Patent ID: 7759243

Claim:
A method for forming an electro-static discharge protection device on an integrated circuit, comprising: providing a capped first dielectric layer with more than one electrode formed therein; depositing a second dielectric layer over the capped first dielectric layer; depositing a first hard mask dielectric layer over the second dielectric layer; forming a cavity trench through the first hard mask dielectric layer and the second dielectric layer to the capped first dielectric layer, wherein the cavity trench is formed in the capped first dielectric layer between two adjacent electrodes; forming at least one via through the second dielectric layer about the cavity trench; forming a metal trench around each of the at least one via; forming a release opening over the cavity trench; and depositing a third dielectric layer over the second dielectric layer, wherein the third dielectric layer hermetically seals the release opening to provide electro-static discharge protection.