Electrically programmable metal fuse
US8421186B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | May 31, 2011 |
| Grant date | Apr 16, 2013 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 16, 2031 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH10D89/10
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A metal electrically programmable fuse (“eFuse”) includes a metal strip, having a strip width, of a metal line adjoined to wide metal line portions, having widths greater than the metal strip width, at both ends of the metal strip. The strip width can be a lithographic minimum dimension, and the ratio of the length of the metal strip to the strip width is greater than 5 to localize heating around the center of the metal strip during programming. Localization of heating reduces required power for programming the metal eFuse. Further, a gradual temperature gradient is formed during the programming within a portion of the metal strip that is longer than the Blech length so that electromigration of metal gradually occurs reliably at the center portion of the metal strip. Metal line portions are provides at the same level as the metal eFuse to physically block debris generated during programming.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.