Patents by Inventor Chih-Chiang Tu
Chih-Chiang Tu 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).
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Publication number: 20240053674Abstract: A method for manufacturing a semiconductor structure is provided. The method may include several operations. A substrate is provided, received or formed. A multilayer structure is formed over the substrate, wherein the multilayer structure includes a plurality of silicon layers and a plurality of molybdenum layers alternately arranged with the plurality of silicon layers. A nitride layer and an oxide layer are formed over the multilayer structure, wherein a total thickness of the nitride layer and a topmost silicon layer is substantially equal to a thickness of each of all other silicon layers of the plurality of silicon layers. A patterned layer is formed over the nitride layer. A semiconductor structure thereof is also provided.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 9, 2022Publication date: February 15, 2024Inventors: CHUN-LANG CHEN, SHIH-HAO YANG, CHIH-CHIANG TU
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Publication number: 20240003827Abstract: In a mask review method, a vacuum is drawn in a vacuum chamber that contains an extreme ultraviolet (EUV) actinic mask review system including an EUV illuminator, a mask stage, a projection optics box, and an EUV imaging sensor. With the vacuum drawn, a position is adjusted of at least one component of the EUV actinic mask review system. After the adjusting and with the vacuum drawn, an actinic image is acquired of an EUV mask mounted on the mask stage using the EUV imaging sensor. The acquiring includes transmitting EUV light from the EUV illuminator onto the EUV mask and projecting at least a portion of the EUV light reflected by the EUV mask onto the EUV imaging sensor using the projection optics box.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 4, 2023Publication date: January 4, 2024Inventors: Chien-Lin Chen, Danping Peng, Chih-Chiang Tu, Chih-Wei Wen, Hsin-Fu Tseng
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Publication number: 20240004318Abstract: To improve EUV emission stability, bumps and eaves are added to the interior wall of a rotating crucible that produces EUV light by vaporizing a pre-heated metal, such as tin, using a laser. The bumps and eaves prevent migration of debris and control liquid metal flow, which is otherwise distributed over time by the centrifugal forces generated as the crucible rotates. The bumps and eaves stabilize EUV emissions by changing turbulent liquid metal flow to a predominately laminar flow. Tin catchers of various designs are available to collect and recycle a significant portion of the debris and unused liquid metal. A closed crucible chamber design alleviates non-uniform heating issues.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 6, 2023Publication date: January 4, 2024Inventors: Tzu Jeng HSU, Shy-Jay LIN, Chih-Wei WEN, Hsin-Fu TSENG, Chien-Hsing LU, Chih-Chiang TU
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Patent number: 11860530Abstract: A photolithographic mask assembly according to the present disclosure accompanies a photolithographic mask. The photolithographic mask includes a capping layer over a substrate and an absorber layer disposed over the capping layer. The absorber layer includes a first main feature area, a second main feature area, and a venting feature area disposed between the first main feature area and the second main feature area. The venting feature area includes a plurality of venting features.Type: GrantFiled: June 30, 2022Date of Patent: January 2, 2024Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.Inventors: Chi-Ta Lu, Chih-Chiang Tu, Cheng-Ming Lin, Ching-Yueh Chen, Wei-Chung Hu, Ting-Chang Hsu, Yu-Tung Chen
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Patent number: 11854861Abstract: A spin dry etching process includes loading an object into a dry etching system. A dry etching process is performed to the object, and the object is spun while the dry etching process is being performed. The spin dry etching process is performed using a semiconductor fabrication system. The semiconductor fabrication system includes a dry etching chamber in which a dry etching process is performed. A holder apparatus has a horizontally-facing slot that is configured for horizontal insertion of an etchable object therein. The etchable object includes either a photomask or a wafer. A controller is communicatively coupled to the holder apparatus and configured to spin the holder apparatus in a clockwise or counterclockwise direction while the dry etching process is being performed. An insertion of the etchable object into the horizontally-facing slot of the holder apparatus restricts a movement of the object as the dry etching process is performed.Type: GrantFiled: April 26, 2019Date of Patent: December 26, 2023Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.Inventors: Chih-Chiang Tu, Chun-Lang Chen
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Publication number: 20230367197Abstract: A photolithographic mask assembly according to the present disclosure accompanies a photolithographic mask. The photolithographic mask includes a capping layer over a substrate and an absorber layer disposed over the capping layer. The absorber layer includes a first main feature area, a second main feature area, and a venting feature area disposed between the first main feature area and the second main feature area. The venting feature area includes a plurality of venting features.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 27, 2023Publication date: November 16, 2023Inventors: Chi-Ta Lu, Chih-Chiang Tu, Cheng-Ming Lin, Ching-Yueh Chen, Wei-Chung Hu, Ting-Chang Hsu, Yu-Tung Chen
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Publication number: 20230360914Abstract: A reflection mode photomask includes a multilayer over a substrate. The reflection mode photomask further includes a plurality of absorber stacks over the multilayer. Each absorber stack of the plurality of absorber stacks includes an absorber layer, wherein a material of the absorber layer is selected from the group consisting of tantalum oxynitride and tantalum silicon oxynitride. Each absorber stack of the plurality of absorber stacks further includes an anti-reflective coating (ARC) layer on the absorber layer, wherein a material of the ARC layer is selected from the group consisting of tantalum nitride and tantalum silicon.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 21, 2023Publication date: November 9, 2023Inventors: Chun-Lang CHEN, Chih-Chiang TU
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Patent number: 11735421Abstract: A method of manufacturing a reticle includes depositing an etch stop layer over a substrate; and depositing an absorber layer over the etch stop layer. The method further includes depositing a hard mask layer over the absorber layer, wherein the hard mask layer includes tantalum. The method includes patterning the hard mask layer. The method further includes performing a first etch process to remove a portion of the absorber layer underneath the patterned hard mask. The method includes performing a second etch process to partially remove a portion of a thickness of an etch stop layer underneath the removed portion of the absorber layer, wherein performing the third etch process comprises maintaining a remaining thickness of the etch stop layer underneath the removed portion of the absorber. The method further includes maintaining the remaining thickness of the etch stop layer through a termination of the method of manufacturing the reticle.Type: GrantFiled: February 8, 2022Date of Patent: August 22, 2023Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.Inventors: Chun-Lang Chen, Chih-Chiang Tu
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Publication number: 20230259014Abstract: A mask includes a reflective layer, an absorption layer and an absorption part. The absorption layer is disposed over the reflective multilayer. The absorption part is disposed in the reflective layer and the absorption layer, wherein an entire top surface of the absorption part is substantially flush with a top surface of the absorption layer.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 27, 2023Publication date: August 17, 2023Applicant: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.Inventors: Chih-Chiang Tu, Chun-Lang Chen, Shih-Hao Yang, Jheng-Yuan Chen
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Patent number: 11662656Abstract: A mask includes a substrate, a reflective multilayer, an absorption layer and an absorption part. The substrate includes a mask image region and a mask frame region, wherein the mask frame region has a mask black border region adjacent to the mask image region. The reflective multilayer is disposed over the substrate. The absorption layer is disposed over the reflective multilayer. The absorption part is disposed in the reflective multilayer and the absorption layer and in the mask black border region, wherein an entire top surface of the absorption part is substantially flush with a top surface of the absorption layer.Type: GrantFiled: November 23, 2020Date of Patent: May 30, 2023Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.Inventors: Chih-Chiang Tu, Chun-Lang Chen, Shih-Hao Yang, Jheng-Yuan Chen
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Patent number: 11531263Abstract: Some embodiments relate to photomask for mask patterning. The photomask includes a transparent layer comprising quartz, and a molybdenum silicide (MoSi) layer overlying the transparent layer. A first shielding layer overlies the MoSi layer and has a first thickness and a first optical density. A second shielding layer overlies the first shielding layer and has a second thickness and a second optical density. The second thickness is less than one third of the first thickness, and the second optical density is less than one fourth of the first optical density. An overall optical density of the first and second shielding layers is at least 1.8.Type: GrantFiled: August 18, 2021Date of Patent: December 20, 2022Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.Inventors: Chih-Chiang Tu, Chun-Lang Chen
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Publication number: 20220350235Abstract: A photolithographic mask assembly according to the present disclosure accompanies a photolithographic mask. The photolithographic mask includes a capping layer over a substrate and an absorber layer disposed over the capping layer. The absorber layer includes a first main feature area, a second main feature area, and a venting feature area disposed between the first main feature area and the second main feature area. The venting feature area includes a plurality of venting features.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 30, 2022Publication date: November 3, 2022Inventors: Chi-Ta Lu, Chih-Chiang Tu, Cheng-Ming Lin, Ching-Yueh Chen, Wei-Chung Hu, Ting-Chang Hsu, Yu-Tung Chen
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Patent number: 11402743Abstract: A photolithographic mask assembly according to the present disclosure accompanies a photolithographic mask. The photolithographic mask includes a capping layer over a substrate and an absorber layer disposed over the capping layer. The absorber layer includes a first main feature area, a second main feature area, and a venting feature area disposed between the first main feature area and the second main feature area. The venting feature area includes a plurality of venting features.Type: GrantFiled: August 31, 2020Date of Patent: August 2, 2022Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.Inventors: Chi-Ta Lu, Chih-Chiang Tu, Cheng-Ming Lin, Ching-Yueh Chen, Wei-Chung Hu, Ting-Chang Hsu, Yu-Tung Chen
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Publication number: 20220165572Abstract: A method of manufacturing a reticle includes depositing an etch stop layer over a substrate; and depositing an absorber layer over the etch stop layer. The method further includes depositing a hard mask layer over the absorber layer, wherein the hard mask layer includes tantalum. The method includes patterning the hard mask layer. The method further includes performing a first etch process to remove a portion of the absorber layer underneath the patterned hard mask. The method includes performing a second etch process to partially remove a portion of a thickness of an etch stop layer underneath the removed portion of the absorber layer, wherein performing the third etch process comprises maintaining a remaining thickness of the etch stop layer underneath the removed portion of the absorber. The method further includes maintaining the remaining thickness of the etch stop layer through a termination of the method of manufacturing the reticle.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 8, 2022Publication date: May 26, 2022Inventors: Chun-Lang CHEN, Chih-Chiang TU
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Patent number: 11270884Abstract: A reflection mode photomask includes a substrate. The reflection mode photomask further includes a reflective multilayer over the substrate. The reflection mode photomask further includes a plurality of absorber stacks over the reflective multilayer, wherein each absorber stack of the plurality of absorber stacks has an etch stop layer, an absorber layer and an ARC layer, wherein a ratio of a thickness of the ARC layer to that of the etch stop layer is in a range from about 1:1 to about 1:2.5, and a sidewall roughness of each absorber stack of the plurality of absorber stacks is smaller than 3 nanometers (nm).Type: GrantFiled: January 27, 2020Date of Patent: March 8, 2022Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.Inventors: Chun-Lang Chen, Chih-Chiang Tu
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Publication number: 20220066312Abstract: A photolithographic mask assembly according to the present disclosure accompanies a photolithographic mask. The photolithographic mask includes a capping layer over a substrate and an absorber layer disposed over the capping layer. The absorber layer includes a first main feature area, a second main feature area, and a venting feature area disposed between the first main feature area and the second main feature area. The venting feature area includes a plurality of venting features.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 31, 2020Publication date: March 3, 2022Inventors: Chi-Ta Lu, Chih-Chiang Tu, Cheng-Ming Lin, Ching-Yueh Chen, Wei-Chung Hu, Ting-Chang Hsu, Yu-Tung Chen
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Patent number: 11262658Abstract: A photomask includes a transparent substrate and a shielding pattern disposed on the transparent substrate. The shielding pattern includes shielding island structures. The shielding island structures are separated from and spaced apart from one another by dividing lanes. The dividing lanes expose the underlying transparent substrate. The photomask is configured for a light of a wavelength, and the dividing lanes reduce or hinder a transmission of the light of the wavelength.Type: GrantFiled: April 28, 2020Date of Patent: March 1, 2022Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.Inventors: Che-Yuan Chang, Chih-Chiang Tu, Ming-Ho Tsai, Ching-Hung Lai
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Publication number: 20220026797Abstract: A pellicle includes a frame configured to attach to a photomask, wherein the frame includes a vent hole. The pellicle further includes a filter covering the vent hole, wherein the filter directly connects to an outer surface of the frame. The pellicle further includes a membrane extending over a top surface of the frame. The pellicle further includes a mount between the frame and the membrane, wherein the mount is attachable to the frame by an adhesive.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 8, 2021Publication date: January 27, 2022Inventors: Chue San YOO, Chih-Chiang TU, Chien-Cheng CHEN, Jong-Yuh CHANG, Kun-Lung HSIEH, Pei-Cheng HSU, Hsin-Chang LEE, Yun-Yue LIN
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Publication number: 20210373433Abstract: Some embodiments relate to photomask for mask patterning. The photomask includes a transparent layer comprising quartz, and a molybdenum silicide (MoSi) layer overlying the transparent layer. A first shielding layer overlies the MoSi layer and has a first thickness and a first optical density. A second shielding layer overlies the first shielding layer and has a second thickness and a second optical density. The second thickness is less than one third of the first thickness, and the second optical density is less than one fourth of the first optical density. An overall optical density of the first and second shielding layers is at least 1.8.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 18, 2021Publication date: December 2, 2021Inventors: Chih-Chiang Tu, Chun-Lang Chen
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Publication number: 20210333705Abstract: A photomask includes a transparent substrate and a shielding pattern disposed on the transparent substrate. The shielding pattern includes shielding island structures. The shielding island structures are separated from and spaced apart from one another by dividing lanes. The dividing lanes expose the underlying transparent substrate. The photomask is configured for a light of a wavelength, and the dividing lanes reduce or hinder a transmission of the light of the wavelength.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 28, 2020Publication date: October 28, 2021Applicant: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.Inventors: Che-Yuan Chang, Chih-Chiang Tu, Ming-Ho Tsai, Ching-Hung Lai