US5573971A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Planar antifuse and method of fabrication
Assignee: QuickLogic Corp
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Filing: 1995-12-29
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Granted: 1996-11-12
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Expires: 2015-12-29
Abstract
Abstract A method of forming an antifuse. A first conductive layer is deposited over a substrate. Next, a capping layer is deposited onto the conductive layer. An antifuse layer is then deposited onto the capping layer. A barrier layer is then deposited onto the antifuse layer. Next, the first conductive layer, the capping layer, the antifuse layer, and the barrier layer are patterned into a metal stack. A disposable post is then formed on the barrier layer of the patterned metal stack. The barrier layer and the antifuse layer are then etched substantially in alignment with the disposable post to leave a first metal interconnect. Next, an insulating layer is formed over the substrate including the first metal interconnect and the disposable post wherein the insulating layer is made substantially planar with the disposable post. The disposable post is then removed to form an aperture in the insulating layer. A second conductive layer is then deposited into the aperture and onto the barrier layer.
Inventors
- 👤 James M. Cleeves
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 20:29
CPC Classifications
H; H10; H10W; H10W20/00; H10W20/01; H10W20/031; H10W20/064; H10W20/065; H10W20/40; H10W20/49; H10W20/491
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
149 words
A method of forming an antifuse comprising the steps of: depositing a first conductive layer over said substrate; depositing a capping layer onto said conductive layer; depositing an antifuse layer onto said capping layer; depositing a barrier layer onto said antifuse layer; patterning said first conductive layer, said capping layer, said antifuse layer, and said barrier layer into a patterned metal stack; forming a disposable post on said barrier layer on said patterned metal stack; etching said barrier layer and said antifuse layer substantially in alignment with said disposable post to form a first metal interconnect; forming an insulating layer over said substrate including said first metal interconnect and said disposable post wherein said insulating layer is substantially planar with said disposable post; removing said disposable post to form an aperture in said insulating layer; and depositing a second conductive layer into said aperture and onto said barrier layer.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
149 words
A method of forming an antifuse comprising the steps of: depositing a first conductive layer over said substrate; depositing a capping layer onto said conductive layer; depositing an antifuse layer onto said capping layer; depositing a barrier layer onto said antifuse layer; patterning said first conductive layer, said capping layer, said antifuse layer, and said barrier layer into a patterned metal stack; forming a disposable post on said barrier layer on said patterned metal stack; etching said barrier layer and said antifuse layer substantially in alignment with said disposable post to form a first metal interconnect; forming an insulating layer over said substrate including said first metal interconnect and said disposable post wherein said insulating layer is substantially planar with said disposable post; removing said disposable post to form an aperture in said insulating layer; and depositing a second conductive layer into said aperture and onto said barrier layer.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said first conductive layer comprises an aluminum alloy.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
11 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said capping layer comprises titanium-tungsten.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said antifuse layer comprises amorphous silicon.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
11 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said barrier layer comprises titanium-tungsten.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said disposable post is a photoresist post.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said disposable post is a polysilicon post.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
163 words
A method of forming an antifuse comprising the steps of: depositing a first aluminum layer over said substrate; depositing a first titanium-tungsten layer onto said aluminum layer; depositing an amorphous silicon layer onto said first titanium tungsten layer; depositing a second titanium-tungsten layer onto said amorphous silicon layer; patterning said first aluminum layer, said first titanium-tungsten layer, said amorphous silicon layer, and said second titanium-tungsten layer into a first patterned metal stack; forming a photoresist layer and patterning said photoresist layer into a photoresist post on said second titanium-tungsten layer; etching said second titanium-tungsten layer and said amorphous silicon layer substantially in alignment with said photoresist post; depositing an insulating layer over said substrate including said pattern interconnect stack and said photoresist post; planarizing said insulating layer to reveal the top surface of said photoresist post; removing said photoresist post to form an aperture in said insulating layer; and depositing a second metal layer into said aperture and onto said second titanium-tungsten layer.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
163 words
A method of forming an antifuse comprising the steps of: depositing a first aluminum layer over said substrate; depositing a first titanium-tungsten layer onto said aluminum layer; depositing an amorphous silicon layer onto said first titanium tungsten layer; depositing a second titanium-tungsten layer onto said amorphous silicon layer; patterning said first aluminum layer, said first titanium-tungsten layer, said amorphous silicon layer, and said second titanium-tungsten layer into a first patterned metal stack; forming a photoresist layer and patterning said photoresist layer into a photoresist post on said second titanium-tungsten layer; etching said second titanium-tungsten layer and said amorphous silicon layer substantially in alignment with said photoresist post; depositing an insulating layer over said substrate including said pattern interconnect stack and said photoresist post; planarizing said insulating layer to reveal the top surface of said photoresist post; removing said photoresist post to form an aperture in said insulating layer; and depositing a second metal layer into said aperture and onto said second titanium-tungsten layer.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1999-11-12 | 2000-05-13 | 2000-11-12 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2003-11-12 | 2004-05-13 | 2004-11-12 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2007-11-12 | 2008-05-13 | 2008-11-12 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |