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: Various embodiments of the present application are directed towards a method for forming a semiconductor-on-insulator (SOI) substrate with a thick device layer and a thick insulator layer. In some embodiments, the method includes forming an insulator layer covering a handle substrate, and epitaxially forming a device layer on a sacrificial substrate. The sacrificial substrate is bonded to a handle substrate, such that the device layer and the insulator layer are between the sacrificial and handle substrates, and the sacrificial substrate is removed. The removal includes performing an etch into the sacrificial substrate until the device layer is reached. Because the device layer is formed by epitaxy and transferred to the handle substrate, the device layer may be formed with a large thickness. Further, because the epitaxy is not affected by the thickness of the insulator layer, the insulator layer may be formed with a large thickness.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present application are directed towards a method for forming a semiconductor-on-insulator (SOI) substrate comprising a trap-rich layer with small grain sizes, as well as the resulting SOI substrate. In some embodiments, an amorphous silicon layer is deposited on a high-resistivity substrate. A rapid thermal anneal (RTA) is performed to crystallize the amorphous silicon layer into a trap-rich layer of polysilicon in which a majority of grains are equiaxed. An insulating layer is formed over the trap-rich layer. A device layer is formed over the insulating layer and comprises a semiconductor material. Equiaxed grains are smaller than other grains (e.g., columnar grains). Since a majority of grains in the trap-rich layer are equiaxed, the trap-rich layer has a high grain boundary area and a high density of carrier traps. The high density of carrier traps may, for example, reduce the effects of parasitic surface conduction (PSC).

Abstract: A system and method for forming pixels in an image sensor is provided. In an embodiment, a semiconductor device includes an image sensor including a first pixel region and a second pixel region in a substrate, the first pixel region being adjacent to the second pixel region. A first anti-reflection coating is over the first pixel region, the first anti-reflection coating reducing reflection for a first wavelength range of incident light. A second anti-reflection coating is over the second pixel region, the second anti-reflection coating reducing reflection for a second wavelength range of incident light that is different from the first wavelength range.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a semiconductor structure. The semiconductor structure comprises a semiconductive substrate and an interconnect structure over the semiconductive substrate. The semiconductor structure also comprises a bond pad in the semiconductive substrate and coupled to the metal layer. The bond pad comprises two conductive layers.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present application are directed towards a method for workpiece-level alignment with low alignment error and high throughput. In some embodiments, the method comprises aligning a first alignment mark on a first workpiece to a field of view (FOV) of an imaging device based on feedback from the imaging device, and further aligning a second alignment mark on a second workpiece to the first alignment mark based on feedback from the imaging device. The second workpiece is outside the FOV during the aligning of the first alignment mark. The aligning of the second alignment mark is performed without moving the first alignment mark out of the FOV. Further, the imaging device views the second alignment mark, and further views the first alignment mark through the second workpiece, during the aligning of the second alignment mark. The imaging device may, for example, perform imaging with reflected infrared radiation.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device includes: providing a substrate including a first semiconductive region of a first conductive type and gate structures over the first semiconductive region, where a gap between the gate structures exposes a portion of the first semiconductive region; and forming a second semiconductive region of a second conductive type in the gap starting from the exposed portion of the first semiconductive region. The forming of the second semiconductive region includes: growing, in a chamber, an epitaxial silicon-rich layer with a first growth rate around a sidewall adjacent to the gate structures that is greater than a second growth rate at a central portion; and, in the chamber, partially removing the epitaxial silicon-rich layer with an etchant with a first etching rate around the sidewall adjacent to the gate structures that is greater than a second etching rate at the central portion.

Abstract: A structure includes first and second substrates, first and second stress buffer layers, and a post-passivation interconnect (PPI) structure. The first and second substrates include first and second semiconductor substrates and first and second interconnect structures on the first and second semiconductor substrates, respectively. The second interconnect structure is on a first side of the second semiconductor substrate. The first substrate is bonded to the second substrate at a bonding interface. A via extends at least through the second semiconductor substrate into the second interconnect structure. The first stress buffer layer is on a second side of the second semiconductor substrate opposite from the first side of the second semiconductor substrate. The PPI structure is on the first stress buffer layer and is electrically coupled to the via. The second stress buffer layer is on the PPI structure and the first stress buffer layer.

Abstract: An apparatus for and a method of bonding a first substrate and a second substrate are provided. In an embodiment a first wafer chuck has a first curved surface and a second wafer chuck has a second curved surface. A first wafer is placed on the first wafer chuck and a second wafer is placed on a second wafer chuck, such that both the first wafer and the second wafer are pre-warped prior to bonding. Once the first wafer and the second wafer have been pre-warped, the first wafer and the second wafer are bonded together.

Abstract: An interconnect apparatus and a method of forming the interconnect apparatus is provided. Two substrates, such as wafers, dies, or a wafer and a die, are bonded together. A first mask is used to form a first opening extending partially to an interconnect formed on the first wafer. A dielectric liner is formed, and then another etch process is performed using the same mask. The etch process continues to expose interconnects formed on the first substrate and the second substrate. The opening is filled with a conductive material to form a conductive plug.

Abstract: A silicon-on-insulator (SOI) substrate includes a semiconductor substrate and a multi-layered polycrystalline silicon structure. The multi-layered polycrystalline silicon structure is disposed over the semiconductor substrate. The multi-layered polycrystalline silicon structure includes a plurality of polycrystalline silicon layers stacked over one another, and a native oxide layer between each adjacent pair of polycrystalline silicon layers.

Abstract: A representative method of manufacturing a silicon-on-insulator (SOI) substrate includes steps of depositing an etch stop layer on a dummy wafer, growing an epitaxial silicon layer on the etch stop layer, forming a gettering layer on the epitaxial silicon layer, bonding a buried oxide layer of a main wafer to the gettering layer, and removing the dummy wafer and etch stop layer to expose the epitaxial silicon layer. The SOI substrate has an epitaxial silicon layer adjoining the gettering layer, with the gettering layer interposed between the buried oxide layer and the epitaxial silicon layer.

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: A method for fabricating a semiconductor device includes providing a first wafer comprising a substrate and a first semiconductor material layer, bonding the first wafer to a second wafer, the second wafer comprising a sacrificial layer and a second semiconductor material layer, removing the sacrificial layer, patterning the bonded wafers to create a first structure and a second structure, removing the second semiconductor material from the first structure, forming a first type of transistor in the first semiconductor material of the first structure, and forming a second type of transistor in the second semiconductor material of the second structure.

Abstract: A composite semiconductor substrate includes a semiconductor substrate, an oxygen-doped crystalline semiconductor layer and an insulative layer. The oxygen-doped crystalline semiconductor layer is over the semiconductor substrate, and the oxygen-doped crystalline semiconductor layer includes a crystalline semiconductor material and a plurality of oxygen dopants. The insulative layer is over the oxygen-doped crystalline semiconductor layer.

Abstract: A method of semiconductor wafer bonding and system thereof are proposed. A first alignment mark of a first semiconductor wafer is aligned with a second alignment mark of a second semiconductor wafer. A partial attachment is performed between the first semiconductor wafer and the second semiconductor wafer. A scanning is performed along a direction substantially parallel to a surface of the first semiconductor wafer. It is determined if a bonding defect of the partially attached first semiconductor wafer and the second semiconductor wafer exists.

Abstract: The present disclosure, in some embodiments, relates to an image sensor integrated chip. The image sensor integrated chip includes an image sensing element arranged within a substrate. One or more isolation structures are arranged within one or more trenches disposed on opposing sides of the image sensing element. The one or more isolation structures extend from a first surface of the substrate to within the substrate. The one or more isolation structures respectively include a reflective element configured to reflect electromagnetic radiation.

Abstract: The present disclosure, in some embodiments, relates to a silicon on insulator (SOI) substrate. The SOI substrate includes a dielectric layer disposed over a first substrate. The dielectric layer has an outside edge aligned with an outside edge of the first substrate. An active layer covers a first annular portion of an upper surface of the dielectric layer. The upper surface of the dielectric layer has a second annular portion that surrounds the first annular portion and extends to the outside edge of the dielectric layer. The second annular portion is uncovered by the active layer.

Abstract: Some embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a method in which a functional layer is formed over an upper semiconductor surface of a semiconductor substrate, and a capping layer is formed over the functional layer. A first etchant is used to form a recess through the capping layer and through the functional layer. The recess has a first depth and exposes a portion of the semiconductor substrate there through. A protective layer is formed along a lower surface and inner sidewalls of the recess. A second etchant is used to remove the protective layer from the lower surface of the recess and to extend the recess below the upper semiconductor surface to a second depth to form a deep trench. To prevent etching of the functional layer, the protective layer remains in place along the inner sidewalls of the recess while the second etchant is used.

Abstract: A backside illumination (BSI) image sensor and a method of forming the same are provided. A method includes forming a plurality of photosensitive pixels in a substrate, the substrate having a first surface and a second surface, the second surface being opposite the first surface, the substrate having one or more active devices on the first surface. A first portion of the second surface is protected. A second portion of the second surface is patterned to form recesses in the substrate. An anti-reflective layer is formed on sidewalls of the recesses. A metal grid is formed over the second portion of the second surface, the anti-reflective layer being interposed between the substrate and the metal grid.