Laser-formed interconnects for redundant devices
A parallel redundant system comprises a substrate, a first circuit disposed over the substrate, a first conductor disposed at least partially in a first layer over the substrate and wire routed to the first circuit, a second circuit disposed over the substrate, the second circuit redundant to the first circuit, a second conductor disposed in a second layer over the substrate and electrically connected to the second circuit, the second conductor disposed at least partially over the first conductor, a dielectric layer disposed at least partially between the first layer and the second layer, and a laser weld electrically connecting the first conductor to the second conductor.
1 . A processable integrated circuit, comprising:
an integrated circuit substrate;
a circuit disposed in, on, or over the integrated circuit substrate;
an electrical connector electrically connected to the circuit; and
an opening structure electrically connected in serial between the electrical connector and the circuit, wherein the opening structure is constructed and arranged to form an electrical open when subjected to laser radiation.
2 . The processable integrated circuit of claim 1 , comprising a package containing the integrated circuit substrate and wherein the electrical connector comprises an interconnection lead.
3 . The processable integrated circuit of claim 2 , comprising a graphic disposed on the package, the graphic indicating the location of the opening structure.
4 . The processable integrated circuit of claim 2 , wherein the opening structure is an electrical conductor disposed on, in, or over the integrated circuit substrate that electrically connects the interconnection lead to the circuit.
5 . The processable integrated circuit of claim 1 , comprising a graphic indicating the location of the opening structure.
6 . The processable integrated circuit of claim 1 , wherein the opening structure is a thermally activated fuse.
7 . A method for processing an integrated circuit, comprising:
providing an integrated circuit substrate, a circuit disposed in, on, or over the integrated circuit substrate, an electrical connector electrically connected to the circuit, and an opening structure electrically connected in serial between the electrical connector and the circuit; and
exposing the opening structure to laser radiation, thereby forming an electrical open between the circuit and the electrical connector.
8 . A parallel redundant system, comprising:
a substrate;
a first conductor disposed at least partially in a first layer over the substrate and wire routed to the first circuit;
a second circuit disposed over the substrate;
a second conductor disposed in a second layer over the substrate and electrically connected to the second circuit, the second conductor disposed at least partially over the first conductor;
a dielectric layer disposed at least partially between the first layer and the second layer; and
a laser weld electrically connecting the first conductor to the second conductor through the dielectric layer.
9 . The parallel redundant system of claim 8 , comprising an interface circuit electrically connected to the first conductor and to the second circuit through the laser weld.
10 . The parallel redundant system of claim 9 , wherein the second circuit is an integrated circuit.
11 . The parallel redundant system of claim 10 , wherein the integrated circuit comprises an unpackaged semiconductor circuit and a broken tether.
12 . The parallel redundant system of claim 10 , wherein the integrated circuit comprises an opening structure.
13 . The parallel redundant system of claim 10 , wherein the integrated circuit comprises a shorting structure.
14 . The parallel redundant system of claim 8 , comprising two or more first conductors disposed in the first layer and two or more second conductors disposed in the second layer each second conductor electrically connected to the second circuit.
15 . The parallel redundant system of claim 14 , comprising two or more laser welds, each of the two or more laser welds electrically connecting one of the two or more first conductors to a corresponding one of the two or more second conductors.
16 . The parallel redundant system of claim 14 , wherein one or more of the two or more first conductors is electrically connected to a corresponding one of the two or more second conductors.