Abstract: A flash memory and an erase method thereof are provided. The flash memory includes at least a memory array and a memory control circuit. The memory control circuit biases plural word lines, a common source line and a global bit line included in the memory array to erase plural memory cells in the flash memory. The method comprises grouping the plural word lines into plural word line groups according to erase depths corresponding to each word line; generating an erase voltage and plural multiple-step word line erase voltages; applying the erase voltage from at least one of the common source line and the global bit line; and during a period when the erase voltage is applied, the plural multiple-step word line erase voltages is respectively applied to the plural word line groups, wherein the plural multiple-step word line erase voltages is one-by-one corresponding to the plural word line groups.

Abstract: An integrated circuit layout includes a first and a second standard cells abutting along a boundary line. The boundary line and a first active region of the first standard cell include a distance D1. A first gate line on the first active region protrudes from the first active region by a length L1. The boundary line and a second active region of the second standard cell include a distance D2. A second gate line on the second active region protrudes from the second active region by a length L2. Two first dummy gate lines and two second dummy gate lines are disposed at two sides of the first active region and the second active region and are away from the boundary line by a distance S. The lengths L1 and L2, the distances S, D1 and D2 have the relationships: L1?D1?S, L2?D2?S, and D1?D2.

Abstract: A method for forming an integrated circuit layout including at least two standard cells having different cell heights is disclosed. The standard cells respectively have a well boundary to divide a PMOS region and an NMOS region. The standard cells are abutted side by side along their side edges in a way that the well boundaries of the cells are aligned along the row direction. The power rail and the ground rail of one of the standard cells are shifted to align and connect to the power rail and the ground rail of the other one of the standard cells.

Abstract: A method for forming an integrated circuit layout including at least two standard cells having different cell heights is disclosed. The standard cells respectively have a well boundary to divide a PMOS region and an NMOS region. The standard cells are abutted side by side along their side edges in a way that the well boundaries of the cells are aligned along the row direction. The power rail and the ground rail of one of the standard cells are extended in width or length to connect to the power rail and the ground rail of the other one of the standard cells.

Abstract: A layout includes a first and a second standard cells abutting along a boundary line. The first cell includes first fins. An edge of the first fins closest to and away from the boundary line by a distance D1. A first gate line over-crossing the first fins protrudes from the edge by a length L1. The second cell includes second fins. An edge of the second fins closest to and away from the boundary line by a distance D2. A second gate line over-crossing the second fins protrudes from the edge by a length L2. Two first dummy gate lines at two sides of the first fins and two second dummy lines at two sides of the second fins are respectively away from the boundary line by a distance S. The lengths L1 and L2, the distances S, D1 and D2 have the relationships: L1?D1?S, L2?D2?S, and D1?D2.

Abstract: A heat dissipation apparatus includes a vapor chamber and multiple flow field fins. The vapor chamber includes a lower plate part and an upper plate part. The lower plate part includes multiple flow channels, a first and a second confluence areas formed on the flow channels. The upper plate part covers on the lower plate part to enclose the flow channels, the first and second confluence areas. Each flow field fin includes an inlet channel, an outlet channel, and a circuitous channel. The inlet channel communicates with the first confluence area, the outlet channel communicates with the second confluence area, and the circuitous channel communicates between the inlet channel and the outlet channel in a single flow direction. The flow field fins are collectively as an inlet surface at one side adjacent to the outlet channel and as an outlet surface at another side adjacent to the inlet channel.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present application are directed towards a resistive random-access memory (RRAM) cell comprising a barrier layer to constrain the movement of metal cations during operation of the RRAM cell. In some embodiments, the RRAM cell further comprises a bottom electrode, a top electrode, a switching layer, and an active metal layer. The switching layer, the barrier layer, and the active metal layer are stacked between the bottom and top electrodes, and the barrier layer is between the switching and active metal layers. The barrier layer is conductive and between has a lattice constant less than that of the active metal layer.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes an apparatus. The apparatus includes a chuck for placing an object thereon, a gas passage extending along a periphery of an outer sidewall of the chuck and separating the chuck into an inner portion and a sidewall portion, and a plurality of gas holes through the sidewall portion and configured to connect a gas external to the chuck to the gas passage.

Abstract: In an embodiment, a system includes: a gas distributor assembly configured to dispense gas into a chamber; and a chuck assembly configured to secure a wafer within the chamber, wherein at least one of the gas distributor assembly and the chuck assembly includes: a first portion comprising a convex protrusion, and a second portion comprising a concave opening, wherein the convex protrusion is configured to engage the concave opening.

Abstract: The quality of a frame sequence is enhanced by a booster engine collaborating with a first stage circuit. The first stage circuit adjusts the quality degradation of the frame sequence when a condition in constrained resources is detected. The quality degradation includes at least one of uneven resolution and uneven frame per second (FPS). The booster engine receives the frame sequence from the first stage circuit, and generates an enhanced frame sequence based on the frame sequence for transmission to a second stage circuit.

Abstract: Methods for programming memory cells of a resistive memory device include applying a voltage pulse sequence to a memory cell to set a logic state of the memory cell. An initial set sequence of voltage pulses may be applied to the memory cell, followed by a reform voltage pulse having an amplitude greater than the amplitudes of the initial set sequence, and within ±5% of the amplitude of a voltage pulse used in an initial forming process. Additional voltage pulses having amplitudes that are less than the amplitude of the reform voltage pulse may be subsequently applied. By applying a reform voltage pulse in the middle of, or at the end of, a memory set sequence including multiple voltage pulses, a resistive memory device may have a larger memory window and improved data retention relative to resistive memory devices programmed using conventional programming methods.

Abstract: A calibration method for emulating a Group III-V semiconductor device, a method for determining trap location within a Group III-V semiconductor device and method for manufacturing a Group III-V semiconductor device are provided. Actual tape-out is performed according to an actual process flow of the Group III-V semiconductor device for manufacturing the Group III-V semiconductor devices and PCM Group III-V semiconductor device. Actual electrical performances of the Group III-V semiconductor devices and the PCM Group III-V semiconductor device are obtained and the actual electrical performances of the Group III-V semiconductor devices and the PCM Group III-V semiconductor device are compared to determine locations where one or more traps appear.

Abstract: A method for fabricating a semiconductor device is provided. The method includes depositing a ferroelectric layer over the substrate; performing a first ionized physical deposition process to deposit a top electrode layer over the ferroelectric layer; patterning the top electrode layer into a top electrode; and patterning the ferroelectric layer to into a ferroelectric element below the top electrode.

Abstract: In a method of manufacturing a semiconductor device, a sacrificial gate structure including sacrificial gate electrode is formed over a substrate. A first dielectric layer is formed over the sacrificial gate structure. A second dielectric layer is formed over the first dielectric layer. The second and first dielectric layers are planarized and recessed, and an upper portion of the sacrificial gate structure is exposed. A third dielectric layer is formed over the exposed sacrificial gate structure and over the first dielectric layer. A fourth dielectric layer is formed over the third dielectric layer. The fourth and third dielectric layers are planarized, and the sacrificial gate electrode is exposed and part of the third dielectric layer remains on the recessed first dielectric layer. The recessing the first dielectric layer comprises a first etching operation and a second etching operation using a different etching as from the first etching operation.

Abstract: A semiconductor device and method of manufacturing the device that includes a growth die and a dummy die. The method includes patterning, on an integrated circuit wafer, at one least growth die, and patterning at least one dummy die that is positioned on at least a portion of a circumference of the integrated circuit wafer. The patterned growth and dummy dies are etched on the wafer. A bond wave is initiated at a starting point on the integrated circuit wafer. The starting point is positioned on an edge of the integrated circuit wafer opposite the portion on which the at least one dummy die is patterned. Upon application of pressure at the starting point, a uniform bond wave propagates across the wafers, bonding the two wafers together.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a first and a second nitride-based semiconductor layers, a source electrode, a drain electrode, a gate electrode, and a first and a second stress modulation layers. The first nitride-based semiconductor layer has a first thickness. The second nitride-based semiconductor layer has a bandgap less than a bandgap of the first nitride-based semiconductor layer to form a heterojunction therebetween. The second nitride-based semiconductor layer has a second thickness, and a ratio of the first thickness to the second thickness is in a range from 0.5 to 5. The first and the second stress modulation layers provide a first and a second drift regions of the second nitride-based semiconductor layer with stress, respectively, resulting in induction of a first and a second 2DHG regions within the first and the second drift regions, respectively.

Abstract: The invention discloses a Raman laser apparatus including a linear cavity having a first direction and a second direction opposite to the first direction, the linear cavity including along the first direction: a first optical component, a gain medium, a Raman medium, a lithium triborate (LBO) crystal and a second optical component. The first optical component receives an incident pumping light in the first direction. The gain medium receives the pumping light from the first optical component, and generates a first infrared base laser having a first wavelength. The Raman medium receives the first infrared base laser, and generates a second infrared base laser having a second wavelength. The LBO crystal receives the first and the second infrared base lasers, and generates a visible laser light having a third wavelength. The second optical component is configured to allow the visible laser light to be transmitted out along the first direction.

Abstract: A semiconductor device and method of manufacturing the device that includes a capacitive micromachined ultrasonic transducer (CMUT). The CMUT includes an integrated circuit substrate, and a sensing electrode positioned on the integrated substrate. The sensing electrode includes a sidewall that forms a wall of an isolation trench adjacent to the sensing electrode, and is patterned before covering dielectric layers are deposited. After patterning of the sensing electrode, one or more dielectric layers are patterned, with one dielectric layer patterned on the sensing electrode and sidewall, and which has a thickness corresponding to the surface roughness of the sensing electrode. The CMUT further includes a membrane positioned above the sensing electrode forming a cavity therein.

Abstract: A vision test apparatus includes a hollow housing, a converging lens, and a diverging lens. The converging lens is arranged in the hollow housing, and includes a converging focal length. The diverging lens is arranged in the hollow housing at intervals relative to the converging lens, and includes a diverging focal length. Two optical axes of the diverging lens and the converging lens are overlap each other, and the diverging focal length partially overlaps the converging focal length. One end of the hollow housing adjacent to the diverging lens attaches a test optotype displayed by a display apparatus. The diverging lens demagnifies the test optotype to form a first virtual image within the converging focal length. The converging lens magnifies the first virtual image to form a second virtual image for a vision testing.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present disclosure are directed towards a memory cell in which an interfacial layer is on a bottom of a ferroelectric layer, between a bottom electrode and a ferroelectric layer. The interfacial layer is a different material than the bottom electrode and the ferroelectric layer and has a top surface with high texture uniformity compared to a top surface of the bottom electrode. The interfacial layer may, for example, be a dielectric, metal oxide, or metal that is: (1) amorphous; (2) monocrystalline; (3) crystalline with low grain size variation; (4) crystalline with a high percentage of grains sharing a common orientation; (5) crystalline with a high percentage of grains having a small grain size; or 6) any combination of the foregoing. It has been appreciated that such materials lead to high texture uniformity at the top surface of the interfacial layer.