Abstract: A stand for a computer monitor includes two auxiliary devices at two sides respectively. One auxiliary device is configured to extend out from one side of the stand and unfold to serve as a cup holder. The other auxiliary device is configured to extend out from the other side of the stand and unfold to serve as a holder for a cellular phone and/or a tablet computer.

Abstract: An image sensing device includes a germanium sensor within a semiconductor body and a metalens formed in the back side of the semiconductor body. The metalens is structured to focus infrared light on the germanium sensor and may have a lower profile than an equivalent microlens. Optionally, the metalens is combined with a microlens to achieve a desired focal length. The metalens, or the metalens in combination with a microlens, overcomes a manufacturing process limitation on the focal length of the microlens, which in turn eliminates the need for, or reduces the thickness of, a spacer between the microlens and the germanium sensor. Eliminating the spacer or reducing its thickness improves the angular response of the image sensing device.

Abstract: A MRAM circuit structure is provided in the present invention, with the unit cell composed of three transistors in series and four MTJs, wherein the junction between first transistor and third transistor is first node, the junction between second transistor and third transistor is second node, and the other ends of first transistor and third transistor are connected to a common source line. First MTJ is connected to second MTJ in series to form a first MTJ pair that connecting to the first node, and third MTJ is connected to fourth MTJ in series to form a second MTJ pair that connecting to the second node.

Abstract: Provided is a semiconductor structure including a circuit layer, an island-shaped conductive layer, a MRAM cell, a bit line and a conductive via. The circuit layer is disposed on a substrate. The island-shaped conductive layer is disposed on the circuit layer. The MRAM cell is disposed between the island-shaped conductive layer and the circuit layer, and is electrically connected to the island-shaped conductive layer and the circuit layer. The bit line is disposed on the island-shaped conductive layer. The conductive via is disposed between the bit line and the island-shaped conductive layer. The island-shaped conductive layer is in contact with a top surface of the MRAM cell.

Abstract: Different embodiments of local redundancy decoder circuits that can be used in a memory device are disclosed. The different types of local redundancy decoder circuits are operably connected to the columns of memory cells in a memory array.

Abstract: A device includes a substrate, an isolation structure over the substrate, a gate structure over the isolation structure, a gate spacer on a sidewall of the gate structure, a source/drain (S/D) region adjacent to the gate spacer, a silicide on the S/D region, a dielectric liner over a sidewall of the gate spacer and on a top surface of the isolation structure, wherein a bottom surface of the dielectric liner is above a top surface of the silicide layer and spaced away from the top surface of the silicide layer in a cross-sectional plane perpendicular to a lengthwise direction of the gate structure.

Abstract: An infrared filter film layer and an infrared filter structure are provided. The infrared filter film layer includes at least one silicon-based layer, at least one isolation layer, and at least one oxide layer that are stacked with each other. The at least one isolation layer is disposed between the at least one silicon-based layer and the at least one oxide layer. Through this configuration, the infrared filter film layer has good quality, such that an amount of wavelength drift is small in application. The infrared filter structure includes a light-transmitting substrate and the infrared filter film layer.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure provide semiconductor devices having conductive features with reduced height and increased width, and methods for forming the semiconductor devices. Particularly, sacrificial self-aligned contact (SAC) layer and sacrificial metal contact etch stop layer (M-CESL) are used to form conductive features with reduced resistance. After formation of the conductive features, the sacrificial SAC and sacrificial M-CESL are removed and replaced with a low-k material to reduce capacitance in the device. As a result, performance of the device is improved.

Abstract: An image processing method is provided. The method includes the step of comparing each of the input pixels in an input image to a corresponding buffered pixel in a buffered image, and computing the difference value between the input pixel value of the input pixel and the buffered pixel value of the buffered pixel. The method further includes the step of generating a blended image based on the input pixel values and the corresponding difference values. The method further includes the step of determining whether a criterion associated with the difference value is met, for each of the difference values. The method further includes the step of updating, for each of the buffered pixels in the buffered image, the buffered pixel value based on the corresponding input pixel value if the criterion is met, and keeping the buffered pixel value unchanged if the criterion is not met.

Abstract: A semiconductor device structure, along with methods of forming such, are described. The structure includes a substrate, a source/drain contact disposed over the substrate, a first dielectric layer disposed on the source drain contact, an etch stop layer disposed on the first dielectric layer, and a source/drain conductive layer disposed in the etch stop layer and the first dielectric layer. The structure further includes a spacer structure disposed in the etch stop layer and the first dielectric layer. The spacer structure surrounds a sidewall of the source/drain conductive layer and includes a first spacer layer having a first portion and a second spacer layer adjacent the first portion of the first spacer layer. The first portion of the first spacer layer and the second spacer layer are separated by an air gap. The structure further includes a seal layer.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides low resistance contacts and damascene interconnects with one or more graphene layers in fin structures of finFETs. An example semiconductor device can include a substrate with a fin structure that includes an epitaxial region. The semiconductor device can also include an etch stop layer on the epitaxial region, and an interlayer dielectric layer on the etch stop layer. The semiconductor device can further include a metal contact, above the epitaxial region, formed through the etch stop layer and the interlayer dielectric layer, and a graphene film at interfaces between the metal contact and each of the epitaxial region, the etch stop layer, and the interlayer dielectric layer.

Abstract: A semiconductor device and a manufacturing method thereof are provided. The semiconductor device includes channel layers, a mask structure, a gate structure and a source/drain pattern. The channel layers are stacked vertically apart along a first direction over a substrate. The mask structure is disposed over and apart from the channel layers along the first direction. The gate structure laterally extends along a second direction perpendicular to the first direction disposed, wherein the gate structure wraps around the channel layers and laterally surround the mask structure. The source/drain pattern is in contact with the channel layers.

Abstract: An image sensor includes a first color filter disposed on a first photodiode, a first grid, and a first micro lens disposed on the first color filter and the first grid. The first grid includes a first main portion and a first shielding portion extended from the first main portion. The first main portion surrounds the first color filter and the first shielding portion partially covers the first color filter such that a first cavity defined by the first shielding portion is configured over the first color filter. The first color filter or the first micro lens includes a first protruding portion filled in the first cavity, and a width of the first protruding portion is in a range from 0.1 pixel size to 0.8 pixel size. A manufacturing method of an image sensor is also disclosed.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present application are directed to a narrow band filter with high transmission and an image sensor comprising the narrow band filter. In some embodiments, the filter comprises a first distributed Bragg reflector (DBR), a second DBR, a defect layer between the first and second DBRs, and a plurality of columnar structures. The columnar structures extend through the defect layer and have a refractive index different than a refractive index of the defect layer. The first and second DBRs define a low transmission band, and the defect layer defines a high transmission band dividing the low transmission band. The columnar structures shift the high transmission band towards lower or higher wavelengths depending upon a refractive index of the columnar structures and a fill factor of the columnar structures.

Abstract: A memory device and a manufacturing method thereof are provided. The memory device includes a magnetic tunneling junction (MTJ) and a spin Hall electrode (SHE). The MTJ includes a free layer, a reference layer and a barrier layer lying between the free layer and the reference layer. The SHE is in contact with the MTJ, and configured to convert a charge current to a spin current for programming the MTJ. The SHE is formed of an alloy comprising at least one heavy metal element and at least one light transition metal element. The heavy metal element is selected from metal elements with one or more valence electrons filling in 5d orbitals, and the light transition metal element is selected from transition metal elements with one or more valence electrons partially filling in 3d orbitals.

Abstract: Semiconductor structures and methods of forming the same are provided. In one embodiment, a semiconductor structure includes an active region over a substrate, a gate structure disposed over the active region, and a gate contact that includes a lower portion disposed over the gate structure and an upper portion disposed over the lower portion.

Abstract: A memory device and a manufacturing method thereof are provided. The memory device includes a magnetic tunneling junction (MTJ) and a spin Hall electrode (SHE). The MTJ includes a free layer, a reference layer and a barrier layer lying between the free layer and the reference layer. The SHE is in contact with the MTJ, and configured to convert a charge current to a spin current for programming the MTJ. The SHE is formed of an alloy comprising at least one heavy metal element and at least one light transition metal element. The heavy metal element is selected from metal elements with one or more valence electrons filling in 5 d orbitals, and the light transition metal element is selected from transition metal elements with one or more valence electrons partially filling in 3 d orbitals.

Abstract: A method according to the present disclosure includes providing a workpiece including a first fin-shaped structure and a second fin-shaped structure over a substrate, depositing a nitride liner over the substrate and sidewalls of the first fin-shaped structure and the second fin-shaped structure, forming an isolation feature over the nitride liner and between the first fin-shaped structure and the second fin-shaped structure, epitaxially growing a cap layer on exposed surfaces of the first fin-shaped structure and the second fin-shaped structure and above the nitride liner, crystalizing the cap layer, and forming a first source/drain feature over a first source/drain region of the first fin-shaped structure and a second source/drain feature over a second source/drain region of the second fin-shaped structure.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present disclosure are directed towards an image sensor device including a first image sensor element and a second image sensor element disposed within a substrate. An interconnect structure is disposed along a front-side surface of the substrate and comprises a plurality of conductive wires, a plurality of conductive vias, and a first absorption structure. The first image sensor element is configured to generate electrical signals from electromagnetic radiation within a first range of wavelengths. The second image sensor element is configured to generate electrical signals from the electromagnetic radiation within a second range of wavelengths that is different than the first range of wavelengths. The second image sensor element is laterally adjacent to the first image sensor element. Further, the first image sensor element overlies the first absorption structure and is spaced laterally between opposing sidewalls of the first absorption structure.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an integrated chip including a substrate and a pixel. The pixel includes a photodetector. The photodetector is in the substrate. The integrated chip further includes a first inner trench isolation structure and an outer trench isolation structure that extend into the substrate. The first inner trench isolation structure laterally surrounds the photodetector in a first closed loop. The outer trench isolation structure laterally surrounds the first inner trench isolation structure along a boundary of the pixel in a second closed loop and is laterally separated from the first inner trench isolation structure. Further, the integrated chip includes a scattering structure that is defined, at least in part, by the first inner trench isolation structure and that is configured to increase an angle at which radiation impinges on the outer trench isolation structure.