Patent FR325329A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5485032A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Antifuse element with electrical or optical programming
Assignee: International Business Machines Corp
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Filing: 1994-12-08
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Granted: 1996-01-16
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Expires: 2014-12-08
Abstract
Abstract A programmable antifuse element comprising adjacent bodies of germanium and aluminum or aluminum allow form a low resistance connection of good mechanical and thermal properties when heated to a temperature where alloying of the aluminum and germanium occurs. Heating for the purpose of programming the antifuse element can be done by electrical resistance heating in the-germanium, which may be doped to achieve a desired resistance value, or by laser irradiation. Due to the high resistance of intrinsic or lightly doped germanium, a resistance change ratio of greater than 10,000:1 is achieved.
Inventors
- 👤 Dominic J. Schepis
- 👤 Kris V. Srikrishnan
- 👤 Seshadri Subbanna
- 👤 Manu J. Tejwani
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 22:07
CPC Classifications
H; H10; H10W; H10W20/00; H10W20/40; H10W20/49; H10W20/491; H10W20/492; H10W20/01; H10W20/031; H10W20/064; H10W20/065; H10W20/067; H10W20/068; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S438/00; Y10S438/933
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 21
Claim 1
Independent Claim
53 words
An integrated circuit including at least two conductors, and a programmable connector means for selectively alloying aluminum with germanium extending between said at least two conductors, said programmable connector means including a body of germanium adjacent a body containing aluminum and forming a source of aluminum for alloying with said body of germanium.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
53 words
An integrated circuit including at least two conductors, and a programmable connector means for selectively alloying aluminum with germanium extending between said at least two conductors, said programmable connector means including a body of germanium adjacent a body containing aluminum and forming a source of aluminum for alloying with said body of germanium.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
67 words
An antifuse element comprising at least two conductors, and a programmable means for selectively alloying aluminum with germanium extending between said at least two conductors, said programmable means including at least one body containing aluminum and a body containing germanium adjacent said at least one body of aluminum, at least one said body containing aluminum forming a source of aluminum for alloying with said body of germanium.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
67 words
An antifuse element comprising at least two conductors, and a programmable means for selectively alloying aluminum with germanium extending between said at least two conductors, said programmable means including at least one body containing aluminum and a body containing germanium adjacent said at least one body of aluminum, at least one said body containing aluminum forming a source of aluminum for alloying with said body of germanium.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
16 words
An antifuse element as recited in claim 2, wherein said body of germanium is lightly doped.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
27 words
An antifuse element as recited in claim 2, wherein said body of germanium is formed as a stud by deposition in a via in an insulative layer.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
18 words
An antifuse element as recited in claim 4, further including a layer of tungsten deposited in said via.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
18 words
An antifuse element as recited in claim 4, further including a layer of aluminum deposited in said via.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
19 words
An antifuse element as recited in claim 2, wherein said at least one body containing aluminum is a connector.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
16 words
An integrated circuit as recited in claim 1, wherein said body of germanium is lightly doped.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
27 words
An integrated circuit as recited in claim 1, wherein said body of germanium is formed as a stud by deposition in a via in an insulative layer.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
18 words
An integrated circuit as recited in claim 9, further including a layer of tungsten deposited in said via.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
18 words
An integrated circuit as recited in claim 9, further including a layer of aluminum deposited in said via.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
16 words
An integrated circuit as recited in claim 1, wherein said body containing aluminum is a connector.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
55 words
An antifuse element comprising at least two conductors, a programmable connector means for selectively alloying aluminum with germanium in a via extending between said at least two conductors, said programmable connector means including a body of germanium adjacent a body containing aluminum and forming a source of aluminum for alloying with said body of germanium.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
55 words
An antifuse element comprising at least two conductors, a programmable connector means for selectively alloying aluminum with germanium in a via extending between said at least two conductors, said programmable connector means including a body of germanium adjacent a body containing aluminum and forming a source of aluminum for alloying with said body of germanium.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
16 words
An antifuse element as recited in claim 13, wherein said body of germanium is lightly doped.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
27 words
An antifuse element as recited in claim 13, wherein said body of germanium is formed as a stud by deposition in said via in an insulative layer.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
18 words
An antifuse element as recited in claim 15, further including a layer of tungsten deposited in said via.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
18 words
An antifuse element as recited in claim 15, further including a layer of aluminum deposited in said via.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
16 words
An antifuse element as recited in claim 13, wherein said body containing aluminum is a connector.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1999-01-15 | 1999-07-17 | 2000-01-16 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2003-01-15 | 2003-07-17 | 2004-01-16 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2007-01-15 | 2007-07-17 | 2008-01-16 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |