Abstract: Integrated circuit (IC) structures and methods for forming the same are provided. An IC structure according to the present disclosure includes a substrate, an interconnect structure over the substrate, a guard ring structure disposed in the interconnect structure, a via structure vertically extending through the guard ring structure, and a top metal feature disposed directly over and in contact with the guard ring structure and the via structure. The guard ring structure includes a plurality of guard ring layers. Each of the plurality of guard ring layers includes a lower portion and an upper portion disposed over the lower portion. Sidewalls of the lower portions and upper portions of the plurality of guard ring layers facing toward the via structure are substantially vertically aligned to form a smooth inner surface of the guard ring structure.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a substrate, at least one semiconductor fin, and at least one epitaxy structure. The semiconductor fin is present on the substrate. The semiconductor fin has at least one recess thereon. The epitaxy structure is present in the recess of the semiconductor fin. The epitaxy structure includes a topmost portion, a first portion and a second portion arranged along a direction from the semiconductor fin to the substrate. The first portion has a germanium atomic percentage higher than a germanium atomic percentage of the topmost portion and a germanium atomic percentage of the second portion.

Abstract: An exemplary semiconductor structure includes a device substrate having a first side and a second side. A dielectric layer is disposed over the first side of the device substrate. A through via extends along a first direction through the dielectric layer and through the device substrate from the first side to the second side. The through via has a total length along the first direction and a width along a second direction that is different than the first direction. The total length is a sum of a first length of the through via in the dielectric layer and a second length of the through via in the device substrate. The first length is less than the second length. A guard ring is disposed in the dielectric layer and around the through via.

Abstract: An IC structure and methods of forming the same are described. In some embodiments, the structure includes a fin structure disposed over a substrate, the fin structure includes first and second segments and a bottom surface between the first and second segments, and the bottom surface includes a plurality of recesses. The structure further includes a dielectric material disposed between the first and second segments of the fin structure, and the dielectric material is disposed on the bottom surface and in the plurality of recesses. The structure further includes a gate structure disposed over the first segment of the fin structure, and the gate structure covers a top surface and side surfaces of the first segment of the fin structure.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a substrate, at least one semiconductor fin, and at least one epitaxy structure. The semiconductor fin is present on the substrate. The semiconductor fin has at least one recess thereon. The epitaxy structure is present in the recess of the semiconductor fin. The epitaxy structure includes a topmost portion, a first portion and a second portion arranged along a direction from the semiconductor fin to the substrate. The first portion has a germanium atomic percentage higher than a germanium atomic percentage of the topmost portion and a germanium atomic percentage of the second portion.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes a semiconductor structure including a TSV in contact with a substrate and a metal ring structure laterally surrounding the TSV. The metal ring structure includes one or more metal rings arranged as a stack and one or more metal vias interposed between two adjacent metal rings of the one or more metal rings. The metal ring structure is electrically coupled to the substrate through one or more conductive structures.

Abstract: Integrated circuit (IC) structures and methods for forming the same are provided. An IC structure according to the present disclosure includes a substrate, an interconnect structure over the substrate, a guard ring structure disposed in the interconnect structure, a via structure vertically extending through the guard ring structure, and a top metal feature disposed directly over and in contact with the guard ring structure and the via structure. The guard ring structure includes a plurality of guard ring layers. Each of the plurality of guard ring layers includes a lower portion and an upper portion disposed over the lower portion. Sidewalls of the lower portions and upper portions of the plurality of guard ring layers facing toward the via structure are substantially vertically aligned to form a smooth inner surface of the guard ring structure.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes a semiconductor structure including a TSV in contact with a substrate and a metal ring structure laterally surrounding the TSV. The metal ring structure includes one or more metal rings arranged as a stack and one or more metal vias interposed between two adjacent metal rings of the one or more metal rings. The metal ring structure is electrically coupled to the substrate through one or more conductive structures.

Abstract: A semiconductor article which includes a semiconductor substrate, a back end of the line (BEOL) wiring portion on the semiconductor substrate, a through silicon via and a guard ring. The semiconductor substrate is made of a semiconductor material. The BEOL wiring portion includes a plurality of wiring layers having electrically conductive wiring and electrical insulating material. The through silicon via provides a conductive path through the BEOL wiring portion and the semiconductor substrate. The guard ring surrounds the through silicon via in the BEOL wiring portion and in some embodiments in the semiconductor substrate.

Abstract: A semiconductor article which includes a semiconductor substrate, a back end of the line (BEOL) wiring portion on the semiconductor substrate, a through silicon via and a guard ring. The semiconductor substrate is made of a semiconductor material. The BEOL wiring portion includes a plurality of wiring layers having electrically conductive wiring and electrical insulating material. The through silicon via provides a conductive path through the BEOL wiring portion and the semiconductor substrate. The guard ring surrounds the through silicon via in the BEOL wiring portion and in some embodiments in the semiconductor substrate.

Abstract: An IC structure includes a semiconductor substrate; an isolation structure formed in the semiconductor substrate, thereby defining active regions surrounded by the isolation feature; a first well of a first conductivity type formed in the semiconductor substrate; a neutral region formed in the semiconductor substrate and laterally surrounding the first well; a second well of a second conductivity type formed on the semiconductor substrate and laterally surrounding the neutral region, the second conductivity type being opposite to the first conductivity type; a source disposed on the second well of the semiconductor substrate; a drain disposed on the first well of the semiconductor substrate; and a gate structure interposed between the source and the drain. The gate structure is engaging the first well, the neutral region and the second well of the semiconductor substrate. The source, the drain and the gate structure are configured as a FET.

Abstract: A semiconductor article which includes a semiconductor substrate, a back end of the line (BEOL) wiring portion on the semiconductor substrate, a through silicon via and a guard ring. The semiconductor substrate is made of a semiconductor material. The BEOL wiring portion includes a plurality of wiring layers having electrically conductive wiring and electrical insulating material. The through silicon via provides a conductive path through the BEOL wiring portion and the semiconductor substrate. The guard ring surrounds the through silicon via in the BEOL wiring portion and in some embodiments in the semiconductor substrate.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a substrate, at least one semiconductor fin, and at least one epitaxy structure. The semiconductor fin is present on the substrate. The semiconductor fin has at least one recess thereon. The epitaxy structure is present in the recess of the semiconductor fin. The epitaxy structure includes a topmost portion, a first portion and a second portion arranged along a direction from the semiconductor fin to the substrate. The first portion has a germanium atomic percentage higher than a germanium atomic percentage of the topmost portion and a germanium atomic percentage of the second portion.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a substrate, at least one semiconductor fin, and at least one epitaxy structure. The semiconductor fin is present on the substrate. The semiconductor fin has at least one recess thereon. The epitaxy structure is present in the recess of the semiconductor fin. The epitaxy structure includes a topmost portion, a first portion and a second portion arranged along a direction from the semiconductor fin to the substrate. The first portion has a germanium atomic percentage higher than a germanium atomic percentage of the topmost portion and a germanium atomic percentage of the second portion.

Abstract: A method for detecting dust mite antigens includes the steps of collecting a dust sample, applying an extraction and cleanup procedure for dust mite antigens from the dust sample in order to obtain a sample solution ready for measurement, and placing the sample solution on a SERS chip without immunological modification and under a Raman spectrometer for SERS detection in order to identify whether any dust mite antigens exist in the sample solution.

Abstract: An exemplary semiconductor structure includes a device substrate having a first side and a second side. A dielectric layer is disposed over the first side of the device substrate. A through via extends along a first direction through the dielectric layer and through the device substrate from the first side to the second side. The through via has a total length along the first direction and a width along a second direction that is different than the first direction. The total length is a sum of a first length of the through via in the dielectric layer and a second length of the through via in the device substrate. The first length is less than the second length. A guard ring is disposed in the dielectric layer and around the through via.

Abstract: An exemplary semiconductor structure includes a device substrate having a first side and a second side. A dielectric layer is disposed over the first side of the device substrate. A through via extends along a first direction through the dielectric layer and through the device substrate from the first side to the second side. A guard ring is disposed in the dielectric layer and around the through via. The guard ring includes metal layers stacked along the first direction. The metal layers include first sidewalls and second sidewall. The first sidewalls form an inner sidewall of the guard ring. An overlap between the first sidewalls of the metal layers is less than about 10 nm. The overlap is along a second direction different than the first direction.

Abstract: A surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) detection method is provided for detecting a target analyte in a sample. The SERS detection method generally includes the steps of: (a). preparing an extract of the sample; (b). introducing the sample extract onto a SERS substrate, causing the target analyte to be absorbed in the SERS substrate; (c). introducing a volatile organic solvent onto the SERS substrate to have the target analyte of the sample extract dissolved and comes out of the SERS substrate; (d). irradiating the SERS substrate with light to evaporate the volatile organic solvent, leaving a more condensed target analyte on the SERS substrate; (e). irradiating the condensed target analyte with laser light to have the target analyte penetrate deeply into the SERS substrate; and (f). performing Raman measurement with a laser beam focusing on the SERS substrate to analyze the target analyte.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes a semiconductor structure including a TSV in contact with a substrate and a metal ring structure laterally surrounding the TSV. The metal ring structure includes one or more metal rings arranged as a stack and one or more metal vias interposed between two adjacent metal rings of the one or more metal rings. The metal ring structure is electrically coupled to the substrate through one or more conductive structures.

Abstract: A semiconductor article which includes a semiconductor substrate, a back end of the line (BEOL) wiring portion on the semiconductor substrate, a through silicon via and a guard ring. The semiconductor substrate is made of a semiconductor material. The BEOL wiring portion includes a plurality of wiring layers having electrically conductive wiring and electrical insulating material. The through silicon via provides a conductive path through the BEOL wiring portion and the semiconductor substrate. The guard ring surrounds the through silicon via in the BEOL wiring portion and in some embodiments in the semiconductor substrate.