Patents by Inventor Chung-Ju Lee

Chung-Ju Lee 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).

  • Patent number: 11563167
    Abstract: A magnetic memory device includes a bottom electrode, a magnetic tunneling junction disposed over the bottom electrode, and a top electrode disposed over the magnetic tunneling junction, wherein the top electrode includes a first top electrode layer and a second top electrode layer above the first top electrode layer, and wherein the second top electrode layer is thicker than the first top electrode layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2023
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Wei-Hao Liao, Hsi-Wen Tien, Chih-Wei Lu, Pin-Ren Dai, Chung-Ju Lee
  • Publication number: 20230011391
    Abstract: In some embodiments, the present disclosure relates to an integrated chip that includes a first interconnect dielectric layer arranged over a substrate. An interconnect wire extends through the first interconnect dielectric layer, and a barrier structure is arranged directly over the interconnect wire. The integrated chip further includes an etch stop layer arranged over the barrier structure and surrounds outer sidewalls of the barrier structure. A second interconnect dielectric layer is arranged over the etch stop layer, and an interconnect via extends through the second interconnect dielectric layer, the etch stop layer, and the barrier structure to contact the interconnect wire.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 8, 2021
    Publication date: January 12, 2023
    Inventors: Hsin-Chieh Yao, Chung-Ju Lee, Chih Wei Lu, Hsi-Wen Tien, Wei-Hao Liao, Yu-Teng Dai
  • Publication number: 20230009072
    Abstract: In some embodiments, the present disclosure relates to an integrated chip that includes a first interconnect dielectric layer arranged over a substrate, a second interconnect dielectric layer arranged over the first interconnect dielectric layer, and an interconnect conductive structure arranged within the second interconnect dielectric layer. The interconnect conductive structure includes an outer portion that includes a first conductive material. Further, the interconnect conductive structure includes a central portion having outermost sidewalls surrounding by the outer portion of the interconnect conductive structure. The central portion includes a second conductive material different than the first conductive material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 8, 2021
    Publication date: January 12, 2023
    Inventors: Yu-Teng Dai, Hsi-Wen Tien, Wei-Hao Liao, Hsin-Chieh Yao, Chih Wei Lu, Chung-Ju Lee
  • Publication number: 20220415704
    Abstract: A method of forming a semiconductor device structure is provided. The method includes forming a masking structure with first openings over a semiconductor substrate and correspondingly forming metal layers in the first openings. The method also includes recessing the masking structure to form second openings between the metal layers and forming a sacrificial layer surrounded by a first liner in each of the second openings. In addition, after forming a second liner over the sacrificial layer in each of the second openings, the method includes removing the sacrificial layer in each of the second openings to form a plurality of air gaps therefrom.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2021
    Publication date: December 29, 2022
    Applicant: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hsi-Wen Tien, Wei-Hao Liao, Yu-Teng Dai, Hsin-Chieh Yao, Chih-Wei Lu, Chung-Ju Lee, Shau-Lin Shue
  • Publication number: 20220415804
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an integrated chip comprising a substrate. A first conductive wire is over the substrate. A second conductive wire is over the substrate and is adjacent to the first conductive wire. A first dielectric cap is laterally between the first conductive wire and the second conductive wire. The first dielectric cap laterally separates the first conductive wire from the second conductive wire. The first dielectric cap includes a first dielectric material. A first cavity is directly below the first dielectric cap and is laterally between the first conductive wire and the second conductive wire. The first cavity is defined by one or more surfaces of the first dielectric cap.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 23, 2021
    Publication date: December 29, 2022
    Inventors: Hsin-Chieh Yao, Chung-Ju Lee, Chih Wei Lu, Hsi-Wen Tien, Wei-Hao Liao, Yu-Teng Dai, Hsin-Yen Huang, Chia-Tien Wu
  • Patent number: 11532547
    Abstract: Interconnect structures and methods of forming the same are provided. An interconnect structure according to the present disclosure includes a first conductive feature in a first dielectric layer, a second conductive feature aligned with and over the first conductive feature, a first insulation layer over the first dielectric layer and the second conductive feature, a second dielectric layer over the first insulating layer, and a contact via through the first insulation layer and the second dielectric layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2022
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Cheng-Hsiung Tsai, Ming-Han Lee, Chung-Ju Lee
  • Publication number: 20220392802
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an integrated chip including a substrate. A first conductive wire is within a first dielectric layer that is over the substrate. A first etch-stop layer is over the first dielectric layer. A second etch-stop layer is over the first etch-stop layer. A conductive via is within a second dielectric layer that is over the second etch-stop layer. The conductive via extends through the second etch-stop layer and along the first etch-stop layer to the first conductive wire. A first lower surface of the second etch-stop layer is on a top surface of the first etch-stop layer. A second lower surface of the second etch-stop layer is on a top surface of the first conductive wire.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 3, 2021
    Publication date: December 8, 2022
    Inventors: Hsi-Wen Tien, Wei-Hao Liao, Yu-Teng Dai, Hsin-Chieh Yao, Chih Wei Lu, Chung-Ju Lee
  • Publication number: 20220392801
    Abstract: Some embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a semiconductor structure including a first conductive wire disposed over a substrate. A dielectric liner is arranged along sidewalls and an upper surface of the first conductive wire and is laterally surrounded by a first dielectric layer. The dielectric liner and the first dielectric layer are different materials. A conductive via is disposed within a second dielectric layer over the first conductive wire. The conductive via has a first lower surface disposed over the first dielectric layer and a second lower surface below the first lower surface and over the first conductive wire.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 3, 2021
    Publication date: December 8, 2022
    Inventors: Wei-Hao Liao, Hsi-Wen Tien, Chih Wei Lu, Yu-Teng Dai, Hsin-Chieh Yao, Chung-Ju Lee
  • Patent number: 11521896
    Abstract: In some embodiments, the present disclosure relates to an integrated chip that includes a lower conductive structure arranged over a substrate. An etch stop layer is arranged over the lower conductive structure, and a first interconnect dielectric layer is arranged over the etch stop layer. The integrated chip further includes an interconnect via that extends through the first interconnect dielectric layer and the etch stop layer to directly contact the lower conductive structure. A protective layer surrounds outermost sidewalls of the interconnect via.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2022
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hsi-Wen Tien, Chung-Ju Lee, Chih Wei Lu, Hsin-Chieh Yao, Yu-Teng Dai, Wei-Hao Liao
  • Publication number: 20220376169
    Abstract: A memory device includes a bottom electrode, a tunneling junction disposed over the bottom electrode, and a top electrode disposed over the tunneling junction. The top electrode includes a first top electrode layer and a second top electrode layer above the first top electrode layer. The first and second top electrode layers include different material compositions. The first top electrode layer is thinner than the tunneling junction, and the second top electrode layer is thicker than the tunneling junction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2022
    Publication date: November 24, 2022
    Inventors: Wei-Hao Liao, Hsi-Wen Tien, Chih Wei Lu, Pin-Ren Dai, Chung-Ju Lee
  • Publication number: 20220367361
    Abstract: An interconnection structure, along with methods of forming such, are described. The interconnection structure includes a first portion of a conductive layer, a second portion of the conductive layer disposed adjacent the first portion of the conductive layer, and a dielectric foam disposed between the first and second portions of the conductive layer. The dielectric foam includes fluid gaps filled with carbon dioxide gas.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 7, 2021
    Publication date: November 17, 2022
    Inventors: Wei-Hao Liao, Hsi-Wen Tien, Yu-Teng Dai, Chih Wei Lu, Hsin-Chieh Yao, Chung-Ju Lee
  • Publication number: 20220359380
    Abstract: A semiconductor device structure is provided. The semiconductor device structure includes a semiconductor substrate and a conductive line over the semiconductor substrate. The conductive line has a barrier region surrounding an inner portion of the conductive line, and the barrier region has a greater dopant concentration than the inner portion. The semiconductor device structure also includes a conductive via on the conductive line. The semiconductor device structure further includes a dielectric layer over the semiconductor substrate. The dielectric layer surrounds the conductive line and the conductive via.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 20, 2022
    Publication date: November 10, 2022
    Applicant: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Tai-I YANG, Wei-Chen CHU, Yung-Hsu WU, Chung-Ju LEE
  • Publication number: 20220359368
    Abstract: An interconnect structure includes dielectric layer, a first conductive feature, a second conductive feature, a third conductive feature, and a dielectric fill. The first conductive feature is disposed in the dielectric layer. The second conductive feature is disposed over the first conductive feature. The second conductive feature includes a first conductive layer disposed over the first conductive feature, a second conductive layer disposed on the first conductive layer, and a third conductive layer disposed on the second conductive layer. The first conductive layer, the second conductive layer and the third conductive layer have substantially the same width. The third conductive feature is disposed over the dielectric layer. The dielectric fill is disposed over the dielectric layer between the second conductive feature and the third conductive feature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 6, 2021
    Publication date: November 10, 2022
    Inventors: Wei-Hao Liao, Hsi-Wen Tien, Yu-Teng Dai, Chih Wei Lu, Hsin-Chieh Yao, Chung-Ju Lee
  • Patent number: 11495465
    Abstract: A method of forming a semiconductor device includes providing a precursor. The precursor includes a substrate; a gate stack over the substrate; a first dielectric layer over the gate stack; a gate spacer on sidewalls of the gate stack and on sidewalls of the first dielectric layer; and source and drain (S/D) contacts on opposing sides of the gate stack. The method further includes recessing the gate spacer to at least partially expose the sidewalls of the first dielectric layer but not to expose the sidewalls of the gate stack. The method further includes forming a spacer protection layer over the gate spacer, the first dielectric layer, and the S/D contacts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2022
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Chih Wei Lu, Chung-Ju Lee, Hai-Ching Chen, Chien-Hua Huang, Tien-I Bao
  • Publication number: 20220352017
    Abstract: In some embodiments, the present disclosure relates to a method of forming an interconnect. The method includes forming an etch stop layer (ESL) over a lower conductive structure and forming one or more dielectric layers over the ESL. A first patterning process is performed on the one or more dielectric layers to form interconnect opening and a second patterning process is performed on the one or more dielectric layers to increase a depth of the interconnect opening and expose an upper surface of the ESL. A protective layer is selectively formed on sidewalls of the one or more dielectric layers forming the interconnect opening. A third patterning process is performed to remove portions of the ESL that are uncovered by the one or more dielectric layers and the protective layer and to expose the lower conductive structure. A conductive material is formed within the interconnect opening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 20, 2022
    Publication date: November 3, 2022
    Inventors: Hsi-Wen Tien, Chung-Ju Lee, Chih Wei Lu, Hsin-Chieh Yao, Yu-Teng Dai, Wei-Hao Liao
  • Publication number: 20220352113
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a semiconductor structure including an interconnect structure disposed over a semiconductor substrate. A lower metal line is disposed at a first height over the semiconductor substrate and extends through a first interlayer dielectric layer. A second interlayer dielectric layer is disposed at a second height over the semiconductor substrate and comprises a first dielectric material. An upper metal line is disposed at a third height over the semiconductor substrate. A via is disposed at the second height. The via extends between the lower metal line and the upper metal line. A protective dielectric structure is disposed at the second height. The protective dielectric structure comprises a protective dielectric material and is disposed along a first set of opposing sidewalls of the via, the protective dielectric material differing from the first dielectric material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 20, 2022
    Publication date: November 3, 2022
    Inventors: Hsin-Chieh Yao, Chung-Ju Lee, Chih Wei Lu, Hsi-Wen Tien, Yu-Teng Dai, Wei-Hao Liao
  • Patent number: 11488926
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a semiconductor structure including an interconnect structure disposed over a semiconductor substrate. A lower metal line is disposed at a first height over the semiconductor substrate and extends through a first interlayer dielectric layer. A second interlayer dielectric layer is disposed at a second height over the semiconductor substrate and comprises a first dielectric material. An upper metal line is disposed at a third height over the semiconductor substrate. A via is disposed at the second height. The via extends between the lower metal line and the upper metal line. A protective dielectric structure is disposed at the second height. The protective dielectric structure comprises a protective dielectric material and is disposed along a first set of opposing sidewalls of the via, the protective dielectric material differing from the first dielectric material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2022
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hsin-Chieh Yao, Chung-Ju Lee, Chih Wei Lu, Hsi-Wen Tien, Yu-Teng Dai, Wei-Hao Liao
  • Publication number: 20220344264
    Abstract: In some embodiments, the present disclosure relates to an integrated chip that includes a first interconnect dielectric layer over a substrate. An interconnect wire extends through the first interconnect dielectric layer, and a dielectric on wire structure is arranged directly over the interconnect wire. Outer sidewalls of the dielectric on wire structure are surrounded by the first interconnect dielectric layer. The integrated chip further includes a second interconnect dielectric layer arranged over the first interconnect dielectric layer, and an interconnect via that extends through the second interconnect dielectric layer and the dielectric on wire structure to contact the interconnect wire.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 21, 2021
    Publication date: October 27, 2022
    Inventors: Hsin-Chieh Yao, Chung-Ju Lee, Chih Wei Lu, Hsi-Wen Tien, Yu-Teng Dai, Wei-Hao Liao
  • Publication number: 20220344170
    Abstract: A method includes forming a material layer over a substrate, forming a first hard mask (HM) layer over the material layer, forming a first trench, along a first direction, in the first HM layer. The method also includes forming first spacers along sidewalls of the first trench, forming a second trench in the first HM layer parallel to the first trench, by using the first spacers to guard the first trench. The method also includes etching the material layer through the first trench and the second trench, removing the first HM layer and the first spacers, forming a second HM layer over the material layer, forming a third trench in the second HM layer. The third trench extends along a second direction that is perpendicular to the first direction and overlaps with the first trench. The method also includes etching the material layer through the third trench.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 11, 2022
    Publication date: October 27, 2022
    Inventors: Yung-Sung Yen, Chung-Ju Lee, Chun-Kuang Chen, Chia-Tien Wu, Ta-Ching Yu, Kuei-Shun Chen, Ru-Gun Liu, Shau-Lin Shue, Tsai-Sheng Gau, Yung-Hsu Wu
  • Patent number: 11482447
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an integrated chip. The integrated chip comprises a dielectric layer over a substrate. A first metal feature is over the dielectric layer. A second metal feature is over the dielectric layer and is laterally adjacent to the first metal feature. A first dielectric liner segment extends laterally between the first metal feature and the second metal feature along an upper surface of the dielectric layer. The first dielectric liner segment extends continuously from along the upper surface of the dielectric layer, to along a sidewall of the first metal feature that faces the second metal feature, and to along a sidewall of the second metal feature that faces the first metal feature. A first cavity is laterally between sidewalls of the first dielectric liner segment and is above an upper surface of the first dielectric liner segment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2022
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hsi-Wen Tien, Chung-Ju Lee, Chih Wei Lu, Hsin-Chieh Yao, Shau-Lin Shue, Yu-Teng Dai, Wei-Hao Liao