The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Aug. 03, 1999
Filed:
Oct. 21, 1997
Kevin H Schofield, Boise, ID (US);
Micron Technology, Inc., Boise, ID (US);
Abstract
Disclosed is a process for exposing a metal-containing surface feature on an integrated circuit wafer by laser ablation. According to the invention, a silicon dioxide passivation layer is provided upon the surface feature. The silicon dioxide layer is transparent to electromagnetic radiation having a specified wavelength, such that the electromagnetic radiation is directed through the silicon dioxide layer onto the underlying surface feature. A portion of the surface feature is ablated. Ablation of the surface feature causes removal of an overlying portion of the silicon dioxide layer, thereby exposing the surface feature. Laser ablation may further be performed on optional overlying layers of silicon nitride and polyimide.