Patent ID: 7214295
Filing Date: 2007-05-08
Classification: H01C

Abstract:
1. A method of manufacturing thin film resistors comprising: forming a plurality of discrete component thin film chip resistors, each of the plurality formed by: (a) depositing a non-tantalum metal film resistive layer on a thin film resistor substrate; (b) attaching a thin film resistor termination on each end of the metal film resistive layer; and (c) depositing an outer moisture barrier consisting of tantalum pentoxide directly overlaying and contacting the metal film resistive layer to form one of the plurality of thin film chip resistors wherein the moisture barrier is formed from deposition of the tantalum pentoxide and not through oxidation of tantalum and wherein the outer moisture barrier reduces failures due to electrolytic corrosion under powered moisture conditions; exposing selected thin film chip resistors to powered moisture conditions; observing failures due to electrolytic corrosion under powered moisture conditions in the selected thin film chip resistors.