Abstract: A wafer processing system and a rework method thereof are provided. An image capture device captures an image of a wafer to generate a captured image. A control device detects a defect pattern in the captured image, calculates a target removal thickness according to distribution of contrast values of the defect pattern, and controls a processing device to perform processing on the wafer according to the target removal thickness.

Abstract: A calibration apparatus includes a processor, an alignment device, and an arm. The alignment device captures images in a three-dimensional space, and a tool is arranged on a flange of the arm. The processor records a first matrix of transformation between an end-effector coordinate-system and a robot coordinate-system, and performs a tool calibration procedure according to the images captured by the alignment device for obtaining a second matrix of transformation between a tool coordinate-system and the end-effector coordinate-system. The processor calculates relative position of a tool center point of the tool in the robot coordinate-system based on the first and second matrixes, and controls the TCP to move in the three-dimensional space for performing a positioning procedure so as to regard points in an alignment device coordinate-system as points of the TCP, and calculates the relative positions of points in the alignment device coordinate-system and in the robot coordinate-system.

Abstract: Optical sensors and their making methods are described herein. In some embodiments, a described sensing apparatus includes: an image sensor; a collimator above the image sensor, wherein the collimator includes an array of apertures; and an optical filtering layer above the collimator, wherein the optical filtering layer is configured to filter a portion of light to be transmitted into the array of apertures.

Abstract: The disclosure provides a wafer inspection method and wafer inspection apparatus. The method includes: receive scanning information of at least one wafer, wherein the scanning information includes a plurality of haze values; the scanning information is divided into a plurality of information blocks according to the unit block, and the feature value of each of the plurality of information blocks is calculated according to the plurality of haze values included in each of the plurality of information blocks; and converting the feature value into a color value according to the haze upper threshold and the haze lower threshold, generating the color value corresponding to the at least one wafer according to the converted color value according to the feature value, whereby the color graph displays the texture content of the at least one wafer.

Abstract: Disclosed is a cost-effective method to fabricate a multifunctional collimator structure for contact image sensors to filter ambient infrared light to reduce noises. In one embodiment, an optical collimator, includes: a dielectric layer; a substrate; a plurality of via holes; and a conductive layer, wherein the dielectric layer is formed over the substrate, wherein the plurality of via holes are configured as an array along a lateral direction of a first surface of the dielectric layer, wherein each of the plurality of via holes extends through the dielectric layer and the substrate from the first surface of the dielectric layer to a second surface of the substrate in a vertical direction, and wherein the conductive layer is formed over at least one of the following: the first surface of the first dielectric layer and a portion of sidewalls of each of the plurality of via holes, and wherein the conductive layer is configured so as to allow the optical collimator to filter light in a range of wavelengths.

Abstract: Optical sensors and their making methods are described herein. In some embodiments, a described sensing apparatus includes: an image sensor; a collimator above the image sensor, wherein the collimator includes an array of apertures; and an optical filtering layer above the collimator, wherein the optical filtering layer is configured to filter a portion of light to be transmitted into the array of apertures.

Abstract: A portion of a buffer layer on a backside of a substrate of a photomask assembly may be removed prior to formation of one or more capping layers on the backside of the substrate. The one or more capping layers may be formed directly on the backside of the substrate where the buffer layer is removed from the substrate, and a hard mask layer may be formed directly on the one or more capping layers. The one or more capping layers may include a low-stress material to promote adhesion between the one or more capping layers and the substrate, and to reduce and/or minimize peeling and delamination of the capping layer(s) from the substrate. This may reduce the likelihood of damage to the pellicle layer and/or other components of the photomask assembly and/or may increase the yield of an exposure process in which the photomask assembly is used.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing an epitaxial structure includes steps of: A: provide a silicon nitride (SiC) substrate having a carbon face (C-face) without an off-angle; B: form an amorphous structure layer on the C-face of the SiC substrate; C: deposit a first group III nitride layer on the amorphous structure layer; and D: deposit a second group III nitride layer on the first group III nitride layer. By forming the amorphous structure layer, a top surface of the second group III nitride layer could be made to be in a flat and smooth state.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method to fabricate a multifunctional collimator structure In one embodiment, an optical collimator, includes: a dielectric layer; a substrate; and a plurality of via holes, wherein the dielectric layer is formed over the substrate, wherein the plurality of via holes are configured as an array along a lateral direction of a first surface of the dielectric layer, wherein each of the plurality of via holes extends through the dielectric layer and the substrate from the first surface of the dielectric layer to a second surface of the substrate in a vertical direction, wherein the substrate has a bulk impurity doping concentration equal to or greater than 1×1019 per cubic centimeter (cm?3) and a first thickness, and wherein the bulk impurity doping concentration and the first thickness of the substrate are configured so as to allow the optical collimator to filter light in a range of wavelengths.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing an epitaxial structure includes steps of: A: provide a silicon carbide (SiC) substrate, wherein a silicon face (Si-face) of the SiC substrate is taken as a growth face, and the growth face has an off-angle relative to the Si-face of the SiC substrate; B: deposit a nitride angle adjustment layer on the growth face of the SiC substrate through physical vapor deposition (PVD); C: deposit a first group III nitride layer on the nitride angle adjustment layer; and D: deposit a second group III nitride layer on the first group III nitride layer. Through the method of manufacturing the epitaxial structure, when the silicon face of the silicon carbide substrate has the off-angle, the problem of a poor epitaxial quality of the first group III nitride layer and a poor epitaxial quality of the second group III nitride layer could be effectively relieved.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing an epitaxial structure includes steps of: A: provide a silicon carbide (SiC) substrate, wherein a silicon face (Si-face) of the SiC substrate is taken as a growth face having an off-angle relative to the Si-face of the SiC substrate; B: deposit a nitride angle adjustment layer having a thickness less than 50 nm on the growth face of the SiC substrate through physical vapor deposition (PVD); C: deposit a first group III nitride layer on the nitride angle adjustment layer; and D: deposit a second group III nitride layer on the first group III nitride layer. Through the method of manufacturing the epitaxial structure, when the silicon face of the silicon carbide substrate has the off-angle, the problem of a poor epitaxial quality of the first group III nitride layer and a poor epitaxial quality of the second group III nitride layer could be effectively relieved.

Abstract: A portion of a buffer layer on a backside of a substrate of a photomask assembly may be removed prior to formation of one or more capping layers on the backside of the substrate. The one or more capping layers may be formed directly on the backside of the substrate where the buffer layer is removed from the substrate, and a hard mask layer may be formed directly on the one or more capping layers. The one or more capping layers may include a low-stress material to promote adhesion between the one or more capping layers and the substrate, and to reduce and/or minimize peeling and delamination of the capping layer(s) from the substrate. This may reduce the likelihood of damage to the pellicle layer and/or other components of the photomask assembly and/or may increase the yield of an exposure process in which the photomask assembly is used.

Abstract: A photomask assembly may be formed such that stress relief trenches are formed in a pellicle frame of the photomask assembly. The stress relief trenches may reduce or prevent damage to a pellicle that may otherwise result from deformation of the pellicle. The stress relief trenches may be formed in areas of the pellicle frame to allow the pellicle frame to deform with the pellicle, thereby reducing the amount damage to the pellicle caused by the pellicle frame.

Abstract: Disclosed is a cost-effective method to fabricate a multifunctional collimator structure for contact image sensors to filter ambient infrared light to reduce noises. In one embodiment, an optical collimator, includes: a dielectric layer; a substrate; a plurality of via holes; and a conductive layer, wherein the dielectric layer is formed over the substrate, wherein the plurality of via holes are configured as an array along a lateral direction of a first surface of the dielectric layer, wherein each of the plurality of via holes extends through the dielectric layer and the substrate from the first surface of the dielectric layer to a second surface of the substrate in a vertical direction.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method to fabricate a multifunctional collimator structure In one embodiment, an optical collimator, includes: a dielectric layer; a substrate; and a plurality of via holes, wherein the dielectric layer is formed over the substrate, wherein the plurality of via holes are configured as an array along a lateral direction of a first surface of the dielectric layer, wherein each of the plurality of via holes extends through the dielectric layer and the substrate from the first surface of the dielectric layer to a second surface of the substrate in a vertical direction, wherein the substrate has a bulk impurity doping concentration equal to or greater than 1×1019 per cubic centimeter (cm?3) and a first thickness, and wherein the bulk impurity doping concentration and the first thickness of the substrate are configured so as to allow the optical collimator to filter light in a range of wavelengths.

Abstract: A photomask assembly may be formed such that stress relief trenches are formed in a pellicle frame of the photomask assembly. The stress relief trenches may reduce or prevent damage to a pellicle that may otherwise result from deformation of the pellicle. The stress relief trenches may be formed in areas of the pellicle frame to allow the pellicle frame to deform with the pellicle, thereby reducing the amount damage to the pellicle caused by the pellicle frame.

Abstract: A Nitrogen Oxide (NOx) sorbent material of the present invention includes a multi-metallic oxide that includes one or more alkali or alkaline earth metal, one or more 3d transition metal, and one or more rare earth element. The NOx sorbent material is configured to adsorb and absorb NOx below a low temperature and to release the adsorbed or absorbed NOx at temperature at or above the low temperature. In some embodiments, a manganese catalyst is deposited on a high surface area carrier. The manganese catalyst takes the form of an alkali/metal promotor and an Mn-based compound. In general, the NOx sorbent material contains about one percent to about fifty percent by weight of alkali/alkaline earth metal manganese catalyst based on the total weight of the catalyst.

Abstract: A method for calculating an object pick-and-place sequence and an electronic apparatus for automatic storage pick-and-place are provided. When a warehousing operation is to be performed, the following steps are performed. A weight of an object to be stocked that is to be put on a shelf is obtained. The weight is substituted into a plurality of coordinate positions corresponding to a plurality of unused grid positions respectively, so as to calculate a plurality of estimated center of gravity positions. Whether the estimated center of gravity positions are located within a balance standard area is determined so as to sieve out a plurality of candidate grid positions from these unused grid positions. One of the candidate grid positions is selected as a recommended position of the object to be stocked.

Abstract: Provided is a wafer jig including a bottom wall and a ring-shaped side wall. The bottom wall has a supporting surface. The ring-shaped side wall is connected to a periphery of the bottom wall. The ring-shaped side wall includes at least two step portions. The two step portions include a first step portion and a second step portion. The first step portion is connected between the supporting surface and the second step portion, and the first step portion protrudes along a direction toward a center of the bottom wall. The ring-shaped side wall surrounds the center. In addition, a wafer structure and a wafer processing method are also provided.

Abstract: Optical sensors and their making methods are described herein. In some embodiments, a described sensing apparatus includes: an image sensor; a collimator above the image sensor, wherein the collimator includes an array of apertures; and an optical filtering layer above the collimator, wherein the optical filtering layer is configured to filter a portion of light to be transmitted into the array of apertures.