Patent ID: 7101804

Claim:
A method for forming a fuse comprising: forming an interlayer dielectric layer on a pad region and a fuse region of a substrate; forming a mold layer on the interlayer dielectric; patterning the mold layer and the interlayer dielectric to form a pad mold in the pad region and a fuse mold in the fuse region; forming a pad pattern in the pad mold and a fuse pattern in the fuse mold using a damascene process, the pad pattern and the fuse pattern formed from the same layer; forming a copper diffusion-prevention layer on the pad pattern and the fuse pattern; forming a passivation layer on the copper diffusion-prevention layer; patterning the passivation layer and the copper diffusion-prevention layer to form a pad opening that exposes the pad pattern; forming a metal pad in the pad opening, the metal pad touching the pad pattern, a portion of the metal pad extending over the passivation layer; and after forming the metal pad, partially etching the passivation layer over the fuse pattern to form a fuse opening, the partial etching performed such that a portion of the passivation layer remains at the bottom of the fuse opening.