Length Effects on the Reliability of Dual-Damascene Cu Interconnects

The effects of interconnect length on the reliability of dual-damascene Cu metallization have been investigated. As in Al-based interconnects, the lifetimes of Cu lines increase with decreasing length. However, unlike Al-based interconnects, no critical length exists, below which all Cu lines are âimmortal’. Furthermore, we found multi-modal failure statistics for long lines, suggesting multiple failure mechanisms. Some long Cu interconnect segments have very large lifetimes, whereas in Al segments, lifetimes decrease continuously with increasing line length. It is postulated that the large lifetimes observed in long Cu lines result from liner rupture at the bottom of the vias, which allows continuous flow of Cu between the two bond pads. As a consequence, the average lifetimes of short lines and long lines can be higher than those of lines with intermediate lengths.Singapore-MIT Alliance (SMA

Investigation of the Fundamental Reliability Unit for Cu Dual-Damascene Metallization

An investigation has been carried out to determine the fundamental reliability unit of copper dual-damascene metallization. Electromigration experiments have been carried out on straight via-to-via interconnects in the lower metal (M1) and the upper metal (M2), and in a simple interconnect tree structure consisting of straight via-to-via line with an extra via in the middle of the line (a "dotted-I"). Multiple failure mechanisms have been observed during electromigration testing of via-to-via Cu interconnects. The failure times of the M2 test structures are significantly longer than that of identical M1 structures. It is proposed that this asymmetry is the result of a difference in the location of void formation and growth, which is believed to be related to the ease of electromigration-induced void nucleation and growth at the Cu/Si₃N₄ interface. However, voids were also detected in the vias instead of in the Cu lines for some cases of early failure of the test lines. These early failures are suspected to be related to the integrity and reliability of the Cu via. Different magnitudes and directions of electrical current were applied independently in two segments of the interconnect tree structure. As with Al-based interconnects, the reliability of a segment in this tree strongly depends on the stress conditions of the connected segment. Beyond this, there are important differences in the results obtained under similar test conditions for Al-based and Cu-based interconnect trees. These differences are thought to be associated with variations in the architectural schemes of the two metallizations. The absence of a conducting electromigration-resistant overlayer in Cu technology allows smaller voids to cause failure in Cu compared to Al. Moreover, the Si₃N₄ overlayer that serves as an interlevel diffusion barrier provides sites for easy nucleation of voids and also provides a high diffusivity path for electromigration. The results reported here suggest that while segments are not the fundamental reliability unit for circuit-level reliability assessments for Al or Cu, vias, rather than trees, might be the appropriate fundamental units for the assessment of Cu reliability.Singapore-MIT Alliance (SMA

The H1 Forward Proton Spectrometer at HERA

The forward proton spectrometer is part of the H1 detector at the HERA collider. Protons with energies above 500 GeV and polar angles below 1 mrad can be detected by this spectrometer. The main detector components are scintillating fiber detectors read out by position-sensitive photo-multipliers. These detectors are housed in so-called Roman Pots which allow them to be moved close to the circulating proton beam. Four Roman Pot stations are located at distances between 60 m and 90 m from the interaction point.Comment: 20 pages, 10 figures, submitted to Nucl.Instr.and Method

Probing embryonic development enables the discovery of unique small-molecule bone morphogenetic protein potentiators

We report on the feasibility to harness embryonic development in vitro for the identification of small-molecule cytokine mimetics and signaling activators. Here, a phenotypic, target-agnostic, high throughput assay is presented that probes bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) signaling during mesodermal patterning of embryonic stem cells. The temporal discrimination of BMP- and transforming growth factor-β (TGFβ)-driven stages of cardiomyogenesis underpins a selective, authentic orchestration of BMP cues that can be recapitulated for the discovery of BMP activator chemotypes. Proof of concept is shown from a chemical screen of 7000 compounds, provides a robust hit validation workflow, and afforded 2,3 disubstituted 4H-chromen-4-ones as potent BMP potentiators with osteogenic efficacy. Mechanistic studies suggest that Chromenone 1 enhances canonical BMP outputs at the expense of TGFβ-Smads in an unprecedented manner. Pharmacophoric features were defined, providing a set of novel chemical probes for various applications in (stem) cell biology, regenerative medicine, and basic research on the BMP pathway

Molecular Dynamics Simulations of Temperature Equilibration in Dense Hydrogen

The temperature equilibration rate in dense hydrogen (for both T_{i}>T_{e} and T_i<T_e) has been calculated with molecular dynamics simulations for temperatures between 10 and 600 eV and densities between 10^{20}/cc to 10^{24}/cc. Careful attention has been devoted to convergence of the simulations, including the role of semiclassical potentials. We find that for Coulomb logarithms L>1, a model by Gericke-Murillo-Schlanges (GMS) [Gericke et al., PRE 65, 036418 (2002)] based on a T-matrix method and the approach by Brown-Preston-Singleton [Brown et al., Phys. Rep. 410, 237 (2005)] agrees with the simulation data to within the error bars of the simulation. For smaller Coulomb logarithms, the GMS model is consistent with the simulation results. Landau-Spitzer models are consistent with the simulation data for L>4

Search for chameleons with CAST

In this work we present a search for (solar) chameleons with the CERN Axion Solar Telescope (CAST). This novel experimental technique, in the field of dark energy research, exploits both the chameleon coupling to matter ($\beta_{\rm m}$) and to photons ($\beta_{\gamma}$) via the Primakoff effect. By reducing the X-ray detection energy threshold used for axions from 1$\,$keV to 400$\,$eV CAST became sensitive to the converted solar chameleon spectrum which peaks around 600$\,$eV. Even though we have not observed any excess above background, we can provide a 95% C.L. limit for the coupling strength of chameleons to photons of $\beta_{\gamma}\!\lesssim\!10^{11}$ for $1<\beta_{\rm m}<10^6$.Comment: 8 pages, 12 figure

First results from the CERN Axion Solar Telescope (CAST)

Hypothetical axion-like particles with a two-photon interaction would be produced in the Sun by the Primakoff process. In a laboratory magnetic field (``axion helioscope'') they would be transformed into X-rays with energies of a few keV. Using a decommissioned LHC test magnet, CAST has been running for about 6 months during 2003. The first results from the analysis of these data are presented here. No signal above background was observed, implying an upper limit to the axion-photon coupling < 1.16 10^{-10} GeV^-1 at 95% CL for m_a <~0.02 eV. This limit is comparable to the limit from stellar energy-loss arguments and considerably more restrictive than any previous experiment in this axion mass range.Comment: 4 pages, accepted by PRL. Final version after the referees comment

Results and perspectives of the solar axion search with the CAST experiment

The status of the solar axion search with the CERN Axion Solar Telescope (CAST) will be presented. Recent results obtained by the use of $^3$He as a buffer gas has allowed us to extend our sensitivity to higher axion masses than our previous measurements with $^4$He. With about 1 h of data taking at each of 252 different pressure settings we have scanned the axion mass range 0.39 eV$\le m_{a} \le$ 0.64 eV. From the absence of an excess of x rays when the magnet was pointing to the Sun we set a typical upper limit on the axion-photon coupling of g$_{a\gamma} \le 2.3\times 10^{-10}$ GeV$^{-1}$ at 95% C.L., the exact value depending on the pressure setting. CAST published results represent the best experimental limit on the photon couplings to axions and other similar exotic particles dubbed WISPs (Weakly Interacting Slim Particles) in the considered mass range and for the first time the limit enters the region favored by QCD axion models. Preliminary sensitivities for axion masses up to 1.16 eV will also be shown reaching mean upper limits on the axion-photon coupling of g$_{a\gamma} \le 3.5\times 10^{-10}$ GeV$^{-1}$ at 95% C.L. Expected sensibilities for the extension of the CAST program up to 2014 will be presented. Moreover long term options for a new helioscope experiment will be evoked.Comment: 4 pages, 2 pages, to appear in the proceedings of the 24th Rencontres de Blois V2 A few affiliations were not corrected in previous version V3 Author adde

Prospects for the CERN Axion Solar Telescope Sensitivity to 14.4 keV Axions

The CERN Axion Solar Telescope (CAST) is searching for solar axions using the 9.0 T strong and 9.26 m long transverse magnetic field of a twin aperture LHC test magnet, where axions could be converted into X-rays via reverse Primakoff process. Here we explore the potential of CAST to search for 14.4 keV axions that could be emitted from the Sun in M1 nuclear transition between the first, thermally excited state, and the ground state of 57Fe nuclide. Calculations of the expected signals, with respect to the axion-photon coupling, axion-nucleon coupling and axion mass, are presented in comparison with the experimental sensitivity.Comment: 4 pages, 1 figure. Submitted to Nucl. Instr. and Meth.

CAST constraints on the axion-electron coupling

In non-hadronic axion models, which have a tree-level axion-electron interaction, the Sun produces a strong axion flux by bremsstrahlung, Compton scattering, and axio-recombination, the "BCA processes." Based on a new calculation of this flux, including for the first time axio-recombination, we derive limits on the axion-electron Yukawa coupling g_ae and axion-photon interaction strength g_ag using the CAST phase-I data (vacuum phase). For m_a < 10 meV/c2 we find g_ag x g_ae< 8.1 x 10^-23 GeV^-1 at 95% CL. We stress that a next-generation axion helioscope such as the proposed IAXO could push this sensitivity into a range beyond stellar energy-loss limits and test the hypothesis that white-dwarf cooling is dominated by axion emission