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Process techniques study of integrated circuits Quarterly report no. 13

Dielectric defects in oxide layers by surface irregularities, and treatmen

Phenomenological modeling of strain hardening, phase transformation and damage effects of trip-steels

In this study, the constitutive modeling of loading state dependent strain hardening and martensite evolution of high alloyed TRIP-steels are addressed, which are experimentally observed comparing uni-axial tension and compression test results. Furthermore, a damage mechanics extension of the model is proposed, which is based on the continuum damage mechanics framework. An implicit gradient based enrichment method is applied to realize a non-local damage formulation. For the implementation into the commercial FEM-software ABAQUS, the analogy between the additional Helmholtztype equation of implicit gradient enrichment and the already built-in heat conduction equation is used. Finally, the developed model is fitted to experimental data and cell model calculations. A convergence study using the non-local extension is discussed

Finite element analyses of fatigue crack growth under small scale yielding conditions modelled with a cyclic cohesive zone approach

Mode I fatigue crack growth is modelled and investigated with a cohesive zone approach. A 2D finite element boundary layer model under plane strain and small scale yielding conditions is used to generate fatigue crack growth rate curves. This study focuses on the FE model generation with the aim to obtain reliable data of fatigue crack growth rates with computational costs kept as low as possible. In particular, this con- cerns the choice of geometric quantities of the boundary layer, appropriate mesh sizes and meshing strategies, and the time incrementation. In order to save resource consump- tion regarding computing time, licenses and memory, the ABAQUS URDFIL interface is used to observe the progress of fatigue crack growth, to control time incrementation and output generation, and to stop the simulation once a stable fatigue crack growth rate is reached. The latter is characterised by a constant amount of dissipated energy per load cycle and steady-state damage and stress profiles in the ligament. Different crack length definitions evaluating both profiles are compared. The resulting fatigue crack growth rate curves including threshold value, static failure load, and Paris region, qualitatively match experimental observations

Process techniques study of integrated circuits Quarterly report no. 11

Dielectric defects in oxide layers by ion migration, and hydrogen effects on integrated circuits with packaging consideration

Thermal and bias cycling stabilizes planar silicon devices

Terminal burn-in or baking step time in the processing of planar silicon devices is extended to reduce their inversion tendencies. The collector-base junction of the device is also cyclically biased during the burn-in

Early Experience with the Kyoto Compliance System: Possible Lessons for MEA Compliance System Design

Regardless of the future of the Kyoto compliance system, much of its work will continue to be important both for the climate change regime and for other MEAs. While it is impossible to make accurate predictions about the substance of the climate change regime after 2012, it is nevertheless important to reflect on the experience with the Kyoto compliance system to date for MEA compliance generally. Adjustments to the Kyoto compliance system necessitated by post 2012 changes to the substantive obligations can, of course, only be considered once those changes are known. The central question posed in this article is therefore the following: Assuming the obligations under the climate change regime were to remain unchanged, what adjustments to the Kyoto compliance system would be warranted in light of the experience to date? In addressing this central question, the aim of this article is to help inform the design of future compliance systems under any MEAs that recognize the value of seeking to combine facilitative compliance strategies with enforcement