Patents Examined by Quovaunda Jefferson
  • Patent number: 11915973
    Abstract: A substrate processing method includes providing a substrate containing a metal surface and a dielectric material surface, selectively forming a sacrificial capping layer containing a self-assembled monolayer on the metal surface, removing the sacrificial capping layer to restore the metal surface, and processing the restored metal surface and the dielectric material surface. The sacrificial capping layer may be used to prevent metal diffusion into the dielectric material and to prevent oxidation and contamination of the metal surface while waiting for further processing of the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: Tokyo Electron Limited
    Inventors: Ainhoa Romo Negreira, Yumiko Kawana, Dina Triyoso
  • Patent number: 11894336
    Abstract: An integrated fan-out (InFO) package includes a die, a plurality of conductive structures aside the die, an encapsulant laterally encapsulating the die and the conductive structure, and a redistribution structure. The redistribution structure is disposed on the encapsulant. The redistribution structure includes a plurality of routing patterns, a plurality of conductive vias, and a plurality of alignment marks. The routing patterns and the conductive vias are electrically connected to the die and the conductive structures. The alignment marks surround the routing patterns and the conductive vias. The alignment marks are electrically insulated from the die and the conductive structures. At least one of the alignment marks is in physical contact with the encapsulant, and vertical projections of the alignment marks onto the encapsulant have an offset from one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2024
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Jhih-Yu Wang, Hung-Jui Kuo, Yu-Hsiang Hu, Sih-Hao Liao, Yung-Chi Chu
  • Patent number: 11894340
    Abstract: A package structure includes a wiring structure and a first electronic device. The wiring structure includes at least one dielectric layer and at least one circuit layer in contact with the dielectric layer. The first electronic device is electrically connected to the wiring structure, and has a first surface, a second surface and at least one lateral side surface extending between the first surface and the second surface. The first electronic device includes a first active circuit region and a first protrusion portion. The first protrusion portion protrudes from the at least one lateral side surface of the first electronic device. A portion of the first active circuit region is disposed in the first protrusion portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2024
    Assignee: ADVANCED SEMICONDUCTOR ENGINEERING, INC.
    Inventors: Syu-Tang Liu, Min Lung Huang, Huang-Hsien Chang, Tsung-Tang Tsai, Ching-Ju Chen
  • Patent number: 11864381
    Abstract: In a method of manufacturing a semiconductor device, the semiconductor device includes a non-volatile memory formed in a memory cell area and a ring structure area surrounding the memory cell area. In the method, a protrusion of a substrate is formed in the ring structure area. The protrusion protrudes from an isolation insulating layer. A high-k dielectric film is formed, thereby covering the protrusion and the isolation insulating layer. A poly silicon film is formed over the high-k dielectric film. The poly silicon film and the high-k dielectric film are patterned. Insulating layers are formed over the patterned poly silicon film and high-k dielectric film, thereby sealing the patterned high-k dielectric film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Meng-Han Lin, Chih-Ren Hsieh, Ching-Wen Chan
  • Patent number: 11862611
    Abstract: Several embodiments of the present technology are described with reference to a semiconductor apparatus. In some embodiments of the present technology, a semiconductor apparatus includes a stack of semiconductor dies attached to a thermal transfer structure. The thermal transfer structure conducts heat away from the stack of semiconductor dies. Additionally, the assembly can include molded walls to support the thermal transfer structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Ed A. Schrock
  • Patent number: 11860152
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a circuit layer and a nanopore layer. The nanopore layer is formed on the circuit layer and is formed with a pore therethrough. The circuit layer includes a circuit unit configured to drive a biomolecule through the pore and to detect a current associated with a resistance of the nanopore layer, whereby a characteristic of the biomolecule can be determined using the currents detected by the circuit unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited
    Inventors: Kun-Lung Chen, Tung-Tsun Chen, Cheng-Hsiang Hsieh, Yu-Jie Huang, Jui-Cheng Huang
  • Patent number: 11848363
    Abstract: A method of forming a semiconductor device includes forming a gate structure on a semiconductor substrate. A gate spacer is formed adjacent to the gate structure. The gate spacer includes a first dielectric layer and a second dielectric layer on the first dielectric layer. A plasma treatment is performed to the second dielectric layer. After performing the plasma treatment, at least a portion of the second dielectric layer is removed such that a sidewall of the first dielectric layer is exposed. A dielectric cap is formed on the gate spacer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2023
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Chung-Ting Li, Jen-Hsiang Lu, Chih-Hao Chang
  • Patent number: 11846024
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are laser-assisted metal-organic chemical vapor deposition devices and methods of use thereof for suppressing background carbon incorporation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2023
    Assignee: Ohio State Innovation Foundation
    Inventors: Hongping Zhao, Zhaoying Chen, Yuxuan Zhang
  • Patent number: 11842899
    Abstract: In a method of cutting a fine pattern, a line structure is formed on a substrate. The line structure extends in a first direction, and includes a pattern and a first mask. The pattern and the first mask include different materials. A sacrificial layer is formed on the substrate to cover the line structure. The sacrificial layer is partially etched to form a first opening partially overlapping the line structure in a vertical direction. A portion of the first mask, an upper portion of the pattern and/or a portion of the sacrificial layer under the first opening are partially etched using an etching gas having no etching selectivity among the pattern, the first mask and the sacrificial layer. A lower portion of the pattern under the upper portion thereof is removed to divide the pattern into a plurality of pieces spaced apart from each other in the first direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2023
    Inventors: Sanggyo Chung, Jiseung Lee, Kyoungha Eom, Hyunchul Lee
  • Patent number: 11833503
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods and compositions for surface functionalization of solid substrates. The compositions include functionalized silanes and nucleic acid constructs which may react to immobilize the nucleic acid constructs on the surface on the solid substrate. The disclosure also provides methods for immobilization of silanes and nucleic acid constructs on the surface of the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2023
    Assignee: InSilixa, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrea Cuppoletti, Arjang Hassibi, Lei Pei, Yang Liu, Kshama Jirage, Arun Manickam
  • Patent number: 11837473
    Abstract: Methods for adjusting a work function of a structure in a substrate leverage near surface doping. In some embodiments, a method for adjusting a work function of a structure in a substrate may include growing an epitaxial layer on surfaces of the structure to form a homogeneous passivation region as part of a substrate material of the substrate and performing a dopant diffusion process to further embed the dopants into surfaces of the structure to adjust a work function of the structure, wherein the dopant diffusion process is performed at less than approximately 450 degrees Celsius.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2023
    Assignee: APPLIED MATERIALS, INC.
    Inventor: Taichou Papo Chen
  • Patent number: 11830729
    Abstract: Exemplary methods of semiconductor processing may include providing a boron-and-carbon-and-nitrogen-containing precursor to a processing region of a semiconductor processing chamber. A substrate may be disposed within the processing region of the semiconductor processing chamber. The methods may include generating a capacitively-coupled plasma of the boron-and-carbon-and-nitrogen-containing precursor. The methods may include forming a boron-and-carbon-and-nitrogen-containing layer on the substrate. The boron-and-carbon-and-nitrogen-containing layer may be characterized by a dielectric constant below or about 3.5.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2023
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Zeqing Shen, Bo Qi, Abhijit Basu Mallick, Nitin K. Ingle
  • Patent number: 11824105
    Abstract: To reduce defects in an oxide semiconductor film in a semiconductor device. To improve the electrical characteristics and the reliability of a semiconductor device including an oxide semiconductor film. In a semiconductor device including a transistor including a gate electrode formed over a substrate, a gate insulating film covering the gate electrode, a multilayer film overlapping with the gate electrode with the gate insulating film provided therebetween, and a pair of electrodes in contact with the multilayer film, a first oxide insulating film covering the transistor, and a second oxide insulating film formed over the first oxide insulating film, the multilayer film includes an oxide semiconductor film and an oxide film containing In or Ga, the first oxide insulating film is an oxide insulating film through which oxygen is permeated, and the second oxide insulating film is an oxide insulating film containing more oxygen than that in the stoichiometric composition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2023
    Assignee: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Junichi Koezuka, Yukinori Shima, Hajime Tokunaga, Toshinari Sasaki, Keisuke Murayama, Daisuke Matsubayashi
  • Patent number: 11824077
    Abstract: In some embodiments, a semiconductor device is provided. The semiconductor device includes an epitaxial structure having a group IV chemical element disposed in a semiconductor substrate, where the epitaxial structure extends into the semiconductor substrate from a first side of the semiconductor substrate. A photodetector is at least partially arranged in the epitaxial structure. A first capping structure having a first capping structure chemical element that is different than the first group IV chemical element covers the epitaxial structure on the first side of the semiconductor substrate. A second capping structure is arranged between the first capping structure and the epitaxial structure, where the second capping structure includes the group IV chemical element and the first capping structure chemical element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2023
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Po-Chun Liu, Chung-Yi Yu, Eugene Chen
  • Patent number: 11823960
    Abstract: A semiconductor structure and a method for forming the same are provided. The method includes forming a first protruding structure, a second protruding structure, and a third protruding structure over a substrate. The method also includes performing a depositing process to form a first insulation material layer between the first protruding structure and the second protruding structure. The method further includes performing a first insulation material conversion process onto the first insulation material layer to bend the first protruding structure and the second protruding structure toward opposite directions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2023
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Han-Pin Chung, Chih-Tang Peng, Tien-I Bao
  • Patent number: 11817313
    Abstract: Exemplary deposition methods may include forming a plasma of a silicon-containing precursor and at least one additional precursor within a processing region of a semiconductor processing chamber. The processing region may house a semiconductor substrate on a substrate support. The methods may include depositing material on the semiconductor substrate to a target thickness. The methods may include halting delivery of the silicon-containing precursor while maintaining the plasma with the one or more precursors. The methods may include purging the processing region of the semiconductor processing chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2023
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Madhu Santosh Kumar Mutyala, Sanjay Kamath, Deenesh Padhi
  • Patent number: 11810945
    Abstract: A method of making a semiconductor device includes etching a substrate to define a first trench and a second trench. The method further includes depositing a first number M of capacitor layer pairs in the first trench, wherein each of the first number M of capacitor layer pairs includes a first dielectric layer, and a first conductive layer. The method further includes depositing a second number N of capacitor layer pairs in the second trench, wherein the second number N is different from the first number M, and each of the second number N of capacitor layer pairs includes a second dielectric layer, and a second conductive layer. The method further includes planarizing the first number M of capacitor layer pairs and the second number N of capacitor layer pairs to expose the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2023
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Tao-Cheng Liu, Shih-Chi Kuo, Tsai-Hao Hung, Tsung-Hsien Lee
  • Patent number: 11804376
    Abstract: A substrate processing method for area selective deposition includes providing a substrate containing a first film, a second film, and a third film, forming a first blocking layer on the first film, forming a second blocking layer on the second film, where the second blocking layer is different from the first blocking layer, and selectively forming a material film on the third film. In one example, the first film contains a metal film, second film contains a metal-containing liner that surrounds the metal film, and the third film includes a dielectric film that surrounds the metal-containing liner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2023
    Assignee: Tokyo Electron Limited
    Inventor: Kandabara N. Tapily
  • Patent number: 11798846
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides embodiments of a semiconductor device. In one embodiment, the semiconductor device includes a gate structure, a source/drain feature adjacent the gate structure, a first dielectric layer over the source/drain feature, an etch stop layer over the gate structure and the first dielectric layer, a second dielectric layer over the etch stop layer, a source/drain contact that includes a first portion extending through the first dielectric layer and a second portion extending through the etch stop layer and the second dielectric layer, a metal silicide layer disposed between the second portion and etch stop layer, and a metal nitride layer disposed between the first portion and the first dielectric layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2023
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Chih-Hsuan Lin, Xi-Zong Chen, Chih-Teng Liao
  • Patent number: 11798838
    Abstract: Embodiments herein describe techniques for a semiconductor device including a carrier wafer, and an integrated circuit (IC) formed on a device wafer bonded to the carrier wafer. The IC includes a front end layer having one or more transistors at front end of the device wafer, and a back end layer having a metal interconnect coupled to the one or more transistors. One or more gaps may be formed by removing components of the one or more transistors. Furthermore, the IC includes a capping layer at backside of the device wafer next to the front end layer of the device wafer, filling at least partially the one or more gaps of the front end layer. Moreover, the IC includes one or more air gaps formed within the one or more gaps, and between the capping layer and the back end layer. Other embodiments may be described and/or claimed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2023
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Ehren Mannebach, Aaron Lilak, Rishabh Mehandru, Hui Jae Yoo, Patrick Morrow, Kevin Lin