Patent · US Expired

Test structure for detecting bonding-induced cracks

US6998638B2 · kind B2 · utility

2Cited by
5References
10Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateMay 28, 2004
Grant dateFeb 14, 2006
Priority date
Expiry dateMay 28, 2024

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
  • CPC primaryH01L2924/14
  • WIPO fieldSemiconductors
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

An integrated circuit having a crack detection structure. A control structure is formed having interleaved electrically conductive layers and non electrically conductive layers in a vertical orientation. Electrically conductive vias are disposed vertically through all of the non electrically conductive layers, which vias electrically connect all of the electrically conductive layers one to another. A test structure is formed having a bonding pad for probing and bonding, with underlying interleaved electrically conductive layers and non electrically conductive layers disposed in a vertical orientation. At least one of the non electrically conductive layers has no vias formed therein, simulating active circuitry under other bonding pads of the integrated circuit. At least one of the interleaved electrically conductive layers of the control structure extends from within the control structure to within the test structure as a sensing layer. The sensing layer immediately underlies the at least one of the non electrically conductive layers in the test structure that has no vias formed therein. Thus, a crack in the at least one of the non electrically conductive layers in the test structu…

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.