Abstract: Various embodiments of the present disclosure are directed towards a semiconductor processing system including an overlay (OVL) shift measurement device. The OVL shift measurement device is configured to determine an OVL shift between a first wafer and a second wafer, where the second wafer overlies the first wafer. A photolithography device is configured to perform one or more photolithography processes on the second wafer. A controller is configured to perform an alignment process on the photolithography device according to the determined OVL shift. The photolithography device performs the one or more photolithography processes based on the OVL shift.

Abstract: In some embodiments, the present disclosure relates to a microelectromechanical system (MEMS) comb actuator including a comb structure. The comb structure includes a support layer having a first material and a plurality of protrusions extending away from a first surface of the support layer in a first direction. The plurality of protrusions are also made of the first material. The plurality of protrusions are separated along a second direction parallel to the first surface of the support layer. The MEMS comb actuator may further include a dielectric liner structure that continuously and completely covers the first surface of the support layer and outer surfaces of the plurality of protrusions. The dielectric liner structure includes a connective portion that continuously connects topmost surfaces of at least two of the plurality of protrusions.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present application are directed towards a metal-insulator-metal (MIM) capacitor. The MIM capacitor comprises a bottom electrode disposed over a semiconductor substrate. A top electrode is disposed over and overlies the bottom electrode. A capacitor insulator structure is disposed between the bottom electrode and the top electrode. The capacitor insulator structure comprises at least three dielectric structures vertically stacked upon each other. A bottom half of the capacitor insulator structure is a mirror image of a top half of the capacitor insulator structure in terms of dielectric materials of the dielectric structures.

Abstract: A semiconductor structure includes a substrate. The semiconductor structure further includes a first III-V layer over the substrate, wherein the first III-V layer includes a first dopant type. The semiconductor structure further includes a second III-V layer over the first III-V layer, wherein the second III-V layer has a second dopant type opposite the first dopant type. The semiconductor structure further includes a third III-V layer over the second III-V layer, wherein the third III-V layer has the first dopant type. The semiconductor structure further includes a fourth III-V layer over the third III-V layer, the fourth III-V layer having the second dopant type. The semiconductor structure further includes an active layer over the fourth III-V layer. The semiconductor structure further includes a dielectric layer over the active layer.

Abstract: In some embodiments, the present disclosure relates to a microelectromechanical system (MEMS) comb actuator including a comb structure. The comb structure includes a support layer having a first material and a plurality of protrusions extending away from a first surface of the support layer in a first direction. The plurality of protrusions are also made of the first material. The plurality of protrusions are separated along a second direction parallel to the first surface of the support layer. The MEMS comb actuator may further include a dielectric liner structure that continuously and completely covers the first surface of the support layer and outer surfaces of the plurality of protrusions. The dielectric liner structure includes a connective portion that continuously connects topmost surfaces of at least two of the plurality of protrusions.

Abstract: A microelectromechanical system (MEMS) structure and method of forming the MEMS device, including forming a first metallization structure over a complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) wafer, where the first metallization structure includes a first sacrificial oxide layer and a first metal contact pad. A second metallization structure is formed over a MEMS wafer, where the second metallization structure includes a second sacrificial oxide layer and a second metal contact pad. The first metallization structure and second metallization structure are then bonded together. After the first metallization structure and second metallization structure are bonded together, patterning and etching the MEMS wafer to form a MEMS element over the second sacrificial oxide layer. After the MEMS element is formed, removing the first sacrificial oxide layer and second sacrificial oxide layer to allow the MEMS element to move freely about an axis.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present disclosure are directed towards a method for forming a semiconductor structure. The method includes forming a plurality of upper alignment marks on a semiconductor wafer. A plurality of lower alignment marks is formed on a handle wafer and correspond to the upper alignment marks. The semiconductor wafer is bonded to the handle wafer such that centers of the upper alignment marks are laterally offset from centers of corresponding lower alignment marks. An overlay (OVL) shift is measured between the handle wafer and the semiconductor wafer by detecting the plurality of upper alignment marks and the plurality of lower alignment marks. A photolithography process is performed by a photolithography tool to partially form an integrated circuit (IC) structure over the semiconductor wafer. During the photolithography process the photolithography tool is compensatively aligned according to the OVL shift.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a substrate. The semiconductor device includes an AlN seed layer in direct contact with the substrate. The AlN seed layer includes an AlN first seed sublayer, and an AlN second seed sublayer, wherein a portion of the AlN seed layer closest to the substrate includes carbon dopants and has a different lattice structure from a substrate lattice structure. The semiconductor device includes a graded layer in direct contact with the AlN seed layer. The graded layer includes a first graded sublayer including AlGaN, a second graded sublayer including AlGaN, and a third graded sublayer including AlGaN. The semiconductor device includes a channel layer over the graded layer. The semiconductor device includes an active layer over the channel layer, wherein the active layer has a band gap discontinuity with the channel layer.

Abstract: In accordance with some embodiments, a method for processing semiconductor wafer is provided. The method includes introducing a first processing gas of an atomic layer deposition (ALD) process on the semiconductor substrate in a chamber; introducing a second processing gas of the ALD process on the semiconductor substrate in the chamber; creating an exhaust flow from the chamber; monitoring a concentration of the first processing gas of the ALD process in the exhaust flow; in response to the monitored concentration of the first processing gas of the ALD process in the exhaust flow, introducing a cleaning gas into the chamber.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present disclosure are directed towards an integrated circuit (IC) chip comprising a semiconductor device that is inverted and that overlies a dielectric region inset into a top of a semiconductor substrate. An interconnect structure overlies the semiconductor substrate and the dielectric region and further comprises an intermetal dielectric (IMD) layer. The IMD layer is bonded to the top of the semiconductor substrate and accommodates a pad. A semiconductor layer overlies the interconnect structure, and the semiconductor device is in the semiconductor layer, between the semiconductor layer and the interconnect structure. The semiconductor device comprises a first source/drain electrode overlying the dielectric region and further overlying and electrically coupled to the pad. The dielectric region reduces substrate capacitance to decrease substrate power loss and may, for example, be a cavity or a dielectric layer. A contact extends through the semiconductor layer to the pad.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an image sensor comprising a substrate. A photodetector is in the substrate. A trench is in the substrate and is defined by sidewalls and an upper surface of the substrate. A first isolation layer extends along the sidewalls and the upper surface of the substrate that define the trench. The first isolation layer comprises a first dielectric material. A second isolation layer is over the first isolation layer. The second isolation layer lines the first isolation layer. The second isolation layer comprises a second dielectric material. A third isolation layer is over the second isolation layer. The third isolation layer fills the trench and lines the second isolation layer. The third isolation layer comprises a third material. A ratio of a first thickness of the first isolation layer to a second thickness of the second isolation layer is about 0.17 to 0.38.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present disclosure are directed towards a three-dimensional (3D) trench capacitor, as well as methods for forming the same. In some embodiments, a first substrate overlies a second substrate so a front side of the first substrate faces a front side of the second substrate. A first trench capacitor and a second trench capacitor extend respectively into the front sides of the first and second substrates. A plurality of wires and a plurality of vias are stacked between and electrically coupled to the first and second trench capacitors. A first through substrate via (TSV) extends through the first substrate from a back side of the first substrate, and the wires and the vias electrically couple the first TSV to the first and second trench capacitors. The first and second trench capacitors and the electrical coupling therebetween collectively define the 3D trench capacitor.

Abstract: A microelectromechanical system (MEMS) structure and method of forming the MEMS device, including forming a first metallization structure over a complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) wafer, where the first metallization structure includes a first sacrificial oxide layer and a first metal contact pad. A second metallization structure is formed over a MEMS wafer, where the second metallization structure includes a second sacrificial oxide layer and a second metal contact pad. The first metallization structure and second metallization structure are then bonded together. After the first metallization structure and second metallization structure are bonded together, patterning and etching the MEMS wafer to form a MEMS element over the second sacrificial oxide layer. After the MEMS element is formed, removing the first sacrificial oxide layer and second sacrificial oxide layer to allow the MEMS element to move freely about an axis.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present application are directed towards a metal-insulator-metal (MIM) capacitor. The MIM capacitor comprises a bottom electrode disposed over a semiconductor substrate. A top electrode is disposed over and overlies the bottom electrode. A capacitor insulator structure is disposed between the bottom electrode and the top electrode. The capacitor insulator structure comprises at least three dielectric structures vertically stacked upon each other. A bottom half of the capacitor insulator structure is a mirror image of a top half of the capacitor insulator structure in terms of dielectric materials of the dielectric structures.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present application are directed towards a method for forming a metal-insulator-metal (MIM) capacitor comprising an enhanced interfacial layer to reduce breakdown failure. In some embodiments, a bottom electrode layer is deposited over a substrate. A native oxide layer is formed on a top surface of the bottom electrode layer and has a first adhesion strength with the top surface. A plasma treatment process is performed to replace the native oxide layer with an interfacial layer. The interfacial layer is conductive and has a second adhesion strength with the top surface of the bottom electrode layer, and the second adhesion strength is greater than the first adhesion strength. An insulator layer is deposited on the interfacial layer. A top electrode layer is deposited on the insulator layer. The top and bottom electrode layers, the insulator layer, and the interfacial layer are patterned to form a MIM capacitor.

Abstract: In accordance with some embodiments, a method for processing semiconductor wafer is provided. The method includes loading a semiconductor wafer into a chamber. The method also includes creating an exhaust flow from the chamber. The method further includes depositing a film on the semiconductor wafer by supplying a processing gas into the chamber. In addition, the method includes detecting, with a use of a gas sensor, a concentration of the processing gas in the exhaust flow and generating a detection signal according to a result of the detection. The method further includes supplying a cleaning gas into the processing chamber for a time period after the film is formed on the semiconductor wafer. The time period is determined based on the detection signal.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a packaging method, including: providing a first semiconductor substrate; forming a bonding region on the first semiconductor substrate, wherein the bonding region of the first semiconductor substrate includes a first bonding metal layer and a second bonding metal layer; providing a second semiconductor substrate having a bonding region, wherein the bonding region of the second semiconductor substrate includes a third bonding layer; and bonding the first semiconductor substrate to the second semiconductor substrate by bringing the bonding region of the first semiconductor substrate in contact with the bonding region of the second semiconductor substrate; wherein the first and third bonding metal layers include copper (Cu), and the second bonding metal layer includes Tin (Sn). An associated packaging structure is also disclosed.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present disclosure are directed towards an integrated circuit (IC) chip comprising a semiconductor device that is inverted and that overlies a dielectric region inset into a top of a semiconductor substrate. An interconnect structure overlies the semiconductor substrate and the dielectric region and further comprises an intermetal dielectric (IMD) layer. The IMD layer is bonded to the top of the semiconductor substrate and accommodates a pad. A semiconductor layer overlies the interconnect structure, and the semiconductor device is in the semiconductor layer, between the semiconductor layer and the interconnect structure. The semiconductor device comprises a first source/drain electrode overlying the dielectric region and further overlying and electrically coupled to the pad. The dielectric region reduces substrate capacitance to decrease substrate power loss and may, for example, be a cavity or a dielectric layer. A contact extends through the semiconductor layer to the pad.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present disclosure are directed towards a three-dimensional (3D) trench capacitor, as well as methods for forming the same. In some embodiments, a first substrate overlies a second substrate so a front side of the first substrate faces a front side of the second substrate. A first trench capacitor and a second trench capacitor extend respectively into the front sides of the first and second substrates. A plurality of wires and a plurality of vias are stacked between and electrically coupled to the first and second trench capacitors. A first through substrate via (TSV) extends through the first substrate from a back side of the first substrate, and the wires and the vias electrically couple the first TSV to the first and second trench capacitors. The first and second trench capacitors and the electrical coupling therebetween collectively define the 3D trench capacitor.

Abstract: A method includes forming a gate structure over a silicon on insulator (SOI) substrate. The SOI substrate comprising: a base semiconductor layer; an insulator layer over the base semiconductor layer; and a top semiconductor layer over the insulator layer. The method further includes depositing a gate spacer layer over a top surface and along a sidewall of the gate structure; etching the gate spacer layer to define a gate spacer on the sidewall of the gate structure; after etching the gate spacer layer, etching a recess into the top semiconductor layer using a first etch process; and after the first etch process, extending the recess further into the top semiconductor layer using a second etch process. The first etch process is different from the second etch process. The method further includes forming a source/drain region in the recess after the second etch process.