Localization and electrical characterization of interconnect open defects

A technique for extracting the electrical and topological parameters of open defects in process monitor lines is presented. The procedure is based on frequency-domain measurements performed at both end points of the line. The location as well as the resistive value of the open defect are derived from attenuation and phase shift measurements. The characteristic defect-free impedance of the line and its propagation constant are considered to be unknowns, and their values are also derived from the above measurements. In this way, the impact of process parameter variations on the proposed model is diminished. The experimental setup required to perform the characterization measurements and a simple graphical procedure to determine the defect and line parameters are presented. Experimental results show a good agreement between the predicted location of the open and its real location, found by optical beam induced resistance change inspection. Errors smaller than 2% of the total length of the line have been observed in the experiments.Postprint (published version

Localization and electrical characterization of interconnect open defects

A technique for extracting the electrical and topological parameters of open defects in process monitor lines is presented. The procedure is based on frequency-domain measurements performed at both end points of the line. The location as well as the resistive value of the open defect are derived from attenuation and phase shift measurements. The characteristic defect-free impedance of the line and its propagation constant are considered to be unknowns, and their values are also derived from the above measurements. In this way, the impact of process parameter variations on the proposed model is diminished. The experimental setup required to perform the characterization measurements and a simple graphical procedure to determine the defect and line parameters are presented. Experimental results show a good agreement between the predicted location of the open and its real location, found by optical beam induced resistance change inspection. Errors smaller than 2% of the total length of the line have been observed in the experiments

Localization and electrical characterization of interconnect open defects

A technique for extracting the electrical and topological parameters of open defects in process monitor lines is presented. The procedure is based on frequency-domain measurements performed at both end points of the line. The location as well as the resistive value of the open defect are derived from attenuation and phase shift measurements. The characteristic defect-free impedance of the line and its propagation constant are considered to be unknowns, and their values are also derived from the above measurements. In this way, the impact of process parameter variations on the proposed model is diminished. The experimental setup required to perform the characterization measurements and a simple graphical procedure to determine the defect and line parameters are presented. Experimental results show a good agreement between the predicted location of the open and its real location, found by optical beam induced resistance change inspection. Errors smaller than 2% of the total length of the line have been observed in the experiments

The cryptic chromosomal deletion del(11)(p12p13) as a new activation mechanism of LMO2 in pediatric T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia

To identify new cytogenetic abnormalities associated with leukernogenesis or disease outcome, T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL) patient samples were analyzed by means of the array-comparative genome hybridization technique (array-CGH). Here, we report the identification of a new recurrent and cryptic deletion on chromosome 11 (del(11)(p12p13)) in about 4% (6/138) of pediatric T-ALL patients. Detailed molecular-cytogenetic analysis revealed that this deletion activates the LMO2 oncogene in 4 of 6 del(11)(p12p13)-positive T-ALL patients, in the same manner as in patients with an LMO2 translocation (9/138). The LMO2 activation mechanism of this deletion is loss of a negative regulatory region upstream of LMO2, causing activation of the proximal LMO2 promoter. LMO2 rearrangements, including this del(11)(p12p13) and t(11;14) (p13;q11) or t(7;11)(q35;p13), were found in the absence of other recurrent cytogenetic abnormalities involving HOX11L2, HOX11, CALM-AF10, TAL1, MLL, or MYC. LMO2 abnormalities represent about 9% (13/138) of pediatric T-ALL cases and are more frequent in pediatric T-ALL than appreciated until now

The outcome of molecular-cytogenetic subgroups in pediatric T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia:a retrospective study of patients treated according to DCOG or COALL protocols

Background and Objectives. Subgroups of T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (TALL), defined according to recurrent cytogenetic aberrations, may have different prognoses. The aim of this study was to determine the prognostic relevance of molecular-cytogenetic abnormalities in pediatric patients using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction and fluorescence in situ hybridization. Design and Methods. The patients were assigned to TAL1, HOX11/TLX1, HOX11L2/TLX3, or CALM-AF10 subgroups. The cytogenetic subgroups were characterized in relation to immunophenotype and the expression of aberrantly expressed transcription factors. Results. In our cohort study, CALM-AF10 was associated with an immature immunophenotype and poor outcome (p=0.005). HOX11L2 was associated with both immunophenotypically immature cases as well as cases committed to the gamma delta-lineage. HOX11L2 was significantly associated with poor outcome (p=0.01), independently of the expression of CD1 or the presence of NOTCHI mutations. TAL1 abnormalities were associated with alpha beta-lineage commitment, and tended to be associated with a good outcome. Cells in HOX11 cases resembled early CD1-positive cortical thymocytes without expression of Cyt beta, and TCR molecules. In relation to the expression of early T-cell transcription factors, high TAL1 levels were found in immunophenotypically-advanced cases, whereas high LYL1 levels were found in immature subgroups. Interpretation and Conclusions. The reported outcomes for HOX11L2-rearranged TALL cases are conflicting; the prognostic impact may depend on the therapy given. In our cohort, this cytogenetic aberration was associated with a poor outcome. Our data on CALM-AF10 rearranged TALL, albeit based on only three patients, suggest that this type of leukemia is associated with a poor outcome

The outcome of molecular-cytogenetic subgroups in pediatric T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia:a retrospective study of patients treated according to DCOG or COALL protocols

Background and Objectives. Subgroups of T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (TALL), defined according to recurrent cytogenetic aberrations, may have different prognoses. The aim of this study was to determine the prognostic relevance of molecular-cytogenetic abnormalities in pediatric patients using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction and fluorescence in situ hybridization. Design and Methods. The patients were assigned to TAL1, HOX11/TLX1, HOX11L2/TLX3, or CALM-AF10 subgroups. The cytogenetic subgroups were characterized in relation to immunophenotype and the expression of aberrantly expressed transcription factors. Results. In our cohort study, CALM-AF10 was associated with an immature immunophenotype and poor outcome (p=0.005). HOX11L2 was associated with both immunophenotypically immature cases as well as cases committed to the gamma delta-lineage. HOX11L2 was significantly associated with poor outcome (p=0.01), independently of the expression of CD1 or the presence of NOTCHI mutations. TAL1 abnormalities were associated with alpha beta-lineage commitment, and tended to be associated with a good outcome. Cells in HOX11 cases resembled early CD1-positive cortical thymocytes without expression of Cyt beta, and TCR molecules. In relation to the expression of early T-cell transcription factors, high TAL1 levels were found in immunophenotypically-advanced cases, whereas high LYL1 levels were found in immature subgroups. Interpretation and Conclusions. The reported outcomes for HOX11L2-rearranged TALL cases are conflicting; the prognostic impact may depend on the therapy given. In our cohort, this cytogenetic aberration was associated with a poor outcome. Our data on CALM-AF10 rearranged TALL, albeit based on only three patients, suggest that this type of leukemia is associated with a poor outcome