Patents by Inventor Kai-Chun Hsu
Kai-Chun Hsu 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: 20180331146Abstract: The present disclosure, in some embodiments, relates to a method of forming an integrated chip. The method may be performed by forming a plurality of interconnect layers within a dielectric structure over an upper surface of a substrate. A passivation structure is formed over the dielectric structure. The passivation structure has sidewalls and a horizontally extending surface defining has a recess within an upper surface of the passivation structure. A bond pad is formed having a lower surface overlying the horizontally extending surface and one or more protrusions extending outward from the lower surface. The one or more protrusions extend through one or more openings within the horizontally extending surface to contact a first one of the plurality of interconnect layers. An upper passivation layer is deposited on sidewalls and an upper surface of the bond pad and on sidewalls and the upper surface of the passivation structure.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 20, 2018Publication date: November 15, 2018Inventors: Kai-Chun Hsu, Ching-Chun Wang, Dun-Nian Yaung, Jeng-Shyan Lin, Shyh-Fann Ting
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Patent number: 10103287Abstract: A semiconductor arrangement and method of formation are provided herein. A semiconductor arrangement includes an active area on a substrate, where the active area is at least one of a p-type region or an n-type region. The substrate includes a well, where the well is a p-well when the active area is a p-type region, and the well is an n-well when the active area is an n-type region. The well includes a photodiode. The active area is connected to a voltage supply having a voltage level, such as ground. The active area on the substrate increases a distance between the photodiode and the active area, which reduces junction leakage as compared to a semiconductor arrangement where the active area is formed at least partially within the substrate.Type: GrantFiled: January 7, 2014Date of Patent: October 16, 2018Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company LimitedInventors: Kai-Chun Hsu, Shyh-Fann Ting, Jhy-Jyi Sze, Chun-Tsung Kuo, Ching-Chun Wang, Dun-Nian Yaung
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Patent number: 10074612Abstract: A method of fabrication of alignment marks for a non-STI CMOS image sensor is introduced. In some embodiments, zero layer alignment marks and active are alignment marks may be simultaneously formed on a wafer. A substrate of the wafer may be patterned to form one or more recesses in the substrate. The recesses may be filled with a dielectric material using, for example, a field oxidation method and/or suitable deposition methods. Structures formed by the above process may correspond to elements of the zero layer alignment marks and/or to elements the active area alignment marks.Type: GrantFiled: April 3, 2017Date of Patent: September 11, 2018Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing CompanyInventors: Cheng-Hsien Chou, Sheng-Chau Chen, Chun-Wei Chang, Kai-Chun Hsu, Chih-Yu Lai, Wei-Cheng Hsu, Hsiao-Hui Tseng, Shih Pei Chou, Shyh-Fann Ting, Tzu-Hsuan Hsu, Ching-Chun Wang, Yeur-Luen Tu, Dun-Nian Yaung
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Publication number: 20170207176Abstract: A method of fabrication of alignment marks for a non-STI CMOS image sensor is introduced. In some embodiments, zero layer alignment marks and active are alignment marks may be simultaneously formed on a wafer. A substrate of the wafer may be patterned to form one or more recesses in the substrate. The recesses may be filled with a dielectric material using, for example, a field oxidation method and/or suitable deposition methods. Structures formed by the above process may correspond to elements of the zero layer alignment marks and/or to elements the active area alignment marks.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 3, 2017Publication date: July 20, 2017Inventors: Cheng-Hsien Chou, Sheng-Chau Chen, Chun-Wei Chang, Kai-Chun Hsu, Chih-Yu Lai, Wei-Cheng Hsu, Hsiao-Hui Tseng, Shih Pei Chou, Shyh-Fann Ting, Tzu-Hsuan Hsu, Ching-Chun Wang, Yeur-Luen Tu, Dun-Nian Yaung
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Publication number: 20170117316Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an integrated circuit having a bond pad with a relatively flat surface topography that mitigates damage to underlying layers. In some embodiments, the integrated circuit has a plurality of metal interconnect layers within a dielectric structure over a substrate. A passivation structure is arranged over the dielectric structure. The passivation structure has a recess with sidewalls connecting a horizontal surface of the passivation structure to an upper surface of the passivation structure. A bond pad is arranged within the recess and has a lower surface overlying the horizontal surface. One or more protrusions extend outward from the lower surface through openings in the passivation structure to contact one of the metal interconnect layers. Arranging the bond pad within the recess and over the passivation structure mitigates stress to underlying layers during bonding without negatively impacting an efficiency of an image sensing element within the substrate.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 9, 2016Publication date: April 27, 2017Inventors: Kai-Chun Hsu, Ching-Chun Wang, Dun-Nian Yaung, Jeng-Shyan Lin, Shyh-Fann Ting
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Patent number: 9627326Abstract: A method of fabrication of alignment marks for a non-STI CMOS image sensor is introduced. In some embodiments, zero layer alignment marks and active are alignment marks may be simultaneously formed on a wafer. A substrate of the wafer may be patterned to form one or more recesses in the substrate. The recesses may be filled with a dielectric material using, for example, a field oxidation method and/or suitable deposition methods. Structures formed by the above process may correspond to elements of the zero layer alignment marks and/or to elements the active area alignment marks.Type: GrantFiled: May 26, 2016Date of Patent: April 18, 2017Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.Inventors: Cheng-Hsien Chou, Sheng-Chau Chen, Chun-Wei Chang, Kai-Chun Hsu, Chih-Yu Lai, Wei-Cheng Hsu, Hsiao-Hui Tseng, Shih Pei Chou, Shyh-Fann Ting, Tzu-Hsuan Hsu, Ching-Chun Wang, Yeur-Luen Tu, Dun-Nian Yaung
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Publication number: 20170084664Abstract: A method of fabricating polysilicon gate structure in an image sensor device includes depositing a gate dielectric layer on a surface of a substrate. Then a polysilicon layer is deposited over the gate dielectric layer. Next, a protection film is deposited over the polysilicon layer. A hard mask is formed over the protection film, and the polysilicon gate structure is patterned. Following that, the hard mask is stripped off. The protection film exhibits etching selectivity against the polysilicon layer and has a thickness of between 40 and 60 angstroms. The hard mask is removed by phosphoric acid solution wet etching process.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 17, 2015Publication date: March 23, 2017Inventors: Chun-Wei CHIA, Chun-Hao CHOU, Kai-Chun HSU, Kuo-Cheng LEE, Shyh-Fann TING
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Publication number: 20160276285Abstract: A method of fabrication of alignment marks for a non-STI CMOS image sensor is introduced. In some embodiments, zero layer alignment marks and active are alignment marks may be simultaneously formed on a wafer. A substrate of the wafer may be patterned to form one or more recesses in the substrate. The recesses may be filled with a dielectric material using, for example, a field oxidation method and/or suitable deposition methods. Structures formed by the above process may correspond to elements of the zero layer alignment marks and/or to elements the active area alignment marks.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 26, 2016Publication date: September 22, 2016Inventors: Cheng-Hsien Chou, Sheng-Chau Chen, Chun-Wei Chang, Kai-Chun Hsu, Chih-Yu Lai, Wei-Cheng Hsu, Hsiao-Hui Tseng, Shih Pei Chou, Shyh-Fann Ting, Tzu-Hsuan Hsu, Ching-Chun Wang, Yeur-Luen Tu, Dun-Nian Yaung
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Patent number: 9355964Abstract: A method of fabrication of alignment marks for a non-STI CMOS image sensor is introduced. In some embodiments, zero layer alignment marks and active are alignment marks may be simultaneously formed on a wafer. A substrate of the wafer may be patterned to form one or more recesses in the substrate. The recesses may be filled with a dielectric material using, for example, a field oxidation method and/or suitable deposition methods. Structures formed by the above process may correspond to elements of the zero layer alignment marks and/or to elements the active area alignment marks.Type: GrantFiled: March 10, 2014Date of Patent: May 31, 2016Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.Inventors: Cheng-Hsien Chou, Sheng-Chau Chen, Chun-Wei Chang, Kai-Chun Hsu, Chih-Yu Lai, Wei-Cheng Hsu, Hsiao-Hui Tseng, Shih Pei Chou, Shyh-Fann Ting, Tzu-Hsuan Hsu, Ching-Chun Wang, Yeur-Luen Tu, Dun-Nian Yaung
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Publication number: 20150255400Abstract: A method of fabrication of alignment marks for a non-STI CMOS image sensor is introduced. In some embodiments, zero layer alignment marks and active are alignment marks may be simultaneously formed on a wafer. A substrate of the wafer may be patterned to form one or more recesses in the substrate. The recesses may be filled with a dielectric material using, for example, a field oxidation method and/or suitable deposition methods. Structures formed by the above process may correspond to elements of the zero layer alignment marks and/or to elements the active area alignment marks.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 10, 2014Publication date: September 10, 2015Applicant: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.Inventors: Cheng-Hsien Chou, Sheng-Chau Chen, Chun-Wei Chang, Kai-Chun Hsu, Chih-Yu Lai, Wei-Cheng Hsu, Hsiao-Hui Tseng, Shih Pei Chou, Shyh-Fann Ting, Tzu-Hsuan Hsu, Ching-Chun Wang, Yeur-Luen Tu, Dun-Nian Yaung
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Publication number: 20150155326Abstract: A semiconductor arrangement and method of formation are provided herein. A semiconductor arrangement includes an active area on a substrate, where the active area is at least one of a p-type region or an n-type region. The substrate includes a well, where the well is a p-well when the active area is a p-type region, and the well is an n-well when the active area is an n-type region. The well includes a photodiode. The active area is connected to a voltage supply having a voltage level, such as ground. The active area on the substrate increases a distance between the photodiode and the active area, which reduces junction leakage as compared to a semiconductor arrangement where the active area is formed at least partially within the substrate.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 7, 2014Publication date: June 4, 2015Applicant: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company LimitedInventors: Kai-Chun Hsu, Shyh-Fann Ting, Jhy-Jyi Sze, Chun-Tsung Kuo, Ching-Chun Wang, Dun-Nian Yaung
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Patent number: 8802457Abstract: A method includes performing a grinding to a backside of a semiconductor substrate, wherein a remaining portion of the semiconductor substrate has a back surface. A treatment is then performed on the back surface using a method selected from the group consisting essentially of a dry treatment and a plasma treatment. Process gases that are used in the treatment include oxygen (O2). The plasma treatment is performed without vertical bias in a direction perpendicular to the back surface.Type: GrantFiled: August 8, 2011Date of Patent: August 12, 2014Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.Inventors: Chih-Yu Lai, Cheng-Ta Wu, Kai-Chun Hsu, Yeur-Luen Tu, Ching-Chun Wang, Chia-Shiung Tsai
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Publication number: 20130040446Abstract: A method includes performing a grinding to a backside of a semiconductor substrate, wherein a remaining portion of the semiconductor substrate has a back surface. A treatment is then performed on the back surface using a method selected from the group consisting essentially of a dry treatment and a plasma treatment. Process gases that are used in the treatment include oxygen (O2). The plasma treatment is performed without vertical bias in a direction perpendicular to the back surface.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 8, 2011Publication date: February 14, 2013Applicant: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.Inventors: Chih-Yu Lai, Cheng-Ta Wu, Kai-Chun Hsu, Yeur-Luen Tu, Ching-Chun Wang, Chia-Shiung Tsai
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Patent number: 8304354Abstract: Methods are disclosed herein for determining the laser beam size and the scan pattern of laser annealing when fabricating backside illumination (BSI) CMOS image sensors to keep dark-mode stripe patterns corresponding to laser scan boundary effects from occurring within the sensor array regions of the image sensors. Each CMOS image sensor has a sensor array region and a periphery circuit. The methods determines a size of the laser beam from a length of the sensor array region and a length of the periphery circuit so that the laser beam covers an integer number of the sensor array region for at least one alignment of the laser beam on the array of BSI image sensors. The methods further determines a scan pattern so that the boundary of the laser beam does not overlap the sensor array regions during the laser annealing, but only overlaps the periphery circuits.Type: GrantFiled: April 22, 2010Date of Patent: November 6, 2012Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.Inventors: Kai-Chun Hsu, Yeur-Luen Tu, Chung Chien Wang, Tzu-Hsuan Hsu, Ching-Chun Wang
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Publication number: 20110263069Abstract: Methods are disclosed herein for determining the laser beam size and the scan pattern of laser annealing when fabricating backside illumination (BSI) CMOS image sensors to keep dark-mode stripe patterns corresponding to laser scan boundary effects from occurring within the sensor array regions of the image sensors. Each CMOS image sensor has a sensor array region and a periphery circuit. The methods determines a size of the laser beam from a length of the sensor array region and a length of the periphery circuit so that the laser beam covers an integer number of the sensor array region for at least one alignment of the laser beam on the array of BSI image sensors. The methods further determines a scan pattern so that the boundary of the laser beam does not overlap the sensor array regions during the laser annealing, but only overlaps the periphery circuits.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 22, 2010Publication date: October 27, 2011Applicant: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.Inventors: Kai-Chun Hsu, Yeur-Luen Tu, Chung Chien Wang