Microfabricating a NANOSCILLOSCOPE: Probing Local Device Fields Using AC Scanning Force Microscopy.

Abstract

Several ground-breaking results were achieved during the past year: The first combined scanning force/electric field probes were fabricated, tested and published. These results showed unprecedented spatial and temporal resolution of approximately 100 nm and 10 ps, respectively, when they were used to measure ultrafast electronic circuits. The approach taken was to modify commercial scanning probe microscope (SPM) probe tips with coaxial shields, then connect them directly to a 50 GHz sampling oscilloscope, a considerable simplification over laser-based systems for probing integrated circuits, yet much more flexible than commercial needle probes. This work has generated significant interest in the industry, and tech-transfer activities and discussions are ongoing with a number of companies, since, for the first time, it is possible to simultaneously locate sub-micrometer features (using the SPM feature to see sample topography) and electrically probe these features. Another significant accomplishment was the design, development and publication of the first combined high frequency magnetic field and topography probe tip. This invention was used to probe a coplanar waveguide sample at 10 GHz, mapping out the normal component of the magnetic field together with sample topography for the first time. This probe could prove especially useful in understanding new superconducting logic elements.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Oct 25, 1997
Accession Number
ADA330666

Entities

People

  • D. W. Van Der Weide
  • P. Nauzil
  • Vipin Agrawal

Organizations

  • University of Delaware

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Advanced Electronics
  • Sensors

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Circuits
  • Electric Fields
  • Electromagnetic Fields
  • Electronic Circuits
  • Electronics
  • Frequency
  • Instrumentation
  • Integrated Circuits
  • Logic Elements
  • Magnetic Fields
  • Magnetometers
  • Micrometers
  • Microscopes
  • Microscopy
  • Near Field
  • Transmission Lines
  • Waveguides

Fields of Study

  • Physics

Readers

  • Integrated Circuit Design and Technology.
  • Nanoscale Plasmonic Nanotechnology
  • Superconducting Magnet Technology

Technology Areas

  • Directed Energy
  • Microelectronics