Abstract: A circuit includes a tracking word line, a power switch, a tracking bit line, a sense circuit. The power switch is coupled between the tracking word line and a first node. The power switch is configured to discharge a voltage level on the first node in response to a clock pulse signal transmitted through the tracking word line to the power switch. The tracking bit line is coupled between the first node and a plurality of tracking cells in a memory array. The sense circuit is coupled between the first node and a second node. The sense circuit is configured to generate a negative bit line enable signal in response to that the voltage level on the first node is below a threshold voltage value of the sense circuit.

Abstract: An analog-to-digital converter (“ADC”) includes an input terminal configured to receive an analog input voltage signal. A first ADC stage is coupled to the input terminal and is configured to output a first digital value corresponding to the analog input voltage signal and a first analog residue signal corresponding to a difference between the first digital value and the analog input signal. An inverter based residue amplifier is configured to receive the first analog residue signal, amplify the first analog residue signal, and output an amplified residue signal. The amplified residue signal is converted to a second digital value, and the first and second digital values are combined to create a digital output signal corresponding to the analog input voltage signal.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a method of forming N-type and P-type source/drain features using one patterned mask and one self-aligned mask to increase windows of error tolerance and provide flexibilities for source/drain features of various shapes and/or volumes. In some embodiments, after forming a first type of source/drain features, a self-aligned mask layer is formed over the first type of source/drain features without using photolithography process, thus, avoid damaging the first type of source/drain features in the patterning process.

Abstract: A FinFET device structure is provided. The FinFET device structure includes a fin structure formed over a substrate, and a gate structure formed over the fin structure. The FinFET device structure includes a source/drain (S/D) structure formed over the fin structure and adjacent to the gate structure, and an S/D contact structure formed over the S/D structure and adjacent to the gate structure. The FinFET device structure also includes a protection layer formed on the S/D contact structure, and the protection layer and the S/D contact structure are made of different materials. The protection layer has a bottommost surface in direct contact with a topmost surface of the S/D contact structure.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a semiconductor integrated circuit (IC) is disclosed. A first conductive feature and a second conductive feature are provided. A first hard mask (HM) is formed on the first conductive feature. A patterned dielectric layer is formed over the first and the second conductive features, with first openings to expose the second conductive features. A first metal plug is formed in the first opening to contact the second conductive features. A second HM is formed on the first metal plugs and another patterned dielectric layer is formed over the substrate, with second openings to expose a subset of the first metal plugs and the first conductive features. A second metal plug is formed in the second openings.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a semiconductor fin. The semiconductor device includes a metal gate disposed over the semiconductor fin. The semiconductor device includes a gate dielectric layer disposed between the semiconductor fin and the metal gate. The semiconductor device includes first spacers sandwiching the metal gate. The first spacers have a first top surface and the gate dielectric layer has a second top surface, and the first top surface and a first portion of the second top surface are coplanar with each other. The semiconductor device includes second spacers further sandwiching the first spacers. The second spacers have a third top surface above the first top surface and the second top surface. The semiconductor device includes a gate electrode disposed over the metal gate.

Abstract: A semiconductor device according to the present disclosure includes a first transistor and a second transistor disposed over the first transistor. The first transistor includes a plurality of channel members vertically stacked over one another, and a first source/drain feature adjoining the plurality of channel members. The second transistor includes a fin structure, and a second source/drain feature adjoining the fin structure. The semiconductor device further includes a conductive feature electrically connecting the first source/drain feature and the second source/drain feature.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an integrated chip. The integrated chip includes a photodetector region provided in a substrate. A dielectric material is disposed within a trench defined by one or more interior surfaces of the substrate. The trench has a depth that extends from an upper surface of the substrate to within the substrate. A doped silicon material is disposed within the trench and has a sidewall facing away from the doped silicon material. The sidewall contacts a sidewall of the dielectric material along an interface extending along the depth of the trench.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present application are directed to an integrated circuit (IC) comprising a floating gate test device, as well as a method for forming the IC. In some embodiments, the IC comprises a memory cell structure including a pair of control gates respectively separated from a substrate by a pair of floating gates and a pair of select gate electrodes disposed on opposite sides of the pair of control gates. A memory test structure includes a pair of dummy control gates respectively separated from the substrate by a pair of dummy floating gates and a pair of dummy select gate electrodes disposed on opposite sides of the pair of dummy control gates. The memory test structure further includes a pair of conductive floating gate test contact vias respectively extending through the pair of dummy control gates and reaching on the dummy floating gates.

Abstract: A magnetoresistive random access memory (MRAM) cell includes a bottom electrode, a magnetic tunnel junction structure, a bipolar tunnel junction selector; and a top electrode. The tunnel junction selector includes a MgO tunnel barrier layer and provides a bipolar function for putting the MTJ structure in parallel or anti-parallel mode.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present disclosure are directed towards a semiconductor structure including a bond bump disposed on an upper surface of an upper conductive structure. The upper conductive structure overlies a substrate. A buffer layer is disposed along the upper surface of the upper conductive structure. The bond bump comprises a sidewall having a straight sidewall segment overlying a curved sidewall segment.

Abstract: Methods for manufacturing a semiconductor structure are provided. The semiconductor structure includes a substrate a substrate and channel layers vertically stacked over the substrate. The semiconductor structure also includes a dielectric fin structure formed adjacent to the channel layers and a gate structure abutting the channel layers and the dielectric fin structure. The semiconductor structure also includes a source/drain structure attached to the channel layers and a contact formed over the source/drain structure. The semiconductor structure also includes a Si layer covering a portion of a top surface of the source/drain structure. In addition, the Si layer is sandwiched between the dielectric fin structure and the contact.

Abstract: A read method and a write method for a memory circuit are provided, wherein the memory circuit includes a memory cell and a selector electrically coupled to the memory cell. The read method includes applying a first voltage to the selector, wherein a first voltage level of the first voltage is larger than a voltage threshold corresponding to the selector; and applying, after the applying of the first voltage, a second voltage to the selector to sense one or more bit values stored in the memory cell, wherein a second voltage level of the second voltage is constant and smaller than the voltage threshold, wherein a first duration of the applying of the first voltage is smaller than a second duration of the applying of the second voltage, wherein the second voltage is applied following the end of the first duration.

Abstract: A semiconductor device structure, along with methods of forming such, are described. The structure includes a first and second gate electrode layers, and a dielectric feature disposed between the first and second gate electrode layers. The dielectric feature has a first surface. The structure further includes a first conductive layer disposed on the first gate electrode layer. The first conductive layer has a second surface. The structure further includes a second conductive layer disposed on the second gate electrode layer. The second conductive layer has a third surface, and the first, second, and third surfaces are coplanar. The structure further includes a third conductive layer disposed over the first conductive layer, a fourth conductive layer disposed over the second conductive layer, and a dielectric layer disposed on the first surface of the dielectric feature. The dielectric layer is disposed between the third conductive layer and the fourth conductive layer.

Abstract: A system comprises a front opening universal pod (FOUP) configured to hold one or more semiconductor wafers and a load dock having a stage and a receiving portion extending above the stage. The FOUP is positioned on the stage. A fan filter unit (FFU) positioned above the load dock. An air flow optimizer device is disposed on the receiving portion and under the FFU. The air flow optimizer device has an inlet opening and an outlet opening and a channel extends between the inlet opening and the outlet opening.

Abstract: Semiconductor device and the manufacturing method thereof are disclosed. An exemplary semiconductor device comprises a first semiconductor stack and a second semiconductor stack over a substrate, wherein each of the first and second semiconductor stacks includes semiconductor layers stacked up and separated from each other; a dummy spacer between the first and second semiconductor stacks, wherein the dummy spacer contacts a first sidewall of each semiconductor layer of the first and second semiconductor stacks; and a gate structure wrapping a second sidewall, a top surface, and a bottom surface of each semiconductor layer of the first and second semiconductor stacks.

Abstract: A chip package is provided. The chip package includes a substrate structure. The substrate structure includes a redistribution structure having a conductive pad. The substrate structure includes a first insulating layer under the redistribution structure. The substrate structure includes a conductive via structure passing through the first insulating layer. The conductive via structure is under and electrically connected with the conductive pad. The substrate structure includes a second insulating layer disposed between the redistribution structure and the first insulating layer. The chip package includes a first chip over the redistribution structure and electrically connected to the conductive via structure through the redistribution structure. The chip package includes a second chip under the substrate structure.

Abstract: A semiconductor structure includes a substrate component, an IC die component over the substrate component, and a composite redistribution structure interposed between and electrically coupled to the substrate and IC die components. The composite redistribution structure includes a local interconnect component between a first redistribution structure overlying the substrate component and a second redistribution structure underlying the IC die component, and an insulating encapsulation between the first and second redistribution structures and embedding the local interconnect component therein.

Abstract: A mask includes a reflective layer, an absorption layer and an absorption part. The absorption layer is disposed over the reflective multilayer. The absorption part is disposed in the reflective layer and the absorption layer, wherein an entire top surface of the absorption part is substantially flush with a top surface of the absorption layer.

Abstract: A package structure including a first redistribution circuit structure, a semiconductor die, first antennas and second antennas is provided. The semiconductor die is located on and electrically connected to the first redistribution circuit structure. The first antennas and the second antennas are located over the first redistribution circuit structure and electrically connected to the semiconductor die through the first redistribution circuit structure. A first group of the first antennas are located at a first position, a first group of the second antennas are located at a second position, and the first position is different from the second position in a stacking direction of the first redistribution circuit structure and the semiconductor die.