Multi-level circuits, methods for their fabrication, and display devices incorporating such circuits

摘要

In a multi-level circuit of the kind having two or more crossing conductive tracks (12, 14) on a substrate (16) separated at the region of the cross-over (21) by insulative material (20), for example for use in an active matrix display device requiring sets of mutually orthogonal conductors on a substrate for addressing switching elements (71) adjacent the cross-over regions connected to picture element electrodes (70) also carried on the substrate, at least one of the crossing tracks (12,14) at the or each cross-over region (21) is divided at the cross-over region into a plurality of mutually spaced conductive paths (24-26) connected electrically in parallel with one another. In the event of an unwanted short occuring between the crossing tracks due to a defect in the separating insulative material, the short is removed by applying a suitable voltage between the tracks causing one conductive path at the area of the short to blow as a fuse thereby disconnecting the short and leaving the one or more remaining paths to maintain electrical continuity in the track.