Abstract: A copper pillar bump structure on a copper pillar on a metal pad of a semiconductor device and a method of fabricating thereof are disclosed. The copper pillar bump structure includes: a metal barrier layer formed on the copper pillar. The metal barrier layer has a U-shaped cross section, a central portion of the metal barrier layer covers the top surface of the copper pillar, an opening of the U-shaped cross section faces away from the copper pillar. The copper pillar bump structure further includes a solder layer on the copper pillar and filling the U-shaped cross section. The copper pillar bump structure provides a metal barrier layer having a U-shaped cross section and fills a solder layer in the U-shaped cross section, the metal barrier layer wraps sides of the solder layer, which can improve the non-wetting problem caused by insufficient tin, or the solder bridging problem caused by excessive solder, during a flip die soldering process.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a conductive component on a substrate, a passivation layer on the substrate and including an opening that exposes at least a portion of the conductive component, and a pad structure in the opening and located on the passivation layer, the pad structure being electrically connected to the conductive component. The pad structure includes a lower conductive layer conformally extending on an inner sidewall of the opening, the lower conductive layer including a conductive barrier layer, a first seed layer, an etch stop layer, and a second seed layer that are sequentially stacked, a first pad layer on the lower conductive layer and at least partially filling the opening, and a second pad layer on the first pad layer and being in contact with a peripheral portion of the lower conductive layer located on the top surface of the passivation layer.

Abstract: An electronic package and method for manufacturing the same are provided. The electronic package includes a substrate and a wetting layer. The substrate includes a plurality of conductive step structures each including a first portion and a second portion. The first portion has a first bottom surface, a first outer surface and a first inner surface. The second portion has a second bottom surface, a second outer surface and a second inner surface, wherein the second portion partially exposes the first bottom surface. The wetting layer at least covers the second bottom surface, the second outer surface and the second inner surface of the second portion of each of the conductive step structures.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to semiconductor structures and, more particularly, to a single diffusion cut for gate structures and methods of manufacture. The structure includes: a plurality of fin structures composed of semiconductor material; a plurality of replacement gate structures extending over the plurality of fin structures; a plurality of diffusion regions adjacent to the each of the plurality of replacement gate structures; and a single diffusion break between the diffusion regions of the adjacent replacement gate structures, the single diffusion break being filled with an insulator material. In a first cross-sectional view, the single diffusion break extends into the semiconductor material and in a second cross-sectional view, the single diffusion break is devoid of semiconductor material of the plurality of fin structures.

Abstract: A method of forming conformal amorphous metal films is disclosed. A method of forming crystalline metal films with a predetermined orientation is also disclosed. An amorphous nucleation layer is formed on a substrate surface. An amorphous metal layer is formed from the nucleation layer by atomic substitution. A crystalline metal layer is deposited on the amorphous metal layer by atomic layer deposition.

Abstract: Methods for depositing a metal film without the use of a barrier layer are disclosed. Some embodiments comprise forming an amorphous nucleation layer comprising one or more of silicon or boron and forming a metal layer on the nucleation layer.

Abstract: Package structures and methods of forming package structures are discussed. A package structure, in accordance with some embodiments, includes an integrated circuit die, an encapsulant at least laterally encapsulating the integrated circuit die, a redistribution structure on the integrated circuit die and the encapsulant, a connector support metallization coupled to the redistribution structure, a dummy pattern, a second dielectric layer, and an external connector on the connector support metallization. The redistribution structure comprises a first dielectric layer having a first surface disposed distally from the encapsulant and the integrated circuit die. The dummy pattern is on the first surface of the first dielectric layer and around the connector support metallization. The second dielectric layer is on the first surface of the first dielectric layer and on at least a portion of the dummy pattern. The second dielectric layer does not contact the connector support metallization.

Abstract: Methods for forming fin structure with desired materials formed on different locations of the fin structure using a selective deposition process for three dimensional (3D) stacking of fin field effect transistor (FinFET) for semiconductor chips are provided. In one embodiment, a method of forming a structure with desired materials on a substrate includes forming a patterned self-assembled monolayer on a circumference of a structure formed on a substrate, wherein the patterned self-assembled monolayer includes a treated layer formed among a self-assembled monolayer, and performing an atomic layer deposition process to form a material layer predominantly on the self-assembled monolayer from the patterned self-assembled monolayer.

Abstract: A nanoparticle includes a cuboid base including a semiconductor material, and a plurality of surfaces formed on the base and including a plurality of functionalities, respectively.

Abstract: A light guide film of a mobile device and a mobile device are provided. The light guide film includes a light insulation structure that divides the light guide film into different light guide regions. Each light guide region includes a light inlet configured to receive light from a light source. Different light guide regions correspond to light-transmitting symbols on the mobile device are configured to display different colors.

Abstract: Methods for forming fin structure with desired materials formed on different locations of the fin structure using a selective deposition process for three dimensional (3D) stacking of fin field effect transistor (FinFET) for semiconductor chips are provided. In one embodiment, a method of forming a structure with desired materials on a substrate includes forming a patterned self-assembled monolayer on a circumference of a structure formed on a substrate, wherein the patterned self-assembled monolayer includes a treated layer formed among a self-assembled monolayer, and performing an atomic layer deposition process to form a material layer predominantly on the self-assembled monolayer from the patterned self-assembled monolayer.

Abstract: A conductive bump structure used to be formed on a substrate having a plurality of bonding pads. The conductive bump structure includes a first metal layer formed on the bonding pads, a second metal layer formed on the first metal layer, and a third metal layer formed on the second metal layer. The second metal layer has a second melting point higher than a third melting point of the third metal layer. Therefore, a thermal compression bonding process is allowed to be performed to the third metal layer first so as to bond the substrate to another substrate, and then a reflow process can be performed to melt the second metal layer and the third metal layer into each other so as to form an alloy portion, thus avoiding cracking of the substrate.

Abstract: Resistive-switching memory elements having improved switching characteristics are described, including a memory element having a first electrode and a second electrode, a switching layer between the first electrode and the second electrode comprising hafnium oxide and having a first thickness, and a coupling layer between the switching layer and the second electrode, the coupling layer comprising a material including metal titanium and having a second thickness that is less than 25 percent of the first thickness.

Abstract: In one example, the method includes forming a metal layer on a silicon-containing structure, after forming the metal layer, performing an ion implantation process to implant silicon atoms into at least one of the metal layer and the silicon-containing structure and performing a first millisecond anneal process so as to form a first metal silicide region in the silicon-containing structure.

Abstract: A method of forming a memory device. The method provides a semiconductor substrate having a surface region. A first dielectric layer is formed overlying the surface region of the semiconductor substrate. A bottom wiring structure is formed overlying the first dielectric layer and a second dielectric material is formed overlying the top wiring structure. A bottom metal barrier material is formed to provide a metal-to-metal contact with the bottom wiring structure. The method forms a pillar structure by patterning and etching a material stack including the bottom metal barrier material, a contact material, a switching material, a conductive material, and a top barrier material. The pillar structure maintains a metal-to-metal contact with the bottom wiring structure regardless of the alignment of the pillar structure with the bottom wiring structure during etching. A top wiring structure is formed overlying the pillar structure at an angle to the bottom wiring structure.

Abstract: An advantageous method and system for realizing electrically very reliable and mechanically extremely stable vias for components whose functionality is realized in a layer construction on a conductive substrate. The via (Vertical Interconnect Access), which is led to the back side of the component and which is used for the electrical contacting of functional elements realized in the layer construction, includes a connection area in the substrate that extends over the entire thickness of the substrate and is electrically insulated from the adjoining substrate by a trench-like insulating frame likewise extending over the entire substrate thickness. According to the present system, the trench-like insulating frame is filled up with an electrically insulating polymer.

Abstract: To improve productivity of a transistor that includes an oxide semiconductor and has good electrical characteristics. In a top-gate transistor including a gate insulating film and a gate electrode over an oxide semiconductor film, a metal film is formed over the oxide semiconductor film, oxygen is added to the metal film to form a metal oxide film, and the metal oxide film is used as a gate insulating film. After an oxide insulating film is formed over the oxide semiconductor film, a metal film may be formed over the oxide insulating film. Oxygen is added to the metal film to form a metal oxide film and added also to the oxide semiconductor film or the oxide insulating film.

Abstract: A bridging arrangement for coupling a first terminal to a second terminal includes a plurality of particles of a first type forming at least one path between the first terminal and the second terminal, wherein the particles of the first type are attached to each other; a plurality of particles of a second type arranged in a vicinity of a contact region between a first particle of the first type and a second particle of the first type, wherein at least a portion of the plurality of particles of the second type is attached to the first particle of the first type and the second particle of the first type.

Abstract: A semiconductor structure includes a gate, an oxide channel layer, a gate insulating layer, a source, a drain and a dielectric stacked layer. The oxide channel layer is stacked over the gate, with the gate insulting layer disposed therebetween. The source and the drain are disposed on a side of the oxide channel layer and in parallel to each other. A portion of the oxide channel layer is exposed between the source and the drain. The dielectric stacked layer is disposed on the substrate and includes plural of first inorganic dielectric layers with a first refraction index and plural of second inorganic dielectric layers with a second refraction index that are stacked alternately. At least one of the first inorganic dielectric layers directly covers the source, the drain and the portion of the oxide channel layer. The first refraction index is smaller than the second refraction index.

Abstract: A method for easily forming a region with conductivity and high wettability without a step for removing a photocatalytic reaction layer, which is formed over a conductive layer, is proposed. The photocatalytic reaction layer is formed over a photocatalytic conductive layer, and the photocatalytic conductive layer is irradiated with ultraviolet light to form a region with conductivity and higher wettability than the photocatalytic reaction layer on a surface of the photocatalytic conductive layer which is irradiated with ultraviolet light. Note that for the photocatalytic conductive layer, a layer having a photocatalytic property of which resistivity is lower than or equal to 1×10?2 ? cm can be used.

Abstract: A semiconductor device substrate includes a front section and back section that are laminated cores disposed on a front- and back surfaces of a first core. The first core has a cylindrical plated through hole that has been metal plated and filled with air-core material. The front- and back sections have laser-drilled tapered vias that are filled with conductive material and that are coupled to the plated through hole. The back section includes an integral inductor coil that communicates to the front section. The first core and the laminated-cores form a hybrid-core semiconductor device substrate with an integral inductor coil.

Abstract: A method of filling a feature in a substrate with tungsten without forming a seam is presented. The tungsten is deposited by a thermal chemical vapor deposition (CVD) process using hydrogen (H2) and tungsten hexafluoride (WF6) precursor gases. The H2 to WF6 flow rate ratio is greater than 40 to 1, such as from 40 to 1 to 100 to 1. The substrate temperature during deposition is less than 300 degrees Celsius (° C.) and the processing pressure during deposition is greater than 300 Torr.

Abstract: An object is to manufacture a semiconductor device including an oxide semiconductor film, which has stable electric characteristics and high reliability. A crystalline oxide semiconductor film is formed, without performing a plurality of steps, as follows: by utilizing a difference in atomic weight of plural kinds of atoms included in an oxide semiconductor target, zinc with low atomic weight is preferentially deposited on an oxide insulating film to form a seed crystal including zinc; and tin, indium, or the like with high atomic weight is deposited on the seed crystal while causing crystal growth. Further, a crystalline oxide semiconductor film is formed by causing crystal growth using a seed crystal with a hexagonal crystal structure including zinc as a nucleus, whereby a single crystal oxide semiconductor film or a substantially single crystal oxide semiconductor film is formed.

Abstract: In a manufacturing process of a bottom-gate transistor including an oxide semiconductor film, dehydration or dehydrogenation through heat treatment and oxygen doping treatment are performed. A transistor including an oxide semiconductor film subjected to dehydration or dehydrogenation through heat treatment and oxygen doping treatment can be a highly reliable transistor having stable electric characteristics in which the amount of change in threshold voltage of the transistor between before and after the bias-temperature stress (BT) test can be reduced.

Abstract: A highly reliable semiconductor device and a method for manufacturing the semiconductor device are provided. The semiconductor device is manufactured with a high yield to achieve high productivity. In the manufacture of a semiconductor device including a transistor in which a gate electrode layer, a gate insulating film, and an oxide semiconductor film are sequentially stacked and a source electrode layer and a drain electrode layer are provided in contact with the oxide semiconductor film, the source electrode layer and the drain electrode layer are formed through an etching step and then a step for removing impurities which are generated by the etching step and exist on a surface of the oxide semiconductor film and in the vicinity thereof is performed.

Abstract: Inductors and methods for integrated circuits that result in inductors of a size compatible with integrated circuits, allowing the fabrication of inductors, with or without additional circuitry on a first wafer and the bonding of that wafer to a second wafer without wasting of wafer area. The inductors in the first wafer are comprised of coils formed by conductors at each surface of the first wafer coupled to conductors in holes passing through the first wafer. Various embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A semiconductor assembly includes a first subassembly comprising a heat sink and a first patterned polymer layer disposed on a surface of the heat sink to define an exposed portion of the first surface. The exposed portion of the first surface extends radially inward along the heat sink surface from the first layer. The subassembly also includes a second patterned polymer layer disposed on a radially outer portion of the first patterned polymer layer. The first and second layers define a cell for accommodating a power semiconductor die. Solder material is disposed on the exposed portion of the heat sink surface and in the cell. A power semiconductor die is located within the cell on a radially inward portion of the first layer and thermally coupled to the heat sink by the solder material.

Abstract: When a transistor having bottom gate bottom contact structure is manufactured, for example, a conductive layer constituting a source and a drain has a three-layer structure and two-step etching is performed. In the first etching process, an etching method in which the etching rates for at least the second film and the third film are high is employed, and the first etching process is performed until at least the first film is exposed. In the second etching process, an etching method in which the etching rate for the first film is higher than that in the first etching process and the etching rate for a “layer provided below and in contact with the first film” is lower than that in the first etching process is employed. The side wall of the second film is slightly etched when a resist mask is removed after the second etching process.

Abstract: Polishing systems and methods for removing conductive material (e.g., noble metals) from microelectronic substrates are disclosed herein. Several embodiments of the methods include forming an aperture in a substrate material, disposing a conductive material on the substrate material and in the aperture, and disposing a fill material on the conductive material. The fill material at least partially fills the aperture. The substrate material is then polished to remove at least a portion of the conductive material and the fill material external to the aperture during which the fill material substantially prevents the conductive material from smearing into the aperture during polishing the substrate material.

Abstract: In an IPS type liquid crystal display device having a reduced number of layers and formed through a reduced number of photolithography steps, an off current of a TFT is prevented from increasing due to photocurrent. A drain line, a TFT drain electrode, and a source electrode each have a multilayer structure including metal and a semiconductor layer. The drain line and the semiconductor layer formed thereunder are separated from the drain electrode and the semiconductor layer formed thereunder with the drain line and the drain electrode connected by a blocking conductive film formed of ITO of which the pixel electrode is also formed. Photocurrent generated by backlight is blocked by the blocking conductive film without flowing into the TFT. Therefore, the number of photomasks required in the production process can be decreased without an increase of causing the off current of the TFT.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a vertical structure light emitting diode device, the method including: sequentially forming a first conductivity type III-V group compound semiconductor layer, an active layer, and a second conductivity type III-V group compound semiconductor layer on a substrate for growth; bonding a conductive substrate to the second conductivity type III-V group compound semiconductor layer; removing the substrate for growth from the first conductivity type III-V group compound semiconductor layer; and forming an electrode on an exposed portion of the first conductive III-V group compound semiconductor layer due to the removing the substrate for growth, wherein the bonding a conductive substrate comprises partially heating a metal bonding layer by applying microwaves to a bonding interface while bringing the metal bonding layer into contact with the bonding interface.

Abstract: The uniformity of the composition of plated solder bumps from one batch of wafers to another is improved by controlling the rotational speed of the wafers based on the particular solder bump pattern. Embodiments include sequentially horizontal fountain electroplating a pattern of solder bumps, e.g., SnAg solder bumps, on a plurality batches of wafers and controlling the rotational speed of each batch of wafers during electroplating based on a calibration plot of the concentration of a solder bump component, e.g., Ag, as a function of rotational speed for each solder bump pattern, such that the uniformity of the Ag concentration in the patterns of solder bumps is greater than 95%, e.g., greater than 98%. Embodiments further include electroplating in the same plater sequential batches of wafers having both different patterns and different solder bump compositions at the same high throughput.

Abstract: A metal seed composition useful in seeding a metal diffusion barrier or conductive metal layer on a semiconductor or dielectric substrate, the composition comprising: a nanoscopic metal component that includes a metal useful as a metal diffusion barrier or conductive metal; an adhesive component for attaching said nanoscopic metal component on said semiconductor or dielectric substrate; and a linker component that links said nanoscopic metal component with said adhesive component. Semiconductor and dielectric substrates coated with the seed compositions, as well as methods for depositing the seed compositions, are also described.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for forming through-wafer interconnects in semiconductor substrates and the resulting structures. In one embodiment, a method for forming a through-wafer interconnect includes providing a substrate having a pad on a surface thereof, depositing a passivation layer over the pad and the surface of the substrate, and forming an aperture through the passivation layer and the pad using a substantially continuous process. An insulative layer is deposited in the aperture followed by a conductive layer and a conductive fill. In another embodiment of the invention, a semiconductor device is formed including a first interconnect structure that extends through a conductive pad and is electrically coupled with the conductive pad while a second interconnect structure is formed through another conductive pad while being electrically isolated therefrom. Semiconductor devices and assemblies produced with the methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: Electrical characteristics of transistors using an oxide semiconductor are greatly varied in a substrate, between substrates, and between lots, and the electrical characteristics are changed due to heat, bias, light, or the like in some cases. In view of the above, a semiconductor device using an oxide semiconductor with high reliability and small variation in electrical characteristics is manufactured. In a method for manufacturing a semiconductor device, hydrogen in a film and at an interface between films is removed in a transistor using an oxide semiconductor. In order to remove hydrogen at the interface between the films, the substrate is transferred under a vacuum between film formations. Further, as for a substrate having a surface exposed to the air, hydrogen on the surface of the substrate may be removed by heat treatment or plasma treatment.

Abstract: A method for forming a via connecting a first upper level layer to a second lower level layer, both layers being surrounded with an insulating material, the method including the steps of: a) forming an opening to reach an edge of the first layer, the opening laterally continuing beyond said edge; b) forming a layer of a protection material on said edge only; c) deepening said opening by selectively etching the insulating material to reach the second lower level layer; and d) filling the opening with at least one conductive contact material.

Abstract: An object is to reduce to reduce variation in threshold voltage to stabilize electric characteristics of thin film transistors each using an oxide semiconductor layer. An object is to reduce an off current. The thin film transistor using an oxide semiconductor layer is formed by stacking an oxide semiconductor layer containing insulating oxide over the oxide semiconductor layer so that the oxide semiconductor layer and source and drain electrode layers are in contact with each other with the oxide semiconductor layer containing insulating oxide interposed therebetween; whereby, variation in threshold voltage of the thin film transistors can be reduced and thus the electric characteristics can be stabilized. Further, an off current can be reduced.

Abstract: One feature pertains to a multi-chip module that comprises at least a first integrated circuit (IC) die and a second IC die. The second IC die has an input/output (I/O) node electrically coupled to the first IC die by a through substrate via. The second die's active surface also includes a fuse that is electrically coupled to the I/O node and adapted to protect the second IC die from damage caused by an electrostatic discharge (ESD). In particular, the fuse protects the second IC die from ESD that may be generated as a result of electrically coupling the first die to the second die during the manufacturing of the multi-chip module. Upon coupling the first die to the second die, the fuse may bypass the ESD current generated by the ESD to ground. After packaging of the multi-chip module is complete, the fuse may be blown open.

Abstract: A semiconductor structure including a highly reliable high aspect ratio contact structure in which key-hole seam formation is eliminated is provided. The key-hole seam formation is eliminated in the present invention by providing a densified noble metal-containing liner within a high aspect ratio contact opening that is present in a dielectric material. The densified noble metal-containing liner is located atop a diffusion barrier and both those elements separate the conductive material of the inventive contact structure from a conductive material of an underlying semiconductor structure. The densified noble metal-containing liner of the present invention is formed by deposition of a noble metal-containing material having a first resistivity and subjecting the deposited noble metal-containing material to a densification treatment process (either thermal or plasma) that decreases the resistivity of the deposited noble metal-containing material to a lower resistivity.

Abstract: A manufacturing method for manufacturing a flexible non-volatile memory is provided. The manufacturing method comprises the steps outlined below. A flexible substrate is provided. A planarization layer is formed on the flexible substrate. A metal bottom electrode layer is deposited on the planarization layer. A mask is formed to define a plurality of patterns. An AZTO layer having a plurality of electrically independent AZTO cells is deposited on the metal bottom electrode layer corresponding to the patterns. A top electrode layer is deposited on the AZTO layer corresponding to the AZTO cells to form a plurality of non-volatile memory cells.

Abstract: A data retention period of a memory circuit is lengthened, power consumption is reduced, and a circuit area is reduced. Further, the number of times written data can be read to one data writing operation is increased. A memory circuit has a first field-effect transistor, a second field-effect transistor, and a third field-effect transistor. A data signal is input to one of a source and a drain of the first field-effect transistor. A gate of the second field-effect transistor is electrically connected to the other of the source and the drain of the first field-effect transistor. One of a source and a drain of the third field-effect transistor is electrically connected to a source or a drain of the second field-effect transistor.

Abstract: Methods and designs for increasing interconnect areas for interconnect bumps are disclosed. An interconnect bump may be formed on a substrate such that the interconnect bump extends beyond a contact pad onto a substrate. An interconnect bump may be formed on a larger contact pad, the bump having a large diameter.

Abstract: An object is to improve field effect mobility of a thin film transistor using an oxide semiconductor. Another object is to suppress increase in off current even in a thin film transistor with improved field effect mobility. In a thin film transistor using an oxide semiconductor layer, by forming a semiconductor layer having higher electrical conductivity and a smaller thickness than the oxide semiconductor layer between the oxide semiconductor layer and a gate insulating layer, field effect mobility of the thin film transistor can be improved, and increase in off current can be suppressed.

Abstract: A method for forming a tungsten film includes forming a tungsten nucleation layer having an amorphous-phase or a ?-phase over a semiconductor substrate. A first tungsten layer having a crystalline ?-phase is then formed over the tungsten nucleation layer to form a low resistivity tungsten film. A second tungsten layer is formed over the first tungsten layer by a physical vapor deposition process, and the second tungsten layer has a large grain size similar to that of the low resistivity tungsten film. The tungsten film has both good surface roughness and low resistivity, thus enhancing the production yield and reliability of a semiconductor device.

Abstract: A thin film transistor array panel is provided that includes: a gate electrode that is disposed on an insulating substrate; a gate insulating layer that is disposed on the gate electrode; an oxide semiconductor that is disposed on the gate insulating layer; a blocking layer that is disposed on the oxide semiconductor; a source electrode and a drain electrode that are disposed on the blocking layer; a passivation layer that is disposed on the source electrode and drain electrode; and a pixel electrode that is disposed on the passivation layer. The blocking layer includes a first portion that is covered by the source electrode and drain electrode and a second portion that is not covered by the source electrode and drain electrode, and the first portion and the second portion include different materials.

Abstract: A liner-less tungsten contact is formed on a nickel-tungsten silicide with a tungsten rich surface. A tungsten-containing layer is formed using tungsten-containing fluorine-free precursors. The tungsten-containing layer may act as a glue layer for a subsequent nucleation layer or as the nucleation layer. The tungsten plug is formed by standard processes. The result is a liner-less tungsten contact with low resistivity.

Abstract: An electrical structure comprises a dielectric layer present on a semiconductor substrate. A contact opening is present through the dielectric layer. A nickel-tungsten alloy silicide is formed over the semiconductor substrate within the contact opening. A tungsten-containing nucleation layer formed within the contact opening covers the nickel-tungsten alloy silicide and at least a portion of a sidewall of the contact opening. A tungsten contact is formed within the contact opening and separated from the nickel-tungsten alloy silicide and at least a portion of the sidewall by the tungsten-containing nucleation layer.

Abstract: A plasma hydrogenated region in the dielectric layer of a semiconductor thin film transistor (TFT) structure improves the stability of the TFT. The TFT is a multilayer structure including an electrode, a dielectric layer disposed on the electrode, and a metal oxide semiconductor on the dielectric. Exposure of the dielectric layer to a hydrogen containing plasma prior to deposition of the semiconductor produces a plasma hydrogenated region at the semiconductor-dielectric interface. The plasma hydrogenated region incorporates hydrogen which decreases in concentration from semiconductor/dielectric interface into the bulk of one or both of the dielectric layer and the semiconductor layer.

Abstract: Semiconductor devices and methods of manufacture thereof are disclosed. In one embodiment, a semiconductor device includes a workpiece having a buried layer disposed beneath a top portion thereof. A trench is disposed in the workpiece extending at least through the buried layer. At least one sinker contact is disposed in the top portion of the workpiece. The at least one sinker contact is proximate sidewalls of at least a portion of the trench and is adjacent the buried layer. An insulating material is disposed on the sidewalls of the trench. A conductive material is disposed within the trench and is coupled to a lower portion of the workpiece.

Abstract: A main object of the invention is to provide a cathode active material used to form a lithium secondary battery having the improved cycle characteristics and output. The invention attains the object by providing a semiconductor-covered cathode active material comprising: a cathode active material; and a pn junction semiconductor covering layer which comprises an n-type semiconductor covering layer that covers a surface of the cathode active material and a p-type semiconductor covering layer that covers the surface of the n-type semiconductor covering layer.