Abstract: A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device, includes: stacking a thermally-decomposable organic material on a surface of a substrate in which a recess is formed; implanting ions into a surface of the organic material stacked in the recess so as to modify the surface of the organic material and form a modified layer on the surface of the organic material; and heating the substrate to a first temperature so as to thermally decompose the organic material under the modified layer and to desorb the organic material through the modified layer so that an air gap is formed between the modified layer and the recess.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention describe semiconductor devices with high aspect ratio fins and methods for forming such devices. According to an embodiment, the semiconductor device comprises one or more nested fins and one or more isolated fins. According to an embodiment, a patterned hard mask comprising one or more isolated features and one or more nested features is formed with a hard mask etching process. A first substrate etching process forms isolated and nested fins in the substrate by transferring the pattern of the nested and isolated features of the hard mask into the substrate to a first depth. A second etching process is used to etch through the substrate to a second depth. According to embodiments of the invention, the first etching process utilizes an etching chemistry comprising HBr, O2 and CF4, and the second etching process utilizes an etching chemistry comprising Cl2, Ar, and CH4.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a substrate including an active pattern, a first interlayer dielectric layer on the substrate, the first interlayer dielectric layer including a recess on an upper portion thereof, and a lower connection line in the first interlayer dielectric layer, the lower connection line being electrically connected to the active pattern, and the lower connection line including a conductive pattern, the recess of the first interlayer dielectric layer selectively exposing a top surface of the conductive pattern, and a barrier pattern between the conductive pattern and the first interlayer dielectric layer, the first interlayer dielectric layer covering a top surface of the barrier pattern.

Abstract: A method comprises forming a gate structure over a semiconductor substrate; forming an etch stop layer over the gate structure and an ILD layer over the etch stop layer; performing a first etching process to form a gate contact opening extending through the ILD layer into the etch stop layer, resulting in a sidewall of the etch stop layer being exposed in the gate contact opening; oxidizing the exposed sidewall of the etch stop layer; after oxidizing the exposed sidewall of the etch stop layer, performing a second etching process to deepen the gate contact opening; and forming a gate contact in the deepened gate contact opening.

Abstract: A device including a gap-fill layer may include an upper layer that on a lower layer that defines a trench that extends from a top surface of the upper layer and towards the lower layer, and the gap filling layer may be a multi-layered structure filling the trench. The gap-filling layer may include a first dielectric layer that fills a first portion of the trench and has a top surface proximate to the top surface of the upper layer, a second dielectric layer that fills a second portion of the trench and has a top surface proximate to the top surface of the upper layer and more recessed toward the lower layer than the top surface of the first dielectric layer, and a third dielectric layer that fills a remaining portion of the trench and covers the top surface of the second dielectric layer.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention include a microelectronic device that includes a substrate, at least one dielectric layer on the substrate and a plurality of conductive lines within the at least one dielectric layer. The microelectronic device also includes an air gap structure that is located below two or more of the plurality of conductive lines.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a semiconductor component including a substrate, a plurality of metallic lines, a passivation layer and a spacer. The metallic lines are disposed on the substrate, the passivation layer is disposed over the substrate and the metallic lines, and the spacer is interposed between the substrate and the dielectric layer and between the metallic lines and the dielectric layer. The passivation layer has a first dielectric constant, and the spacer has a second dielectric constant less than the first dielectric constant.

Abstract: Methods and devices for protecting against electrical discharges are provided. One such device for protecting against electrical discharges includes a semiconductor substrate and an isolation trench in the semiconductor substrate. The isolation trench includes an enclosed space that contains a gas.

Abstract: A device including a gap-fill layer may include an upper layer that on a lower layer that defines a trench that extends from a top surface of the upper layer and towards the lower layer, and the gap filling layer may be a multi-layered structure filling the trench. The gap-filling layer may include a first dielectric layer that fills a first portion of the trench and has a top surface proximate to the top surface of the upper layer, a second dielectric layer that fills a second portion of the trench and has a top surface proximate to the top surface of the upper layer and more recessed toward the lower layer than the top surface of the first dielectric layer, and a third dielectric layer that fills a remaining portion of the trench and covers the top surface of the second dielectric layer.

Abstract: The present application discloses a semiconductor device and a method for fabricating the semiconductor device. The semiconductor device includes a semiconductor substrate, a plurality of first set conductive elements separately positioned above the semiconductor substrate, a plurality of insulating blocks respectively correspondingly positioned between adjacent pairs of the plurality of first set conductive elements, a plurality of first set supporting pillars respectively correspondingly positioned between adjacent pairs of the plurality of first set conductive elements and respectively correspondingly positioned over the plurality of insulating blocks, and a plurality of spaces respectively correspondingly positioned adjacent to the plurality of first set supporting pillars and respectively correspondingly positioned over the plurality of insulating blocks.

Abstract: A method of forming surface features in a hardmask layer, including etching a first surface feature into the hardmask layer, the first surface feature having a first critical dimension, performing an ion implantation process on the first surface feature to make the first surface feature resistant to subsequent etching processes, etching a second surface feature into the hardmask layer adjacent the first surface feature, wherein the first critical dimension is preserved.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a base substrate, a protruding structure on the base substrate, a porous film on a side surface and an upper surface of the protruding structure, and an air gap between at least a part of the side surface of the protruding structure and the porous film.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes an interlayer insulating layer disposed on a substrate, a first metal wiring and a second metal wiring disposed in the interlayer insulating layer, the first and second wirings spaced apart from each other in a first direction, the first and second wirings extending to a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, an air gap formed in the interlayer insulating layer between the first metal wiring and the second metal wiring, and spaced apart from a sidewall of the first metal wiring and a sidewall of the second metal wiring, and a capping layer disposed on the interlayer insulating layer, the capping layer covering the first metal wiring, the second metal wiring, and the air gap, wherein the air gap is disposed at a first distance from the first metal wiring in the first direction and at a second distance from the second metal wiring in the first direction, and wherein the first and second distances are the same.

Abstract: Provided herein are approaches for forming a gate dielectric layer for a DRAM device, the method including providing a substrate having a recess formed therein, the recess including a sidewall surface and a bottom surface. The method may further include performing an ion implant into just the bottom surface of the recess, and forming a gate dielectric layer along the bottom surface of the recess and along the sidewall surface of the recess. Once formed, a thickness of the gate dielectric layer along the sidewall surface is approximately the same as a thickness of the gate dielectric layer along the bottom surface of the recess. In some embodiments, the gate dielectric layer is thermally grown within the recess. In some embodiments, the ion implant is performed after a mask layer atop the substrate is removed.

Abstract: An integrated circuit device includes a first insulating film, a second insulating film provided on the first insulating film, and having a composition different from a composition of the first insulating film, a first interconnect extending in a first direction crossing a vertical direction, and having a lower portion disposed in the first insulating film, and an upper portion disposed in the second insulating film, and a second interconnect extending in the first direction, and having a lower portion disposed in the first insulating film, and an upper portion disposed in the second insulating film. An air gap is formed in the first insulating film and in the second insulating film and also between the first interconnect and the second interconnect. A lower end of the air gap is located lower than a lower surface of the first interconnect and a lower surface of the second interconnect.

Abstract: A method of forming a semiconductor structure is provided. A conductive layer is formed over a substrate. The conductive layer is selectively etched to form a first conductive portion, a second conductive portion, and a spacing between the first conductive portion and the second conductive portion. A dielectric layer is formed over the first conductive portion, the second conductive portion, and the spacing, such that an air gap is formed in the spacing between the first and second conductive portions and is sealed by the dielectric layer.

Abstract: A method is presented for forming a semiconductor structure. The method includes forming a plurality of fins over a source/drain region, forming a first spacer within troughs defined by the plurality of fins and depositing a high-k dielectric layer, a work function material layer, and a conducting layer. The method further includes etching the high-k dielectric layer, the work function material layer, and the conducting layer to form recesses between the plurality of fins, depositing a liner dielectric, and etching portions of the liner dielectric to form a plurality of second spacers having a U-shaped configuration. The method further includes forming an epitaxial layer over the plurality of fins such that a gap region is defined between the plurality of second spacers and the epitaxial layer.

Abstract: According to some embodiments, a semiconductor device may include gate structures on a substrate; first and second impurity regions formed in the substrate and at both sides of each of the gate structures; conductive line structures provided to cross the gate structures and connected to the first impurity regions; and contact plugs connected to the second impurity regions, respectively. For each of the conductive line structures, the semiconductor device may include a first air spacer provided on a sidewall of the conductive line structure; a first material spacer provided between the conductive line structure and the first air spacer; and an insulating pattern provided on the air spacer. The insulating pattern may include a first portion and a second portion, and the second portion may have a depth greater than that of the first portion and defines a top surface of the air spacer.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a semiconductor device includes forming first cell patterns on a substrate, forming a first layer relative to the first cell patterns, and forming a second cell pattern and a peripheral pattern on the first layer. The second cell pattern includes first holes in a cell region and the peripheral pattern is located in a peripheral region. The method also includes filling the first holes, removing the second cell pattern to expose pillars, and forming second holes. Each of the second holes corresponds to adjacent cell spacers of the pillars. The method also includes removing the pillars to form third holes corresponding to respective ones of the cell spacers, and etching the substrate using the cell spacers, the first cell patterns, and the peripheral pattern as etch masks to form a trench.

Abstract: A method is presented for forming a semiconductor structure. The method includes forming a plurality of fins over a source/drain region, forming a first spacer within troughs defined by the plurality of fins and depositing a high-k dielectric layer, a work function material layer, and a conducting layer. The method further includes etching the high-k dielectric layer, the work function material layer, and the conducting layer to form recesses between the plurality of fins, depositing a liner dielectric, and etching portions of the liner dielectric to form a plurality of second spacers having a U-shaped configuration. The method further includes forming an epitaxial layer over the plurality of fins such that a gap region is defined between the plurality of second spacers and the epitaxial layer.

Abstract: Example embodiments relate to a semiconductor device. The semiconductor device includes a substrate including an active region extending in a first direction, a plurality of bit lines running across the active region in a second direction crossing the first direction, a first spacer on a sidewall of the bit line, and a storage node contact on the active region between adjacent bit lines. The first spacer includes a first part between the storage node contact and the bit line, a second part between the first part and the storage node contact, and a third part between the first and second parts. A minimum vertical thickness of the first part is greater than a maximum vertical thickness of the third part. The maximum vertical thickness of the third part is greater than a maximum vertical thickness of the second part.

Abstract: A device comprises a first protection layer over sidewalls and a bottom of a first trench in a first dielectric layer, a first barrier layer over the first protection layer, a first metal line in the first trench, a second protection layer over sidewalls and a bottom of a second trench in the first dielectric layer, a second barrier layer over the second protection layer, a second metal line in the first trench, an air gap between the first trench and the second trench and a third protection layer over sidewalls of a third trench in the first dielectric layer, wherein the first protection layer, the second protection layer and the third protection are formed of a same material.

Abstract: Semiconductor devices may include a diffusion prevention insulation pattern, a plurality of conductive patterns, a barrier layer, and an insulating interlayer. The diffusion prevention insulation pattern may be formed on a substrate, and may include a plurality of protrusions protruding upwardly therefrom. Each of the conductive patterns may be formed on each of the protrusions of the diffusion prevention insulation pattern, and may have a sidewall inclined by an angle in a range of about 80 degrees to about 135 degrees to a top surface of the substrate. The barrier layer may cover a top surface and the sidewall of each if the conductive patterns. The insulating interlayer may be formed on the diffusion prevention insulation pattern and the barrier layer, and may have an air gap between neighboring ones of the conductive patterns.

Abstract: A semiconductor device including air gaps and a method of fabricating the same. The semiconductor device in accordance with an embodiment may include a bit line structure having a bit line formed over a first contact plug, a second contact plug formed adjacent to the first contact plug and the bit line structure, an air gap structure comprising two or more air gaps to surround the second contact plug and have an outer sidewall in contact with the bit line structure, and one or more capping support layers separating the air gaps, a third contact plug capping a part of the air gap structure and being formed over the second contact plug, and a capping layer for capping a remainder of the air gap structure.

Abstract: Methods for forming integrated circuit structures are provided. The method includes providing a substrate including a first diffusion region, a second diffusion region, and an isolation structure separating the first diffusion region and the second diffusion region. The method further includes forming a gate structure over the substrate and forming an inter-layer dielectric (ILD) layer over the substrate. The method further includes forming a cutting mask over a portion of the gate structure over the isolation structure, and the cutting mask has an extending portion covering a portion of the ILD layer. The method further includes forming a photoresist layer having an opening, and a portion of the extending portion of the cutting mask is exposed by the opening. The method further includes etching the ILD layer through the opening to form a trench and filling the trench with a conductive material to form a contact.

Abstract: An interconnect and a method of forming an interconnect for a semiconductor device is provided. Conductive lines having different widths are formed. Wider conductive lines are used where the design includes an overlying via, and narrower lines are used in which an overlying via is not included. An overlying dielectric layer is formed and trenches and vias are formed extending through the overlying dielectric layer to the wider conductive lines. Voids or air gaps may be formed adjacent select conductive lines, such as the narrower lines.

Abstract: A semiconductor device including air gaps and a method of fabricating the same. The semiconductor device in accordance with an embodiment may include a bit line structure having a bit line formed over a first contact plug, a second contact plug formed adjacent to the first contact plug and the bit line structure, an air gap structure comprising two or more air gaps to surround the second contact plug and have an outer sidewall in contact with the bit line structure, and one or more capping support layers separating the air gaps, a third contact plug capping a part of the air gap structure and being formed over the second contact plug, and a capping layer for capping a remainder of the air gap structure.

Abstract: A device includes a semiconductor substrate, a contact plug over the semiconductor substrate, and an Inter-Layer Dielectric (ILD) layer over the semiconductor substrate, with the contact plug being disposed in the ILD. An air gap is sealed by a portion of the ILD and the semiconductor substrate. The air gap forms a full air gap ring encircling a portion of the semiconductor substrate.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a methods for forming silicon recess structures in a substrate with good process control, particularly suitable for manufacturing three dimensional (3D) stacking of fin field effect transistor (FinFET) for semiconductor chips. In one embodiment, a method of forming recess structures in a substrate includes etching a first portion of a substrate defined by a second portion formed in the substrate until a doping layer formed in the substrate is exposed.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a nonvolatile semiconductor memory device includes: a plurality of memory cells, each of the memory cells including a tunneling insulating film provided on a substrate including silicon, a floating gate provided on the tunneling insulating film, an inter-gate insulating film provided on the floating gate, and a control gate provided on the inter-gate insulating film; and an element separation trench provided between the plurality of memory cells, the element separation trench having a gap in an interior of the element separation trench. The inter-gate insulating film is provided also above the element separation trench. An upper end of the gap is provided in an interior of the inter-gate insulating film provided above the element separation trench.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a first semiconductor chip comprising a first metallic structure, a top surface, and a bottom surface, a second semiconductor chip comprising a second metallic structure, wherein the second semiconductor chip is bonded with the first semiconductor chip on the bottom surface, a conductive material connecting the first metallic structure and the second metallic structure, wherein a portion of the conductive material is inside the first semiconductor chip and the second semiconductor chip, and a dielectric layer disposed surrounding the portion of the conductive material.

Abstract: A method of forming a pattern includes forming a mask pattern on a substrate; etching the substrate by deep reactive ion etching (DRIE) and by using the mask pattern as an etch mask; partially removing the mask pattern to expose a portion of an upper surface of the substrate; and etching the exposed portion of the upper surface of the substrate. In the method, when a pattern is formed by DRIE, an upper portion of the pattern does not protrude or scarcely protrudes, and scallops of a sidewall of the pattern are smooth, and thus a conformal material layer may be easily formed on a surface of the pattern.

Abstract: Provided are a semiconductor device and a method of manufacturing the semiconductor device. In order to improve reliability by solving a problem of conductivity that may occur when an air spacer structure that may reduce a capacitor coupling phenomenon between a plurality of conductive lines is formed, there are provided a semiconductor device including: a substrate having an active region; a contact plug connected to the active region; a landing pad spacer formed to contact a top surface of the contact plug; a contact conductive layer formed to contact the top surface of the contact plug and formed in a space defined by the landing pad spacer; a metal silicide layer formed on the contact conductive layer; and a landing pad connected to the contact conductive layer in a state in which the metal silicide layer is disposed between the landing pad and the contact conductive layer, and a method of manufacturing the semiconductor device.

Abstract: A semiconductor device including a substrate having a trench formed therein, a plurality of gate structures, an isolation layer pattern and an insulating interlayer pattern. The substrate includes a plurality of active regions defined by the trench and spaced apart from each other in a second direction. Each of the active regions extends in a first direction substantially perpendicular to the second direction. Each of the plurality of gate structures includes a tunnel insulation layer pattern, a floating gate, a dielectric layer pattern and a control gate sequentially stacked on the substrate. The isolation layer pattern is formed in the trench. First isolation layer pattern has at least one first air gap between sidewalls of at least one adjacent pair of the floating gates. The insulating interlayer pattern is formed between the gate structures, and the first insulating interlayer pattern extends in the second direction.

Abstract: The present invention aims to relax stress induced by through-silicon via formed on semiconductor substrate in order to prevent property fluctuation of a transistor. A semiconductor device includes a semiconductor substrate, a through-silicon via formed in semiconductor substrate, an insulating film formed between the semiconductor substrate and the through-silicon via, and a transistor formed on the semiconductor substrate so as to be apart from the through-silicon via with a predetermined distance. The insulating film does not exist on a region close to a surface of the semiconductor substrate between the semiconductor substrate and the through-silicon via. A gap is formed to be surrounded by the semiconductor substrate, the through silicon via, and the insulating film under the region close to the surface of the semiconductor substrate.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device may include: forming an interlayer insulating layer having openings on a substrate; forming a metal layer in the openings and on the interlayer insulating layer, the metal layer including a sidewall portion on a sidewall of each of the openings and a bottom portion on a bottom surface of each of the openings, wherein the bottom portion is thicker than the sidewall portion; reflowing the metal layer to form metal patterns in the openings, the metal patterns having top surfaces at a level lower than a topmost surface of the interlayer insulating layer; and/or forming capping patterns covering the metal patterns in the openings.

Abstract: Methods for fabricating integrated circuits and FinFET transistors on bulk substrates with active channel regions isolated from the substrate with an insulator are provided. In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, a method for fabricating an integrated circuit includes forming fin structures overlying a semiconductor substrate, wherein each fin structure includes a channel material and extends in a longitudinal direction from a first end to a second end. The method deposits an anchoring material over the fin structures. The method includes recessing the anchoring material to form trenches adjacent the fin structures, wherein the anchoring material remains in contact with the first end and the second end of each fin structure. Further, the method forms a void between the semiconductor substrate and the channel material of each fin structure with a gate length independent etching process, wherein the channel material of each fin structure is suspended over the semiconductor substrate.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a semiconductor device and a semiconductor device formed by the method. The method includes form a stack conductive structure by stacking a first conductive pattern and an insulation pattern over a substrate; forming a sacrificial pattern over sidewalls of the stack conductive structure; forming a second conductive pattern having a recessed surface lower than a top surface of the stack conductive structure; forming a sacrificial spacer to expose sidewalls of the insulation pattern by removing an upper portion of the sacrificial pattern; reducing a width of the exposed portion of the insulation patters; forming a capping spacer to cap the sidewalls of the insulation pattern having the reduced width over the sacrificial spacer; and forming an air gap between the first conductive pattern and the second conductive pattern by converting the sacrificial spacer to volatile byproducts.

Abstract: A semiconductor memory device includes a plurality of auxiliary patterns formed over a semiconductor substrate, a plurality of gate line patterns disposed in parallel with one another over the semiconductor substrate between the plurality of auxiliary patterns, and an air gap formed between the plurality of gate line patterns and between each of the plurality of gate line patterns and each of the auxiliary patterns.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a semiconductor structure, the method includes removing a portion of a dielectric filler from a first metal-containing layer formed over a semiconductor substrate to define an air-gap region according to a predetermined air-gap pattern. The method further includes filling the air-gap region with a decomposable filler and forming a dielectric capping layer over the first metal-containing layer. The method further includes decomposing the decomposable filler.

Abstract: Semiconductor device and method for forming a semiconductor device are presented. A substrate having top and bottom pad stacks is provided. Each pad stack includes at least first and second pad layers. The second pad layer of the bottom pad stack is removed by a batch process. Trench isolation regions are formed in the substrate.

Abstract: The invention provides a radio-frequency (RF) device package and a method for fabricating the same. An exemplary embodiment of a radio-frequency (RF) device package includes a base, wherein a radio-frequency (RF) device chip is mounted on the base. The RF device chip includes a semiconductor substrate having a front side and a back side. A radio-frequency (RF) component is disposed on the front side of the semiconductor substrate. An interconnect structure is disposed on the RF component, wherein the interconnect structure is electrically connected to the RF component, and a thickness of the semiconductor substrate is less than that of the interconnect structure. A through hole is formed through the semiconductor substrate from the back side of the semiconductor substrate, and is connected to the interconnect structure. A TSV structure is disposed in the through hole.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a substrate having a plurality of active regions defined by a device isolation region, a plurality of conductive patterns on the plurality of active regions, each of the conductive patterns having side walls, a conductive line that faces the side walls of the conductive patterns with an air spacer therebetween on the active regions, the conductive line extending in a first direction, and a first insulating film covering the side walls of the conductive patterns between the air spacer and the conductive pattern. A lower portion of the first insulating film that is near the substrate protrudes toward the air spacer.

Abstract: A microelectronic device is provided, including: a substrate including a first semiconductor layer positioned on a dielectric layer and a second semiconductor layer; and an isolation trench disposed through the first semiconductor layer, the dielectric layer, and a part of the thickness of the second semiconductor layer, including a dielectric material and delimiting, in the first semiconductor layer, a roughly rectangular active area of the device, wherein in said part of the thickness of the second semiconductor layer, at least one portion of the dielectric material is positioned under the active area delimited by at least four side walls of the trench, and two of the at least four side walls are roughly parallel with one another and are positioned under the active area, and the other two of the at least four side walls are orthogonal to said two walls and are not positioned under the active area.

Abstract: Disclosed are non-volatile memory devices and methods of manufacturing the same. The non-volatile memory device includes device isolation patterns defining active portions in a substrate and gate structures disposed on the substrate. The active portions are spaced apart from each other in a first direction and extend in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction. The gate structures are spaced apart from each other in the second direction and extend in the first direction. Each of the device isolation patterns includes a first air gap, and each of a top surface and a bottom surface of the first air gap has a wave-shape in a cross-sectional view taken along the second direction.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a fin-like field-effect transistor (FinFET) device is disclosed. A plurality of mandrel features are formed on a substrate. First spacers are formed along sidewalls of the mandrel feature and second spacers are along sidewalls of the first spacers. Two back-to-back adjacent second spacers separate by a gap in a first region and merge together in a second region of the substrate. A dielectric feature is formed in the gap and a dielectric mesa is formed in a third region of the substrate. A first subset of the first spacer is removed in a fine cut. Fins and trenches are formed by etching the substrate using the first spacer and the dielectric feature as an etch mask.

Abstract: A method of forming a device having an airbridge on a substrate includes forming a plated conductive layer of the airbridge over at least a photoresist layer on a portion of the substrate, the plated conductive layer defining a corresponding opening for exposing a portion of the photoresist layer. The method further includes undercutting the photoresist layer to form a gap in the photoresist layer beneath the plated conductive layer at the opening, and forming an adhesion layer on the plated conductive layer and the exposed portion of the photoresist layer, the adhesion layer having a break at the gap beneath the plated conductive layer. The photoresist layer and a portion of the adhesion layer formed on the exposed portion of the photoresist layer is removed, which includes etching the photoresist layer through the break in the adhesion layer. An insulating layer is formed on at least the adhesion layer, enhancing adhesion of the insulating layer to the plated conductive layer.

Abstract: A method for fabricating a semiconductor device includes forming a plurality of semiconductor structures over a substrate, forming an interlayer dielectric layer over the semiconductor structures, etching the interlayer dielectric layer, and defining open parts between the semiconductor structures to expose a surface of the substrate, forming sacrificial spacers on sidewalls of the open parts, forming conductive layer patterns in the open parts, and causing the conductive layer patterns and the sacrificial spacers to reach each other, and defining air gaps on the sidewalls of the open parts.

Abstract: Disclosed are a structure for electrical signal isolation between adjacent devices situated in a top semiconductor layer of the structure and an associated method for the structure's fabrication. The structure includes a trench extending through the top semiconductor layer and into a base oxide layer below the top semiconductor layer. A handle wafer is situated below the base oxide layer and a void is disposed in the handle wafer below the trench. A bottom opening of the trench connects the main body of the trench with the void forming a continuous cavity including the main body, the bottom opening of the trench, and the void such that the void improves electrical signal isolation between the adjacent devices situated in the top semiconductor layer. Unetched portions of the handle wafer are then available to provide mechanical support to the top semiconductor layer.

Abstract: An integrated circuit includes electrical components that include one or more electrical elements on one or more dielectric layers. The electrical element has a geometric shape that exceeds prescribed integrated circuit manufacturing limits in at least one dimension. To achieve compliance with foundry rules, the electrical element is fabricated to include a non-conducting region that negligibly effects the electrical characteristics. The non-conducting region includes a hole, a series of holes, a slot and/or a series of slots spaced within the electrical element at dimensions that are less than the integrated circuit manufacturing limits.