Patent · US Active

Guard ring extension to prevent reliability failures

US7968976B2 · kind B2 · utility

6Cited by
5References
4Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateMar 18, 2010
Grant dateJun 28, 2011
Priority date
Expiry dateMar 18, 2030

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY10S148/07
  • WIPO fieldSemiconductors
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

An embodiment of the present invention is a technique to prevent reliability failures in semiconductor devices. A trench is patterned in a polyimide layer over a guard ring having a top metal layer. A passivation layer is etched at bottom of the trench. A capping layer is deposited on the trench over the etched passivation layer. The capping layer and the top metal layer form a mechanical strong interface to prevent a crack propagation.

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