Abstract: A method includes forming a dummy gate stack on a semiconductor fin, forming gate spacers on sidewalls of the dummy gate stack, forming a first inter-layer dielectric, with the gate spacers and the dummy gate stack being in the first inter-layer dielectric, removing the dummy gate stack to form a trench between the gate spacers, forming a replacement gate stack in the trench, and depositing a dielectric capping layer. A bottom surface of the dielectric capping layer contacts a first top surface of the replacement gate stack and a second top surface of the first inter-layer dielectric. A second inter-layer dielectric is deposited over the dielectric capping layer. A source/drain contact plug is formed and extends into the second inter-layer dielectric, the dielectric capping layer, and the first inter-layer dielectric.

Abstract: Some embodiments relate to an integrated circuit (IC) device including a substrate having first photodetector groups respectively associated with a plurality of color pixels and second photodetector groups respectively associated with a plurality of phase detection pixels. Each of the first and second photodetector groups includes one or more photodetectors. The device further includes a grid structure over the substrate, color filters over the substrate, and a crosstalk reduction structure. The grid structure includes light shields, each configured to redirect light away from a corresponding one of the second photodetector groups. Each color filter vertically spans the grid structure at a corresponding one of the first photodetector groups. The crosstalk reduction structure is level with the color filters and limits an amount of the light redirected by the light shield of each of the phase detection pixels to the first photodetector group of a neighboring one of the color pixels.

Abstract: A voltage provision circuit includes a first NMOS transistor gated with a first control signal and sourced with a ground voltage, a second NMOS transistor gated with a second control signal complementary to the first control signal and sourced with the ground voltage, a first PMOS transistor sourced with a first supply voltage, a second PMOS transistor sourced with the first supply voltage, and a voltage modulation circuit that is coupled between the first to second PMOS transistors and the first to second NMOS transistors, and is configured to provide a first intermediate signal based on the first and second control signals. The first intermediate signal has a first logic state corresponding to the first supply voltage and a second logic state corresponding to a second supply voltage that is a fraction of the first supply voltage.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a memory device, a semiconductor device, and a method of operating a memory device. A memory device includes a memory cell, a bit line, a word line, a select transistor, a fuse element, and a heater. The bit line is connected to the memory cell. The word line is connected to the memory cell. The select transistor is disposed in the memory cell. A gate of the select transistor is connected to the word line. The fuse element is disposed in the memory cell. The fuse element is connected to the bit line and the select transistor. The heater is configured to heat the fuse element.

Abstract: A string of shingled solar cells is disclosed. The string of shingled solar cells has flexible joints connecting the solar cells made from cured liquid polymeric adhesive. An electrically conductive interconnect passes through the flexible joint. The string of shingled solar cells also has interconnect reinforcements made from cured liquid polymeric adhesive to improve interconnect adhesion to the front surface of the solar cells.

Abstract: In some embodiments, an image sensor is provided. The image sensor includes a photodetector disposed in a semiconductor substrate. A wave guide filter having a substantially planar upper surface is disposed over the photodetector. The wave guide filter includes a light filter disposed in a light filter grid structure. The light filter includes a first material that is translucent and has a first refractive index. The light filter grid structure includes a second material that is translucent and has a second refractive index less than the first refractive index.

Abstract: In some embodiments, the present disclosure relates to an integrated chip structure. The integrated chip structure includes forming a first image sensor element within a first substrate and a second image sensor element within a second substrate. The first image sensor element is configured to generate electrical signals from electromagnetic radiation within a first range of wavelengths and the second image sensor element is configured to generate electrical signals from electromagnetic radiation within a second range of wavelengths. A plurality of deposition processes are performed to form a band-pass filter over the second substrate. The band-pass filter has a plurality of alternating layers of a first material having a first refractive index and a second material having a second refractive index that is less than the first refractive index. The first substrate is bonded to the band-pass filter.

Abstract: A multi-fuse memory cell is disclosed. The circuit includes: a first fuse element electrically coupled to a first transistor, a gate of the first transistor is electrically coupled to a first selection signal; a second fuse element electrically coupled to a second transistor, a gate of the second transistor is electrically coupled to a second selection signal, both the first transistor and the second transistor are grounded; and a programming transistor electrically coupled to the first fuse element and the second fuse element, wherein a gate of the programming transistor is electrically coupled to a programming signal.

Abstract: A plurality of holes in a top surface of a silicon medium form a plurality of sub-meta lenses to result in multiple focal points rather than a single point (resulting from using a single meta lens). As a result, optical paths for incoming light are reduced as compared with a single optical path associated with a single meta lens, which in turn reduces angular response of incident photons. Thus, a pixel sensor including the plurality of sub-meta lenses experiences improved light focus and greater signal-to-noise ratio. Additionally, dimensions of the pixel sensor are reduced (particularly a height of the pixel sensor), which allows for greater miniaturization of an image sensor that includes the pixel sensor.

Abstract: The present disclosure, in some embodiments, relates to an integrated chip. The integrated chip includes a substrate having an image sensor region arranged between sidewalls of the substrate that form one or more trenches. One or more dielectric materials are arranged along the sidewalls of the substrate that form the one or more trenches. A reflective region is disposed within the one or more trenches and laterally surrounded by the one or more dielectric materials. The reflective region includes a plurality of reflective portions that are arranged at different vertical positions within the reflective region and that have different reflective properties.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present application are directed towards an image sensor including a wavelength tunable narrow band filter, as well as methods for forming the image sensor. In some embodiments, the image sensor includes a substrate, a first photodetector, a second photodetector, and a filter. The first and second photodetectors neighbor in the substrate. The filter overlies the first and second photodetectors and includes a first distributed Bragg reflector (DBR), a second DBR, and a first interlayer between the first and second DBRs. A thickness of the first interlayer has a first thickness value overlying the first photodetector and a second thickness value overlying the second photodetector. In some embodiments, the filter is limited to a single interlayer. In other embodiments the filter further includes a second interlayer defining columnar structures embedded in the first interlayer and having a different refractive index than the first interlayer.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides an electrochemical measuring method. The method includes: providing a biochemical test chip including: an insulating substrate; an electrode unit, located on the insulating substrate and including a working electrode and a counter electrode; a first insulating septum, located on the electrode unit and having an opening at least partially exposing the electrode unit; a reactive layer, located at the opening and electrically connected to the electrode unit; and a second insulating septum, located on the first insulating septum, and reacting the reactive layer with a target analyte as a primary reaction. During the primary reaction, the counter electrode undergoes a self-redox reaction without interfering with the primary reaction, the self-redox reaction allows the counter electrode capable of receiving or releasing additional electrons, and a current density of the counter electrode is greater than a current density of the working electrode.

Abstract: This disclosure provides systems, methods, and devices for image signal processing that support eye detection based image frame blending. In a first aspect, a method of image processing includes receiving a plurality of image frames and determining locations for one or more eyes depicted within the image frames. A first image frame may be selected from among the plurality of frames based on the locations of the one or more eyes. And output image frame may be determined by blending at least a subset of the plurality of image frames with the first image frame. In particular implementations, the first image frame may be used as an anchor frame for a multi-frame noise reduction (MFNR) process. Other aspects and features are also claimed and described.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present application are directed to a narrow band filter with high transmission and an image sensor comprising the narrow band filter. In some embodiments, the filter comprises a first distributed Bragg reflector (DBR), a second DBR, a defect layer between the first and second DBRs, and a plurality of columnar structures. The columnar structures extend through the defect layer and have a refractive index different than a refractive index of the defect layer. The first and second DBRs define a low transmission band, and the defect layer defines a high transmission band dividing the low transmission band. The columnar structures shift the high transmission band towards lower or higher wavelengths depending upon a refractive index of the columnar structures and a fill factor of the columnar structures.

Abstract: A semiconductor structure includes a source/drain (S/D) feature disposed in a semiconductor layer, a metal gate stack (MG) disposed in a first interlayer dielectric (ILD) layer and adjacent to the S/D feature, a second ILD layer disposed over the MG, and an S/D contact disposed over the S/D feature. The semiconductor structure further includes an air gap disposed between a sidewall of a bottom portion of the S/D contact and the first ILD layer, where a sidewall of a top portion of the S/D contact is in direct contact with the second ILD layer.

Abstract: Methods for reading a memory are provided. In response to a first address signal, a first signal is obtained according to first data of the memory and a second signal is obtained according to second data of the memory by a decoding circuit. Binary representation of the first signal is complementary to that of the second signal. A first sensing signal is provided according to a reference signal and the first signal and a second sensing signal is provided according to the reference signal and the second signal by a sensing circuit. An output corresponding to the first sensing signal or the second sensing signal is output in response to a control signal, by an output buffer.

Abstract: A fusible structure includes: a metal line in a first metal layer extending along a first direction; and a first dummy structure disposed proximal to the metal line relative to a second direction, the second direction being perpendicular to the first direction, the first dummy structure being in a second metal layer. Relative to the first direction, the metal line includes first, second and third portions, the second portion being between the first portion and third portion. Relative to a third direction that is perpendicular to the first direction and the second direction, the first portion has a first thickness and the second portion has a second thickness, the first thickness being greater than the second thickness.

Abstract: A memory circuit includes a non-volatile memory cell, a comparator and a detection circuit. The comparator is coupled to the non-volatile memory cell, and configured to generate a first output signal. The comparator including a first input terminal and a first output terminal. The first input terminal is coupled to the non-volatile memory cell by a first node, and configured to receive a first voltage. The first output terminal is configured to output the first output signal. The detection circuit is coupled to the comparator and the non-volatile memory cell. The detection circuit is configured to latch the first output signal and disrupt a current path between at least the non-volatile memory cell and the comparator. The detection circuit includes a first inverter coupled to the first output terminal of the comparator and configured to generate an inverted first output signal.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a biochemical test chip, including an insulating substrate, an electrode unit, a first insulating septum, a reactive layer and a second insulating septum. The electrode unit is located on the insulating substrate. The electrode unit includes a working electrode and a counter electrode. A current density of the counter electrode is greater than a current density of the working electrode. The first insulating septum is located on the electrode unit. The first insulating septum has an opening, which at least partially exposes the electrode unit. The reactive layer is located in the opening and is electrically connected to the electrode unit. The second insulating septum is located on the first insulating septum.

Abstract: An integrated circuit (IC) package includes a first integrated circuit (IC) device. An interconnection structure is disposed over the first IC device in a cross-sectional side view. The interconnection structure includes a plurality of interconnection components. A cavity is disposed in the interconnection structure in the cross-sectional side view. A second IC device is disposed at least partially within the cavity in the cross-sectional side view. The second IC device is electrically coupled to the first IC device through at least a subset of the interconnection components of the interconnection structure. A non-metallic material partially fills the cavity. The second IC device is at least partially surrounded by the non-metallic material in the cross-sectional side view and in a top view.