Laser-induced microfracture leading to high-density metal-to-metal connections

Joseph B. Bernstein, Thomas M. Ventura, Aaron T. Radomski

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contributionpeer-review

Abstract

Laser programmed inter-level metal connections have been developed as a means to achieve high density linking for customization in programmable gate arrays and for additive redundancy in restructurable integrated circuits. This work reports on the linking of 4 × 4 μm crossings of standard two-level metal interconnect lines and subsequent microstructural analyses aimed at understanding the mechanism of link formation. The links were formed by focusing a laser on metal 1 through an annular region of metal 2. The mechanism of link formation appears to be a physical connection made by a fracture of the inter-level dielectric (ILD) layer due to the stress of thermal expansion of the metallization with molten metal 2 filling the crack. Focussed ion-beam (FIB) cross sectional micrography and finite element analysis (FEA) have allowed us to analyze the successfully formed links as well as the failures to link. As a result of our analysis, we have begun to understand how to optimize the device geometry for very high reliability laser linking.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationProceedings of SPIE - The International Society for Optical Engineering
EditorsFusen E. Chen, Shyam P. Murarka
Pages165-176
Number of pages12
StatePublished - 1994
Externally publishedYes
EventMicroelectronics Technology and Process Integration - Austin, TX, USA
Duration: 20 Oct 199421 Oct 1994

Publication series

NameProceedings of SPIE - The International Society for Optical Engineering
Volume2335
ISSN (Print)0277-786X

Conference

ConferenceMicroelectronics Technology and Process Integration
CityAustin, TX, USA
Period20/10/9421/10/94

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