Abstract: The present disclosure provides one embodiment of an integrated microphone structure. The integrated microphone structure includes a first silicon substrate patterned as a first plate. A silicon oxide layer formed on one side of the first silicon substrate. A second silicon substrate bonded to the first substrate through the silicon oxide layer such that the silicon oxide layer is sandwiched between the first and second silicon substrates. A diaphragm secured on the silicon oxide layer and disposed between the first and second silicon substrates such that the first plate and the diaphragm are configured to form a capacitive microphone.

Abstract: A MEMS device includes a first layer and a second layer including a same material, a third layer disposed between the first layer and the second layer, a first air gap separating the first layer and the third layer, a second air gap separating the second layer and the third layer, a plurality of first pillars exposed to the first air gap and arranged in contact with the first layer and the third layer, a plurality of second pillars exposed to the second air gap and arranged in contact with the second layer and the third layer.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present disclosure are directed towards a method for forming an integrated chip including an epitaxial layer overlying a microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) substrate. The method includes bonding a MEMS substrate to a carrier substrate, the MEMS substrate includes monocrystalline silicon. An epitaxial layer is formed over the MEMS substrate, the epitaxial layer has a higher doping concentration than the MEMS substrate. A plurality of contacts are formed over the epitaxial layer, the plurality of contacts respectively form ohmic contacts with the epitaxial layer.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method of forming an integrated chip structure. The method includes forming a plurality of interconnect layers within a dielectric structure over a substrate. A dielectric layer arranged along a top of the dielectric structure is patterned to define a via hole exposing an uppermost one of the plurality of interconnect layers. An extension via is formed within the via hole and one or more conductive materials are formed over the dielectric layer and the extension via. The one or more conductive materials are patterned to define a sensing electrode over and electrically coupled to the extension via. A microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) substrate is bonded to the substrate. The MEMs substrate is vertically separated from the sensing electrode.

Abstract: An integrated circuit (IC) with an integrated microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) structure is provided. In some embodiments, the IC comprises a semiconductor substrate, a back-end-of-line (BEOL) interconnect structure, the integrated MEMS structure, and a cavity. The BEOL interconnect structure is over the semiconductor substrate, and comprises wiring layers stacked in a dielectric region. Further, an upper surface of the BEOL interconnect structure is planar or substantially planar. The integrated MEMS structure overlies and directly contacts the upper surface of the BEOL interconnect structure, and comprises an electrode layer. The cavity is under the upper surface of the BEOL interconnect structure, between the MEMS structure and the BEOL interconnect structure.

Abstract: Representative methods for sealing MEMS devices include depositing insulating material over a substrate, forming conductive vias in a first set of layers of the insulating material, and forming metal structures in a second set of layers of the insulating material. The first and second sets of layers are interleaved in alternation. A dummy insulating layer is provided as an upper-most layer of the first set of layers. Portions of the first and second set of layers are etched to form void regions in the insulating material. A conductive pad is formed on and in a top surface of the insulating material. The void regions are sealed with an encapsulating structure. At least a portion of the encapsulating structure is laterally adjacent the dummy insulating layer, and above a top surface of the conductive pad. An etch is performed to remove at least a portion of the dummy insulating layer.

Abstract: AMEMS microphone includes a backplate that has a plurality of open areas, and a diaphragm spaced apart from the backplate. The diaphragm is deformable by sound waves to cause gaps between the backplate and the diaphragm being changed at multiple locations on the diaphragm. The diaphragm includes a plurality of anchor areas, located near a boundary of the diaphragm, which is fixed relative to the backplate. The diaphragm also includes multiple vent valves. Examples of the vent valve include a wing vent valve and a vortex vent valve.

Abstract: An embodiment of an integrated microphone structure. The integrated microphone structure includes a first silicon substrate patterned as a first plate. A silicon oxide layer formed on one side of the first silicon substrate. A second silicon substrate bonded to the first substrate through the silicon oxide layer such that the silicon oxide layer is sandwiched between the first and second silicon substrates. A diaphragm secured on the silicon oxide layer and disposed between the first and second silicon substrates such that the first plate and the diaphragm are configured to form a capacitive microphone.

Abstract: The present disclosure, in some embodiments, relates to an integrated chip structure. The integrated chip structure has a plurality of interconnect layers disposed within a dielectric structure over a substrate. A passivation layer is over the dielectric structure. A sensing electrode and a bonding electrode have bottom surfaces directly contacting the passivation layer. A microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) substrate is vertically separated from the sensing electrode. The bonding electrode is electrically connected to the MEMs substrate and to one or more of the plurality of interconnect layers. An electrode extension via is configured to electrically connect the sensing electrode to one or more of the plurality of interconnect layers.

Abstract: An integrated circuit (IC) with an integrated microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) structure is provided. In some embodiments, the IC comprises a semiconductor substrate, a back-end-of-line (BEOL) interconnect structure, the integrated MEMS structure, and a cavity. The BEOL interconnect structure is over the semiconductor substrate, and comprises wiring layers stacked in a dielectric region. Further, an upper surface of the BEOL interconnect structure is planar or substantially planar. The integrated MEMS structure overlies and directly contacts the upper surface of the BEOL interconnect structure, and comprises an electrode layer. The cavity is under the upper surface of the BEOL interconnect structure, between the MEMS structure and the BEOL interconnect structure.

Abstract: A semiconductor structure is provided. The semiconductor structure includes a substrate, a plurality of vias, a signal transmitting portion, a heater and a sensing material. The plurality of vias penetrates the substrate, wherein each of the plurality of vias includes a conductive or semiconductive portion surrounded by an oxide layer. The signal transmitting portion is disposed in the substrate, wherein adjacent vias of the plurality of vias surrounds the signal transmitting portion. The heater is electrically connected to the signal transmitting portion, and the sensing material is disposed over the heater and electrically connected to the substrate. A method of manufacturing a semiconductor structure is also provided.

Abstract: A MEMS microphone includes a backplate that has a plurality of open areas, and a diaphragm spaced apart from the backplate. The diaphragm is deformable by sound waves to cause gaps between the backplate and the diaphragm being changed at multiple locations on the diaphragm. The diaphragm includes a plurality of anchor areas, located near a boundary of the diaphragm, which is fixed relative to the backplate. The diaphragm also includes multiple vent valves. Examples of the vent valve include a wing vent valve and a vortex vent valve.

Abstract: An integrated microphone device is provided. The integrated microphone device includes a substrate, a plate, and a membrane. The substrate includes an aperture allowing acoustic pressure to pass through. The plate is disposed on a side of the substrate. The membrane is disposed between the substrate and the plate and movable relative to the plate as acoustic pressure strikes the membrane. The membrane includes a vent valve having an open area that is variable in response to a change in acoustic pressure.

Abstract: Representative methods for sealing MEMS devices include depositing insulating material over a substrate, forming conductive vias in a first set of layers of the insulating material, and forming metal structures in a second set of layers of the insulating material. The first and second sets of layers are interleaved in alternation. A dummy insulating layer is provided as an upper-most layer of the first set of layers. Portions of the first and second set of layers are etched to form void regions in the insulating material. A conductive pad is formed on and in a top surface of the insulating material. The void regions are sealed with an encapsulating structure. At least a portion of the encapsulating structure is laterally adjacent the dummy insulating layer, and above a top surface of the conductive pad. An etch is performed to remove at least a portion of the dummy insulating layer.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a bio-field effect transistor (BioFET) and a method of fabricating a BioFET device. The method includes forming a BioFET using one or more process steps compatible with or typical to a complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) process. The BioFET device may include a substrate; a gate structure disposed on a first surface of the substrate and an interface layer formed on the second surface of the substrate. The interface layer may allow for a receptor to be placed on the interface layer to detect the presence of a biomolecule or bio-entity.

Abstract: Structures and formation methods of a semiconductor device structure are provided. The method includes forming a first dielectric layer over a substrate and forming a first recess in the first dielectric layer. The method also includes conformally forming a first movable membrane over the first dielectric layer. In addition, the first movable membrane has a first corrugated portion in the first recess. The method further includes forming a second dielectric layer over the first movable membrane and partially removing the substrate, the first dielectric layer, and the second dielectric layer to form a cavity. In addition, the first corrugated portion of the first movable membrane is partially sandwiched between the first dielectric layer and the second dielectric layer.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a semiconductor device. The semiconductor device includes a substrate, a metallization layer over the substrate, and a sensing structure over the metallization layer. The sensing structure includes an outgassing layer over the metallization layer, a patterned outgassing barrier in proximity to a top surface of the outgassing layer, the patterned outgassing barrier exposing a portion of the outgassing layer, and an electrode over the patterned outgassing barrier. The method for manufacturing the semiconductor device is also provided.

Abstract: The integrated CMOS-MEMS device includes a CMOS structure, a cap structure, and a MEMS structure. The CMOS structure, fabricated on a first substrate, includes at least one conducting layer. The cap structure, including vias passing through the cap structure, has an isolation layer deposited on its first side and has a conductive routing layer deposited on its second side. The MEMS structure is deposited between the first substrate and the cap structure. The integrated CMOS-MEMS device also includes a conductive connector that passes through one of the vias and through an opening in the isolation layer on the cap structure. The conductive connector conductively connects a conductive path in the conductive routing layer on the cap structure with the at least one conducting layer of the CMOS structure.

Abstract: Processes for integrating complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) devices with microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) devices are provided. In some embodiments, the MEMS devices are formed on a sacrificial substrate or wafer, the sacrificial substrate or wafer is bonded to a CMOS die or wafer, and the sacrificial substrate or wafer is removed. In other embodiments, the MEMS devices are formed over a sacrificial region of a CMOS die or wafer and the sacrificial region is subsequently removed. Integrated circuit (ICs) resulting from the processes are also provided.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a semiconductor structure includes receiving a substrate, receiving a heater, receiving an electrode, and receiving a sensing material. The substrate have a first surface, a second surface opposite to the first surface and a plurality of vias extending from the second surface toward the first surface and filled with a conductive or semiconductive material and a first oxide layer, the first oxide layer surrounding the conductive or semiconductive material in the plurality of vias, and a second oxide layer disposed over the first surface and the second surface. The heater is disposed within a membrane over the first surface of the substrate and electrically connected with the substrate. The electrode is over the heater and the membrane; and the sensing material covers a portion of the electrode.