Abstract: Structures including a wide band-gap semiconductor layer stack and methods of forming such structures. The structure comprises a layer stack on a substrate and a first dielectric layer on the layer stack. The layer stack includes semiconductor layers that comprise a wide band-gap semiconductor material. A seal ring includes a trench that penetrates through the first dielectric layer and the layer stack to the substrate, a second dielectric layer that lines the trench, and a conductor layer including first and second portions inside the trench. The trench surrounds portions of the layer stack and the first dielectric layer. The second dielectric layer includes a first portion disposed between the first portion of the conductor layer and the portion of the layer stack, and the second dielectric layer includes a second portion disposed between the second portion of the conductor layer and the portion of the first dielectric layer.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to semiconductor structures and, more particularly, to a transistor with a thermal plug and methods of manufacture. The structure includes: a semiconductor substrate; a gate structure over the semiconductor substrate; a source region on a first side of the gate structure; a drain region on a second side of the gate structure; and a thermal plug extending from a top side of the semiconductor substrate into an active region of the semiconductor substrate.

Abstract: Structures with altered crystallinity beneath semiconductor devices and methods associated with forming such structures. Trench isolation regions surround an active device region composed of a single-crystal semiconductor material. A first non-single-crystal layer is arranged beneath the trench isolation regions and the active device region. A second non-single-crystal layer is arranged beneath the trench isolation regions and the active device region. The first non-single-crystal layer is arranged between the second non-single-crystal layer and the active device region.

Abstract: Structures with altered crystallinity beneath semiconductor devices and methods associated with forming such structures. Trench isolation regions surround an active device region composed of a single-crystal semiconductor material. A first non-single-crystal layer is arranged beneath the trench isolation regions and the active device region. A second non-single-crystal layer is arranged beneath the trench isolation regions and the active device region. The first non-single-crystal layer is arranged between the second non-single-crystal layer and the active device region.

Abstract: Structures with altered crystallinity beneath semiconductor devices and methods associated with forming such structures. Trench isolation regions surround an active device region composed of a single-crystal semiconductor material. A first non-single-crystal layer is arranged beneath the trench isolation regions and the active device region. A second non-single-crystal layer is arranged beneath the trench isolation regions and the active device region. The first non-single-crystal layer is arranged between the second non-single-crystal layer and the active device region.

Abstract: Semiconductor structures including electrical isolation and methods of forming a semiconductor structure including electrical isolation. Shallow trench isolation regions extend from a top surface of a semiconductor substrate into the semiconductor substrate. The semiconductor substrate contains single-crystal semiconductor material, and the shallow trench isolation regions are positioned to surround an active device region of the semiconductor substrate. A polycrystalline layer is formed in the semiconductor substrate. The polycrystalline layer has a first section beneath the active device region and a second section beneath the plurality of shallow trench isolation regions. The first section of the polycrystalline layer is located at a different depth relative to the top surface of the semiconductor substrate than the second section of the polycrystalline layer.

Abstract: Semiconductor structures including electrical isolation and methods of forming a semiconductor structure including electrical isolation. Shallow trench isolation regions extend from a top surface of a semiconductor substrate into the semiconductor substrate. The semiconductor substrate contains single-crystal semiconductor material, and the shallow trench isolation regions are positioned to surround an active device region of the semiconductor substrate. A polycrystalline layer is formed in the semiconductor substrate. The polycrystalline layer has a first section beneath the active device region and a second section beneath the plurality of shallow trench isolation regions. The first section of the polycrystalline layer is located at a different depth relative to the top surface of the semiconductor substrate than the second section of the polycrystalline layer.

Abstract: Structures with altered crystallinity beneath semiconductor devices and methods associated with forming such structures. Trench isolation regions surround an active device region composed of a single-crystal semiconductor material. A first non-single-crystal layer is arranged beneath the trench isolation regions and the active device region. A second non-single-crystal layer is arranged beneath the trench isolation regions and the active device region. The first non-single-crystal layer is arranged between the second non-single-crystal layer and the active device region.

Abstract: Structures with altered crystallinity beneath semiconductor devices and methods associated with forming such structures. Trench isolation regions surround an active device region composed of a single-crystal semiconductor material. A first non-single-crystal layer is arranged beneath the trench isolation regions and the active device region. A second non-single-crystal layer is arranged beneath the trench isolation regions and the active device region. The first non-single-crystal layer is arranged between the second non-single-crystal layer and the active device region.

Abstract: Structures with altered crystallinity beneath semiconductor devices and methods associated with forming such structures. A semiconductor layer is implanted over a first depth range of an inert gas species to modify the crystal structure of a semiconductor material of the semiconductor layer and form a first modified region. The semiconductor layer is annealed with a first annealing process to convert the semiconductor material within the first modified region to a non-single-crystal layer. The semiconductor layer is also implanted with ions of an element over a second depth range to modify the crystal structure of the semiconductor material of the semiconductor layer and form a second modified region containing a concentration of the element. The semiconductor layer is annealed with a second annealing process to convert the semiconductor material within the second modified region to an insulator layer containing the element.

Abstract: Through-substrate vias (TSVs) extend through a high resistivity semiconductor substrate laterally spaced and isolated from an active device formed over the substrate by deep trench isolation (DTI) structures. The deep trench isolation structures may extend partially or entirely through the substrate, and may include an air gap. The deep trench isolation structures entirely surround the active device and the TSVs.

Abstract: Structures with altered crystallinity beneath semiconductor devices and methods associated with forming such structures. A semiconductor layer is implanted over a first depth range of an inert gas species to modify the crystal structure of a semiconductor material of the semiconductor layer and form a first modified region. The semiconductor layer is annealed with a first annealing process to convert the semiconductor material within the first modified region to a non-single-crystal layer. The semiconductor layer is also implanted with ions of an element over a second depth range to modify the crystal structure of the semiconductor material of the semiconductor layer and form a second modified region containing a concentration of the element. The semiconductor layer is annealed with a second annealing process to convert the semiconductor material within the second modified region to an insulator layer containing the element.

Abstract: Through-substrate vias (TSVs) extend through a high resistivity semiconductor substrate laterally spaced and isolated from an active device formed over the substrate by deep trench isolation (DTI) structures. The deep trench isolation structures may extend partially or entirely through the substrate, and may include an air gap. The deep trench isolation structures entirely surround the active device and the TSVs.

Abstract: Structures with altered crystallinity beneath semiconductor devices and methods associated with forming such structures. Trench isolation regions surround an active device region composed of a single-crystal semiconductor material. A first non-single-crystal layer is arranged beneath the trench isolation regions and the active device region. A second non-single-crystal layer is arranged beneath the trench isolation regions and the active device region. The first non-single-crystal layer is arranged between the second non-single-crystal layer and the active device region.

Abstract: Structures with altered crystallinity beneath semiconductor devices and methods associated with forming such structures. Trench isolation regions surround an active device region composed of a single-crystal semiconductor material. A non-single-crystal layer has a first section arranged beneath the trench isolation regions and a second section arranged beneath the active device region. The first section of the non-single-crystal layer has a first width in a vertical direction. The second section of the non-single-crystal layer has a second width in the vertical direction that is less than the first width of the first section of the non-single-crystal layer.

Abstract: An integrated circuit (IC) structure is disclosed. The structure can include: an insulator positioned over a device layer; a capping layer positioned over the insulator; an inter-layer dielectric (ILD) positioned over the capping layer; a first metal wire positioned over the ILD, and outside an active area of the IC structure; a continuous metal crack stop in contact with, and interposed between, the first metal wire and the device layer, such that the continuous metal crack stop extends through at least the insulator, the capping layer, and the ILD; a second metal wire positioned over the ILD, and within the active area of the IC structure; and two vias vertically coupled to each other and interposed between the second metal wire and the device layer, such that the two vias extend through at least the insulator, the capping layer, and the ILD.

Abstract: An integrated circuit (IC) structure is disclosed. The structure can include: an insulator positioned over a device layer; a capping layer positioned over the insulator; an inter-layer dielectric (ILD) positioned over the capping layer; a first metal wire positioned over the ILD, and outside an active area of the IC structure; a continuous metal crack stop in contact with, and interposed between, the first metal wire and the device layer, such that the continuous metal crack stop extends through at least the insulator, the capping layer, and the ILD; a second metal wire positioned over the ILD, and within the active area of the IC structure; and two vias vertically coupled to each other and interposed between the second metal wire and the device layer, such that the two vias extend through at least the insulator, the capping layer, and the ILD.

Abstract: Structures for a chip, as well as methods of fabricating such chip structures. The chip including a portion of a substrate, an active circuit region associated with the portion of the substrate, an interconnect structure on the active circuit region, and a crackstop extending through the interconnect structure. A groove extends through the interconnect structure to the substrate at a location exterior of the crackstop. A stress-containing layer is formed on at least a portion of the groove.

Abstract: Electrical fuses and methods for forming an electrical fuse. A semiconductor substrate is implanted to define a modified region in the semiconductor substrate. Trenches that surround the modified region and that penetrate into the semiconductor substrate to a depth greater than a depth of the modified region are formed in the modified region so as to define a fuse link of the electrical fuse. The substrate is removed from beneath the fuse link with a selective etching process that removes the semiconductor substrate with a first etch rate that is higher than a second etch rate of the modified region.

Abstract: Electrical fuses and methods for forming an electrical fuse. A semiconductor substrate is implanted to define a modified region in the semiconductor substrate. Trenches that surround the modified region and that penetrate into the semiconductor substrate to a depth greater than a depth of the modified region are formed in the modified region so as to define a fuse link of the electrical fuse. The substrate is removed from beneath the fuse link with a selective etching process that removes the semiconductor substrate with a first etch rate that is higher than a second etch rate of the modified region.