Patent ID: 8742766
Filing Date: 2014-06-03
Classification: G01R,H01L

Abstract:
1. A method for electrically detecting failures in a conductive via and a conductive line, comprising the steps of: forcing current through a fuse structure between a positive current connection and a negative current connection; measuring voltage over each of a first voltage connection and a second voltage connection in said fuse structure; and detecting a failure in one of a conductive via and a conductive line; wherein failure occurs in the conductive via if an open circuit exists at both the first and second voltage connections such that there is no current flow at the voltage connections when current is forced; and wherein a failure occurs in the conductive line if an open circuit exists at only one of the first and second voltage connections such that there is no current flow at one of the voltage connections and an open circuit does not exist at the other when current is forced.