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: In some embodiments, the present disclosure relates to a method that includes forming an isolation structure over a reflector electrode and forming a protective layer over the isolation structure. Further, a first removal process is performed to form a first opening in the protective layer and the isolation structure to expose a first surface of the reflector electrode. A cleaning process is performed to clean the first surface of the reflector electrode. A conductive layer is formed over the protective layer and within the first opening. The conductive layer includes a different material than the protective layer. A second removal process is performed to remove peripheral portions of the protective layer and the conductive layer to form a via structure within the opening, extending through the isolation structure to contact the reflector electrode, and including the protective layer and the conductive layer.

Abstract: A semiconductor memory device and method of making the same are disclosed. The semiconductor memory device includes a substrate that includes a memory region and a peripheral region, a transistor including a metal gate located in the peripheral region, a composite dielectric film structure located over the metal gate of the transistor, the composite dielectric film structure including a first dielectric layer and a second dielectric layer over the first dielectric layer, where the second dielectric layer has a greater density than a density of the first dielectric layer, and at least one memory cell located in the memory region. The composite dielectric film structure provides enhanced protection of the metal gate against etching damage and thereby improves device performance.

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 chip comprising a substrate having a first pair of opposing sidewalls that define a trench. The trench extends into a front-side surface of the substrate. A first source/drain region is disposed along the front-side surface of the substrate. A second source/drain region is disposed along the front-side surface of the substrate. A gate structure is disposed within the trench and is arranged laterally between the first source/drain region and the second source/drain region. The gate structure extends along the first pair of opposing sidewalls to an upper surface of the substrate. A bottom surface of the gate structure is disposed below a bottom surface of the first source/drain region.

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 method of manufacturing a semiconductor device includes: forming a conductive pad region over a substrate; depositing a dielectric layer over the conductive pad region; forming a first passivation layer over the dielectric layer; etching the first passivation layer through the dielectric layer, thereby exposing a first area of the conductive pad region; forming a second passivation layer over the first area of the conductive pad region; and removing portions of the second passivation layer to expose a second area of the conductive pad region.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present disclosure are directed towards an integrated chip. The integrated chip comprises a semiconductor substrate. A semiconductor layer is disposed over the semiconductor substrate. An insulating structure is buried between the semiconductor substrate and the semiconductor layer. The insulating structure has a first region and a second region. The insulating structure has a first thickness in the first region of the insulating structure, and the insulating structure has a second thickness different than the first thickness in the second region of the insulating structure.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present disclosure are directed towards a method for forming a piezoelectric device including a piezoelectric membrane and a plurality of conductive layers. The method includes forming the plurality of conductive layers in the piezoelectric membrane, the plurality of conductive layers are vertically offset one another. A masking layer is formed over the piezoelectric membrane. An etch process is performed according to the masking layer to concurrently expose an upper surface of each conductive layer in the plurality of conductive layers. A plurality of conductive vias are formed over the upper surface of the plurality of conductive layers.

Abstract: A memory device includes an active region, a select gate, a control gate, and a blocking layer. The active region includes a bottom portion and a protruding portion protruding from the bottom portion. A source is in the bottom portion and a drain is in the protruding portion. The select gate is above the bottom portion. A top surface of the select gate is lower than a top surface of the protruding portion. The control gate is above the bottom portion. The blocking layer is between the select gate and the control gate.

Abstract: A method includes depositing a first dielectric layer covering an electrical connector, depositing a second dielectric layer over the first dielectric layer, and performing a first etching process to etch-through the second dielectric layer and the first dielectric layer. An opening is formed in the first dielectric layer and the second dielectric layer to reveal the electrical connector. A second etching process is performed to laterally etch the first dielectric layer and the second dielectric layer. An isolation layer is deposited to extend into the opening. The isolation layer has a vertical portion and a first horizontal portion in the opening, and a second horizontal portion overlapping the second dielectric layer. An anisotropic etching process is performed on the isolation layer, with the vertical portion of the isolation layer being left in the opening.

Abstract: A method includes depositing a first dielectric layer covering an electrical connector, depositing a second dielectric layer over the first dielectric layer, and performing a first etching process to etch-through the second dielectric layer and the first dielectric layer. An opening is formed in the first dielectric layer and the second dielectric layer to reveal the electrical connector. A second etching process is performed to laterally etch the first dielectric layer and the second dielectric layer. An isolation layer is deposited to extend into the opening. The isolation layer has a vertical portion and a first horizontal portion in the opening, and a second horizontal portion overlapping the second dielectric layer. An anisotropic etching process is performed on the isolation layer, with the vertical portion of the isolation layer being left in the opening.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an image sensor. The image sensor includes a substrate and a photodetector in the substrate. The image sensor further includes an absorption enhancement structure. The absorption enhancement structure is defined by a substrate depression along a first side of the substrate. The substrate depression is defined by a first plurality of sidewalls that slope toward a first common point and by a second plurality of sidewalls that slope toward a second common point. The first plurality of sidewalls extend over the second plurality of sidewalls.

Abstract: In some embodiments, the present disclosure relates to an integrated chip (IC). The IC includes a conductive structure disposed within a dielectric structure along a first side of a semiconductor substrate. An insulating structure is disposed along inner sidewalls of the semiconductor substrate. The inner sidewalls of the semiconductor substrate extend through the semiconductor substrate. A blocking layer is disposed along inner sidewalls of the insulating structure. A through-substrate via (TSV) includes a first portion and a second portion. The first portion extends from a second side of the semiconductor substrate to a horizontally-extending surface of the insulating structure that protrudes outward from the inner sidewalls of the insulating structure. The second portion extends from the first portion to the conductive structure and has a maximum width less than that of the first portion.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present disclosure are directed towards an integrated chip including a piezoelectric membrane overlying a substrate. A plurality of conductive layers is disposed within the piezoelectric membrane. The plurality of conductive layers comprises a first conductive layer over a second conductive layer. The first conductive layer comprises a first electrode and the second conductive layer comprises a second electrode. A first conductive via is disposed in the piezoelectric membrane and contacts the first electrode. A second conductive via is disposed in the piezoelectric membrane and contacts the second electrode. A sidewall of the second conductive via comprises a vertical sidewall segment overlying a slanted sidewall segment.

Abstract: In some embodiments, the present disclosure relates to a method of forming a display device, comprising: forming a first reflector electrode and a second reflector electrode over an interconnect structure, wherein the first reflector electrode is laterally separated from the second reflector electrode; depositing a first isolation layer over the first and second reflector electrodes; forming a first masking layer directly overlying the first reflector electrode; depositing a second isolation layer over the first isolation layer and over the first masking layer; forming a second masking layer over the second isolation layer and directly overlying the second reflector electrode; performing a first removal process to remove portions of the first and second isolation layers that do not directly underlie the first or second masking layers; and performing a second removal process to remove the first and second masking layers.

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.