Grounding method to eliminate the antenna effect in VLSI process
First Claim
1. A method of subjecting an integrated circuit, having electrically grounded elements and first metal regions on its surface which are connected to device structures, to a plasma process, comprising the steps of:
- connecting said first metal regions to said electrically grounded elements;
placing said integrated circuit in a chamber for accomplishing said plasma process;
subjecting said integrated circuit to said plasma process such that said connecting of said first metal regions to said electrically grounded elements prevents damage to said device structures;
removing said integrated circuit from said chamber; and
disconnecting said first metal regions from said electrically grounded elements.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method of subjecting an integrated circuit, having electrically grounded elements and large first metal regions on its surface which are connected to device structures, to a plasma process, is described. Large first metal regions are connected to the electrically grounded elements. The integrated circuit is placed in a chamber for accomplishing the plasma process. The integrated circuit is subjected to the plasma process such that the connecting of the large first metal regions to the electrically grounded elements prevents damage to the device structures. The integrated circuit is removed from the chamber. Finally, the large first metal regions are disconnected from the electrically grounded elements.
17 Citations
11 Claims
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1. A method of subjecting an integrated circuit, having electrically grounded elements and first metal regions on its surface which are connected to device structures, to a plasma process, comprising the steps of:
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connecting said first metal regions to said electrically grounded elements; placing said integrated circuit in a chamber for accomplishing said plasma process; subjecting said integrated circuit to said plasma process such that said connecting of said first metal regions to said electrically grounded elements prevents damage to said device structures; removing said integrated circuit from said chamber; and
disconnecting said first metal regions from said electrically grounded elements. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A method of subjecting an integrated circuit with CMOS device structures to a plasma process, comprising the steps of:
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forming a first layer of metal on said integrated circuit; patterning said first layer of metal to form contact pads, voltage connection pads, and electrical connections between said contact pads and said voltage connection pads; connecting said voltage connection pads to ground through said device structures; processing said integrated circuit in a plasma environment that would normally produce electrical charge build-up at gate oxide of said device structures, but said connection to ground prevents said charge build-up; and disconnecting said contact pads from said voltage connection pads. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11)
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Specification