We all love the benefits of improved electronics. Our cell phones are smaller, faster, use less power, and can be used all day without having to recharge. They also have higher performance, and the underlying technologies have also improved. But as they have grown smaller and improved, the need for electroplating to become more precise in smaller and smaller spaces has become more demanding—often in submillimeter sizes.
Simulation plays a critical role in developing new semiconductor technologies. Semiconductors are materials that can conduct electricity under certain conditions but not others. Semiconductors are used in many electronic devices, including computers, smartphones, and appliances. The technologies that produce these semiconductors are no exception. Superconformal electrodeposition of copper is a state-of-the-art manufacturing process for the semiconductors that drive so much of the technology we use daily.
Engineers design these electrochemical processes using advanced computational simulations. Simulations allow engineers to test new ideas rapidly and encourage creative problem-solving. At AltaSim Technologies, we have been doing this work for several years. Our Principal Engineer, Luke Gritter, has impacted the field incredibly. Clients often come to us with difficult simulations that need engineering, and with Luke leading our team, we got them up and running quickly. Luke always takes extra time to train the internal staff. Often, a lack of knowledge hurts our clients who have come to us. Luke works to make sure we educate as we engineer.
Due to the multiphysics nature of these challenges, electrochemistry simulations require software that can model electric fields and species transport. In many cases, fluid flow transports species and must be included in the simulation.
In our Nov. 7 webinar, Luke and I will conduct a live demonstration of an electrochemistry simulation, including electrodeposition using COMSOL Multiphysics® software, and will show you how:
- Multiphysics simulation captures the physical behavior of superconformal electrodeposition
- Engineers can conduct virtual experiments that would otherwise be cost-prohibitive
- Engineers will improve their understanding of the production of semiconductors
- Companies can reduce the time and cost required to develop new manufacturing methods for semiconductors
During the webinar, we will introduce the problem, demonstrate how to run the simulation, share the results with you, and discuss how this process can alleviate the need for extensive experiments in the future. We are excited to share our results using multiphysics and look forward to your questions and discussions on superconformal electrodeposition.