Abstract: A semiconductor structure is provided. The semiconductor structure includes a substrate, a channel, and a semiconductor device. The channel is in the substrate for a fluid to flow through and includes a first channel portion having a first volume, a second channel portion having a second volume, and a third channel portion connecting the first channel portion to the second channel portion. The third channel portion has a third volume smaller than the first volume and the second volume. The semiconductor device is vertically over the channel.

Abstract: A photodetector disclosed herein includes an N-doped waveguide structure defined in a semiconductor material, wherein the N-doped waveguide structure comprises a plurality of first fins. Each adjacent pair of the plurality of first fins is separated by a trench formed in the semiconductor material. The photodetector also includes a detector structure positioned on the N-doped waveguide structure, wherein a portion of the detector structure is positioned laterally between the plurality of first fins. The detector structure comprises a single crystal semiconductor material. The photodetector also includes a first diffusion region that extends from the bottom surface of the trench into the semiconductor material, wherein the first diffusion region comprises atoms of the single crystal semiconductor material of the detector structure.

Abstract: One illustrative photodetector disclosed herein includes an N-doped waveguide structure defined in a semiconductor material, the N-doped waveguide structure comprising a plurality of first fins, and a detector structure positioned on the N-doped waveguide structure, wherein a portion of the detector structure is positioned laterally between the plurality of first fins. In this example, the photodetector also includes at least one N-doped contact region positioned in the semiconductor material and a P-doped contact region positioned in the detector structure.

Abstract: A photodetector disclosed herein includes an N-doped waveguide structure defined in a semiconductor material, wherein the N-doped waveguide structure comprises a plurality of first fins. Each adjacent pair of the plurality of first fins is separated by a trench formed in the semiconductor material. The photodetector also includes a detector structure positioned on the N-doped waveguide structure, wherein a portion of the detector structure is positioned laterally between the plurality of first fins. The detector structure comprises a single crystal semiconductor material. The photodetector also includes a first diffusion region that extends from the bottom surface of the trench into the semiconductor material, wherein the first diffusion region comprises atoms of the single crystal semiconductor material of the detector structure.

Abstract: A photodetector disclosed herein includes an N-doped waveguide structure defined in a semiconductor material, wherein the N-doped waveguide structure comprises a plurality of first fins. Each adjacent pair of the plurality of first fins is separated by a trench formed in the semiconductor material. The photodetector also includes a detector structure positioned on the N-doped waveguide structure, wherein a portion of the detector structure is positioned laterally between the plurality of first fins. The detector structure comprises a single crystal semiconductor material. The photodetector also includes a first diffusion region that extends from the bottom surface of the trench into the semiconductor material, wherein the first diffusion region comprises atoms of the single crystal semiconductor material of the detector structure.

Abstract: One illustrative photodetector disclosed herein includes an N-doped waveguide structure defined in a semiconductor material, the N-doped waveguide structure comprising a plurality of first fins, and a detector structure positioned on the N-doped waveguide structure, wherein a portion of the detector structure is positioned laterally between the plurality of first fins. In this example, the photodetector also includes at least one N-doped contact region positioned in the semiconductor material and a P-doped contact region positioned in the detector structure.

Abstract: A photodetector disclosed herein includes an N-doped waveguide structure defined in a semiconductor material, wherein the N-doped waveguide structure comprises a plurality of first fins. Each adjacent pair of the plurality of first fins is separated by a trench formed in the semiconductor material. The photodetector also includes a detector structure positioned on the N-doped waveguide structure, wherein a portion of the detector structure is positioned laterally between the plurality of first fins. The detector structure comprises a single crystal semiconductor material. The photodetector also includes a first diffusion region that extends from the bottom surface of the trench into the semiconductor material, wherein the first diffusion region comprises atoms of the single crystal semiconductor material of the detector structure.

Abstract: Through-substrate vias (TSVs) extend through a high resistivity semiconductor substrate laterally spaced and isolated from an active device formed over the substrate by deep trench isolation (DTI) structures. The deep trench isolation structures may extend partially or entirely through the substrate, and may include an air gap. The deep trench isolation structures entirely surround the active device and the TSVs.

Abstract: Through-substrate vias (TSVs) extend through a high resistivity semiconductor substrate laterally spaced and isolated from an active device formed over the substrate by deep trench isolation (DTI) structures. The deep trench isolation structures may extend partially or entirely through the substrate, and may include an air gap. The deep trench isolation structures entirely surround the active device and the TSVs.

Abstract: A device for electromagnetic treatment of maladies including a plurality of electromagnetic radiation (EMR) sources including a first EMR source operable to emit EMR having a peak emission wavelength of within a first wavelength range from 605 nanometers (nm) to 665 nm, a second EMR source operable to emit EMR having a peak emission wavelength within a second wavelength range from 502 nm to 562 nm, and a third EMR source operable to emit EMR having a peak emission wavelength within a third wavelength range from 375 nm to 435 nm. The device further includes a controller coupled to the plurality of EMR sources and operable to control the operation of each EMR source of the plurality of EMR sources responsive to an input and an input device coupled to the controller operable to conveying an input to the controller.

Abstract: Wafers for fabrication of devices that include a body contact, device structures with a body contact, methods for forming a wafer that supports the fabrication of devices that include a body contact, and methods for forming a device structure that includes a body contact. The wafer includes a buried oxide layer and a semiconductor layer on the buried oxide layer. The semiconductor layer includes a section with a top surface and a plurality of islands projecting from the section of the semiconductor layer into the buried oxide layer. The section of the semiconductor layer is located vertically between the islands of the semiconductor layer and the top surface of the semiconductor layer.

Abstract: Wafers for fabrication of devices that include a body contact, device structures with a body contact, methods for forming a wafer that supports the fabrication of devices that include a body contact, and methods for forming a device structure that includes a body contact. The wafer includes a buried oxide layer and a semiconductor layer on the buried oxide layer. The semiconductor layer includes a section with a top surface and a plurality of islands projecting from the section of the semiconductor layer into the buried oxide layer. The section of the semiconductor layer is located vertically between the islands of the semiconductor layer and the top surface of the semiconductor layer.

Abstract: Device structures for field-effect transistors and methods of forming device structures for a field-effect transistor. A first dielectric layer is formed on a semiconductor layer and nitrided. A nitrogen-enriched layer is formed at a first interface between the first dielectric layer and the semiconductor layer. Another nitrogen-enriched layer is formed at a second interface between the semiconductor layer and a second dielectric layer. Device structures may include field-effect transistors that include one, both, and/or neither of the nitrogen-enriched layers.

Abstract: An adjustable polarity laser device may treat cancer and other conditions that are responsive to polarized laser energy. The device provides both low-level laser and electrical stimulation of a treatment area, such as a tumor to promote the body's natural defense systems against harmful cells in the treatment area. The device produces low-level laser beams that are polarized with either birefringent or electrically conductive materials disposed in the path of the laser beams. Electrically conductive polarizers are charged by an electric current to impart polarity on the passing laser beams. Treatment methods include applying polarized laser energy to the targeted treatment area. The polarization of each laser beam may be selected and alternated as necessary for the condition being treated. Additionally, photodynamic compounds or photosensitizing agents can be administered to the patient prior to applying polarized laser energy.

Abstract: A sweeper apparatus includes a brush frame with first and second sides and a top surface. A brush roll is supported on the brush frame and is adapted for rotation to dislodge snow or other debris from an associated surface. A brush hood is connected to the brush frame and includes a hood surface located between the top surface and the brush roll. The hood surface extends between the first and second lateral sides of the brush frame and is selectively movable between an up position and a down position. A stripper bar is connected to the brush hood and is movable with the hood surface when the hood surface moves between its down and up positions. At least one actuator is operably connected between the brush frame and the brush hood and is selectively operable to move the hood surface between its up and down positions.

Abstract: A trench capacitor structure in which arsenic contamination is substantially reduced and/or essentially eliminated from diffusing into a semiconductor substrate along sidewalls of a trench opening having a high aspect ratio is provided. The present invention also provides a method of fabricating such a trench capacitor structure as well as a method for detecting the arsenic contamination during the drive-in annealing step. The detection of arsenic for product running through the manufacturing lines uses the effect of arsenic enhanced oxidation. That is, the high temperature oxidation anneal used to drive arsenic into the semiconductor substrate is monitored for thickness. For large levels of arsenic outdiffusion, the oxidation rate will increase resulting in a thicker oxide layer. If such an event is detected, the product that has been through the process steps to form the buried plate up to the drive-in anneal, can be reworked to reduce arsenic contamination.

Abstract: A trench capacitor structure in which arsenic contamination is substantially reduced and/or essentially eliminated from diffusing into a semiconductor substrate along sidewalls of a trench opening having a high aspect ratio is provided. The present invention also provides a method of fabricating such a trench capacitor structure as well as a method for detecting the arsenic contamination during the drive-in annealing step. The detection of arsenic for product running through the manufacturing lines uses the effect of arsenic enhanced oxidation. That is, the high temperature oxidation anneal used to drive arsenic into the semiconductor substrate is monitored for thickness. For large levels of arsenic outdiffusion, the oxidation rate will increase resulting in a thicker oxide layer. If such an event is detected, the product that has been through the process steps to form the buried plate up to the drive-in anneal, can be reworked to reduce arsenic contamination.

Abstract: A device for iontophoresis. A first battery-powered array is submerged into a liquid contained in a first reservoir and a second battery-powered array is submerged into a liquid contained in a second reservoir. Each array has one or more degradable electrodes that releases ions into the liquid in the reservoir. The electrodes can be copper, zinc, steel, nickel, or a combination thereof. At the first array one of the electrodes can be positively charged while at the second array one of the electrodes can be negatively charged. Alternatively, an electrode at the second array can be positively charged while an electrode at the first array is negatively charged. The solution in the reservoir may also contain positively or negatively charged ions. Powering the arrays causes the charged molecules contained in the liquid to transport through a patient's skin.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a gate dielectric layer. The method includes: providing a substrate; forming a silicon dioxide layer on a top surface of the substrate; performing a plasma nitridation in a reducing atmosphere to convert the silicon dioxide layer into a silicon oxynitride layer. The dielectric layer so formed may be used in the fabrication of MOSFETs.

Abstract: A method for treating a patient with laser energy to improve hearing loss. The method involves applying laser energy to the patient's spine, preferably by sweeping a linear laser beam over the patient's skin. The method may alternatively include applying laser energy to the patient's jaw, skull, ears, or a combination thereof. The laser device used for treating the patient is preferably a hand-held probe that moves freely relative to the patient's skin and can generate more than one wavelength of laser energy. In the preferred treatment, the patient is treated with a hand-held probe that emits two laser beams, one laser beam producing a pulsed line of red laser light and the other producing a pulsed line of green laser light. In the preferred embodiment, the patient's upper back, cervical vertebrae, cranial nerves, and temporomandibular joints are treated with laser energy for a total of less than 20 minutes in a single treatment.