Abstract: A micro-electromechanical system (MEMS) device includes a movable comb structure located in a cavity within an enclosure, and a stationary structure affixed to the enclosure. The movable comb structure includes a comb shaft portion and movable comb fingers laterally protruding from the comb shaft portion. The movable comb structure includes a metallic material portion. The movable structure and the stationary structure are configured to generate an electrical output signal based on lateral movement of the movable structure relative to the stationary structure.

Abstract: A photonic structure is provided. The photonic structure includes a guiding region, a sensing region, and logic region. The guiding region has a first side and a second side opposite to the first side. The sensing region is disposed on the second side of the guiding region. The logic region is disposed on a side of the sensing region opposite to the guiding region. The guiding region, the sensing region, and the logic region are stacked along a vertical direction. A method for manufacturing the photonic structure is also provided.

Abstract: A method is provided that includes forming a cavity in a substrate. The cavity is formed to extend into the substrate from a first surface to a second surface. Sidewall spacers are formed on sidewalls of the substrate in the cavity. A semiconductor layer is formed on the second surface in the cavity of the substrate, and the semiconductor layer abuts the sidewall spacers in the cavity.

Abstract: A complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) device and method of making including a transistor of a first type formed on a first substrate and a transistor of a second type formed on a second substrate.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes a method for the formation of mirror micro-structures on radiation-sensing regions of image sensor devices. The method includes forming an opening within a front side surface of a substrate; forming a conformal implant layer on bottom and sidewall surfaces of the opening; growing a first epitaxial layer on the bottom and the sidewall surfaces of the opening; depositing a second epitaxial layer on the first epitaxial layer to fill the opening, where the second epitaxial layer forms a radiation-sensing region. The method further includes depositing a stack on exposed surfaces of the second epitaxial layer, where the stack includes alternating pairs of a high-refractive index material layer and a low-refractive index material layer.

Abstract: An integrated circuit includes a photodetector. The photodetector includes one or more dielectric structures positioned in a trench in a semiconductor substrate. The photodetector includes a photosensitive material positioned in the trench and covering the one or more dielectric structures. A dielectric layer covers the photosensitive material. The photosensitive material has an index of refraction that is greater than the indices of refraction of the dielectric structures and the dielectric layer.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes a method for the formation of mirror micro-structures on radiation-sensing regions of image sensor devices. The method includes forming an opening within a front side surface of a substrate; forming a conformal implant layer on bottom and sidewall surfaces of the opening; growing a first epitaxial layer on the bottom and the sidewall surfaces of the opening; depositing a second epitaxial layer on the first epitaxial layer to fill the opening, where the second epitaxial layer forms a radiation-sensing region. The method further includes depositing a stack on exposed surfaces of the second epitaxial layer, where the stack includes alternating pairs of a high-refractive index material layer and a low-refractive index material layer.

Abstract: An integrated circuit includes a photodetector. The photodetector includes one or more dielectric structures positioned in a trench in a semiconductor substrate. The photodetector includes a photosensitive material positioned in the trench and covering the one or more dielectric structures. A dielectric layer covers the photosensitive material. The photosensitive material has an index of refraction that is greater than the indices of refraction of the dielectric structures and the dielectric layer.

Abstract: An integrated circuit includes a photodetector. The photodetector includes a circular optical grating formed in an annular trench in a semiconductor substrate. The circular optical grating includes dielectric fins and photosensitive fins positioned in the annular trench. The circular optical grating is configured to receive incident light and to direct the incident light around the annular trench through the dielectric fins and the photosensitive fins until the light is absorbed by one of the photosensitive fins.

Abstract: Photonic devices and methods having an increased quantum effect length are provided. In some embodiments, a photonic device includes a substrate having a first surface. A cavity extends into the substrate from the first surface to a second surface. A semiconductor layer is disposed on the second surface in the cavity of the substrate, and a cover layer is disposed on the semiconductor layer. The semiconductor layer is configured to receive incident radiation through the substrate and to totally internally reflect the radiation at an interface between the semiconductor layer and the cover layer.

Abstract: An integrated circuit includes a photodetector. The photodetector includes a circular optical grating formed in an annular trench in a semiconductor substrate. The circular optical grating includes dielectric fins and photosensitive fins positioned in the annular trench. The circular optical grating is configured to receive incident light and to direct the incident light around the annular trench through the dielectric fins and the photosensitive fins until the light is absorbed by one of the photosensitive fins.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes a method for the formation of mirror micro-structures on radiation-sensing regions of image sensor devices. The method includes forming an opening within a front side surface of a substrate; forming a conformal implant layer on bottom and sidewall surfaces of the opening; growing a first epitaxial layer on the bottom and the sidewall surfaces of the opening; depositing a second epitaxial layer on the first epitaxial layer to fill the opening, where the second epitaxial layer forms a radiation-sensing region. The method further includes depositing a stack on exposed surfaces of the second epitaxial layer, where the stack includes alternating pairs of a high-refractive index material layer and a low-refractive index material layer.

Abstract: An integrated circuit includes a photodetector. The photodetector includes one or more dielectric structures positioned in a trench in a semiconductor substrate. The photodetector includes a photosensitive material positioned in the trench and covering the one or more dielectric structures. The configuration of the dielectric structures and the photosensitive material promote total internal reflection of light within a passivation layer.

Abstract: A method of forming a trench structure is provided. The method includes depositing a silicon carbide (SiC) layer on a top metal layer, forming a first passivation layer on the SiC layer, removing a portion of the first passivation layer to form a first opening, forming a second passivation layer on the first passivation layer, the second passivation layer including a first portion in the first opening, and forming a second opening by removing a part of the first portion of the second passivation layer. The forming the second opening exposes the top metal layer.

Abstract: A method of forming a trench structure is provided. The method includes depositing a silicon carbide (SiC) layer on a top metal layer, forming a first passivation layer on the SiC layer, removing a portion of the first passivation layer to form a first opening, forming a second passivation layer on the first passivation layer, the second passivation layer including a first portion in the first opening, and forming a second opening by removing a part of the first portion of the second passivation layer. The forming the second opening exposes the top metal layer.

Abstract: A trench structure includes a top metal layer, a silicon carbide (SiC) layer on the top metal layer, a first passivation layer overlying the SiC layer, and a second passivation layer overlying the first passivation layer. The trench structure also includes a first sidewall and a second sidewall that, together with the top metal layer, form a trench. At least one of the first sidewall or the second sidewall includes a sidewall of the second passivation layer and a sidewall of the SiC layer.

Abstract: A method of forming a deep trench in a semiconductor substrate includes: forming a first mask pattern over the semiconductor substrate, in which the first mask pattern has a first opening exposing a portion of the semiconductor substrate; forming a second mask pattern over the first mask pattern, in which the second mask pattern has a second opening substantially aligned with the first opening to expose the portion of the semiconductor substrate, and the second opening has a width greater than a width of the first opening to further expose a portion of the first mask pattern; and removing the portion of the semiconductor substrate, the portion of first mask pattern and another portion of the semiconductor substrate beneath the portion of the first mask pattern to form the deep trench.

Abstract: A method of forming a deep trench in a semiconductor substrate includes: forming a first mask pattern over the semiconductor substrate, in which the first mask pattern has a first opening exposing a portion of the semiconductor substrate; forming a second mask pattern over the first mask pattern, in which the second mask pattern has a second opening substantially aligned with the first opening to expose the portion of the semiconductor substrate, and the second opening has a width greater than a width of the first opening to further expose a portion of the first mask pattern; and removing the portion of the semiconductor substrate, the portion of first mask pattern and another portion of the semiconductor substrate beneath the portion of the first mask pattern to form the deep trench.