and reliable adhesion measurements including locally resolved crack length information. To interpret the obtained crack propagation data, a finite-element modeling approach has been utilized. The combination of local measurement of the crack energy release rate and modeling enables to evaluate measurement curves for both symmetric and asymmetric crack propagation modes and to describe the crack propagation properties of the involved film stacks not attainable in such detail by conventional 4-point bending technique.

Original languageBritish English
Pages (from-to)490-499
Number of pages10
JournalEngineering Fracture Mechanics
Volume96
DOIs
StatePublished - Dec 2012

Keywords

  • 4-Point bending
  • Adhesion
  • Finite-element modeling
  • On-chip interconnects

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