A microelectronic device includes a metal layer on a first dielectric layer. An etch stop layer is disposed over the metal layer and on the dielectric layer directly adjacent to the metal layer. The etch stop layer includes a metal oxide, and is less than 10 nanometers thick. A second dielectric layer is disposed over the etch stop layer. The second dielectric layer is removed from an etched region which extends down to the etch stop layer. The etched region extends at least partially over the metal layer. In one version of the microelectronic device, the etch stop layer may extend over the metal layer in the etched region. In another version, the etch stop layer may be removed in the etched region. The microelectronic device is formed by etching the second dielectric layer using a plasma etch process, stopping on the etch stop layer.

An electronic component includes a field effect transistor that functions as a working electrode of an ion sensor and a driving circuit that causes a potential difference between a source electrode and a drain electrode of the field effect transistor. A reference electrode potential of the field effect transistor is fixed.

A semiconductor device includes a first passivation layer disposed on a semiconductor base. The semiconductor device further includes a dielectric layer disposed on the first passivation layer. The semiconductor device further includes a plurality of pillars disposed in an opening in the dielectric layer and the first passivation layer and from a top surface of the semiconductor base. The semiconductor device further includes a metal layer disposed on the exterior surfaces of the plurality of pillars and sidewalls of the dielectric layer and the first passivation layer and on the exposed top surface of the semiconductor base. The semiconductor device further includes a second passivation layer disposed on the metal layer and a top surface of the semiconductor device; wherein the second passivation layer has an electrical charge.

A semiconductor device includes a first passivation layer disposed on a semiconductor base. The semiconductor device further includes a dielectric layer disposed on the first passivation layer. The semiconductor device further includes a plurality of pillars disposed in an opening in the dielectric layer and the first passivation layer and from a top surface of the semiconductor base. The semiconductor device further includes a metal layer disposed on the exterior surfaces of the plurality of pillars and sidewalls of the dielectric layer and the first passivation layer and on the exposed top surface of the semiconductor base. The semiconductor device further includes a second passivation layer disposed on the metal layer and a top surface of the semiconductor device; wherein the second passivation layer has an electrical charge.

A microelectronic device includes a metal layer on a first dielectric layer. An etch stop layer is disposed over the metal layer and on the dielectric layer directly adjacent to the metal layer. The etch stop layer includes a metal oxide, and is less than 10 nanometers thick. A second dielectric layer is disposed over the etch stop layer. The second dielectric layer is removed from an etched region which extends down to the etch stop layer. The etched region extends at least partially over the metal layer. In one version of the microelectronic device, the etch stop layer may extend over the metal layer in the etched region. In another version, the etch stop layer may be removed in the etched region. The microelectronic device is formed by etching the second dielectric layer using a plasma etch process, stopping on the etch stop layer.

A microelectronic device includes a metal layer on a first dielectric layer. An etch stop layer is disposed over the metal layer and on the dielectric layer directly adjacent to the metal layer. The etch stop layer includes a metal oxide, and is less than 10 nanometers thick. A second dielectric layer is disposed over the etch stop layer. The second dielectric layer is removed from an etched region which extends down to the etch stop layer. The etched region extends at least partially over the metal layer. In one version of the microelectronic device, the etch stop layer may extend over the metal layer in the etched region. In another version, the etch stop layer may be removed in the etched region. The microelectronic device is formed by etching the second dielectric layer using a plasma etch process, stopping on the etch stop layer.

A microelectronic device includes a metal layer on a first dielectric layer. An etch stop layer is disposed over the metal layer and on the dielectric layer directly adjacent to the metal layer. The etch stop layer includes a metal oxide, and is less than 10 nanometers thick. A second dielectric layer is disposed over the etch stop layer. The second dielectric layer is removed from an etched region which extends down to the etch stop layer. The etched region extends at least partially over the metal layer. In one version of the microelectronic device, the etch stop layer may extend over the metal layer in the etched region. In another version, the etch stop layer may be removed in the etched region. The microelectronic device is formed by etching the second dielectric layer using a plasma etch process, stopping on the etch stop layer.

An electronic component includes a field effect transistor that functions as a working electrode of an ion sensor and a driving circuit that causes a potential difference between a source electrode and a drain electrode of the field effect transistor. A reference electrode potential of the field effect transistor is fixed.