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:
Jul. 26, 2005
Filed:
May. 06, 2002
Daniel Lee Corum, Richardson, TX (US);
Taylor Jon Lowry, Richardson, TX (US);
Daniel Lee Corum, Richardson, TX (US);
Taylor Jon Lowry, Richardson, TX (US);
Texas Instruments Incorporated, Dallas, TX (US);
Abstract
Detecting a defect of an integrated circuit includes illuminating an integrated circuit with an optical beam. The integrated circuit includes a substrate, a dielectric layer disposed outwardly from the substrate, and a sequence of metal links disposed within the dielectric layer. An end metal link of the sequence of metal links is grounded. A change of relative brightness of the dielectric layer proximate to the sequence of metal links is detected. The change of relative brightness comprises a difference between a first brightness associated with a first metal link and a second brightness associated with a second metal link coupled to the first metal link. The change of relative brightness is associated with a defect of the integrated circuit.