Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Simon S Cohen

Jack I Raffel

Peter W Wyatt

A device and a method for interrupting the continuity of a conductor and linking a pair of conductors are disclosed. The device is a three-terminal fuse having first and second terminals initially connected by a conductor and a third terminal separated from the conductor at a breakpoint of the conductor by an insulator. By applying a voltage across the third terminal or control terminal and the conductor, a transient conductive link is formed between the conductor and the control terminal. If sufficient current is provided through the transient link, heating of the link causes the metal of the conductor to melt and boil away, thus interrupting the continuity of the conductor.

Three-terminal fuse

Methods and systems are discussed for fabricating electrically programmable link structures by fabricating a first metal conductor of a refractory conductive material, composite, or an aluminum alloy which has been modified with a refractory material, then fabricating an insulating link material over the first conductor, and subsequently, depositing a second conductor over the link material. In use, an electrical path can be formed between the first and second conductors by applying a voltage between such conductors across at least one selected region of the insulator, such that the insulating link material is transformed in the region and rendered conductive to form an electrical signal path.

Voltage programmable links for integrated circuits

A programmable integrated circuit for forming conductive links includes a heat-generating programming structure through which current flows upon application of a programming voltage to heat the region around the programming structure. A programmable link structure including two conductors separated by a transformable insulator is in thermal communication with the programming circuit. When current flows through the programming circuit, the programmable link structure is heated. The heat causes the transformable insulator to break down such that a permanent conductive link is formed between the two conductors of the programmable link structure. During programming, a programming conductor is cut symmetrically about the programming structure.

Fuse-triggered antifuse

A voltage programmable link structure reduces parasitic capacitance by using ion implantation. The voltage programmable link structure includes a first conductive element placed over a substrate. A transformable insulator is deposited over the first conductive element. The transformable insulator material is deposited with an ion implanted layer. A second conductive element is deposited over the ion implanted layer. An electrical path is formed between the first and second conductive elements by applying a voltage between the elements across at least one region of the insulator, such that the insulating material is transformed and rendered conductive to form an electrical signal path.

Voltage programmable link having reduced capacitance

Method of making a three-terminal fuse

An electrical path can be formed through a transformable insulator between first and second conductors by applying a voltage between such conductors across at least one selected region of the insulator. Much of the current required to complete the link is provided from parasitic capacitance of the writing circuit or from capacitance which is removable from the circuit during normal operations. As a result, small transistors of less than 100 microamps may be used in the writing circuit which applies the programming voltage.

Voltage programmable links programmed with low current transistors

Methods and systems are disclosed for fabricating electrically programmable link structures by fabricating a first conductor, which comprises a refractory conductive material, then fabricating an insulative link material over the refractory conductive material and, subsequently, depositing an upper conductive material over the link material. In use, an electrical path can be formed between the first and second conductive elements by applying a voltage between such elements across at least one selected region of the insulator, such that the insulative link material is transformed in the region and rendered conducti

Method of making electrically programmable link structures

The present invention discloses an incoherent radiation regulated voltage programmable link circuit and a method for making the circuit. The voltage programmable link circuit lowers the programming voltage of the link to that of the normal operating voltage by applying electromagnetic radiation to the link structure. The radiation may be radio frequency radiation, or ultraviolet radiation may be applied through a transparent conductive element.

Incoherent radiation regulated voltage programmable link

Methods and systems are disclosed for fabricating electrically programmable link structures by fabricating a first conductor, which comprises a refractory conductive material, then fabricating an insulative link material over the refractory conductive material and, subsequently, depositing an upper conductive material over the link material. In use, an electrical path can be formed between the first and second conductive elements by applying a voltage between such elements across at least one selected region of the insulator, such that the insulative link material is transformed in the region and rendered conductive to form an electrical signal path. The link material is preferably a silicon oxide insulator and

Growing community of inventors

Burlington, MA, United States of America

Simon S Cohen