Abstract: A method for fabricating a semiconductor device includes forming a fuse over a substrate, the fuse having a barrier layer, a metal layer, and an anti-reflective layer stacked, selectively removing the anti-reflective layer, forming an insulation layer over a whole surface of the resultant structure including the fuse, and performing repair-etching such that part of the insulation layer remains above the fuse.

Abstract: A fuse base insulating region, for example, an insulating interlayer or a compensation region disposed in an insulating interlayer, is formed on a substrate. An etch stop layer is formed on the fuse base insulating region and forming an insulating interlayer having a lower dielectric constant than the first fuse base insulating region on the etch stop layer. A trench extending through the insulating interlayer and the etch stop layer and at least partially into the fuse base insulating region is formed. A fuse is formed in the trench. The fuse base insulating region may have a greater mechanical strength and/or density than the second insulating interlayer.

Abstract: A fuse used in a semiconductor memory device. The fuse is formed with a “X” shape where one circuit may be connected simultaneously to a plurality of other circuits. As a result, a fuse region is reduced, and the cutting number is also decreased, thereby lowering the possibility of defects resulting from cutting errors.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a first insulating film formed above a semiconductor substrate, a fuse formed above the first insulating film, a second insulating film formed above the first insulating film and the fuse and including an opening reaching the fuse, and a third insulating film formed above the second insulating film and in the opening.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is presented for obtaining high resolution positional feedback from motion stages 52 in indexing systems 10 without incurring the costs associated with providing high resolution positional feedback from the entire range of motion by combining low resolution/low cost feedback devices 72 with high resolution/high cost feedback devices 74, 76, 78, 80, 82, 84, 86, 88.

Abstract: An electrically programmable fuse includes an anode, a cathode, and a fuse link conductively connecting the cathode with the anode, which is programmable by applying a programming current. The anode and the fuse link each include a polysilicon layer and a silicide layer formed on the polysilicon layer, and the cathode includes the polysilicon layer and a partial silicide layer formed on a predetermined portion of the polysilicon layer of the cathode located adjacent to a cathode junction where the cathode and the fuse link meet.

Abstract: In a replacement gate approach, the semiconductor material of the gate electrode structures may be efficiently removed during a wet chemical etch process, while this material may be substantially preserved in electronic fuses. Consequently, well-established semiconductor-based electronic fuses may be used instead of requiring sophisticated metal-based fuse structures. The etch selectivity of the semiconductor material may be modified on the basis of ion implantation or electron bombardment.

Abstract: Novel low-resistivity tungsten film stack schemes and methods for depositing them are provided. The film stacks include a mixed tungsten/tungsten-containing compound (e.g., WC) layer as a base for deposition of tungsten nucleation and/or bulk layers. According to various embodiments, these tungsten rich layers may be used as barrier and/or adhesion layers in tungsten contact metallization and bitlines. Deposition of the tungsten-rich layers involves exposing the substrate to a halogen-free organometallic tungsten precursor. The mixed tungsten/tungsten carbide layer is a thin, low resistivity film with excellent adhesion and a good base for subsequent tungsten plug or line formation.

Abstract: Some embodiments include methods of forming graphene-containing switches. A bottom electrode may be formed over a base, and a first electrically conductive structure may be formed to extend upwardly from the bottom electrode. Dielectric material may be formed along a sidewall of the first electrically conductive structure, while leaving a portion of the bottom electrode exposed. A graphene structure may be formed to be electrically coupled with the exposed portion of the bottom electrode. A second electrically conductive structure may be formed on an opposing side of the graphene structure from the first electrically conductive structure. A top electrode may be formed over the graphene structure and electrically coupled with the second electrically conductive structure. The first and second electrically conductive structures may be configured to provide an electric field across the graphene structure.

Abstract: An embodiment of a testing architecture of integrated circuits on a wafer is described of the type including at least one first circuit of a structure TEG realized in a scribe line providing separation between at least one first and one second integrated circuit. The architecture includes at least one pad shared by a second circuit inside at least one of these first and second integrated circuit and the first circuit, as well as a switching circuitry coupled to the at least one pad and to these first and second circuits.

Abstract: An antifuse having a link including a region of unsilicided semiconductor material may be programmed at reduced voltage and current and with reduced generation of heat by electromigration of metal or silicide from a cathode into the region of unsilicided semiconductor material to form an alloy having reduced bulk resistance. The cathode and anode are preferably shaped to control regions from which and to which material is electrically migrated. After programming, additional electromigration of material can return the antifuse to a high resistance state. The process by which the antifuse is fabricated is completely compatible with fabrication of field effect transistors and the antifuse may be advantageously formed on isolation structures.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes an upper interconnect, a lower interconnect, insulating layers interposed between the upper interconnect and the lower interconnect, a connecting portion that is formed in the insulating layers and connects the upper interconnect and the lower interconnect, and an element that is placed in one of the insulating layers and has a conductive layer connected to the connecting portion. The connecting portion is formed over the lower interconnect and the end portions of the conductive layer of the element, and is in contact with the upper face of the lower interconnect and the upper faces and side faces of the end portions of the conductive layer of the element.

Abstract: A method for forming a semiconductor structure includes forming a plurality of fuses over a semiconductor substrate; forming a plurality of interconnect layers over the semiconductor substrate and a plurality of interconnect pads at a top surface of the plurality of interconnect layers; and forming a seal ring, wherein the seal ring surrounds active circuitry formed in and on the semiconductor substrate, the plurality of interconnect pads, and the plurality of fuses, wherein each fuse of the plurality of fuses is electrically connected to a corresponding interconnect pad of the plurality of interconnect pads and the seal ring, and wherein when each fuse of the plurality of fuses is in a conductive state, the fuse electrically connects the corresponding interconnect pad to the seal ring.

Abstract: The present invention provides a technology capable of improving an operation reliability of a semiconductor device. Particularly, a fuse material which constitutes the copper can be prevented from migrating being locked in the recesses or the grooves after a blowing process. A semiconductor device includes an insulating layer including a concave-convex-shaped upper part; and a fuse formed on the insulating layer.

Abstract: Many inventions are disclosed. Some aspects are directed to MEMS, and/or methods for use with and/or for fabricating MEMS, that supply, store, and/or trap charge on a mechanical structure disposed in a chamber. Various structures may be disposed in the chamber and employed in supplying, storing and/or trapping charge on the mechanical structure. In some aspects, a breakable link, a thermionic electron source and/or a movable mechanical structure are employed. The breakable link may comprise a fuse. In one embodiment, the movable mechanical structure is driven to resonate. In some aspects, the electrical charge enables a transducer to convert vibrational energy to electrical energy, which may be used to power circuit(s), device(s) and/or other purpose(s). In some aspects, the electrical charge is employed in changing the resonant frequency of a mechanical structure and/or generating an electrostatic force, which may be repulsive.

Abstract: An integrated circuit including a substrate of a semiconductor material and first metal portions of a first metallization level or of a first via level defining pixels of an image. The pixels are distributed in first pixels, for each of which the first metal portion is connected to the substrate, and in second pixels, for each of which the first metal portion is separated from the substrate by at least one insulating portion.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes an electric fuse formed on a substrate. The electric fuse includes: a first interconnect formed on one end side thereof; a second interconnect formed in a layer different from a layer in which the first interconnect is formed; a first via provided in contact with the first interconnect and the second interconnect to connect those interconnects; a third interconnect formed on another end side thereof, the third interconnect being formed in the same layer in which the first interconnect is formed, as being separated from the first interconnect; and a second via provided in contact with the third interconnect and the second interconnect to connect those interconnects, the second via being lower in resistance than the first via. The electric fuse is disconnected by a flowing-out portion to be formed of a conductive material forming the electric fuse which flows outwardly during disconnection.

Abstract: An anti-fuse memory cell having a variable thickness gate dielectric. The variable thickness dielectric has a thick portion and a thin portion, where the thin portion has at least one dimension less than a minimum feature size of a process technology. The thin portion can be rectangular in shape or triangular in shape. The anti-fuse transistor can be used in a two-transistor memory cell having an access transistor with a gate dielectric substantially identical in thickness to the thick portion of the variable thickness gate dielectric of the anti-fuse transistor.

Abstract: An electrical fuse structure includes a top fuse, a bottom fuse and a via conductive layer positioned between the top fuse and the bottom fuse for providing electric connection. The top fuse includes a top fuse length and the top fuse length is equal to or larger than a predetermined value. The bottom fuse includes a bottom fuse length larger than the top fuse length.

Abstract: A polycrystalline fuse includes a first layer of polycrystalline material on a substrate and a second layer of a silicide material on the first layer. The first and second layers are shaped to form first and second terminal portions of a first width joined along a length of the fuse by a fuse portion of a second width narrower than the first width. First and second contacts are connected to the first and second terminal portions respectively. The silicide material being discontinuous in a terminal region of the second layer along the length of the fuse.

Abstract: A method for forming a semiconductor structure is provided to prevent energy that is used to blow at least one fuse formed on a metal layer above a semiconductor substrate from causing damage on the structure. The semiconductor structure includes a device, guard ring, protection ring, and at least one protection layer. The device is constructed on the semiconductor substrate underneath the fuse. A seal ring, which surrounds the fuse, is constructed on at least one metal layer between the device and the fuse for confining the energy therein. The protection layer is formed within the seal ring, on at least one metal layer between the device and the fuse for shielding the device from being directly exposed to the energy.

Abstract: A conductor-filled damage propagation barrier is formed extending into a low-k dielectric layer between a fuse and an adjacent circuit element for preventing propagation of damage during a fuse blow operation. Conductor material filling the damage propagation barrier is formed from the same conductor layer as that used to form an interconnect structure.

Abstract: A method for forming a functional element includes a first step of forming an insulating layer composed of an insulator phase of a transition metal oxide serving as a metal-to-insulator transition material, the transition metal oxide being mainly composed of vanadium dioxide, and a second step of causing part of the insulating layer to transition to a metallic phase, in which the insulator phase differs from the metallic phase in terms of electrical resistivity and/or light transmittance.

Abstract: A repairable memory cell in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure includes a storage element positioned between a first and a second electrode, and a repair element positioned between the storage element and at least one of the first electrode and the second electrode.

Abstract: An improved electrical-fuse (e-fuse) device including a dielectric layer having a first top surface, two conductive features embedded in the dielectric layer and a fuse element. Each conductive feature has a second top surface and a metal cap directly on the second top surface. Each metal cap has a third top surface that is above the first top surface of the dielectric layer. The fuse element is on the third top surface of each metal cap and on the first top surface of the dielectric layer. A method of forming the e-fuse device is also provided.

Abstract: A one-time programmable (OTP) device includes at least one transistor that is electrically coupled with a fuse. The fuse includes a silicon-containing line continuously extending between a first node and a second node of the fuse. A first silicide-containing portion is disposed over the silicon-containing line. A second silicide-containing portion is disposed over the silicon-containing line. The second silicide-containing portion is separated from the first silicide-containing portion by a predetermined distance. The predetermined distance is substantially equal to or less than a length of the silicon-containing line.

Abstract: The embodiments of methods and structures disclosed herein provide mechanisms of forming and programming a non-salicided polysilicon fuse. The non-salicided polysilicon fuse and a programming transistor form a one-time programmable (OTP) memory cell, which can be programmed with a low programming voltage.

Abstract: A gate electrode, a gate insulation film and an inorganic oxide film are formed in this order on a substrate, and a source electrode and a drain electrode are formed to partially cover the inorganic oxide film. Then, oxidation treatment is applied to reduce the carrier density at a region of the inorganic oxide film which is not covered by the electrodes and is used as a channel region of a semiconductor device.

Abstract: A reversible fuse structure in an integrated circuit is obtained through the implementation of a fuse cell having a short thin line of phase change materials in contact with via and line structures capable of passing current through the line of phase change material (fuse cell). The current is passed through the fuse cell in order to change the material from a less resistive material to a more resistive material through heating the phase change material in the crystalline state to the melting point then quickly quenching the material into the amorphous state. The reversible programming is achieved by passing a lower current through the fuse cell to convert the high resistivity amorphous material to a lower resistivity crystalline material. Appropriate sense-circuitry is integrated to read the information stored in the fuses, wherein said sense circuitry is used to enable or disable circuitry.

Abstract: In sophisticated integrated circuits, an electronic fuse may be formed such that an increased sensitivity to electromigration may be accomplished by including at least one region of increased current density. This may be accomplished by forming a corresponding fuse region as a non-linear configuration, wherein at corresponding connection portions of linear segments, the desired enhanced current crowding may occur during the application of the programming voltage. Hence, increased reliability and more space-efficient layout of the electronic fuses may be accomplished.

Abstract: The present invention provides fuse patterns and a method of manufacturing the same. According to the present invention, an insulating layer and a contact plug are filled between fuse patterns which are formed to have their ends broken and are isolated from each other. In case of a fail cell, the insulating layer is broken owing a difference in an electrical bias (current or voltage) between a metal wire and the fuse patterns, and a short is generated between the fuse patterns. Accordingly, embodiments avoid damage to a semiconductor substrate associated with a conventional fuse repair method employing laser energy, and the area of a fuse box can be reduced.

Abstract: A layer including a semiconductor film is formed over a glass substrate and is heated. A thermal expansion coefficient of the glass substrate is greater than 6×10?7/° C. and less than or equal to 38×10?7/° C. The heated layer including the semiconductor film is irradiated with a pulsed ultraviolet laser beam having a width of less than or equal to 100 ?m, a ratio of width to length of 1:500 or more, and a full width at half maximum of the laser beam profile of less than or equal to 50 ?m, so that a crystalline semiconductor film is formed. As the layer including the semiconductor film formed over the glass substrate, a layer whose total stress after heating is ?500 N/m to +50 N/m, inclusive is formed.

Abstract: A fuse of a semiconductor device comprises: a first insulating film formed over a semiconductor substrate; a conductive pattern formed over the first insulating film; a fuse metal formed over the conductive pattern; a contact plug electrically coupling the conductive pattern and the fuse metal; and an energy absorbent pattern formed in the first insulating film and located below an area where the contact plug and the conductive pattern are interconnected. The fuse of the semiconductor device includes a void and a step difference in the lower portion of the contact connected to the fuse pattern. As a result, an energy of a laser applied in the blowing process is absorbed in the void or the step difference, which does not affect peripheral patterns, thereby preventing defects.

Abstract: A method of forming a programmable fuse structure includes forming at least one shallow trench isolation (STI) in a substrate, forming an e-fuse over the at least one STI and depositing an interlevel dielectric (ILD) layer over the e-fuse. Additionally, the method includes removing at least a portion of the at least one STI under the e-fuse to provide an air gap below a portion of the e-fuse and removing at least a portion of the ILD layer over the e-fuse to provide the air gap above the portion of the e-fuse.

Abstract: A method includes providing a substrate having insulating layers thereon; forming a first trench in a first region of the substrate and a second trench in a second region of the substrate; thermally growing layers of oxide along the sides of the trenches; filling the first trench and the second trench with a polysilicon material, planarizing the polysilicon material, and creating a shallow trench isolation between the first region and the second region, wherein the step f) of creating the shallow trench isolation is performed only after the steps of d) filling and e) planarizing.

Abstract: Provided is a semiconductor integrated circuit. The semiconductor integrated circuit comprises: a pair of interconnections; a fuse connecting the pair of interconnections; and one or more heat dissipation patterns connecting the pair of interconnections and are disposed around the fuse.

Abstract: A design structure is provided for interconnect structures containing various capping materials for electrical fuses and other related applications. The structure includes a first interconnect structure having a first interfacial structure and a second interconnect structure adjacent to the first structure. The second interconnect structure has second interfacial structure different from the first interfacial structure.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a substrate, an insulating film formed over the substrate, first and second conductive plugs formed in the insulating film, a capacitor element, and a wiring. The capacitor element includes a lower electrode, a dielectric film, and an upper electrode. The lower electrode is connected to an end of the first plug and formed on the insulating film, and includes a first barrier film. The dielectric film is formed on upper and side surfaces of the lower electrode. The upper electrode is formed on the dielectric film, and includes a second barrier metal film being wider than the lower electrode. The wiring is connected to an end of the second plug and formed on the insulating film, and includes a first layer and a second layer formed on the first layer. The first and second layers include the first and second barrier metal films, respectively.

Abstract: A programmable device includes a substrate (10); an insulator (13) on the substrate; an elongated semiconductor material (12) on the insulator, the elongated semiconductor material having first and second ends, and an upper surface S; the first end (12a) is substantially wider than the second end (12b), and a metallic material is disposed on the upper surface; the metallic material being physically migratable along the upper surface responsive to an electrical current I flowable through the semiconductor material and the metallic material.

Abstract: A fabrication method for fabricating an electrically programmable fuse method includes depositing a polysilicon layer on a substrate, patterning an anode contact region, a cathode contact region and a fuse link conductively connecting the cathode contact region with the anode contact region, which is programmable by applying a programming current, depositing a silicide layer on the polysilicon layer, and forming a plurality of anisometric contacts on the silicide layer of the cathode contact region and the anode contact region in a predetermined configuration, respectively.

Abstract: Implementations are presented herein that relate to a fuse device, an integrated circuit including a fuse device, a method of implementing a fuse device and a method of programming a fuse device.

Abstract: Electrical fuses and methods for forming an electrical fuse. The electrical fuse includes a current shunt formed by patterning a first layer comprised of a first conductive material and disposed on a top surface of a dielectric layer. A layer stack is formed on the current shunt and the top surface of the dielectric layer surrounding the current shunt. The layer stack includes a second layer comprised of a second conductive material and a third layer comprised of a third conductive material. The layer stack may be patterned to define a fuse link as a first portion of the layer stack directly contacting the top surface of the dielectric layer and a terminal as a second portion separated from the top surface of the dielectric layer by the current shunt.

Abstract: An antifuse structure and methods of forming contacts within the antifuse structure. The antifuse structure includes a substrate having an overlying metal layer, a dielectric layer formed on an upper surface of the metal layer, and a contact formed of contact material within a contact via etched through the dielectric layer into the metal layer. The contact via includes a metal material at a bottom surface of the contact via and an untreated or partially treated metal precursor on top of the metal material.

Abstract: Structure and method for providing a programmable anti-fuse in a FET structure. A method of forming the programmable anti-fuse includes: providing a p? substrate with an n+ gate stack; implanting an n+ source region and an n+ drain region in the p? substrate; forming a resist mask over the n+ drain region, while leaving the n+ source region exposed; etching the n+ source region to form a recess in the n+ source region; and growing a p+ epitaxial silicon germanium layer in the recess in the n+ source region to form a pn junction that acts as a programmable diode or anti-fuse.

Abstract: A semiconductor device and a method for manufacturing the same are disclosed. A dummy pattern is formed between a fuse pattern and a semiconductor substrate so as to prevent the semiconductor substrate from being damaged, and a buffer pattern is formed between the dummy pattern and the semiconductor substrate, so that a dummy metal pattern primarily absorbs or reflects laser energy transferred to the semiconductor substrate during the blowing of the fuse pattern, and the buffer pattern secondarily reduces stress generated between the dummy pattern and the semiconductor substrate, resulting in the prevention of a defect such as a crack.

Abstract: An upper electrode of a capacitor has a two-layer structure of first and second upper electrodes. A gate electrode of a MOS field effect transistor and a fuse are formed by patterning conductive layers used to form the lower electrode, first upper electrode and second upper electrode of the capacitor. In forming a capacitor and a fuse on a semiconductor substrate by a conventional method, at least three etching masks are selectively used to pattern respective layers to form the capacitor and fuse before wiring connection. The number of etching masks can be reduced in manufacturing a semiconductor device having capacitors, fuses and MOS field effect transistors so that the number of processes can be reduced and it becomes easy to improve the productivity and reduce the manufacture cost.

Abstract: A semiconductor device comprises a fuse having a blowing region at a center part for selectively connecting different two terminals; and a dummy contact positioned under the blowing region for forming empty space by being removed together with the blowing region in a blowing process.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method of manufacturing an e-fuse includes a substrate, a patterned gate insulator on the substrate, and a patterned gate conductor on the patterned gate insulator. The patterned gate conductor has sidewalls and a top. A silicide contacts the sidewalls of the patterned gate conductor, the top of the patterned gate conductor, and a region of the substrate adjacent the patterned gate insulator and the patterned gate conductor.

Abstract: An anti-fuse of a semiconductor device and a method for manufacturing the same are disclosed. In order to achieve stable operation of the anti-fuse, a gate rupture prevention film is formed between a gate pattern and a source/drain junction region and a gate oxide film is formed at both ends of a lower edge of the gate pattern. Therefore, when applying a voltage, the overlapped gate oxide film is ruptured so that a current level is stabilized and the anti-fuse is stably operated.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes: a lower layer interconnection formed on a chip; an upper layer interconnection formed in an upper layer above the lower layer interconnection above the chip; an interconnection via formed to electrically connect the lower layer interconnection and the upper layer interconnection; a via-type electric fuse formed to electrically connect the lower layer interconnection and the upper layer interconnection. The fuse is cut through heat generation, and a sectional area of the fuse is smaller than a sectional area of the upper layer interconnection and a via diameter of the fuse is smaller than that of the interconnection via.