Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method of forming a flash memory structure. The method includes forming a sacrificial material over a substrate, and forming a plurality of trenches extending through the sacrificial material to within the substrate. A dielectric material is formed within the plurality of trenches. The dielectric material is selectively etched, according to a mask that is directly over the dielectric material, to form depressions along edges of the plurality of trenches. The sacrificial material between neighboring ones of the depressions is removed to form a floating gate recess. A floating gate material is formed within the floating gate recess and the neighboring ones of the depressions.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an integrated chip. The integrated chip includes a source region disposed within a substrate, and a drain region disposed within the substrate and separated from the source region. A plurality of separate isolation structures are disposed within the substrate. The plurality of separate isolation structures have outermost sidewalls that face one another and that are separated from one another. A gate electrode is disposed within the substrate. The gate electrode includes a base region disposed between the source region and the plurality of separate isolation structures and a plurality of gate extensions extending outward from a sidewall of the base region to over the plurality of separate isolation structures.

Abstract: A self-aligned plug may be formed between deep trench isolation (DTI) etching cycles. Accordingly, etch depth in areas of a pixel sensor with large CDs (e.g., at an X-road) is reduced, which prevents trench loading. As a result, a floating diffusion (FD) region, associated with photodiodes of the pixel sensor, is not damaged during the DTI etching cycles. Reduced chances of damage to the FD region improves performance of the pixel sensor and prevents electrical shorts and failures, which increases yield and conserves time and raw materials used in forming the pixel sensor.

Abstract: A semiconductor structure includes a substrate, at least one dielectric layer and a capacitor structure. The at least one dielectric layer is disposed over the substrate, and the at least one dielectric layer includes a step edge profile. The capacitor structure is disposed over the substrate. The capacitor structure includes a bottom electrode, a capacitor dielectric layer and a top electrode. The bottom electrode covers the step edge profile of the at least one dielectric layer and has a first step profile substantially conformal to the step edge profile of the at least one dielectric layer. The capacitor dielectric layer covers the bottom electrode and has a second step profile substantially conformal to the first step profile. The top electrode covers the capacitor dielectric layer.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an integrated circuit (IC) that includes a boundary region defined between a low voltage region and a high voltage region, and a method of formation. In some embodiments, the integrated circuit comprises an isolation structure disposed in the boundary region of the substrate. A first polysilicon component is disposed directly on an upper surface of the substrate alongside the isolation structure. A boundary dielectric layer is disposed on the isolation structure. A second polysilicon component is disposed on the sacrifice dielectric layer.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present disclosure provide a method for forming a recessed gate electrode that has high thickness uniformity. A gate dielectric layer is deposited lining a recess, and a multilayer film is deposited lining the recess over the gate dielectric layer. The multilayer film comprises a gate electrode layer, a first sacrificial layer over the gate dielectric layer, and a second sacrificial layer over the first sacrificial dielectric layer. A planarization is performed into the second sacrificial layer and stops on the first sacrificial layer. A first etch is performed into the first and second sacrificial layers to remove the first sacrificial layer at sides of the recess. A second etch is performed into the gate electrode layer using the first sacrificial layer as a mask to form the recessed gate electrode. A third etch is performed to remove the first sacrificial layer after the second etch.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method of forming an integrated chip. The method includes forming a plurality of isolation structures within a substrate. The substrate is selectively etched to form a gate base recess within the substrate. The plurality of isolation structures are selectively etched to form a plurality of gate extension trenches extending outward from the gate base recess; forming a conductive material within the gate base recess and the plurality of gate extension trenches to form a gate electrode; and forming a source region and a drain region on opposing sides of the gate electrode.

Abstract: A fabrication method includes: forming, over a first dielectric layer between a first metal portion and a second metal portion, a thin film resistor (TFR); forming openings in the first dielectric layer over the first metal portion and the second metal portion; and forming a first bond pad in an opening over the first metal portion and a second bond pad in an opening over the second metal portion; wherein the first dielectric layer is disposed between the first bond pad and the second bond pad, the TFR is formed over the first dielectric layer between the first bond pad and the second bond pad, the TFR has an electrical connection at a first end to the first bond pad and an electrical connection at a second end to the second bond pad, and the TFR provides a resistive path between the first bond pad and the second bond path.

Abstract: A work piece is positioned on a work piece support, which includes a plurality of temperature control zones. A pre-etch surface topography is determined by measuring a plurality of pre-etch surface heights or thicknesses at a plurality of sites on the work piece. The plurality of sites correspond to the plurality of temperature control zones on the work piece support. At least a first zone of the temperature control zones is heated or cooled based on the measured plurality of pre-etch surface heights or thicknesses, so that the first zone has a first temperature different from a second temperature of a second zone of the temperature control zones. A dry etch is carried out while the first zone has the first temperature different from the second temperature of the second zone of the temperature control zones.

Abstract: In some embodiments, the present disclosure relates to an integrated circuit (IC), including a first insulating layer which includes a first metal interconnect structure stacked above a bottom die. Including a substrate disposed above the first insulating layer, a second metal interconnect structure disposed above the substrate, a through-substrate via (TSV) directly connecting the first metal interconnect structure to the second metal interconnect structure, and a stacked deep trench capacitor (DTC) structure disposed in the substrate. The DTC structure includes a first plurality of trenches extending from a first side of the substrate and a second plurality of trenches extending from a second side of the substrate.

Abstract: A semiconductor structure and method of manufacture is provided. In some embodiments, a semiconductor structure includes a semiconductor layer comprising a first uppermost surface, a lowermost surface, and a first sidewall surface extending between the uppermost surface and the lowermost surface. A gate dielectric layer is over the semiconductor layer. A first gate electrode is over a portion of the gate dielectric layer over the uppermost surface of the semiconductor layer. A first source/drain region is in the semiconductor layer under the first uppermost surface and adjacent the first gate electrode. A second source/drain region is in the semiconductor layer under the lowermost surface of the semiconductor layer.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an integrated circuit (IC) that includes a boundary region defined between a low voltage region and a high voltage region, and a method of formation. In some embodiments, the integrated circuit comprises an isolation structure disposed in the boundary region of the substrate. A first polysilicon component is disposed over the substrate alongside the isolation structure. A boundary dielectric layer is disposed on the isolation structure. A second polysilicon component is disposed on the sacrifice dielectric layer.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present disclosure provide a method for forming a recessed gate electrode that has high thickness uniformity. A gate dielectric layer is deposited lining a recess, and a multilayer film is deposited lining the recess over the gate dielectric layer. The multilayer film comprises a gate electrode layer, a first sacrificial layer over the gate dielectric layer, and a second sacrificial layer over the first sacrificial dielectric layer. A planarization is performed into the second sacrificial layer and stops on the first sacrificial layer. A first etch is performed into the first and second sacrificial layers to remove the first sacrificial layer at sides of the recess. A second etch is performed into the gate electrode layer using the first sacrificial layer as a mask to form the recessed gate electrode. A third etch is performed to remove the first sacrificial layer after the second etch.

Abstract: In some embodiments, the present disclosure relates to a device that includes an interconnect structure arranged on a frontside of a substrate. The interconnect structure includes interconnect conductive structures embedded within interconnect dielectric layers. A trench extends completely through the substrate to expose multiples ones of the interconnect conductive structures. A bond pad structure is arranged on a backside of the substrate and extends through the trench of the substrate to contact the multiple ones of the interconnect conductive structures. A bonding structure is arranged on the backside of the substrate and electrically contacts the bond pad structure.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present disclosure are directed towards an image sensor. The image sensor comprises a plurality of photodetectors disposed within a substrate. A metal grid layer is disposed over the substrate. The metal grid layer comprises a metal grid structure overlying a central pixel region of the substrate. The metal grid layer continuously extends from the central pixel region to a peripheral pixel region of the substrate that laterally encloses the central pixel region. An upper metal structure is disposed over the metal grid layer. The upper metal structure overlies the peripheral pixel region. The upper metal structure is laterally offset from the metal grid structure. A lower surface of the upper metal structure is disposed vertically over an upper surface of the metal grid structure.

Abstract: Some embodiments relate to an integrated circuit (IC) disposed on a silicon substrate, which includes a well region having a first conductivity type. An epitaxial pillar of SiGe or Ge extends upward from the well region. The epitaxial pillar includes a lower epitaxial region having the first conductivity type and an upper epitaxial region having a second conductivity type, which is opposite the first conductivity type. A dielectric layer is arranged over an upper surface of the substrate and is disposed around the lower epitaxial region to extend over outer edges of the well region. The dielectric layer has inner sidewalls that contact outer sidewalls of the epitaxial pillar. A dielectric sidewall structure has a bottom surface that rests on an upper surface of the dielectric layer and has inner sidewalls that extend continuously from the upper surface of the dielectric layer to a top surface of the epitaxial pillar.

Abstract: In some embodiments, the present disclosure relates to an integrated circuit (IC), including a first insulating layer which includes a first metal interconnect structure stacked above a bottom die. Including a substrate disposed above the first insulating layer, a second metal interconnect structure disposed above the substrate, a through-substrate via (TSV) directly connecting the first metal interconnect structure to the second metal interconnect structure, and a stacked deep trench capacitor (DTC) structure disposed in the substrate. The DTC structure includes a first plurality of trenches extending from a first side of the substrate and a second plurality of trenches extending from a second side of the substrate.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present disclosure are directed towards a method for opening a source line in a memory device. An erase gate line (EGL) and the source line are formed elongated in parallel. The source line underlies the EGL and is separated from the EGL by a dielectric layer. A first etch is performed to form a first opening through the EGL and stops on the dielectric layer. A second etch is performed to thin the dielectric layer at the first opening, wherein the first and second etches are performed with a common mask in place. A silicide process is performed to form a silicide layer on the source line at the first opening, wherein the silicide process comprises a third etch with a second mask in place and extends the first opening through the dielectric layer. A via is formed extending through the EGL to the silicide layer.

Abstract: A semiconductor structure and forming method thereof are provided. The semiconductor structure includes a substrate, a gate dielectric, a gate electrode and dielectric structures. The gate dielectric has a top surface aligned with a top surface of the substrate. The gate electrode is disposed over the substrate and overlaps the gate dielectric. The gate electrode has first segments extending in parallel along a direction. The dielectric structures are disposed over the substrate, overlap the gate dielectric and extend in parallel along the direction. The dielectric structures and the first segments are arranged in an alternating pattern.

Abstract: The present disclosure, in some embodiments, relates to an integrated chip. The integrated chip includes a dielectric stack disposed over a substrate. The dielectric stack has a first plurality of layers interleaved between a second plurality of layers. The dielectric stack has one or more surfaces that define a plurality of indentations recessed into a side of the dielectric stack at different vertical heights corresponding to the second plurality of layers. A capacitor structure lines the one or more surfaces of the dielectric stack. The capacitor structure includes conductive electrodes separated by a capacitor dielectric.