Patents by Inventor An-Ren Zi

An-Ren Zi 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: 20230288807
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device includes forming a multilayer photoresist stack over a substrate, in which the multilayer photoresist stack has a first photoresist layer and a second photoresist layer over the first photoresist layer, and the second photoresist layer is less reactive to hydrogen than the first photoresist layer, exposing the multilayer photoresist stack to an EUV radiation, and developing the exposed multilayer photoresist stack.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2022
    Publication date: September 14, 2023
    Applicant: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: An-Ren ZI, Cheng-Han WU, Ching-Yu CHANG
  • Publication number: 20230268178
    Abstract: A method includes forming a protective layer over a substrate edge and a photoresist over a substrate. Protective layer removed and photoresist exposed to radiation. Protective layer made of composition including acid generator and polymer having pendant acid-labile groups.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2023
    Publication date: August 24, 2023
    Inventors: An-Ren ZI, Ching-Yu CHANG, Chin-Hsiang LIN
  • Publication number: 20230245889
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device includes forming a first protective layer over an edge portion of a first main surface of a semiconductor substrate. A metal-containing photoresist layer is formed over the first main surface of the semiconductor substrate. The first protective layer is removed, and the metal-containing photoresist layer is selectively exposed to actinic radiation. A second protective layer is formed over the edge portion of the first main surface of the semiconductor substrate. The selectively exposed photoresist layer is developed to form a patterned photoresist layer, and the second protective layer is removed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 10, 2023
    Publication date: August 3, 2023
    Inventors: An-Ren ZI, Ching-Yu CHANG, Chin-Hsiang LIN
  • Patent number: 11694896
    Abstract: A method of forming a pattern in a photoresist includes forming a photoresist layer over a substrate, and selectively exposing the photoresist layer to actinic radiation to form a latent pattern. The latent pattern is developed by applying a developer composition to the selectively exposed photoresist layer to form a pattern. The developer composition includes a first solvent having Hansen solubility parameters of 15<?d<25, 10<?p<25, and 6<?h<30; an acid having an acid dissociation constant, pKa, of ?15<pKa<5, or a base having a pKa of 40>pKa>9.5; and a second solvent having a dielectric constant greater than 18. The first solvent and the second solvent are different solvents.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2023
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Ming-Hui Weng, An-Ren Zi, Ching-Yu Chang, Chen-Yu Liu
  • Patent number: 11681226
    Abstract: A photoresist layer is coated over a wafer. The photoresist layer includes a metal-containing material. An extreme ultraviolet (EUV) lithography process is performed to the photoresist layer to form a patterned photoresist. The wafer is cleaned with a cleaning fluid to remove the metal-containing material. The cleaning fluid includes a solvent having Hansen solubility parameters of delta D in a range between 13 and 25, delta P in a range between 3 and 25, and delta H in a range between 4 and 30. The solvent contains an acid with an acid dissociation constant less than 4 or a base with an acid dissociation constant greater than 9.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2023
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: An-Ren Zi, Joy Cheng, Ching-Yu Chang
  • Patent number: 11681221
    Abstract: A photoresist includes a core group that contains metal, and one or more first ligands or one or more second ligands attached to the core group. The first ligands each have a following structure: The second ligands each have a following structure: represents the core group. L? represents a chemical that includes 0˜2 carbon atoms saturated by Hydrogen (H) or Fluorine (F). L represents a chemical that includes 1˜6 carbon atoms saturated by H or F. L? represents a chemical that includes 1˜6 carbon atoms saturated by H. L?? represents a chemical that includes 1˜6 carbon atoms saturated by H or F. Linker represents a chemical that links L? and L?? together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2023
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: An-Ren Zi, Chen-Yu Liu, Ching-Yu Chang
  • Patent number: 11626285
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device includes forming a first protective layer over an edge portion of a first main surface of a semiconductor substrate. A metal-containing photoresist layer is formed over the first main surface of the semiconductor substrate. The first protective layer is removed, and the metal-containing photoresist layer is selectively exposed to actinic radiation. A second protective layer is formed over the edge portion of the first main surface of the semiconductor substrate. The selectively exposed photoresist layer is developed to form a patterned photoresist layer, and the second protective layer is removed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2023
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: An-Ren Zi, Ching-Yu Chang, Chin-Hsiang Lin
  • Patent number: 11605538
    Abstract: A method includes forming protective layer over substrate edge and photoresist over substrate. Protective layer removed and photoresist exposed to radiation. Protective layer made of composition including acid generator and polymer having pendant acid-labile groups.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2023
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: An-Ren Zi, Ching-Yu Chang, Chin-Hsiang Lin
  • Publication number: 20230012705
    Abstract: A method for forming a semiconductor device is provided. The method includes applying a photoresist composition over a substrate, thereby forming a photoresist layer over the substrate; performing a first baking process to the photoresist layer; exposing the photoresist layer to an extreme ultraviolet (EUV) radiation, thereby forming a pattern therein; performing a second baking process to the photoresist layer; and developing the photoresist layer having the pattern therein using a developer, thereby forming a patterned photoresist layer. The first baking process and the second baking process are conducted under an ambient atmosphere having a humidity level ranging from 55% to 100%.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 21, 2022
    Publication date: January 19, 2023
    Inventors: An-Ren ZI, Yahru CHENG, Ching-Yu CHANG, Chin-Hsiang LIN
  • Publication number: 20220404705
    Abstract: A method for reducing resist consumption (RRC) is provided. The method includes treating a surface of a substrate using a RRC composition and forming a photoresist layer comprising a metal-containing material on the RRC composition treated surface. The RRC composition includes a solvent and an acid or a base. The solvent has a dispersion parameter between 10 and 25. The acid has an acid dissociation constant between -20 and 6.8. The base having an acid dissociation constant between 7.2 and 45.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 5, 2022
    Publication date: December 22, 2022
    Inventors: An-Ren ZI, Ming-Hui WENG, Ching-Yu CHANG
  • Publication number: 20220392763
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device includes forming a first protective layer over an edge portion of a first main surface of a semiconductor substrate. A metal-containing photoresist layer is formed over the first main surface of the semiconductor substrate. The first protective layer is removed, and the metal-containing photoresist layer is selectively exposed to actinic radiation. A second protective layer is formed over the edge portion of the first main surface of the semiconductor substrate. The selectively exposed photoresist layer is developed to form a patterned photoresist layer, and the second protective layer is removed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 10, 2022
    Publication date: December 8, 2022
    Inventors: An-Ren ZI, Ching-Yu CHANG, Chin-Hsiang LIN
  • Publication number: 20220365437
    Abstract: A method of forming a masking element is provided. The method includes forming a photoresist material having a polymer backbone over a substrate, where the polymer backbone includes a linking group that links a first polymer segment to a second polymer segment, each of the first and the second polymer segments having an ultraviolet (UV) curable group. The method includes exposing the photoresist material under a first UV radiation to break the link between the first polymer segment and the second polymer segment. The method includes exposing the photoresist material under a second UV radiation different from the first UV radiation to form a patterned resist layer. And the method includes developing the patterned resist layer to form a masking element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2022
    Publication date: November 17, 2022
    Inventors: An-Ren Zi, Ching-Yu Chang
  • Publication number: 20220365427
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a semiconductor device includes forming a resist layer including a resist composition over a substrate. The resist composition includes: a metal, a ligand, and a solvent. The solvent is mixture of a first solvent having a vapor pressure of at least 0.75 kPa, wherein the first solvent is one or more of an ether, an ester, an alkane, an aldehyde, or a ketone, and a second solvent different from the first solvent. Alternatively, the solvent is a third solvent, wherein the third solvent is a C4-C14 tertiary alcohol. The resist layer is patterned.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2021
    Publication date: November 17, 2022
    Inventors: An-Ren ZI, Ching-Yu CHANG
  • Patent number: 11495460
    Abstract: A method for forming a semiconductor device structure is provided. The method includes forming a material layer over a substrate, and forming a first layer over the material layer. The method also includes forming a second layer over the first layer, and the second layer includes an auxiliary. The method further includes forming a third layer over the second layer, and the third layer includes an inorganic material, the inorganic material includes a plurality of metallic cores, and a plurality of first linkers bonded to the metallic cores. A topmost surface of the second layer is in direct contact with a bottommost surface of the third layer. The method includes exposing a portion of the second layer by performing an exposure process, and the auxiliary reacts with the first linkers during the exposure process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2022
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: An-Ren Zi, Chin-Hsiang Lin, Ching-Yu Chang
  • Publication number: 20220351964
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device includes forming a dopant layer including a dopant composition over a substrate. A resist layer including a resist composition is formed over the dopant layer. A dopant is diffused from the dopant composition in the dopant layer into the resist layer; and a pattern is formed in the resist layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2021
    Publication date: November 3, 2022
    Inventors: An-Ren ZI, Ching-Yu CHANG
  • Publication number: 20220351963
    Abstract: A cleaning solution includes a solvent having Hansen solubility parameters: 25>?d>13, 25>?p>3, 30>?h>4; an acid having an acid dissociation constant pKa: ?11<pKa<4, or a base having pKa of 40>pKa>9.5; and a surfactant. The surfactant is an ionic or non-ionic surfactant, selected from R is substituted or unsubstituted aliphatic, alicyclic, or aromatic group, and non-ionic surfactant has A-X or A-X-A-X structure, where A is unsubstituted or substituted with oxygen or halogen, branched or unbranched, cyclic or non-cyclic, saturated C2-C100 aliphatic or aromatic group, X includes polar functional groups selected from —OH, ?O, —S—, —P—, —P(O2), —C(?O)SH, —C(?O)OH, —C(?O)OR—, —O—, —N—, —C(?O)NH, —SO2OH, —SO2SH, —SOH, —SO2—, —CO—, —CN—, —SO—, —CON—, —NH—, —SO3NH—, and SO2NH.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2022
    Publication date: November 3, 2022
    Inventors: An-Ren ZI, Ching-Yu CHANG
  • Patent number: 11460776
    Abstract: A method of making a semiconductor device is provided. The method includes forming a photoresist material over a substrate, the photoresist material having a polymer that includes a backbone having a segment and a linking group, the segment including a carbon chain and an ultraviolet (UV) curable group, the UV curable group coupled to the carbon chain and to the linking group; performing a first exposure process that breaks the backbone of the polymer via decoupling the linking group from the connected UV curable group of each segment; performing a second exposure process to form a patterned photoresist layer; and developing the patterned photoresist layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2022
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: An-Ren Zi, Ching-Yu Chang
  • Patent number: 11456170
    Abstract: A cleaning solution includes a first solvent having Hansen solubility parameters 25>?d>13, 25>?p>3, and 30>?h>4; an acid having an acid dissociation constant, pKa, of ?11<pKa<4, or a base having a pKa of 40 > pKa>9.5; and a surfactant. The surfactant is one or more of an ionic surfactant, a polyethylene oxide and a polypropylene oxide, a non-ionic surfactant, and combinations thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2022
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: An-Ren Zi, Ching-Yu Chang
  • Publication number: 20220291587
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a semiconductor device includes forming a resist structure including forming a resist layer including a resist composition over a substrate. After forming the resist layer, the resist layer is treated with an additive. The additive is one or more selected from the group consisting of a radical inhibitor, a thermal radical initiator, and a photo radical initiator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2021
    Publication date: September 15, 2022
    Inventors: An-Ren Zi, Ching-Yu Chang
  • Publication number: 20220244639
    Abstract: A photoresist developer includes a solvent having Hansen solubility parameters of 15<?d<25, 10<?p<25, and 6<?p<30; an acid having an acid dissociation constant, pKa, of ?15<pKa<4, or a base having a pKa of 40>pKa>9.5; and a chelate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2022
    Publication date: August 4, 2022
    Inventors: An-Ren ZI, Chin-Hsiang LIN, Ching-Yu CHANG, Joy CHENG