Patents by Inventor Kai-Chih Liang

Kai-Chih Liang 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: 20170023521
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a bio-field effect transistor (BioFET) and a method of fabricating a BioFET device. The method includes forming a BioFET using one or more process steps compatible with or typical to a complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) process. The BioFET device may include a substrate; a gate structure disposed on a first surface of the substrate and an interface layer formed on the second surface of the substrate. The interface layer may allow for a receptor to be placed on the interface layer to detect the presence of a biomolecule or bio-entity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 3, 2016
    Publication date: January 26, 2017
    Inventors: Alexander KALNITSKY, Yi-Shao LIU, Kai-Chih LIANG, Chia-Hua CHU, Chun-Ren CHENG, Chun-Wen CHENG
  • Patent number: 9499396
    Abstract: A microelectromechanical system (MEMS) device may include a MEMS structure over a first substrate. The MEMS structure comprises a movable element. Depositing a first conductive material over the first substrate and etching trenches in a second substrate. Filling the trenches with a second conductive material and depositing a third conductive material over the second conductive material and the second substrate. Bonding the first substrate and the second substrate and thinning a backside of the second substrate which exposes the second conductive material in the trenches.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2016
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kai-Chih Liang, Chia-Hua Chu, Te-Hao Lee, Jiou-Kang Lee, Chung-Hsien Lin
  • Patent number: 9459234
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a bio-field effect transistor (BioFET) and a method of fabricating a BioFET device. The method includes forming a BioFET using one or more process steps compatible with or typical to a complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) process. The BioFET device may include a substrate; a gate structure disposed on a first surface of the substrate and an interface layer formed on the second surface of the substrate. The interface layer may allow for a receptor to be placed on the interface layer to detect the presence of a biomolecule or bio-entity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2016
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd., (“TSMC”)
    Inventors: Alexander Kalnitsky, Yi-Shao Liu, Kai-Chih Liang, Chia-Hua Chu, Chun-Ren Cheng, Chun-Wen Cheng
  • Patent number: 9449867
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an integrated microsystem with a protection barrier structure, and an associated method. In some embodiments, the integrated microsystem comprises a first die having a plurality of CMOS devices disposed thereon, a second die having a plurality of MEMS devices disposed thereon and a vapor hydrofluoric acid (vHF) etch barrier structure disposed between the first die and the second die. The second die is bonded to the first die at a bond interface region. The vHF etch barrier structure comprises a vHF barrier layer over an upper surface of the first die, and a stress reduction layer arranged between the vHF etch barrier layer and the upper surface of the first die.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2016
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tzu-Heng Wu, Yi-Hsien Chang, Kai-Chih Liang, Yi Heng Tsai, Wei-Cheng Shen, Chun-Ren Cheng, Chun-Wen Cheng, Han-Chin Chiu
  • Patent number: 9359194
    Abstract: MEMS devices, packaged MEMS devices, and methods of manufacture thereof are disclosed. In one embodiment, a microelectromechanical system (MEMS) device includes a first MEMS functional structure and a second MEMS functional structure. An interior region of the second MEMS functional structure has a pressure that is different than a pressure of an interior region of the first MEMS functional structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2016
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kai-Chih Liang, Chun-Wen Cheng
  • Patent number: 9254997
    Abstract: A sensor is made up of two substrates which are adhered together. A first substrate includes a pressure-sensitive micro-electrical-mechanical (MEMS) structure and a conductive contact structure that protrudes outwardly beyond a first face of the first substrate. A second substrate includes a complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) device and a receiving structure made up of sidewalls that meet a conductive surface which is recessed from a first face of the second substrate. A conductive bonding material physically adheres the conductive contact structure to the conductive surface and electrically couples the MEMS structure to the CMOS device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2016
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chun-Wen Cheng, Kai-Chih Liang, Chia-Hua Chu
  • Publication number: 20150364363
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an integrated microsystem with a protection barrier structure, and an associated method. In some embodiments, the integrated microsystem comprises a first die having a plurality of CMOS devices disposed thereon, a second die having a plurality of MEMS devices disposed thereon and a vapor hydrofluoric acid (vHF) etch barrier structure disposed between the first die and the second die. The second die is bonded to the first die at a bond interface region. The vHF etch barrier structure comprises a vHF barrier layer over an upper surface of the first die, and a stress reduction layer arranged between the vHF etch barrier layer and the upper surface of the first die.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 17, 2014
    Publication date: December 17, 2015
    Inventors: Tzu-Heng Wu, Yi-Hsien Chang, Kai-Chih Liang, Yi Heng Tsai, Wei-Cheng Shen, Chun-Ren Cheng, Chun-Wen Cheng, Han-Chin Chiu
  • Patent number: 9133017
    Abstract: A MEMS structure incorporating multiple joined substrates and a method for forming the MEMS structure are disclosed. An exemplary MEMS structure includes a first substrate having a bottom surface and a second substrate having a top surface substantially parallel to the bottom surface of the first substrate. The bottom surface of the first substrate is connected to the top surface of the second substrate by an anchor, such that the anchor does not extend through either the bottom surface of the first substrate or the top surface of the second substrate. The MEMS structure may include a bonding layer in contact with the bottom surface of the first substrate, and shaped to at least partially envelop the anchor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2015
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kai-Chih Liang, Jiou-Kang Lee, Chung-Hsien Lin, Te-Hao Lee, Chia-Hua Chu
  • Publication number: 20150217996
    Abstract: Exemplary microelectromechanical system (MEMS) devices, and methods for fabricating such are disclosed. An exemplary method includes providing a silicon-on-insulator (SOI) substrate, wherein the SOI substrate includes a first silicon layer separated from a second silicon layer by an insulator layer; processing the first silicon layer to form a first structure layer of a MEMS device; bonding the first structure layer to a substrate; and processing the second silicon layer to form a second structure layer of the MEMS device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 13, 2015
    Publication date: August 6, 2015
    Inventors: Chia-Hua Chu, Chun-Wen Cheng, Jiou-Kang Lee, Kai-Chih Liang, Chung-Hsien Lin, Te-Hao Lee
  • Publication number: 20150158723
    Abstract: A microelectromechanical system (MEMS) device may include a MEMS structure over a first substrate. The MEMS structure comprises a movable element. Depositing a first conductive material over the first substrate and etching trenches in a second substrate. Filling the trenches with a second conductive material and depositing a third conductive material over the second conductive material and the second substrate. Bonding the first substrate and the second substrate and thinning a backside of the second substrate which exposes the second conductive material in the trenches.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 17, 2015
    Publication date: June 11, 2015
    Inventors: Kai-Chih Liang, Chia-Hua Chu, Te-Hao Lee, Jiou-Kang Lee, Chung-Hsien Lin
  • Publication number: 20150137283
    Abstract: MEMS devices, packaged MEMS devices, and methods of manufacture thereof are disclosed. In one embodiment, a microelectromechanical system (MEMS) device includes a first MEMS functional structure and a second MEMS functional structure. An interior region of the second MEMS functional structure has a pressure that is different than a pressure of an interior region of the first MEMS functional structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2015
    Publication date: May 21, 2015
    Inventors: Kai-Chih Liang, Chun-Wen Cheng
  • Patent number: 9006015
    Abstract: Exemplary microelectromechanical system (MEMS) devices, and methods for fabricating such are disclosed. An exemplary method includes providing a silicon-on-insulator (SOI) substrate, wherein the SOI substrate includes a first silicon layer separated from a second silicon layer by an insulator layer; processing the first silicon layer to form a first structure layer of a MEMS device; bonding the first structure layer to a substrate; and processing the second silicon layer to form a second structure layer of the MEMS device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manfacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Chia-Hua Chu, Te-Hao Lee, Jiou-Kang Lee, Kai-Chih Liang, Chung-Hsien Lin, Chun-wen Cheng
  • Patent number: 8987059
    Abstract: A microelectromechanical system (MEMS) device may include a MEMS structure over a first substrate. The MEMS structure comprises a movable element. Depositing a first conductive material over the first substrate and etching trenches in a second substrate. Filling the trenches with a second conductive material and depositing a third conductive material over the second conductive material and the second substrate. Bonding the first substrate and the second substrate and thinning a backside of the second substrate which exposes the second conductive material in the trenches.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kai-Chih Liang, Chia-Hua Chu, Te-Hao Lee, Jiou-Kang Lee, Chung-Hsien Lin
  • Publication number: 20150060954
    Abstract: A sensor is made up of two substrates which are adhered together. A first substrate includes a pressure-sensitive micro-electrical-mechanical (MEMS) structure and a conductive contact structure that protrudes outwardly beyond a first face of the first substrate. A second substrate includes a complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) device and a receiving structure made up of sidewalls that meet a conductive surface which is recessed from a first face of the second substrate. A conductive bonding material physically adheres the conductive contact structure to the conductive surface and electrically couples the MEMS structure to the CMOS device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2013
    Publication date: March 5, 2015
    Applicant: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chun-Wen Cheng, Kai-Chih Liang, Chia-Hua Chu
  • Patent number: 8952465
    Abstract: MEMS devices, packaged MEMS devices, and methods of manufacture thereof are disclosed. In one embodiment, a microelectromechanical system (MEMS) device includes a first MEMS functional structure and a second MEMS functional structure. An interior region of the second MEMS functional structure has a pressure that is different than a pressure of an interior region of the first MEMS functional structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kai-Chih Liang, Chun-Wen Cheng
  • Publication number: 20140353776
    Abstract: A MEMS structure incorporating multiple joined substrates and a method for forming the MEMS structure are disclosed. An exemplary MEMS structure includes a first substrate having a bottom surface and a second substrate having a top surface substantially parallel to the bottom surface of the first substrate. The bottom surface of the first substrate is connected to the top surface of the second substrate by an anchor, such that the anchor does not extend through either the bottom surface of the first substrate or the top surface of the second substrate. The MEMS structure may include a bonding layer in contact with the bottom surface of the first substrate, and shaped to at least partially envelop the anchor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2014
    Publication date: December 4, 2014
    Inventors: Kai-Chih Liang, Jiou-Kang Lee, Chung-Hsien Lin, Te-Hao Lee, Chia-Hua Chu
  • Publication number: 20140206123
    Abstract: Exemplary microelectromechanical system (MEMS) devices, and methods for fabricating such are disclosed. An exemplary method includes providing a silicon-on-insulator (SOI) substrate, wherein the SOI substrate includes a first silicon layer separated from a second silicon layer by an insulator layer; processing the first silicon layer to form a first structure layer of a MEMS device; bonding the first structure layer to a substrate; and processing the second silicon layer to form a second structure layer of the MEMS device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 24, 2013
    Publication date: July 24, 2014
    Applicant: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Chia-Hua Chu, Te-Hao Lee, Jiou-Kang Lee, Kai-Chih Liang, Chung-Hsien Lin, Chun-wen Cheng
  • Patent number: 8748205
    Abstract: A MEMS structure incorporating multiple joined substrates and a method for forming the MEMS structure are disclosed. An exemplary MEMS structure includes a first substrate having a bottom surface and a second substrate having a top surface substantially parallel to the bottom surface of the first substrate. The bottom surface of the first substrate is connected to the top surface of the second substrate by an anchor, such that the anchor does not extend through either the bottom surface of the first substrate or the top surface of the second substrate. The MEMS structure may include a bonding layer in contact with the bottom surface of the first substrate, and shaped to at least partially envelop the anchor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kai-Chih Liang, Jiou-Kang Lee, Chung-Hsien Lin, Te-Hao Lee, Chia-Hua Chu
  • Patent number: 8647892
    Abstract: A method for process control is disclosed. The method includes performing an etching process on a semiconductor substrate forming a structure and a test structure having a pattern and a releasing mechanism coupled to the pattern; and monitoring the pattern of the test structure to determine whether the etching process is complete.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2014
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kai-Chih Liang, Wen-Chuan Tai, Chun-Ren Cheng
  • Patent number: 8633554
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a micro-electro-mechanical systems (MEMS) device and a method for fabricating such a device. In an embodiment, a MEMS device includes a substrate, a dielectric layer above the substrate, an etch stop layer above the dielectric layer, and two anchor plugs above the dielectric layer, the two anchor plugs each contacting the etch stop layer or a top metal layer disposed above the dielectric layer. The device further comprises a MEMS structure layer disposed above a cavity formed between the two anchor plugs and above the etch stop layer from release of a sacrificial layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2014
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Chia-Hua Chu, Yi Heng Tsai, Kai-Chih Liang, Chia-Pao Shu, Li-Cheng Chu, Kuei-Sung Chang, Hsueh-An Yang, Chung-Hsien Lin