 Image Number 9 for United States Patent #7844101.
Grain size variations within a copper film are quantified by analyzing an SEM image of a portion of the copper film, determining an approximate total length of grain boundaries within the SEM image, and calculating a grain boundary density based on the approximate total length of the grain boundaries and the area of the copper film represented in the SEM image. The calculated grain boundary density allows for correlating plating and anneal process parameters, as well as electrical and reliability performance.
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