Patent ID: 9705063
Date: 2017-07-11
CPC Classifications: H01L

Claim:
1. A method of forming a protected tunnel junction, the method comprising: forming a first electrode paddle and a second electrode paddle on a substrate, the first electrode paddle and the second electrode paddle opposing one another; forming a sacrificial shorting strap on the substrate, the sacrificial shorting strap connecting the first electrode paddle and the second electrode paddle; forming the tunnel junction connecting the first electrode paddle and the second electrode paddle, after forming the sacrificial shorting strap; mounting the substrate on a portion of a quantum cavity; placing the portion of the quantum cavity in a vacuum chamber; etching away the sacrificial shorting strap in the vacuum chamber while the substrate is mounted to the portion of the quantum cavity, such that the sacrificial shorting strap no longer connects the first electrode paddle and the second electrode paddle; placing the quantum cavity in a cooling chamber for operation, the tunnel junction having been protected from electrostatic discharge by the sacrificial shorting strap; and wherein, when the substrate is mounted on the quantum cavity in the vacuum chamber, an etchant is utilized to etch away the sacrificial shorting strap without removing the tunnel junction, the first electrode paddle, and the second electrode paddle.