Abstract: An electrostatic discharge (ESD) circuit includes a first ESD detection circuit, a first discharging circuit and a first ESD assist circuit. The first ESD detection circuit is coupled between a first node having a first voltage and a second node having a second voltage. The first discharging circuit includes a first transistor. The first transistor has a first gate, a first drain, a first source and a first body terminal. The first gate is coupled to the first ESD detection circuit by a third node. The first drain is coupled to the first node. The first source and the first body terminal are coupled together at the second node. The first ESD assist circuit is coupled between the second and third node, and configured to clamp a third voltage of the third node at the second voltage during an ESD event at the first or second node.

Abstract: A device includes standard cells in a layout of an integrated circuit. The standard cells include a first standard cell and a second standard cell disposed next to each other. The first standard cell is configured to operate as an electrostatic discharge (ESD) protection circuit and includes a first gate and a second gate. The first gate includes a first gate finger and a second gate finger that are arranged over a first active region, for forming a first transistor and a second transistor, respectively. The second gate is separate from the first gate. The second gate includes a third gate finger and a fourth gate finger that are arranged over a second active region, for forming a third transistor and a fourth transistor, respectively. The first transistor and the second transistor are connected in parallel, and the third transistor and the fourth transistor are connected in parallel.

Abstract: An electrostatic discharge (ESD) protection apparatus and method for fabricating the same are disclosed herein. In some embodiments, the ESD protection apparatus, comprises: an internal circuit patterned in a device wafer and electrically coupled between a first node and a second node, an array of electrostatic discharge (ESD) circuits patterned in a carrier wafer, where the ESD circuits are electrically coupled between a first node and a second node and configured to protect the internal circuit from transient ESD events, and where the device wafer is bonded to the carrier wafer.

Abstract: An electrostatic discharge (ESD) protection apparatus and method for fabricating the same are disclosed herein. In some embodiments, the ESD protection apparatus, comprises: an internal circuit patterned in a device wafer and electrically coupled between a first node and a second node, an array of electrostatic discharge (ESD) circuits patterned in a carrier wafer, where the ESD circuits are electrically coupled between a first node and a second node and configured to protect the internal circuit from transient ESD events, and where the device wafer is bonded to the carrier wafer.

Abstract: An electrostatic discharge (ESD) circuit includes an ESD detection circuit, a clamp circuit and an ESD assist circuit. The ESD detection circuit is coupled between a first and a second node. The first node has a first voltage. The second node has a second voltage. The clamp circuit includes a first transistor having a first gate, a first drain, a first source and a first body terminal. The first gate is coupled to at least the ESD detection circuit by a third node. The first drain is coupled to the second node. The first source and the first body terminal are coupled together at the first node. The ESD assist circuit is coupled between the first node and the third node, and is configured to clamp a third voltage of the third node at the first voltage during an ESD event at the first node or the second node.

Abstract: An electrostatic discharge (ESD) protection apparatus and method for fabricating the same are disclosed herein. In some embodiments, the ESD protection apparatus comprises: an internal circuit formed in a first wafer; an array of electrostatic discharge (ESD) circuits formed in a second wafer, wherein the ESD circuits include a plurality of ESD protection devices each coupled to a corresponding switch and configured to protect the internal circuit from a transient ESD event; and a switch controller in the second wafer, wherein the switch controller is configured to control, based on a control signal from the first wafer, each of the plurality of ESD protection devices to be activated or deactivated by the corresponding switch, and wherein the first wafer is bonded to the second wafer.

Abstract: An IC structure includes first and second gates, first and second source regions, a shared drain region, and an isolation region. The first gate has a first portion extending along a first direction and a second portion extending along a second direction. The second gate has a first portion extending along the first direction and a second portion extending along the second direction. The shared drain region extends from the first portion of the first gate to the first portion of the second gate. The first source region is spaced apart from the shared drain region by the first gate. The second source region is spaced apart from the shared drain region by the second gate. The isolation region is between the first portion of the first gate and the first portion of the second gate, and resembles a quadrilateral pattern bordering the shared drain region.

Abstract: An electrostatic discharge (ESD) protection apparatus and method for fabricating the same are disclosed herein. In some embodiments, the ESD protection apparatus comprises: an internal circuit formed in a first wafer; an array of electrostatic discharge (ESD) circuits formed in a second wafer, wherein the ESD circuits include a plurality of ESD protection devices each coupled to a corresponding switch and configured to protect the internal circuit from a transient ESD event; and a switch controller in the second wafer, wherein the switch controller is configured to control, based on a control signal from the first wafer, each of the plurality of ESD protection devices to be activated or deactivated by the corresponding switch, and wherein the first wafer is bonded to the second wafer.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides embodiments of semiconductor devices. A semiconductor device according to the present disclosure include an elongated semiconductor member surrounded by an isolation feature and extending lengthwise along a first direction, a first source/drain feature and a second source/drain feature over a top surface of the elongated semiconductor member, a vertical stack of channel members each extending lengthwise between the first source/drain feature and the second source/drain feature along the first direction, a gate structure wrapping around each of the channel members, an epitaxial layer deposited on the bottom surface of the elongated semiconductor member, a silicide layer disposed on the epitaxial layer, and a conductive layer disposed on the silicide layer.

Abstract: An IC structure includes first and second gates, first and second source/drain regions, and an isolation region. The first and second gates each have a first portion extending along a first direction and a second portion extending along a second direction. The first source/drain regions are respectively on opposite sides of the first portion of the first gate. The second source/drain regions are respectively on opposite sides of the first portion of the second gate. The isolation region has a lower portion between a first one of the first source/drain regions and a first one of the second source/drain regions, and an upper portion partially overlapping with the second portion of first gate and the second portion of the second gate. A width of the lower portion is a less than a width of the upper portion.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides embodiments of semiconductor devices. A semiconductor device according to the present disclosure include an elongated semiconductor member surrounded by an isolation feature and extending lengthwise along a first direction, a first source/drain feature and a second source/drain feature over a top surface of the elongated semiconductor member, a vertical stack of channel members each extending lengthwise between the first source/drain feature and the second source/drain feature along the first direction, a gate structure wrapping around each of the channel members, an epitaxial layer deposited on the bottom surface of the elongated semiconductor member, a silicide layer disposed on the epitaxial layer, and a conductive layer disposed on the silicide layer.

Abstract: An integrated circuit (IC) device includes a plurality of first doped regions of a first semiconductor type over at least one first well region of the first semiconductor type, and a second doped region of a second semiconductor type over a second well region of the second semiconductor type. The second semiconductor type is different from the first semiconductor type. The plurality of first doped regions is arranged along a first direction. Each of the plurality of first doped regions has a first length in the first direction. The second doped region extends in the first direction between at least two first doped regions among the plurality of first doped regions over a second length greater than the first length.

Abstract: A circuit structure is provided. The circuit structure may include a first die area including an output gate, a second die area including a circuit and an input gate and a die-to-die interconnect. The input gate may include a transistor. The circuit may be connected between the die-to-die interconnect and a gate region of the transistor. The circuit may include a MOS transistor. A first source/drain region of the MOS transistor may be connected to the die-to-die interconnect.

Abstract: An integrated circuit design method includes receiving an integrated circuit design, and determining a floor plan for the integrated circuit design. The floor plan includes an arrangement of a plurality of functional cells and a plurality of tap cells. Potential latchup locations in the floor plan are determined, and the arrangement of at least one of the functional cells or the tap cells is modified based on the determined potential latchup locations.

Abstract: An electrostatic discharge (ESD) circuit includes: a cascade of NMOS transistors including a first NMOS transistor operatively cascaded to a second NMOS transistor wherein the cascade of NMOS transistors is operatively coupled to a first bus that receives an ESD pulse signal; a first single-gate-oxide ESD control circuit coupled to the first NMOS transistor and configured to turn on the first NMOS transistor during an ESD event, the first single-gate-oxide control circuit coupled between the first bus at a first voltage and a first node at a second voltage, wherein the first voltage is higher than the second voltage; a second single-gate-oxide control circuit operatively coupled to the second NMOS transistor and configured to turn on the second NMOS transistor during an ESD event and to turn off the second NMOS transistor during a normal operation, wherein the second single-gate-oxide control circuit is coupled between the first node at the second voltage and a second bus at a ground voltage, wherein the seco

Abstract: An integrated circuit (IC) device includes a plurality of first TAP cells of a first semiconductor type, and a plurality of second TAP cells of a second semiconductor type different from the first semiconductor type. The plurality of first TAP cells is arranged in at least two columns, the at least two columns adjacent each other in a first direction and extending in a second direction transverse to the first direction. Each of the plurality of first TAP cells has a first length in the first direction. The plurality of second TAP cells includes at least one second TAP cell extending in the first direction between the at least two columns over a second length greater than the first length of each of the plurality of first TAP cells in the first direction.

Abstract: A circuit structure is provided. The circuit structure may include a first die area including an output gate, a second die area including a circuit and an input gate and a die-to-die interconnect. The input gate may include a transistor. The circuit may be connected between the die-to-die interconnect and a gate region of the transistor. The circuit may include a PMOS transistor and an NMOS transistor. A first source/drain region of the PMOS transistor may be connected to a first source/drain region of the NMOS transistor and the die-to-die interconnect.

Abstract: A device includes standard cells in a layout of an integrated circuit. The standard cells include a first standard cell and a second standard cell disposed next to each other. The first standard cell is configured to operate as an electrostatic discharge (ESD) protection circuit and includes a first gate and a second gate. The first gate includes a first gate finger and a second gate finger that are arranged over a first active region, for forming a first transistor and a second transistor, respectively. The second gate is separate from the first gate. The second gate includes a third gate finger and a fourth gate finger that are arranged over a second active region, for forming a third transistor and a fourth transistor, respectively. The first transistor and the second transistor are connected in parallel, and the third transistor and the fourth transistor are connected in parallel.

Abstract: An integrated circuit design method includes receiving an integrated circuit design, and determining a floor plan for the integrated circuit design. The floor plan includes an arrangement of a plurality of functional cells and a plurality of tap cells. Potential latchup locations in the floor plan are determined, and the arrangement of at least one of the functional cells or the tap cells is modified based on the determined potential latchup locations.

Abstract: A method for fabricating an integrated circuit is provided. The method includes etching a first recess in a semiconductor structure; forming a first doped epitaxial feature in the first recess; and forming a second doped epitaxial feature over the first doped epitaxial feature, wherein the second doped epitaxial feature has a conductive type opposite to a conductive type of the first doped epitaxial feature.