Patent ID: 6383827
Filing Date: 2002-05-07
Classification: H01L

Abstract:
An electrical test structure comprising:a shorting bar of a first conductive layer disposed on a semiconductor substrate, the shorting bar having a base width, a top width less than the base width, and a pair of symmetrical opposing sides, each side comprising a predetermined number of steps and joining the base width and the top width; and a pair of ladder conductors of a second conductive layer disposed on the semiconductor substrate and aligned with the first conductive layer, the ladder conductors being symmetrical to each other about a center line, each ladder conductor comprising a plurality of serially connected segments arranged corresponding to the steps of the shorting bar, each segment having an inner end adjacent to one of the steps of the shorting bar, the inner ends of the segments being equidistant from the center line; wherein the shorting bar is disposed substantially between the ladder conductors; wherein the ladder conductors are spaced apart from each other such that when the first and second conductive layers are aligned in a predetermined manner, the shorting bar is substantially axially aligned with the center line, the inner end of a predetermined segment of one of the ladder conductors makes electrical contact with one of the steps on one side of the shorting bar, and a corresponding segment of the other ladder conductor makes electrical contact with a corresponding step on the opposing side of the shorting bar; and wherein the ladder conductors are spaced apart from each other such that when the shorting bar is not substantially axially aligned with the center line, the inner end of a predetermined segment of one of the ladder conductors makes electrical contact with one of the steps on one side of the shorting bar, and a corresponding segment of the other ladder conductor does not make electrical contact with a corresponding step on the opposing side of the shorting bar.