Abstract: According to an embodiment, a non-volatile memory device includes first electrodes stacked on an underlying layer, a second electrode provided on the first electrodes, a semiconductor layer extending in a first direction from the underlying layer to the second electrode, and a memory film provided between each of the first electrodes and the semiconductor layer. The semiconductor layer includes a first portion adjacent to the first electrodes and a second portion adjacent to the second electrode. The second portion has a thickness thinner than a thickness of the first portion in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction.

Abstract: Methods of manufacturing a semiconductor chip are provided. The methods may include providing a semiconductor substrate including integrated circuit regions and a cut region. The cut region may be between the integrated circuit regions. The methods may also include forming a modified layer by emitting a laser beam into the semiconductor substrate along the cut region, polishing an inactive surface of the semiconductor substrate to propagate a crack from the modified layer, and separating the integrated circuit regions along the crack. The cut region may include a plurality of multilayer metal patterns on an active surface of the semiconductor substrate, which is opposite to the inactive surface of the semiconductor substrate. The plurality of multilayer metal patterns may form a pyramid structure when viewed in cross section.

Abstract: In accordance with some embodiments, a package-on-package (PoP) structure includes a first semiconductor package having a first side and a second side opposing the first side, a second semiconductor package having a first side and a second side opposing the first side, and a plurality of inter-package connector coupled between the first side of the first semiconductor package and the first side of the second semiconductor package. The PoP structure further includes a first molding material on the second side of the first semiconductor package. The second side of the second semiconductor package is substantially free of the first molding material.

Abstract: A method includes forming a set of through-vias in a substrate, the set of through-vias partially penetrating a thickness of the substrate. First connectors are formed over the set of through-vias on a first side of the substrate. The first side of the substrate is attached to a carrier. The substrate is thinned from the second side to expose the set of through-vias. Second connectors are formed over the set of through-vias on the second side of the substrate. A device die is bonded to the second connectors. The substrate is singulated into multiple packages.

Abstract: A method includes forming a dummy pattern over test region of a substrate; forming an interlayer dielectric (ILD) layer laterally surrounding the dummy pattern; removing the dummy pattern to form an opening; forming a dielectric layer in the opening; performing a first testing process on the dielectric layer; performing an annealing process to the dielectric layer; and performing a second testing process on the annealed dielectric layer.

Abstract: A method of making an integrated circuit includes steps of selecting a first cell and a second cell for an integrated circuit layout from a cell library in an electronic design automation (EDA) system, the first and second cells each having a cell active area, a cell gate electrode, at least one fin of a first set of fins, and a cell border region, each cell also having the active area at an exposed side, and placing the first exposed side against the second exposed side at a cell border. The method also includes operations of aligning at least one fin of the first set of fins with at least one fin of the second set of fins across a cell border.

Abstract: A method of making a semiconductor device involves the steps of disposing a first semiconductor die over a substrate and disposing a beam homogenizer over the first semiconductor die. A beam from the beam homogenizer impacts the first semiconductor die. The method further includes the steps of determining a positional offset of the beam relative to the first semiconductor die in a number of pixels, using a first calibration equation to convert the number of pixels into a distance in millimeters, and moving the beam homogenizer the distance in millimeters to align the beam and first semiconductor die.

Abstract: A display device with high resolution is provided. A display device with high display quality is provided. The display device includes a substrate, an insulating layer, a plurality of transistors, and a plurality of light-emitting diodes. The plurality of light-emitting diodes are provided in a matrix over the substrate. Each of the plurality of transistors is electrically connected to at least one of the plurality of light-emitting diodes. The plurality of light-emitting diodes are positioned closer to the substrate than the plurality of transistors are. The plurality of light-emitting diodes emit light toward the substrate. Each of the plurality of transistors includes a metal oxide layer and a gate electrode. The metal oxide layer includes a channel formation region. The top surface of the gate electrode is substantially level with the top surface of the insulating layer.

Abstract: An integrated circuit (IC) device is disclosed which includes at least a first hybrid bond interface layer disposed between adjacent wafers of a wafer stack. Routing within the hybrid bond interface layer allows test pads exposed on a top wafer of the wafer stack to electrically couple test keys within the wafer stack. By utilizing the routing within the hybrid bond interface layer to index electrical connections between adjacent wafers, IC dies stacked on the wafers may be fabricated with less mask sets as compared to conventional designs.

Abstract: Embodiments include a wafer-on-wafer bonding where each wafer includes a seal ring structure around die areas defined in the wafer. Embodiments provide a further seal ring spanning the interface between the wafers. Embodiments may extend the existing seal rings of the wafers, provide an extended seal ring structure separate from the existing seal rings of the wafers, or combinations thereof.

Abstract: Disclosed embodiments herein relate to an integrated circuit including power switches with active regions connected to form a contiguous region. In one aspect, the integrated circuit includes a first layer including a first metal rail extending in a first direction. In one aspect, the integrated circuit includes a second layer above the first layer along a second direction perpendicular to the first direction. The second layer may include active regions for power switches. In one aspect, the active regions of the power switches are connected to form a contiguous region extending in the first direction. The first metal rail may be electrically coupled to the active regions through via contacts. In one aspect, the integrated circuit includes a third layer above the second layer along the second direction. The third layer may include a second metal rail electrically coupled to some of the power switches through additional via contacts.

Abstract: Partial self-aligned contact structures are provided. In one aspect, a method of forming a semiconductor device includes: patterning fins in a substrate; forming a gate(s) over the fins, separated from source/drains by first spacers, wherein a lower portion of the gate(s) includes a workfunction-setting metal, and an upper portion of the gate(s) includes a core metal between a metal liner; recessing the metal liner to form divots in the upper portion of the gate(s) in between the first spacers and the core metal; forming second spacers in the divots such that the first spacers and the second spacers surround the core metal in the upper portion of the gate(s); forming lower source/drain contacts in between the first spacers over the source/drains; recessing the lower source/drain contacts to form gaps over the lower source/drain contacts; and forming source/drain caps in the gaps. A semiconductor device is also provided.

Abstract: An array of poly lines on an active device area of an integrated chip is extended to form a dummy device structure on an adjacent isolation region. The resulting dummy device structure is an array of poly lines having the same line width, line spacing, and pitch as the array of poly lines on the active device area. The poly lines of the dummy device structure are on grid with the poly lines on the active device area. Because the dummy device structure is formed of poly lines that are on grid with the poly lines on the active device area, the dummy device structure may be much closer to the active device area than would otherwise be possible. The resulting proximity of the dummy device structure to the active device area improves anti-dishing performance and reduces empty space on the integrated chip.

Abstract: Various configurations and arrangements for touchscreens are disclosed to accommodate for one or more optical discontinuities that can be present within these touchscreens. When the one or more optical discontinuities are present, these configurations and arrangements of the touchscreens present a single layer of transparent conductive material that can be difficult to perceive by a human eye when viewing the touchscreens. Additionally, various edge correction techniques are disclosed to adjust mutual capacitances along a perimeter of the touchscreens. These edge correction techniques adjust mutual capacitances such that the values of the mutual capacitances are substantially uniform throughout.

Abstract: The embodiments of the present disclosure provide a semiconductor base plate and a test method thereof. When a first test line and a second test line in the semiconductor base plate are tested, a resistivity of the first test line can be tested by directly loading voltages to a first test pad and a second test pad after a first conductive layer is formed and before a first insulating layer is formed. After a second conductive layer is formed, a resistivity of the second test line is tested by loading voltages to a third test pad and a fourth test pad.

Abstract: The present application provides a method for manufacturing a semiconductor package with air gaps for reducing capacitive coupling between conductive features. The method comprises: providing a first substrate with an integrated circuit; forming a first stack of insulating layers with first protruding portions on the integrated circuit; removing a topmost insulating layer in the first stack of insulating layers; forming through holes in the first stack to form a first semiconductor structure; providing a second substrate with an integrated circuit; forming a second stack of insulating layers with second protruding portions on the integrated circuit; forming a recess portion in the first stack to form a second semiconductor structure; and bonding the first semiconductor structure with the second semiconductor structure, with an air gap formed from the recess portion.

Abstract: An integrated circuit apparatus and a power distribution network thereof are provided. The power distribution network includes a top wiring layer, a bottom wiring layer, and a first conductive path. The top wiring layer includes a first top trace and a second top trace extending along a first direction. The bottom wiring layer includes a first bottom trace extending along a second direction. The first bottom trace has an electric potential equal to that of the first top trace, but different from that of the second top trace. The first conductive path connected between the first top and bottom traces includes a first upper conductive structure and a first lower conductive structure that are located directly under the first top trace and the second top trace, respectively. A signal wire preselected region is defined between the first upper conductive structure and the first bottom trace.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes first and second standard cells having respective semiconductor elements and first interconnection lines electrically connected to the semiconductor elements, on a substrate. A routing structure is provided, which is disposed on the first and second standard cells. The routing structure includes second interconnection lines electrically connected to the first interconnection lines. The first interconnection lines include a first power transmission line, which is configured to supply power to a semiconductor element, and a first signal transmission line electrically coupled to a semiconductor element.

Abstract: A package device includes a first device die and second device die bonded thereto. When the area of the second device die is less than half the area of the first device die, one or more inactive structures having a semiconductor substrate is also bonded to the first device die so that the combined area of the second device die and the one or more inactive structures is greater than half the area of the first device die.

Abstract: Disclosed embodiments herein relate to an integrated circuit including power switches with active regions connected to form a contiguous region. In one aspect, the integrated circuit includes a first layer including a first metal rail extending in a first direction. In one aspect, the integrated circuit includes a second layer above the first layer along a second direction perpendicular to the first direction. The second layer may include active regions for power switches. In one aspect, the active regions of the power switches are connected to form a contiguous region extending in the first direction. The first metal rail may be electrically coupled to the active regions through via contacts. In one aspect, the integrated circuit includes a third layer above the second layer along the second direction. The third layer may include a second metal rail electrically coupled to some of the power switches through additional via contacts.