Abstract: A back side illumination (BSI) image sensor with a dielectric grid opening having a planar lower surface is provided. A pixel sensor is arranged within a semiconductor substrate. A metallic grid is arranged over the pixel sensor and defines a sidewall of a metallic grid opening. A dielectric grid is arranged over the metallic grid and defines a sidewall of the dielectric grid opening. A capping layer is arranged over the metallic grid, and defines the planar lower surface of the dielectric grid opening.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a semiconductor substrate, a radiation-sensing region, at least one isolation structure, and a doped passivation layer. The radiation-sensing region is present in the semiconductor substrate. The isolation structure is present in the semiconductor substrate and adjacent to the radiation-sensing region. The doped passivation layer at least partially surrounds the isolation structure in a substantially conformal manner.

Abstract: A method includes following steps. An image of a wafer is captured. A first contact region in the captured image at which the first conductive contact is rendered is identified. A second contact region in the captured image at which the second conductive contact is rendered is identified. The second conductive contact is determined as not shorted to the first conductive contact, in response to the identified second contact region in the captured image is darker than the identified first contact region in the captured image.

Abstract: A semiconductor image sensor includes a substrate having a first side and a second side that is opposite the first side. An interconnect structure is disposed over the first side of the substrate. A plurality of radiation-sensing regions is located in the substrate. The radiation-sensing regions are configured to sense radiation that enters the substrate from the second side. A plurality of isolation structures are each disposed between two respective radiation-sensing regions. The isolation structures protrude out of the second side of the substrate.

Abstract: A method includes capturing an image of a wafer, the wafer comprising a first conductive contact over an active region of the wafer and a second conductive contact over a shallow trench isolation (STI) region abutting the active region; identifying a brightness of a first contact region in the captured image at which the first conductive contact is rendered; identifying a brightness of a second contact region in the captured image at which the second conductive contact is rendered; and in response to the identified brightness of the first contact region in the captured image being substantially the same as the identified brightness of the second contact region in the captured image, determining that the second conductive contact is shorted to the first conductive contact.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of fabricating a semiconductor image sensor device. The method includes providing a substrate having a pixel region, a periphery region, and a bonding pad region. The substrate further has a first side and a second side opposite the first side. The pixel region contains radiation-sensing regions. The method further includes forming a bonding pad in the bonding pad region; and forming light-blocking structures over the second side of the substrate, at least in the pixel region, after the bonding pad has been formed.

Abstract: A back side illumination (BSI) image sensor with a dielectric grid opening having a planar lower surface is provided. A pixel sensor is arranged within a semiconductor substrate. A metallic grid is arranged over the pixel sensor and defines a sidewall of a metallic grid opening. A dielectric grid is arranged over the metallic grid and defines a sidewall of the dielectric grid opening. A capping layer is arranged over the metallic grid, and defines the planar lower surface of the dielectric grid opening.

Abstract: A method for forming a high dielectric constant (high-?) dielectric layer on a substrate including performing a pre-clean process on a surface of the substrate. A chloride precursor is introduced on the surface. An oxidant is introduced to the surface to form the high-? dielectric layer on the substrate. A chlorine concentration of the high-? dielectric layer is lower than about 8 atoms/cm3.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a detecting device, comprising a test strip connector, a sliding block, an elastomer, a housing, and an elastic piece. The sliding block is slidably disposed on the test strip connector. The sliding block comprises an elastic piece connecting part. The elastomer is disposed between the sliding block and the test strip connector. The housing is disposed on the test strip connector and comprises a first connecting part. The elastic piece connecting part is exposed from the housing. The elastic piece comprises a second connecting part, a connecting end part, and a pressing end part. The connecting end part and the pressing end part are disposed at two sides of the second connecting part. The second connecting part is rotatably connected to the first connecting part. The connecting end part is movably connected to the elastic piece connecting part.

Abstract: A back side illumination (BSI) image sensor with a dielectric grid opening having a planar lower surface is provided. A pixel sensor is arranged within a semiconductor substrate. A metallic grid is arranged over the pixel sensor and defines a sidewall of a metallic grid opening. A dielectric grid is arranged over the metallic grid and defines a sidewall of the dielectric grid opening. A capping layer is arranged over the metallic grid, and defines the planar lower surface of the dielectric grid opening.

Abstract: A semiconductor structure includes an ILD disposed over a semiconductive substrate, an isolation disposed between the semiconductive substrate and the ILD, and a conductive pad disposed within the semiconductive substrate, the isolation and the ILD. A top surface of the conductive pad is substantially parallel with two surfaces of the semiconductive substrate. The top surface of the conductive pad is between the two surfaces of the semiconductive substrate. Sidewalls of the conductive pad are in direct contact with the ILD and the isolation.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a semiconductor substrate, a radiation-sensing region, at least one isolation structure, and a doped passivation layer. The radiation-sensing region is present in the semiconductor substrate. The isolation structure is present in the semiconductor substrate and adjacent to the radiation-sensing region. The doped passivation layer at least partially surrounds the isolation structure in a substantially conformal manner.

Abstract: A back side illumination (BSI) image sensor with a dielectric grid opening having a planar lower surface is provided. A pixel sensor is arranged within a semiconductor substrate. A metallic grid is arranged over the pixel sensor and defines a sidewall of a metallic grid opening. A dielectric grid is arranged over the metallic grid and defines a sidewall of the dielectric grid opening. A capping layer is arranged over the metallic grid, and defines the planar lower surface of the dielectric grid opening.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a semiconductor substrate, a radiation-sensing region, at least one isolation structure, and a doped passivation layer. The radiation-sensing region is present in the semiconductor substrate. The isolation structure is present in the semiconductor substrate and adjacent to the radiation-sensing region. The doped passivation layer at least partially surrounds the isolation structure in a substantially conformal manner.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of fabricating a semiconductor image sensor device. The method includes providing a substrate having a pixel region, a periphery region, and a bonding pad region. The substrate further has a first side and a second side opposite the first side. The pixel region contains radiation-sensing regions. The method further includes forming a bonding pad in the bonding pad region; and forming light-blocking structures over the second side of the substrate, at least in the pixel region, after the bonding pad has been formed.

Abstract: A method includes capturing an image of a wafer, the wafer comprising a first conductive contact over an active region of the wafer and a second conductive contact over a shallow trench isolation (STI) region abutting the active region; identifying a brightness of a first contact region in the captured image at which the first conductive contact is rendered; identifying a brightness of a second contact region in the captured image at which the second conductive contact is rendered; and in response to the identified brightness of the first contact region in the captured image being substantially the same as the identified brightness of the second contact region in the captured image, determining that the second conductive contact is shorted to the first conductive contact.

Abstract: Some embodiments relate to a device array including a plurality of devices arranged in a semiconductor substrate. A protection ring circumscribes an outer perimeter of the device array. The protection ring includes a first ring neighboring the device array, a second ring circumscribing the first ring and meeting the first ring at a first p-n junction, and a third ring circumscribing the second ring and meeting the second ring at a second p-n junction. The first ring has a first width, the second ring has a second width, and the third ring has a third width. At least two of the first width, the second width, and the third width are different from one another.

Abstract: A semiconductor image sensor includes a substrate having a first side and a second side that is opposite the first side. An interconnect structure is disposed over the first side of the substrate. A plurality of radiation-sensing regions is located in the substrate. The radiation-sensing regions are configured to sense radiation that enters the substrate from the second side. A plurality of isolation structures are each disposed between two respective radiation-sensing regions. The isolation structures protrude out of the second side of the substrate.

Abstract: A method for forming a high dielectric constant (high-?) dielectric layer on a substrate including performing a pre-clean process on a surface of the substrate. A chloride precursor is introduced on the surface. An oxidant is introduced to the surface to form the high-? dielectric layer on the substrate. A chlorine concentration of the high-? dielectric layer is lower than about 8 atoms/cm3.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a semiconductor structure includes forming first and second features in a scribe region of a semiconductor substrate in which the first feature has a first electrical resistance, the second feature has a second electrical resistance, and the first electrical resistance is different form the second electrical resistance; forming an interlayer dielectric layer over the first and second features; and forming a first contact in the interlayer dielectric layer and connected to the first feature and a second contact in the interlayer dielectric layer and connected to the second feature.