Patents by Inventor A-Lien Lin

A-Lien Lin 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: 11844226
    Abstract: A method includes forming a bottom electrode layer, and depositing a first ferroelectric layer over the bottom electrode layer. The first ferroelectric layer is amorphous. A second ferroelectric layer is deposited over the first ferroelectric layer, and the second ferroelectric layer has a polycrystalline structure. The method further includes depositing a third ferroelectric layer over the second ferroelectric layer, with the third ferroelectric layer being amorphous, depositing a top electrode layer over the third ferroelectric layer, and patterning the top electrode layer, the third ferroelectric layer, the second ferroelectric layer, the first ferroelectric layer, and the bottom electrode layer to form a Ferroelectric Random Access Memory cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2023
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Bi-Shen Lee, Yi Yang Wei, Hsing-Lien Lin, Hsun-Chung Kuang, Cheng-Yuan Tsai, Hai-Dang Trinh
  • Publication number: 20230389453
    Abstract: A semiconductor device structure is provided. The structure includes a substrate and a data storage element over the substrate. The structure also includes a protective element extending into the data storage element. A bottom surface of the protective element is between a top surface of the data storage element and a bottom surface of the data storage element. The structure further includes a first electrode electrically connected to the data storage element and a second electrode electrically connected to the data storage element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2023
    Publication date: November 30, 2023
    Applicant: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Hai-Dang TRINH, Hsing-Lien LIN, Cheng-Yuan TSAI
  • Publication number: 20230365395
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a structure and method of fabricating the structure. The structure comprises a cavity enclosed by a first substrate and a second substrate opposite to the first substrate. Further, the structure includes a feature in the cavity and the feature is protruded from a surface of the first substrate. In addition, the structure includes a dielectric layer over the feature, wherein the dielectric layer includes a first surface in contact with the feature and a second surface opposite to the first surface is positioned toward the cavity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2023
    Publication date: November 16, 2023
    Inventors: Yuan-Chih Hsieh, Hsing-Lien Lin, Jung-Huei Peng, Yi-Chien Wu
  • Patent number: 11800823
    Abstract: Some embodiments relate to a method for manufacturing a memory device. The method includes forming a bottom electrode over a substrate. A heat dispersion layer is formed over the bottom electrode. A dielectric layer is formed over the heat dispersion layer. A top electrode is formed over the dielectric layer. The heat dispersion layer comprises a first dielectric material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2023
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Fa-Shen Jiang, Hsing-Lien Lin
  • Publication number: 20230320241
    Abstract: Various embodiments of the present application are directed towards a resistive random-access memory (RRAM) cell including a top-electrode barrier layer configured to block the movement of nitrogen or some other suitable non-metal element from a top electrode of the RRAM cell to an active metal layer of the RRAM cell. Blocking the movement of non-metal element may be prevent formation of an undesired switching layer between the active metal layer and the top electrode. The undesired switching layer would increase parasitic resistance of the RRAM cell, such that top-electrode barrier layer may reduce parasitic resistance by preventing formation of the undesired switching layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 8, 2023
    Publication date: October 5, 2023
    Inventors: Hsing-Lien Lin, Chii-Ming Wu, Fa-Shen Jiang
  • Patent number: 11767216
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a structure. The structure comprises a cavity enclosed by a first substrate and a second substrate opposite to the first substrate. Further, the structure includes a feature in the cavity and the feature is protruded from a surface of the first substrate. In addition, the structure includes a dielectric layer over the feature, wherein the dielectric layer includes a first surface in contact with the feature and a second surface opposite to the first surface is positioned toward the cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2023
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Ltd.
    Inventors: Yuan-Chih Hsieh, Hsing-Lien Lin, Jung-Huei Peng, Yi-Chien Wu
  • Patent number: 11758830
    Abstract: A semiconductor device structure is provided. The structure includes a semiconductor substrate and a data storage element over the semiconductor substrate. The structure also includes an ion diffusion barrier element over the data storage element and a protective element extending along a sidewall of the ion diffusion barrier element. A bottom surface of the protective element is between a top surface of the data storage element and a bottom surface of the data storage element. The structure further includes a first electrode electrically connected to the data storage element and a second electrode electrically connected to the data storage element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2023
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Hai-Dang Trinh, Hsing-Lien Lin, Cheng-Yuan Tsai
  • Publication number: 20230276721
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a resistive random access memory (RRAM) device. The RRAM device includes a first electrode over a substrate and a second electrode over the substrate. A data storage structure is disposed between the first electrode and the second electrode. The data storage structure includes a first metal and a second metal. The first metal has a peak concentration at a first distance from the first electrode and the second metal has a peak concentration at a second distance from the first electrode. The first distance is different than the second distance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 8, 2023
    Publication date: August 31, 2023
    Inventors: Hai-Dang Trinh, Cheng-Yuan Tsai, Hsing-Lien Lin, Wen-Ting Chu
  • Publication number: 20230255125
    Abstract: A method for forming a semiconductor memory structure include forming a pillar structure. The pillar structure includes a first conductive layer, a second conductive layer and a data storage material layer between the first and second conducive layers. A sidewall of the first conductive layer, a sidewall of the data storage layer and a sidewall of the second conductive layer are exposed. An oxygen-containing plasma treatment is performed on the pillar structure to form hydrophilic surfaces of the sidewall of the first conductive layer, the sidewall of the data storage layer and the sidewall of the second conductive layer. An encapsulation layer is formed over the pillar structure and the dielectric layer. The encapsulation layer is in contact with the hydrophilic surfaces of the sidewall of the first conductive layer, the sidewall of the data storage layer and the sidewall of the second conductive layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2023
    Publication date: August 10, 2023
    Inventors: HSING-LIEN LIN, FU-TING SUNG, CHING JU YANG, CHII-MING WU
  • Patent number: 11716915
    Abstract: Various embodiments of the present application are directed towards a resistive random-access memory (RRAM) cell including a top-electrode barrier layer configured to block the movement of nitrogen or some other suitable non-metal element from a top electrode of the RRAM cell to an active metal layer of the RRAM cell. Blocking the movement of non-metal element may be prevent formation of an undesired switching layer between the active metal layer and the top electrode. The undesired switching layer would increase parasitic resistance of the RRAM cell, such that top-electrode barrier layer may reduce parasitic resistance by preventing formation of the undesired switching layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2023
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hsing-Lien Lin, Chii-Ming Wu, Fa-Shen Jiang
  • Patent number: 11683999
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a memory device. The memory device includes an access device arranged on or within a substrate and coupled to a word-line and a source line. A plurality of lower interconnects are disposed within a lower dielectric structure over the substrate. A first electrode is coupled to the plurality of lower interconnects. The plurality of lower interconnects couple the access device to the first electrode. A second electrode is over the first electrode. One or more upper interconnects are disposed within an upper dielectric structure laterally surrounding the second electrode. The one or more upper interconnects couple the second electrode to a bit-line. A data storage structure is disposed between the first electrode and the second electrode. The data storage structure includes one or more metals having non-zero concentrations that change as a distance from the substrate varies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2023
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hai-Dang Trinh, Cheng-Yuan Tsai, Hsing-Lien Lin, Wen-Ting Chu
  • Publication number: 20230187478
    Abstract: Various embodiments of the present application are directed towards a method for forming a metal-insulator-metal (MIM) capacitor comprising an enhanced interfacial layer to reduce breakdown failure. In some embodiments, a bottom electrode layer is deposited over a substrate. A native oxide layer is formed on a top surface of the bottom electrode layer and has a first adhesion strength with the top surface. A plasma treatment process is performed to replace the native oxide layer with an interfacial layer. The interfacial layer is conductive and has a second adhesion strength with the top surface of the bottom electrode layer, and the second adhesion strength is greater than the first adhesion strength. An insulator layer is deposited on the interfacial layer. A top electrode layer is deposited on the insulator layer. The top and bottom electrode layers, the insulator layer, and the interfacial layer are patterned to form a MIM capacitor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2022
    Publication date: June 15, 2023
    Inventors: Hsing-Lien Lin, Chii-Ming Wu, Chia-Shiung Tsai, Chung-Yi Yu, Rei-Lin Chu
  • Patent number: 11670781
    Abstract: A fuel cell bipolar flow field plate and a fuel cell stack are provided. The fuel cell bipolar flow field plate includes a first gas channel and a second gas channel. Each of the gas channels has several sub-channels, each of the sub-channels has bending parts, and adjacent sub-channels have opposite flow directions. The sub-channels of the two gas channels form a four-leaf clover type pattern in a reaction area of the fuel cell bipolar flow field plate. A bending angle of each of the bending parts in the four-leaf clover type pattern is within 90 degrees.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Assignee: National Tsing Hua University
    Inventors: Ting-Cheng Wu, Fan-Gang Tseng, Fu-Lien Lin
  • Patent number: 11665909
    Abstract: A method includes forming a bottom electrode layer, and depositing a first ferroelectric layer over the bottom electrode layer. The first ferroelectric layer is amorphous. A second ferroelectric layer is deposited over the first ferroelectric layer, and the second ferroelectric layer has a polycrystalline structure. The method further includes depositing a third ferroelectric layer over the second ferroelectric layer, with the third ferroelectric layer being amorphous, depositing a top electrode layer over the third ferroelectric layer, and patterning the top electrode layer, the third ferroelectric layer, the second ferroelectric layer, the first ferroelectric layer, and the bottom electrode layer to form a Ferroelectric Random Access Memory cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2023
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Bi-Shen Lee, Yi Yang Wei, Hsing-Lien Lin, Hsun-Chung Kuang, Cheng-Yuan Tsai, Hai-Dang Trinh
  • Patent number: 11637240
    Abstract: A semiconductor memory structure includes a memory cell, an encapsulation layer over a sidewall of the memory cell, and a nucleation layer between the sidewall of the memory cell and the encapsulation layer. The memory cell includes a top electrode, a bottom electrode and a data-storage element sandwiched between the bottom electrode and the top electrode. The nucleation layer includes metal oxide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2023
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY LTD.
    Inventors: Hsing-Lien Lin, Fu-Ting Sung, Ching Ju Yang, Chii-Ming Wu
  • Patent number: 11637239
    Abstract: The present disclosure, in some embodiments, relates to a resistive random access memory (RRAM) cell. The RRAM cell has a bottom electrode over a substrate. A data storage layer is over the bottom electrode and has a first thickness. A capping layer is over the data storage layer. The capping layer has a second thickness that is in a range of between approximately 1.9 and approximately 3 times thicker than the first thickness. A top electrode is over the capping layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2023
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Trinh Hai Dang, Hsing-Lien Lin, Cheng-Yuan Tsai, Chin-Chieh Yang, Yu-Wen Liao, Wen-Ting Chu, Chia-Shiung Tsai
  • Publication number: 20230123774
    Abstract: Various embodiments of the present disclosure are directed towards an amorphous bottom electrode structure (BES) for a metal-insulator-metal (MIM) capacitor. The MIM capacitor comprises a bottom electrode, an insulator layer overlying the bottom electrode, and a top electrode overlying the insulator layer. The bottom electrode comprises a crystalline BES and the amorphous BES, and the amorphous BES overlies the crystalline BES and forms a top surface of the bottom electrode. Because the amorphous BES is amorphous, instead of crystalline, a top surface of the amorphous BES may have a small roughness compared to that of the crystalline BES. Because the amorphous BES forms the top surface of the bottom electrode, the top surface of the bottom electrode may have a small roughness compared to what it would otherwise have if the crystalline BES formed the top surface. The small roughness may improve a lifespan of the MIM capacitor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 12, 2022
    Publication date: April 20, 2023
    Inventors: Hsing-Lien Lin, Jui-Lin Chu, Cheng-Yuan Tsai
  • Publication number: 20230062897
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a diffusion barrier structure, a bottom electrode, a top electrode, a switching layer and a capping layer. The bottom electrode is over the diffusion barrier structure. The top electrode is over the bottom electrode. The switching layer is between the bottom electrode and the top electrode, and configured to store data. The capping layer is between the switching layer and the top electrode. The diffusion barrier structure includes a multiple-layer structure. A thermal conductivity of the diffusion barrier structure is greater than approximately 20 W/mK.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2022
    Publication date: March 2, 2023
    Inventors: HAI-DANG TRINH, FA-SHEN JIANG, HSING-LIEN LIN, CHII-MING WU
  • Patent number: 11594593
    Abstract: Various embodiments of the present application are directed towards a method for forming a metal-insulator-metal (MIM) capacitor comprising an enhanced interfacial layer to reduce breakdown failure. In some embodiments, a bottom electrode layer is deposited over a substrate. A native oxide layer is formed on a top surface of the bottom electrode layer and has a first adhesion strength with the top surface. A plasma treatment process is performed to replace the native oxide layer with an interfacial layer. The interfacial layer is conductive and has a second adhesion strength with the top surface of the bottom electrode layer, and the second adhesion strength is greater than the first adhesion strength. An insulator layer is deposited on the interfacial layer. A top electrode layer is deposited on the insulator layer. The top and bottom electrode layers, the insulator layer, and the interfacial layer are patterned to form a MIM capacitor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2023
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hsing-Lien Lin, Chii-Ming Wu, Chia-Shiung Tsai, Chung-Yi Yu, Rei-Lin Chu
  • Publication number: 20220406916
    Abstract: Various embodiments of the present disclosure are directed towards a memory device including a first bottom electrode layer over a substrate. A ferroelectric switching layer is disposed over the first bottom electrode layer. A first top electrode layer is disposed over the ferroelectric switching layer. A second bottom electrode layer is disposed between the first bottom electrode layer and the ferroelectric switching layer. The second bottom electrode layer is less susceptible to oxidation than the first bottom electrode layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 16, 2021
    Publication date: December 22, 2022
    Inventors: Yi Yang Wei, Bi-Shen Lee, Hsin-Yu Lai, Hai-Dang Trinh, Hsing-Lien Lin, Hsun-Chung Kuang