Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 27, 2026

3D Depth Profile Reconstruction of Segregated Impurities Using Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometry
Published on: April 29, 2020
Contrast mechanism due to interface trapped charges for a buried SiO2 microstructure in scanning electron microscopy
Hai-Bo Zhang1, Wei-Qin Li, Dan-Wei Wu
1Key Laboratory for Physical Electronics and Devices of the Ministry of Education, Department of Electronic Science and Technology, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710049, People's Republic of China. hbzhang@mail.xjtu.edu.cn
Abstract:
We clarify the scanning electron microscopic contrast mechanism for imaging a buried SiO(2) trench microstructure with interface trapped charges by simulating both electron scattering and transport. Here, the interface trapped charges make the SiO(2) film more negatively charged and increase excess holes in the space charge distribution of the electron scattering region. The generated positive surface electric field thus redistributes some emitted secondary electrons and results in the dark contrast. This contrast mechanism is validated by comparing with experiments, and it may also provide an interesting approach for imaging and detecting deep interface trapped charges in insulating films.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
Scanning Electron Microscopy
Fundamental Principles
Accelerated...
Metal-Semiconductor Junctions
Schottky Barriers
Schottky barriers arise when a metal with a work function (Φm) contacts a semiconductor with a different work function (Φs). Initially, electrons transfer until the Fermi levels of the metal and semiconductor align at equilibrium. For instance, if Φm > Φs, the semiconductor Fermi level is higher than the metal's before contact. The semiconductor's...
Phase Contrast and Differential Interference Contrast Microscopy
In-phase-contrast microscopes, interference between light directly passing through a cell and light refracted by cellular components is used to create high-contrast, high-resolution images without staining. It is the oldest and simplest type of microscope that creates an image by altering the wavelengths of light rays passing through the specimen. Altered wavelength paths are created using an annular stop in the condenser. The annular stop produces a hollow cone of...
Preparation of Samples for Electron Microscopy

