Patents by Inventor Ming-Kai Liu

Ming-Kai Liu 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: 9543263
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a semiconductor package, which includes a substrate, a passivation layer, a post-passivation interconnect (PPI) having a top surface; and a conductive structure. The top surface of the PPI includes a first region receiving the conductive structure, and a second region surrounding the first region. The second region includes metal derivative transformed from materials made of the first region. The present disclosure provide a method of manufacturing a semiconductor package, including forming a first flux layer covering a portion of a top surface of a PPI; transforming a portion of the top surface of the PPI uncovered by the first flux layer into a metal derivative layer; removing the first flux layer; forming a second flux layer on the first region of the PPI; dropping a solder ball on the flux layer; and forming electrical connection between the solder ball and the PPI.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2017
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY LTD.
    Inventors: Chao-Wen Shih, Kai-Chiang Wu, Ching-Feng Yang, Ming-Kai Liu, Shih-Wei Liang, Yen-Ping Wang
  • Patent number: 9484308
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a substrate including a pad and an alignment feature disposed over the substrate, a passivation disposed over the substrate and a periphery of the pad, a post passivation interconnect (PPI) including a via portion disposed on the pad and an elongated portion receiving a conductive bump to electrically connect the pad with the conductive bump, a polymer covering the PPI, and a molding material disposed over the polymer and around the conductive bump, wherein the molding material comprises a first portion orthogonally aligned with the alignment feature and adjacent to an edge of the semiconductor device and a second portion distal to the edge of the semiconductor device, a thickness of the first portion is substantially smaller than a thickness of the second portion, thereby the alignment feature is visible through the molding material under a predetermined radiation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2016
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY LTD.
    Inventors: Ming-Kai Liu, Chao-Wen Shih, Yung-Ping Chiang
  • Patent number: 9472523
    Abstract: A semiconductor structure includes a conductive bump for disposing over a substrate and an elongated ferromagnetic member surrounded by the conductive bump, including a first end and a second end, and extending from the first end to the second end, the elongated ferromagnetic member is disposed substantially orthogonal to the substrate to dispose the conductive bump at a predetermined orientation and at a predetermined position of the substrate. Further, a method of manufacturing a semiconductor structure includes providing a substrate, forming a conductive trace within the substrate, applying an electric current passing through the conductive trace to generate an electromagnetic field and disposing a conductive bump including an elongated ferromagnetic member in a predetermined orientation and at a predetermined position above the substrate in response to the electromagnetic field generated by the conductive trace.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2016
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY LTD.
    Inventors: Chia-Chun Miao, Shih-Wei Liang, Yen-Ping Wang, Kai-Chiang Wu, Ming-Kai Liu
  • Patent number: 9460989
    Abstract: A structure includes a substrate having a plurality of balls, a semiconductor chip, and an interposer electrically connecting the substrate and the semiconductor chip. The interposer includes a first side, a second side opposite the first side, at least one first exclusion zone extending through the interposer above each ball of the plurality of balls, at least one active through via extending from the first side of the interposer to the second side of the interposer, wherein the at least one active through via is formed outside the at least one first exclusion zone and wherein no active through vias are formed within the at least one first exclusion zone, and at least one dummy through via extending from the first side of the interposer to the second side of the interposer, wherein the at least one dummy through via is formed within the at least one first exclusion zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2016
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Shih-Wei Liang, Kai-Chiang Wu, Ming-Kai Liu, Chia-Chun Miao, Chun-Lin Lu
  • Publication number: 20160254169
    Abstract: An integrated circuit includes a substrate having at least one depression on a top surface. At least one solder bump is disposed over the substrate. A die is disposed over the at least one solder bump and electrically connected with the substrate through the at least one solder bump. An underfill surrounds the at least one solder bump and is formed between the substrate and the die. The at least one depression is disposed around the underfill to keep any spillover from the underfill in the at least one depression.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 11, 2016
    Publication date: September 1, 2016
    Inventors: Shih-Wei Liang, Chun-Lin Lu, Kai-Chiang Wu, Ching-Feng Yang, Ming-Kai Liu, Chia-Chun Miao, Yen-Ping Wang
  • Patent number: 9412661
    Abstract: A method comprises attaching a semiconductor die on a first side of a wafer, attaching a first top package on the first side of the wafer and attaching a second top package on the first side of the wafer. The method further comprises depositing an encapsulation layer over the first side of the wafer, wherein the first top package and the second top package are embedded in the encapsulation layer, applying a thinning process to a second side of the wafer, sawing the wafer into a plurality of chip packages and attaching the chip package to a substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2016
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Chun-Lin Lu, Ming-Kai Liu, Kai-Chiang Wu, Ching-Feng Yang
  • Patent number: 9391012
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for an interposer with dams used in packaging dies are disclosed. An interposer may comprise a metal layer above a substrate. A plurality of dams may be formed above the metal layer around each corner of the metal layer. Dams may be formed on both sides of the interposer substrate. A dam surrounds an area where connectors such as solder balls may be located to connect to other packages. A non-conductive dam may be formed above the dam. An underfill may be formed under the package connected to the connector, above the metal layer, and contained within the area surrounded by the dams at the corner, so that the connectors are well protected by the underfill. Such dams may be further formed on a printed circuit board as well.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2016
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kai-Chiang Wu, Hsien-Wei Chen, Yu-Feng Chen, Chun-Hung Lin, Ming-Kai Liu, Chun-Lin Lu
  • Patent number: 9373599
    Abstract: Package on package (PoP) devices and methods of packaging semiconductor dies are disclosed. A PoP device is formed by connecting a top package and a bottom package together using a plurality of PoP connectors on the bottom package connected to corresponding connectors of the top package. The PoP device further comprises a plurality of dummy connectors contained in the bottom package and not connected to any corresponding connector in the top package.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2016
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Ming-Kai Liu, Kai-Chiang Wu, Hsien-Wei Chen, Shih-Wei Liang
  • Patent number: 9355924
    Abstract: An integrated circuit includes a substrate having at least one depression on a top surface. At least one solder bump is disposed over the substrate. A die is disposed over the at least one solder bump and electrically connected with the substrate through the at least one solder bump. An underfill surrounds the at least one solder bump and is formed between the substrate and the die. The at least one depression is disposed around the underfill to keep any spillover from the underfill in the at least one depression.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2016
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Shih-Wei Liang, Chun-Lin Lu, Kai-Chiang Wu, Ching-Feng Yang, Ming-Kai Liu, Chia-Chun Miao, Yen-Ping Wang
  • Patent number: 9331023
    Abstract: Some embodiments of the present disclosure provide a semiconductive device, including a semiconductive substrate. A conductive pad is on the semiconductive substrate. A passivation layer covers the conductive pad and overlies the semiconductive substrate. A first protective layer overlies the passivation layer. The first protective layer includes an opening exposing a portion of the passivation layer, and the opening includes at least two lines in contact with each other. A post passivation interconnect (PPI) layer overlies the first protective layer. A conductor forms on the PPI layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2016
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY LTD.
    Inventors: Ming-Kai Liu, Yu-Peng Tsai, Kai-Chiang Wu, Wei-Hung Lin, Hao-Yi Tsai, Mirng-Ji Lii
  • Publication number: 20150380357
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a substrate including a pad and an alignment feature disposed over the substrate, a passivation disposed over the substrate and a periphery of the pad, a post passivation interconnect (PPI) including a via portion disposed on the pad and an elongated portion receiving a conductive bump to electrically connect the pad with the conductive bump, a polymer covering the PPI, and a molding material disposed over the polymer and around the conductive bump, wherein the molding material comprises a first portion orthogonally aligned with the alignment feature and adjacent to an edge of the semiconductor device and a second portion distal to the edge of the semiconductor device, a thickness of the first portion is substantially smaller than a thickness of the second portion, thereby the alignment feature is visible through the molding material under a predetermined radiation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2014
    Publication date: December 31, 2015
    Inventors: MING-KAI LIU, CHAO-WEN SHIH, YUNG-PING CHIANG
  • Publication number: 20150200173
    Abstract: A semiconductor structure includes a conductive bump for disposing over a substrate and an elongated ferromagnetic member surrounded by the conductive bump, including a first end and a second end, and extending from the first end to the second end, the elongated ferromagnetic member is disposed substantially orthogonal to the substrate to dispose the conductive bump at a predetermined orientation and at a predetermined position of the substrate. Further, a method of manufacturing a semiconductor structure includes providing a substrate, forming a conductive trace within the substrate, applying an electric current passing through the conductive trace to generate an electromagnetic field and disposing a conductive bump including an elongated ferromagnetic member in a predetermined orientation and at a predetermined position above the substrate in response to the electromagnetic field generated by the conductive trace.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 14, 2014
    Publication date: July 16, 2015
    Applicant: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY LTD.
    Inventors: CHIA-CHUN MIAO, SHIH-WEI LIANG, YEN-PING WANG, KAI-CHIANG WU, MING-KAI LIU
  • Publication number: 20150179561
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for an interposer with dams used in packaging dies are disclosed. An interposer may comprise a metal layer above a substrate. A plurality of dams may be formed above the metal layer around each corner of the metal layer. Dams may be formed on both sides of the interposer substrate. A dam surrounds an area where connectors such as solder balls may be located to connect to other packages. A non-conductive dam may be formed above the dam. An underfill may be formed under the package connected to the connector, above the metal layer, and contained within the area surrounded by the dams at the corner, so that the connectors are well protected by the underfill. Such dams may be further formed on a printed circuit board as well.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 4, 2015
    Publication date: June 25, 2015
    Inventors: Kai-Chiang Wu, Hsien-Wei Chen, Yu-Feng Chen, Chun-Hung Lin, Ming-Kai Liu, Chun-Lin Lu
  • Patent number: 9064873
    Abstract: A singulated semiconductor structure comprises a molding compound; a first conductive post in the molding compound having a first geometric shape in a top view; a second conductive post or an alignment mark in the molding compound having a second geometric shape in a top view, wherein the second geometric shape is different from the first geometric shape. The second conductive post or an alignment mark can be positioned at the corner, the center, the edge, or the periphery of the singulated semiconductor structure. The second geometric shape can be any geometric construct distinguishable from the first geometric shape. The second conductive post or an alignment mark can be placed at an active area or a non-active area of the singulated semiconductor structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2015
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY LTD.
    Inventors: Chia-Chun Miao, Shih-Wei Liang, Kai-Chiang Wu, Ming-Kai Liu, Yen-Ping Wang
  • Publication number: 20150130020
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a semiconductor package, which includes a substrate, a passivation layer, a post-passivation interconnect (PPI) having a top surface; and a conductive structure. The top surface of the PPI includes a first region receiving the conductive structure, and a second region surrounding the first region. The second region includes metal derivative transformed from materials made of the first region. The present disclosure provide a method of manufacturing a semiconductor package, including forming a first flux layer covering a portion of a top surface of a PPI; transforming a portion of the top surface of the PPI uncovered by the first flux layer into a metal derivative layer; removing the first flux layer; forming a second flux layer on the first region of the PPI; dropping a solder ball on the flux layer; and forming electrical connection between the solder ball and the PPI.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2013
    Publication date: May 14, 2015
    Applicant: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY LTD.
    Inventors: CHAO-WEN SHIH, KAI-CHIANG WU, CHING-FENG YANG, MING-KAI LIU, SHIH-WEI LIANG, YEN-PING WANG
  • Publication number: 20150125997
    Abstract: A method of packaging an integrated circuit includes forming a first integrated circuit and a second integrated circuit on a wafer, the first and second integrated circuit separated by a singulation region. The method includes covering the first and second integrated circuits with a molding compound, and sawing through the molding compound and a top portion of the wafer using a beveled saw blade, while leaving a bottom portion of the wafer remaining. The method further includes sawing through the bottom portion of the wafer using a second saw blade, the second saw blade having a thickness that is less than a thickness of the beveled saw blade. The resulting structure is within the scope of the present disclosure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 7, 2013
    Publication date: May 7, 2015
    Applicant: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Yen-Ping Wang, Ming-Kai Liu, Kai-Chiang Wu
  • Publication number: 20150118797
    Abstract: A method of packaging an integrated circuit includes forming a first integrated circuit and a second integrated circuit on a wafer, the first and second integrated circuit separated by a singulation region. The method includes covering the first and second integrated circuits with a molding compound, and sawing through a top portion of the molding compound using a first beveled saw blade, while leaving a bottom portion of the molding compound remaining. The method further includes sawing through the bottom portion of the molding compound and the wafer using a second saw blade, the second saw blade having a thickness that is less than a thickness of the first saw blade. The resulting structure is within the scope of the present disclosure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2013
    Publication date: April 30, 2015
    Applicant: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Ming-Kai Liu, Yen-Ping Wang, Kai-Chiang Wu
  • Publication number: 20150108635
    Abstract: A semiconductor structure includes a three dimensional stack including a first semiconductor die and a second semiconductor die. The second semiconductor die is connected with the first semiconductor die with a bump between the first semiconductor die and the second semiconductor die. The semiconductor structure includes a molding compound between the first semiconductor die and the second semiconductor die. A first portion of a metal structure over a surface of the three dimensional stack and contacting a backside of the second semiconductor die and a second portion of the metal structure over the surface of the three dimensional stack and configured for electrically connecting the three dimensional stack with an external electronic device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2013
    Publication date: April 23, 2015
    Applicant: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Ltd.
    Inventors: SHIH-WEI LIANG, HSIN-YU PAN, KAI-CHIANG WU, CHING-FENG YANG, MING-KAI LIU, CHIA-CHUN MIAO
  • Patent number: 8994176
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for an interposer with dams used in packaging dies are disclosed. An interposer may comprise a metal layer above a substrate. A plurality of dams may be formed above the metal layer around each corner of the metal layer. Dams may be formed on both sides of the interposer substrate. A dam surrounds an area where connectors such as solder balls may be located to connect to other packages. A non-conductive dam may be formed above the dam. An underfill may be formed under the package connected to the connector, above the metal layer, and contained within the area surrounded by the dams at the corner, so that the connectors are well protected by the underfill. Such dams may be further formed on a printed circuit board as well.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kai-Chiang Wu, Hsien-Wei Chen, Yu-Feng Chen, Chun-Hung Lin, Ming-Kai Liu, Chun-Lin Lu
  • Publication number: 20150069606
    Abstract: Package on package (PoP) devices and methods of packaging semiconductor dies are disclosed. A PoP device is formed by connecting a top package and a bottom package together using a plurality of PoP connectors on the bottom package connected to corresponding connectors of the top package. The PoP device further comprises a plurality of dummy connectors contained in the bottom package and not connected to any corresponding connector in the top package.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2014
    Publication date: March 12, 2015
    Inventors: Ming-Kai Liu, Kai-Chiang Wu, Hsien-Wei Chen, Shih-Wei Liang