Abstract: A laser device is provided. The laser device includes a stack of epitaxial layers, a first conductive layer, an intermediate layer, and a first electrode. The stack of epitaxial layers has a central region and an edge region. The stack of epitaxial layers includes a first reflective structure, an active region disposed on the first reflective structure, a second reflective structure disposed on the active region. The first conductive layer disposes on the stack of epitaxial layers and covers the central region and at least a part of the edge region. The intermediate layer has a first opening that corresponding to the central region of the stack of epitaxial layers, wherein the intermediate layer comprises insulating material or metal. The first electrode disposes on the first conductive layer.

Abstract: A boron (B) layer may be formed as a passivation layer in a recess in which a vertical transfer gate is to be formed. The recess may then be filled with a gate electrode of the vertical transfer gate over the passivation layer (and/or one or more intervening layers) to form the vertical transfer gate. The passivation layer may be formed in the recess by epitaxial growth. The use of epitaxy to grow the passivation layer enables precise control over the profile, uniformity, and boron concentration in the passivation layer. Moreover, the use of epitaxy to grow the passivation layer may reduce the diffusion length of the passivation layer into the substrate of the pixel sensor, which provides increased area in the pixel sensor for the photodiode.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present disclosure are directed towards a semiconductor processing system including an overlay (OVL) shift measurement device. The OVL shift measurement device is configured to determine an OVL shift between a first wafer and a second wafer, where the second wafer overlies the first wafer. A photolithography device is configured to perform one or more photolithography processes on the second wafer. A controller is configured to perform an alignment process on the photolithography device according to the determined OVL shift. The photolithography device performs the one or more photolithography processes based on the OVL shift.

Abstract: An insulator layer of a trap-rich silicon-on-insulator (SOI) wafer is formed on a trapping layer over a high-temperature substrate instead of forming the insulator layer on a bulk silicon substrate. The silicon layer of the trap-rich SOI wafer is formed on a second wafer and is bonded to the insulator layer that was grown on the trapping layer. The second wafer is then removed by grinding, polishing, and/or another technique such that no cutting of the silicon device layer is performed, and therefore little to no surface damage is caused to the silicon layer. Accordingly, a high-temperature annealing operation to remove surface damage that would otherwise be caused by cutting of the silicon layer may be omitted. Thus, operations to form the trap-rich SOI wafer may be performed at lower temperatures, which enables the trapping layer of the trap-rich SOI wafer to be formed to a lesser thickness.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an image sensor comprising a substrate. A photodetector is in the substrate. A trench is in the substrate and is defined by sidewalls and an upper surface of the substrate. A first isolation layer extends along the sidewalls and the upper surface of the substrate that define the trench. The first isolation layer comprises a first dielectric material. A second isolation layer is over the first isolation layer. The second isolation layer lines the first isolation layer. The second isolation layer comprises a second dielectric material. A third isolation layer is over the second isolation layer. The third isolation layer fills the trench and lines the second isolation layer. The third isolation layer comprises a third material. A ratio of a first thickness of the first isolation layer to a second thickness of the second isolation layer is about 0.17 to 0.38.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an image sensor having a photodiode surrounded by a back-side deep trench isolation (BDTI) structure, and an associated method of formation. In some embodiments, a plurality of pixel regions is disposed within an image sensing die and respectively comprises a photodiode configured to convert radiation into an electrical signal. The photodiode comprises a photodiode doping column with a first doping type surrounded by a photodiode doping layer with a second doping type that is different than the first doping type. A BDTI structure is disposed between adjacent pixel regions and extending from the back-side of the image sensing die to a position within the photodiode doping layer. The BDTI structure comprises a doped liner with the second doping type and a dielectric fill layer. The doped liner lines a sidewall surface of the dielectric fill layer.

Abstract: In some embodiments, the present disclosure relates to a method for forming an integrated chip (IC), including forming a plurality of image sensing elements including a first doping type within a substrate, performing a first removal process to form deep trenches within the substrate, the deep trenches separating the plurality of image sensing elements from one another, performing an epitaxial growth process to form an isolation epitaxial precursor including a first material within the deep trenches and to form a light absorbing layer including a second material different than the first material within the deep trenches and between sidewalls of the isolation epitaxial precursor, performing a dopant activation process on the light absorbing layer and the isolation epitaxial precursor to form a doped isolation layer including a second doping type opposite the first doping type, and filling remaining portions of the deep trenches with an isolation filler structure.

Abstract: A Deep Trench Isolation (DTI) structure is disclosed. The DTI structures according to embodiments of the present disclosure include a composite passivation layer. In some embodiments, the composite passivation layer includes a hole accumulation layer and a defect repairing layer. The defect repairing layer is disposed between the hole accumulation layer and a semiconductor substrate in which the DTI structure is formed. The defect repairing layer reduces lattice defects in the interface, thus, reducing the density of interface trap (DIT) at the interface. Reduced density of interface trap facilitates strong hole accumulation, thus increasing the flat band voltage. In some embodiments, the hole accumulation layer according to the present disclosure is enhanced by an oxidization treatment.

Abstract: A semiconductor structure includes a capacitor structure and a contact structure. The capacitor structure includes an electrode layer, a protective dielectric layer, and a capacitor dielectric layer. The protective dielectric layer covers a top surface of the electrode layer. The capacitor dielectric layer is on the protective oxide layer. The contact structure penetrates the protective oxide layer and electrically connects to the electrode layer.

Abstract: A bag is filled with liquid, instead of an airbag filled with gas, to deform a bottom wafer toward a top wafer during a wafer bonding process. As a result, the liquid is less susceptible to temperature changes, which reduces run-out variation across wafer bonding processes. Reducing run-out variation conserves wasted wafers by increasing yield and reducing a quantity of non-functioning devices that are produced. Additionally, in some implementations, the liquid may be pre-heated before the bag is filled with the liquid. As a result, the bottom wafer (and, to some extent, the top wafer) experiences some thermal deformation and less mechanical deformation, which further increases yield and reduces a quantity of non-functioning devices that are produced.

Abstract: A cyclic pre-cleaning technique may be used to clean the surfaces of a recess in which a deep trench isolation (DTI) structure is to be formed. The cyclic pre-cleaning technique may include performing one or more deposition and etch cycles to remove oxygen from the surfaces of the recess to reduce the oxygen concentration in the surfaces of the recess. A passivation layer may be formed in the recess after the cyclic pre-cleaning technique is used to clean the surfaces. The cyclic pre-cleaning technique may include the use of germanium (Ge) to bond with oxygen in the surfaces of the recess, which results in the formation of germanium oxide (GeO). The germanium oxide is removed, resulting in reduced oxygen concentration in the surfaces of the recess. The reduced oxygen concentration increases the quality of epitaxial growth of the passivation layer in the recess.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an image sensor having an epitaxial deposited photodiode structure surrounded by an isolation structure, and an associated method of formation. In some embodiments, a first epitaxial deposition process is performed to form a first doped EPI layer over a substrate. The first doped EPI layer is of a first doping type. Then, a second epitaxial deposition process is performed to form a second doped EPI layer on the first doped photodiode layer. The second doped EPI layer is of a second doping type opposite from the first doping type. Then, an isolation structure is formed to separate the first doped EPI layer and the second photodiode as a plurality of photodiode structures within a plurality of pixel regions. The plurality of photodiode structures is configured to convert radiation that enters from a first side of the image sensor into an electrical signal.

Abstract: A boron layer may be formed as a passivation layer in a recess in which a deep trench isolation structure (DTI) structure is to be formed. The boron layer results in formation of a boron-silicon interface between the DTI structure and a photodiode of a pixel sensor included in a pixel array. The boron-silicon interface functions as a diode junction, which resists penetration of photons into the DTI structure. This reduces and/or minimizes photon transmission through the DTI structure, which reduces and/or minimizes optical crosstalk between pixel sensors of the pixel array.

Abstract: A plasma flood gun includes a filament to emit first electrons based on a first filament current induced in the filament to heat the filament to a first temperature at a first time. The first electrons interact with an inert gas in an arc plasma chamber to generate a first plasma. A filament resistance meter measures a first filament resistance of the filament, in-situ, during generation of the first plasma. A filament current source adjusts, based on the first filament resistance, the first filament current induced in the filament at the first time to a second filament current induced in the filament at a second time to generate a second plasma in the arc plasma chamber at the second time.

Abstract: In some embodiments, the present disclosure relates to a method for forming an integrated chip (IC), including forming a plurality of image sensing elements including a first doping type within a substrate, performing a first removal process to form deep trenches within the substrate, the deep trenches separating the plurality of image sensing elements from one another, performing an epitaxial growth process to form an isolation epitaxial precursor including a first material within the deep trenches and to form a light absorbing layer including a second material different than the first material within the deep trenches and between sidewalls of the isolation epitaxial precursor, performing a dopant activation process on the light absorbing layer and the isolation epitaxial precursor to form a doped isolation layer including a second doping type opposite the first doping type, and filling remaining portions of the deep trenches with an isolation filler structure.

Abstract: Some implementations described herein provide a semiconductor device and methods of formation. The semiconductor device may include a photodiode device electrically connected to a metal-insulator-metal deep-trench capacitor. The metal-insulator-metal deep-trench capacitor includes a layer of an amorphous material between an insulator layer stack of the deep-trench capacitor structure and a capacitor bottom metal layer of the metal-insulator-metal deep-trench capacitor. The amorphous material includes a bandgap energy level that provides a conduction band offset and lowers a probability of electron tunneling from the capacitor bottom metal electrode layer to the insulator layer stack. In this way, leakage associated with grain boundaries, crystal defects, and interfaces of a bottom layer of the insulator layer stack may be overcome to improve a lag performance of the semiconductor device including the metal-insulator-metal deep-trench capacitor.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present disclosure are directed towards an image sensor having a photodetector disposed in a semiconductor substrate. The photodetector comprises a first doped region comprising a first dopant having a first doping type. A deep well region extends from a back-side surface of the semiconductor substrate to a top surface of the first doped region. A second doped region is disposed within the semiconductor substrate and abuts the first doped region. The second doped region and the deep well region comprise a second dopant having a second doping type opposite the first doping type. An isolation structure is disposed within the semiconductor substrate. The isolation structure extends from the back-side surface of the semiconductor substrate to a point below the back-side surface. A doped liner is disposed between the isolation structure and the second doped region. The doped liner comprises the second dopant.

Abstract: Deep trench isolation structures for high voltage semiconductor-on-insulator devices are disclosed herein. An exemplary deep trench isolation structure surrounds an active region of a semiconductor-on-insulator substrate. The deep trench isolation structure includes a first insulator sidewall spacer, a second insulator sidewall spacer, and a multilayer silicon-comprising isolation structure disposed between the first insulator sidewall spacer and the second insulator sidewall spacer. The multilayer silicon-comprising isolation structure includes a top polysilicon portion disposed over a bottom silicon portion. The bottom polysilicon portion is formed by a selective deposition process, while the top polysilicon portion is formed by a non-selective deposition process. In some embodiments, the bottom silicon portion is doped with boron.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an image sensor comprising a substrate. A photodetector is in the substrate. A trench is in the substrate and is defined by sidewalls and an upper surface of the substrate. A first isolation layer extends along the sidewalls and the upper surface of the substrate that define the trench. The first isolation layer comprises a first dielectric material. A second isolation layer is over the first isolation layer. The second isolation layer lines the first isolation layer. The second isolation layer comprises a second dielectric material. A third isolation layer is over the second isolation layer. The third isolation layer fills the trench and lines the second isolation layer. The third isolation layer comprises a third material. A ratio of a first thickness of the first isolation layer to a second thickness of the second isolation layer is about 0.17 to 0.38.

Abstract: A package structure according to the present disclosure includes a bottom substrate, a bottom interconnect structure over the bottom substrate, a top interconnect structure disposed over the bottom interconnect structure and including a metal feature, a top substrate over the top interconnect structure, and a protective film disposed on the top substrate. The protective film includes an interfacial layer on the top substrate, at least one dipole-inducing layer on the interfacial layer, a moisture block layer on the at least one dipole-inducing layer, and a silicon oxide layer over the moisture block layer. The at least one dipole-inducing layer includes aluminum oxide, titanium oxide or zirconium oxide.