Abstract: The present invention discloses a method for determining a maximum value of a heart rate data of a user performing a physical activity. Acquire first heart rate data in a first duration of the physical activity performed by the user. Acquire motion data in the first duration of the physical activity performed by the user. Calculate second heart rate data based on the motion data in the first duration of the physical activity performed by the user by a mathematical model and estimate the maximum value of the heart rate data of the user based on a comparison between the first first heart rate data and the second heart rate data.

Abstract: In an embodiment, a device includes: a first semiconductor strip over a substrate, the first semiconductor strip including a first channel region; a second semiconductor strip over the substrate, the second semiconductor strip including a second channel region; a dielectric strip disposed between the first semiconductor strip and the second semiconductor strip, a width of the dielectric strip decreasing along a first direction extending away from the substrate, the dielectric strip including a void; and a gate structure extending along the first channel region, along the second channel region, and along a top surface and sidewalls of the dielectric strip.

Abstract: A low latency free-space optical data communication channel has at least one optical collimator for transmitting an optical communication signal in the form of a parallel beam across a free-space channel. The input of the collimator includes a connectorized optical fiber pigtail for connecting said collimator to a glass optical fiber carrying the signal to be transmitted across the free-space channel. The optical beam propagates in free space along the longitudinal axis of a raceway, which is at least partially enclosed. The second optical collimator located at the distant end of said raceway, is positioned to receive the free-space optical communication signal. The received signal is focused into a second optical fiber pigtail at the output side of the collimator, thereby resulting in a pigtailed free-space low latency optical channel link.

Abstract: A method includes bonding a first package component over a second package component, dispensing a first underfill between the first package component and the second package component, and bonding a third package component over the second package component. A second underfill is between the third package component and the second package component. The first underfill and the second underfill are different types of underfills.

Abstract: An integrated-type coupled inductor is applied to a related manufacturing method and includes a lead frame, a first coil, a second coil and a magnetic packing component. The lead frame has a first surface and a second surface opposite to each other and includes four pins. The first coil is disposed on the first surface and coupled to two of the four pins. The second coil is disposed on the second surface and coupled to other pins. The magnetic packing component covers the first coil and the second coil to expose parts of the four pins.

Abstract: A patch cord for transmitting between a single mode fiber (SMF) and a multi-mode fiber (MMFs) has a MMF, SMF, and a photonic crystal fiber (PCF) with a hollow core placed between the SMF and MMF. A mode field diameter (MFD) of the PCF hollow core section is in the range of 16 to 19 microns, the length of the PCF is between 1 cm to 10 cm, the MMF has 50+2 microns core diameter, the SMF has a 6-9 microns core diameter, and the coupling between the PCF mode to the MMF fundamental mode is maximized.

Abstract: An antenna includes a first radiating arm comprising a first radiating element having a first outer edge, and a second radiating arm that is arranged orthogonally on the first radiating arm and separated from the first radiating arm in a first direction, the second radiating arm comprising a second radiating element having a second outer edge. The first outer edge of the first radiating element extends substantially parallel to the second outer edge of the second radiating element.

Abstract: Semiconductor structures and methods of forming the same are provided. In one embodiment, a semiconductor structure includes an active region over a substrate, a gate structure disposed over the active region, and a gate contact that includes a lower portion disposed over the gate structure and an upper portion disposed over the lower portion.

Abstract: A method includes placing a wafer into a process chamber, and depositing a silicon nitride layer on a base layer of the wafer. The process of depositing the silicon nitride layer includes introducing a silicon-containing precursor into the process chamber, purging the silicon-containing precursor from the process chamber, introducing hydrogen radicals into the process chamber, purging the hydrogen radicals from the process chamber; introducing a nitrogen-containing precursor into the process chamber, and purging the nitrogen-containing precursor from the process chamber.

Abstract: Semiconductor structures and methods for manufacturing the same are provided. The semiconductor structure includes first nanostructures surrounded by a first gate structure, and a first source/drain (S/D) structure adjacent to the first gate structure. The semiconductor structure includes a first contact structure formed over a first side of the first S/D structure, and a second contact structure formed over a second side of the first S/D structure. The second contact structure includes a first portion and a second portion. The first portion and the second portion are made of different materials. The first S/D structure has a first width. The second portion has a second width. The first width is smaller than the second width.

Abstract: To reduce a thickness variation of a spin-on coating (SOC) layer that is applied over a plurality of first and second trenches with different pattern densities as a bottom layer in a photoresist stack, a two-step thermal treatment process is performed on the SOC layer. A first thermal treatment step in the two-step thermal treatment process is conducted at a first temperature below a cross-linking temperature of the SOC layer to cause flow of the SOC layer, and a second thermal treatment step in the two-step thermal treatment process is conducted at a second temperature to cause cross-linking of the SOC layer.

Abstract: A method includes providing a structure having source/drain electrodes and a first dielectric layer over the source/drain electrodes; forming a first etch mask covering a first area of the first dielectric layer; performing a first etching process to the first dielectric layer, resulting in first trenches over the source/drain electrodes; filling the first trenches with a second dielectric layer that has a different material than the first dielectric layer; removing the first etch mask; performing a second etching process including isotropic etching to the first area of the first dielectric layer, resulting in a second trench above a first one of the source/drain electrodes; depositing a metal layer into at least the second trench; and performing a chemical mechanical planarization (CMP) process to the metal layer.

Abstract: A semiconductor structure includes first and second epitaxial features, at least one semiconductor channel layer connecting the first and second epitaxial features, and a gate structure engaging the semiconductor channel layer. The first and second epitaxial features, the semiconductor channel layer, and the gate structure are at a frontside of the semiconductor structure. The semiconductor structure also includes a backside metal wiring layer at a backside of the semiconductor structure, and a backside conductive contact electrically connecting the first epitaxial feature to the backside metal wiring layer. The backside metal wiring layer is spaced away from the gate structure with an air gap therebetween.

Abstract: A method having a semiconductor substrate received and a first dielectric layer is formed over the semiconductor substrate. A trench is formed in the first dielectric layer. The trench is filled to form a conductive layer in the first dielectric layer. The conductive layer is segmented to form a first conductive feature and a second conductive feature separated from each other by a recess. The recess is filled with a second dielectric layer, such that one or both of the conductive features are end-capped by a portion of the first dielectric layer and a portion of the second dielectric layer.

Abstract: In an embodiment, an interposer has a first side, a first integrated circuit device attached to the first side of the interposer with a first set of conductive connectors, each of the first set of conductive connectors having a first height, a first die package attached to the first side of the interposer with a second set of conductive connectors, the second set of conductive connectors including a first conductive connector and a second conductive connector, the first conductive connector having a second height, the second conductive connector having a third height, the third height being different than the second height, a first dummy conductive connector being between the first side of the interposer and the first die package, an underfill disposed beneath the first integrated circuit device and the first die package, and an encapsulant disposed around the first integrated circuit device and the first die package.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a source/drain portion, a metal silicide layer disposed over the source/drain portion, and a transition layer disposed between the source/drain portion and the metal silicide layer. The transition layer includes implantation elements, and an atomic concentration of the implantation elements in the transition layer is higher than that in each of the source/drain portion and the metal silicide layer so as to reduce a contact resistance between the source/drain portion and the metal silicide layer. Methods for manufacturing the semiconductor device are also disclosed.

Abstract: A semiconductor structure includes a solder resist layer disposed on a circuit substrate and partially covering contact pads of the circuit substrate, and external terminals disposed on the solder resist layer and extending through the solder resist layer to land on the contact pads. The external terminals include a first external terminal and a second external terminal which have different heights. A first interface between the first external terminal and corresponding one of the contact pads underlying the first external terminal is less than a second interface between the second external terminal and another corresponding one of the contact pads underlying the second external terminal.

Abstract: Methods of forming through vias for providing connections between a front-side of a substrate and a backside of the substrate and semiconductor devices including the same are disclosed. In an embodiment, a semiconductor device includes a gate structure on a substrate; a first isolation feature extending partially through the gate structure; a first conductive feature extending through the first isolation feature; and a second conductive feature extending partially through the gate structure, the second conductive feature being electrically coupled to the first conductive feature.

Abstract: A method is provided for forming a contact plug by bottom-up metal growth. In one step, a substrate is etched to form a contact hole that exposes a silicon-containing feature in the substrate. In one step, a silicide layer is formed on the silicon-containing feature. In one step, a metal seed layer is formed over the silicide layer. In one step, a metal contact layer is deposited over the metal seed layer to form the contact plug in the contact hole.

Abstract: A semiconductor structure and a method of forming the same are provided. In an embodiment, an exemplary semiconductor structure includes a gate structure disposed over a channel region of an active region, a drain feature disposed over a drain region of the active region; a source feature disposed over a source region of the active region, a backside source contact disposed under the source feature, an isolation feature disposed on and in contact with the source feature, a drain contact disposed over and electrically coupled to the drain feature, and a gate contact via disposed over and electrically coupled to the gate structure. A distance between the gate contact via and the drain contact is greater than a distance between the gate contact via and the isolation feature. The exemplary semiconductor structure would have a reduced parasitic capacitance and an enlarged leakage window.