When Dr. Shay Wolfling, a physics expert, joined Nova as its CTO about 11 years ago, very little about the company was the same as it is today. Over the past decade, Nova has experienced tremendous growth, acquiring two companies, significantly increasing its revenue and employee count, and shifting its technology direction and product lines. Yet, one constant remains at the core of its DNA: its commitment to innovation as a daily working method.
Nova is a leading provider of metrology solutions for the semiconductor industry. Founded in 1993 in Israel, the company currently employs over 1,100 people across eight countries worldwide and is listed on Nasdaq and the TA-35 index on the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange. Nova serves leading semiconductor manufacturers such as Intel, Samsung, and TSMC with its advanced high-tech systems for quality control processes throughout the entire chip production chain. With over 4,700 systems installed globally, the company’s strategy centers around building a diverse and comprehensive portfolio of metrology solutions to drive the growth of the semiconductor manufacturing industry.

Breakthrough solutions for manufacturing process control

The chip industry drives the technological revolution in the digital age and has been required to progress at an unprecedented pace during the COVID-19 pandemic. Like many other sectors, the long-term success of the semiconductor manufacturing industry depends on its ability to turn innovative ideas into commercially viable products. The technology development process – from proving feasibility to commercial production – is a complex challenge that demands extensive expertise and investment in various areas, a prolonged development timeline, and exceptional innovation capabilities.
Tight control over the production process is essential for success, and this is where Nova plays a crucial role. In the semiconductor industry, they deal with sophisticated computer chips composed of billions of tiny devices measured in nanometers (billionths of a meter). During the production process, numerous materials with properties that are highly sensitive to contamination and process variations are used. Reliable control systems are necessary to allow semiconductor manufacturers to monitor the manufacturing process, detect potential issues, and standardize operations in advance.

As Dr. Wolfling explains, “We take new and cutting-edge metrology technologies, refine them, and bring them to the world’s most advanced production lines to provide the semiconductor industry with groundbreaking solutions for process control. Our products integrate optical, mechanical, and advanced electronics components with innovative software and algorithms, giving top chip manufacturers an accurate and dependable view of what’s happening during the development and production of the most advanced chips.”

There is always a way through the wall

Nova started its journey in Dimensional Metrology and has since grown and diversified through acquisitions. Today, the company operates three divisions: the Dimensional Metrology Division, the company’s original division established in Israel; the Materials Metrology Division, established in 2015 with the acquisition of ReVera and serving as Nova’s R&D and production center in California; and the Chemical Metrology Division, founded in 2022 through the acquisition of ancosys GmbH and serving as Nova’s R&D and production center in Germany.

Dr. Wolfling is a graduate of the IDF’s Talpiot project and a former entrepreneur who founded Nano Light Technologies, a start-up that developed a unique technology that was eventually sold to a Belgian company. After the Belgian company was acquired by KLA, Dr. Wolfling continued to work there until joining Nova. He leads the CTO group with over 20 researchers, half of whom hold Ph.D. degrees, as well as 30+ technology experts across the company’s divisions, creating a significant concentration of scientific talent within Nova.

What is the CTO group you lead responsible for?
“The CTO group is responsible for developing and implementing long-term technology strategies. This involves starting new product lines and expanding existing ones, both organically and through acquisitions. We have a close relationship with customers to ensure our innovation meets their needs and provides practical, business and technology solutions for the industry both now and in the future. The group is given freedom for innovation and research, but it is not just academic work. We always consider the needs of the industry and upcoming problems, and it gives us great satisfaction when our innovation successfully meets customer needs.

In addition, the CTO group is also accountable for Nova’s global intellectual property matters, taking part in government initiatives and programs, and overseeing partnerships with research institutes, academic institutions, and industry partners.”

Dr. Wolfling explains that the “long-term technological advancement occurs globally, with advanced technology units in each division. These are multidisciplinary teams made up of physicists, algorithm specialists, electrical engineers, and process engineers who conduct research and feasibility tests within their respective areas of expertise. These teams report to the division managers in terms of organization, but are professionally accountable to the CTO, allowing for multiple innovation cycles and creating synergies across the company and a comprehensive overview of future products and technologies.”

“We adhere to the principle that even as a market leader, it’s not sufficient to simply enhance products, but new capabilities must be brought to maintain that leadership. It’s fulfilling to see employees who started developing new technologies 7 or 8 years ago still contributing to the development of new capabilities as those products reach customers. These achievements reinforce our confidence that even the seemingly insurmountable tasks can be overcome. There’s always a path through the obstacle.”

Resting on one’s laurels is boring

Taking an innovative vision at Nova is a daily experience for the company’s employees. Dr. Anna Hirsch, who has been working at Nova for three years as an Algorithms Specialist, shares her perspective on what it’s like. She holds a bachelor’s degree in materials engineering, as well as a master’s degree and a doctorate in computational chemistry from the Weizmann Institute. After completing her doctorate, she joined Nova.

“The essence of innovation is doing something that you’re not sure how to do. There’s no set protocol or prior knowledge; you have to come up with the solution on your own. It’s not a straightforward process,” explains Dr. Hirsch. “To enjoy it, you have to be willing to embrace the unknown, not shy away from it. We work as a team, consult each other, and everyone contributes their unique expertise. Our solutions are interdisciplinary and encompass aspects of physics, chemistry, materials engineering, electrical engineering, algorithmics, and more.”

“We embrace the challenge of starting from scratch and pushing the boundaries of what is known. This is what drives us and makes coming to work every day exciting. As a multidisciplinary team, we draw on a range of expertise in physics, chemistry, materials engineering, electrical engineering, and algorithmics to find innovative solutions. Our work environment encourages thinking outside the box and taking risks, with a supportive team to back us up. When we achieve a breakthrough, it’s incredibly satisfying, but we never rest on our laurels. There’s always another question or challenge waiting for us, keeping us motivated and engaged.”

How does this work?

We hold team meetings every week to discuss and address any challenges that arise. The collective dialogue is crucial because it provides an opportunity to bring up problems, even if no one else currently has a solution. Our goal is to foster continuous innovation and keep the creative process flowing. By encouraging interaction and collaboration, we create an environment that allows for diverse thought processes and new ideas to emerge. This is why we place great importance on open communication and mutual stimulation within our team.

From the laboratory to the production line

The integration of advanced and diverse materials into the chip manufacturing process posed a challenge that required the development of new systems and technologies. Nova took on this challenge by transitioning laboratory technologies into commercial systems through the process known as “lab-to-fab.” A noteworthy example of this is  Nova Elipson™ , a cutting-edge metrology system for characterizing materials using Raman spectroscopy – a technology that earned its inventor a Nobel Prize.

The development of the Elipson technology at Nova involved a journey from the lab to the fab. A research project, led by the company’s CTO group and involving collaboration with academia and leading customers, resulted in a prototype that showed the capability to characterize materials using Raman spectroscopy. The team was then expanded to include hardware, software, and theoretical model development units. The technology was then improved and adapted to a commercial product suited for 24/7 operation on production lines. The positive feedback from customers demonstrated the commercial potential of the technology, and it was eventually launched as a Nova product called Nova Elipson. Now, the technology is manufactured and sold commercially.

“Turning a basic technology into a commercially available product is a rare feat in our industry,” says Dr. Wolfling. “This process is a testament to our innovation. We not only added new capabilities, but also established a completely new technology product line for Nova.”

“At Nova, we provide ample opportunities for our researchers to be creative and innovative. However, we are not just an academic institution. Our focus is on meeting the needs of the industry and anticipating future challenges. When we are able to align our innovations with their needs, it brings great satisfaction and success.”

The article first appeared in “The Israeli Hi-Tech Book”, a marketing content magazine published by “The Marker Labels”

Yi, Tell us a little bit about yourself.

I was born and raised in Beijing and attended graduate school in the US at Stony Brook University in Long Island, New York. At Stony Brook, I earned my Ph.D. in physical chemistry. My research was focused on mass spectrometry, instrumentation, and atmospheric new particle formation. I really enjoyed mass spectrometry and instrumentation in general. That’s why when I was looking for a job, I specifically searched for those keywords, and that’s how I found Nova on LinkedIn. I then joined Nova in March 2021. 

What was the subject area of your first and second degrees?

I studied chemistry in college and completed my master’s at the same university in Beijing. After that, I went to the US to complete my Ph.D. 

What made you decide to move to a new country to study?

My parents encouraged me to consider studying abroad, as they didn’t have this opportunity themselves.
I was a little bit hesitant to go abroad after finishing my master’s, but they really encouraged me to. And to be honest, I miss them a lot.

Tell us a little about your experience moving to a new country and studying in a different language and culture.

Moving to the USA was a big change in my life. This was not only my first time in the USA but actually my first time abroad.
I learned a lot during this journey. I had the privilege to work on my Ph.D. in a very friendly environment. The lab team, the group I joined, and my advisor were all very welcoming. In our small research group, I was the only foreign student. All of my group members were US natives, including our host, my advisor, and my fellow students. We are still in touch to this day.

My advisor, particularly, is a good friend and someone I respect greatly. He was very helpful and shared all his knowledge to support me during my PhD studies. He encouraged me to write papers and take on professional speaking engagements. This helped me build my confidence, and eventually, I became the first Ph.D. to graduate from our group.
This positive experience is what led to me joining Nova. 

What made you go into the field of chemistry?

I think I am an observant person. I tend to notice those little changes in my environment and all the details. In addition, I like doing experiments. I liked chemistry already in high school. But to be honest, before college, I was debating between chemistry and literature.
So I chose English as my double major in college. And then, I went on to earn my M.S. in chemistry.

Now that you’ve been at Nova for a year and a half, what is it that makes you choose Nova every day?

I studied mass spectrometry in graduate school and really liked it. I would like to work on mass spectrometers in my career. I choose Nova because I learn new things every day and contribute with my experience and knowledge.

Where do you see yourself in the future?

As you know, the semiconductor industry requires a lot of knowledge, skill, and experience, and I am young and still do not have much experience. In the future, my goal is one day to become an expert in the mass spectrometry instrument field. 

You just recently moved to another position. What are you going to do now?

Previously I was a tech support engineer, mainly providing support wherever I was needed. In my new position, I work as a systems engineer. In this position, I define how some functions should be performed and assure the quality of each function along the way. 

What kind of welcome did you receive at Nova when you joined?

The second most important reason I enjoy working every day is my colleagues. The team I’m working with are people I respect very much due to their kindness and hard work. They are incredibly friendly. These people have several decades of experience in this field and are willing to share their knowledge and support me in my everyday work. 

If you had to choose one thing that characterizes you most- what would it be?

Persistence.
I always feel like I just need to keep going. Especially since completing my Ph.D., I have a deeper understanding of this because sometimes you must face and resolve the problem yourself. And you simply have to be persistent enough to solve it.

Abstract

In the semiconductor industry, ion implantation process has expanded to a wide range of applications with doses and energies spanning several orders of magnitude.
Ion implantation is a very complicated process with many parameters and factors that affect the implant profile.
For example, shadowing effects from higher aspect ratio of photoresist opening, ion channeling or de-channeling effects due to implant angle variations, and dose and implant energy accuracies are all important factors in achieving uniform device performance and good product
yield. In addition, current process controls are done on test wafers with certain time intervals, where broken sample pieces are sent outside of the fab for SIMS analysis.

The turnaround time is generally long, and the results often do not reflect the actual production conditions. It is known in some cases that, while the control charts are in good standing, the product has failed to meet its specification.
The demand for consistent implantation material is becoming more and more important. Hence, the desire for better implant process control is sorely needed.

This article explores how utilizing Secondary Ion Mass Spectroscopy, (SIMS) in-line to measure peak concentration, peak depth, and dose simultaneously to provide better implant process control.

Background and Introduction

The implantation of ions, mainly Boron, Phosphorous, and Arsenic, have a long history of use in semiconductor manufacturing. By implanting ionized atoms into a semiconductor material n-wells or p-wells can be created, changing the conductivity of the material, a technique that is often used to control threshold voltages of MOSFET devices. The creation of p-n junctions via ion implantation can prevent current flow to the substrate. Alternatively, ion implantation can create contacts to lower contact resistance and prevent diode formation. In the semiconductor industry, ion implantation process has expanded to a wide range of applications, as shown in Figure 1, with doses and energies spanning several orders of magnitude. Depending on the device, a large number of implant operations may be required in the manufacturing process flow.

Figure 1. Ion implantation applications in silicon technology at various doses and implant energies1

After implantation, the concentration distribution of the implanted ions within the material will resemble a Pearson IV distribution, with the peak depth being controlled by the implantation energy and the concentration being controlled by the implantation dose. Due to the Pearson IV distribution of the implanted ions, the only metrology method capable of measuring the peak concentration, peak depth, and dose simultaneously is Secondary Ion Mass Spectroscopy, or SIMS. By sputtering down through a material, a depth profile of the implanted atoms can be measured, giving a complete look of the shape, amplitude, and depth of the implanted ion distribution.

Figure 2 shows the distribution of implanted Boron in Silicon using a TRIM/SRIM Monte Carlo simulation.

Figure 2. Using TRIM/SRIM, (a) Monte Carlo simulation of ion implantation, and (b) Distribution of implanted Boron atoms in Silicon.

Ion Implant Metrology Challenges

Ion implantation is a very complicated process with many parameters and factors that affect the implant profile. For example, shadowing effects from higher aspect ratio of photoresist opening, ion channeling or de-channeling effects
due to implant angle variations, and dose and implant energy accuracies are all important factors in achieving uniform device performance and good product yield. In addition,current process controls are done on test wafers with certain
time intervals, where broken sample pieces are sent outside of the fab for SIMS analysis. The turnaround time is generally long, and the results often do not reflect the actual production conditions. It is known in some cases that, while the control charts are in good standing, the product has failed to meet its specification. The demand for consistent implantation material is becoming more and more important. Hence, the desire for better implant process control is sorely needed.

Metrion®

Nova’s Metrion® is a 300mm wafer-level in-line SIMS metrology system developed to seamlessly integrate with an automated high-volume manufacturing (HVM) fab environment.
It is a fully automated recipe driven metrology tool utilizing a Magnetic Sector mass analyzer to provide high quality dynamic SIMS depth profiles. It has an O2 ion source that ranges from low to medium high in beam energy for a variety of applications. Because Metrion® utilizes a low voltage secondary ion extraction field, it enables stable and repeatable measurements within a 50um x 50um metrology pad on product wafers. With multiple parallel detectors, Metrion® can measure multiple species simultaneously through the entire film stack, providing high data density capable of achieving higher depth resolution.
Process automation with built-in film analysis and recipe management make the system easy to use and shorten the time to data.

B-implant Application

Boron is one of the most commonly implanted species in semiconductors. It has one fewer valence electron than Silicon, which upon implant, results in a p-type semiconductor. As shown in Fig 1, Boron implant is used in a wide range of applications, in all types of devices in both logic and memory space.

Figure 3. Metrion® vs Lab SIMS results for 1e+15 Dose B Implant in Si wafers with Implant Energies of 5, 10, 20, and 30keV.

Figure 3 compares various B-implant SIMS profiles between Metrion® and lab equipment. As can be seen, the Boron concentration vs depth profiles from Metrion® matches very well with results from lab SIMS. With a full wafer measurement capability, wafer maps can easily be generated from measurements of multiple locations on the wafers, enabling within wafer uniformity process control charts.
Figure 4 shows a wafer map example of the Boron peak concentration variation across the wafer, for the 10keV implanted B sample.

Figure 4. Wafer map of B peak concentration, 10keV Implant

As a HVM metrology tool, precision of the measurement is an important metric. In Figure 5, five profiles, which were measured at locations adjacent to each other as proxy for repeatability testing, are overlayed. As can be seen, all the profiles match very well with each other, demonstrating the stability of Metrion® SIMS measurements. For most implant dopants, a relative standard deviation (RSD) of <2% can typically be achieved.

Figure 5. Overlayed of 5x repeat B-implant profiles

Summary

Nova’s Metrion® system is an innovative SIMS platform designed for the Fab environment, seamlessly integrating into an automated factory workflow. The system is engineered to deliver wafer-based high precision metrology results for process control in logic and memory devices, as demonstrated on ion implant applications. This is enabling Statistical Process Control (SPC) of the ion implant process parameters and providing in-line data correlating to electrical performance.

Authors: Benjamin Hickey, Wei Ti Li, Sarah Okada, Lawrence Rooney, Feng Zhang

First published at SIMS 23

Through the changes over the past 30 years, Gila is proud to say that one of the company’s strongest founding values are creativity, accountability, motivation, and commitment.

Gila, tell us a little about yourself

I joined Nova after my maternity leave, with my twins, Tomer and Maya. Before then, I worked in the Israeli Embassy in Washington DC while studying behavioral science at the University of Maryland. Ten years ago, I studied logistics at Bar Ilan University. For the last 20 years I’m in a relationship with Yair and my hobbies are Bridge and sports, yet, when it comes to sports, I mostly enjoy watching them… not so much doing…).

What are you doing at Nova today?

When I started working at Nova, I was the seventh employee. Currently, nearly 30 years later, I am the logistics manager at Nova, responsible for the company’s import and export activities and Nova’s warehouses worldwide. Since joining Nova almost 30 years ago, I have held several positions in different departments. In the beginning, I did most of the administrative tasks, purchasing, travels, import/export, responsible for the leasehold improvements in the various locations Nova moved to and from during the growth periods (from building #1 and adding a lab in building #3, then moving into building #18 and then the whole building #22. As the company grew, I focused on import/export and then received additional responsibility for the global warehouses.

What is your first memory of Nova?

I’ve been at Nova so long that choosing just one memory is difficult, but the first memory that comes into my mind, was when we received our first two purchase orders, at almost the same time for multiple systems from very significant companies in the semi-industry. It was a sense of a dream come true. I can’t explain the enthusiasm and the emotions that followed.

Another memory is when a delegation from a very significant customer came to visit us at the office. The delegation on behalf of the customer was twice the size of Nova at the time! I remember looking at the delegation representatives and counting them one by one. I was sitting at the entrance, and a constant stream of people with suits kept coming in. It was amazing.

In general, I remember vividly that Nova’s innovative and unique solutions together with excellent customer support were the foundations for the success of the first 2-3 years. 

Very exciting. So, what has motivated you to continue 30 years in the company?

I have held quite a few positions, and different office locations yet the most impressive office is the one that we moved into 3 years ago.

It is unique in the hi-tech industry to work for such a long time, you need self-motivation and invest a lot of personal effort to keep up with the pace of changes while keeping a high level of professionalism and hard work– “Never Ever Give Up” was the motto of the company from the beginning and I adhered to it all these years!
When I look back, I see that I accomplished different things in different places. The company grew, more people joined the team, and there have always been challenges that added to the interest.
I truly believe that facing our fears, taking responsibility, and demonstrating determination are the key to success for many years.

What has changed in Nova over the years you have been here?

In the beginning, there was more intimacy since we were such a small group. Each one of us knew everything about everything. We were exposed to everything: every purchase, every challenge, every agreement, and also every failure. I can say that there are Nova’s systems from those early days that still work at our customers’ sites.

What hasn’t changed and has been a foundational part of Nova’s corporate culture from the beginning is the tagline of passion, innovation, and performance. I think these things have remained at Nova and are a significant part of our values even today. Another thing that still exists today that has been a defining characteristic of Nova since the beginning are the special, creative, and highly motivated people. The unique organizational culture that was built in the first years continues.  I hear this from new employees all the time- that they feel the same positive vibe as it was from the beginning.

It’s a bit of a cliché to say that Nova is my second family.

That’s amazing! What do you wish for Nova in the next 30 years?

That we continue to focus on innovation and technological leadership. I also hope the organizational culture and atmosphere remain as they have been and still are now and that we continue to dream and conquer new heights.

Hi, Shira. Let’s start by sharing a little bit about yourself.

I’m 23 years old, married, and have a toddler son named Uriel. I’ve been working in high-tech for three years now.

I studied program engineering for two years in a seminar called “Elisheva Girls” in Jerusalem.

In my previous position, I worked as a developer. Here at Nova, I transferred to automation development, and I’ve been here since December 2021. I am an Orthodox Jew and live in a warm community of like-minded people in Rehovot.

So, what are the differences between development and automation development?

Standard development involves coding the products sold by the company. However, automation development concentrates on developing the tools or assisting programs that support the product development process.
Those tools help the developer check the code’s correctness and ensure the product is functional in all its developed versions.
We, the automation developers, are running a massive number of tests, allowing us to test our product every day, according to the updated version.

What made you decide to work at Nova?

Before coming to Nova, I worked in Tel Aviv at a company that creates personalized projects for its clients. Despite the interest and the challenge, I wanted to join a more global and stable company that would encourage personal growth. During my first interview with Nova, I was pleasantly surprised to hear, “In two years, if you’d like to change your position or evolve into a new place or study a different technology, we love that, and we are open to it.” That was one of the things that drew me in. The opportunity for personal and professional development, and of course, the fact that it is a large stable company, gave me a feeling of safety. I live in Rehovot, and Nova is also very close to home for me, especially considering that there aren’t many opportunities south of Tel Aviv.

As an Orthodox religious woman, what were the things that supported your integration process?

First of all, my colleagues’ respectful behavior was helpful. In my opinion, this comes from the top down, beginning with the management. Everyone here is encouraged to show ultimate respect and support each other’s personal and professional self-actualization.
From an aesthetic point of view, the offices are gorgeous, which has been a huge benefit for me. It’s fun to work in a beautiful environment.
And there is also my personal point of view, as an Ultra-Orthodox Jewish woman: this was part of the discussion from the start, already in the first interview. They asked me to state my needs and requirements and adjusted themselves accordingly. This was astonishing and exceeded the standards of any other company I worked for. My team manager always suggests arranging one-on-one meetings with an open door, and everyone shows respect, sensitivity, and consideration of my values and religious needs.

In my opinion, everything is well-balanced here. My values and religion take priority, and Nova ultimately respects this and supports me. I asked to be seated in a certain location, and they approved it. In addition, as a new mother, I asked to leave an hour earlier every day, and it was also approved. I feel respected and appreciated, so it is very satisfying.

How is your unique background expressed in the professional aspect?

In the professional aspect, I believe I’m not different in any way from anyone. I am doing my best to be professional, just like any other team member. Thanks to the sensitivity and care for my needs, I give 100% of myself at work with the maximum professionalism, dignity, and respect to the place that treats me in such a way.

If you’d advise your friends, colleagues, or other people to join the Nova team, what would you tell them? 

First of all, I’d tell them I work here, so that’s an excellent reason for them to join (laughing). Jokes aside, I’d say to them that working at Nova gives you a sense of joy and positivity at work–which is essential, as we all know. And despite the stress and deadlines, the employee always comes first–their needs are the first priority. In my perspective, this is a distinguishing value and has led to my acceptance in the workplace.
In addition, I’d tell them about the remarkable technologies and the high level of business and tech expertise. 

What are the challenges that Orthodox women are dealing with in a technological work environment? And how is it possible to deal with such challenges?

The Orthodox woman is very modest and needs to be able to set her limits when sharing a workspace with men. Communication with men at work should be mostly business related, respectful, and clear of personal talk. An Orthodox woman wouldn’t sit in a closed room with men, but here at Nova, everything is open space, so this matter isn’t an issue.
In Orthodox houses with multiple kids, there needs to be a flexible work schedule. This, too, is addressed here because at Nova, the work is hybrid and allows flexibility in the working hours, too.

In the community you’re coming from, are there some cases where you feel judged about the fact that you’re an Orthodox woman who works in the technology industry?

In my own community, as well as among the general population, the fact that I am a working Orthodox woman is completely natural. It has been quite a common phenomenon for young Orthodox girls and women to study technology and integrate in the biggest technology companies. I have friends who work at Google, Microsoft, and more. Even though in the past it was considered deviant, nowadays, it is natural and acceptable.

What do you think is the key to this massive successful integration of Orthodox women in technology work environments?

I think that what makes it possible is the will and need of Orthodox women for professional development and self-realization, along with being able to contribute financially. Also, a certain open-mindedness has been developed both within religious institutions and high-tech companies themselves. It creates opportunities to integrate different communities that were not previously included in high-tech companies.

Amazing! How do you see the future of Orthodox women in the technology market and other markets?

I believe that the future is already here. All my female colleagues from my studies are working in great companies these days, and this phenomenon is only widening and evolving. My assessment is that this will continue to trend in that same direction, and Orthodox women will be promoted to senior and key positions. They have all the qualifications and skills for that to happen.

Last question, if you’ll allow it: Would you wish for your children to also follow your same path?

Certainly. I will encourage them to do so, to take their talents and desires and invest in them. I won’t promote high-tech if it doesn’t interest them, but I’ll absolutely encourage them to pursue the professional paths they’re passionate about. However, I would be pleased if they chose high-tech because it is my domain and I love it very much.