Abstract:
PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To combine a laser actuation fuse with an electric starting fuse in order to increase total yield of product. SOLUTION: A plurality of different types of fuses 510, each serving a specified purpose, are arranged on a semiconductor integrated circuit wafer, such that a type of fuse can be actuated without missing the function of different types of fuses. A first type of fuse, e.g. a laser actuation fuse, is principally used for repairing a wafer level defect and a second type of fuse, e.g. an electric starting fuse, is used for repairing a defect found after an IC chip is mounted on a module and a stress is applied to the module during burn-in test. The module level defect is an unit cell trouble corrected normally by an electrically programmed fuse, in order to actuate a module level redundancy arrangement.
Abstract:
PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To array a larger number of fuses densely by electrically connecting at least two fuses that contain a fusing part arrayed in a first level of a multi- layer semiconductor device, respectively. SOLUTION: Each fuse 13 contains a part 15 that is actually fused. The part 15 to be fused is arrayed in a first metal level M1. Like the other part of the fuse 13, the part 15 that is actually fused is made typically of a electrically conductive material, especially aluminum. A termination of each part 15 to be fused is connected to a connector bias 17 that connects that fuse 13 with a connector 19. A gate contact 23 is vertical to a direction of the fuse 13. The gate contact 23 can be connected to a ground that is common to all of existing fuse circuits. Therefore, fuse density is doubled without narrowing the fuse pitch.
Abstract:
A semiconductor chip (100), in accordance with the present invention, includes a substrate (102) and a crack stop structure (300). The crack structure includes a first conductive line (108) disposed over the substrate and at least two first contacts (104) connected to the substrate and to the first conductive line. The at least two first contacts are spaced apart from each other and extend longitudinally along a length of the first conductive line. A second conductive line (112) is disposed over a portion of the first conductive line, and at least two second contacts (116) are connected to the first conductive line and the second conductive line. The at least two second contacts are spaced apart from each other and extend longitudinally along a length of the second conductive line.
Abstract:
A method of making a photolithography mask for use in creating an electrical fuse on a semiconductor structure comprises initially determining a pattern for a desired electrical fuse, with the pattern including a fuse portion of substantially constant width except for a localized narrowed region of the fuse portion at which the electrical fuse is designed to blow. The method then includes providing a photolithography mask substrate and creating on the photolithography mask substrate a fuse mask element adapted to absorb transmission of an energy beam. The fuse mask element has a first mask portion of substantially constant width corresponding to the desired electrical fuse pattern portion of substantially constant width, and a second mask portion corresponding to the localized narrowed region of the fuse portion. The second mask portion comprises either an additional mask element spaced from the first mask portion, a narrowed width portion, or a gap in the first mask portion. The second mask portion is of a configuration sufficient to create a latent image of the electrical fuse pattern, including the localized narrowed region of the fuse portion at which the electrical fuse is designed to blow, upon passing the energy beam through the photolithography mask and onto a resist layer. Preferably, the fuse portion of substantially constant width on the determined fuse pattern has a design width less than about 0.25 mu m, and wherein the localized narrowed region of the fuse portion has a design width less than the design width of the fuse portion.
Abstract:
In order to form a cavity for a fusible link in a semiconductor device, an etchable material is applied over and around a portion of the fusible link and the etchable material is coated with a protection layer. The access abutting the etchable material is formed through the protection layer. After the removal of the etchable material, the access is partially filled with a refilling material to thereby form the cavity.
Abstract:
A method of making a photolithography mask for use in creating an electrical fuse on a semiconductor structure comprises initially determining a pattern for a desired electrical fuse, with the pattern including a fuse portion of substantially constant width except for a localized narrowed region of the fuse portion at which the electrical fuse is designed to blow. The method then includes providing a photolithography mask substrate and creating on the photolithography mask substrate a fuse mask element adapted to absorb transmission of an energy beam. The fuse mask element has a first mask portion of substantially constant width corresponding to the desired electrical fuse pattern portion of substantially constant width, and a second mask portion corresponding to the localized narrowed region of the fuse portion. The second mask portion comprises either an additional mask element spaced from the first mask portion, a narrowed width portion, or a gap in the first mask portion. The second mask portion is of a configuration sufficient to create a latent image of the electrical fuse pattern, including the localized narrowed region of the fuse portion at which the electrical fuse is designed to blow, upon passing the energy beam through the photolithography mask and onto a resist layer. Preferably, the fuse portion of substantially constant width on the determined fuse pattern has a design width less than about 0.25 mu m, and wherein the localized narrowed region of the fuse portion has a design width less than the design width of the fuse portion.
Abstract:
A fuse for semiconductor devices, in accordance with the present invention, includes a cathode (104) including a first dopant type, and an anode (102) including a second dopant type where the second dopant type is opposite the first dopant type. A fuse link (106) connects the cathode and the anode and includes the second dopant type. The fuse link and the cathode form a junction (111) therebetween, and the junction is configured to be reverse biased relative to a cathode potential and an anode potential. A conductive layer (103) is formed across the junction such that current flowing at the junction is diverted into the conductive layer to enhance material migration to program the fuse.
Abstract:
A semiconductor device, in accordance with the present invention, includes a plurality of fuses (106) disposed on a same level in a fuse bank (104). A plurality of conductive lines (408) are routed through the fuse bank in between the fuses. A terminal via window (405) is formed in a passivation layer over the plurality of conductive lines and over the plurality of fuses, the terminal via window being formed to expose the fuses in the fuse bank.
Abstract:
An integrated circuit has primary devices and redundant devices being selective substituted for the primary devices through at least one fuse. The fuse includes a first layer having at least one fuse link region, a second layer over the first layer and cavities in the second layer above the fuse link region.
Abstract:
A plurality of fuses of different types, each type of fuse serving a specific purpose are positioned on a semiconductor integrated circuit wafer, wherein activating one type of fuse does not incapacitate fuses of a different type. Fuses of the first type, e.g., laser activated fuses, are primarily used for repairing defects at the wafer level, whereas fuses of the second type, e.g., electrically activated fuses, are used for repairing defects found after mounting the IC chips on a module and stressing the module at burn-in test. Defects at the module level typically are single cell failures which are cured by the electrically programmed fuses to activate module level redundancies.