Abstract: A device includes a substrate, an isolation structure over the substrate, a gate structure over the isolation structure, a gate spacer on a sidewall of the gate structure, a source/drain (S/D) region adjacent to the gate spacer, a silicide on the S/D region, a dielectric liner over a sidewall of the gate spacer and on a top surface of the isolation structure, wherein a bottom surface of the dielectric liner is above a top surface of the silicide layer and spaced away from the top surface of the silicide layer in a cross-sectional plane perpendicular to a lengthwise direction of the gate structure.

Abstract: A method includes receiving a substrate having a front side and a back side, forming a shallow trench in the substrate from the front side, forming a liner layer including a first dielectric material in the shallow trench, depositing a second dielectric material different from the first dielectric material on the liner layer to form an isolation feature in the shallow trench, forming an active region surrounded by the isolation feature, forming a gate stack on the active region, forming a source/drain (S/D) feature on the active region and on a side of the gate stack, thinning down the substrate from the back side such that the isolation feature is exposed, etching the active region to expose the S/D feature from the back side to form a backside trench, and forming a backside via feature landing on the S/D feature and surrounded by the liner layer.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a first type of light sensing units, where each instance of the first type of light sensing units is operable to receive a first amount of radiation; and a second type of light sensing units, where each instance of the second type of light sensing units is operable to receive a second amount of radiation, and the second type of light sensing units is arranged in an array with the first type of light sensing units to form a pixel sensor. The first amount of radiation is smaller than the second amount of radiation, and at least a first instance of the first type of light sensing units is adjacent to a second instance first type of light sensing unit.

Abstract: An electrode controls transmittance of a blocking layer over a photodiode of a pixel sensor (e.g., a photodiode of a small pixel detector) by changing oxidation of a metal material included in the blocking layer. By using the electrode to adjust transmittance of the blocking layer, pixel sensors for different uses and/or products may be produced using a single manufacturing process. As a result, power and processing resources are conserved that otherwise would have been expended in switching manufacturing processes. Additionally, production time is decreased (e.g., by eliminating downtime that would otherwise have been used to reconfigure fabrication machines.

Abstract: A manufacturing method of a semiconductor structure includes at least the following steps. A memory device is formed in an interconnect structure over a substrate. Forming the memory device includes forming an alternating stack of dielectric material layers and conductive material layers, wherein the alternating stack includes a memory array region and a staircase region adjacent to the memory array region; forming a trench on the memory array region of the alternating stack; forming a data storage layer, channel layers, bit line pillars, and source line pillars in the trench; and performing patterning processes to from a staircase structure on the staircase region. The staircase structure steps downward from a first direction and makes a 180-degree turn to step downward in a second direction opposite to the first direction.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a FEOL structure and a BEOL structure. The BEOL structure is formed over the FEOL structure and includes a conductive layer, an etching stop layer (ESL) structure, a through via and a barrier layer. The ESL structure is formed over the conductive layer and has a first recess and a lateral surface. The through via passes through the ESL structure to form the first recess and the lateral surface. The barrier layer covers the lateral surface and the first recess. The first recess is recessed with respect to the lateral surface, and the first recess has a first depth ranging between 1 nm and 7 nm.

Abstract: In a method of manufacturing a semiconductor device, an underlying structure is formed over a substrate. A film is formed over the underlying structure. Surface topography of the film is measured and the surface topography is stored as topography data. A local etching is performed by using directional etching and scanning the substrate so that an entire surface of the film is subjected to the directional etching. A plasma beam intensity of the directional etching is adjusted according to the topography data.

Abstract: A package structure including a packaging substrate, a semiconductor device, passive components, a lid, and a dam structure is provided. The semiconductor device is disposed on and electrically connected to the packaging substrate. The passive components are disposed on the packaging substrate, wherein the semiconductor device is surrounded by the passive components. The lid is disposed on the packaging substrate, and the lid covers the semiconductor device and the passive components. The dam structure is disposed between the packaging substrate and the lid, wherein the dam structure covers the passive components and laterally encloses the semiconductor device.

Abstract: A system for navigating a virtual environment using seated walking-in-place footstep locomotion includes a virtual reality device, a first sensing device, and a second sensing device. The first sensing device senses the first footstep locomotion of one of feet of a user seated in a physical environment to generate and transmit a first stepping signal to the virtual reality device. The second sensing device senses the second footstep locomotion of another of the feet of the user seated in the physical environment to generate and transmit a second stepping signal to the virtual reality device. The virtual reality device navigates the virtual environment in a virtual locomotion mode based on a combination of the first stepping signal and the second stepping signal.

Abstract: Methods for chemical mechanical polishing (CMP), and methods for forming an interconnect structure of a semiconductor device are provided. The methods include performing CMP on a surface of a dielectric structure with a CMP slurry to remove a portion of a metal layer formed in the dielectric structure and having at least a first layer exposed through the surface. In some examples, the CMP slurry that includes an abrasive, an oxidizing agent, and a compound configured to reduce aggregation of the abrasive on the surface of the dielectric structure. In some examples, the compound has positively charged ions that interact with the abrasive to reduce aggregation of the abrasive on a dielectric material. In some examples, the CMP slurry includes potassium hydroxide. In some examples, the compound includes an ammonium salt.

Abstract: Semiconductor devices and methods of forming the same are provided. In one embodiment, a semiconductor device includes an active region including a channel region and a source/drain region and extending along a first direction, and a source/drain contact structure over the source/drain region. The source/drain contact structure includes a base portion extending lengthwise along a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, and a via portion over the base portion. The via portion tapers away from the base portion.

Abstract: A biomimetic waterfowl includes a housing, two waterfowl legs, and a driving module. The waterfowl legs are spaced apart from each other in a left-right direction and are mounted to a bottom portion of the housing. Each waterfowl leg includes a first segment mounted to the housing and rotatable about a first axis parallel to the left-right direction, and a second segment rotatable about a second axis parallel to the first axis. The driving module is mounted to the housing and is configured to drive the waterfowl legs. Each of the waterfowl legs is movable between a retracted state, where the first segment extends forwardly from the housing and the second segment extends rearwardly from the first segment, and a propelling state, where the first segment extends rearwardly from the housing and the second segment extends rearwardly from the first segment.

Abstract: The present invention features methods for preventing and treating three related diseases, diet-induced obesity, metabolic syndrome, and atherosclerosis, alone or in combination by inhibiting Acyl-CoA:Cholesterol Acyltransferase 1 (ACATI) activity or expression in myeloid cells.

Abstract: The present invention features methods for preventing and treating three related diseases, diet-induced obesity, metabolic syndrome, and atherosclerosis, alone or in combination by inhibiting Acyl-CoA: Cholesterol Acyltransferase 1 (ACATI) activity or expression in myeloid cells.

Abstract: The present invention includes methods for increasing white blood cell counts through administration of inhibitors of acyl-coenzyme A:cholesterol acyltransferase 1 (ACAT1). ACAT inhibitors are used to treat symptoms of immunosuppression, either alone or in combination with other treatments.