Abstract: Embodiments include a crack stopper structure surrounding an embedded integrated circuit die, and the formation thereof. The crack stopper structure may include multiple layers separated by a fill layer. The layers of the crack stopper may include multiple sublayers, some of the sublayers providing adhesion, hardness buffering, and material gradients for transitioning from one layer of the crack stopper structure to another layer of the crack stopper structure.

Abstract: A method for forming a semiconductor device structure is provided. The method includes forming a first insulating layer and first and second gate spacers in first and second openings of the first insulating layer, respectively, forming a first conductive gate stack adjacent to the first gate spacer and forming an insulating material adjacent to the second gate spacer after forming the first conductive gate stack. The method also includes covering the first conductive gate stack and the insulating material with a first insulating capping layer and a second insulating capping layer, respectively, and forming a source/drain contact structure between the first and second gate spacer layers. The top surface of the first insulating layer is higher than those of the insulating material and is substantially level with that of the first conductive gate stack.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a source via having a body portion and a barrier layer surrounding the body portion, and the body portion is in physical contact with the source contact. Furthermore, the barrier layer includes at least one sidewall section separating the source via from an adjacent via structure. As such, the via to via leakage may be prevented. Overall, by providing a semiconductor device having the above structures, the contact resistance is reduced, and the device performance is further improved.

Abstract: A system includes a pressure exchanger (PX) configured to receive a first fluid at a first pressure, receive a second fluid at a second pressure, and exchange pressure between the first fluid and the second fluid. The first fluid is to exit the PX at a third pressure and the second fluid is to exit the PX at a fourth pressure. The system further includes a condenser configured to receive the first fluid from a compressor and provide corresponding thermal energy from the first fluid to a first environment. The system further includes a heat exchanger configured to receive the first fluid output from the condenser.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a source region and a drain region, a first source contact, a first drain contact, a first drain via and a first source via. The source region and the drain region are located over a substrate. The first source contact is disposed on the source region, and the first drain contact is disposed on the drain region. The first drain via is connected to the first drain contact, wherein the first drain via includes a barrier-less body portion. The first source via is connected to the first source contact, wherein the first source via includes a body portion and a barrier layer surrounding the body portion, and a size of the first source via is greater than a size of the first drain via.

Abstract: A semiconductor device structure is provided. The semiconductor device structure includes a gate structure formed over a fin structure. The semiconductor device structure includes an S/D structure formed over the fin structure and adjacent to the gate structure, and a first dielectric layer formed over the gate structure and the S/D structure. The semiconductor device structure includes an S/D contact structure formed in the first dielectric layer, and a second dielectric layer formed over the S/D contact structure. The semiconductor device structure includes a first conductive via formed in the second dielectric layer, and the first conductive via is directly over the S/D contact structure or directly over the gate structure. The first conductive via has a protruding portion that is lower than the top surface of the S/D contact structure or lower than the top surface of the gate structure.

Abstract: An imaging lens assembly includes a first optical element and a low-reflection layer. The first optical element has a central opening, and includes a first surface, a second surface and a first outer diameter surface. The first outer diameter surface is connected to the first surface and the second surface. The low-reflection layer is located on at least one of the first surface and the second surface, and includes a carbon black layer, a nano-microstructure and a coating layer. The nano-microstructure is directly contacted with and connected to the carbon black layer, and the nano-microstructure is farther from the first optical element than the carbon black layer from the first optical element. The coating layer is directly contacted with and connected to the nano-microstructure, and the coating layer is farther from the first optical element than the nano-microstructure from the first optical element.

Abstract: A device includes a first package connected to an interconnect substrate, wherein the interconnect substrate includes conductive routing; and a second package connected to the interconnect substrate, wherein the second package includes a photonic layer on a substrate, the photonic layer including a silicon waveguide coupled to a grating coupler and to a photodetector; a via extending through the substrate; an interconnect structure over the photonic layer, wherein the interconnect structure is connected to the photodetector and to the via; and an electronic die bonded to the interconnect structure, wherein the electronic die is connected to the interconnect structure.

Abstract: A method includes forming a first photonic package, wherein forming the first photonic package includes patterning a silicon layer to form a first waveguide, wherein the silicon layer is on an oxide layer, and wherein the oxide layer is on a substrate; forming vias extending into the substrate; forming a first redistribution structure over the first waveguide and the vias, wherein the first redistribution structure is electrically connected to the vias; connecting a first semiconductor device to the first redistribution structure; removing a first portion of the substrate to form a first recess, wherein the first recess exposes the oxide layer; and filling the first recess with a first dielectric material to form a first dielectric region.

Abstract: A video processing circuit includes an input buffer, an online adaptation circuit, and an artificial intelligence (AI) super-resolution (SR) circuit. The input buffer receives input low-resolution (LR) frames and high-resolution (HR) frames from a video source over a network. The online adaptation circuit forms training pairs, and calculates an update to representative features that characterize the input LR frames using the training pairs. Each training pair formed by one of the input LR frames and one of the HR frames. The AI SR circuit receives the input LR frames from the input buffer and the representative features from the online adaptation circuit. Concurrently with calculating the update to the representative features, the AI SR circuit generates SR frames for display from the input LR frames based on the representative features. Each SR frame has a higher resolution than a corresponding one of the input LR frames.

Abstract: A semiconductor device structure is provided. The semiconductor device structure includes a conductive gate stack formed over a substrate. A first gate spacer is formed adjacent to a sidewall of the conductive gate stack. A source/drain contact structure is formed adjacent to the first gate spacer. An insulating capping layer covers and is in direct contact with an upper surface of the conductive gate stack. A top width of the insulating capping layer is substantially equal to a top width of the conductive gate stack. The insulating capping layer is separated from the source/drain contact structure by the first gate spacer.

Abstract: Semiconductor devices and methods of forming the semiconductor devices are described herein. A method includes providing a first material layer between a second material layer and a semiconductor substrate and forming a first waveguide in the second material layer. The method also includes forming a photonic die over the first waveguide and forming a first cavity in the semiconductor substrate and exposing the first layer. Once formed, the first cavity is filled with a first backfill material adjacent the first layer. The methods also include electrically coupling an electronic die to the photonic die. Some methods include packaging the semiconductor device in a packaged assembly.

Abstract: A semiconductor structure includes a solder resist layer disposed on a circuit substrate and partially covering contact pads of the circuit substrate, and external terminals disposed on the solder resist layer and extending through the solder resist layer to land on the contact pads. The external terminals include a first external terminal and a second external terminal which have different heights. A first interface between the first external terminal and corresponding one of the contact pads underlying the first external terminal is less than a second interface between the second external terminal and another corresponding one of the contact pads underlying the second external terminal.

Abstract: Semiconductor device and the manufacturing method thereof are disclosed herein. An exemplary semiconductor device comprises a substrate; a gate structure disposed over the substrate and over a channel region of the semiconductor device, wherein the gate structure includes a gate stack and spacers disposed along sidewalls of the gate stack, the gate stack including a gate dielectric layer and a gate electrode; a first metal layer disposed over the gate stack, wherein the first metal layer laterally contacts the spacers over the gate dielectric layer and the gate electrode; and a gate via disposed over the first metal layer.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a gate disposed over a substrate. A source/drain is disposed in the substrate. A conductive contact is disposed over the source/drain. An air spacer is disposed between the gate and the conductive contact. A first component is disposed over the gate. A second component is disposed over the air spacer. The second component is different from the first component.

Abstract: A structure including a photonic integrated circuit die, an electric integrated circuit die, a semiconductor dam, and an insulating encapsulant is provided. The photonic integrated circuit die includes an optical input/output portion and a groove located in proximity of the optical input/output portion, wherein the groove is adapted for lateral insertion of at least one optical fiber. The electric integrated circuit die is disposed over and electrically connected to the photonic integrated circuit die. The semiconductor dam is disposed over the photonic integrated circuit die. The insulating encapsulant is disposed over the photonic integrated circuit die and laterally encapsulates the electric integrated circuit die and the semiconductor dam.

Abstract: A fluid handling system includes a pressure exchanger (PX) configured to receive a first fluid at a first pressure and a second fluid at a second pressure and exchange pressure between the first fluid and the second fluid. The system further includes a condenser configured to provide corresponding thermal energy from the first fluid to a corresponding environment. The system further includes a receiver to receive the first fluid output by the PX. The receiver forms a chamber to separate the first fluid into a first gas and a first liquid. The system further includes a first booster to increase pressure of a portion of the first gas to form the second fluid at the second pressure and provide the second fluid at the second pressure to the PX.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a gate disposed over a substrate. A source/drain is disposed in the substrate. A conductive contact is disposed over the source/drain. An air spacer is disposed between the gate and the conductive contact. A first component is disposed over the gate. A second component is disposed over the air spacer. The second component is different from the first component.

Abstract: A method and device according to the present disclosure includes a substrate that has a first transistor terminal such as a source feature and a second transistor terminal such as another source feature. Contact structures are formed on each source/drain feature. After forming the contact structures, a via opening is formed in dielectric materials above the contact structures, which is filled to form a non-linear via that extends from the contact on the first source feature to the contact on the second source feature. The non-linear via may include an outline in a top view of an undulating-shape having convex and/or concave portions.

Abstract: An embodiment semiconductor device may include a semiconductor die; one or more redistribution layers formed on a surface of the semiconductor die and electrically coupled to the semiconductor die; and an active or passive electrical device electrically coupled to the one or more redistribution layers. The active or passive electrical device may include a silicon substrate and a through-silicon-via formed in the silicon substrate. The active or passive electrical device may be configured as an integrated passive device including a deep trench capacitor or as a local silicon interconnect. The semiconductor device may further include a molding material matrix formed on a surface of the one or more redistribution layers such that the molding material matrix partially or completely surrounds the active or passive electrical device.