Crosstalk suppression in mixed-mode ICs by the π technology and the future with an SOC integration platform:: Particle-beam stand (PBS)

A pi technology (particle-enhanced isolation, PEI) is proposed to employ penetrating proton beams on the already manufactured mixed-mode (analog-digital) IC wafers (prior to packaging) for the suppression of undesirable substrate coupling. Results indicated that an improvement of 25-30 dB could be achieved by applying a relatively low-fluence proton bombardment on the isolation-intended region in a metal pads pattern. Hall measurements of the irradiated spots were conducted and the associated physics are elaborated on. Issues relevant to the commercial-scale implementation of this technology are also pointed out and discussed. Finally, a pi-technology-based post-very large scale integration (VLSI) concept: the "particle-beam stand" (PBS) is promoted, which, especially with its design rules pushed to the front end, can potentially serve as the general system-on-a-chip (SOC) integration platform and end most mixed-mode and RF SOC development difficulties. New information about PBS-rendered Q-improvement for RF passives may be found in an accompanying work of the authors, also appearing in this special issue.