Patent ID: 6455910
Filing Date: 2002-09-24
Classification: H01L

Abstract:
A cross guard ring structure formed along an edge of a semiconductor chip, the structure comprising:a first guard ring; a second guard ring adjacent to the first guard ring; and a third guard ring adjacent to the second guard ring, wherein the first guard ring, the second guard ring and the third guard ring are positioned on a same plane and concentrically along the edge of the semiconductor chip with the first guard ring separated from the adjacent second guard ring with a first space and the second guard ring separated from the adjacent third guard ring with a second space, and the first guard ring, the second guard ring and the third guard ring, each comprises a plurality of vias, wherein each via of each guard ring is separated from an adjacent via of the same guard ring by a gap and the gaps between the vias of the same guard ring are positioned directly across from the vias of the adjacent guard ring.