Abstract: A device including a gate structure formed over a semiconductor substrate, the gate structure having extensions, a device isolation structure formed into the semiconductor substrate adjacent the gate structure, wherein the extensions are over a portion of the device isolation structure, and source/drain regions on both sides of the gate structure, the source/drain regions being formed in a gap in the device isolation structure and being partially enclosed by the extensions of the gate structure.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an integrated circuit, and an associated method of formation. In some embodiments, the integrated circuit comprises a deep trench grid disposed at a back side of a substrate. A passivation layer lines the deep trench grid within the substrate. The passivation layer includes a first high-k dielectric layer and a second high-k dielectric layer disposed over the first high-k dielectric layer. A first dielectric layer is disposed over the passivation layer, lining the deep trench grid and extending over an upper surface of the substrate. A second dielectric layer is disposed over the first dielectric layer and enclosing remaining spaces of the deep trench grid to form air-gaps at lower portions of the deep trench grid. The air-gaps are sealed by the first dielectric layer or the second dielectric layer below the upper surface of the substrate.

Abstract: A method includes performing an anisotropic etching on a semiconductor substrate to form a trench. The trench has vertical sidewalls and a rounded bottom connected to the vertical sidewalls. A damage removal step is performed to remove a surface layer of the semiconductor substrate, with the surface layer exposed to the trench. The rounded bottom of the trench is etched to form a slant straight bottom surface. The trench is filled to form a trench isolation region in the trench.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a BSI image sensor with improved DTI structures, and an associated method of formation. In some embodiments, the BSI image sensor comprises a plurality of image sensing elements disposed within a substrate corresponding to a plurality of pixel regions. A deep trench isolation (DTI) grid is disposed between adjacent image sensing elements and extending from an upper surface of the substrate to positions within the substrate. The DTI grid comprises air-gaps disposed under the upper surface of the substrate, the air-gaps having lower portions surrounded by a first dielectric layer and some upper portions sealed by a second dielectric layer.

Abstract: A method of fabrication of alignment marks for a non-STI CMOS image sensor is introduced. In some embodiments, zero layer alignment marks and active are alignment marks may be simultaneously formed on a wafer. A substrate of the wafer may be patterned to form one or more recesses in the substrate. The recesses may be filled with a dielectric material using, for example, a field oxidation method and/or suitable deposition methods. Structures formed by the above process may correspond to elements of the zero layer alignment marks and/or to elements the active area alignment marks.

Abstract: A device including a gate structure formed over a semiconductor substrate, the gate structure having extensions, a device isolation structure formed into the semiconductor substrate adjacent the gate structure, wherein the extensions are over a portion of the device isolation structure, and source/drain regions on both sides of the gate structure, the source/drain regions being formed in a gap in the device isolation structure and being partially enclosed by the extensions of the gate structure.

Abstract: Provided is a method of fabricating an image sensor device. An exemplary includes forming a plurality of radiation-sensing regions in a substrate. The substrate has a front surface, a back surface, and a sidewall that extends from the front surface to the back surface. The exemplary method further includes forming an interconnect structure over the front surface of the substrate, removing a portion of the substrate to expose a metal interconnect layer of the interconnect structure, and forming a bonding pad on the interconnect structure in a manner so that the bonding pad is electrically coupled to the exposed metal interconnect layer and separated from the sidewall of the substrate.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a BSI image sensor with improved DTI structures, and an associated method of formation. In some embodiments, the BSI image sensor comprises a plurality of image sensing elements disposed within a substrate corresponding to a plurality of pixel regions. A deep trench isolation (DTI) grid is disposed between adjacent image sensing elements and extending from an upper surface of the substrate to positions within the substrate. The DTI grid comprises air-gaps disposed under the upper surface of the substrate, the air-gaps having lower portions surrounded by a first dielectric layer and some upper portions sealed by a second dielectric layer.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a CMOS image sensor having a doped region, arranged between deep trench isolation structures and an image sensing element, and an associated method of formation. In some embodiments, the CMOS image sensor has a pixel region disposed within a semiconductor substrate. The pixel region has an image sensing element configured to convert radiation into an electric signal. A plurality of back-side deep trench isolation (BDTI) structures extend into the semiconductor substrate on opposing sides of the pixel region. A doped region is laterally arranged between the BDTI structures and separates the image sensing element from the BDTI structures and the back-side of the semiconductor substrate. Separating the image sensing element from the BDTI structures prevents the image sensing element from interacting with interface defects near edges of the BDTI structures, and thereby reduces dark current and white pixel number.

Abstract: A method of fabrication of alignment marks for a non-STI CMOS image sensor is introduced. In some embodiments, zero layer alignment marks and active are alignment marks may be simultaneously formed on a wafer. A substrate of the wafer may be patterned to form one or more recesses in the substrate. The recesses may be filled with a dielectric material using, for example, a field oxidation method and/or suitable deposition methods. Structures formed by the above process may correspond to elements of the zero layer alignment marks and/or to elements the active area alignment marks.

Abstract: A method includes performing an anisotropic etching on a semiconductor substrate to form a trench. The trench has vertical sidewalls and a rounded bottom connected to the vertical sidewalls. A damage removal step is performed to remove a surface layer of the semiconductor substrate, with the surface layer exposed to the trench. The rounded bottom of the trench is etched to form a slant straight bottom surface. The trench is filled to form a trench isolation region in the trench.

Abstract: Provided is a method of fabricating an image sensor device. An exemplary includes forming a plurality of radiation-sensing regions in a substrate. The substrate has a front surface, a back surface, and a sidewall that extends from the front surface to the back surface. The exemplary method further includes forming an interconnect structure over the front surface of the substrate, removing a portion of the substrate to expose a metal interconnect layer of the interconnect structure, and forming a bonding pad on the interconnect structure in a manner so that the bonding pad is electrically coupled to the exposed metal interconnect layer and separated from the sidewall of the substrate.

Abstract: A method includes forming a first implantation mask comprising a first opening, implanting a first portion of a semiconductor substrate through the first opening to form a first doped region, forming a second implantation mask comprising a second opening, and implanting a second portion of the semiconductor substrate to form a second doped region. The first portion of the semiconductor substrate is encircled by the second portion of the semiconductor substrate. A surface layer of the semiconductor substrate is implanted to form a third doped region of an opposite conductivity type than the first and the second doped regions. The third doped region forms a diode with the first and the second doped regions.

Abstract: A pad structure for a complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) image sensor is provided. A semiconductor substrate is arranged over a back end of line (BEOL) metallization stack, and comprises a scribe line opening. A buffer layer lines the scribe line opening. A conductive pad comprises a base region and a protruding region. The base region is arranged over the buffer layer in the scribe line opening, and the protruding region protrudes from the base region into the BEOL metallization stack. A dielectric layer fills the scribe line opening over the conductive pad, and is substantially flush with an upper surface of the semiconductor substrate. Further, a method for manufacturing the pad structure, as well as the CMOS image sensor, are provided.

Abstract: A pad structure for a complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) image sensor is provided. A semiconductor substrate is arranged over a back end of line (BEOL) metallization stack, and comprises a scribe line opening. A buffer layer lines the scribe line opening. A conductive pad comprises a base region and a protruding region. The base region is arranged over the buffer layer in the scribe line opening, and the protruding region protrudes from the base region into the BEOL metallization stack. A dielectric layer fills the scribe line opening over the conductive pad, and is substantially flush with an upper surface of the semiconductor substrate. Further, a method for manufacturing the pad structure, as well as the CMOS image sensor, are provided.

Abstract: A method of fabrication of alignment marks for a non-STI CMOS image sensor is introduced. In some embodiments, zero layer alignment marks and active are alignment marks may be simultaneously formed on a wafer. A substrate of the wafer may be patterned to form one or more recesses in the substrate. The recesses may be filled with a dielectric material using, for example, a field oxidation method and/or suitable deposition methods. Structures formed by the above process may correspond to elements of the zero layer alignment marks and/or to elements the active area alignment marks.

Abstract: A device including a gate structure formed over a semiconductor substrate, the gate structure having extensions, a device isolation structure formed into the semiconductor substrate adjacent the gate structure, wherein the extensions are over a portion of the device isolation structure, and source/drain regions on both sides of the gate structure, the source/drain regions being formed in a gap in the device isolation structure and being partially enclosed by the extensions of the gate structure.

Abstract: A method of fabrication of alignment marks for a non-STI CMOS image sensor is introduced. In some embodiments, zero layer alignment marks and active are alignment marks may be simultaneously formed on a wafer. A substrate of the wafer may be patterned to form one or more recesses in the substrate. The recesses may be filled with a dielectric material using, for example, a field oxidation method and/or suitable deposition methods. Structures formed by the above process may correspond to elements of the zero layer alignment marks and/or to elements the active area alignment marks.

Abstract: A device including a gate structure formed over a semiconductor substrate, the gate structure having extensions, a device isolation structure formed into the semiconductor substrate adjacent the gate structure, wherein the extensions are over a portion of the device isolation structure, and source/drain regions on both sides of the gate structure, the source/drain regions being formed in a gap in the device isolation structure and being partially enclosed by the extensions of the gate structure.

Abstract: A device includes a device isolation region formed into a semiconductor substrate, a doped pickup region formed into the device isolation region, a dummy gate structure that includes at least one structure that partially surrounds the doped pickup region, and a via connected to the doped pickup region.