Abstract: In some methods, a contact is formed over a substrate, and a bottom electrode layer is formed over the contact. A first dielectric layer is formed to cover a peripheral portion of the bottom electrode layer but not a central portion of the bottom electrode layer. A second dielectric layer is formed over the first dielectric layer. The second dielectric layer includes a central dielectric region that contacts the central portion of the bottom electrode layer, and a peripheral dielectric region over the peripheral portion of the bottom electrode. A step dielectric region connects the central and peripheral dielectric regions. A top electrode layer is formed over the second dielectric layer. The top electrode layer includes a central top electrode region, a peripheral top electrode region, and a step top electrode region directly above the central dielectric region, the peripheral dielectric region, and the step dielectric region, respectively.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present application are directed towards a method for forming a metal-insulator-metal (MIM) capacitor comprising an enhanced interfacial layer to reduce breakdown failure. In some embodiments, a bottom electrode layer is deposited over a substrate. A native oxide layer is formed on a top surface of the bottom electrode layer and has a first adhesion strength with the top surface. A plasma treatment process is performed to replace the native oxide layer with an interfacial layer. The interfacial layer is conductive and has a second adhesion strength with the top surface of the bottom electrode layer, and the second adhesion strength is greater than the first adhesion strength. An insulator layer is deposited on the interfacial layer. A top electrode layer is deposited on the insulator layer. The top and bottom electrode layers, the insulator layer, and the interfacial layer are patterned to form a MIM capacitor.

Abstract: The present disclosure, in some embodiments, relates to an integrated chip. The integrated chip includes a source/drain region arranged within a substrate. A first select gate is arranged over the substrate, and a first memory gate is arranged over the substrate and separated from the source/drain region by the first select gate. An inter-gate dielectric structure is arranged between the first memory gate and the first select gate. The inter-gate dielectric structure extends under the first memory gate. A height of the inter-gate dielectric structure decreases along a direction extending from the first select gate to the first memory gate.

Abstract: A structure includes a semiconductor substrate, a conductor-insulator-conductor capacitor. The conductor-insulator-conductor capacitor is disposed on the semiconductor substrate and includes a first conductor, a nitrogenous dielectric layer and a second conductor. The nitrogenous dielectric layer is disposed on the first conductor and the second conductor is disposed on the nitrogenous dielectric layer.

Abstract: A device includes two BSI image sensor elements and a third element. The third element is bonded in between the two BSI image sensor elements using element level stacking methods. Each of the BSI image sensor elements includes a substrate and a metal stack disposed over a first side of the substrate. The substrate of the BSI image sensor element includes a photodiode region for accumulating an image charge in response to radiation incident upon a second side of the substrate. The third element also includes a substrate and a metal stack disposed over a first side of the substrate. The metal stacks of the two BSI image sensor elements and the third element are electrically coupled.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a processing tool that includes a first wafer-mounting frame and a second wafer-mounting frame. The first wafer-mounting frame is configured to retain a target wafer. The second wafer-mounting frame is configured to retain a masking wafer. The masking wafer includes a mask pattern made up of a number of openings passing through the masking wafer to correspond to a predetermined deposition pattern to be formed on the target wafer. A deposition chamber is configured to receive the first and second wafer-mounting frames, when the first and second wafer-mounting frames are clamped together to retain the target wafer and the masking wafer. The deposition chamber includes a material deposition source configured to deposit material from the material deposition source through the number of openings in the mask pattern to form the material in the predetermined deposition pattern on the target wafer.

Abstract: A semiconductor arrangement includes a logic region and a memory region. The memory region has an active region that includes a semiconductor device. The memory region also has a capacitor within one or more dielectric layers over the active region, where the capacitor is over the semiconductor device. The semiconductor arrangement also includes a protective ring within at least one of the logic region or the memory region and that separates the logic region from the memory region. The capacitor has a first electrode, a second electrode and an insulating layer between the first electrode and the second electrode, where the first electrode is substantially larger than other portions of the capacitor.

Abstract: A novel integrated circuit and method thereof are provided. The integrated circuit includes a plurality of first interconnect pads, a plurality of second interconnect pads, a first inter-level dielectric layer, a thin film resistor, and at least two end-caps. The end-caps, which are connectors for the thin film resistor, are positioned at the same level with the plurality of second interconnect pads. Therefore, an electrical connection between the end-caps and the plurality of second interconnect pads can be formed by directly connection of them. An integrated circuit with a thin film resistor can be made in a cost benefit way accordingly, so as to overcome disadvantages mentioned above.

Abstract: The present disclosure, in some embodiments, relates to a method of forming a memory cell. The method may be performed by forming a sacrificial spacer over a substrate and forming a select gate along a side of the sacrificial spacer. An inter-gate dielectric is formed over the select gate and the sacrificial spacer. A memory gate layer is formed over the inter-gate dielectric and the sacrificial spacer. The memory gate layer is laterally separated from the sacrificial spacer by the select gate. The memory gate layer is etched to define a memory gate having a topmost point below a top of the sacrificial spacer.

Abstract: A device includes two BSI image sensor elements and a third element. The third element is bonded in between the two BSI image sensor elements using element level stacking methods. Each of the BSI image sensor elements includes a substrate and a metal stack disposed over a first side of the substrate. The substrate of the BSI image sensor element includes a photodiode region for accumulating an image charge in response to radiation incident upon a second side of the substrate. The third element also includes a substrate and a metal stack disposed over a first side of the substrate. The metal stacks of the two BSI image sensor elements and the third element are electrically coupled.

Abstract: A structure includes a semiconductor substrate, a conductor-insulator-conductor capacitor. The conductor-insulator-conductor capacitor is disposed on the semiconductor substrate and includes a first conductor, a nitrogenous dielectric layer and a second conductor. The nitrogenous dielectric layer is disposed on the first conductor and the second conductor is disposed on the nitrogenous dielectric layer.

Abstract: A semiconductor arrangement includes an active region including a semiconductor device. The semiconductor arrangement includes a capacitor having a first electrode layer, a second electrode layer, and an insulating layer between the first electrode layer and the second electrode layer. At least three dielectric layers are between a bottom surface of the capacitor and the active region.

Abstract: A manufacture includes a first electrode having an upper surface and a side surface, a resistance variable film over the first electrode, and a second electrode over the resistance variable film. The resistance variable film extends along the upper surface and the side surface of the first electrode. The second electrode has a side surface. A portion of the side surface of the first electrode and a portion of the side surface of the second electrode sandwich a portion of the resistance variable film.

Abstract: An integrated circuit structure includes a package component, which further includes a non-porous dielectric layer having a first porosity, and a porous dielectric layer over and contacting the non-porous dielectric layer, wherein the porous dielectric layer has a second porosity higher than the first porosity. A bond pad penetrates through the non-porous dielectric layer and the porous dielectric layer. A dielectric barrier layer is overlying, and in contact with, the porous dielectric layer. The bond pad is exposed through the dielectric barrier layer. The dielectric barrier layer has a planar top surface. The bond pad has a planar top surface higher than a bottom surface of the dielectric barrier layer.

Abstract: A semiconductor arrangement includes a logic region and a memory region. The memory region has an active region that includes a semiconductor device. The memory region also has a capacitor within one or more dielectric layers over the active region, where the capacitor is over the semiconductor device. The semiconductor arrangement also includes a protective ring within at least one of the logic region or the memory region and that separates the logic region from the memory region. The capacitor has a first electrode, a second electrode and an insulating layer between the first electrode and the second electrode, where the first electrode is substantially larger than other portions of the capacitor.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing an integrated circuit device. In the method, a plurality of contacts are formed over a substrate, and one or more bottom electrode layers are formed over the plurality of contacts. A first dielectric layer is formed such that a first base region of the first dielectric layer is in contact with the one or more bottom electrode layers and a second base region of the first dielectric layer is not in contact with the one or more bottom electrode layers. One or more top electrode layers are formed over the first dielectric layer. Patterning is then performed by etching through the one or more top electrode layers and by etching through the first dielectric layer to form a metal-insulator-metal structure. The patterning removes a portion of the second base region, but does not remove the first base region.

Abstract: Some embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a method that achieves a substantially uniform pattern of magnetic random access memory (MRAM) cells with a minimum dimension below the lower resolution limit of some optical lithography techniques. A copolymer solution comprising first and second polymer species is spin-coated over a heterostructure which resides over a surface of a substrate. The heterostructure comprises first and second ferromagnetic layers which are separated by an insulating layer. The copolymer solution is subjected to self-assembly into a phase-separated material comprising a pattern of micro-domains of the second polymer species within a polymer matrix comprising the first polymer species. The first polymer species is then removed, leaving a pattern of micro-domains of the second polymer species. A pattern of magnetic memory cells within the heterostructure is formed by etching through the heterostructure while utilizing the pattern of micro-domains as a hardmask.

Abstract: A novel integrated circuit and method thereof are provided. The integrated circuit includes a plurality of first interconnect pads, a plurality of second interconnect pads, a first inter-level dielectric layer, a thin film resistor, and at least two end-caps. The end-caps, which are connectors for the thin film resistor, are positioned at the same level with the plurality of second interconnect pads. Therefore, an electrical connection between the end-caps and the plurality of second interconnect pads can be formed by directly connection of them. An integrated circuit with a thin film resistor can be made in a cost benefit way accordingly, so as to overcome disadvantages mentioned above.

Abstract: A method for forming a pellicle apparatus involves forming a device substrate by depositing one or more pellicle layers defined over a base device layer, where a release layer is formed thereover. An adhesive layer is formed over a transparent carrier substrate. The adhesive layer is bonded to the release layer, defining a composite substrate comprised of the device and carrier substrates. The base device layer is removed from the composite structure and a pellicle frame is attached to an outermost one of the pellicle layers. A pellicle region is isolated from a remainder of the composite structure, and an ablation of the release layer is performed through the transparent carrier substrate, defining the pellicle apparatus comprising a pellicle film attached to the pellicle frame. The pellicle apparatus is then from a remaining portion of the composite substrate.

Abstract: Some embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a method in which a functional layer is formed over an upper semiconductor surface of a semiconductor substrate, and a capping layer is formed over the functional layer. A first etchant is used to form a recess through the capping layer and through the functional layer. The recess has a first depth and exposes a portion of the semiconductor substrate there through. A protective layer is formed along a lower surface and inner sidewalls of the recess. A second etchant is used to remove the protective layer from the lower surface of the recess and to extend the recess below the upper semiconductor surface to a second depth to form a deep trench. To prevent etching of the functional layer, the protective layer remains in place along the inner sidewalls of the recess while the second etchant is used.