학술논문

TCAD-Enabled Machine Learning—An Efficient Framework to Build Highly Accurate and Reliable Models for Semiconductor Technology Development and Fabrication
Document Type
Periodical
Source
IEEE Transactions on Semiconductor Manufacturing IEEE Trans. Semicond. Manufact. Semiconductor Manufacturing, IEEE Transactions on. 36(2):268-278 May, 2023
Subject
Components, Circuits, Devices and Systems
Engineered Materials, Dielectrics and Plasmas
Data models
Semiconductor process modeling
Machine learning
Integrated circuit modeling
Reliability
Fabrication
Training data
TCAD
technology computer-aided design
TCAD-eML
TCAD-enabled machine learning
reliability
fabrication capabilities
Language
ISSN
0894-6507
1558-2345
Abstract
The requirements on data-driven Machine Learning models for industrial applications are often stricter, compared to those used for academic purposes, as model reliability is critical in industrial environments. Herein is introduced a framework which enables automated data generation with the goal of efficiently providing a data set sufficient to build a reliable and actionable model. Essential to this framework is the placement of the model training/testing data points, which need to be well distributed across the defined input parameter space. The framework is applied to semiconductor fabrication, wherein TCAD, a set of simulation tools that reproduce the physical processing and the final electrical performance of semiconductor devices, is a well-established capability. Transistor-level processing data is reproduced with TCAD simulations, from which the Machine Learning model is built. The framework described here assures that the resulting Machine Learning model fulfills the accuracy requirements across the parameter space. As an example application, the final Machine Learning model is then used to modify the process for a transistor, to obtain both better electrical performance and reduced variability.