Patents by Inventor Luan C. Tran

Luan C. Tran 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: 9190441
    Abstract: Provided is a semiconductor image sensor device. The image sensor device includes a substrate. The image sensor device includes a first pixel and a second pixel disposed in the substrate. The first and second pixels are neighboring pixels. The image sensor device includes an isolation structure disposed in the substrate and between the first and second pixels. The image sensor device includes a doped isolation device disposed in the substrate and between the first and second pixels. The doped isolation device surrounds the isolation structure in a conformal manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2015
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Chih-Yu Lai, Yeur-Luen Tu, Chih-Hui Huang, Cheng-Ta Wu, Chia-Shiung Tsai, Luan C. Tran
  • Publication number: 20150318250
    Abstract: A package includes a package component and a second package component. A first elongated bond pad is at a surface of the first package component, wherein the first elongated bond pad has a first length in a first longitudinal direction, and a first width smaller than the first length. A second elongated bond pad is at a surface of the second package component. The second elongated bond pad is bonded to the first elongated bond pad. The second elongated bond pad has a second length in a second longitudinal direction, and a second width smaller than the second width. The second longitudinal direction is un-parallel to the first longitudinal direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2015
    Publication date: November 5, 2015
    Inventors: Luan C. Tran, Yeur-Luen Tu, Ching-Chun Wang
  • Patent number: 9147608
    Abstract: A method for defining patterns in an integrated circuit comprises defining a plurality of features in a first photoresist layer using photolithography over a first region of a substrate. The method further comprises using pitch multiplication to produce at least two features in a lower masking layer for each feature in the photoresist layer. The features in the lower masking layer include looped ends. The method further comprises covering with a second photoresist layer a second region of the substrate including the looped ends in the lower masking layer. The method further comprises etching a pattern of trenches in the substrate through the features in the lower masking layer without etching in the second region. The trenches have a trench width.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2015
    Assignee: MICRON TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventors: Luan C. Tran, John Lee, Zengtao Liu, Eric Freeman, Russell Nielsen
  • Patent number: 9105485
    Abstract: A package includes a package component and a second package component. A first elongated bond pad is at a surface of the first package component, wherein the first elongated bond pad has a first length in a first longitudinal direction, and a first width smaller than the first length. A second elongated bond pad is at a surface of the second package component. The second elongated bond pad is bonded to the first elongated bond pad. The second elongated bond pad has a second length in a second longitudinal direction, and a second width smaller than the second width. The second longitudinal direction is un-parallel to the first longitudinal direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2015
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Luan C. Tran, Yeur-Luen Tu, Ching-Chun Wang
  • Publication number: 20150194341
    Abstract: Methods of fabricating semiconductor structures incorporating tight pitch contacts aligned with active area features and of simultaneously fabricating self-aligned tight pitch contacts and conductive lines using various techniques for defining patterns having sublithographic dimensions. Semiconductor structures having tight pitch contacts aligned with active area features and, optionally, aligned conductive lines are also disclosed, as are semiconductor structures with tight pitch contact holes and aligned trenches for conductive lines.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2015
    Publication date: July 9, 2015
    Inventor: Luan C. Tran
  • Publication number: 20150187866
    Abstract: Embodiments of MIM capacitors may be embedded into a thick IMD layer with enough thickness (e.g., 10 K?˜30 K?) to get high capacitance, which may be on top of a thinner IMD layer. MIM capacitors may be formed among three adjacent metal layers which have two thick IMD layers separating the three adjacent metal layers. Materials such as TaN or TiN are used as bottom/top electrodes & Cu barrier. The metal layer above the thick IMD layer may act as the top electrode connection. The metal layer under the thick IMD layer may act as the bottom electrode connection. The capacitor may be of different shapes such as cylindrical shape, or a concave shape. Many kinds of materials (Si3N4, ZrO2, HfO2, BST . . . etc.) can be used as the dielectric material. The MIM capacitors are formed by one or two extra masks while forming other non-capacitor logic of the circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 10, 2015
    Publication date: July 2, 2015
    Inventors: Kuo-Chyuan Tzeng, Luan C. Tran, Chen-Jong Wang, Kuo-Chi Tu, Hsiang-Fan Lee
  • Publication number: 20150170905
    Abstract: Embodiments of a method for device fabrication by reverse pitch reduction flow include forming a first pattern of features above a substrate and forming a second pattern of pitch-multiplied spacers subsequent to forming the first pattern of features. In embodiments of the invention the first pattern of features may be formed by photolithography and the second pattern of pitch-multiplied spacers may be formed by pitch multiplication. Other methods for device fabrication are provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 2, 2015
    Publication date: June 18, 2015
    Inventors: Luan C. Tran, Raghupathy Giridhar
  • Publication number: 20150123185
    Abstract: Different portions of a continuous loop of semiconductor material are electrically isolated from one another. In some embodiments, the end of the loop is electrically isolated from mid-portions of the loop. In some embodiments, loops of semiconductor material, having two legs connected together at their ends, are formed by a pitch multiplication process in which loops of spacers are formed on sidewalls of mandrels. The mandrels are removed and a block of masking material is overlaid on at least one end of the spacer loops. In some embodiments, the blocks of masking material overlay each end of the spacer loops. The pattern defined by the spacers and the blocks are transferred to a layer of semiconductor material. The blocks electrically connect together all the loops. A select gate is formed along each leg of the loops. The blocks serve as sources/drains.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 8, 2015
    Publication date: May 7, 2015
    Inventor: Luan C. Tran
  • Patent number: 8994146
    Abstract: Embodiments of MIM capacitors may be embedded into a thick IMD layer with enough thickness (e.g., 10 K?˜30 K?) to get high capacitance, which may be on top of a thinner IMD layer. MIM capacitors may be formed among three adjacent metal layers which have two thick IMD layers separating the three adjacent metal layers. Materials such as TaN or TiN are used as bottom/top electrodes & Cu barrier. The metal layer above the thick IMD layer may act as the top electrode connection. The metal layer under the thick IMD layer may act as the bottom electrode connection. The capacitor may be of different shapes such as cylindrical shape, or a concave shape. Many kinds of materials (Si3N4, ZrO2, HfO2, BST . . . etc.) can be used as the dielectric material. The MIM capacitors are formed by one or two extra masks while forming other non-capacitor logic of the circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kuo-Chyuan Tzeng, Luan C. Tran, Chen-Jong Wang, Kuo-Chi Tu, Hsiang-Fan Lee
  • Patent number: 8993405
    Abstract: Embodiments of MIM capacitors may be embedded into a thick IMD layer with enough thickness (e.g., 10 K?˜30 K?) to get high capacitance, which may be on top of a thinner IMD layer. MIM capacitors may be formed among three adjacent metal layers which have two thick IMD layers separating the three adjacent metal layers. Materials such as TaN or TiN are used as bottom/top electrodes & Cu barrier. The metal layer above the thick IMD layer may act as the top electrode connection. The metal layer under the thick IMD layer may act as the bottom electrode connection. The capacitor may be of different shapes such as cylindrical shape, or a concave shape. Many kinds of materials (Si3N4, ZrO2, HfO2, BST . . . etc.) can be used as the dielectric material. The MIM capacitors are formed by one or two extra masks while forming other non-capacitor logic of the circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kuo-Chyuan Tzeng, Luan C. Tran, Chen-Jong Wang, Kuo-Chi Tu, Hsiang-Fan Lee
  • Patent number: 8994189
    Abstract: Methods of fabricating semiconductor structures incorporating tight pitch contacts aligned with active area features and of simultaneously fabricating self-aligned tight pitch contacts and conductive lines using various techniques for defining patterns having sublithographic dimensions. Semiconductor structures having tight pitch contacts aligned with active area features and, optionally, aligned conductive lines are also disclosed, as are semiconductor structures with tight pitch contact holes and aligned trenches for conductive lines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Luan C. Tran
  • Patent number: 8980756
    Abstract: Embodiments of a method for device fabrication by reverse pitch reduction flow include forming a first pattern of features above a substrate and forming a second pattern of pitch-multiplied spacers subsequent to forming the first pattern of features. In embodiments of the invention the first pattern of features may be formed by photolithography and the second pattern of pitch-multiplied spacers may be formed by pitch multiplication. Other methods for device fabrication are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Luan C. Tran, Raghupathy Giridhar
  • Publication number: 20150056739
    Abstract: Provided is a semiconductor image sensor device. The image sensor device includes a substrate. The image sensor device includes a first pixel and a second pixel disposed in the substrate. The first and second pixels are neighboring pixels. The image sensor device includes an isolation structure disposed in the substrate and between the first and second pixels. The image sensor device includes a doped isolation device disposed in the substrate and between the first and second pixels. The doped isolation device surrounds the isolation structure in a conformal manner.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2014
    Publication date: February 26, 2015
    Inventors: CHIH-YU LAI, Yeur-Luen Tu, Chih-Hui Huang, Cheng-Ta Wu, Chia-Shiung Tsai, Luan C. Tran
  • Patent number: 8932960
    Abstract: Different portions of a continuous loop of semiconductor material are electrically isolated from one another. In some embodiments, the end of the loop is electrically isolated from mid-portions of the loop. In some embodiments, loops of semiconductor material, having two legs connected together at their ends, are formed by a pitch multiplication process in which loops of spacers are formed on sidewalls of mandrels. The mandrels are removed and a block of masking material is overlaid on at least one end of the spacer loops. In some embodiments, the blocks of masking material overlay each end of the spacer loops. The pattern defined by the spacers and the blocks are transferred to a layer of semiconductor material. The blocks electrically connect together all the loops. A select gate is formed along each leg of the loops. The blocks serve as sources/drains.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2015
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Luan C. Tran
  • Publication number: 20150004786
    Abstract: A method for defining patterns in an integrated circuit comprises defining a plurality of features in a first photoresist layer using photolithography over a first region of a substrate. The method further comprises using pitch multiplication to produce at least two features in a lower masking layer for each feature in the photoresist layer. The features in the lower masking layer include looped ends. The method further comprises covering with a second photoresist layer a second region of the substrate including the looped ends in the lower masking layer. The method further comprises etching a pattern of trenches in the substrate through the features in the lower masking layer without etching in the second region. The trenches have a trench width.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 15, 2014
    Publication date: January 1, 2015
    Inventors: Luan C. Tran, John Lee, Zengtao Liu, Eric Freeman, Russell Nielsen
  • Patent number: 8859362
    Abstract: A method for defining patterns in an integrated circuit comprises defining a plurality of features in a first photoresist layer using photolithography over a first region of a substrate. The method further comprises using pitch multiplication to produce at least two features in a lower masking layer for each feature in the photoresist layer. The features in the lower masking layer include looped ends. The method further comprises covering with a second photoresist layer a second region of the substrate including the looped ends in the lower masking layer. The method further comprises etching a pattern of trenches in the substrate through the features in the lower masking layer without etching in the second region. The trenches have a trench width.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Luan C. Tran, John Lee, Zengtao Liu, Eric Freeman, Russell Nielsen
  • Patent number: 8853811
    Abstract: Provided is a semiconductor image sensor device. The image sensor device includes a substrate. The image sensor device includes a first pixel and a second pixel disposed in the substrate. The first and second pixels are neighboring pixels. The image sensor device includes an isolation structure disposed in the substrate and between the first and second pixels. The image sensor device includes a doped isolation device disposed in the substrate and between the first and second pixels. The doped isolation device surrounds the isolation structure in a conformal manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Chih-Yu Lai, Yeur-Luen Tu, Chih-Hui Huang, Cheng-Ta Wu, Chia-Shiung Tsai, Luan C. Tran
  • Publication number: 20140252635
    Abstract: A package includes a package component and a second package component. A first elongated bond pad is at a surface of the first package component, wherein the first elongated bond pad has a first length in a first longitudinal direction, and a first width smaller than the first length. A second elongated bond pad is at a surface of the second package component. The second elongated bond pad is bonded to the first elongated bond pad. The second elongated bond pad has a second length in a second longitudinal direction, and a second width smaller than the second width. The second longitudinal direction is un-parallel to the first longitudinal direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2013
    Publication date: September 11, 2014
    Inventors: Luan C. Tran, Yeur-Luen Tu, Ching-Chun Wang
  • Publication number: 20140246784
    Abstract: Methods of fabricating semiconductor structures incorporating tight pitch contacts aligned with active area features and of simultaneously fabricating self-aligned tight pitch contacts and conductive lines using various techniques for defining patterns having sublithographic dimensions. Semiconductor structures having tight pitch contacts aligned with active area features and, optionally, aligned conductive lines are also disclosed, as are semiconductor structures with tight pitch contact holes and aligned trenches for conductive lines.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 12, 2014
    Publication date: September 4, 2014
    Applicant: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Luan C. Tran
  • Publication number: 20140191364
    Abstract: Embodiments of MIM capacitors may be embedded into a thick IMD layer with enough thickness (e.g., 10 K?˜30 K?) to get high capacitance, which may be on top of a thinner IMD layer. MIM capacitors may be formed among three adjacent metal layers which have two thick IMD layers separating the three adjacent metal layers. Materials such as TaN or TiN are used as bottom/top electrodes & Cu barrier. The metal layer above the thick IMD layer may act as the top electrode connection. The metal layer under the thick IMD layer may act as the bottom electrode connection. The capacitor may be of different shapes such as cylindrical shape, or a concave shape. Many kinds of materials (Si3N4, ZrO2, HfO2, BST . . . etc.) can be used as the dielectric material. The MIM capacitors are formed by one or two extra masks while forming other non-capacitor logic of the circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 10, 2014
    Publication date: July 10, 2014
    Applicant: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kuo-Chyuan Tzeng, Luan C. Tran, Chen-Jong Wang, Kuo-Chi Tu, Hsiang-Fan Lee