Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an image sensor having a photodiode surrounded by a back-side deep trench isolation (BDTI) structure, and an associated method of formation. In some embodiments, a plurality of pixel regions is disposed within an image sensing die and respectively comprises a photodiode configured to convert radiation into an electrical signal. The photodiode comprises a photodiode doping column with a first doping type surrounded by a photodiode doping layer with a second doping type that is different than the first doping type. A BDTI structure is disposed between adjacent pixel regions and extending from the back-side of the image sensor die to a position within the photodiode doping layer. The BDTI structure comprises a doped liner with the second doping type and a dielectric fill layer. The doped liner lines a sidewall surface of the dielectric fill layer.

Abstract: In some embodiments, the present disclosure relates to a method for forming an integrated chip (IC), including forming a plurality of image sensing elements including a first doping type within a substrate, performing a first removal process to form deep trenches within the substrate, the deep trenches separating the plurality of image sensing elements from one another, performing an epitaxial growth process to form an isolation epitaxial precursor including a first material within the deep trenches and to form a light absorbing layer including a second material different than the first material within the deep trenches and between sidewalls of the isolation epitaxial precursor, performing a dopant activation process on the light absorbing layer and the isolation epitaxial precursor to form a doped isolation layer including a second doping type opposite the first doping type, and filling remaining portions of the deep trenches with an isolation filler structure.

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 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: In some embodiments, the present disclosure relates to an integrated chip that includes a semiconductor device, a polysilicon isolation structure, and a first and second insulator liner. The semiconductor device is disposed on a frontside of a substrate. The polysilicon isolation structure continuously surrounds the semiconductor device and extends from the frontside of the substrate towards a backside of the substrate. The first insulator liner and second insulator liner respectively surround a first outermost sidewall and a second outermost sidewall of the polysilicon isolation structure. The substrate includes a monocrystalline facet arranged between the first and second insulator liners. A top of the monocrystalline facet is above bottommost surfaces of the polysilicon isolation structure, the first insulator liner, and the second insulator liner.

Abstract: Photodetectors, transistors, and metal interconnect structures may be formed on a front side of the semiconductor substrate. A trench is formed through a backside surface of the semiconductor substrate toward the front side by an anisotropic etch process, which provides a vertical or tapered surface with a first root-mean-square surface roughness greater than 0.5 nm. A single crystalline semiconductor liner is deposited by performing an epitaxial growth process at a growth temperature less than 500 degrees Celsius on the vertical or tapered surface of the trench. A physically exposed side surface of the single crystalline semiconductor liner may have a second root-mean-square surface roughness less than 0.5 nm. At least one dielectric metal oxide liner having a uniform thickness may be formed on the physically exposed side surface to provide a uniform negatively charged film, which may be advantageously used to reduce dark current and white pixels.

Abstract: In some embodiments, the present disclosure relates to an integrated chip, including a substrate, a first image sensing element and a second image sensing element arranged next to one another over the substrate, the first image sensing element and the second image sensing element having a first doping type, and a backside deep trench isolation (BDTI) structure arranged between the first and second image sensing elements and including a first isolation epitaxial layer setting an outermost sidewall of the BDTI structure and having the first doping type, a second isolation epitaxial layer arranged along inner sidewalls of the first isolation epitaxial layer and having a second doping type different than the first doping type, and an isolation filler structure filling between inner sidewalls of the second isolation epitaxial layer.

Abstract: Photodetectors, transistors, and metal interconnect structures may be formed on a front side of the semiconductor substrate. A trench is formed through a backside surface of the semiconductor substrate toward the front side by an anisotropic etch process, which provides a vertical or tapered surface with a first root-mean-square surface roughness greater than 0.5 nm. A single crystalline semiconductor liner is deposited by performing an epitaxial growth process at a growth temperature less than 500 degrees Celsius on the vertical or tapered surface of the trench. A physically exposed side surface of the single crystalline semiconductor liner may have a second root-mean-square surface roughness less than 0.5 nm. At least one dielectric metal oxide liner having a uniform thickness may be formed on the physically exposed side surface to provide a uniform negatively charged film, which may be advantageously used to reduce dark current and white pixels.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present application are directed to a method for forming a thin semiconductor-on-insulator (SOI) substrate without implantation radiation and/or plasma damage. In some embodiments, a device layer is epitaxially formed on a sacrificial substrate and an insulator layer is formed on the device layer. The insulator layer may, for example, be formed with a net charge that is negative or neutral. 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. The sacrificial substrate is removed, and the device layer is cyclically thinned until the device layer has a target thickness. Each thinning cycle comprises oxidizing a portion of the device layer and removing oxide resulting from the oxidizing.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present application are directed to a method for forming a semiconductor-on-insulator (SOI) device with an impurity competing layer to absorb potential contamination metal particles during an annealing process, and the SOI structure thereof. In some embodiments, an impurity competing layer is formed on the dummy substrate. An insulation layer is formed over a support substrate. A front side of the dummy wafer is bonded to the insulation layer. An annealing process is performed and the impurity competing layer absorbs metal from an upper portion of the dummy substrate. Then, a majority portion of the dummy substrate is removed including the impurity competing layer, leaving a device layer of the dummy substrate on the insulation layer.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present application are directed to a method for forming a thin semiconductor-on-insulator (SOI) substrate without implantation radiation and/or plasma damage. In some embodiments, a device layer is epitaxially formed on a sacrificial substrate and an insulator layer is formed on the device layer. The insulator layer may, for example, be formed with a net charge that is negative or neutral. 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. The sacrificial substrate is removed, and the device layer is cyclically thinned until the device layer has a target thickness. Each thinning cycle comprises oxidizing a portion of the device layer and removing oxide resulting from the oxidizing.

Abstract: In some embodiments, the present disclosure relates to a high-resistivity silicon-on-insulator (SOI) substrate, including a first polysilicon layer arranged over a semiconductor substrate. A second polysilicon layer is arranged over the first polysilicon layer, and a third polysilicon layer is arranged over the second polysilicon layer. An active semiconductor layer over an insulator layer may be arranged over the third polysilicon layer. The second polysilicon layer has an elevated concentration of oxygen compared to the first and third polysilicon layers.

Abstract: Deep trench isolation structures for high voltage semiconductor-on-insulator devices are disclosed herein. An exemplary deep trench isolation structure surrounds an active region of a semiconductor-on-insulator substrate. The deep trench isolation structure includes a first insulator sidewall spacer, a second insulator sidewall spacer, and a multilayer silicon-comprising isolation structure disposed between the first insulator sidewall spacer and the second insulator sidewall spacer. The multilayer silicon-comprising isolation structure includes a top polysilicon portion disposed over a bottom silicon portion. The bottom polysilicon portion is formed by a selective deposition process, while the top polysilicon portion is formed by a non-selective deposition process. In some embodiments, the bottom silicon portion is doped with boron.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present application are directed to a method for forming a semiconductor-on-insulator (SOI) device with an impurity competing layer to absorb potential contamination metal particles during an annealing process, and the SOI structure thereof. In some embodiments, an impurity competing layer is formed on the dummy substrate. An insulation layer is formed over a support substrate. A front side of the dummy wafer is bonded to the insulation layer. An annealing process is performed and the impurity competing layer absorbs metal from an upper portion of the dummy substrate. Then, a majority portion of the dummy substrate is removed including the impurity competing layer, leaving a device layer of the dummy substrate on the insulation layer.

Abstract: Photodetectors, transistors, and metal interconnect structures may be formed on a front side of the semiconductor substrate. A trench is formed through a backside surface of the semiconductor substrate toward the front side by an anisotropic etch process, which provides a vertical or tapered surface with a first root-mean-square surface roughness greater than 0.5 nm. A single crystalline semiconductor liner is deposited by performing an epitaxial growth process at a growth temperature less than 500 degrees Celsius on the vertical or tapered surface of the trench. A physically exposed side surface of the single crystalline semiconductor liner may have a second root-mean-square surface roughness less than 0.5 nm. At least one dielectric metal oxide liner having a uniform thickness may be formed on the physically exposed side surface to provide a uniform negatively charged film, which may be advantageously used to reduce dark current and white pixels.

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: In some embodiments, the present disclosure relates to a high-resistivity silicon-on-insulator (SOI) substrate, including a first polysilicon layer arranged over a semiconductor substrate. A second polysilicon layer is arranged over the first polysilicon layer, and a third polysilicon layer is arranged over the second polysilicon layer. An active semiconductor layer over an insulator layer may be arranged over the third polysilicon layer. The second polysilicon layer has an elevated concentration of oxygen compared to the first and third polysilicon layers.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an image sensor having a photodiode surrounded by a back-side deep trench isolation (BDTI) structure, and an associated method of formation. In some embodiments, a plurality of pixel regions is disposed within an image sensing die and respectively comprises a photodiode configured to convert radiation into an electrical signal. The photodiode comprises a photodiode doping column with a first doping type surrounded by a photodiode doping layer with a second doping type that is different than the first doping type. A BDTI structure is disposed between adjacent pixel regions and extending from the back-side of the image sensing die to a position within the photodiode doping layer. The BDTI structure comprises a doped liner with the second doping type and a dielectric fill layer. The doped liner lines a sidewall surface of the dielectric fill layer.

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: The present disclosure provides a semiconductor structure, including: a semiconductor device layer including a first surface and a second surface, wherein the first surface is at a front side of the semiconductor device layer, and the second surface is at a backside of the semiconductor device layer; an insulating layer above the second surface of the semiconductor device; and a through-silicon via (TSV) traversing the insulating layer. Associated manufacturing methods of the same are also provided.