Method of providing a variable guard ring width between detectors on a substrate

US6073343A · kind A · utility

Assignee

• General Electric Company · US

Inventors

• Scott William Petrick · Sussex, US
• Robert F. Kwasnick · Palo Alto, US
• Rowland Frederick Saunders · Hartland, US
• Habib Vafi · Brookfield, US
• David Neumann · Milwaukee, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Dec 22, 1998
• Grant date: Jun 13, 2000
• Expiry date: Dec 22, 2018

Classification

• Technology area (CPC Y): Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
• CPC primary: Y10T29/49117

Abstract

A method is provided for maximizing substrate usage in the fabrication of flat panel displays or detectors, while also maximizing electrostatic protection for the displays or detectors. Initially, at least two detectors are positioned on the substrate, with each of the detectors having a guard ring of a certain width. At least a section of the guard ring width of one detector is approximately adjacent to a section of the guard ring width of another detector. The approximately adjacent guard ring width sections are then positioned such that a maximum overlap of the adjacent guard ring width sections is achieved, while still providing each display or detector with electrostatic discharge protection. Each of the detectors is separated from the other detectors and the remainder of the substrate by the process of scribing partially through the substrate and breaking at the scribe mark or by sawing.