Patent ID: 6423595
Filing Date: 2002-07-23
Classification: H01L,Y02E

Abstract:
A method of scribing a top electrode of a semiconductor device, said semiconductor device having a top electrode, a bottom electrode and a body of semiconductor material disposed therebetween, said method comprising the steps of:providing a scribe area on said top electrode, said scribe area being separated from a remainder area of said top electrode by a high resistance portion of said top electrode having an electrical resistance which is greater than the electrical resistance of the top electrode in both said scribed area and said remainder area; decreasing the electrical resistivity of a portion of said semiconductor body, said portion of decreased electrical resistivity providing a low resistivity path which extends between said scribe area and said bottom electrode; providing an electrical power supply; disposing said device in an electroconversion bath; disposing a counter electrode in said electroconversion bath; connecting the bottom electrode of said device to a first terminal of said power supply; connecting said counter electrode to a second terminal of said power supply; and activating said power supply so as to provide a flow of current between said bottom electrode and said counter electrode, said flow of current passing through said low resistivity path and being operative to cause said electroconversion bath to oxidize the top electrode material in the scribe area; whereby, said oxidized material does not conduct electricity.