Patents by Inventor Chih-Chao Yang

Chih-Chao Yang has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Publication number: 20230139648
    Abstract: Disclosed is a memory device. The memory device comprises a cross-bar array of memory cells. The cross-bar array of memory cells comprises a plurality of bottom level lines arranged in a first direction. The cross-bar array of memory cells further comprises a plurality of vias arranged on top of each of the plurality of bottom level lines. The cross-bar array of memory cells further comprises a plurality of memory cells. Each memory cell is arranged on top of one of the plurality of vias. The cross-bar array of memory cells further comprises a plurality of top level lines arranged in a second direction that is substantially perpendicular to the first direction. Each top level line is arranged on top of and electrically connected to two or more memory cells.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 3, 2021
    Publication date: May 4, 2023
    Inventors: Koichi Motoyama, Hsueh-Chung Chen, CHANRO PARK, Kenneth Chun Kuen Cheng, Chih-Chao Yang
  • Publication number: 20230136674
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention include a method for fabricating a semiconductor device and the resulting structure. Mandrels are patterned on a hardmask, where the hardmask is located on an interlayer dielectric layer. Spacers are formed on sidewalls of the mandrels. The mandrels are removed. A wide spacing masking layer is patterned on the interlayer dielectric layer. Exposed portions of the hardmask are etched such that top surfaces of the ILD layer are exposed. Exposed portions of the ILD layer are etched such that a plurality of trenches are formed within the ILD layer. The plurality of trenches are filled with conductive metal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2021
    Publication date: May 4, 2023
    Inventors: Shyng-Tsong Chen, Terry A. Spooner, Koichi Motoyama, Chih-Chao Yang
  • Publication number: 20230137421
    Abstract: A memory device includes a bottom electrode having an uppermost surface, a first sidewall, and a second sidewall. The memory device further includes a dielectric layer covering the uppermost surface and the first and second sidewalls of the bottom electrode such that an uppermost surface of the dielectric layer is arranged higher than the uppermost surface of the bottom electrode. The memory device further includes a metal body in direct contact with the uppermost surface of the bottom electrode and extending through the dielectric layer to the uppermost surface of the dielectric layer. The memory device further includes a memory component arranged in direct contact with the metal body and with the uppermost surface of the dielectric layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2021
    Publication date: May 4, 2023
    Inventors: Oscar van der Straten, Koichi Motoyama, Kenneth Chun Kuen Cheng, Joseph F. Maniscalco, Chih-Chao Yang
  • Publication number: 20230133023
    Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein include a semiconductor structure. The semiconductor structure may include a semiconductor structure. The semiconductor structure may include an embedded magnetic random access memory (MRAM) array electrically connected between a bottom metal level and a top metal level. The MRAM array may include a first tier with first MRAM cells and first vias above the first MRAM cells, and a second tier with second MRAM cells and second vias below the second MRAM cells.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2021
    Publication date: May 4, 2023
    Inventors: Ashim Dutta, Chih-Chao Yang
  • Publication number: 20230138988
    Abstract: A fully-aligned via interconnect structure is provided in which a first etch stop layer is formed on a first interconnect dielectric material layer containing an electrically conductive line structure to protect the interconnect dielectric material from eroding during metallization used in providing a combined vialline electrically conductive structure in a second interconnect dielectric material layer that is formed above the first interconnect dielectric material layer. The interconnect structure has low resistance due to the maximized contact between the via portion of combined vialline electrically conductive structure and the underlying electrically conductive line structure. Moreover, no bowing or metal fangs are formed, and no metal residue is introduced into the first interconnect dielectric material layer during metallization.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2021
    Publication date: May 4, 2023
    Inventors: Koichi Motoyama, Kenneth Chun Kuen Cheng, Chanro Park, Chih-Chao Yang
  • Publication number: 20230133157
    Abstract: A method of fabricating a semiconductor device comprises forming backside power rails in a dielectric layer arranged above a backside interlayer dielectric (BILD) layer or a semiconductor layer, forming a trench that extends through the BILD layer or the semiconductor layer and partly through the dielectric layer between the backside power rails, depositing a plurality of layers to form a backside metal-insulator-metal (MIM) capacitor in the trench, and forming a first contact to a first metal layer of the plurality of layers. Forming the first contact comprises forming first recesses in a second metal layer of the plurality of layers, and filling the first recesses with an insulative material. The method further comprises forming a second contact to the second metal layer. Forming the second contact comprises forming second recesses in the first metal layer, and filling the second recesses with the insulative material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 4, 2021
    Publication date: May 4, 2023
    Inventors: Ruilong XIE, Takeshi NOGAMI, Roy R. YU, Balasubramanian PRANATHARTHIHARAN, Chih-Chao YANG
  • Publication number: 20230136650
    Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein include a semiconductor structure. The semiconductor structure may include a magnetoresistive random access memory (MRAM) cell with a memory array landing pad contacting a first bottom metal level contact and an MRAM pillar electrically connected to the memory array landing pad. The semiconductor structure may also include a logic interconnect contacting a second bottom metal level contact and a dielectric cap above the MRAM cell and the logic interconnect. The MRAM cell and logic interconnect may be electrically connected to a top metal level through the dielectric cap.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2021
    Publication date: May 4, 2023
    Inventors: Ashim Dutta, Chih-Chao Yang
  • Publication number: 20230134820
    Abstract: An interconnect structure is provided the includes a top electrically conductive via structure that is fully-aligned to a bottom electrically conductive line structure. The interconnect structure has a maximized contact area between the top electrically conductive via structure and the bottom electrically conductive line structure without metal fangs that are caused by over etching. The dielectric surface of the interconnect dielectric material layer that is adjacent to the top electrically conductive via structure is free of reactive ion etch (RIE) damage. Further, there is no line wiggling since the bottom electrically conductive line structure is formed by a substrative metal etch. Further, there is no via distortion since the via opening used to house the top electrically conductive via structure has a density and aspect ratio that are low enough to avoid via distortion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 3, 2021
    Publication date: May 4, 2023
    Inventors: Koichi Motoyama, CHANRO PARK, Kenneth Chun Kuen Cheng, Hsueh-Chung Chen, Chih-Chao Yang
  • Publication number: 20230125615
    Abstract: A method of making a semiconductor component includes forming an interconnect in a dielectric layer such that an uppermost surface of the interconnect is substantially coplanar with an uppermost surface of the dielectric layer. The method further includes recessing the dielectric layer such that the uppermost surface of the dielectric layer is lower than the uppermost surface of the interconnect. The method further includes forming spacers in direct contact with the uppermost surface of the recessed dielectric layer such that the spacers are in direct contact with the interconnect. The method further includes recessing the interconnect such that the uppermost surface of the interconnect remains above the uppermost surface of the recessed dielectric layer and is lower than an uppermost surface of the spacers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2021
    Publication date: April 27, 2023
    Inventors: CHANRO PARK, Koichi Motoyama, Kenneth Chun Kuen Cheng, Chih-Chao Yang
  • Patent number: 11637036
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention include a method of forming a multi-layer integrated circuit (IC) structure that includes forming a first dielectric layer from a first dielectric material. A first conductive interconnect is formed having a first conductive interconnect surface. The first conductive interconnect is positioned in a first portion of the first dielectric layer, and the first conductive interconnect surface has a first conductive interconnect surface area. A second conductive interconnect is formed having a second conductive interconnect surface. The second conductive interconnect is above the first conductive interconnect and positioned in a second portion of the first dielectric layer. The second conductive interconnect surface has a second conductive interconnect surface area that is less than a first conductive interconnect surface area of the first conductive interconnect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2023
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Cornelius Brown Peethala, Hari Prasad Amanapu, Raghuveer Reddy Patlolla, Koichi Motoyama, Chih-Chao Yang
  • Publication number: 20230120199
    Abstract: A copper interconnect with an embedded dielectric cap between lines comprises a plurality of interconnect lines formed in a dielectric layer of a semiconductor device. The copper interconnect further comprises a first dielectric cap formed between each interconnect line of the plurality of interconnect lines. The copper interconnect further comprises a second dielectric cap formed on top of the plurality of interconnect lines and the first dielectric cap, wherein the second dielectric cap formed on top of the first dielectric cap forms a bi-layer dielectric cap between the plurality of interconnect lines.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 5, 2021
    Publication date: April 20, 2023
    Inventors: Koichi Motoyama, CHANRO PARK, Kenneth Chun Kuen Cheng, Chih-Chao Yang
  • Publication number: 20230123372
    Abstract: A method of making a semiconductor component includes depositing a first metal material onto a structure having a first cavity and a second cavity such that the first metal material fills the first cavity and forms a first lining on exposed surfaces of the second cavity. The method further includes depositing a dielectric material onto the structure such that the dielectric material forms a second lining on exposed surfaces of the first lining. The method further includes depositing a second metal material onto the structure such that the second metal material fills remaining volume in the second cavity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 18, 2021
    Publication date: April 20, 2023
    Inventors: Nicholas Anthony Lanzillo, Chih-Chao Yang
  • Publication number: 20230120110
    Abstract: A method of making a semiconductor component includes forming a lower level including an interconnect structure. The method includes forming an upper level including a first dielectric layer, a second dielectric layer, and a barrier layer arranged between the first and second dielectric layers. The method includes forming a cavity in the upper level such that a portion of the interconnect structure and a portion of the barrier layer are exposed. The method includes forming a barrier material on all surfaces exposed by the formation of the cavity. The method includes removing the barrier material from all substantially horizontal surfaces exposed by the formation of the cavity. The method includes filling the cavity with an interconnect material such that the interconnect material is in direct contact with the interconnect structure and the barrier layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 18, 2021
    Publication date: April 20, 2023
    Inventors: Koichi Motoyama, CHANRO PARK, Kenneth Chun Kuen Cheng, Chih-Chao Yang
  • Publication number: 20230116440
    Abstract: An exemplary semiconductor structure includes a substrate defining a first trench; a first refractory metal liner coating the first trench; a heavy metal liner coating the first refractory metal liner; a copper structure filling the first trench over the heavy metal liner; a generally planar capping dielectric layer on top of the substrate and the copper structure; a low-k dielectric layer on top of the capping dielectric layer, wherein the low-k dielectric layer defines a second trench; a second refractory metal liner coating the second trench; a metal line filling the second refractory metal liner; and a metal via protruding from the metal line.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2021
    Publication date: April 13, 2023
    Inventors: Koichi Motoyama, CHANRO PARK, Kenneth Chun Kuen Cheng, Chih-Chao Yang
  • Publication number: 20230110587
    Abstract: A copper interconnect with self-aligned hourglass-shaped metal cap comprises a plurality of interconnect lines formed in a dielectric layer of a semiconductor device. The copper interconnect further comprises a metal cap formed on top of each interconnect line of the plurality of interconnect lines, where the metal cap is formed with self-aligning concave sides extending from a top surface of the dielectric layer to a top surface of the metal cap.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2021
    Publication date: April 13, 2023
    Inventors: Koichi Motoyama, CHANRO PARK, Kenneth Chun Kuen Cheng, Chih-Chao Yang
  • Publication number: 20230109291
    Abstract: An MRAM device is provided. The MRAM device includes a first electrode, an MRAM stack formed on the first electrode, a hardmask structure formed on the MRAM stack, and a second electrode formed on the hardmask structure. A width of an upper portion of the hardmask structure is less than a width of the MRAM stack.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2021
    Publication date: April 6, 2023
    Inventors: OSCAR VAN DER STRATEN, KOICHI MOTOYAMA, JOSEPH F. MANISCALCO, CHIH-CHAO YANG
  • Publication number: 20230109077
    Abstract: A semiconductor structure comprises a bottom electrode contact, and a memory device comprising a bottom electrode disposed on the bottom electrode contact, at least one memory element layer disposed on the bottom electrode, and a top electrode disposed on the at least one memory element layer. A bit line contact is disposed on the top electrode and extends around sides of the memory device and of the bottom electrode contact. An encapsulation layer is disposed between the bit line contact and the sides of the memory device and of the bottom electrode contact.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2021
    Publication date: April 6, 2023
    Inventors: Lili Cheng, Ashim Dutta, Chih-Chao Yang
  • Patent number: 11621294
    Abstract: A technique relates to an integrated circuit (IC). Pillars of a set of memory elements are formed. A bilayer dielectric is formed between the pillars, the bilayer dielectric having an upper dielectric material formed on a lower dielectric material without requiring an etch of the lower dielectric material prior to forming the upper dielectric material, thereby preventing a void in the bilayer dielectric, the lower dielectric material including one or more flowable dielectric materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2023
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Ashim Dutta, Saumya Sharma, Tianji Zhou, Chih-Chao Yang
  • Publication number: 20230102165
    Abstract: A semiconductor structure comprises a memory device comprising a first electrode, at least one memory element layer disposed on the first electrode, and a second electrode disposed on the at least one memory element layer. An encapsulation layer is disposed around side surfaces of the memory device. The semiconductor structure also comprises a conductive cap layer disposed on a top surface of the encapsulation layer and around a portion of side surfaces of the encapsulation layer. A contact is disposed on the second electrode and extends around the side surfaces of the memory device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2021
    Publication date: March 30, 2023
    Inventors: Ashim Dutta, Chih-Chao Yang
  • Publication number: 20230098122
    Abstract: A semiconductor device, such as an MRAM device, includes a stepped contact within a memory region that has a greater number of different contact structures (i.e., contact structures formed in different fabrication stages) relative to a logic region contact. The stepped contact includes a lower stepped contact and an upper stepped contact. The inclusion of the lower stepped contact allows for a relatively shorter upper stepped contact compared to the logic region contact. The stepped contact may allow the use of a multi-layer encapsulation spacer upon the sidewalls of a memory cell that fill out tight spacing therebetween, which may decrease the propensity of void formation and resulting shorting between neighboring memory cell features.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2021
    Publication date: March 30, 2023
    Inventors: Ashim Dutta, Lili Cheng, Chih-Chao Yang