Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
99 words
A method of forming a vertically integrated resistor in series with a designated circuit node of an integrated circuit, the method comprising the steps of: forming an integrated circuit having an upper surface including the designated circuit node; depositing a layer of passivating material on the upper surface of the integrated circuit; forming a polysilicon via through the passivating layer, the via electrically coupled to the designated circuit node; and forming a stratified layer within the polysilicon via by doping the polysilicon via with at least one of oxygen and nitrogen thereby increasing the resistance of the polysilicon via.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
99 words
A method of forming a vertically integrated resistor in series with a designated circuit node of an integrated circuit, the method comprising the steps of: forming an integrated circuit having an upper surface including the designated circuit node; depositing a layer of passivating material on the upper surface of the integrated circuit; forming a polysilicon via through the passivating layer, the via electrically coupled to the designated circuit node; and forming a stratified layer within the polysilicon via by doping the polysilicon via with at least one of oxygen and nitrogen thereby increasing the resistance of the polysilicon via.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
76 words
A method of forming a vertically integrated resistor as in claim 1 in which the step of forming a polysilicon via comprises: removing a portion of the passivating layer to expose the designated circuit node; forming a layer of polysilicon on the passivating layer, the polysilicon layer having a first portion covering the designated circuit node and a second portion covering a portion of the passivating layer; and stripping the second portion of the polysilicon layer.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
35 words
A method of forming a vertically integrated resistor as in claim 1 in which the step of forming a stratified layer is continued until the resistance of the polysilicon via is greater than 100 megohms.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
34 words
A method of forming a vertically integrated resistor as in claim 1 further comprising the steps of: forming a metal layer on the passivating layer, the metal layer electrically coupled to the polysilicon via.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
83 words
A method of forming an integrated circuit, the method comprising the steps of: forming a circuit on a substrate, the circuit having a designated circuit node; forming a passivating layer on the circuit, the passivating layer having a contact window that exposes the designated circuit node; covering the designated circuit node with a layer of polysilicon; forming a stratified layer within the layer of polysilicon thereby increasing the resistance of the layer of polysilicon to current flow substantially perpendicular to the stratified layer.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
83 words
A method of forming an integrated circuit, the method comprising the steps of: forming a circuit on a substrate, the circuit having a designated circuit node; forming a passivating layer on the circuit, the passivating layer having a contact window that exposes the designated circuit node; covering the designated circuit node with a layer of polysilicon; forming a stratified layer within the layer of polysilicon thereby increasing the resistance of the layer of polysilicon to current flow substantially perpendicular to the stratified layer.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 5 wherein the circuit is a memory cell.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 5 further comprising the step of: forming a conductive layer on the layer of polysilicon, the conductive layer electrically coupled to the layer of polysilicon.