Patent ID: 8541264

Claim:
A method for forming a semiconductor structure for preventing energy that is used to blow at least one fuse formed on a metal layer above a semiconductor substrate from causing damage, the method comprising: forming a fuse block containing a set of fuses; forming a protection diode constructed on the semiconductor substrate and disposed directly beneath the fuse block, wherein the protection diode is electrically coupled to the set of fuses for dissipating the energy; forming a guard ring surrounding the set of fuses, the guard ring being constructed on at least one metal layer between the protection diode and the set of fuses for confining the energy therein; forming a protection ring structure vertically constructed within the guard ring, on one or more metal layers between the fuse and the device for enhancing a structural strength thereof, and forming a protection layer disposed directly beneath the fuse block, the protection layer being comprised of a first metal layer having a dimension wider and longer than that of the fuse block to protect the protection diode and the semiconductor substrate disposed directly beneath the fuse block from being exposed to the energy, wherein the protection layer is electrically isolated from the set of fuses by at least one dielectric layer and is substantially in parallel with the semiconductor substrate.