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).

  • Publication number: 20220392906
    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: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2022
    Publication date: December 8, 2022
    Inventors: Bi-Shen Lee, Yi Yang Wei, Hsing-Lien Lin, Hsun-Chung Kuang, Cheng-Yuan Tsai, Hai-Dang Trinh
  • Publication number: 20220376273
    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: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2022
    Publication date: November 24, 2022
    Applicant: National Tsing Hua University
    Inventors: Ting-Cheng Wu, Fan-Gang Tseng, Fu-Lien Lin
  • Publication number: 20220367810
    Abstract: Various embodiments of the present disclosure are directed towards a method for forming a memory device. The method includes forming a bottom electrode over a substrate. A data storage structure is formed on the bottom electrode. The data storage structure comprises a first atomic percentage of a first dopant and a second atomic percentage of a second dopant. The first atomic percentage is different from the second atomic percentage. A top electrode is formed on the data storage structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2022
    Publication date: November 17, 2022
    Inventors: Hai-Dang Trinh, Chii-Ming Wu, Hsing-Lien Lin, Tzu-Chung Tsai, Fa-Shen Jiang, Bi-Shen Lee
  • Publication number: 20220367342
    Abstract: An interfacial layer is provided that binds a hydrophilic interlayer dielectric to a hydrophobic gap-filling dielectric. The hydrophobic gap-filling dielectric extends over and fill gaps between devices in an array of devices disposed between two metal interconnect layers over a semiconductor substrate and is the product of a flowable CVD process. The interfacial layer provides a hydrophilic upper surface to which the interlayer dielectric adheres. Optionally, the interfacial layer is also the product of a flowable CVD process. Alternatively, the interfacial layer may be silicon nitride or another dielectric that is hydrophilic. The interfacial layer may have a wafer contact angle (WCA) intermediate between a WCA of the hydrophobic dielectric and a WCA of the interlayer dielectric.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 20, 2022
    Publication date: November 17, 2022
    Inventors: Hsing-Lien Lin, Chin-Wei Liang, Hsun-Chung Kuang, Ching Ju Yang
  • Publication number: 20220367806
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a bottom electrode, a top electrode over the bottom electrode, a switching layer between the bottom electrode and the top electrode, wherein the switching layer is configured to store data, a capping layer in contact with the switching layer, wherein the capping layer is configured to extract active metal ions from the switching layer, an ion reservoir region formed in the capping layer, a diffusion barrier layer between the bottom electrode and the switching layer, wherein the diffusion barrier layer includes palladium (Pd), cobalt (Co), or a combination thereof and is configured to obstruct diffusion of the active metal ions between the switching layer and the bottom electrode, and the diffusion layer has a concaved top surface, and a passivation layer covering a portion of the top electrode, and wherein the passivation layer directly contacts a top surface of the switching layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 14, 2022
    Publication date: November 17, 2022
    Inventors: HAI-DANG TRINH, HSING-LIEN LIN, FA-SHEN JIANG
  • Publication number: 20220367805
    Abstract: In some embodiments, the present disclosure relates to an integrated chip. The integrated chip includes a bottom electrode disposed over one or more interconnects and a diffusion barrier layer on the bottom electrode. The diffusion barrier layer has an inner upper surface that is arranged laterally between and vertically below an outer upper surface of the diffusion barrier film. The outer upper surface wraps around the inner upper surface in a top-view of the diffusion barrier layer. A data storage structure is separated from the bottom electrode by the diffusion barrier layer. A top electrode is arranged over the data storage structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2022
    Publication date: November 17, 2022
    Inventors: Hai-Dang Trinh, Chii-Ming Wu, Hsing-Lien Lin, Fa-Shen Jiang
  • Publication number: 20220367607
    Abstract: Various embodiments of the present disclosure are directed towards a method for forming an integrated chip. The method includes forming a bottom electrode over a substrate. A dielectric layer is formed on the bottom electrode. A first top electrode layer is deposited on the dielectric layer by a first deposition process. A diffusion barrier layer is deposited on the first top electrode layer by a second deposition process different from the first deposition process. A second top electrode layer is deposited on the diffusion barrier layer by a third deposition. The third deposition process is the same as the first deposition process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2022
    Publication date: November 17, 2022
    Inventors: Hsing-Lien Lin, Chii-Ming Wu, Hai-Dang Trinh, Fa-Shen Jiang
  • Patent number: 11495532
    Abstract: An interfacial layer is provided that binds a hydrophilic interlayer dielectric to a hydrophobic gap-filling dielectric. The hydrophobic gap-filling dielectric extends over and fill gaps between devices in an array of devices disposed between two metal interconnect layers over a semiconductor substrate and is the product of a flowable CVD process. The interfacial layer provides a hydrophilic upper surface to which the interlayer dielectric adheres. Optionally, the interfacial layer is also the product of a flowable CVD process. Alternatively, the interfacial layer may be silicon nitride or another dielectric that is hydrophilic. The interfacial layer may have a wafer contact angle (WCA) intermediate between a WCA of the hydrophobic dielectric and a WCA of the interlayer dielectric.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2022
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hsing-Lien Lin, Chin-Wei Liang, Hsun-Chung Kuang, Ching Ju Yang
  • Publication number: 20220352065
    Abstract: Various embodiments of the present application are directed towards a metal-insulator-metal (MIM) capacitor. The MIM capacitor comprises a bottom electrode disposed over a semiconductor substrate. A top electrode is disposed over and overlies the bottom electrode. A capacitor insulator structure is disposed between the bottom electrode and the top electrode. The capacitor insulator structure comprises at least three dielectric structures vertically stacked upon each other. A bottom half of the capacitor insulator structure is a mirror image of a top half of the capacitor insulator structure in terms of dielectric materials of the dielectric structures.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 18, 2022
    Publication date: November 3, 2022
    Inventors: Hsing-Lien Lin, Cheng-Te Lee, Rei-Lin Chu, Chii-Ming Wu, Yeur-Luen Tu, Chung-Yi Yu
  • Patent number: 11482668
    Abstract: In some embodiments, the present disclosure relates to method of forming an integrated chip. The method includes forming a bottom electrode structure over one or more interconnect layers disposed within one or more stacked inter-level dielectric (ILD) layers over a substrate. The bottom electrode structure has an upper surface having a noble metal. A diffusion barrier film is formed over the bottom electrode structure. A data storage film is formed onto the diffusion barrier film, and a top electrode structure is over the data storage film. The top electrode structure, the data storage film, the diffusion barrier film, and the bottom electrode structure are patterned to define a memory device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2022
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hai-Dang Trinh, Chii-Ming Wu, Hsing-Lien Lin, Fa-Shen Jiang
  • Publication number: 20220336739
    Abstract: Various embodiments of the present disclosure are directed towards a method for forming an integrated chip, the method includes forming a bottom electrode over a substrate. A first switching layer is formed on the bottom electrode. The first switching layer comprises a dielectric material doped with a first dopant. A second switching layer is formed over the first switching layer. An atomic percentage of the first dopant in the second switching layer is less than an atomic percentage of the first dopant in the first switching layer. A top electrode is formed over the second switching layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2022
    Publication date: October 20, 2022
    Inventors: Fa-Shen Jiang, Cheng-Yuan Tsai, Hai-Dang Trinh, Hsing-Lien Lin, Hsun-Chung Kuang, Bi-Shen Lee
  • Patent number: 11476416
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a diffusion barrier structure, a bottom electrode, a top electrode over the bottom 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 top electrode and the switching layer. A thermal conductivity of the diffusion barrier structure is greater than approximately 20 W/mK.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2022
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY LTD.
    Inventors: Hai-Dang Trinh, Fa-Shen Jiang, Hsing-Lien Lin, Chii-Ming Wu
  • Publication number: 20220320123
    Abstract: In some embodiments, the present disclosure relates to a method of forming an integrated chip. The method includes forming a bottom electrode layer over a substrate and forming a seed layer over the bottom electrode layer. A ferroelectric switching layer is formed over the bottom electrode layer and to contact the seed layer. The ferroelectric switching layer is formed to have a first region with a first crystal phase and a second region with a different crystal phase. A top electrode layer is formed over the ferroelectric switching layer. One or more patterning processes are performed on the bottom electrode layer, the seed layer, the ferroelectric switching layer, and the top electrode layer to form a ferroelectric random access memory (FeRAM) device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 17, 2022
    Publication date: October 6, 2022
    Inventors: Bi-Shen Lee, Hsing-Lien Lin, Hsun-Chung Kuang, Yi Yang Wei
  • Publication number: 20220302381
    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: Application
    Filed: June 7, 2022
    Publication date: September 22, 2022
    Inventors: Hai-Dang Trinh, Cheng-Yuan Tsai, Hsing-Lien Lin, Wen-Ting Chu
  • Patent number: 11437573
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a bottom electrode, a top electrode, a switching layer and a diffusion harrier layer. 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 diffusion barrier layer is between the bottom electrode and the switching layer to obstruct diffusion of ions between the switching layer and the bottom electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2022
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY LTD.
    Inventors: Hai-Dang Trinh, Hsing-Lien Lin, Fa-Shen Jiang
  • Publication number: 20220278115
    Abstract: Ferroelectric stacks are disclosed herein that can improve retention performance of ferroelectric memory devices. An exemplary ferroelectric stack has a ferroelectric switching layer (FSL) stack disposed between a first electrode and a second electrode. The ferroelectric stack includes a barrier layer disposed between a first FSL and a second FSL, where a first crystalline condition of the barrier layer is different than a second crystalline condition of the first FSL and/or the second FSL. In some embodiments, the first crystalline condition is an amorphous phase, and the second crystalline condition is an orthorhombic phase. In some embodiments, the first FSL and/or the second FSL include a first metal oxide, and the barrier layer includes a second metal oxide. The ferroelectric stack can be a ferroelectric capacitor, a portion of a transistor, and/or connected to a transistor in a ferroelectric memory device to provide data storage in a non-volatile manner.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2021
    Publication date: September 1, 2022
    Inventors: Yi Yang Wei, Tzu-Yu Lin, Bi-Shen Lee, Hai-Dang Trinh, Hsing-Lien Lin, Hsun-Chung Kuang
  • Patent number: 11430951
    Abstract: Various embodiments of the present disclosure are directed towards a memory cell including a data storage structure disposed between a top electrode and a bottom electrode. The data storage structure includes a lower switching layer overlying the bottom electrode, and an upper switching layer overlying the lower switching layer. The lower switching layer comprises a dielectric material doped with a first dopant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2022
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Fa-Shen Jiang, Cheng-Yuan Tsai, Hai-Dang Trinh, Hsing-Lien Lin, Hsun-Chung Kuang, Bi-Shen Lee
  • Patent number: 11430729
    Abstract: Various embodiments of the present application are directed towards a metal-insulator-metal (MIM) capacitor. The MIM capacitor comprises a bottom electrode disposed over a semiconductor substrate. A top electrode is disposed over and overlies the bottom electrode. A capacitor insulator structure is disposed between the bottom electrode and the top electrode. The capacitor insulator structure comprises at least three dielectric structures vertically stacked upon each other. A bottom half of the capacitor insulator structure is a mirror image of a top half of the capacitor insulator structure in terms of dielectric materials of the dielectric structures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2022
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hsing-Lien Lin, Cheng-Te Lee, Rei-Lin Chu, Chii-Ming Wu, Yeur-Luen Tu, Chung-Yi Yu
  • Patent number: 11404484
    Abstract: Embodiments of forming an image sensor with organic photodiodes are provided. Trenches are formed in the organic photodiodes to increase the PN-junction interfacial area, which improves the quantum efficiency (QE) of the photodiodes. The organic P-type material is applied in liquid form to fill the trenches. A mixture of P-type materials with different work function values and thickness can be used to meet the desired work function value for the photodiodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2022
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Chin-Wei Liang, Chia-Shiung Tsai, Cheng-Yuan Tsai, Hsing-Lien Lin
  • Patent number: 11393833
    Abstract: In some embodiments, the present disclosure relates to an integrated chip. The integrated chip includes a bottom electrode disposed over a substrate and a top electrode disposed over the bottom electrode. A ferroelectric switching layer is arranged between the bottom electrode and the top electrode. The ferroelectric switching layer is configured to change polarization based upon one or more voltages applied to the bottom electrode or the top electrode. A seed layer is arranged between the bottom electrode and the top electrode. The seed layer and the ferroelectric switching layer have a non-monoclinic crystal phase.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2022
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Bi-Shen Lee, Hsing-Lien Lin, Hsun-Chung Kuang, Yi Yang Wei