Patents by Inventor Yu-Chia Liu

Yu-Chia 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: 10160639
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a semiconductor structure for a MEMS device. In some embodiments, the structure includes an interlayer dielectric (ILD) region positioned over a substrate. Further the structure includes an inter-metal dielectric region. The IMD region includes a passivation layer overlying a stacked structure. The stacked structure includes dielectric layers and etch stop layers that are stacked in an alternating fashion. Metal wire layers are disposed within the stacked structure of the IMD region. The structure also includes a sensing electrode electrically connected to the IMD region with an electrode extension via. The structure includes a MEMS substrate comprising a MEMS device having a soft mechanical structure positioned adjacent to the sensing electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2018
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yu-Chia Liu, Chia-Hua Chu, Chun-Wen Cheng, Jung-Huei Peng
  • Publication number: 20180201499
    Abstract: The invention provides a micro-electro-mechanical device which is manufactured by a CMOS manufacturing process. The micro-electro-mechanical device includes a stationary unit, a movable unit, and a connecting member. The stationary unit includes a first capacitive sensing region and a fixed structure region. The movable unit includes a second capacitive sensing region and a proof mass, wherein the first capacitive sensing region and the second capacitive sensing region form a capacitor, and the proof mass region consists of a single material. The connecting member is for connecting the movable unit in a way to allow a relative movement of the movable unit with respect to the stationary unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2018
    Publication date: July 19, 2018
    Inventors: Ming-Han Tsai, Yu-Chia Liu, Wei-Leun Fang
  • Publication number: 20180118560
    Abstract: Representative methods for sealing MEMS devices include depositing insulating material over a substrate, forming conductive vias in a first set of layers of the insulating material, and forming metal structures in a second set of layers of the insulating material. The first and second sets of layers are interleaved in alternation. A dummy insulating layer is provided as an upper-most layer of the first set of layers. Portions of the first and second set of layers are etched to form void regions in the insulating material. A conductive pad is formed on and in a top surface of the insulating material. The void regions are sealed with an encapsulating structure. At least a portion of the encapsulating structure is laterally adjacent the dummy insulating layer, and above a top surface of the conductive pad. An etch is performed to remove at least a portion of the dummy insulating layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 2, 2018
    Publication date: May 3, 2018
    Inventors: Yu-Chia Liu, Chia-Hua Chu, Chun-Wen Cheng
  • Patent number: 9944513
    Abstract: The invention provides a micro-electro-mechanical device which is manufactured by a CMOS manufacturing process. The micro-electro-mechanical device includes a stationary unit, a movable unit, and a connecting member. The stationary unit includes a first capacitive sensing region and a fixed structure region. The movable unit includes a second capacitive sensing region and a proof mass, wherein the first capacitive sensing region and the second capacitive sensing region form a capacitor, and the proof mass region consists of a single material. The connecting member is for connecting the movable unit in a way to allow a relative movement of the movable unit with respect to the stationary unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2018
    Assignee: PIXART IMAGING INCORPORATION
    Inventors: Ming-Han Tsai, Yu-Chia Liu, Wei-Leun Fang
  • Patent number: 9938134
    Abstract: A microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) package with high gettering efficiency is provided. A MEMS device is arranged over a logic chip, within a cavity that is hermetically sealed. A sensing electrode is arranged within the cavity, between the MEMS device and the logic chip. The sensing electrode is electrically coupled to the logic chip and is a conductive getter material configured to remove gas molecules from the cavity. A method for manufacturing the MEMS package is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2018
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shiang-Chi Lin, Jung-Huei Peng, Yu-Chia Liu, Yi-Chien Wu, Wei Siang Tan
  • Publication number: 20180065841
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a semiconductor structure. The semiconductor structure includes a cavity disposed in a substrate and enclosed by a first surface and a second surface opposite to the first surface. The semiconductor structure also includes a first electrode pair having a first electrode on the first surface and a second electrode on the second surface. The first electrode pair is configured to measure a first spacing between the first surface and the second surface. The semiconductor structure further includes a second electrode pair having a third electrode on the first surface and a fourth electrode on the second surface. The second electrode pair is configured to measure a second spacing between the first surface and the second surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 2, 2016
    Publication date: March 8, 2018
    Inventors: JUNG-HUEI PENG, YI-CHIEN WU, YU-CHIA LIU, CHUN-WEN CHENG
  • Patent number: 9868628
    Abstract: Representative methods for sealing MEMS devices include depositing insulating material over a substrate, forming conductive vias in a first set of layers of the insulating material, and forming metal structures in a second set of layers of the insulating material. The first and second sets of layers are interleaved in alternation. A dummy insulating layer is provided as an upper-most layer of the first set of layers. Portions of the first and second set of layers are etched to form void regions in the insulating material. A conductive pad is formed on and in a top surface of the insulating material. The void regions are sealed with an encapsulating structure. At least a portion of the encapsulating structure is laterally adjacent the dummy insulating layer, and above a top surface of the conductive pad. An etch is performed to remove at least a portion of the dummy insulating layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2018
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yu-Chia Liu, Chia-Hua Chu, Chun-Wen Cheng
  • Publication number: 20170369308
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a semiconductor structure for a MEMS device. In some embodiments, the structure includes an interlayer dielectric (ILD) region positioned over a substrate. Further the structure includes an inter-metal dielectric region. The IMD region includes a passivation layer overlying a stacked structure. The stacked structure includes dielectric layers and etch stop layers that are stacked in an alternating fashion. Metal wire layers are disposed within the stacked structure of the IMD region. The structure also includes a sensing electrode electrically connected to the IMD region with an electrode extension via. The structure includes a MEMS substrate comprising a MEMS device having a soft mechanical structure positioned adjacent to the sensing electrode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2016
    Publication date: December 28, 2017
    Inventors: Yu-Chia Liu, Chia-Hua Chu, Chun-Wen Cheng, Jung-Huei Peng
  • Publication number: 20170297904
    Abstract: A microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) package with high gettering efficiency is provided. A MEMS device is arranged over a logic chip, within a cavity that is hermetically sealed. A sensing electrode is arranged within the cavity, between the MEMS device and the logic chip. The sensing electrode is electrically coupled to the logic chip and is a conductive getter material configured to remove gas molecules from the cavity. A method for manufacturing the MEMS package is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 8, 2016
    Publication date: October 19, 2017
    Inventors: Shiang-Chi Lin, Jung-Huei Peng, Yu-Chia Liu, Yi-Chien Wu
  • Publication number: 20170283250
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) package having two MEMS devices with different pressures, and an associated method of formation. In some embodiments, the (MEMS) package includes a device substrate and a cap substrate bonded together. The device substrate includes a first trench and a second trench. A first MEMS device is disposed over the first trench and a second MEMS device is disposed over the second trench. A first stopper is raised from a first trench bottom surface of the first trench but below a top surface of the device substrate and a second stopper is raised from a second trench bottom surface of the second trench but below the top surface of the device substrate. A first depth of the first trench is greater than a second depth of the second trench.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 19, 2017
    Publication date: October 5, 2017
    Inventors: Yu-Chia Liu, Chia-Hua Chu, Chun-Wen Cheng, Kuei-Sung Chang, Jung-Huei Peng
  • Publication number: 20170260042
    Abstract: Representative methods for sealing MEMS devices include depositing insulating material over a substrate, forming conductive vias in a first set of layers of the insulating material, and forming metal structures in a second set of layers of the insulating material. The first and second sets of layers are interleaved in alternation. A dummy insulating layer is provided as an upper-most layer of the first set of layers. Portions of the first and second set of layers are etched to form void regions in the insulating material. A conductive pad is formed on and in a top surface of the insulating material. The void regions are sealed with an encapsulating structure. At least a portion of the encapsulating structure is laterally adjacent the dummy insulating layer, and above a top surface of the conductive pad. An etch is performed to remove at least a portion of the dummy insulating layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 10, 2016
    Publication date: September 14, 2017
    Inventors: Yu-Chia Liu, Chia-Hua Chu, Chun-Wen Cheng
  • Publication number: 20170197455
    Abstract: An easy-to-hold off-axis pen has a pen head, a barrel, and at least one forefinger support. The pen head is irregularly shaped and hollow. The barrel is connected with the pen head and is hollow to accommodate a cartridge and to be held. A detachable clip fastener is strip-shaped whose two ends are respectively disposed on the pen head and an off-axis part of the barrel. One end of the detachable clip fastener can be pulled by fingers. The at least one forefinger support is disposed on a sidewall of the off-axis part to support and locate the forefinger during writing. The present invention can further include middle finger abutments disposed on the off-axis part and thumb anti-slip parts disposed on the barrel to make the easy-to-hold off-axis pen easy to grasp and anti-slip, and make users comfortable to grasp.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2014
    Publication date: July 13, 2017
    Inventors: BAO-SHEN LIU, YU-CHIA LIU, LIANLIN ZHANG
  • Patent number: 9695039
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) package having two MEMS devices with different pressures, and an associated method of formation. In some embodiments, the (MEMS) package includes a device substrate and a cap substrate bonded together. The device substrate includes a first trench and a second trench. A first MEMS device is disposed over the first trench and a second MEMS device is disposed over the second trench. A first stopper is raised from a first trench bottom surface of the first trench but below a top surface of the device substrate and a second stopper is raised from a second trench bottom surface of the second trench but below the top surface of the device substrate. A first depth of the first trench is greater than a second depth of the second trench.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yu-Chia Liu, Chia-Hua Chu, Chun-Wen Cheng, Kuei-Sung Chang, Jung-Huei Peng
  • Publication number: 20170081173
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a CMOS MEMS device. The CMOS MEMS device includes a first substrate, a second substrate, a first polysilicon and a second polysilicon. The second substrate includes a movable part and is located over the first substrate. The first polysilicon penetrates the second substrate and is adjacent to a first side of the movable part of the second substrate. The second polysilicon penetrates the second substrate and is adjacent to a second side of the movable part of the second substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2015
    Publication date: March 23, 2017
    Inventors: YU-CHIA LIU, CHIA-HUA CHU, CHUN-WEN CHENG
  • Publication number: 20170044004
    Abstract: Some embodiments of the present disclosure provide a microelectromechanical systems (MEMS). The MEMS includes a semiconductive block. The semiconductive block includes a protruding structure. The protruding structure includes a bottom surface. The semiconductive block includes a sensing structure. A semiconductive substrate includes a conductive region. The conductive region includes a first surface under the sensing structure. The first surface is substantially coplanar with the bottom surface. A dielectric region includes a second surface not disposed over the first surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 14, 2015
    Publication date: February 16, 2017
    Inventors: CHUN-WEN CHENG, JUNG-HUEI PENG, CHIA-HUA CHU, NIEN-TSUNG TSAI, YAO-TE HUANG, LI-MIN HUNG, YU-CHIA LIU
  • Patent number: 9464986
    Abstract: A multiplex fiber optic biosensor including an optical fiber, a plurality of noble metal nanoparticle layers, a plurality of light sources and a light source function generator is disclosed. The optical fiber includes a plurality of sensing regions which are unclad regions of the optical fiber so that the fiber core is exposed, wherein the noble metal nanoparticle layers are set in each sensing regions. The light sources emit light with different wavelengths, and the noble metal nanoparticle layers absorb the lights with different wavelengths, respectively. The light sources emit the lights in different timing sequences or different carrier frequencies, wherein when the lights propagate along the optical fiber in accordance with the different timing sequences or the different carrier frequencies, a detection unit detects particle plasmon resonance signals produced by interactions between the different noble metal nanoparticle layers and the corresponding analytes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2016
    Assignee: National Chung Cheng University
    Inventors: Lai-Kwan Chau, Chen-Han Huang, Hisng-Ying Lin, Yu-Chia Liu
  • Patent number: 9403673
    Abstract: A semiconductor structure for a microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) device is provided. A first substrate region includes an electrical isolation layer arranged over a top surface of the first substrate region. A second substrate region is arranged over the electrical isolation layer and includes a MEMS device structure arranged within the second substrate region. The MEMS device structure includes a fixed mass and a proof mass. A dielectric region is arranged over the electrical isolation layer around the fixed mass. A fixed mass electrode is arranged around the dielectric region, and extends through the second substrate region to the electrical isolation layer. An isolated electrode extends through the second substrate region and the electrical isolation layer to the first substrate region on an opposite side of the proof mass as the fixed mass electrode. The method of forming the semiconductor structure is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2016
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yu-Chia Liu, Chia-Hua Chu, Kuei-Sung Chang, Chun-Wen Cheng
  • Publication number: 20160031703
    Abstract: A semiconductor structure for a microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) device is provided. A first substrate region includes an electrical isolation layer arranged over a top surface of the first substrate region. A second substrate region is arranged over the electrical isolation layer and includes a MEMS device structure arranged within the second substrate region. The MEMS device structure includes a fixed mass and a proof mass. A dielectric region is arranged over the electrical isolation layer around the fixed mass. A fixed mass electrode is arranged around the dielectric region, and extends through the second substrate region to the electrical isolation layer. An isolated electrode extends through the second substrate region and the electrical isolation layer to the first substrate region on an opposite side of the proof mass as the fixed mass electrode. The method of forming the semiconductor structure is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2015
    Publication date: February 4, 2016
    Inventors: Yu-Chia Liu, Chia-Hua Chu, Kuei-Sung Chang, Chun-Wen Cheng
  • Patent number: 9233839
    Abstract: A method for forming a MEMS device is provided. The method includes the following steps of providing a substrate having a first portion and a second portion; fabricating a membrane type sensor on the first portion of the substrate; and fabricating a bulk silicon sensor on the second portion of the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2016
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited
    Inventors: Yu-Chia Liu, Chia-Hua Chu, Jung-Huei Peng, Kuei-Sung Chang, Chun-Wen Cheng
  • Patent number: 9221674
    Abstract: A semiconductor structure for a microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) device is provided. A first substrate region includes an electrical isolation layer arranged over a top surface of the first substrate region. A second substrate region is arranged over the electrical isolation layer and includes a MEMS device structure arranged within the second substrate region. The MEMS device structure includes a fixed mass and a proof mass. A dielectric region is arranged over the electrical isolation layer around the fixed mass. A fixed mass electrode is arranged around the dielectric region, and extends through the second substrate region to the electrical isolation layer. An isolated electrode extends through the second substrate region and the electrical isolation layer to the first substrate region on an opposite side of the proof mass as the fixed mass electrode. The method of forming the semiconductor structure is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2015
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yu-Chia Liu, Chia-Hua Chu, Kuei-Sung Chang, Chun-Wen Cheng