Patent ID: 6261873
Filing Date: 2001-07-17
Classification: H01L

Abstract:
A method for forming a thin pedestal fuse segment in a thick last metal (LM) wiring line, comprising the steps of:(a) forming a last metal minus 1 (LM-1) wiring layer and an overlaying oxide inter layer dielectric (ILD) using conventional techniques;(b) depositing a layer of nitride using conventional techniques, wherein a thickness of said nitride layer is an approximate thickness desired for the thin pedestal fuse segment;(c) defining with a resist layer and mask the LM wiring line that will contain a fuse link, wherein said fuse link is not yet imaged;(d) etching said nitride layer and said oxide ILD, forming a thick line trench;(e) stripping said resist;(f) applying a new layer of resist and opening an image, defining said fuse link overlapping adjacent ends of an interrupted LM trench;(g) etching said nitride layer using an etchant;(h) stripping said new layer of resist;(i) applying another layer of resist and imaging and etching via contacts, wherein said via contacts will connect said LM to said LM-1 wiring layers;(j) stripping said another layer of resist;(k) filling said wiring trench with at least one metal; and(l) polishing to remove unwanted and excess metal, forming LM damascene fuse line having the thin pedestal fuse segment.