Abstract: An image sensing device includes a germanium sensor within a semiconductor body and a metalens formed in the back side of the semiconductor body. The metalens is structured to focus infrared light on the germanium sensor and may have a lower profile than an equivalent microlens. Optionally, the metalens is combined with a microlens to achieve a desired focal length. The metalens, or the metalens in combination with a microlens, overcomes a manufacturing process limitation on the focal length of the microlens, which in turn eliminates the need for, or reduces the thickness of, a spacer between the microlens and the germanium sensor. Eliminating the spacer or reducing its thickness improves the angular response of the image sensing device.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method for manufacturing a semiconductor. The method includes: forming a metal oxide layer over a gate structure over a substrate; forming a dielectric layer over the metal oxide layer; forming a metal layer over the metal oxide layer; and performing a chemical mechanical polish (CMP) operation to remove a portion of the dielectric layer and a portion of the metal layer, the CMP operation stopping at the metal oxide layer, wherein a slurry used in the CMP operation includes a ceria compound. The present disclosure also provides a method for planarizing a metal-dielectric surface.

Abstract: A light source module includes a light source and a reflective element. The light source has a light emitting surface. The reflective element is disposed on a transmission path of an illumination light beam emitted from the light source. The illumination light beam reflected by the reflective element is irradiated on a target plane. The reflective element includes a first reflective surface and a second reflective surface. The first reflective surface is disposed towards the light emitting surface of the light source, and is a plane. The second reflective surface bendably extends from the first reflective surface.

Abstract: The present disclosure discloses a signal relay apparatus having frequency locking mechanism that includes a receiving circuit, a frequency generation circuit, a frequency tracking circuit and a transmission circuit. The receiving circuit receives a receiving signal to retrieve data included therein according a corresponding receiving frequency signal. The frequency generation circuit receives a source clock signal and generates a target frequency signal according to a conversion parameter. The frequency tracking circuit calculates a frequency difference between the receiving frequency signal and the target frequency signal to adjust the conversion parameter accordingly. The transmission circuit generates a transmission signal that includes the data according to the target frequency signal.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present application are directed to a narrow band filter with high transmission and an image sensor comprising the narrow band filter. In some embodiments, the filter comprises a first distributed Bragg reflector (DBR), a second DBR, a defect layer between the first and second DBRs, and a plurality of columnar structures. The columnar structures extend through the defect layer and have a refractive index different than a refractive index of the defect layer. The first and second DBRs define a low transmission band, and the defect layer defines a high transmission band dividing the low transmission band. The columnar structures shift the high transmission band towards lower or higher wavelengths depending upon a refractive index of the columnar structures and a fill factor of the columnar structures.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present disclosure are directed towards an image sensor device including a first image sensor element and a second image sensor element disposed within a substrate. An interconnect structure is disposed along a front-side surface of the substrate and comprises a plurality of conductive wires, a plurality of conductive vias, and a first absorption structure. The first image sensor element is configured to generate electrical signals from electromagnetic radiation within a first range of wavelengths. The second image sensor element is configured to generate electrical signals from the electromagnetic radiation within a second range of wavelengths that is different than the first range of wavelengths. The second image sensor element is laterally adjacent to the first image sensor element. Further, the first image sensor element overlies the first absorption structure and is spaced laterally between opposing sidewalls of the first absorption structure.

Abstract: Some embodiments relate to a CMOS image sensor disposed on a substrate. A plurality of pixel regions comprising a plurality of photodiodes, respectively, are configured to receive radiation that enters a back-side of the substrate. A boundary deep trench isolation (BDTI) structure is disposed at boundary regions of the pixel regions, and includes a first set of BDTI segments extending in a first direction and a second set of BDTI segments extending in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction to laterally surround the photodiode. The BDTI structure comprises a first material. A pixel deep trench isolation (PDTI) structure is disposed within the BDTI structure and overlies the photodiode. The PDTI structure comprises a second material that differs from the first material, and includes a first PDTI segment extending in the first direction such that the first PDTI segment is surrounded by the BDTI structure.

Abstract: An adjustment method of screen brightness comprises the following steps. Step (a): obtaining a relationship between a brightness and refresh rate of the screen. Step (b): adjusting the screen to a highest refresh rate and displaying an image at a first brightness. Step (c): decreasing the first brightness by a unit brightness value and variably displaying the image between a first refresh rate and a second refresh rate. Step (d): determining whether the image does not flicker; if not, repeating step (c). Step (e): calculating a first brightness difference between a decreased brightness of the screen and a brightness corresponding to a lowest refresh rate when the image does not flicker. Step (f): determining whether the first brightness difference is less than a screen flicker threshold; if yes, decreasing the first brightness corresponding to the highest refresh rate to obtain an adjusted brightness corresponding to the highest refresh rate.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an integrated chip including a substrate and a pixel. The pixel includes a photodetector. The photodetector is in the substrate. The integrated chip further includes a first inner trench isolation structure and an outer trench isolation structure that extend into the substrate. The first inner trench isolation structure laterally surrounds the photodetector in a first closed loop. The outer trench isolation structure laterally surrounds the first inner trench isolation structure along a boundary of the pixel in a second closed loop and is laterally separated from the first inner trench isolation structure. Further, the integrated chip includes a scattering structure that is defined, at least in part, by the first inner trench isolation structure and that is configured to increase an angle at which radiation impinges on the outer trench isolation structure.

Abstract: A method for forming an image sensor package is provided. An image sensor chip is formed over a package substrate. A protection layer is formed overlying the image sensor chip. The protection layer has a planar top surface and a bottom surface lining and contacting structures under the protection layer. An opening is formed into the protection layer and spaced around a periphery of the image sensor chip. A light shielding material is filled in the opening to form an on-wafer shield structure having a sidewall directly contact the protection layer.

Abstract: A display panel includes a plurality of driving electrode regions and a plurality of wiring regions connected between the driving electrode regions. A (2n?1)th wiring region extended from a (2n?1)th driving electrode region toward a (2n)th driving electrode region has a wiring extending direction forming a first included angle with an arrangement direction, and a (2n)th wiring region extended from the (2n)th driving electrode region toward a (2n+1)th driving electrode region has a wiring extending direction forming a second included angle with the arrangement direction, and a (2n+1)th wiring region extended from the (2n+1)th driving electrode region toward a (2n+2)th driving electrode region has a wiring extending direction forming a third included angle with the arrangement direction, wherein n is a positive integer. At least one of the first included angle, the second included angle and the third included angle is positive and at least one of them is negative.

Abstract: In some embodiments, the present disclosure relates to an integrated chip structure. The integrated chip structure includes at least one device on a front side of a semiconductor substrate. A plurality of grating layers are under the at least one device. The plurality of grating layers include at least a first material having a first refractive index alternating with a second material having a second refractive index. Contacts extend through an interlevel dielectric material, and further extend through the semiconductor substrate, to directly contact at least one of the first material and the second material below the at least one device and below the semiconductor substrate underlying the interlevel dielectric material.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a semiconductor structure includes forming first and second fins over a substrate. The fin includes first and second semiconductor layers alternating stacked. The method further includes forming a dummy gate structure over the first and second fins, forming first source/drain features on opposite sides of the dummy gate structures and over the first fin, forming second source/drain features on opposite sides of the dummy gate structures and over the second fin, forming a dielectric layer over and between the first and second source/drain features, replacing the dummy gate structure and the first semiconductor layers with a gate structure wrapping around the first semiconductor layers, forming first silicide features over the first source/drain features, and forming second silicide features over the second source/drain features.

Abstract: An operation power source for an operation power source supplying power to a synchronous rectifier controller is charged according to the invention. The synchronous rectifier controller controls a synchronous rectifier in response to a channel signal of the synchronous rectifier, generating SR ON times and SR OFF times. It is determined whether the channel signal resonates in a first SR OFF time, to provide an oscillation record accordingly. In a second SR OFF time after the first SR OFF time, in response to the oscillation record, a portion of resonance energy that causes the channel signal resonating is directed to charge the operation power source.

Abstract: A CMP slurry composition and a method of polishing a metal layer are provided. In some embodiments, the CMP slurry composition includes about 0.1 to 10 parts by weight of a metal oxide, and about 0.1 to 10 parts by weight of a chelator. The chelator includes a thiol compound or a thiolether compound.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a semiconductor device includes forming, over a substrate, alternating layers of a first semiconductor layer formed of a first semiconductor material and a second semiconductor layer formed of a second semiconductor material, the first semiconductor layers including a first, a second, and a third sub-layers; patterning the alternating layers of the first and the second semiconductor layers to form stacks of the alternating layers; and exposing, under etch conditions, lateral edges of the alternating layers to an etchant to selectively etch recesses in the lateral edges of the first, the second, and the third sub-layers, such that a first lateral depth of the first sub-layer is greater than a second lateral depth of the second sub-layer, and the second lateral depth of the second sub-layer is greater than a third lateral depth of the third sub-layer.

Abstract: A method for forming an image sensor package is provided. An image sensor chip is formed over a package substrate. A protection layer is formed overlying the image sensor chip. The protection layer has a planar top surface and a bottom surface lining and contacting structures under the protection layer. An opening is formed into the protection layer and spaced around a periphery of the image sensor chip. A light shielding material is filled in the opening to form an on-wafer shield structure having a sidewall directly contact the protection layer.

Abstract: A method for fabricating a semiconductor device includes the steps of forming a fin-shaped structure on a substrate, forming a first trench and a second trench in the fin-shaped structure, forming a first dielectric layer in the first trench and the second trench, removing part of the first dielectric layer, forming a second dielectric layer in the first trench and the second trench to form a first single diffusion break (SDB) structure and a second SDB structure, and then forming a gate structure on the fin-shaped structure, the first SDB structure, and the second SDB structure.

Abstract: An electronic device and a performance optimization method thereof are provided. The electronic device includes a battery module, a processor, and a controller. The battery module is configured to supply power to the electronic device. The processor has a power limit. The controller is configured to monitor a charging and discharging current of the battery module. In a power connection mode, the controller analyzes a status of the battery module and adjusts the power limit of the processor according to the charging and discharging current.

Abstract: A resistor structure includes a resistor body; and a first electrode structure disposed at and being in electric contact with a first end of the resistor body, and a second electrode structure disposed at and being in electric contact with a second end opposite to the first end of the resistor body. Each of the first electrode structure and the second electrode structure has at least one conductive protrusion. The at least one conductive protrusion of the first electrode structure and the at least one conductive protrusion of the second electrode structure both serve as voltage-sensing terminals for electric connection to an external voltage measurement device, or both serve as current-sensing terminals for electric connection to a current measurement device.