Abstract: A method and device to monitor integrated temperature in a heat cycle process is disclosed. A monitor wafer, according to one embodiment, comprises a substrate, typically a silicon wafer, having films of two conductive materials of selected electrical resistances, sequentially deposited thereon. Suitable conductive materials react with each other in the presence of heat to yield a layer of a third, non-conductive or less conductive, material at the interface of the two conductive materials. The thickness of each of the films of the two conductive materials is selected such that the entire thickness is not consumed in the formation of the layer of a third material. Following the heat exposure, electrical resistance of the monitor wafer is determined and compared with the monitor wafer's selected pre-heat electrical resistance. The change in electrical resistance is then correlated to temperature by a thermocouple probe on a set of test wafers having the same blanket metal structure as the monitor wafer.

Abstract: The preferred embodiment of the present invention provides increased conductivity between interlevel interconnection lines. The preferred embodiment uses sidewall spacers on the sides of the interconnection lines to increase the contact area between interconnection lines and interconnect studs. This increase in area improves connection resistance and allows further device scaling without unacceptable decreases in the conductivity of the connection, and without adding significant expense in the fabrication process.

Abstract: The present disclosure sets forth an improved integrated circuit in which circuit elements, adjacent to a fuse, are protected by barriers positioned adjacent the fuse. In the improved integrated circuit the barriers are non-frangible, high melting point structures buried in the passivating layer, covering a wiring layer containing a fuse, and are between the fuse and adjacent circuit elements in the wiring layer structures.Also taught is a method of protecting circuit elements adjacent a fuse comprising the steps of depositing an insulating layer on the surface of a semiconductor device having active regions therein, forming a plurality of fuses and circuit elements in said layer, coating said fuses and elements with a second insulating layer, patterning said second insulating layer to form grooves between each of said fuses and any adjacent fuse or circuit element, and depositing a high melting point and non-frangible material in said grooves.

Abstract: The present disclosure sets forth an improved integrated circuit in which circuit elements, adjacent to a fuse, are protected by barriers positioned adjacent the fuse. In the improved integrated circuit the barriers are non-frangible, high melting point structures buried in the passivating layer, covering a wiring layer containing a fuse, and are between the fuse and adjacent circuit elements in the wiring layer structures.Also taught is a method of protecting circuit elements adjacent a fuse comprising the steps of depositing an insulating layer on the surface of a semiconductor device having active regions therein, forming a plurality of fuses and circuit elements in said layer, coating said fuses and elements with a second insulating layer, patterning said second insulating layer to form grooves between each of said fuses and any adjacent fuse or circuit element, and depositing a high melting point and non-frangible material in said grooves.

Abstract: A method for forming reactive metal silicide layers at two spaced locations on a silicon substrate, which layers can be of different thicknesses and/or of different reactive metals is provided. A sililcon substrate has a silicon dioxide layer formed thereon followed by the formation of a polysilicon layer on the silicon dioxide layer, followed by forming a layer of refractory metal, e.g. titanium on the polysilicon. A non-reflecting material, e.g. titanium nitride is formed on the refractory metal. Conventional photoresist techniques are used to pattern the titanium nitride, the titanium and polysilicon, and the titanium is reacted with the contacted polysilicon to form a titanium silicide. The portion of silicon dioxide overlying the silicon substrate is then removed and the exposed substrate is ion implanted to form source/drain regions.