Abstract: Embodiments are directed to a method for minimizing electrostatic charges in a semiconductor substrate. The method includes depositing photoresist on a semiconductor substrate to form a photoresist layer on the semiconductor substrate. The photoresist layer is exposed to radiation. The photoresist layer is developed using a developer solution. The semiconductor substrate is cleaned with a first cleaning liquid to wash the developer solution from the photoresist layer. A tetramethylammonium hydroxide (TMAH) solution is applied to the semiconductor substrate to reduce charges accumulated in the semiconductor substrate.

Abstract: Embodiments are directed to a method for minimizing electrostatic charges in a semiconductor substrate. The method includes depositing photoresist on a semiconductor substrate to form a photoresist layer on the semiconductor substrate. The photoresist layer is exposed to radiation. The photoresist layer is developed using a developer solution. The semiconductor substrate is cleaned with a first cleaning liquid to wash the developer solution from the photoresist layer. A tetramethylammonium hydroxide (TMAH) solution is applied to the semiconductor substrate to reduce charges accumulated in the semiconductor substrate.

Abstract: Embodiments are directed to a method for minimizing electrostatic charges in a semiconductor substrate. The method includes depositing photoresist on a semiconductor substrate to form a photoresist layer on the semiconductor substrate. The photoresist layer is exposed to radiation. The photoresist layer is developed using a developer solution. The semiconductor substrate is cleaned with a first cleaning liquid to wash the developer solution from the photoresist layer. A tetramethylammonium hydroxide (TMAH) solution is applied to the semiconductor substrate to reduce charges accumulated in the semiconductor substrate.

Abstract: Embodiments are directed to a method for minimizing electrostatic charges in a semiconductor substrate. The method includes depositing photoresist on a semiconductor substrate to form a photoresist layer on the semiconductor substrate. The photoresist layer is exposed to radiation. The photoresist layer is developed using a developer solution. The semiconductor substrate is cleaned with a first cleaning liquid to wash the developer solution from the photoresist layer. A tetramethylammonium hydroxide (TMAH) solution is applied to the semiconductor substrate to reduce charges accumulated in the semiconductor substrate.

Abstract: A wafer having a first region and a second region is provided. A first topography variation exists between the first region and the second region. A first layer is formed over the first region and over the second region of the wafer. The first layer is patterned. A patterned first layer causes a second topography variation to exist between the first region and the second region. The second topography variation is smoother than the first topography variation. A second layer is formed over the first region and the second region. At least a portion of the second layer is formed over the patterned first layer.

Abstract: Embodiments are directed to a method for minimizing electrostatic charges in a semiconductor substrate. The method includes depositing photoresist on a semiconductor substrate to form a photoresist layer on the semiconductor substrate. The photoresist layer is exposed to radiation. The photoresist layer is developed using a developer solution. The semiconductor substrate is cleaned with a first cleaning liquid to wash the developer solution from the photoresist layer. A tetramethylammonium hydroxide (TMAH) solution is applied to the semiconductor substrate to reduce charges accumulated in the semiconductor substrate.

Abstract: A wafer having a first region and a second region is provided. A first topography variation exists between the first region and the second region. A first layer is formed over the first region and over the second region of the wafer. The first layer is patterned. A patterned first layer causes a second topography variation to exist between the first region and the second region. The second topography variation is smoother than the first topography variation. A second layer is formed over the first region and the second region. At least a portion of the second layer is formed over the patterned first layer.

Abstract: A wafer having a first region and a second region is provided. A first topography variation exists between the first region and the second region. A first layer is formed over the first region and over the second region of the wafer. The first layer is patterned. A patterned first layer causes a second topography variation to exist between the first region and the second region. The second topography variation is smoother than the first topography variation. A second layer is formed over the first region and the second region. At least a portion of the second layer is formed over the patterned first layer.

Abstract: A wafer having a first region and a second region is provided. A first topography variation exists between the first region and the second region. A first layer is formed over the first region and over the second region of the wafer. The first layer is patterned. A patterned first layer causes a second topography variation to exist between the first region and the second region. The second topography variation is smoother than the first topography variation. A second layer is formed over the first region and the second region. At least a portion of the second layer is formed over the patterned first layer.

Abstract: A wafer having a first region and a second region is provided. A first topography variation exists between the first region and the second region. A first layer is formed over the first region and over the second region of the wafer. The first layer is patterned. A patterned first layer causes a second topography variation to exist between the first region and the second region. The second topography variation is smoother than the first topography variation. A second layer is formed over the first region and the second region. At least a portion of the second layer is formed over the patterned first layer.

Abstract: A semiconductor structure includes a substrate having a first region and a second region being adjacent each other; a first patterned layer formed on the substrate, wherein the first patterned layer includes first features in the first region, wherein the second region is free of the patterned layer; and a first guard ring disposed in the second region and surrounding the first features, wherein the first guard ring includes a first width W1 and is spaced a first distance D1 from the first features, W1 being greater than D1.

Abstract: A wafer having a first region and a second region is provided. A first topography variation exists between the first region and the second region. A first layer is formed over the first region and over the second region of the wafer. The first layer is patterned. A patterned first layer causes a second topography variation to exist between the first region and the second region. The second topography variation is smoother than the first topography variation. A second layer is formed over the first region and the second region. At least a portion of the second layer is formed over the patterned first layer.

Abstract: A semiconductor structure includes a substrate having a first region and a second region being adjacent each other; a first patterned layer formed on the substrate, wherein the first patterned layer includes first features in the first region, wherein the second region is free of the patterned layer; and a first guard ring disposed in the second region and surrounding the first features, wherein the first guard ring includes a first width W1 and is spaced a first distance D1 from the first features, W1 being greater than D1.

Abstract: A method includes forming a patterned layer on a substrate having a first region and a second region being adjacent each other. The patterned layer includes first features in the first region. The second region is free of the patterned layer. The method further includes forming a material layer on the patterned layer and the substrate; forming a first guard ring disposed in the second region and surrounding the first features; forming a flowable-material (FM) layer over the material layer; forming a patterned resist layer over the FM layer, wherein the patterned resist layer includes a plurality of openings; and transferring the plurality of openings to the material layer.

Abstract: A method includes forming a patterned layer on a substrate having a first region and a second region being adjacent each other. The patterned layer includes first features in the first region. The second region is free of the patterned layer. The method further includes forming a material layer on the patterned layer and the substrate; forming a first guard ring disposed in the second region and surrounding the first features; forming a flowable-material (FM) layer over the material layer; forming a patterned resist layer over the FM layer, wherein the patterned resist layer includes a plurality of openings; and transferring the plurality of openings to the material layer.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing the image sensor device is provided. The method includes depositing a first dielectric layer over a back surface of a substrate, forming a ridge over the first dielectric layer, depositing a second dielectric layer over the first dielectric layer, including filling in a space between two adjacent ridges. The method also includes removing the ridge to form a trench in the second dielectric layer and forming a metal grid in the trench.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing the image sensor device is provided. The method includes depositing a first dielectric layer over a back surface of a substrate, forming a ridge over the first dielectric layer, depositing a second dielectric layer over the first dielectric layer, including filling in a space between two adjacent ridges. The method also includes removing the ridge to form a trench in the second dielectric layer and forming a metal grid in the trench.