Abstract: An optical modulator includes a carrier and a waveguide disposed on the carrier. The waveguide includes a first optical coupling region, a second optical coupling region, first regions, and second regions. The first optical coupling region is doped with first dopants. The second optical coupling region abuts the first optical coupling region and is doped with second dopants. The first dopants and the second dopants are of different conductivity type. The first regions are doped with the first dopants and are arrange adjacent to the first optical coupling region. The first regions have respective increasing doping concentrations as distances of the first regions increase from the first optical coupling region. The second regions are doped with the second dopants and are arranged adjacent to the second optical coupling region. The second regions have respective increasing doping concentrations as distances of the second regions increase from the second optical coupling region.

Abstract: A semiconductor structure and a method of forming the same are disclosed. A method of forming a semiconductor structure includes the following operations. An insulating layer is formed over a substrate. A metal feature is formed in the insulating layer. An argon-containing plasma treatment is performed to the insulating layer and the metal feature.

Abstract: A device is disclosed, including a latch circuit, a first pass-gate transistor, and a second pass-gate transistor. The latch circuit stores a bit data and is arranged in a first layer. The first pass-gate transistor and the second pass-gate transistor are arranged in a second layer separated from the first layer. The first pass-gate transistor is coupled between a first bit line and a first terminal of the latch circuit, and the second pass-gate transistor is coupled between a second bit line and a second terminal of the latch circuit.

Abstract: A semiconductor device structure is provided. The semiconductor device structure includes a gate structure formed over a substrate, and the gate structure includes a gate dielectric layer and a gate electrode layer. The semiconductor device structure includes an insulating capping layer formed over the gate electrode layer, and the insulating capping layer covers a top surface of the gate dielectric layer. The semiconductor device structure also includes a conductive via structure formed through the insulating capping layer, and a portion of the conductive via structure is lower than a top surface of the gate dielectric layer.

Abstract: A semiconductor device structure and method for forming the same are provided. The semiconductor device structure includes a plurality of first nanostructures stacked over a substrate in a vertical direction. The semiconductor device structure also includes a first bottom layer formed adjacent to the first nanostructures, and a first dielectric layer formed over the first bottom layer. The semiconductor device structure further includes a first source/drain (S/D) structure formed over the first dielectric layer, and the first S/D structure is isolated from the first bottom layer by the first dielectric layer.

Abstract: A method for fabricating semiconductor devices includes forming a first semiconductor channel structure and a second semiconductor channel structure over a substrate; forming a metal gate structure, wherein the metal gate structure includes a first portion and a second portion straddling the first semiconductor channel structure and the second semiconductor channel structure, respectively; replacing a third portion of the metal gate structure between the first portion and the second portion with a first dielectric material to form a gate isolation structure, wherein a width of the gate isolation structure along the second direction decreases with an increasing depth of the gate isolation structure toward the substrate; and replacing a portion of the gate isolation structure, the second portion of the metal gate structure, and the second semiconductor channel structure with a second dielectric material to form an edge isolation structure.

Abstract: The disclosure provides a delay estimation device and a delay estimation method. The delay estimation device includes a pulse generator, a digitally controlled delay line (DCDL), a time-to-digital converter (TDC), and a control circuit. The pulse generator receives a reference clock signal, outputs a first clock signal in response to a first rising edge of the reference clock signal, and outputs a second clock signal in response to a second rising edge of the reference clock signal. The DCDL receives the first clock signal from the pulse generator and converts the first clock signal into phase signals based on a combination of delay line codes. The TDC samples the phase signals to generate a timing code based on the second clock signal. The control circuit estimates a specific delay between the first clock signal and the second clock signal based on the timing code.

Abstract: A manufacturing method of a through substrate via includes at least the following steps. A protective liner is formed within an opening of a dielectric layer, where the opening exposes a portion of a semiconductor substrate underlying the dielectric layer. The portion of the semiconductor substrate is removed through the opening, where an overhang portion is formed at a top edge of the semiconductor substrate and masked by the protective liner after the removing. The overhang portion of the semiconductor substrate, the protective liner, and a portion of the dielectric layer adjoining the protective liner is removed to form a via hole. A conductive material is formed in the via hole.

Abstract: A semiconductor package includes a semiconductor die, a device layer, an insulator layer, a buffer layer, and connective terminals. The device layer is stacked over the semiconductor die. The device layer includes an edge coupler located at an edge of the semiconductor package and a waveguide connected to the edge coupler. The insulator layer is stacked over the device layer and includes a first dielectric material. The buffer layer is stacked over the insulator layer. The buffer layer includes a second dielectric material. The connective terminals are disposed on the buffer layer and reach the insulator layer through contact openings of the buffer layer.

Abstract: Circuit board includes conductive plate, core dielectric layer, metallization layer, first build-up stack, second build-up stack. Conductive plate has channels extending from top surface to bottom surface. Core dielectric layer extends on covering top surface and side surfaces of conductive plate. Metallization layer extends on core dielectric layer and within channels of conductive plate. Core dielectric layer insulates metallization layer from conductive plate. First build-up stack is disposed on top surface of conductive plate and includes conductive layers alternately stacked with dielectric layers. Conductive layers electrically connect to metallization layer. Second build-up stack is disposed on bottom surface of conductive plate. Second build-up stack includes bottommost dielectric layer and bottommost conductive layer. Bottommost dielectric layer covers bottom surface of conductive plate.

Abstract: A system for reflowing a semiconductor workpiece including a stage, a first vacuum module and a second vacuum module, and an energy source is provided. The stage includes a base and a protrusion connected to the base, the stage is movable along a height direction of the stage relative to the semiconductor workpiece, the protrusion operably holds and heats the semiconductor workpiece, and the protrusion includes a first portion and a second portion surrounded by and spatially separated from the first portion. The first vacuum module and the second vacuum module respectively coupled to the first portion and the second portion of the protrusion, and the first vacuum module and the second vacuum module are operable to respectively apply a pressure to the first portion and the second portion. The energy source is disposed over the stage to heat the semiconductor workpiece held by the protrusion of the stage.

Abstract: An integrated circuit structure is provided. The integrated circuit structure includes a die that contains a substrate, an interconnection structure, active connectors and dummy connectors. The interconnection structure is disposed over the substrate. The active connectors and the dummy connectors are disposed over the interconnection structure. The active connectors are electrically connected to the interconnection structure, and the dummy connectors are electrically insulated from the interconnection structure.

Abstract: A package includes a die and a redistribution layer. A top surface of the die has a first area and a second area connected with the first area. The redistribution layer structure includes a first insulation layer, a redistribution layer, and a second insulation layer. The first insulation layer is overlapping with the second area. The redistribution layer is disposed above the die. The second insulation layer is disposed above the redistribution layer and overlapping with the second area and the first area. The second insulation layer covers a top surface of the first insulation layer and is in contact with a side surface of the first insulation layer and the top surface of the die.

Abstract: An embodiment of the disclosure is a structure comprising an interposer. The interposer has a test structure extending along a periphery of the interposer, and at least a portion of the test structure is in a first redistribution element. The first redistribution element is on a first surface of a substrate of the interposer. The test structure is intermediate and electrically coupled to at least two probe pads.

Abstract: A multi-bit flip-flop includes a first flip-flop, a second flip-flop and a first inverter. The first flip-flop has a first driving capability. The second flip-flop has a second driving capability different from the first driving capability. The first inverter is configured to receive a first clock signal on a first clock pin, and is configured to generate a second clock signal inverted from the first clock signal. The first flip-flop and the second flip-flop are configured to share at least the first clock pin.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present disclosure are directed towards a method for forming an integrated chip. The method comprises forming a plurality of semiconductor devices over a central region of a semiconductor wafer. The semiconductor wafer comprises a peripheral region laterally surrounding the central region and a circumferential edge disposed within the peripheral region. The semiconductor wafer comprises a notch disposed along the circumferential edge. Forming a stack of inter-level dielectric (ILD) layers over the semiconductor devices and laterally within the central region. Forming a bonding support structure over the peripheral region such that the bonding support structure comprises a bonding structure notch disposed along a circumferential edge of the bonding support structure. Forming the bonding support structure includes disposing the semiconductor wafer over a lower plasma exclusion zone (PEZ) ring that comprises a PEZ ring notch disposed along a circumferential edge of the lower PEZ ring.

Abstract: A semiconductor structure includes a substrate, a plurality of conductive features disposed over the substrate, and an isolation structure between conductive features and separating the conductive features from each other. Each of the conductive features includes a first metal layer and a 2D material layer. Another semiconductor structure includes a first conductive feature, a dielectric structure over the first conductive feature, a second conductive feature in the dielectric structure and coupled to the first conductive feature, and a conductive line over and coupled to the second conductive feature. In some embodiments, the conductive line includes a first 3D material layer, a first 2D material layer, and a second 3D material layer. The first 2D material layer is disposed between the first 3D material layer and the second 3D material layer.

Abstract: Systems and method are provided for a memory circuit. In embodiments, the circuit includes a plurality of memory cells corresponding to a word of data and a global write word line. A plurality of local write lines are connected to a subset of the plurality of memory cells of the word of data. Selection logic is configured to activate a particular subset of memory cells for writing via a particular local write line based on a signal on the global write word line and a selection signal associated with the particular subset of memory cells.

Abstract: In some embodiments, the present disclosure relates to a display device that includes a reflector electrode coupled to an interconnect structure. An isolation structure is disposed over the reflector electrode, and a transparent electrode is disposed over the isolation structure. Further, an optical emitter structure is disposed over the transparent electrode. A via structure extends from a top surface of the isolation structure to the reflector electrode and comprises an outer portion that directly overlies the top surface of the isolation structure. A hard mask layer is arranged directly between the top surface of the isolation structure and the outer portion of the via structure.

Abstract: A method of monitoring static charge is provided. The method includes the operations as follows. A metallic plate is connected to a conductive tape wrapped around an outer surface of a non-conductive tube. A plurality of static charges are detected from the metallic plate by an electrostatic field meter, wherein the conductive tape and the metallic plate are entirely disposed within a metallic box. A flow rate of a fluid flowing through the non-conductive tube is adjusted according to the plurality of static charges detected by the electrostatic field meter.