Abstract: In some embodiments, apparatuses and methods are provided herein useful to the sortation of products using a conveyor assembly.

Abstract: The disclosed subject matter relates to semiconductor devices for use in optoelectronic/photonic applications and integrated circuit (IC) chips. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to photonic devices having thermally conductive layers for the removal of heat from optoelectronic components in the photonic devices.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to semiconductor structures and, more particularly, to electrostatic discharge devices and methods of manufacture. The structure includes: a plurality of regions of a first dopant type; insulator material separating each region of the plurality of regions of the first dopant type; and a substrate contacting the plurality of regions of the first dopant type, the substrate comprising a base region of a second dopant type different than the first dopant type and an outer segment surrounding the plurality of regions of the first dopant type, the outer segment comprises an electrical resistivity higher than the second dopant type.

Abstract: The disclosed subject matter relates to semiconductor devices for use in optoelectronic/photonic applications and integrated circuit (IC) chips. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to photonic devices having thermally conductive layers for the removal of heat from optoelectronic components in the photonic devices.

Abstract: Disclosed is a chip structure that includes heater. The heater includes a heating element with a first end and a second end and, between the first and second ends, different portions with different cross-sectional areas. The heating element further includes first and second terminals at the first and second ends, respectively. Current flowing through the heating element between the first and second terminals causes the heating element to generate heat. However, due to the different cross-sectional areas of the different portions, the current densities through those different portions are different and, thus, the different portions of the heating element generate different amounts of heat per unit length. The heating element can be designed and placed on-chip to facilitate local thermal tuning of different regions of a device or of different devices without requiring multiple different heating elements within a relatively small chip area. Also disclosed is an associated method.

Abstract: Disclosed is a chip structure that includes heater. The heater includes a heating element with a first end and a second end and, between the first and second ends, different portions with different cross-sectional areas. The heating element further includes first and second terminals at the first and second ends, respectively. Current flowing through the heating element between the first and second terminals causes the heating element to generate heat. However, due to the different cross-sectional areas of the different portions, the current densities through those different portions are different and, thus, the different portions of the heating element generate different amounts of heat per unit length. The heating element can be designed and placed on-chip to facilitate local thermal tuning of different regions of a device or of different devices without requiring multiple different heating elements within a relatively small chip area. Also disclosed is an associated method.

Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure provide a system for providing a true random number (TRN) or physically unclonable function (PUF), including: an array of voltage controlled magnetic anisotropy (VCMA) cells; a voltage pulse tuning circuit for generating and applying a stochastically tuned voltage pulse to the VCMA cells in the array of VCMA cells, wherein the stochastically tuned voltage pulse has a magnitude and duration that provides a 50%-50% switching distribution of the VCMA cells in the array of VCMA cells; and a bit output system for reading a state of each of the VCMA cells in the array of VCMA cells to provide a TRN or PUF.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to semiconductor structures and, more particularly, to electrostatic discharge devices and methods of manufacture. The structure includes: a plurality of regions of a first dopant type; insulator material separating each region of the plurality of regions of the first dopant type; and a substrate contacting the plurality of regions of the first dopant type, the substrate comprising a base region of a second dopant type different than the first dopant type and an outer segment surrounding the plurality of regions of the first dopant type, the outer segment comprises an electrical resistivity higher than the second dopant type.

Abstract: A structure includes a first source/drain region and a second source/drain region in a semiconductor body; and a trench isolation between the first and second source/drain regions in the semiconductor body. A first doping region is about the first source/drain region, a second doping region about the second source/drain region, and the trench isolation is within the second doping region. A third doping region is adjacent to the first doping region and extend partially into the second doping region to create a charge trap section. A gate conductor of a gate structure is over the trench isolation and the first, second, and third doping regions. The charge trap section creates a charge controlled e-fuse operable by applying a stress voltage to the gate conductor.

Abstract: A structure includes a first source/drain region and a second source/drain region in a semiconductor body; and a trench isolation between the first and second source/drain regions in the semiconductor body. A first doping region is about the first source/drain region, a second doping region about the second source/drain region, and the trench isolation is within the second doping region. A third doping region is adjacent to the first doping region and extend partially into the second doping region to create a charge trap section. A gate conductor of a gate structure is over the trench isolation and the first, second, and third doping regions. The charge trap section creates a charge controlled e-fuse operable by applying a stress voltage to the gate conductor.

Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure provide a system for providing a true random number (TRN) or physically unclonable function (PUF), including: an array of voltage controlled magnetic anisotropy (VCMA) cells; a voltage pulse tuning circuit for generating and applying a stochastically tuned voltage pulse to the VCMA cells in the array of VCMA cells, wherein the stochastically tuned voltage pulse has a magnitude and duration that provides a 50%-50% switching distribution of the VCMA cells in the array of VCMA cells; and a bit output system for reading a state of each of the VCMA cells in the array of VCMA cells to provide a TRN or PUF.

Abstract: An interconnect structure includes an insulator stack on an upper surface of a semiconductor substrate. The insulator stack includes a first insulator layer having at least one semiconductor device embedded therein and an etch stop layer interposed between the first insulator layer and a second insulator layer. At least one electrically conductive local contact extends through each of the second insulator layer, etch stop layer and, first insulator layer to contact the at least one semiconductor device. The interconnect structure further includes at least one first layer contact element disposed on the etch stop layer and against the at least one conductive local contact.

Abstract: An interconnect structure includes an insulator stack on an upper surface of a semiconductor substrate. The insulator stack includes a first insulator layer having at least one semiconductor device embedded therein and an etch stop layer interposed between the first insulator layer and a second insulator layer. At least one electrically conductive local contact extends through each of the second insulator layer, etch stop layer and, first insulator layer to contact the at least one semiconductor device. The interconnect structure further includes at least one first layer contact element disposed on the etch stop layer and against the at least one conductive local contact.

Abstract: An interconnect structure includes an insulator stack on an upper surface of a semiconductor substrate. The insulator stack includes a first insulator layer having at least one semiconductor device embedded therein and an etch stop layer interposed between the first insulator layer and a second insulator layer. At least one electrically conductive local contact extends through each of the second insulator layer, etch stop layer and, first insulator layer to contact the at least one semiconductor device. The interconnect structure further includes at least one first layer contact element disposed on the etch stop layer and against the at least one conductive local contact.

Abstract: An interconnect structure includes an insulator stack on an upper surface of a semiconductor substrate. The insulator stack includes a first insulator layer having at least one semiconductor device embedded therein and an etch stop layer interposed between the first insulator layer and a second insulator layer. At least one electrically conductive local contact extends through each of the second insulator layer, etch stop layer and, first insulator layer to contact the at least one semiconductor device. The interconnect structure further includes at least one first layer contact element disposed on the etch stop layer and against the at least one conductive local contact.

Abstract: An interconnect structure includes an insulator stack on an upper surface of a semiconductor substrate. The insulator stack includes a first insulator layer having at least one semiconductor device embedded therein and an etch stop layer interposed between the first insulator layer and a second insulator layer. At least one electrically conductive local contact extends through each of the second insulator layer, etch stop layer and, first insulator layer to contact the at least one semiconductor device. The interconnect structure further includes at least one first layer contact element disposed on the etch stop layer and against the at least one conductive local contact.

Abstract: An interconnect structure includes an insulator stack on an upper surface of a semiconductor substrate. The insulator stack includes a first insulator layer having at least one semiconductor device embedded therein and an etch stop layer interposed between the first insulator layer and a second insulator layer. At least one electrically conductive local contact extends through each of the second insulator layer, etch stop layer and, first insulator layer to contact the at least one semiconductor device. The interconnect structure further includes at least one first layer contact element disposed on the etch stop layer and against the at least one conductive local contact.

Abstract: One method disclosed includes, among other things, forming a gate structure above an active region of a semiconductor substrate, performing an epitaxial deposition process to form an epi semiconductor material on the active region in the source/drain region of the device, performing an etching process on the epi semiconductor material to remove a portion of the epi semiconductor material so as to define at least one epi recess in the epi semiconductor material, forming a metal silicide layer on the upper surface of the epi semiconductor material and in the at least one epi recess in the epi semiconductor material, and forming a conductive structure that is conductively coupled to the metal silicide layer.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a source/drain region, a gate structure, a gate cap layer positioned above the gate structure and a sidewall spacer positioned adjacent to opposite sides of the gate structure. A first epi semiconductor material is positioned in the source/drain region, the first epi semiconductor material having a first lateral width at an upper surface thereof. A second epi semiconductor material is positioned on the first epi semiconductor material, the second epi semiconductor material extending laterally over and covering at least a portion of an uppermost end of the sidewall spacer and having a second lateral width at an upper surface thereof that is greater than the first lateral width. A metal silicide region is positioned on the upper surface of the second epi semiconductor material.

Abstract: A method includes forming a raised isolation structure with a recess above a substrate, forming a gate structure above the fin, forming a plurality of spaced-apart buried fin contact structures within the recess that have an outer perimeter surface that contacts at least a portion of an interior perimeter surface of the recess and forming at least one source/drain contact structure for each of the buried fin contact structures. One device includes a plurality of spaced-apart buried fin contact structures positioned within a recess in a raised isolation structure on opposite sides of a gate structure. The upper surface of each of the buried fin contact structures is positioned below an upper surface of the raised isolation structure and an outer perimeter surface of each of the buried fin contact structures contacts at least a portion of an interior perimeter surface of the recess.