Abstract: Various embodiments of the present disclosure are directed towards methods for forming an image sensor in which a device layer overlies and has a different semiconductor material than a substrate and in which the device layer has high crystalline quality. Some embodiments of the methods include: epitaxially growing the device layer on the substrate; patterning the device layer to form a trench dividing the device layer into mesa structures corresponding to pixels; forming an inter-pixel dielectric layer filling the trench and separating the mesa structures; and forming photodetectors in the mesa structures. Other embodiments of the methods include: depositing the inter-pixel dielectric layer over the substrate; patterning the inter-pixel dielectric layer to form cavities corresponding to the pixels; epitaxially growing the mesa structures in the cavities; and forming the photodetectors in the mesa structures.

Abstract: A die stack includes: a first die including a first semiconductor substrate; a first redistribution layer (RDL) structure disposed on a front surface of the first die and electrically connected to the first semiconductor substrate; a second die bonded to the front surface of the first die and including a second semiconductor substrate; a third die bonded to the front surface of the first die and including a third semiconductor substrate; a second RDL structure disposed on front surfaces of the second and third dies and electrically connected to the second and third semiconductor substrates; and a through dielectric via (TDV) structure extending between the second and third dies and electrically connected to the first RDL structure and second RDL structure. The second and third dies are disposed in a plane that extends perpendicular to a vertical stacking direction of the die stack.

Abstract: A method includes forming a plurality of openings extending into a substrate from a front surface of the substrate. The substrate includes a first semiconductor material. Each of the plurality of openings has a curve-based bottom surface. The method includes filling the plurality of openings with a second semiconductor material. The second semiconductor material is different from the first semiconductor material. The method includes forming a plurality of pixels that are configured to sense light in the plurality of openings, respectively, using the second semiconductor material.

Abstract: A die includes: a semiconductor substrate having a front side and an opposing back side; a dielectric structure including a substrate oxide layer disposed on the front side of the semiconductor substrate and interlayer dielectric (ILD) layers disposed on the substrate oxide layer; an interconnect structure disposed in the dielectric structure; a through-silicon via (TSV) structure extending in a vertical direction from the back side of the semiconductor substrate through the front side of the semiconductor substrate, such that a first end of the TSV structure is disposed in the interconnect structure; and a TSV barrier structure including a barrier line that contacts the first end of the TSV structure, and a first seal ring disposed in the substrate oxide layer and that surrounds the TSV structure in a lateral direction perpendicular to the vertical direction.

Abstract: A three-dimensional device structure includes a die including a semiconductor substrate, an interconnect structure disposed on the semiconductor substrate, a through silicon via (TSV) structure that extends through the semiconductor substrate and electrically contacts a metal feature of the interconnect structure, and an integrated passive device (IPD) embedded in the semiconductor substrate and electrically connected to the TSV structure.

Abstract: A method for forming a semiconductor structure includes receiving a die; forming a dielectric layer to surround the die; removing a portion of the dielectric layer to form a first recess; disposing a first light blocking layer within the first recess; applying a dielectric paste over the first light blocking layer; removing a portion of the dielectric paste to form a second recess; disposing a second light blocking layer within the second recess; disposing a photoelectric device over the first light blocking layer and the second light blocking layer; forming a redistribution layer over the die, the dielectric layer and the photoelectric device; removing a portion of the redistribution layer to form a third recess over the photoelectric device; and coupling a light-conducting member to the photoelectric device through the third recess; wherein the second light blocking layer is separated from the first light blocking layer and the photoelectric device.

Abstract: A die includes: a semiconductor substrate having a front side and an opposing backside; a dielectric structure including a substrate oxide layer disposed on the front side of the semiconductor substrate and interlayer dielectric (ILD) layers disposed on the substrate oxide layer; an interconnect structure disposed in the dielectric structure; a through-silicon via (TSV) structure extending in a vertical direction from the backside of the semiconductor substrate through the front side of the semiconductor substrate, such that a first end of the TSV structure is disposed in the interconnect structure; and a TSV barrier structure including a barrier line that contacts the first end of the TSV structure, and a first seal ring disposed in the substrate oxide layer and that surrounds the TSV structure in a lateral direction perpendicular to the vertical direction.

Abstract: A semiconductor die includes a first semiconductor substrate; a first interconnect structure disposed on a front side of the first semiconductor substrate; a first through-substrate via (TSV) structure extending through the first semiconductor substrate; and a first fuse structure disposed between and electrically connecting the TSV structure and the first interconnect structure.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a first semiconductor die that operates at a first power, a second semiconductor die that is formed in a stack on the first semiconductor die and operates at a second power different than the first power, and a power management semiconductor die that is formed in the stack and provides the first power to the first semiconductor die through a first via and provides the second power to the second semiconductor die through a second via.

Abstract: A method of making a semiconductor device, includes: providing a first dielectric layer; sequentially forming a first metal layer, a dummy capacitor dielectric layer, and a second metal layer over the first dielectric layer; and using a single mask layer with two patterns to simultaneously recess two portions of the second metal layer so as to define a metal thin film of a resistor and a top metal plate of a capacitor.

Abstract: A semiconductor structure and a method for forming the semiconductor structure are disclosed. The semiconductor structure includes a first die including a fuse structure in a topmost layer of the first die, the fuse structure including a pair of conductive segments, wherein one of the pair of conductive segments is electrically connected to a bonding pad of the first die, wherein the bonding pad is electrically connected to ground; and an inductor electrically connected to the one of the pair of conductive segments.

Abstract: An array of complementary die sets is attached to a carrier substrate. A continuous complementary-level molding compound layer is formed around the array of complementary die sets. An array of primary semiconductor dies is attached to the array of complementary die sets. A continuous primary-level molding compound layer is formed around the array of primary semiconductor dies. The bonded assembly is diced by cutting along directions that are parallel to edges of the primary semiconductor dies. The sidewalls of the complementary dies are azimuthally tilted relative to sidewalls of the primary semiconductor dies, or major crystallographic directions of a single crystalline material in the carrier substrate are azimuthally tilted relative to sidewalls of the primary semiconductor dies.

Abstract: A die includes: a semiconductor substrate having a front side and an opposing back side; a dielectric structure including a substrate oxide layer disposed on the front side of the semiconductor substrate and interlayer dielectric (ILD) layers disposed on the substrate oxide layer; an interconnect structure disposed in the dielectric structure; a through-silicon via (TSV) structure extending in a vertical direction from the back side of the semiconductor substrate through the front side of the semiconductor substrate, such that a first end of the TSV structure is disposed in the interconnect structure; and a TSV barrier structure including a barrier line that contacts the first end of the TSV structure, and a first seal ring disposed in the substrate oxide layer and that surrounds the TSV structure in a lateral direction perpendicular to the vertical direction.

Abstract: A three-dimensional device structure includes a die including a semiconductor substrate, an interconnect structure disposed on the semiconductor substrate, a through silicon via (TSV) structure that extends through the semiconductor substrate and electrically contacts a metal feature of the interconnect structure, and an integrated passive device (IPD) embedded in the semiconductor substrate and electrically connected to the TSV structure.

Abstract: A coupling system includes a chip configured to receive an optical signal, wherein an angle between a propagation direction of the optical signal and a top surface of the chip ranges from about 92-degrees to about 88-degrees. The chip includes a grating configured to receive the optical signal; and a waveguide, wherein the grating is configured to receive the optical signal and redirect the optical signal along the waveguide, and the grating is on a light incident side of the waveguide.

Abstract: A method is provided for forming an integrated circuit (IC) chip package structure. The method includes: providing an interposer having a front surface and a back surface, the interposer comprising a substrate, at least one routing region, and at least one non-routing region; forming at least one warpage-reducing trench in the at least one non-routing region, wherein the at least one warpage-reducing trench extends from the front surface of the interposer to a first depth, the first depth smaller than a thickness between the front surface and the back surface of the interposer; depositing a warpage-relief material in the at least one warpage-reducing trench; and bonding the group of IC dies to the front surface of the interposer.

Abstract: A photonic device includes a silicon layer, wherein the silicon layer includes a waveguide portion. The photonic device further includes a cladding layer over the waveguide portion, wherein the cladding layer partially exposes a surface of the waveguide portion. The photonic device further includes a low refractive index layer in direct contact with the cladding layer, wherein the low refractive index layer comprises silicon oxide, silicon carbide, silicon oxynitride, silicon carbon oxynitride, aluminum oxide or hafnium oxide. The photonic device further includes an interconnect structure over the low refractive index layer.

Abstract: A package structure and method of manufacturing a package structure are provided. The package structure includes two semiconductor structures and two bonding layers sandwiched between both semiconductor structures. Each bonding layer has a plurality of bonding pads separated by an isolation layer. Each bonding pad has a bonding surface including a bonding region and at least one buffer region. The bonding regions in both bonding layers bond to each other. The buffer region of one semiconductor structure bonds to the isolation layer of the other semiconductor structure. Each first bonding pad has a front cross-section with a length greater than a length of a front cross-section of each second bonding pads; and each second bonding pads has a side cross-section with a length greater than a length of a front cross-section of each first bonding pad.

Abstract: A semiconductor package includes a first connection die including a semiconductor substrate and an interconnect structure, and a first die stack disposed on the first connection die and including stacked dies, each of the stacked dies including a semiconductor substrate and an interconnect structure including a first connection line that is electrically connected to the interconnect structure of the first connection die. An angle formed between a plane of the first connection die and a plane of each stacked die ranges from about 45° to about 90°.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a first semiconductor die that operates at a first power, a second semiconductor die that is formed in a stack on the first semiconductor die and operates at a second power different than the first power, and a power management semiconductor die that is formed in the stack and provides the first power to the first semiconductor die through a first via and provides the second power to the second semiconductor die through a second via.