International Business Machines Corporation

Michael Ruprecht

Timothy Dooling Sullivan

Alvin Wayne Strong

Carole D Graas

Ronald Gene Filippi, Jr

William H Guthrie

Andreas Kluwe

Deborah Tibel

A method for determining the electromigration characteristics of a wiring structure in an integrated circuit device is disclosed. In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the method includes configuring a defined test structure type for the integrated circuit device. The defined test structure type further includes a first line of wiring primarily disposed in a principal plane of a semiconductor substrate, and a second line of wiring connected to the first line of wiring. The second line of wiring is disposed in a secondary plane which is substantially parallel to the principal plane, with the first and second lines of wiring being connected by a via structure therebetween. A thermal coefficient of resistance for the first line of wiring and the via structure is determined, and a wafer-level stress condition is introduced in a first individual test structure of the defined test structure type. Then, at least one parameter value for is determined for the first individual test structure, which parameter value is used to predict a lifetime projection for the wiring structure in the integrated circuit device.

Method and apparatus for accelerated determination of electromigration characteristics of semiconductor wiring

A method for manufacturing integrated circuits (&ldquo;IC&rdquo;) on wafers to manage crack damage in the ICs such that crack propagation into the IC active array is reduced or eliminated. The method provides for a defined separation or divide of the IC gate conductor from the IC crack stop or IC edge. The method is especially useful in managing crack damage induced through the delamination of one or more of the gate conductor surface interfaces as a result of the IC wafer dicing process. Circuits or chips manufactured according to the methods disclosed are also taught.

Method for eliminating crack damage induced by delaminating gate conductor interfaces in integrated circuits

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Essex Junction, VT, United States of America

Michael Ruprecht