Abstract: A solid-state image sensor is provided. The solid-state image sensor includes photoelectric conversion elements and a color filter layer disposed above the photoelectric conversion elements. The color filter layer has a first color filter segment and a second color filter segment adjacent to the first color filter segment. The first color filter segment and the second color filter segment correspond to different colors. The solid-state image sensor also includes a shielding grid structure disposed between the first color filter segment and the second color filter segment. The shielding grid structure is divided into a first shielding segment and a second shielding segment. The solid-state image sensor further includes a meta structure disposed above the color filter layer. In a top view, the second shielding segment is formed as a triangle, a rectangle, or a combination thereof.

Abstract: A level shifter includes a cross-coupled transistor pair, first through third biased transistor pairs and a differential input pair sequentially coupled in series, and further includes a sub level shifter. The first biased transistor pair is controlled by a first reference voltage. The second biased transistor pair is controlled by a pair of differential control voltages. The third biased transistor pair is controlled by a second reference voltage lower than the first reference voltage. The differential input pair is controlled by a pair of differential input voltages. The sub level shifter generates the differential control voltages according to the differential input voltages and the first and second reference voltages. The differential control voltages are switched between the first and second reference voltages. The level shifter outputs a pair of differential output voltages through inverted and non-inverted output terminals coupled with the second biased transistor pair.

Abstract: A lamp assembly includes a lamp, a medium and an assembling piece. The medium is configured to connect the lamp to a carrier. The assembling piece is disposed between the lamp and the medium, and is configured to connect the lamp to the medium, wherein the assembling piece includes a first part and a second part. The first part is configured to non-threadedly connect the lamp with the medium. The second part is configured to release the lamp from the medium.

Abstract: A frequency offset (FO) estimation method includes: sampling a frequency-modulated repetition-coded segment of a packet to generate a plurality of samples; obtaining a frequency deviation (FD) value for each of a plurality of target samples selected from the plurality of samples; and estimating an FO value through accumulating complete FD values of the plurality of target samples.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a first dielectric layer, a stack of semiconductor layers disposed over the first dielectric layer, a gate structure wrapping around each of the semiconductor layers and extending lengthwise along a direction, and a dielectric fin structure and an isolation structure disposed on opposite sides of the stack of semiconductor layers and embedded in the gate structure. The dielectric fin structure has a first width along the direction smaller than a second width of the isolation structure along the direction. The isolation structure includes a second dielectric layer extending through the gate structure and the first dielectric layer, and a third dielectric layer extending through the first dielectric layer and disposed on a bottom surface of the gate structure and a sidewall of the first dielectric layer.

Abstract: A semiconductor structure includes a source/drain (S/D) region, one or more dielectric layers over the S/D region, one or more semiconductor channel layers connected to the S/D region, an isolation structure under the S/D region and the one or more semiconductor channel layers, and a via under the S/D region and electrically connected to the S/D region. A lower portion of the via is surrounded by the isolation structure and an upper portion of the via extends vertically between the S/D region and the isolation structure.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a semiconductor device with backside source/drain contacts formed using a buried source/drain feature and a semiconductor cap layer formed between the buried source/drain feature and a source/drain region. The buried source/drain feature and the semiconductor cap layer enable self-aligned backside source/drain contact and backside isolation. The semiconductor cap layer functions as an etch stop layer during backside contact formation while enabling source/drain region growth without fabrication penalty, such as voids in the source/drain regions.

Abstract: A semiconductor device structure is provided. The semiconductor device structure includes a stack of semiconductor nanostructures over a base structure and a first epitaxial structure and a second epitaxial structure sandwiching the semiconductor nanostructures. The semiconductor device structure also includes a gate stack wrapped around each of the semiconductor nanostructures and a backside conductive contact connected to the second epitaxial structure. A first portion of the backside conductive contact is directly below the base structure, and a second portion of the backside conductive contact extends upwards to approach a bottom surface of the second epitaxial structure. The semiconductor device structure further includes an insulating spacer between a sidewall of the base structure and the backside conductive contact.

Abstract: A semiconductor structure includes an isolation structure, a source/drain region over the isolation structure, a gate structure over the isolation structure and adjacent to the source/drain region, an interconnect layer over the source/drain region and the gate structure, an isolating layer below the gate structure, and a contact structure under the source/drain region. The contact structure has a first portion and a second portion. The first portion is below the second portion. The second portion extends through the isolating layer and protrudes above the isolating layer. A portion of the isolating layer is vertically between the gate structure and the first portion of the contact structure.

Abstract: A method includes forming a first conductive feature on a substrate, forming a via that contacts the first conductive feature, the via comprising a conductive material, performing a Chemical Mechanical Polishing (CMP) process to a top surface of the via, depositing an Interlayer Dielectric (ILD) layer on the via, forming a trench within the ILD layer to expose the via, and filling the trench with a second conductive feature that contacts the via, the second conductive feature comprising a same material as the conductive material.

Abstract: In some embodiments, the present application provides an integrated chip (IC). The IC includes a metal-insulator-metal (MIM) device disposed over a substrate. The MIM device includes a plurality of conductive plates that are spaced from one another. The MIM device further includes a first conductive plug structure that is electrically coupled to a first conductive plate and to a third conductive plate of the plurality of conductive plates. A first plurality of insulative segments electrically isolate a second conductive plate and a fourth conductive plate from the first conductive plug structure. The MIM device further includes a second conductive plug structure that is electrically coupled to the second conductive plate and to the fourth conductive plate of the plurality of conductive plates. A second plurality of insulative segments electrically isolate the first conductive plate and the third conductive plate from the second conductive plug structure.

Abstract: A knob apparatus includes a touch panel, a touch-sensing controller, and a knob. The touch panel has multiple touch-sensing electrodes. The touch-sensing controller is coupled to the touch-sensing electrodes of the touch panel. The touch-sensing controller detects a touch event of the touch panel through the touch-sensing electrodes. The knob has a base and a knob cap. The knob cap is pivoted on the base. The base is attached to the touch panel. Multiple conductive electrodes are disposed at different positions of the base. The touch-sensing controller detects the conductive electrodes of the base of the knob through the touch-sensing electrodes of the touch panel to learn a rotation direction of the knob cap on the base.

Abstract: A programming method of a non-volatile memory cell is provided. The non-volatile memory cell includes a memory transistor. Firstly, a current limiter is provided, and the current limiter is connected between a drain terminal of the memory transistor and a ground terminal. Then, a program voltage is provided to a source terminal of the memory transistor, and a control signal is provided to a gate terminal of the memory transistor. In a first time period of a program action, the control signal is gradually decreased from a first voltage value, so that the memory transistor is firstly turned off and then slightly turned on. When the memory transistor is turned on, plural hot electrons are injected into a charge trapping layer of the memory transistor.

Abstract: A semiconductor device and a method of manufacturing thereof are provided. The method comprises: forming a gate electrode over a substrate; forming source/drain regions beside the gate electrode; forming contact plugs on the source/drain regions; forming a dielectric layer over the contact plugs and the gate electrode; forming first openings and a second opening in the dielectric layer to expose portions of the contact plugs and a portion of the gate electrode respectively; performing a pre-clean process such as applying an ozone-containing source to the exposed portions of the contact plugs and the gate electrode; performing a surface treatment to the first and second openings to passivate sidewalls of the first and second openings; forming a conductive layer to fill the first openings and the second opening in a same deposition process by using a same metal precursor; and performing a planarization process.

Abstract: An audio device and a control method thereof are provided. The audio device includes a first switch, a controller, and multiple audio switches. The first switch is turned on or cut off according to whether an audio jack is on a setting position. A first end of the first switch receives a bias voltage. The controller is coupled to the first switch, and generates control signals according to a turned-on or cut-off status of the first switch. The audio switches are respectively coupled between transmission paths of multiple audio signals. The audio switches are turned on or cut off according to the control signals or a voltage on a second end of the first switch.

Abstract: An integrated circuit includes a substrate at a front side of the integrated circuit. A first gate all around transistor is disposed on the substrate. The first gate all around transistor includes a channel region including at least one semiconductor nanostructure, source/drain regions arranged at opposite sides of the channel region, and a gate electrode. A shallow trench isolation region extends into the integrated circuit from the backside. A backside gate plug extends into the integrated circuit from the backside and contacts the gate electrode of the first gate all around transistor. The backside gate plug laterally contacts the shallow trench isolation region at the backside of the integrated circuit.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an integrated chip including a dielectric structure over a substrate. A first capacitor is disposed between sidewalls of the dielectric structure. The first capacitor includes a first electrode between the sidewalls of the dielectric structure and a second electrode between the sidewalls and over the first electrode. A second capacitor is disposed between the sidewalls. The second capacitor includes the second electrode and a third electrode between the sidewalls and over the second electrode. A third capacitor is disposed between the sidewalls. The third capacitor includes the third electrode and a fourth electrode between the sidewalls and over the third electrode. The first capacitor, the second capacitor, and the third capacitor are coupled in parallel by a first contact on a first side of the first capacitor and a second contact on a second side of the first capacitor.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a microbolometer including a substrate, a readout circuit layer disposed above the substrate, a first vanadium oxide layer disposed above the readout circuit layer, a second vanadium oxide layer disposed on the first vanadium oxide layer, and an infrared absorbing layer disposed above the second vanadium oxide layer, in which an oxygen content of the second vanadium oxide is higher than that of the first vanadium oxide layer.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes a semiconductor device having a dielectric structure between a source/drain (S/D) structure and a contact structure. The semiconductor device includes a S/D structure on a substrate, a dielectric structure on a top surface of the S/D structure, and a S/D contact structure on the S/D structure and the dielectric structure. A portion of the S/D contact structure is in contact with a top surface of the dielectric structure.

Abstract: A semiconductor structure includes a first transistor having a first source/drain (S/D) feature and a first gate; a second transistor having a second S/D feature and a second gate; a multi-layer interconnection disposed over the first and the second transistors; a signal interconnection under the first and the second transistors; and a power rail under the signal interconnection and electrically isolated from the signal interconnection, wherein the signal interconnection electrically connects one of the first S/D feature and the first gate to one of the second S/D feature and the second gate.