Patent ID: 6261945
Filing Date: 2001-07-17
Classification: H01L

Abstract:
A method of forming an integrated circuit having a continuous composite crackstop structure surrounding the circuit elements including a set of solid crackstop vertical members and a set of solid crackstop horizontal members, comprising the steps of:forming a set of active devices in a semiconductor substrate; andconnecting said set of active devices to form a circuit, by;(a) simultaneously forming a first set of interconnect vias and a first set of solid crackstop vertical members in a first layer of porous dielectric;(b) simultaneously forming a first set of interconnect horizontal members and a first set of solid crackstop horizontal members in a second layer of said porous dielectric disposed directly on said first layer of dielectric, said first set of crackstop horizontal members being disposed directly above and in contact with said first set of crackstop vertical members;repeating said steps (a) and (b) above until said set of interconnect members is complete, whereby said set of crackstop members forms said continuous crackstop structure and a final layer of said porous dielectric encloses a final layer of crackstop members;depositing a cap layer above said final layer of dielectric;forming an aperture in said cap layer above said crackstop structure and depositing an adherent metal liner in said aperture.