Patent ID: 7741722

Claim:
A structure, comprising: (a) a wafer which includes (i) N openings and (ii) a top wafer surface, wherein N is an odd integer of at least 7, and wherein the top wafer surface defines a first reference direction perpendicular to the top wafer surface; and (b) N through-wafer vias in the N openings, wherein each through-wafer via of the N through-wafer vias has a shape of a rectangular plate, wherein the N through-wafer vias are parallel to one another, wherein a height in the first reference direction of each through-wafer via of the N through-wafer vias is equal to a thickness of the wafer, wherein a length in a second reference direction of each through-wafer via of the N through-wafer vias is at least ten times greater than a width in a third reference direction of the each through-wafer via, wherein said height of the each through-wafer via is at least ten times greater than said width of the each through-wafer via, wherein the second reference direction and the third reference direction are perpendicular to each other, wherein the second reference direction and the third reference direction are both perpendicular to the first reference direction, wherein the N through-wafer vias are, in an ordered spatial sequence, denoted as V(1), V(2), . . . V(N), and wherein if V(I) is closer to V(M) than is V(J) in the third reference direction, then the length of V(I) is greater than the length of V(J) in the second reference direction for I=1, 2, . . . N and J=1, 2, . . . N subject to M=(N+1)/2, I≠M, J≠M, and I≠J.