Abstract: A semiconductor device with a through-silicon via comprises a substrate with a front side and a backside and a through-silicon via penetrating the substrate with a circular shape on the front side and a corner-rounded rectangular shape on the back side.

Abstract: A method for fabricating a through-silicon via comprises the following steps. Provide a substrate. Form a through silicon hole in the substrate having a diameter of at least 1 ?m and a depth of at least 5 ?m. Perform a first chemical vapor deposition process with a first etching/deposition ratio to form a dielectric layer lining the bottom and sidewall of the through silicon hole and the top surface of the substrate. Perform a shape redressing treatment with a second etching/deposition ratio to change the profile of the dielectric layer. Repeat the first chemical vapor deposition process and the shape redressing treatment at least once until the thickness of the dielectric layer reaches to a predetermined value.

Abstract: A semiconductor device comprises a substrate, a through-silicon via (TSV) penetrating the substrate, at least one first interconnect structure traversing the TSV from the top and dividing a region right above the TSV into several sub-regions and being configured for interconnect routing of an active device and a plurality of second interconnect structures occupying the sub-regions right above the TSV and being configured for electrically coupling the TSV to a higher-level interconnect.

Abstract: A readout device is adapted for dual-band sensing, and includes an amplifier, two direct injection (DI) readout circuits to be respectively connected to two sensors, and a switching module. Through operation of the switching module, one of the DI readout circuits can be electrically connected to the amplifier, and cooperate with the other DI readout circuit to achieve a dual-band sensing feature.

Abstract: A method for fabricating an image sensor device is disclosed. The method for fabricating an image sensor device comprises forming a photosensitive layer on a substrate. The photosensitive layer is exposed through a first photomask to form an exposed portion and an unexposed portion. The unexposed portion is partially exposed through a second photomask to form a trimmed part, wherein the second photomask comprise a first segment and a second segment that has a transmittance greater than that of the first segment. The trimmed part is removed to form photosensitive structures. The photosensitive structures are reflowed to form a first microlens and a second microlens having different heights.

Abstract: A method for fabricating an image sensor device is disclosed. The method for fabricating an image sensor device comprises forming a photosensitive layer on a substrate. The photosensitive layer is exposed through a first photomask to form an exposed portion and an unexposed portion. The unexposed portion is partially exposed through a second photomask to form a trimmed part, wherein the second photomask comprise a first segment and a second segment that has a transmittance greater than that of the first segment. The trimmed part is removed to form photosensitive structures. The photosensitive structures are reflowed to form a first microlens and a second microlens having different heights.

Abstract: According to an embodiment of the invention, an electronic device with a fuse structure is provided. The electronic device includes a substrate, at least a conducting layer formed in or on the substrate and having a fuse area, and at least a lens disposed overlying the fuse area of the conducting layer, wherein the lens is substantially aligned with the fuse area and there is no optical device disposed between the lens and the fuse area.

Abstract: A light sensing element having two functions is provided for a high-speed image scanning system to scan a document, including a set of matrix light-sensing cells for detecting a scanning location for the scanned document, thereby feeding the sensed signals to control the scanning location and scanning speed, and at least one set of trilinear light-sensing cells for sensing an document, thereby acquiring image signals.

Abstract: An air gap structure and formation method for substantially reducing capacitance in a dual damascene based interconnect structure is disclosed. The air gap extends above, and may also additionally extend below, the damascene interconnects desired to be isolated thus minimizing fringing fields between the lines. Multiple levels of the integrated air gap structure can be fabricated to accommodate multiple metal levels.

Abstract: Accordingly, a method of adjusting the visibility of a display is disclosed. The method comprises detecting whether any button is pressed. If a button is pressed, a display shows a first group of pictures and the back light is ignited. A surrounding luminance is compared with a first threshold. If the surrounding luminance is larger than the first threshold, a second group of pictures is presented on the display. The second group of pictures is typically less complex than the first group of pictures. The surrounding luminance is further compared with a second threshold. If the surrounding luminance is larger than the second threshold, the back light is intensified to increase the visibility of the images.

Abstract: An air gap structure and formation method for substantially reducing the undesired capacitance between adjacent interconnects, metal lines or other features in an integrated circuit device is disclosed. The air gap extends above, and may also additionally extend below, the interconnects desired to be isolated thus minimizing fringing fields between the lines. The integrated air gap structure and formation method can be utilized in conjunction with either damascene or conventional integrated circuit metallization schemes. Also, multiple levels of the integrated air gap structure can be fabricated to accommodate multiple metal levels while always ensuring that physical dielectric layer support is provided to the device structure underlying the interconnects.

Abstract: An air gap structure substantially reduces undesired capacitance between adjacent interconnects, metal lines or other features in an integrated circuit device. The air gap extends above, and may also additionally extend below, the interconnects desired to be isolated thus minimizing fringing fields between the lines. The integrated air gap structure can be utilized in conjunction with a tungsten plug process. Also, multiple levels of the integrated air gap structure can be fabricated to accommodate multiple metal levels while always ensuring that physical dielectric layer support is provided to the device structure underlying the interconnects.

Abstract: An air gap structure and formation method for substantially reducing the undesired capacitance between adjacent interconnects, metal lines or other features in an integrated circuit device is disclosed. The air gap extends above, and may also additionally extend below, the interconnects desired to be isolated thus minimizing fringing fields between the lines. The integrated air gap structure and formation method can be utilized in conjunction with a tungsten plug process. Also, multiple levels of the integrated air gap structure can be fabricated to accommodate multiple metal levels while always ensuring that physical dielectric layer support is provided to the device structure underlying the interconnects.

Abstract: An improved electro-chemical deposition copper (ECD-Cu) apparatus and a method of preventing cavities in an ECD-Cu thin film are provided. The electro-chemical deposition apparatus has a bath tank, an anode positioned in the bath tank, and a spin plate for positioning a semiconductor wafer that is used as a cathode. The method, by alternating a spin direction of the spin plate between a clockwise direction and a counterclockwise direction, every 1 to 10 seconds, prevents an electrolyte solution of the bath tank from forming a stable vortex, and suppresses a phenomenon of forming cavities in the ECD-Cu thin film when bubbles of the vortex adhere to the wafer surface.

Abstract: A light sensing element having two functions is provided for a high-speed image scanning system to scan a document, including a set of matrix light-sensing cells for detecting a scanning location for the scanned document, thereby feeding the sensed signals to control the scanning location and scanning speed, and at least one set of trilinear light-sensing cells for sensing an document, thereby acquiring image signals.

Abstract: A method of chemical-mechanical polishing for forming a shallow trench isolation is disclosed. A substrate having a number of active regions, including a number of relatively large active regions and a number of relative small active regions, is provided. The method comprises the following steps. A silicon nitride layer on the substrate is formed. A number of shallow trenches are formed between the active regions one or more of which may constitute an alignment mark. An oxide layer is formed over the substrate, so that the shallow trenches are filled with the oxide layer. A partial reverse active mask is formed on the oxide layer. The partial reverse active mask exposes a portion of the oxide layer over the large active area and over the alignment mark. The oxide layer of each large active region and the alignment mark is removed. The partial reverse active mask is removed. The oxide layer is planarized.

Abstract: An air gap structure and formation method for substantially reducing the undesired capacitance between adjacent interconnects, metal lines or other features in an integrated circuit device is disclosed. The air gap extends above, and may also additionally extend below, the interconnects desired to be isolated thus minimizing fringing fields between the lines. The integrated air gap structure and formation method can be utilized in conjunction with either damascene or conventional integrated circuit metallization schemes. Also, multiple levels of the integrated air gap structure can be fabricated to accommodate multiple metal levels while always ensuring that physical dielectric layer support is provided to the device structure underlying the interconnects.

Abstract: An air gap structure and formation method for substantially reducing the undesired capacitance between adjacent interconnects, metal lines or other features in an integrated circuit device is disclosed. The air gap extends above, and may also additionally extend below, the interconnects desired to be isolated thus minimizing fringing fields between the lines. The integrated air gap structure and formation method can be utilized in conjunction with either damascene or conventional integrated circuit metallization schemes. Also, multiple levels of the integrated air gap structure can be fabricated to accommodate multiple metal levels while always ensuring that physical dielectric layer support is provided to the device structure underlying the interconnects.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for forming low dielectric constant inter-metal dielectric layer. The method includes providing a semiconductor substrate and forming a first dielectric layer on the semiconductor substrate. Conductor structures are formed in the first dielectric layer. The partial first dielectric layer is removed by using the conductor structures as etching mask. A second dielectric layer is formed between the conductor structures, which has a dielectric constant smaller than the first dielectric layer. The second dielectric layer also alternatively has air voids contained therein to reduce dielectric constant.

Abstract: The present invention disclosed a method for manufacturing a semiconductor device on a semiconductor substrate, the method comprising the steps of: forming a gate dielectric layer on the semiconductor substrate. A gate is formed on the gate dielectric layer. A first ion implantation is performed to form extended source and drain shallow junctions in the semiconductor substrate. Spacer are formed on the side wall of the gate with liner between the gate and the spacers. The source and drain region is formed by performing a second ion implantation. A thermal annealing is used to eliminate the implantation defect and active the dopants. A surface treatment is used to form selective polycrystalline silicon on the gate and the source and drain region, thereby forming raised source and drain. A Cobalt layer is formed on the selective polycrystalline silicon.