Abstract: A device includes two BSI image sensor elements and a third element. The third element is bonded in between the two BSI image sensor elements using element level stacking methods. Each of the BSI image sensor elements includes a substrate and a metal stack disposed over a first side of the substrate. The substrate of the BSI image sensor element includes a photodiode region for accumulating an image charge in response to radiation incident upon a second side of the substrate. The third element also includes a substrate and a metal stack disposed over a first side of the substrate. The metal stacks of the two BSI image sensor elements and the third element are electrically coupled.

Abstract: Some embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a method that achieves a substantially uniform pattern of magnetic random access memory (MRAM) cells with a minimum dimension below the lower resolution limit of some optical lithography techniques. A copolymer solution comprising first and second polymer species is spin-coated over a heterostructure which resides over a surface of a substrate. The heterostructure comprises first and second ferromagnetic layers which are separated by an insulating layer. The copolymer solution is subjected to self-assembly into a phase-separated material comprising a pattern of micro-domains of the second polymer species within a polymer matrix comprising the first polymer species. The first polymer species is then removed, leaving a pattern of micro-domains of the second polymer species. A pattern of magnetic memory cells within the heterostructure is formed by etching through the heterostructure while utilizing the pattern of micro-domains as a hardmask.

Abstract: A transistor includes a substrate, a channel layer over the substrate and an active layer over the channel layer. The active layer includes a gradient having a first concentration of a first material at an interface with the channel layer and a second concentration of the first material at a surface opposite the channel layer, and the first concentration is higher than the second concentration.

Abstract: Some embodiments of the present disclosure relates to a hybrid gate dielectric layer that has good interface and bulk dielectric properties. Surface traps can degrade device performance and cause large threshold voltage shifts in III-N HEMTs. This disclosure uses a hybrid ALD (atomic layer deposited)-oxide layer which is a combination of H2O-based and O3/O2-based oxide layers that provide both good interface and good bulk dielectric properties to the III-N device. The H2O-based oxide layer provides good interface with the III-N surface, whereas the O3/O2-based oxide layer provides good bulk properties.

Abstract: Some embodiments of the present disclosure relates to a crystalline passivation layer for effectively passivating III-N surfaces. Surface passivation of HEMTs reduces or eliminates the surface effects that can otherwise degrade device performance. The crystalline passivation layer reduces the degrading effects of surface traps and provides a good interface between a III-nitride surface and an insulator (e.g., gate dielectric formed over the passivation layer).

Abstract: A transistor includes a substrate, a channel layer over the substrate and an active layer over the channel layer. The active layer includes a first portion and a screen layer over the first portion. The transistor includes a metal layer over the screen layer.

Abstract: Some embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a method that achieves a substantially uniform pattern of discrete storage elements within a memory cell. A copolymer solution comprising first and second polymer species is spin-coated onto a surface of a substrate and subjected to self-assembly into a phase-separated material comprising a regular pattern of micro-domains of the second polymer species within a polymer matrix comprising the first polymer species. The second polymer species is then removed resulting with a pattern of holes within the polymer matrix. An etch is then performed through the holes utilizing the polymer matrix as a hard-mask to form a substantially identical pattern of holes in a dielectric layer disposed over a seed layer disposed over the substrate surface. Epitaxial deposition onto the seed layer then utilized to grow a substantially uniform pattern of discrete storage elements within the dielectric layer.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a substrate, a channel layer over the substrate, an active layer over the channel layer, a gate structure over the active layer, and a barrier layer between the gate structure and the active layer. The active layer is configured to cause a two dimensional electron gas (2DEG) to be formed in the channel layer along an interface between the channel layer and the active layer. The gate structure is configured to deplete the 2DEG under the gate structure. The gate structure includes a dopant. The barrier layer is configured to block diffusion of the dopant from the gate structure into the active layer.

Abstract: A transistor includes a substrate, a channel layer over the substrate and an active layer over the channel layer. The active layer includes a first portion and a screen layer over the first portion. The transistor includes a metal layer over the screen layer.

Abstract: Some embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a method that achieves a substantially uniform pattern of discrete storage elements comprising a substantially equal size within a memory cell. A copolymer solution comprising first and second polymer species is spin-coated onto a surface of a substrate and subjected to self-assembly into a phase-separated material comprising a regular pattern of micro-domains of the second polymer species within a polymer matrix comprising the first polymer species. The first or second polymer species is then removed resulting with a pattern of micro-domains or the polymer matrix with a pattern of holes, which may be utilized as a hard-mask to form a substantially identical pattern of discrete storage elements through an etch, ion implant technique, or a combination thereof.

Abstract: A transistor includes a substrate, a channel layer over the substrate and an active layer over the channel layer. The active layer includes a gradient having a first concentration of a first material at an interface with the channel layer and a second concentration of the first material at a surface opposite the channel layer, and the first concentration is higher than the second concentration.

Abstract: Alignment systems, and wafer bonding alignment systems and methods are disclosed. In some embodiments, an alignment system for a wafer bonding system includes means for monitoring an alignment of a first wafer and a second wafer, and means for adjusting a position of the second wafer. The alignment system includes means for feeding back a relative position of the first wafer and the second wafer to the means for adjusting the position of the second wafer before and during a bonding process for the first wafer and the second wafer.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a substrate, a channel layer over the substrate, an active layer over the channel layer, and a barrier structure between the substrate and the channel layer. The active layer is configured to cause a two dimensional electron gas (2DEG) to be formed in the channel layer along an interface between the channel layer and the active layer. The barrier structure is configured to block diffusion of at least one of a material of the substrate or a dopant toward the channel layer.

Abstract: A method for forming a backside illuminated photo-sensitive device includes forming a gradated sacrificial buffer layer onto a sacrificial substrate, forming a uniform layer onto the gradated sacrificial buffer layer, forming a second gradated buffer layer onto the uniform layer, forming a silicon layer onto the second gradated buffer layer, bonding a device layer to the silicon layer, and removing the gradated sacrificial buffer layer and the sacrificial substrate.

Abstract: A transistor includes a substrate, a channel layer over the substrate, an active structure over the channel layer, a gate electrode over the channel layer, and a drain electrode over the channel layer. The active structure is configured to cause a two dimensional electron gas (2DEG) to be formed in the channel layer along an interface between the channel layer and the active structure. The gate electrode and the drain electrode define a first space therebetween. The substrate has a first portion directly under the first space defined between the gate electrode and the drain electrode, and the first portion has a first electrical conductivity value less than that of intrinsic silicon and a thermal conductivity value greater than that of intrinsic silicon.

Abstract: A transistor includes a substrate and a buffer layer on the substrate, wherein the buffer layer comprises p-type dopants. The transistor further includes a channel layer on the buffer layer and a back-barrier layer between a first portion of the channel layer and a second portion of the channel layer. The back-barrier layer has a band gap discontinuity with the channel layer. The transistor further includes an active layer on the second portion of the channel layer, wherein the active layer has a band gap discontinuity with the second portion of the channel layer. The transistor further includes a two dimensional electron gas (2-DEG) in the channel layer adjacent an interface between the channel layer and the active layer.

Abstract: A transistor includes a substrate and a graded layer on the substrate, wherein the graded layer is doped with p-type dopants. The transistor further includes a superlattice layer (SLS) on the graded layer, wherein the SLS has a p-type dopant concentration equal to or greater than 1×1019 ions/cm3. The transistor further includes a buffer layer on the SLS, wherein the buffer layer comprises p-type dopants. The transistor further includes a channel layer on the buffer layer and an active layer on the second portion of the channel layer, wherein the active layer has a band gap discontinuity with the second portion of the channel layer.

Abstract: A method includes holding bonded wafers by a wafer holding module. A gap between the bonded wafers along an edge is filled with a protection material.

Abstract: A transistor includes a substrate, wherein a top portion of the substrate is doped with p-type dopants to a dopant concentration ranging from about 1×1018 ions/cm3 to about 1×1023 ions/cm3. The transistor further includes a graded layer on the substrate and a channel layer on the graded layer. The transistor further includes an active layer on the channel layer, wherein the active layer has a band gap discontinuity with the channel layer.

Abstract: A package component includes a surface dielectric layer including a planar top surface, a metal pad in the surface dielectric layer and including a second planar top surface level with the planar top surface, and an air trench on a side of the metal pad. The sidewall of the metal pad is exposed to the air trench.