Abstract

We present an optical technique for the measurement of semiconductor surface electric fields. The measurement technique uses the Kerr electro-optic effect in nitrobenzene, a phase sensitive interferometer, and associated data acquisition units to measure the surface electric fields between the contacts of a planar semiconductor device. This technique was used to measure the surface fields on silicon devices used in pulsed power applications, but has the potential for use as an electric field probe for any device having high surface electric fields, both pulsed and dc. The measurement technique showed a temporal resolution of 100 ns, which can be easily reduced to a few nanoseconds using superior data acquisition and detection systems. The spatial resolution was about 50 μm for devices that had a typical contact separation of about 500 μm (power devices). This technique can be applied to measure the surface fields on devices commonly used in microelectronic applications. In this paper we discuss in detail the measurement technique and present the results obtained for silicon photoconductive power switches.

Talk to us

Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have

Schedule a call

Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.