Abstract:
Various methods include: forming an optical waveguide in a bulk silicon layer, the optical waveguide including a set of shallow trench isolation (STI) regions overlying a silicon substrate region; ion implanting the silicon substrate to amorphize a portion of the silicon substrate; forming a set of trenches through the STI regions and into the underlying silicon substrate region; undercut etching the silicon substrate region under the STI regions through the set of trenches to form a set of cavities, wherein the at least partially amorphized portion of the silicon substrate etches at a rate less than an etch rate of the silicon substrate; and sealing the set of cavities.
Abstract:
Methods for planarizing layers of a material, such as a dielectric, and interconnect structures formed by the planarization methods. The method includes depositing a first dielectric layer on a top surface of multiple conductive features and on a top surface of a substrate between the conductive features. A portion of the first dielectric layer is selectively removed from the top surface of at least one of the conductive features without removing a portion the first dielectric layer that is between the conductive features. A second dielectric layer is formed on the top surface of the at least one of the conductive features and on a top surface of the first dielectric layer, and a top surface of the second dielectric layer is planarized. A layer operating as an etch stop is located between the top surface of at least one of the conductive features and the second dielectric layer.
Abstract:
The present disclosure relates to semiconductor structures and, more particularly, to dual thickness fuse structures and methods of manufacture. The structure includes a continuous wiring structure on a single wiring level and composed of conductive material having a fuse portion and a thicker wiring structure.
Abstract:
The present disclosure relates to semiconductor structures and, more particularly, to a switch with local silicon on insulator (SOI) and deep trench isolation structures and methods of manufacture. The structure a structure comprises an air gap located under a device region and bounded by an upper etch stop layer and deep trench isolation structures.
Abstract:
The present disclosure relates to semiconductor structures and, more particularly, to sealed cavity structures having a non-planar surface features and methods of manufacture. The structure includes a cavity formed in a substrate material. The cavity is covered with epitaxial material that has a non-planar surface topography which imparts a stress component on a transistor.
Abstract:
Structures for an optical switch, structures for an optical router, and methods of fabricating a structure for an optical switch. A phase change layer is arranged proximate to a waveguide core, and a heater is formed proximate to the phase change layer. The phase change layer is composed of a phase change material having a first state with a first refractive index at a first temperature and a second state with a second refractive index at a second temperature. The heater is configured to selectively transfer heat to the phase change layer for transitioning between the first state and the second state.
Abstract:
The present disclosure relates to semiconductor structures and, more particularly, to radio frequency (RF) switches with airgap structures and methods of manufacture. The structure includes a substrate with at least one airgap structure formed in a well region under at least one gate structure, and which extends to a junction formed by a source/drain region of the at least one gate structure.
Abstract:
An SOI semiconductor device includes a first wafer having an active semiconductor layer and a first oxide layer and a second wafer having a semiconductor substrate and a second oxide layer, the first oxide layer being bonded to the second oxide layer, and one of the first wafer and the second wafer includes a nitride layer. The nitride layer can be formed between the semiconductor substrate and the second oxide layer. A third oxide layer can be formed on the semiconductor substrate and the nitride layer is formed between the second oxide layer and the third oxide layer. The nitride layer can be formed between the active semiconductor layer and the first oxide layer. The first wafer can include a third oxide layer formed on the active semiconductor layer and the nitride layer is formed between the third oxide layer and the first oxide layer.
Abstract:
Structures for shallow trench isolation regions and methods for forming shallow trench isolation regions. A trench is etched partially through a device layer of a silicon-on-insulator substrate. A section of the device layer at a bottom of the trench is thermally oxidized to form a shallow trench isolation region in the trench. During the thermal oxidation, another region of the device layer may be concurrently oxidized over a partial thickness and, after removal of the oxide from this device layer region, used as a thinned silicon body. Prior to the thermal oxidation process, this device layer region may be implanted with an oxidation-retarding species that decreases its oxidation rate in comparison with the oxidation rate of the section of the device layer used to form the shallow trench isolation region.
Abstract:
A semiconductor device may include a transistor gate in a device layer; an interconnect layer over the device layer; and an air gap extending through the interconnect layer to contact an upper surface of the transistor gate. The air gap provides a mechanism to reduce both on-resistance and off-capacitance for applications using SOI substrates such as radio frequency switches.