Abstract: A three-dimensional (3D) integrated circuit (IC) is provided. In some embodiments, the 3D IC comprises a first IC die comprising a first substrate, a first interconnect structure disposed over the first substrate, and a first through substrate via(TSV) disposed through the first substrate. The 3D IC further comprises a second IC die comprising a second substrate, a second interconnect structure disposed over the second substrate, and a second TSV disposed through the second substrate. The 3D IC further comprises a bonding structure arranged between back sides of the first IC die and the second IC die opposite to corresponding interconnect structures and bonding the first IC die and the second IC die. The bonding structure comprises conductive features disposed between and electrically connecting the first TSV and the second TSV.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a semiconductor structure. The semiconductor structure includes a dielectric layer having a first dielectric surface and a second dielectric surface opposite to the first dielectric surface. The dielectric layer defines a recess in the first dielectric surface, and the recess includes a sidewall of the dielectric layer. A first conductive layer contacts a bottom surface of the dielectric layer. The sidewall of the dielectric layer is directly over the first conductive layer. A second conductive layer contacts the first conductive layer and the dielectric layer. The second conductive layer vertically extends from the first conductive layer to above the dielectric layer. A third conductive layer contacts the second conductive layer. The third conductive layer is laterally separated from a sidewall of the second conductive layer that faces the third conductive layer by a non-zero distance.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing three-dimensional (3D) integrated circuit (IC) is provided. In some embodiments, a second IC die is formed and bonded to a first IC die by a first bonding structure. A third IC die is formed and bonded to the second IC die by a second bonding structure. The second bonding structure is formed between back sides of the second IC die and the third IC die opposite to corresponding interconnect structures and comprises a first TSV (through substrate via) disposed through a second substrate of the second IC die and a second TSV disposed through a third substrate of the third IC die. In some further embodiments, the second bonding structure is formed by forming conductive features with oppositely titled sidewalls disposed between the first TSV and the second TSV.

Abstract: Some embodiments relate to a semiconductor structure including a semiconductor substrate having a frontside surface and a backside surface. An interconnect structure is disposed over the frontside surface. The interconnect structure includes a plurality of metal lines and vias that operably couple semiconductor transistor devices disposed in or on the frontside surface of the semiconductor substrate to one another. A trench is disposed in the backside surface of the semiconductor substrate. The trench is filled with an inner capacitor electrode, a capacitor dielectric layer overlying the inner capacitor electrode, and an outer capacitor electrode overlying the capacitor dielectric layer.

Abstract: Some embodiments relate to an image sensor. The image sensor includes a semiconductor substrate including a pixel region and a peripheral region. A backside isolation structure extends into a backside of the semiconductor substrate and laterally surrounds the pixel region. The backside isolation structure includes a metal core, and a dielectric liner separates the metal core from the semiconductor substrate. A conductive feature is disposed over a front side of the semiconductor substrate. A through substrate via extends from the backside of the semiconductor substrate through the peripheral region to contact the conductive feature. The through substrate via is laterally offset from the backside isolation structure. A conductive bridge is disposed beneath the backside of the semiconductor substrate and electrically couples the metal core of the backside isolation structure to the through substrate via.

Abstract: The present disclosure, in some embodiments, relates to a method of forming a capacitor structure. The method includes forming a capacitor dielectric layer over a lower electrode layer, and forming an upper electrode layer over the capacitor dielectric layer. The upper electrode layer is etched to define an upper electrode and to expose a part of the capacitor dielectric layer. A spacer structure is formed over horizontally extending surfaces of the upper electrode layer and the capacitor dielectric layer and also along sidewalls of the upper electrode. The spacer structure is etched to remove the spacer structure from over the horizontally extending surfaces of the upper electrode layer and the capacitor dielectric layer and to define a spacer. The capacitor dielectric layer and the lower electrode layer are etched according to the spacer to define a capacitor dielectric and a lower electrode.

Abstract: An image sensor includes a pixel and an isolation structure. The pixel includes a photosensitive region and a circuitry region next to the photosensitive region. The isolation structure is located over the pixel, where the isolation structure includes a conductive grid and a dielectric structure covering a sidewall of the conductive grid, and the isolation structure includes an opening or recess overlapping the photosensitive region. The isolation structure surrounds a peripheral region of the photosensitive region.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a substrate having a front side and a back side opposite to each other. A plurality of photodetectors is disposed in the substrate within a pixel region. An isolation structure is disposed within the pixel region and between the photodetectors. The isolation structure includes a back side isolation structure extending from the back side of the substrate to a position in the substrate. A conductive plug structure is disposed in the substrate within a periphery region. A conductive cap is disposed on the back side of the substrate and extends from the pixel region to the periphery region and electrically connects the back side isolation structure to the conductive plug structure. A conductive contact lands on the conductive plug structure, and is electrically connected to the back side isolation structure through the conductive plug structure and the conductive cap.

Abstract: Some embodiments relate to a semiconductor structure including a semiconductor substrate, and n interconnect structure disposed over the semiconductor substrate. The interconnect structure includes a dielectric structure and a plurality of metal lines that are stacked over one another in the dielectric structure. A through substrate via (TSV) extends through the semiconductor substrate to contact a metal line of the plurality of metal lines. A protective sleeve is disposed along outer sidewalls of the TSV and separates the outer sidewalls of the TSV from the dielectric structure of the interconnect structure.

Abstract: Present disclosure provides a semiconductor structure, including a semiconductor substrate, a first metal layer, and a through substrate via (TSV). The semiconductor substrate has an active side. The first metal layer is closest to the active side of the semiconductor substrate, and the first metal layer has a first continuous metal feature. The TSV is extending from the semiconductor substrate to the first continuous metal feature. A width of the TSV at the first metal layer is wider than a width of the first continuous metal feature. Present disclosure also provides a method for manufacturing the semiconductor structure described herein.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a CMOS image sensor having a doped isolation structure separating a photodiode and a pixel device, and an associated method of formation. In some embodiments, the CMOS image sensor has a vertical transfer gate extending vertically from a front-side of a substrate to a first position within the substrate and a photodiode doped region disposed under and extending laterally toward one side of the vertical transfer gate. A doped lateral isolation region disposed along a top surface of the photodiode doped region, and a doped vertical isolation region disposed along a sidewall of the vertical transfer gate. A doped pixel device well is vertically above the doped lateral isolation region and separated from the vertical transfer gate by the doped vertical isolation region. A pixel device is disposed within the doped pixel device well at the front-side of the substrate.

Abstract: In some embodiments, the present disclosure relates to a 3D integrated circuit (IC) stack that includes a first IC die bonded to a second IC die. The first IC die includes a first semiconductor substrate, a first interconnect structure arranged on a frontside of the first semiconductor substrate, and a first bonding structure arranged over the first interconnect structure. The second IC die includes a second semiconductor substrate, a second interconnect structure arranged on a frontside of the second semiconductor substrate, and a second bonding structure arranged on a backside of the second semiconductor substrate. The first bonding structure faces the second bonding structure. Further, the 3D IC stack includes a first backside contact that extends from the second bonding structure to the backside of the second semiconductor substrate and is thermally coupled to at least one of the first or second interconnect structures.

Abstract: The present disclosure, in some embodiments, relates to an integrated chip structure. The integrated chip structure includes a standard contact disposed within a dielectric structure on a substrate. An oversized contact is disposed within the dielectric structure and is laterally separated from the standard contact. The oversized contact has a larger width than the standard contact. An interconnect wire vertically contacts the oversized contact. A through-substrate via (TSV) vertically extends through the substrate. The TSV physically and vertically contacts the oversized contact or the interconnect wire. The TSV vertically overlaps the oversized contact or the interconnect wire over a non-zero distance.

Abstract: Semiconductor devices and methods of manufacture thereof are disclosed. In some embodiments, a semiconductor device includes a first semiconductor chip including a first substrate and a first conductive feature formed over the first substrate, and a second semiconductor chip bonded to the first semiconductor chip. The second semiconductor chip includes a second substrate and a second conductive feature formed over the second substrate. A conductive plug is disposed through the first conductive feature and is coupled to the second conductive feature. The conductive plug includes a first portion disposed over the first conductive feature, the first portion having a first width, and a second portion disposed beneath or within the first conductive feature. The second portion has a second width. The first width is greater than the second width.

Abstract: A chip includes a semiconductor substrate, integrated circuits with at least portions in the semiconductor substrate, and a surface dielectric layer over the integrated circuits. A plurality of metal pads is distributed substantially uniformly throughout substantially an entirety of a surface of the chip. The plurality of metal pads has top surfaces level with a top surface of the surface dielectric layer. The plurality of metal pads includes active metal pads and dummy metal pads. The active metal pads are electrically coupled to the integrated circuits. The dummy metal pads are electrically decoupled from the integrated circuits.

Abstract: An image-sensor device is provided. The image-sensor device includes a semiconductor substrate and a radiation-sensing region in the semiconductor substrate. The image-sensor device also includes a doped isolation region in the semiconductor substrate and a dielectric film extending into the doped isolation region from a surface of the semiconductor substrate. A portion of the doped isolation region is between the dielectric film and the radiation-sensing region.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing an image sensing device includes forming an interconnection layer over a front surface of a semiconductor substrate. A trench is formed to extend from a back surface of the semiconductor substrate. An etch stop layer is formed along the trench. A buffer layer is formed over the etch stop layer. An etch process is performed for etching the buffer layer. The buffer layer and the etch stop layer include different materials.

Abstract: Some embodiments relate an integrated circuit (IC) including a first substrate including a plurality of imaging devices. A second substrate is disposed under the first substrate and includes a plurality of logic devices. A first interconnect structure is disposed between the first substrate and the second substrate and electrically couples imaging devices within the first substrate to one another. A second interconnect structure is disposed between the first interconnect structure and the second substrate, and electrically couples logic devices within the second substrate to one another. A bond pad structure is coupled to a metal layer of the second interconnect structure and extends along inner sidewalls of both the first interconnect structure and the second interconnect structure. An oxide layer extends from above the first substrate to below a plurality of metal layers of the first interconnect structure, and lines inner sidewalls of the bond pad structure.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an integrated circuit. The integrated circuit includes a plurality of interconnects within a dielectric structure over a substrate. A passivation structure is arranged over the dielectric structure. The passivation structure has sidewalls connected to one or more upper surfaces of the passivation structure. A bond pad is arranged directly between the sidewalls of the passivation structure. An upper passivation layer is disposed over the passivation structure and the bond pad. The upper passivation layer extends from over an upper surface of the bond pad to within a recess in the upper surface of the bond pad.

Abstract: A three-dimensional (3D) integrated circuit (IC) is provided. In some embodiments, a second IC die is bonded to a first IC die by a first bonding structure. A third IC die is bonded to the second IC die by a second bonding structure. The second bonding structure is arranged between back sides of the second IC die and the third IC die opposite to corresponding interconnect structures and comprises a first TSV (through substrate via) disposed through a second substrate of the second IC die and a second TSV disposed through a third substrate of the third IC die. The second bonding structure further comprises conductive features with oppositely titled sidewalls disposed between the first TSV and the second TSV.