The present invention relates to a programmable
semiconductor device, preferably a FinFET or tri-gate structure, that contains a first
contact element, a second
contact element, and at least one fin-shaped
fusible link region coupled between the first and second contact elements. The second
contact element is laterally spaced apart from the first contact element, and the fin-shaped
fusible link region has a vertically notched section. A
programming current flowing through the fin-shaped
fusible link region causes either significant resistance increase or formation of an electric discontinuity in the vertically notched section. Alternatively, the vertically notched section may contain a
dielectric material, and application of a
programming voltage between a gate
electrode overlaying the vertically notched section and one of the contact elements breaks down the
dielectric material and allows current flow between the gate
electrode and the fin-shaped fusible link region.