A fuse array having a plurality of fusible links that can be addressed by
two electrodes is disclosed. The fuse array includes two conductive strips
having the plurality of fusible links located therebetween and
electrically coupled to the conductive strips. The fusible links have
different electrical resistance and each fusible link includes a fuse
portion. A voltage potential applied across the conductive strips induces
current flow through the fusible links in accordance with Ohm's law and
ohmic heating occurs at the fuse portion in proportion to the square of
the current. The voltage is increased to cause sufficient ohmic heating to
occur in the most conductive fusible link (the fusible link having the
lowest electrical resistance) so that the fuse portion in that fusible
link fuses. Because the fusible links are connected in parallel to the
conductive strips, an equivalent resistance of the plurality of fusible
links increases and the current flow diminishes so that no further fuse
portions are fused at the selected voltage level. Thereafter, the voltage
level may be increased to fuse the most conductive fusible link remaining
that is not fused. The fuse array may be incorporated into a circuit as a
resistor that can be tuned to circuit requirements or as a physical
structure in MEMS devices wherein the fuse array may be tuned to change
physical properties of the MEMS device.