Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Comp. Ltd.

Kuan-Chieh Huang

Yi-Shin Chu

Dun-Nian Yaung

Hsiang-Lin Chen

Yin-Kai Liao

Sin-Yi Jiang

Jen-Cheng Liu

Jhy-Jyi Sze

Chen-Ming Huang

Chih-Jen Wu

Min-Feng Kao

Hsing-Chih Lin

Jyh-Ming Hung

An-Chun Tu

Tzu-Jui Wang

Shuang-Ji Tsai

Pao-Tung Chen

Yi-Hao Chen

Feng-Kuei Chang

Ching-Chun Wang

Po-Chun Liu

Jung-I Lin

Chin-Hsiang Lin

Yeur-Luen Tu

Chung-Yi Yu

Chen-Jong Wang

Chi-Yuan Shih

Chin-Min Lin

Ming-Chieh Hsu

Cheng-Te Lee

Hung-Chang Chien

Ken Wen-Chien Fu

Ke Chun Liu

Mingo Lin

Shih-Min Huang

Chih-Ming Hung

In some embodiments, the present disclosure relates to a single-photon avalanche detector (SPAD) device including a silicon substrate including a recess in an upper surface of the silicon substrate. A p-type region is arranged in the silicon substrate below a lower surface of the recess. An n-type avalanche region is arranged in the silicon substrate below the p-type region and meets the p-type region at a p-n junction. A germanium region is disposed within the recess over the p-n junction.

Semiconductor device including germanium region disposed in semiconductor substrate

A semiconductor image sensor includes a first substrate including a first front side and a first back side, a second substrate including a second front side and a second back side, a third substrate including a third front side and a third back side, a first interconnect structure, and a second interconnect structure. The first substrate includes a layer and a first light-sensing element in the layer. The layer includes a first semiconductor material, and the first light-sensing element includes a second semiconductor material. The second substrate is bonded to the first substrate with the second front side facing the first back side. The third substrate is bonded to the first substrate with the third front side facing the first front side. The first interconnect structure and the second interconnect structure are disposed between the first front side and the third front side.

Semiconductor image sensor and method for forming the same

A photovoltaic cell includes a germanium-containing well embedded in a single crystalline silicon substrate and extending to a proximal horizontal surface of the single crystalline silicon substrate, wherein germanium-containing well includes germanium at an atomic percentage greater than 50%. A silicon-containing capping structure is located on a top surface of the germanium-containing well and includes silicon at an atomic percentage greater than 42%. The silicon-containing capping structure prevents oxidation of the germanium-containing well. A photovoltaic junction may be formed within, or across, the trench by implanting dopants of a first conductivity type and dopants of a second conductivity type.

Germanium-containing photodetector and methods of forming the same

The present disclosure relates to an integrated chip. The integrated chip includes a substrate having a first semiconductor material. A second semiconductor material is disposed on the first semiconductor material and a passivation layer is disposed on the second semiconductor material. A first doped region and a second doped region extend through the passivation layer and into the second semiconductor material. A silicide is arranged within the passivation layer and along tops of the first doped region and the second doped region.

Passivation layer for epitaxial semiconductor process

Various embodiments of the present disclosure are directed towards an image sensor with a passivation layer for dark current reduction. A device layer overlies a substrate. Further, a cap layer overlies the device layer. The cap and device layers and the substrate are semiconductor materials, and the device layer has a smaller bandgap than the cap layer and the substrate. For example, the cap layer and the substrate may be silicon, whereas the device layer may be or comprise germanium. A photodetector is in the device and cap layers, and the passivation layer overlies the cap layer. The passivation layer comprises a high k dielectric material and induces formation of a dipole moment along a top surface of the cap layer.

Image sensor with passivation layer for dark current reduction

Germanium-based sensors are disclosed herein. An exemplary germanium-based sensor includes a germanium photodiode and a junction field effect transistor (JFET) formed from a germanium layer disposed on and/or in a silicon substrate. A doped silicon layer, which can be formed by in-situ doping epitaxially grown silicon, is disposed between the germanium layer and the silicon substrate. In embodiments where the germanium layer is on the silicon substrate, the doped silicon layer is disposed between the germanium layer and an oxide layer. The JFET has a doped polysilicon gate, and in some embodiments, a gate diffusion region is disposed in the germanium layer under the doped polysilicon gate. In some embodiments, a pinned photodiode passivation layer is disposed in the germanium layer. In some embodiments, a pair of doped regions in the germanium layer is configured as an e-lens of the germanium-based sensor.

Germanium-based sensor with junction-gate field effect transistor and method of fabricating thereof

A method of manufacturing a semiconductor structure includes: forming a light-absorption layer in a substrate; forming a first doped region of a first conductivity type and a second doped region of a second conductivity type in the light-absorption layer adjacent to the first doped region; depositing a first patterned mask layer over the light-absorption layer, wherein the first patterned mask layer includes an opening exposing the second doped region and covers the first doped region; forming a first silicide layer in the opening on the second doped region; depositing a barrier layer over the first doped region; and annealing the barrier layer to form a second silicide layer on the first doped region.

Method of manufacturing an optical sensor

A method and structure providing an optical sensor having an optimized Ge—Si interface includes providing a substrate having a pixel region and a logic region. In some embodiments, the method further includes forming a trench within the pixel region. In various examples, and after forming the trench, the method further includes forming a doped semiconductor layer along sidewalls and along a bottom surface of the trench. In some embodiments, the method further includes forming a germanium layer within the trench and over the doped semiconductor layer. In some examples, and after forming the germanium layer, the method further includes forming an optical sensor within the germanium layer.

Semiconductor sensor and methods thereof

The present disclosure relates to an integrated chip. The integrated chip includes a substrate having a first semiconductor material. A second semiconductor material is disposed on the first semiconductor material. The second semiconductor material is a group IV semiconductor or a group III-V compound semiconductor. A passivation layer is disposed on the second semiconductor material. The passivation layer includes the first semiconductor material. A first doped region and a second doped region extend through the passivation layer and into the second semiconductor material.

The present disclosure provides a semiconductor structure, including a substrate including a first material, wherein the first material generates electrical signals from radiation within a first range of wavelengths, an image sensor element including a second material, wherein the second material generates electrical signals from radiation within a second range of wavelengths, the second range is different from first range, a transparent layer proximal to a light receiving surface of the image sensor element, wherein the transparent layer is transparent to radiation within the second range of wavelength, and an interconnect structure connected to a signal transmitting surface of the image sensor element.

Image sensor and manufacturing method thereof

Germanium-based sensors are disclosed herein. An exemplary germanium-based sensor includes a germanium photodiode and a junction field effect transistor (JFET) formed from a germanium layer disposed in a silicon substrate, in some embodiments, or on a silicon substrate, in some embodiments. A doped silicon layer, which can be formed by in-situ doping epitaxially grown silicon, is disposed between the germanium layer and the silicon substrate. In embodiments where the germanium layer is on the silicon substrate, the doped silicon layer is disposed between the germanium layer and an oxide layer. The JFET has a doped polysilicon gate, and in some embodiments, a gate diffusion region is disposed in the germanium layer under the doped polysilicon gate. In some embodiments, a pinned photodiode passivation layer is disposed in the germanium layer. In some embodiments, a pair of doped regions in the germanium layer is configured as an e-lens of the germanium-based sensor.

Growing community of inventors

Hsinchu, Taiwan

Kuan-Chieh Huang