Abstract: A data processing method includes reading a memory device in response to a read command to respectively read multiple portions of predetermined data; respectively writing the portions in a buffer memory to complete data transfers of the portions of the predetermined data; sequentially providing access information corresponding to each portion of the predetermined data in response to completion of the data transfer of the corresponding portion; obtaining the access information of the predetermined data and accordingly generating multiple descriptors in chronological order of obtaining the access information; receiving and buffering the descriptors in a descriptor pool; sequentially selecting a latest descriptor from the descriptor pool according to a tag value and providing the latest descriptor to a direct memory access engine; and reading the buffer memory according to the latest descriptor to obtain at least a portion of the predetermined data by the direct memory access engine.

Abstract: A metal grid within a trench isolation structure on the back side of an image sensor is coupled to a contact pad so that a voltage on the metal grid is continuously variable with a voltage on the contact pad. One or more conductive structures directly couple the metal grid to a contact pad. The conductive structures may bypass a front side of the image sensor. A bias voltage on the metal grid may be varied through the contact pad whereby a trade-off between reducing cross-talk and increasing quantum efficiency may be adjusted dynamically in accordance with the application of the image sensor, its environment of use, or its mode of operation.

Abstract: Some embodiments relate to an image sensor. The image sensor includes a semiconductor substrate including a pixel region and a peripheral region. A backside isolation structure extends into a backside of the semiconductor substrate and laterally surrounds the pixel region. The backside isolation structure includes a metal core, and a dielectric liner separates the metal core from the semiconductor substrate. A conductive feature is disposed over a front side of the semiconductor substrate. A through substrate via extends from the backside of the semiconductor substrate through the peripheral region to contact the conductive feature. The through substrate via is laterally offset from the backside isolation structure. A conductive bridge is disposed beneath the backside of the semiconductor substrate and electrically couples the metal core of the backside isolation structure to the through substrate via.

Abstract: An image sensor includes a pixel and an isolation structure. The pixel includes a photosensitive region and a circuitry region next to the photosensitive region. The isolation structure is located over the pixel, where the isolation structure includes a conductive grid and a dielectric structure covering a sidewall of the conductive grid, and the isolation structure includes an opening or recess overlapping the photosensitive region. The isolation structure surrounds a peripheral region of the photosensitive region.

Abstract: A metal grid within a trench isolation structure on the back side of an image sensor is coupled to a contact pad so that a voltage on the metal grid is continuously variable with a voltage on the contact pad. One or more conductive structures directly couple the metal grid to a contact pad. The conductive structures may bypass a front side of the image sensor. A bias voltage on the metal grid may be varied through the contact pad whereby a trade-off between reducing cross-talk and increasing quantum efficiency may be adjusted dynamically in accordance with the application of the image sensor, its environment of use, or its mode of operation.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an image sensor having an image sensing element surrounded by a BDTI structure, and an associated method of formation. In some embodiments, a first image sensing element and a second image sensing element are arranged next to one another within an image sensing die. A pixel dielectric stack is disposed along a back of the image sensing die overlying the image sensing elements. The pixel dielectric stack includes a first high-k dielectric layer and a second high-k dielectric layer. The BDTI structure is disposed between the first image sensing element and the second image sensing element and extends from the back of the image sensor die to a position within the image sensor die. The BDTI structure includes a trench filling layer surrounded by an isolation dielectric stack. The pixel dielectric stack has a composition different from that of the isolation dielectric stack.

Abstract: A method of operating a user device includes: receiving a command from a user to power on the user device; determining whether the user device is located within a restricted zone through accessing a key server located within the restricted zone by a first monitoring entity of the user device before an operating system of the user device is executed, wherein the key server is configured to store a key for encrypting or decrypting the user device; and granting access of the user to the user device by the first monitoring entity in response to determining the user device as being within the restricted zone through successfully accessing the key server.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an image sensor having an image sensing element surrounded by a BDTI structure, and an associated method of formation. In some embodiments, a first image sensing element and a second image sensing element are arranged next to one another within an image sensing die. A pixel dielectric stack is disposed along a back of the image sensing die overlying the image sensing elements. The pixel dielectric stack includes a first high-k dielectric layer and a second high-k dielectric layer. The BDTI structure is disposed between the first image sensing element and the second image sensing element and extends from the back of the image sensor die to a position within the image sensor die. The BDTI structure includes a trench filling layer surrounded by an isolation dielectric stack. The pixel dielectric stack has a composition different from that of the isolation dielectric stack.

Abstract: Some embodiments relate to an image sensor. The image sensor includes a semiconductor substrate including a pixel region and a peripheral region. A backside isolation structure extends into a backside of the semiconductor substrate and laterally surrounds the pixel region. The backside isolation structure includes a metal core, and a dielectric liner separates the metal core from the semiconductor substrate. A conductive feature is disposed over a front side of the semiconductor substrate. A through substrate via extends from the backside of the semiconductor substrate through the peripheral region to contact the conductive feature. The through substrate via is laterally offset from the backside isolation structure. A conductive bridge is disposed beneath the backside of the semiconductor substrate and electrically couples the metal core of the backside isolation structure to the through substrate via.

Abstract: Image sensors and methods for forming the same are provided. A semiconductor device according to the present disclosure includes a semiconductor layer, a plurality of metal isolation features disposed in the semiconductor layer, a metal grid disposed directly over the plurality of metal isolation features, and a plurality of microlens features disposed over the metal grid.

Abstract: A method of operating a user device includes: receiving a command from a user to power on the user device, wherein the user device includes information on a restricted zone associated with the user device; detecting, by a monitoring entity of the user device without involvement of any device external to the user device, whether the user device is located within the restricted zone in response to the user device being powered on and before an operating system of the user device is executed; and granting access of the user to the user device by the monitoring entity in response to detecting the user device as being within the restricted zone.

Abstract: Trenches in which to form a back side isolation structure for an array of CMOS image sensors are formed by a cyclic process that allows the trenches to be kept narrow. Each cycle of the process includes etching to add a depth segment to the trenches and coating the depth segment with an etch-resistant coating. The following etch step will break through the etch-resistant coating at the bottom of the trench but the etch-resistant coating will remain in the upper part of the trench to limit lateral etching and substrate damage. The resulting trenches have a series of vertically spaced nodes. The process may result in a 10% increase in photodiode area and a 30-40% increase in full well capacity.

Abstract: A method of making a semiconductor structure includes forming a first contact pad over an interconnect structure. The method further includes forming a second contact pad over the interconnect structure, wherein the second contact pad is electrically separated from the first contact pad. The method further includes depositing a first buffer layer over the interconnect structure, wherein the first buffer layer partially covers the second contact pad, and an edge of the second contact pad extends beyond the first buffer layer.

Abstract: An image sensor includes a pixel and an isolation structure. The pixel includes a photosensitive region and a circuitry region next to the photosensitive region. The isolation structure is located over the pixel, where the isolation structure includes a conductive grid and a dielectric structure covering a sidewall of the conductive grid, and the isolation structure includes an opening or recess overlapping the photosensitive region. The isolation structure surrounds a peripheral region of the photosensitive region.

Abstract: A semiconductor device according to the present disclosure includes a semiconductor layer, a plurality of metal isolation features disposed in the semiconductor layer, a metal grid disposed directly over the plurality of metal isolation features, and a plurality of microlens features disposed over the metal grid.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present disclosure are directed towards an image sensor including a plurality of photodetectors disposed within a substrate. The photodetectors are disposed respectively within a plurality of pixel regions. A floating diffusion node is disposed along a front-side surface of the substrate at a middle region of the plurality of pixel regions. A plurality of well regions is disposed within the substrate at corners of the plurality of pixel regions. An isolation structure extends into a back-side surface of the substrate. The isolation structure comprises a plurality of elongated isolation components disposed between adjacent pixel regions, a middle isolation component aligned with the floating diffusion node, and multiple peripheral isolation components aligned with the plurality of well regions. The elongated isolation components have a first height and the middle and peripheral isolation components have a second height less than the first height.

Abstract: An image sensor includes a pixel and an isolation structure. The pixel includes a photosensitive region and a circuitry region next to the photosensitive region. The isolation structure is located over the pixel, where the isolation structure includes a conductive grid and a dielectric structure covering a sidewall of the conductive grid, and the isolation structure includes an opening or recess overlapping the photosensitive region. The isolation structure surrounds a peripheral region of the photosensitive region.

Abstract: In some embodiments, the present disclosure relates to a method for forming an image sensor and associated device structure. A backside deep trench isolation (BDTI) structure is formed in a substrate separating a plurality of pixel regions. The BDTI structure encloses a plurality of photodiodes and comprising a first BDTI component arranged at a crossroad of the plurality of pixel regions and a second BDTI component arranged at remaining peripheries of the plurality of pixel regions. The first BDTI component has a first depth from a backside of the substrate smaller than a second depth of the second BDTI component.

Abstract: A semiconductor structure includes a first contact pad over an interconnect structure. The semiconductor structure further includes a second contact pad over the interconnect structure, wherein the second contact pad is electrically separated from the first contact pad. The semiconductor structure further includes a first buffer layer over the first contact pad, wherein the first buffer layer is partially over the second contact pad, and an edge of the second contact pad farthest from the first contact pad extends beyond the first buffer layer.

Abstract: A semiconductor device is provided. The semiconductor device includes a semiconductor substrate. The semiconductor device includes an isolation structure in the semiconductor substrate. The isolation structure surrounds an active region of the semiconductor substrate. The semiconductor device includes a gate over the semiconductor substrate. The gate is across the active region and extends onto the isolation structure. The semiconductor device includes a support film over the isolation structure. The support film is a continuous film which continuously covers the isolation structure and the gate over the isolation structure.