We are pleased to offer a six-month internship within our Photonics Innovation team at UnitySC, a Merck affiliate.
The purpose of the internship is to develop an alternative solution using an UV light source, to enhance the measurement capabilities with regard to:
- Offering a better sensitivity, i.e. detecting even smaller impurities;
- Allowing for the inspection of large bandgap semiconductor wafers;
- Allowing for the detection of crystalline defect by excitation of their fluorescence.
As lithography moves towards finer and finer structures, the need to detect smaller contaminants is ever increasing. Their scattering intensity is strongly depending on the wavelength. Moving from blue to UV excitation will considerably improve the sensitivity of our darkfield machines.
In recent years, high bandgap semiconductors such as SiC or GaN have gained increasing industry adoption, driven by high frequency devices and the electrification of vehicles. Due to their large bandgaps, these materials are transparent to visible light. This means that the useful signal provided by nanoparticles scattering is mixed with the noise originating from the roughness of the wafer backside and its mechanical support. These noise sources can be eliminated by using UV excitation.
Finally, crystalline defects in semiconductors are not amenable to detection by standard optical imaging techniques. However, fluorescence can act as a signature of these structural defects. A UV laser is then best suited.
Your Profile
- Bachelor or Master degree candidate in optics, physics, engineering, or a related discipline.
- Strong knowledge of optics. Appetence for/familiarity with optical simulation tools and experimental setups is preferred.
- Analytical and detail-oriented with a methodical approach to problem-solving.
- Keen interest in gaining hands-on experience and applying theoretical knowledge in real-world scenarios.
What You’ll Do
- Optical simulations: With the help of simulation software you will solve the Maxwell equation to analyze the laser light diffusion from nanoparticles. Using ray tracing software you will design an optical head system.
- Optical components sourcing: You will help select the most appropriate optical components and discuss the specifications with vendors.
- Experimental validation: You will test the chosen components and assemble them to form the optical head system.
- Prototyping: Your design will be implemented on a benchtop and then incorporated in a machine to go beyond the proof and principle and towards industrialization.
- Application Testing: Time permitting, you will participate in integrating and optimizing these technologies for use in semiconductor manufacturing inspection processes.
Learning Outcomes
- Leaning about light-matter interaction and how it can be leveraged for the inspection of semiconductors
- Practical experience in advanced optical system design and optimization.
- In-depth understanding of semiconductor inspection challenges and solutions.
- Proficiency in optical simulations, experimental techniques, and quantitative data analysis.
Location
- Based in Montbonnot Saint-Martin, Isère, France.
How to Apply
Submit your resume and cover letter to: guillaume.vienne@unity-sc.com.
About Us
As part of the Electronic division of Merck, we are a leader in creating Metrology & Inspection tools for unpatterend wafer defect inspection (all types of Compound-semi substrates like GaN, GaAs, InP, SiC, Glass, Sapphire, Ge, Silicon). Our tools are also used for Advanced Packaging (TSVs, High BandWidth Memory Chip stacks, Hybrid-Bonding/Wafer2Wafer, Die2Wafer) & MEM’s.
Headquarted in Montbonnot, in the French Alps (a beautiful working environment), UnitySC leverages on the worldwide footprint of Merck, with staff in every major chip producing region.
Our values serve as the bedrock of UnitySC’s identity.
- Perseverance: We approach challenges with tenacity, pushing boundaries to achieve innovation and progress in semiconductor wafer technology.
- Transparency and Forthrightness: Open communication and honesty are at the heart of our relationships, both internally and externally.
- Agility: In the rapidly evolving world of semiconductor technology, we remain flexible and adaptive to meet the dynamic needs of our clients.
- Strive for Excellence: We relentlessly pursue excellence in everything we do, setting new benchmarks for the industry.