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.

A method of forming a semiconductor device includes mounting a bottom wafer on a bottom chuck and mounting a top wafer on a top chuck, wherein one of the bottom chuck and the top chuck has a gasket. The top chuck is moved towards the bottom chuck. The gasket forms a sealed region between the bottom chuck and the top chuck around the top wafer and the bottom wafer. An ambient pressure in the sealed region is adjusted. The top wafer is bonded to the bottom wafer.

Die stacks and methods of making die stacks with very thin dies are disclosed. The die surfaces remain flat within a 5 micron tolerance despite the thinness of the die and the process steps of making the die stack. A residual flux height is kept below 50% of the spacing distance between adjacent surfaces or structures, e.g. in the inter-die spacing.

A semiconductor device and a method of producing the semiconductor device are described. The semiconductor device includes: a semiconductor substrate; a metallization layer over the semiconductor substrate; a plating over the metallization layer, the plating including NiP; a passivation over the metallization layer and laterally adjacent the plating such that a surface of the plating that faces away from the semiconductor substrate is uncovered by the passivation, wherein a seam is present along an interface between the passivation and the plating; and a structure that covers the seam along a periphery of the plating and delimits a bondable area for the plating. The structure extends from the periphery of the plating onto the passivation. The structure includes an imide having a curing temperature below a recrystallization temperature of the NiP or an oxide having a deposition temperature below the recrystallization temperature of the NiP.

A bulk acoustic wave resonator and a method of manufacturing the same are provided. The bulk acoustic wave resonator includes: a first carrier substrate; a barrier layer on a main surface of the first carrier substrate and configured to prevent an undesired conductive channel from being generated due to charge accumulation on the main surface; a buffer layer on a side of the barrier layer away from the first carrier substrate; a piezoelectric layer on a side of the buffer layer away from the barrier layer; a first electrode and a second electrode on opposite sides of the piezoelectric layer; a first passivation layer and a second passivation layer, respectively covering sidewalls of the first electrode and the second electrode; a dielectric layer between the first passivation layer and the buffer layer, wherein a first cavity is provided between the first passivation layer and the dielectric layer.

A semiconductor structure and a method for forming a semiconductor structure are provided. The semiconductor structure includes a substrate having an isolation ring extending in the direction substantially parallel to the surface of the substrate, an active region over the substrate and laterally enclosed by the isolation ring, a seal ring structure over the substrate, the seal ring structure laterally enclosing the active region and including at least a wiring layer and at least a via layer, and an encapsulant material laterally enclosing the seal ring structure.

The invention relates to a method for annealing of at least two wafers bonded via low-temperature direct bonding comprising heating the bonded wafers up to a first annealing temperature in the range of 100° C. to 500° C., preferably 150° C. to 400° C., even more preferred 150° C. to 200° C., holding the first annealing temperature in a range of 1 to 4 hours, preferably 1 to 3 hours, cooling down the bonded wafers to room temperature, re-heating the bonded wafers to a second annealing temperature in the range of 100° C. to 500° C., preferably 150° C. to 400° C., even more preferred 150° C. to 200° C., and cooling down the bonded wafers to room temperature.

A bonding apparatus configured to bond substrates comprises a first holder configured to vacuum-exhaust a first substrate to attract and hold the first substrate on a bottom surface thereof; a second holder disposed under the first holder, and configured to vacuum-exhaust a second substrate to attract and hold the second substrate on a top surface thereof; a mover configured to move the first holder and the second holder relatively in a horizontal direction; a laser interferometer system configured to measure a position of the first holder or the second holder which is moved by the mover; a linear scale configured to measure a position of the mover; and a controller configured to control the mover based on a measurement result of the laser interferometer system and a measurement result of the liner scale.

A 3D semiconductor device including: a first single crystal layer with first transistors; overlaid by a first metal layer; a second metal layer overlaying the first metal layer and being overlaid by a third metal layer; a logic gates including at least the first metal layer interconnecting the first transistors; second transistors disposed atop the third metal layer; third transistors disposed atop the second transistors; a top metal layer disposed atop the third transistors; and a memory array including word-lines, and at least four memory mini arrays, where each of the memory mini arrays includes at least four rows by four columns of memory cells, where each of the memory cells includes at least one of the second transistors or third transistors, sense amplifier circuit(s) for each of the memory mini arrays, the second metal layer provides a greater current carrying capacity than the third metal layer.

A method for producing a 3D semiconductor device including: providing a first level including a first single crystal layer; forming peripheral circuitry in and/or on the first level, and includes first single crystal transistors; forming a first metal layer on top of the first level; forming a second metal layer on top of the first metal layer; forming second level disposed on top of the second metal layer; performing a first lithography step; forming a third level on top of the second level; performing a second lithography step; processing steps to form first memory cells within the second level and second memory cells within the third level, where the plurality of first memory cells include at least one second transistor, and the plurality of second memory cells include at least one third transistor; and deposit a gate electrode for second and third transistors simultaneously.