PAC-G: Platform for Advanced Characterisation Grenoble

Services

PAC-G provides a range of services, from consultancy work to executing sample characterisation experiments and analysing data. We provide access to large-scale facilities, such as synchrotron and neutron sources, and offer a cost-effective and rapid service tailored to the micro- and nano-electronics industry. Through us, industry can access cutting-edge characterisation tools without going through selection processes. We also offer access to some of the world’s most knowledgeable experts in the field of material characterisation.

Our services have applications in R&D, the various stages of product development, failure analysis and process optimisation. Some of the main areas that we specialise in are shown below. Please visit our dedicated applications and techniques page for more information.

Evaluation & Plan

Definition / development of sample environments and testing methodologies

Sample Preparation & Characterisation

Scientific support and technical assistance throughout the test

Data Analysis and Reporting

Support in data analysis and interpretation of the results

Customer Solutions

Confidentiality levels adapted to clients needs, competitive pricing and delays

Customer Challenge

Consulting on the best technique to use (no prior knowledge of advanced techniques required)


Stress and Strain Measurement

Revealing stress and strain evolution during manufacture and use.

Crystal quality determination

Applications in qualification, wafer characterisation and new process development.

Interface characterisation

Probing buried interfaces to evaluate manufacturing processes, analyse failure and delamination.

Process Monitoring

In-situ process characterisation and optimisation of processing conditions.

High resolution Imaging

Imaging electronic components in 2D/3D down to nanometre resolutions for failure analysis.

Irradiation Studies

Investigating reliability and SEE sensitivity of electronic components and systems.


What is PAC-G

PAC-G is a dedicated gateway giving the micro- and nano-electronics industry quick and easy access to some of the world’s most advanced characterisation facilities. We are unique, offering a single, unified access point to large-scale facilities such as synchrotron- and neutron-based sources. This gives us an extremely broad portfolio of individual characterisation techniques, complementary in nature, that we can offer our clients. PAC-G is part of the Technological Research Institute, Nanoelec (Programme d’Investissements d’Avenir, IRT Nanoelec under grant ANR-10-AIRT-05). Please visit the Nanoelec website for more information.

Composées de détecteurs nouvelle génération, ces caméras ultra sensibles permettent d’effectuer des observations scientifiques très performantes.
Luca CAPASSO, Technician on BM05 works on the diffractometer
France, Grenoble, ESRF,


Who is PAC-G

PAC-G has four member characterisation institutes. These are the European Neutron Source (ILL), the European Synchrotron Radiation Facility (ESRF), the GENESIS neutron generator at the Laboratory of Subatomic Physics & Cosmology (LPSC-CNRS) and the Laboratoire d’Electronique et de Technologies de l’Information at the Commissariat à l’Energie Atomique (CEA-LETI).

In addition to the member institutes, PAC-G also has four industrial partners and one associated partner. These are STMicroelectronics, Soitec, Schneider Electric, IROC Technologies and SERMA Technologies, respectively. For more information about the four members institutes, partners and members of the PAC-G please expand the sections below.

PAC-G Members

Partners

PAC-G Team


Why PAC-G

The PAC-G member institutes offer a unique range of capabilities that cannot be matched anywhere else in the world. Furthermore, many of the techniques that they offer are complementary in nature.

Through PAC-G, our clients have access to a unique multidisciplinary team of knowledge experts. It’s also a more efficient and convenient way of working.

PAC-G offers mail-in services and can carry out proprietary work under NDA/CDA agreements. There are also opportunities for long term collaborations.

Access to unique information

In situ and non-destructive

Knowledge experts


Virtual tour

Discover four European Synchrotron Radiation Facility (ESRF) beamlines, active in the domain of microelectronics, that industrials can access thanks to IRT Nanoelec Platform for Advanced Characterisation-Grenoble (PAC-G).

You can find here a link to the IRT Nanoelec’s neutron source TENIS, at the Institut Laue-Langevin: TENIS virtual tour.

You can also find a tour of the ESRF ID01 beamline here : ID01 virtual tour.


News


You can catch up with members of the PAC-G team at any of the events listed below.

Events


FAQ

Below we’ve listed some of the most common questions that we get asked. Please click on a question to see the answer. If you have other questions for us then please contact us

What is the PAC-G?

PAC-G stands for Platform for Advanced Characterisation Grenoble. It is a single entry-point for the advanced characterisation services provided by the European Synchrotron (ESRF), the European neutron source (ILL) and the Laboratory of Subatomic physics and cosmology (LPSC). The particularity of the PAC-G is to address the semiconductors market, specifically micro- and nano- electronics instead of having a broad range of sectors. The access is done in a fast and cost- competitive manner, with confidentiality levels adapted to your needs, which makes it particularly interesting for industrial research. Our scientists will set up the instruments beamlines and, depending on the service chosen, will perform the measurements and analyze the data.

No need for proposals, peer reviews or publications. We secure beamtime and also provide advice on the best technique (or combination of techniques) to use based on your characterization challenge.

How was PAC-G created?

How do I use PAC-G characterization services?

I am an experienced user, can I reserve only the beamtime to perform my tests?

I have no specific knowledge in characterization or in the use of synchrotron X-rays or neutrons, is PAC-G for me?

What information can PAC-G techniques provide?

How much does it cost to access PAC-G facilities?

How much time does it take to get the results?

What are typical applications of PAC-G techniques?

What is the difference between using PAC-G’s services and its operator facilities (ESRF, ILL, LPSC)?

Do I need to publish my results?


Contact PAC-G

+33 (0)4 76 88 29 05

71 Avenue des Martyrs,

38000 Grenoble – FRANCE