Patent ID: 6492207
Filing Date: 2002-12-10
Classification: H01L

Abstract:
A method for forming a thin pedestal fuse segment in a last metal (LM) wiring line, comprising the steps of:(a) forming a last metal minus 1 (LMâˆ’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 underlying oxide ILD, forming a thick line trench; (e) stripping said resist; (f) applying a new layer of resist and opening an image over an interrupted segment; (g) etching selectively said oxide to form vias using an etch selective to said oxide, leaving exposed a nitride pedestal cap; (h) etching selectively said nitride pedestal cap using an etch selective to said nitride; (i) stripping said new layer of resist; (j) filling said wiring line trench with at least one metal; and (k) polishing to remove unwanted and excess metal, forming LM damascene fuse line having the thin pedestal fuse segment.