Device for testing an integrated circuit and method for implementing same
View Patent ↗The invention relates to a device for testing an integrated circuit. The device comprises a plate for receiving and subjecting the integrated circuit to a test. The plate comprises a component for powering and operating the integrated circuit and another component for measuring the operation of the integrated circuit during the test. The device also comprises an irradiation device for subjecting the circuit to a proton bombardment and a mask with a variable thickness provided between a bombardment access region on the integrated circuit and an established zone of the integrated circuit.
1. An integrated circuit testing device, comprising:
a plate receiving an integrated circuit and comprising a first component to supply electricity to the integrated circuit during a test and a second component to measure functioning of the integrated circuit during the test;
an irradiation device to subject the integrated circuit to a bombardment of protons; and
a mask of variable thickness interposed between a bombardment access region on the integrated circuit and an established zone of the integrated circuit.
2. The device of claim 1 , wherein the mask is a beveled-shape mask with a bevel according to one or two dimensions.
3. The device of claim 2 , wherein the beveled-shape mask comprises at least one thickness or a type for which the residual energy of a proton in the region of a sensitivity zone of the integrated circuit, after having passed through said at least one thickness, is close to the energy position of a Bragg peak for interaction of the proton with the semiconductor material of the integrated circuit.
4. The device of claim 3 , wherein the bevel-shape mask comprises one thickness in a single place, for which the residual energy of a proton in the region of the sensitivity zone exceeds the energy position of the Bragg peak for interaction of the proton with the semiconductor material of the integrated circuit, and one thickness in another place for which the energy of a incident proton is totally absorbed.
5. The device of 1 , wherein the mask is formed using a part to be added onto the integrated circuit or into a substrate body of the integrated circuit itself.
6. The device of claim 1 , wherein the integrated circuit is set on the plate via a front side corresponding to the established zone and with a rear side corresponding to a substrate of the integrated circuit, placed opposite the established zone, facing the bombardment.
7. The device of claim 1 , wherein the irradiation device comprises a proton accelerator.
8. An integrated circuit testing method comprising the steps of:
placing an integrated circuit to be tested on a test plate in order to connect the integrated circuit to a power supply and operate the integrated circuit;
subjecting the integrated circuit to be tested to a bombardment of protons during a test;
interposing a mask of variable thickness between a bombardment access region on the integrated circuit and an established zone of the integrated circuit; and
measuring functioning of the integrated circuit during the test.
9. The method of claim 8 , further comprising the steps of:
recording a cartography of a sensitive zone of the integrated circuit to be tested by installing a localized failure injection system;
producing a correspondence between logical and geographical addresses of the integrated circuit by said cartography;
identifying the logical addresses sustaining failure due to the bombardment of protons by measuring the functioning of the integrated circuit during the test;
determining a geographic positioning of the failure due to the bombardment of protons by utilizing said cartography;
measuring thickness of the mask at the geographic positioning of the failure due to the bombardment of protons; and
determining a sensitivity characterization of the integrated circuit to direct ionization of protons according to the thickness of the mask producing the failure.