US4947020A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Trimming element for microelectric circuit
Assignee: Toshiba Corp
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Filing: 1989-01-18
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Granted: 1990-08-07
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Expires: 2009-01-18
Abstract
Abstract A trimming element comprises (a) a medium layer, (b) a pair of electrodes connected to the medium layer, and (c) an alloy layer, which is formed of metal of the electrodes and material of the medium layer and is created in the medium layer, for substantially short-circuiting the electrodes to each other. The alloy layer is obtained by applying a laser beam to the medium layer to heat a portion between the electrodes. The metal layer for substantially short-circuiting the electrodes is thus formed.
Inventors
- 👤 Kaoru Imamura
- 👤 Wataru Takahashi
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 20:34
CPC Classifications
H; H10; H10W; H10W20/00; H10W20/40; H10W20/49; H10W20/491; H10W20/492
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 22
Claim 1
Independent Claim
112 words
A trimming element comprising: a first electrode formed of conductive material; a second electrode formed of conductive material and disposed separately from said first electrode to face said first electrode; a medium section formed partly in contact with said first and second electrodes and formed of material which creates a conductive alloy layer together with said conductive material when said medium section is heated, said first and second electrodes and said medium section being exposed such that a portion of said first and second electrodes and said medium section are adapted to directly receive a laser beam; and supporting means for mechanically supporting said first and second electrodes and said medium section.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
112 words
A trimming element comprising: a first electrode formed of conductive material; a second electrode formed of conductive material and disposed separately from said first electrode to face said first electrode; a medium section formed partly in contact with said first and second electrodes and formed of material which creates a conductive alloy layer together with said conductive material when said medium section is heated, said first and second electrodes and said medium section being exposed such that a portion of said first and second electrodes and said medium section are adapted to directly receive a laser beam; and supporting means for mechanically supporting said first and second electrodes and said medium section.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
50 words
A trimming element according to claim 1, wherein said medium section is formed of insulative material, and said conductive alloy layer is formed in said medium section by applying a laser beam to heat part of said medium section which lies in a gap between said first and second electrodes.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
59 words
A trimming element according to claim 1, wherein said medium section itself is formed of conductive material, and said conductive alloy layer is formed in said medium section by supplying a current across said first and second electrode to generate Joule heat in part of said medium section which lies in a gap between said first and second electrode.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
21 words
A trimming element according to claim 1, wherein the material of said first and second electrodes includes aluminum, gold or platinum.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
19 words
A trimming element according to claim 1, wherein said first and second electrodes each have a single layered structure.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
27 words
A trimming element according to claim 1, wherein said first and second electrodes each have a two-layered structure formed of an upper layer and a lower layer.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
25 words
A trimming element according to claim 6, wherein the material of said upper layers of said first and second electrodes includes aluminum, gold or platinum.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
23 words
A trimming element according to claim 7, wherein the material of said lower layers of said first and second electrodes includes refractory metal.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
19 words
A trimming element according to claim 1, wherein a resistive component is connected between said first and second electrodes.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
30 words
A trimming element according to claim 1, wherein said first and second electrodes are connected in series with a resistor circuit whose resistance may be increased by a trimming process.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
19 words
A trimming element according to claim 1, wherein a diode component is connected between said first and second electrodes.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
19 words
A trimming element according to claim 1, wherein a transistor component is connected between said first and second electrodes.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
43 words
A trimming element according to claim 1, wherein an insulation layer is disposed between said first and second electrodes, said medium section is formed under said insulation layer, and said conductive alloy layer is formed between said insulation layer and said medium section.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
15 words
A trimming element according to claim 1, wherein said medium section is formed of polysilicon.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
15 words
A trimming element according to claim 1, wherein said medium section is formed of silicon.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
19 words
A trimming element according to claim 1, wherein said medium section is formed of polysilicon doped with a impurity.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
19 words
A trimming element according to claim 1, wherein said medium section is formed of silicon doped with an impurity.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
38 words
A trimming element according to claim 1, wherein said supporting means includes a substrate and an insulation layer formed on said substrate; and said first and second electrodes and said medium section are supported on said insulation layer.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
81 words
A trimming element comprising: a medium layer; a plurality of electrodes connected to said medium layer; and an alloy layer, created in said medium layer, formed of metal material of said plurality of electrodes and material of said medium layer, for substantially short-circuiting said plurality of electrodes to one another, said plurality of electrodes and said medium layer being exposed such that a portion of said plurality of electrodes and said medium layer are adapted to directly receive a laser beam.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
81 words
A trimming element comprising: a medium layer; a plurality of electrodes connected to said medium layer; and an alloy layer, created in said medium layer, formed of metal material of said plurality of electrodes and material of said medium layer, for substantially short-circuiting said plurality of electrodes to one another, said plurality of electrodes and said medium layer being exposed such that a portion of said plurality of electrodes and said medium layer are adapted to directly receive a laser beam.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
29 words
A trimming element according to claim 19, wherein said alloy layer is created by applying a laser beam to said medium layer to substantially short-circuit said plurality of electrodes.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1993-08-06 | 1994-02-05 | 1994-08-07 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1997-08-06 | 1998-02-05 | 1998-08-07 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2001-08-06 | 2002-02-05 | 2002-08-07 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |