Patents Assigned to TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING LIMITED
  • Patent number: 12002507
    Abstract: A device is provided. The device includes multiple transistors, a first sense circuit, and a precharge circuit. The transistors are coupled to a tracking bit line and configured to generate a first tracking signal. The first sense circuit is configured to generate a first sense tracking signal in response to the first tracking signal. The precharge circuit is configured to generate, in response to a rising edge and a falling edge of the first sense tracking signal, a precharge signal for precharging data lines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2024
    Assignees: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD., TSMC NANJING COMPANY LIMITED, TSMC CHINA COMPANY LIMITED
    Inventors: Xiu-Li Yang, He-Zhou Wan, Lu-Ping Kong, Wei-Yang Jiang
  • Patent number: 12002542
    Abstract: A device includes a first memory bank and a second memory bank. The first memory bank is configured to operate according to a write data signal and a first global write signal associated with a first clock signal. The second memory bank is configured to operate according to the write data signal and a second global write signal associated with a second clock signal. One of the first clock signal and the second clock signal is in oscillation when another one of the first clock signal and the second clock signal is in suspension.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2024
    Assignees: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD., TSMC CHINA COMPANY LIMITED
    Inventors: Xiu-Li Yang, Kuan Cheng, He-Zhou Wan, Wei-Yang Jiang
  • Publication number: 20240178215
    Abstract: An integrated circuit includes a first transistor, a second transistor, a first power line, and a second power line. The first transistor has a first active region and a first gate structure, in which the first active region has a source region and a drain region on opposite sides of the first gate structure. The second transistor is below the first transistor, and has a second active region and a second gate structure, in which the second active region has a source region and a drain region on opposite sides of the second gate structure. The first power line is above the first transistor, in which the first power line is electrically connected to the source region of first active region. The second power line is below the second transistor, in which the second power line is electrically connected to the source region of second active region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 5, 2024
    Publication date: May 30, 2024
    Applicants: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD., TSMC China Company Limited
    Inventors: Xin-Yong WANG, Li-Chun TIEN, Chih-Liang CHEN
  • Patent number: 11996479
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device includes forming a gate electrode overlying a gate dielectric layer covering both a channel region in a second semiconductor region and a portion of a first semiconductor region. First-type dopants are implemented into the second semiconductor region masked by a hard mask to form a source precursor region. The method also includes forming a spacer which overlies the source precursor region and has a first side laterally adjacent to the gate electrode, and recessing a surface region in the source precursor region masked by the spacer to form a source region. The method still includes implanting second-type dopants through the surface region masked at least by the spacer to form a body contact region, and forming a conformal conductive layer covering an upper surface of the body contact region and a side surface of the source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2024
    Assignees: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD., TSMC CHINA COMPANY, LIMITED
    Inventor: Zheng Long Chen
  • Publication number: 20240161798
    Abstract: A device includes a memory array, bit line pairs, word lines, a modulation circuit and a control signal generator. The memory array has bit cells arranged in rows and columns. Each bit line pair is connected to a respective column of bit cells. Each word line is connected to a respective row of bit cells. The modulation circuit is coupled with at least one bit line pair. The control signal generator is coupled with the modulation circuit. The control signal generator includes a tracking wiring with a tracking length positively correlated with a depth distance of the word lines. The control signal generator is configured to produce a control signal, switching to a first voltage level for a first time duration in reference with the tracking length, for controlling the modulation circuit. A method of controlling aforesaid device is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2024
    Publication date: May 16, 2024
    Applicants: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD., TSMC NANJING COMPANY LIMITED, TSMC CHINA COMPANY LIMITED
    Inventors: Xiu-Li YANG, He-Zhou WAN, Mu-Yang YE, Lu-Ping KONG, Ming-Hung CHANG
  • Patent number: 11978797
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a gate structure, a drift region, a source region, a drain region, and a doped region. The gate structure is over a semiconductor substrate. The drift region is in the semiconductor substrate and laterally extends past a first side of the gate structure. The source region is in the semiconductor substrate and adjacent a second side of the gate structure opposite the first side. The drain region is in the drift region. The doped region is in the drift region and between the drain region and the gate structure. From a top view the doped region has a strip pattern extending in parallel with a strip pattern of the gate structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2024
    Assignees: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD., TSMC CHINA COMPANY LIMITED
    Inventors: Lian-Jie Li, Yan-Bin Lu, Feng Han, Shuai Zhang
  • Patent number: 11973083
    Abstract: A method of making an integrated circuit includes surrounding a first bias pad with dielectric material of a buried oxide layer. The method includes adding dopants to a layer of semiconductor material over the first bias pad. The method includes depositing a gate dielectric and a gate electrode over a top surface of the layer of semiconductor material. The method includes etching the gate dielectric and the gate electrode to isolate a gate electrode over the layer of semiconductor material. The method includes depositing an inter layer dielectric (ILD) material over the gate electrode and the layer of semiconductor material. The method includes etching at least one bias contact opening down to the first bias pad. The method includes filling the at least one bias contact opening with a bias contact material. The method includes electrically connecting at least one bias contact to an interconnect structure of the semiconductor device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2024
    Assignees: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD., TSMC CHINA COMPANY, LIMITED
    Inventors: Jian Wu, Feng Han, Shuai Zhang
  • Patent number: 11972186
    Abstract: A method of designing an integrated circuit (IC) device includes identifying, with a processor, a pin failing a test to determine an antenna effect, identifying, with the processor, a net corresponding to the identified pin failing the test to determine the antenna effect, and creating, with the processor, an engineering change order (ECO) script based on the identified net to insert a diode to address the antenna effect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2024
    Assignees: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD., TSMC NANJING COMPANY, LIMITED
    Inventors: Qiuyuan Wu, Shuang Dai, Chia-Chun Liao, Meng-Hsuan Wu
  • Publication number: 20240128103
    Abstract: A method includes receiving, by a control module of a wafer transport system, an indication of wafer transporting; calculating, by the control module, a route for transporting a first wafer carrier according to the indication; moving, by a control unit of a wafer transport device of the wafer transport system, the wafer transport device to a first stocker storing the first wafer carrier along the route; performing, by the control unit, a safety monitoring process during a movement of the wafer transport device; stopping, by the control unit, the wafer transport device in front of the first stocker; and identifying, by an identification device of the wafer transport device, the first wafer carrier loaded on a rack of the wafer transport device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2023
    Publication date: April 18, 2024
    Applicants: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD., TSMC CHINA COMPANY LIMITED
    Inventors: Qun DENG, Guang YANG, Qinhong ZHANG, Zihao CAO
  • Patent number: 11947372
    Abstract: A device includes a voltage regulator circuit configured to pull up a voltage at an output terminal to equal to half of a supply voltage; multiple first transistors coupled between the output terminal and a voltage terminal providing the supply voltage; and a control circuit configured to pull down gate voltages of the first transistors from the supply voltage to a voltage level between the supply voltage and a ground voltage at a first time. The first transistors are configured to pull up the voltage at the output terminal to the supply voltage at a second time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2023
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2024
    Assignees: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD., TSMC CHINA COMPANY LIMITED
    Inventors: Yong-Liang Jin, Ya-Qi Ma, Wei Li, Di Fan
  • Publication number: 20240104285
    Abstract: A method is provided and includes several operations: arranging multiple channels extending in a first direction; arranging, in accordance with multiple weights of multiple macros, a first portion of the macro closer to a centroid of a core region of an integrated circuit than a second portion of the macros; and arranging the macros on opposite sides of the channels. The macros have multiple pins coupled to the channels interposed between the macros.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 1, 2023
    Publication date: March 28, 2024
    Applicants: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD., TSMC NANJING COMPANY LIMITED
    Inventors: Yi-Lin CHUANG, Shi-Wen TAN, Song LIU, Shih-Yao LIN, Wen-Yuan FANG
  • Publication number: 20240103359
    Abstract: A reticle inspection and purging method comprises following steps. A first reticle is moved from a first load port of a lithography tool to a reticle inspection tool located outside the lithography tool. The first reticle is inspected using the reticle inspection tool located outside the lithography tool. Whether the first reticle is acceptable for exposure is determined based on the inspection result. In response the determination determines that the first reticle is not acceptable for exposure, the first reticle is purged.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 23, 2023
    Publication date: March 28, 2024
    Applicants: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD., TSMC CHINA COMPANY LIMITED
    Inventors: Xianhui ZHOU, Lei WANG, Zihao ZHANG, Huiming XU
  • Patent number: 11942441
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a through-silicon via (TSV) in a TSV zone in a substrate and the TSV extends through the substrate; an ESD cell proximal to a first end of the TSV and in contact with the TSV zone, the ESD cell including a set of diodes electrically connected in parallel to each other; an antenna pad electrically connected to a second end of the TSV; and an antenna electrically connected to the antenna pad and extending in a first direction, the first direction is parallel to a major axis of the TSV. The semiconductor device includes a conductive pillar extending parallel to the TSV at a same side of the substrate as the antenna pad, wherein a first end of the conductive pillar electrically connects to the antenna pad, and a second end of the conductive pillar electrically connects to the set of diodes of the ESD cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2024
    Assignees: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD., TSMC CHINA COMPANY, LIMITED
    Inventors: HoChe Yu, Fong-Yuan Chang, XinYong Wang, Chih-Liang Chen, Tzu-Heng Chang
  • Patent number: 11942945
    Abstract: A method of forming a semiconductor device includes forming active regions, forming S/D regions, forming MD contact structures and forming gate lines resulting in corresponding transistors that define a first time delay circuit having a first input configured to receive a first clock signal and having a first output configured to generate a second clock signal from the first clock signal; and corresponding transistors that define a second time delay circuit having a second input configured to receive the second clock signal and having a second output configured to generate a third clock signal from the first clock signal; forming a first gate via-connector in direct contact with the first gate line atop the first-type active region in the first area; and forming a second gate via-connector in direct contact with the second gate line atop the second-type active region in the second area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2024
    Assignees: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD., TSMC NANJING COMPANY, LIMITED
    Inventors: Huaixin Xian, Qingchao Meng, Yang Zhou, Shang-Chih Hsieh
  • Publication number: 20240097011
    Abstract: A method includes forming a fin structure over a substrate, wherein the fin structure comprises first semiconductor layers and second semiconductor layers alternately stacked over a substrate; forming a dummy gate structure over the fin structure; removing a portion of the fin structure uncovered by the dummy gate structure; performing a selective etching process to laterally recess the first semiconductor layers, including injecting a hydrogen-containing gas from a first gas source of a processing tool to the first semiconductor layers and the second semiconductor layers; and injecting an F2 gas from a second gas source of the processing tool to the first semiconductor layers and the second semiconductor layers; forming inner spacers on opposite end surfaces of the laterally recessed first semiconductor layers of the fin structure; and replacing the dummy gate structure and the first semiconductor layers with a metal gate structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 1, 2023
    Publication date: March 21, 2024
    Applicants: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD., TSMC NANJING COMPANY LIMITED
    Inventors: Han-Yu LIN, Fang-Wei LEE, Kai-Tak LAM, Raghunath PUTIKAM, Tzer-Min SHEN, Li-Te LIN, Pinyen LIN, Cheng-Tzu YANG, Tzu-Li LEE, Tze-Chung LIN
  • Patent number: 11929361
    Abstract: An integrated circuit includes a first transistor, a second transistor, a first power line, and a second power line. The first transistor has a first active region and a first gate structure, in which the first active region has a source region and a drain region on opposite sides of the first gate structure. The second transistor is below the first transistor, and has a second active region and a second gate structure, in which the second active region has a source region and a drain region on opposite sides of the second gate structure. The first power line is above the first transistor, in which the first power line is electrically connected to the source region of first active region. The second power line is below the second transistor, in which the second power line is electrically connected to the source region of second active region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2024
    Assignees: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD., TSMC CHINA COMPANY LIMITED
    Inventors: Xin-Yong Wang, Li-Chun Tien, Chih-Liang Chen
  • Patent number: 11918938
    Abstract: A de-bubbling slide is configured to fit in a dispensing vessel and capture, with a receiving element, a flow of fluid into the dispensing vessel from a fluid inlet. The receiving element of the de-bubbling slide directs the flow of fluid to a flow surface of the de-bubbling slide from which gas dissolved in the flow of fluid, or bubbles in the flow of fluid, escape from the fluid. Openings in an upper surface of the de-bubbling slide allow the escaped gas to exit the de-bubbling slide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2024
    Assignees: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD., TSMC NANJING COMPANY, LIMITED
    Inventors: Chian-Niang Lin, Barry Tsao, Tsung Tso Tsai
  • Patent number: 11923041
    Abstract: A device includes a memory array, bit line pairs, word lines, a modulation circuit and a control signal generator. The memory array has bit cells arranged in rows and columns. Each bit line pair is connected to a respective column of bit cells. Each word line is connected to a respective row of bit cells. The modulation circuit is coupled with at least one bit line pair. The control signal generator is coupled with the modulation circuit. The control signal generator includes a tracking wiring with a tracking length positively correlated with a depth distance of the word lines. The control signal generator is configured to produce a control signal, switching to a first voltage level for a first time duration in reference with the tracking length, for controlling the modulation circuit. A method of controlling aforesaid device is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2024
    Assignees: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD., TSMC NANJING COMPANY LIMITED, TSMC CHINA COMPANY LIMITED
    Inventors: Xiu-Li Yang, He-Zhou Wan, Mu-Yang Ye, Lu-Ping Kong, Ming-Hung Chang
  • Publication number: 20240071470
    Abstract: A memory device includes a first transistor, a second transistor and a third transistor. The first transistor is coupled to a first word line at a first node. The second transistor is coupled to a second word line different from the first word line at a second node. A control terminal of the first transistor is coupled to a control terminal of the second transistor. The third transistor is coupled between a ground and a third node which is coupled to each of the first node and the second node. In a layout view, each of the first transistor and the second transistor has a first length along a direction. The first transistor, the third transistor and second transistor are arranged in order along the direction. A method is also disclosed herein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 1, 2023
    Publication date: February 29, 2024
    Applicants: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD., TSMC Nanjing Company Limited, TSMC China Company Limited
    Inventors: He-Zhou WAN, Xiu-Li YANG, Mu-Yang YE, Yan-Bo SONG
  • Patent number: 11653492
    Abstract: A semiconductor device is disclosed. The semiconductor device includes a fin-based structure formed on a substrate. The semiconductor device includes a plurality of first nanosheets, vertically spaced apart from one another, that are formed on the substrate. The semiconductor device includes a first source/drain (S/D) region electrically coupled to a first end of the fin-based structure. The semiconductor device includes a second S/D region electrically coupled to both of a second end of the fin-based structure and a first end of the plurality of first nanosheets. The semiconductor device includes a third S/D region electrically coupled to a second end of the plurality of first nanosheets. The fin-based structure has a first crystal lattice direction and the plurality of first nano sheets have a second crystal lattice direction, which is different from the first crystal lattice direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2023
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING LIMITED
    Inventors: Meng-Sheng Chang, Chia-En Huang, Yih Wang