Patents by Inventor Li-Chun Tien

Li-Chun Tien 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: 20240014203
    Abstract: An integrated circuit includes a first transistor of a first conductivity type including a first active area extending in a first direction; a second transistor of the first conductivity type including at least two second active areas extending in the first direction and a first gate stripe crossing the at least two second active areas; and a third transistor of a second conductivity type that is stacked on the second transistor and includes at least two third active areas arranged above the at least two second active areas. A top most boundary line of the first active area is aligned with a top most boundary line of one of the at least two third active areas in a layout view.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2023
    Publication date: January 11, 2024
    Applicant: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Jian-Sing LI, Guo-Huei WU, Hui-Zhong ZHUANG, Chih-Liang CHEN, Li-Chun TIEN
  • Publication number: 20240006318
    Abstract: A method includes fabricating a first-type active-region semiconductor, depositing a layer of dielectric material covering the first-type active-region semiconductor structure, and fabricating a second-type active-region semiconductor structure atop the layer of dielectric material. The method includes forming a front-side power rail and a front-side signal line extending in the first direction in a front-side metal layer overlying a first insulating material that covers the first-type active-region semiconductor. The front-side power rail is conductively connected to a second source conductive segment intersecting the second-type active-region semiconductor structure. The method includes forming a back-side metal layer on a backside of the substrate, and forming a back-side power rail and a back-side signal line extending in the first direction in the back-side metal layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2023
    Publication date: January 4, 2024
    Inventors: Chih-Liang CHEN, Guo-Huei WU, Ching-Wei TSAI, Shang-Wen CHANG, Li-Chun TIEN
  • Patent number: 11861282
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing an IC structure includes forming a first plurality of fins extending in a first direction on a substrate, a second plurality of fins extending adjacent to the first plurality of fins, a third plurality of fins extending adjacent to the second plurality of fins, and a fourth plurality of fins extending adjacent to the third plurality of fins. Each fin of the first and fourth pluralities of fins includes one of an n-type or p-type fin, each fin of the second and third pluralities of fins includes the other of the n-type or p-type fin, each of the first and third pluralities of fins includes a first total number of fins, and each of the second and fourth pluralities of fins includes a second total number of fins fewer than the first total number of fins.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Po-Hsiang Huang, Fong-Yuan Chang, Clement Hsingjen Wann, Chih-Hsin Ko, Sheng-Hsiung Chen, Li-Chun Tien, Chia-Ming Hsu
  • Patent number: 11862562
    Abstract: A circuit structure includes a substrate that includes a first transistor stack over the substrate that includes: a first transistor where the first transistor is a first conductivity type; and a second transistor, above the first transistor, where the second transistor is a second conductivity type different from the first conductivity type. The structure also includes a plurality of first conductive lines in a first metal layer above the first transistor stack, the plurality of first conductive lines electrically connected to the first transistor stack. The structure also includes a plurality of second conductive lines in a second metal layer below the substrate and underneath the first transistor stack, the plurality of second conductive lines electrically connected to the first transistor stack. The plurality of first conductive lines are configured asymmetrically with respect to the plurality of second conductive lines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Chih-Yu Lai, Hui-Zhong Zhuang, Chih-Liang Chen, Li-Chun Tien
  • Patent number: 11862620
    Abstract: A power gating cell on an integrated circuit is provided. The power gating cell includes: a central area; a peripheral area surrounding the central area; a first active region located in the central area, the first active region having a first width in a first direction corresponding to at least four fin structures extending in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction; and a plurality of second active regions located in the peripheral area, each second active region having a second width in the first direction corresponding to at least one and no more than three fin structures extending in the second direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Wei-Ling Chang, Jung-Chan Yang, Li-Chun Tien, Ting Yu Chen
  • Patent number: 11855068
    Abstract: A semiconductor cell structure includes first-type transistors aligned within a first-type active zone, second-type transistors aligned within a second-type active zone, a first power rail and a second power rail. Each of the first-type active zone and the second-type active zone is between a first alignment boundary and a second alignment boundary extending in a first direction which is perpendicular to a second direction. A first distance along the second direction between the long edge of the first power rail and the first alignment boundary of the first-type active zone is different from a second distance along the second direction between the long edge of the second power rail and the first alignment boundary of the second-type active zone by a predetermined distance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2023
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Guo-Huei Wu, Chih-Liang Chen, Li-Chun Tien
  • Patent number: 11854966
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device includes forming via structures in a first via layer over a transistor layer, the forming the via structures in the first via layer including forming a first via structure in the first via layer, the first via structure being included in a first deep via arrangement; forming conductive segments in a first metallization layer over the first via layer, the forming the conductive segments in the first metallization layer including forming M_1st routing segments at least a majority of which, relative to a first direction, have corresponding long axes with lengths which at least equal if not exceed a first permissible minimum value for routing segments in the first metallization layer; and forming an M_1st interconnection segment having a long axis which is less than the first permissible minimum value, the M_1st interconnection segment being included in the first deep via arrangement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2023
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2023
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Ta-Pen Guo, Chien-Ying Chen, Li-Chun Tien, Lee-Chung Lu
  • Patent number: 11855070
    Abstract: A semiconductor device, includes a first metal layer, a second metal layer, and at least one conductive via. The first metal layer has a first conductor that extends in a first direction and a second conductor that extends in the first direction, wherein the second conductor is directly adjacent to the first conductor. The second metal layer has a third conductor that extends in a second direction, wherein the second direction is transverse to the first direction. The at least one conductive via connects the first conductor and the second conductor through the third conductor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2023
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Wei-Hsin Tsai, Hui-Zhong Zhuang, Chih-Liang Chen, Li-Chun Tien
  • Publication number: 20230401371
    Abstract: A method of designing a semiconductor device including the operations of analyzing a vertical abutment between a first standard cell block and a second cell block and, if a mismatch is identified between the first standard cell block and the second cell block initiating the selection of a first modified cell block that reduces the mismatch and a spacing between the first modified cell block and the second cell block, the first modified cell block comprising a first abutment region having a continuous active region arranged along a first axis parallel to an edge of the vertical abutment, and replacing the first standard cell block with the first modified cell block to obtain a first modified layout design and devices manufactured according to the method.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2023
    Publication date: December 14, 2023
    Inventors: Chi-Yu LU, Hui-Zhong ZHUANG, Pin-Dai SUE, Yi-Hsin KO, Li-Chun TIEN
  • Patent number: 11842131
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a semiconductor device to which corresponds a layout diagram stored on a non-transitory computer-readable medium. The method includes generating the layout diagram using an electronic design system (EDS), the EDS including at least one processor and at least one memory including computer program code for one or more programs are configured to cause the EDS to execute the generating. Testing the semiconductor device. Revising, the layout diagram, based on testing results indicative of selected standard functional cells in the layout diagram which merit modification or replacement. Programming one or more of the ECO cells which correspond to the one or more selected standard functional cells resulting in one or more programmed ECO cells. Routing the one or more programmed ECO cells correspondingly to at least one of the selected standard functional cells or to one or more other ones of the standard functional cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2023
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Mao-Wei Chiu, Ting-Wei Chiang, Hui-Zhong Zhuang, Li-Chun Tien, Chi-Yu Lu
  • Publication number: 20230394217
    Abstract: Methods and Apparatuses for making an integrated circuit (IC) are disclosed. In accordance with some embodiments, a method including forming one or more decoupling capacitor (DCAP) cells comprising one or more polysilicon (PO) layers openings formed based on one or more photoresist layer openings formed to solve one or more design rule check (DRC) violations. The one or more DCAP cells also provide decoupling capacitors for the IC.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 7, 2022
    Publication date: December 7, 2023
    Inventors: Fei Fan DUAN, Li-Chun TIEN, Chih-Liang CHEN
  • Publication number: 20230387013
    Abstract: An integrated circuit device includes a first-type transistor having a channel region in a first-type active-region semiconductor structure and a second-type transistor having a channel region in a second-type active-region semiconductor structure which is stacked with the first-type active-region semiconductor structure. In the integrated circuit, a front-side power rail and a front-side signal line in a front-side conductive layer extend in the first direction is, and a back-side power rail and a back-side signal line in a back-side conductive layer also extend in the first direction. The front-side conductive layer is above the first-type active-region semiconductor structure and the second-type active-region semiconductor structure, while the back-side conductive layer is below the first-type active-region semiconductor structure and the second-type active-region semiconductor structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2023
    Publication date: November 30, 2023
    Inventors: Chih-Liang CHEN, Guo-Huei WU, Ching-Wei TSAI, Shang-Wen CHANG, Li-Chun TIEN
  • Publication number: 20230385519
    Abstract: A transmission gate structure includes first and second PMOS transistors positioned in a first active area, first and second NMOS transistors positioned in a second active area parallel to the first active area, and four metal segments parallel to the active areas. A first metal segment overlies the first active area, a fourth metal segment overlies the second active area, and second and third metal segments are a total of two metal segments positioned between the first and fourth metal segments. A first conductive path connects gates of the first PMOS and NMOS transistors, a second conductive path connects gates of the second PMOS and NMOS transistors, a third conductive path connects a source/drain (S/D) terminal of each of the first and second PMOS transistors and first and second NMOS transistors and includes a first conductive segment extending across at least three of the four metal segments.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2023
    Publication date: November 30, 2023
    Inventors: Shao-Lun CHIEN, Pin-Dai SUE, Li-Chun TIEN, Ting-Wei CHIANG, Ting Yu CHEN
  • Publication number: 20230387015
    Abstract: A cell on an integrated circuit is provided. The cell includes: a fin structure; an intermediate fin structure connection metal track disposed in an intermediate fin structure connection metal layer above the fin structure, the intermediate fin structure connection metal track being connected to the fin structure; and a first intermediate gate connection metal track disposed in an intermediate gate connection metal layer above the intermediate fin structure connection metal layer, the first intermediate gate connection metal track being connected to the intermediate fin structure connection metal track. A first power supply terminal is connected to the first intermediate gate connection metal track.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 10, 2023
    Publication date: November 30, 2023
    Applicant: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Li-Chun Tien, Chih-Liang Chen, Hui-Zhong Zhuang, Shun Li Chen, Ting Yu Chen
  • Publication number: 20230387016
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a semiconductor substrate with active regions and a first buried metal layer provided below the semiconductor substrate. The first buried metal layer includes a first buried conductive rail, a first set of buried conductive fingers that extends from the first buried conductive rail, and a second set of buried conductive fingers that are interleaved with the first set of buried conductive fingers. The first set and the second set of buried conductive fingers extends beneath more than one of the active regions. In this manner, the first set and the second set of buried conductive fingers can be utilized to distribute different voltages, such as an ungated reference voltage TVDD and a gated reference voltage VVDD in a header circuit with reduced resistance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 10, 2023
    Publication date: November 30, 2023
    Inventors: Chih-Liang CHEN, Guo-Huei WU, Li-Chun TIEN
  • Publication number: 20230387014
    Abstract: A method includes forming a first transistor stack over a substrate. The first transistor stack includes: a first transistor of a first conductivity type, and a second transistor of a second conductivity type different from the first conductivity type. The second transistor is above the first transistor. A plurality of first conductive lines is formed in a first metal layer above the first transistor stack. The plurality of first conductive lines includes, over the first transistor stack, a power conductive line configured to route power to the first transistor stack, one or more signal conductive lines configured to route one or more signals to the first transistor stack, and a shielding conductive line configured to shield the routed one or more signals. The one or more signal conductive lines are between the power conductive line and the shielding conductive line.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 10, 2023
    Publication date: November 30, 2023
    Inventors: Chih-Yu LAI, Hui-Zhong ZHUANG, Chih-Liang CHEN, Li-Chun TIEN
  • Patent number: 11830869
    Abstract: An integrated circuit includes a first transistor, a second transistor, a third transistor, and a fourth transistor. The first transistor includes a first active area extending in a first direction in a first layer. The second transistor includes a second active area that is disposed in a second layer below the first layer and overlaps the first active area. The third transistor includes at least two third active areas extending in the first direction in the first layer. In the first direction, a boundary line of one of the at least two third active areas is aligned with boundary lines of the first and second active areas. The fourth transistor includes at least two fourth active areas that are disposed in the second layer and overlap the at least two third active areas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2023
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Jian-Sing Li, Guo-Huei Wu, Hui-Zhong Zhuang, Chih-Liang Chen, Li-Chun Tien
  • Publication number: 20230378267
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes: fins configured to include: first active fins having a first conductivity type; and second active fins having a second conductivity type; and at least one gate structure formed over corresponding ones of the fins; and wherein the fins and the at least one gate structure are located in at least one cell region; and each cell region, relative to the second direction, including: a first active region which includes a sequence of three or more consecutive first active fins located in a central portion of the cell region; a second active region which includes one or more second active fins located between the first active region and a first edge of the cell region; and a third active region which includes one or more second active fins located between the first active region and a second edge of the cell region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2023
    Publication date: November 23, 2023
    Inventors: Jung-Chan YANG, Hui-Zhong ZHUANG, Lee-Chung LU, Ting-Wei CHIANG, Li-Chun TIEN
  • Publication number: 20230378159
    Abstract: An IC device includes first through third active areas extending in a first direction and a first gate structure extending perpendicular to and overlying each of the first through third active areas. Each of the first through third active areas includes a first portion adjacent to the first gate structure in the first direction and a second portion adjacent to the first portion and including an endpoint of the corresponding active area, the first active area is positioned between the second and third active areas and includes the endpoint positioned under the first gate structure, and each of the second and third active areas includes the endpoint positioned away from the gate structure in a second direction opposite to the first direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2023
    Publication date: November 23, 2023
    Inventors: Chien-Ying CHEN, Lee-Chung LU, Li-Chun TIEN, Ta-Pen GUO
  • Publication number: 20230376672
    Abstract: An IC structure includes a first cell and a first and second rail. The first cell includes a first and second active region and a first, a second and a third gate structure. The first active region having a first dopant type. The second active region having a second dopant type. The first gate structure extending in a second direction, overlapping the first or the second active region. The second gate structure extending in the second direction, and overlapping a first edge of the first or second active region. The third gate structure extending in the second direction, and overlapping at least a second edge of the first or second active region. The first rail extending in the first direction and overlapping a middle portion of the first active region. The second rail extending in the first direction and overlapping a middle portion of the second active region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2023
    Publication date: November 23, 2023
    Inventors: Hui-Zhong ZHUANG, Ting-Wei CHIANG, Li-Chun TIEN, Shun Li CHEN, Lee-Chung LU