Abstract: A system is disclosed that monitors endpoints such as video cameras and audio devices for malfunction through a novel TDMA device allocation format. The system isolates and analyzes a set of groups of video streams in a rotating and recurring fashion and generates alerts and remedial commands based on the analysis. The system also provides endpoint management functions such as password analysis and firewall functions.

Abstract: The present disclosure concerns a charge-accumulation radiation detector that includes a semiconductor device and specifies an incident time and energy of radiation from a transferred image signal. The radiation detector includes a semiconductor substrate and electrodes disposed on both sides of the semiconductor substrate, and includes a plurality of charge accumulation units inside the semiconductor substrate. The plurality of charge accumulation units is each configured to accumulate charges generated by radiation incident on the semiconductor substrate. The charges accumulated in the charge accumulation units are readable to outside through at least one of the electrodes.

Abstract: A method is presented for protecting resistive random access memory (RRAM) stacks within a resistive memory crossbar array. The method includes forming a plurality of conductive lines within an interlayer dielectric (ILD), forming a RRAM stack including at least a hardmask having a first layer and a second layer, the second layer being a ruthenium layer, and removing the first layer of dual layer hardmask during a via opening such that the ruthenium layer remains intact to protect the RRAM stack during a damascene process.

Abstract: A tie-high circuit includes: a p-type metal-oxide-semiconductor (PMOS) transistor connected to a power rail in a standard cell library; and a decoupling capacitor connected to a ground rail in the standard cell library and the PMOS transistor. The decoupling capacitor includes an n-type metal-oxide-semiconductor (NMOS) transistor having either one of a source and a drain of the NMOS transistor being connected to the ground rail via an active resistor. A tie-low circuit includes: an n-type metal-oxide-semiconductor (NMOS) transistor connected to a ground rail in a standard cell library; and a decoupling capacitor connected to a power rail in the standard cell library and the NMOS transistor. The decoupling capacitor of the tie-low circuit includes a PMOS transistor having either one of a source and a drain of the PMOS transistor being connected to the power rail via an active resistor.

Abstract: A three-dimensional memory device including self-aligned drain select level electrodes is provided. Memory stack structures extend through an alternating stack of insulating layers and spacer material layers. Each of the memory stack structures includes a memory film and a memory level channel portion. Drain select level channel portions are formed over the memory level channel portions with respective lateral shifts with respect to underlying memory stack structures. The direction of lateral shifts alternates from row to row for each row of drain select level channel portions. Drain select level gate dielectrics and drain select level gate electrodes are formed on the drain select level channel portions. Each drain select level gate electrode controls two rows of drain select level channel portions, and is laterally spaced from neighboring drain select level gate electrodes.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a planar semiconductor layer formed on a substrate; a pillar-shaped semiconductor layer formed on the planar semiconductor layer; a gate insulating film surrounding the pillar-shaped semiconductor layer; a first metal surrounding the gate insulating film, the first metal being in contact with an upper portion of the planar semiconductor layer; a gate formed above the first metal so as to surround the gate insulating film, the gate being electrically insulated from the first metal; and a second metal formed above the gate so as to surround the gate insulating film, the second metal being electrically insulated from the gate, the second metal having an upper portion electrically connected to an upper portion of the pillar-shaped semiconductor layer.

Abstract: Cross-point memory cells, non-volatile memory arrays, methods of reading a memory cell, methods of programming a memory cell, and methods of writing to and reading from a memory cell are described. In one embodiment, a cross-point memory cell includes a word line extending in a first direction, a bit line extending in a second direction different from the first direction, the bit line and the word line crossing without physically contacting each other, and a capacitor formed between the word line and the bit line where such cross. The capacitor comprises a dielectric material configured to prevent DC current from flowing from the word line to the bit line and from the bit line to the word line.

Abstract: A source select level silicon nitride layer and an alternating stack of insulating layers and sacrificial silicon nitride layers are formed over a substrate. A memory opening is formed through the alternating stack and the source select level silicon nitride layer. The source select level silicon nitride layer is laterally recessed farther than the sacrificial silicon nitride layers employing an isotropic etch process. A pedestal channel portion including a laterally protruding annular portion is formed at a bottom region of the memory opening. A memory stack structure is formed on the pedestal channel portion in the memory opening. The source select level silicon nitride layer and the sacrificial silicon nitride layers are replaced with a source select level electrically conductive layer and word line electrically conductive layers, respectively.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device may include forming active patterns, forming a polygonal mask pattern having a first width and a second width on the active patterns, forming an active region by executing a first etching process using the mask pattern, forming a first cutting mask for removing a first corner rounding in which a width of the active region is the first width, removing the first corner rounding by executing a second etching process using the first cutting mask, forming a second cutting mask for removing a second corner rounding in which the width of the active region is changed from the first width to the second width, and executing a third etching process using the second cutting mask.

Abstract: A semiconductor integrated circuit includes a first circuit, a second circuit, a memory circuit having a plurality of flip-flops, a storage unit, a signal generating unit to produce an operation mode setting signal, a control circuit configured to cause the memory circuit to operate such that the plurality of flip-flops holds a value for setting characteristics of the first circuit when the operation mode setting signal indicates a first operation mode, and configured to cause the memory circuit to operate as a counter to measure a time length used in the second circuit when the operation mode setting signal indicates a second operation mode, and a setting circuit configured to cause trimming data stored in the storage unit to set the characteristic of the first circuit when the operation mode setting signal indicates the second operation mode, the trimming data corresponding to the value held by the memory circuit.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a semiconductor integrated circuit device including a standard cell with a fin extending in a first direction. The fin and a gate line extending in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction and provided on the fin constitute an active transistor. The fin and a dummy gate line provided in parallel with the gate line constitute a dummy transistor. The active transistor shares a node as its source or drain with the dummy transistor.

Abstract: A structure includes a substrate including a first semiconductor material; a dielectric feature embedded in the substrate; and a second semiconductor material embedded in the substrate, the second semiconductor material having lattice mismatch to the first semiconductor material, the second semiconductor material having two upper sidewalls and two lower sidewalls, the two upper sidewalls in contact with the dielectric feature, the two lower sidewalls in contact with the substrate, the two lower sidewalls being non-perpendicular to a top surface of the substrate, a bottommost portion of the dielectric feature being lower than a topmost portion of the two lower sidewalls.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a light-emitting diode (LED) includes plural steps as follows. A first type semiconductor layer is formed. A second type semiconductor layer is formed on the first type semiconductor layer. An impurity is implanted into a first portion of the second type semiconductor layer. The concentration of the impurity present in the first portion of the second type semiconductor layer is greater than the concentration of the impurity present in a second portion of the second type semiconductor layer after the implanting, such that the resistivity of the first portion of the second type semiconductor layer is greater than the resistivity of the second portion of the second type semiconductor layer.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a semiconductor device, the method including etching a portion of a substrate including a first region and a second region to form a device isolation trench; forming a device isolation layer defining active regions by sequentially stacking a first insulating layer, a second insulating layer, and a third insulating layer on an inner surface of the device isolation trench; forming word lines buried in the substrate of the first region, the word lines extending in a first direction to intersect the active region of the first region, the word lines being spaced apart from each other; forming a first mask layer covering the word lines on the substrate of the first region, the first mask layer exposing the substrate of the second region; forming a channel layer on the substrate of the second region; and forming a gate electrode on the channel layer.

Abstract: A method for fabricating a semiconductor device may include: preparing a semiconductor substrate including a doping region; performing tilt implantation using a first additional dopant to form an amorphous region in the doping region; doping a second additional dopant in the amorphous region; forming a metal layer on the doped amorphous region; and reacting the doped amorphous region with the metal layer to form metal silicide.

Abstract: A semiconductor structure is provided comprising a vertical channel structure extending from a substrate and formed as a channel between a source region and a drain region. The semiconductor structure further comprises a metal gate that surrounds a portion of the vertical channel structure. The metal gate has a gate length. The metal gate has a first gate section with a first workfunction and a first thickness. The metal gate also has a second gate section with a second workfunction and a second thickness. The first thickness level is different from the second thickness level and the sum of the first thickness level and the second thickness level is equal to the gate length. The ratio of the first thickness level to the second thickness level for the gate length was chosen to achieve a threshold voltage level for the semiconductor device.

Abstract: A method of forming a polysilicon resistor in replacement metal gate (RMG) processing of finFET devices includes forming a plurality of semiconductor fins over a buried oxide layer of a silicon-on-insulator substrate; forming a trench in the buried oxide layer; forming a polysilicon layer over the semiconductor fins and in the trench, the polysilicon layer having a depression corresponding to a location of the trench; forming an insulating layer over the polysilicon layer, and performing a planarizing operation to remove the insulating layer except for a portion of the insulating layer formed in the depression, thereby defining a protective island; patterning the polysilicon layer to define both a dummy gate structure over the fins and the polysilicon resistor; and etching the polysilicon layer to remove the dummy gate structure, wherein the protective island prevents the polysilicon resistor from being removed.

Abstract: A method of forming a polysilicon resistor in replacement metal gate (RMG) processing of finFET devices includes forming a plurality of semiconductor fins over a buried oxide layer of a silicon-on-insulator substrate; forming a trench in the buried oxide layer; forming a polysilicon layer over the semiconductor fins and in the trench, the polysilicon layer having a depression corresponding to a location of the trench; forming an insulating layer over the polysilicon layer, and performing a planarizing operation to remove the insulating layer except for a portion of the insulating layer formed in the depression, thereby defining a protective island; patterning the polysilicon layer to define both a dummy gate structure over the fins and the polysilicon resistor; and etching the polysilicon layer to remove the dummy gate structure, wherein the protective island prevents the polysilicon resistor from being removed.

Abstract: An n-type low lifetime adjustment region is provided in a portion inside an n? type drift region deeper than the bottom surface of a termination p-type base region or p-type guard ring from a substrate front surface, separated from the termination p-type base region and the p-type guard ring. The carrier lifetime of the n-type low lifetime adjustment region is shorter than the carrier lifetime of the n? type drift region. Because of this, it is possible to provide a reverse blocking IGBT such that it is possible to suppress both a high temperature reverse leakage current and an increase in turn-off loss, while suppressing deterioration in the trade-off relationship between the turn-off loss and the on-state voltage.

Abstract: Provided is a semiconductor device. The semiconductor device includes a semiconductor substrate having a contact region. An interlayer insulating layer is disposed on the semiconductor substrate. A lower contact plug passing through the interlayer insulating layer and electrically connected to the contact region is disposed. An interconnection structure is disposed on the interlayer insulating layer. An adjacent interconnection spaced apart from the interconnection structure is disposed on the interlayer insulating layer. A bottom surface of the interconnection structure includes a first part overlapping a part of an upper surface of the lower contact plug, and a second part overlapping the interlayer insulating layer.

Abstract: Provided are a cell string and a reading method for the cell string. The cell string includes a semiconductor body formed on a surface of an insulating layer, first and second semiconductor regions formed at respective ends of the semiconductor body and are formed by being doped with different types of impurities, two or more control electrodes which are separated from each other to be electrically isolated, and a gate insulating film stack which is formed between the semiconductor body and the control electrodes, wherein the semiconductor body is configured to include at least two layers, and adjacent layers of the semiconductor body have different energy band gaps, wherein the semiconductor body is formed by an intrinsic semiconductor or a semiconductor being doped with impurities, and wherein the first and second semiconductor regions are doped with impurities of which concentration is higher than that of the semiconductor body.

Abstract: A nonvolatile memory (“NVM”) bitcell includes a capacitor, a transistor, and a tunneling device. The capacitor, transistor, and tunneling device are each electrically coupled to different active regions and metal contacts. The three devices are coupled by a floating gate that traverses the three active regions. The tunneling device is used to program and erase the device, allowing for faster page erasure, and thus allows for rapid testing and verification of functionality. The transistor is used to read the logical state of the floating gate. The capacitor and floating gate are capacitively coupled together, removing the need for a separate selection device to perform read, write, and/or erase operations.

Abstract: Some structures and methods to reduce power consumption in devices can be implemented largely by reusing existing bulk CMOS process flows and manufacturing technology, allowing the semiconductor industry as well as the broader electronics industry to avoid a costly and risky switch to alternative technologies. Some of the structures and methods relate to a Deeply Depleted Channel (DDC) design, allowing CMOS based devices to have a reduced sVT compared to conventional bulk CMOS and can allow the threshold voltage VT of FETs having dopants in the channel region to be set much more precisely. The DDC design also can have a strong body effect compared to conventional bulk CMOS transistors, which can allow for significant dynamic control of power consumption in DDC transistors. Additional structures, configurations, and methods presented herein can be used alone or in conjunction with the DDC to yield additional and different benefits.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides an apparatus that includes a semiconductor device. The semiconductor device includes a substrate. The semiconductor device also includes a first gate dielectric layer that is disposed over the substrate. The first gate dielectric layer includes a first material. The first gate dielectric layer has a first thickness that is less than a threshold thickness at which a portion of the first material of the first gate dielectric layer begins to crystallize. The semiconductor device also includes a second gate dielectric layer that is disposed over the first gate dielectric layer. The second gate dielectric layer includes a second material that is different from the first material. The second gate dielectric layer has a second thickness that is less than a threshold thickness at which a portion of the second material of the second gate dielectric layer begins to crystallize.

Abstract: A nonvolatile semiconductor memory device includes a plurality of nonvolatile memory cells formed on a semiconductor substrate, each memory cell including source and drain regions separately formed on a surface portion of the substrate, buried insulating films formed in portions of the substrate that lie under the source and drain regions and each having a dielectric constant smaller than that of the substrate, a tunnel insulating film formed on a channel region formed between the source and drain regions, a charge storage layer formed of a dielectric body on the tunnel insulating film, a block insulating film formed on the charge storage layer, and a control gate electrode formed on the block insulating film.

Abstract: An integrated circuit includes isolation capacitors which include a silicon dioxide dielectric layer and a polymer dielectric layer over the layer of silicon dioxide. The silicon dioxide dielectric layer and the polymer dielectric layer extend across the integrated circuit. Top plates of the isolation capacitors have bond pads for wire bonds or bump bonds. Bottom plates of the isolation capacitors are connected to components of the integrated circuit. Other bond pads are connected to components in the integrated circuit through vias through the silicon dioxide dielectric layer and the polymer dielectric layer.

Abstract: Provided is a digital circuit (30) that comprises: a switching circuit (31) having first transistors (32, 33) supplied with power supply potentials (VDD, VSS); correcting circuits (34, 36) connected between an input terminal (IN) inputted with an input signal and control terminals (gates) of the first transistors; capacitors (C2, C3) connected between the control terminals and the input terminal; diode-connected second transistors (35, 37) that are provided between nodes (N5, N6) between the capacitors and the control terminals and the power supply potentials and have the substantially same threshold voltage as the first transistors; and switches (SW2, SW3) connected in series with the second transistors.

Abstract: Provided is a semiconductor device having a high switching speed. A semiconductor device is provided with an n-type epitaxial layer having a plurality of trenches arranged at prescribed intervals; an embedded electrode formed on an inner surface of the trench through a silicon oxide film to embed each trench; and a metal layer, which is capacitively coupled with the embedded electrode by being arranged above the embedded electrode through a silicon oxide film. In the semiconductor device, a region between the adjacent trenches operates as a channel (current path). A current flowing in the channel is interrupted by covering the region with a depletion layer formed at the periphery of the trenches, and the current is permitted to flow through the channel by eliminating the depletion layer at the periphery of the trenches.

Abstract: Memory devices comprise a lower layer that extends across a cell array region and across a peripheral region and that includes a flat outer surface from the cell array region to the peripheral region. A signal transfer conductor layer extends in the cell array region beneath the flat outer surface of the lower layer and extends in the peripheral region above the flat outer surface of the lower layer. An insulating layer is provided on the lower layer, including a flat outer surface from the cell array region to the peripheral region. A flat stopper layer is provided on the flat outer surface of the insulating layer and extending across the cell array region and the peripheral region. Related methods are also provided.

Abstract: Disclosed is a solid-state image sensing device including: a first photoelectric conversion element having a first semiconductor region of a first conductivity type formed inside a semiconductor substrate; a second photoelectric conversion element having a second semiconductor region of a first conductivity type formed at a deeper position of the semiconductor substrate than the first photoelectric conversion element; a gate electrode laminated on the semiconductor substrate and to which a predetermined voltage is applied at a charge transfer time; a floating diffusion region to which the charges accumulated in the first photoelectric conversion element and the second photoelectric conversion element are transferred at the charge transfer time; and a third semiconductor region of a first conductivity type arranged between the first semiconductor region and the second semiconductor region in a depth direction of the semiconductor.

Abstract: A semiconductor memory device includes a first pair of pillars extending from a substrate to form vertical channel regions, the first pair of pillars having a first pillar and a second pillar adjacent to each other, the first pillar and the second pillar arranged in a first direction, a first bit line disposed on a bottom surface of a first trench formed between the first pair of pillars, the first bit line extending in a second direction that is substantially perpendicular to the first direction, a first contact gate disposed on a first surface of the first pillar with a first gate insulating layer therebetween, a second contact gate disposed on a first surface of the second pillar with a second gate insulating layer therebetween, the first surface of the first pillar and the first surface of the second pillar face opposite directions, and a first word line disposed on the first contact gate and a second word line disposed on the second contact gate, the word lines extending in the first direction.

Abstract: A memory cell is disclosed. The memory cell includes a vertical base disposed on a substrate. The vertical base includes first and second channels between top and bottom terminals. The memory cell also includes a first gate surrounding the first channel and a second gate surrounding the second channel. The first and second gates form a gate-all-around transistor of the memory cell.

Abstract: A non-volatile semiconductor storage device includes a plurality of memory strings each having a plurality of electrically rewritable memory cells connected in series. Each of the memory strings comprising: a first semiconductor layer including a columnar portion extending in a vertical direction with respect to a substrate; a plurality of first conductive layers formed to surround side surfaces of the columnar portions via insulation layers, and formed at a certain pitch in the vertical direction, the first conductive layers functioning as floating gates of the memory cells; and a plurality of second conductive layers formed to surround the first conductive layers via insulation layers, and functioning as control electrodes of the memory cells. Each of the first conductive layers has a length in the vertical direction that is shorter than a length in the vertical direction of each of the second conductive layers.

Abstract: A non-volatile semiconductor memory device and a method of manufacturing the same of the embodiments are provided. The non-volatile semiconductor memory device includes: drain contact plugs formed in memory cell regions and having bottom ends joined to drain diffusion layers of the respective memory cells; a local interconnect provided to extend in a WL direction across the memory cell regions and a shunt region, and having a bottom end joined commonly to plural source diffusion layers; drain via plugs formed in the memory cell regions and having bottom ends joined to the top ends of the respective drain contact plugs; and a power supply via for source formed in the shunt region to extend in a BL direction, and having a bottom end joined to the top end of the local interconnect.

Abstract: A silicon-on-insulator device has a localized biasing structure formed in the insulator layer of the SOI. The localized biasing structure includes a patterned conductor that provides a biasing signal to distinct regions of the silicon layer of the SOI. The conductor is recessed into the insulator layer to provide a substantially planar interface with the silicon layer. The conductor is connected to a bias voltage source. In an embodiment, a plurality of conductor is provided that respectively connected to a plurality of voltage sources. Thus, different regions of the silicon layer are biased by different bias signals.

Abstract: Some structures and methods to reduce power consumption in devices can be implemented largely by reusing existing bulk CMOS process flows and manufacturing technology, allowing the semiconductor industry as well as the broader electronics industry to avoid a costly and risky switch to alternative technologies. Some of the structures and methods relate to a Deeply Depleted Channel (DDC) design, allowing CMOS based devices to have a reduced VT compared to conventional bulk CMOS and can allow the threshold voltage VT of FETs having dopants in the channel region to be set much more precisely. The DDC design also can have a strong body effect compared to conventional bulk CMOS transistors, which can allow for significant dynamic control of power consumption in DDC transistors. Additional structures, configurations, and methods presented herein can be used alone or in conjunction with the DDC to yield additional and different benefits.

Abstract: An asymmetric non-volatile memory bitcell is described. The bitcell comprises source and drain regions comprising carriers of the same conductivity type. A floating gate rests on top of the well, and extends over a channel region, and at least a portion of the source and drain regions. The drain region comprises additional carriers of a second conductivity type, allowing band to band tunneling. The source region comprises additional carriers of a first conductivity type, thereby increasing source-gate capacitance. Thus, the bitcell incorporates a select device, thereby decreasing the overall size of the bitcell. The bitcell may be created without any additional CMOS process steps, or through the addition of a single extra mask step.

Abstract: An embodiment may be a semiconductor structure, comprising; a workpiece having a front side and a back side; and a capacitor disposed in the workpiece, the capacitor including a bottom electrode electrically coupled to a back side of said workpiece. In an embodiment, the bottom electrode may form a conductive pathway to the front side of the workpiece. In an embodiment, the capacitor may be a trench capacitor.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a bit line that is provided in a semiconductor substrate, a silicide layer that has side faces and a bottom face surrounded by the bit line and is provided within the bit line, an ONO film that is provided on the semiconductor substrate, and sidewalls that are in contact with the side faces of a trapping layer in the ONO film over the portions of the bit line located on both sides of the silicide layer, the sidewalls being formed with silicon oxide films including phosphorus.

Abstract: An electronic image sensor includes a semiconductor substrate having a first surface configured for accepting illumination to a pixel array disposed in the substrate. An electrically-doped channel region for each pixel is disposed at a second substrate surface opposite the first substrate surface. The channel regions are for collecting photogenerated charge in the substrate. An electrically-doped channel stop region is at the second substrate surface between each channel region. An electrically-doped shutter buried layer, disposed in the substrate at a depth from the second substrate surface that is greater than that of the pixel channel regions, extends across the pixel array. An electrically-doped photogenerated-charge-extinguishment layer, at the first substrate surface, extends across the pixel array.

Abstract: The semiconductor device includes a source line, a bit line, a signal line, a word line, memory cells connected in parallel between the source line and the bit line, a first driver circuit electrically connected to the source line and the bit line through switching elements, a second driver circuit electrically connected to the source line through a switching element, a third driver circuit electrically connected to the signal line, and a fourth driver circuit electrically connected to the word line. The memory cell includes a first transistor including a first gate electrode, a first source electrode, and a first drain electrode, a second transistor including a second gate electrode, a second source electrode, and a second drain electrode, and a capacitor. The second transistor includes an oxide semiconductor material.

Abstract: One embodiment of the invention relates to an unguarded Schottky barrier diode. The diode includes a cathode that has a recessed region and a dielectric interface surface that laterally extends around a perimeter of the recessed region. The diode further includes an anode that conforms to the recessed region. A dielectric layer extends over the dielectric interface surface of the cathode and further extends over a portion of the anode near the perimeter. Other devices and methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: Leakage current can be substantially reduced by the formation of a seal dielectric in place of the conventional junction between source/drain region(s) and the substrate material. Trenches are formed in the substrate and lined with a seal dielectric prior to filling the trenches with semiconductor material. Preferably, the trenches are overfilled and a CMP process planarizes the overfill material. An epitaxial layer can be grown atop the trenches after planarization, if desired.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a bipolar transistor with low resistance base contact and method of manufacturing the same. The bipolar transistor includes an emitter, a collector, and an intrinsic base between the emitter and the collector. The intrinsic base extends laterally to an extrinsic base. The extrinsic base further includes a first semiconductor material with a first bandgap and a second semiconductor material with a second bandgap that is smaller than the first bandgap.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a material with which off-state current of a transistor can be sufficiently small; for example, an oxide semiconductor material is used. Further, transistors of memory cells of the semiconductor device, which include an oxide semiconductor material, are connected in series. Further, the same wiring (the j-th word line (j is a natural number greater than or equal to 2 and less than or equal to m)) is used as a wiring electrically connected to one of terminals of a capacitor of the j-th memory cell and a wiring electrically connected to a gate terminal of a transistor, in which a channel is formed in an oxide semiconductor layer, of the (j?1)-th memory cell. Therefore, the number of wirings per memory cell and the area occupied by one memory cell are reduced.

Abstract: In a first aspect, an MIM stack is provided that includes (1) a first conductive layer comprising a first metal-silicide layer and a second metal-silicide layer; (2) a resistivity-switching layer comprising a metal oxide layer formed above the first conductive layer; and (3) a second conductive layer formed above the resistivity-switching layer. A memory cell may be formed from the MIM stack. Numerous other aspects are provided.

Abstract: A device for preventing current-leakage is located between a transistor and a capacitor of a memory cell. The two terminals of the device for preventing current-leakage are respectively connected with a slave terminal of the transistor and an electric pole of the capacitor. The device for preventing current-leakage has at least two p-n junctions. The device for preventing current-leakage is a lateral silicon controlled rectifier, a diode for alternating current, or a silicon controlled rectifier. By utilizing the driving characteristic of the device for preventing current-leakage, electric charge stored in the capacitor hardly passes through the device for preventing current-leakage when the transistor is turned off to improve the current-leakage problem.

Abstract: In some embodiments, complementary charge-collecting diffusions (transistor diffusions, e.g., drain or source areas) are disposed close to each other. In some embodiments, dummy (“off”) transistors are incorporated to bring complementary diffusions (diffusions of the same charge type and having complementary digital logic levels) closer to each other than otherwise might be possible and thus, to enhance common-mode charge collection for the complementary diffusion areas.

Abstract: Back-end-of-line (BEOL) circuit structures and methods are provided for blocking externally-originating or internally-originating electromagnetic edge interference. One such BEOL circuit structure includes a semiconductor substrate supporting one or more integrated circuits, and multiple BEOL layers disposed over the semiconductor substrate. The multiple BEOL layers extend to an edge of the circuit structure and include at least one vertically-extending conductive pattern disposed adjacent to the edge of the circuit structure. The vertically-extending conductive pattern is defined, at least partially, by a plurality of elements disposed in the multiple BEOL layers. The plurality of elements are uniformly arrayed at the edge of the circuit structure in a first direction or a second direction throughout at least a portion thereof.

Abstract: A semiconductor structure includes a semiconductor substrate having a first portion and a second portion. A first Fin field-effect transistor (FinFET) is formed over the first portion of the semiconductor substrate, wherein the first FinFET includes a first fin having a first fin height. A second FinFET is formed over the second portion of the semiconductor substrate, wherein the second FinFET includes a second fin having a second fin height different from the first fin height. A top surface of the first fin is substantially level with a top surface of the second fin. A punch-through stopper is underlying and adjoining the first FinFET, wherein the punch-through stopper isolates the first fin from the first portion of the semiconductor substrate.