Patents by Inventor Chau-Chung Hou

Chau-Chung Hou 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: 12127413
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a first magnetic tunneling junction (MTJ) and a second MTJ on a substrate, a first ultra low-k (ULK) dielectric layer on the first MTJ and the second MTJ, a passivation layer on the first ULK dielectric layer, and a second ULK dielectric layer on the passivation layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2023
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2024
    Assignee: UNITED MICROELECTRONICS CORP.
    Inventors: Kun-Ju Li, Tai-Cheng Hou, Hsin-Jung Liu, Fu-Yu Tsai, Bin-Siang Tsai, Chau-Chung Hou, Yu-Lung Shih, Ang Chan, Chih-Yueh Li, Chun-Tsen Lu
  • Patent number: 12120962
    Abstract: A method for fabricating a semiconductor device includes the steps of: providing a substrate, wherein the substrate comprises a MRAM region and a logic region; forming a magnetic tunneling junction (MTJ) on the MRAM region; forming a top electrode on the MTJ; and then performing a flowable chemical vapor deposition (FCVD) process to form a first inter-metal dielectric (IMD) layer around the top electrode and the MTJ.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2023
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2024
    Assignee: UNITED MICROELECTRONICS CORP.
    Inventors: Tai-Cheng Hou, Fu-Yu Tsai, Bin-Siang Tsai, Da-Jun Lin, Chau-Chung Hou, Wei-Xin Gao
  • Publication number: 20240170299
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a semiconductor device includes: providing a wafer-bonding stack structure having a sidewall layer and an exposed first component layer; forming a photoresist layer on the first component layer; performing an edge trimming process to at least remove the sidewall layer; and removing the photoresist layer. In this way, contaminant particles generated from the blade during the edge trimming process may fall on the photoresist layer but not fall on the first component layer, so as to protect the first component layer from being contaminated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2024
    Publication date: May 23, 2024
    Inventors: KUN-JU LI, ANG CHAN, HSIN-JUNG LIU, WEI-XIN GAO, JHIH-YUAN CHEN, CHUN-HAN CHEN, ZONG-SIAN WU, CHAU-CHUNG HOU, I-MING LAI, FU-SHOU TSAI
  • Publication number: 20240081154
    Abstract: A method for fabricating a semiconductor device includes the steps of: providing a substrate, wherein the substrate comprises a MRAM region and a logic region; forming a magnetic tunneling junction (MTJ) on the MRAM region; forming a top electrode on the MTJ; and then performing a flowable chemical vapor deposition (FCVD) process to form a first inter-metal dielectric (IMD) layer around the top electrode and the MTJ.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 8, 2023
    Publication date: March 7, 2024
    Applicant: UNITED MICROELECTRONICS CORP.
    Inventors: Tai-Cheng Hou, Fu-Yu Tsai, Bin-Siang Tsai, Da-Jun Lin, Chau-Chung Hou, Wei-Xin Gao
  • Patent number: 11923205
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a semiconductor device includes: providing a wafer-bonding stack structure having a sidewall layer and an exposed first component layer; forming a photoresist layer on the first component layer; performing an edge trimming process to at least remove the sidewall layer; and removing the photoresist layer. In this way, contaminant particles generated from the blade during the edge trimming process may fall on the photoresist layer but not fall on the first component layer, so as to protect the first component layer from being contaminated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2024
    Assignee: UNITED MICROELECTRONICS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kun-Ju Li, Ang Chan, Hsin-Jung Liu, Wei-Xin Gao, Jhih-Yuan Chen, Chun-Han Chen, Zong-Sian Wu, Chau-Chung Hou, I-Ming Lai, Fu-Shou Tsai
  • Publication number: 20240071988
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a semiconductor structure is provided. The method includes: providing a substrate and a dielectric layer on the substrate; forming a hole in the dielectric layer; forming an initial barrier material layer and a conductive layer on an upper surface of the dielectric layer and in the hole; removing part of the initial barrier material layer and part of the conductive layer to form a barrier material layer and a via element in the hole respectively and expose the upper surface of the dielectric layer. An upper surface of the barrier material layer is higher than the upper surface of the dielectric layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2022
    Publication date: February 29, 2024
    Inventors: Kun-Ju LI, Hsin-Jung LIU, Wei-Xin GAO, Jhih-Yuan CHEN, Ang CHAN, Chau-Chung HOU
  • Publication number: 20240055401
    Abstract: A semiconductor assembly and a method for manufacturing the same are provided. The semiconductor assembly includes a first substrate, a first well in the first substrate and having a first doping type, a second substrate, a second well in the second substrate and having a second doping type, a first dielectric layer between the first substrate and the second substrate, and a second dielectric layer between the first substrate and the second substrate. The first doping type is different from the second doping type. The second dielectric layer is bonded to the first dielectric layer. The first well overlaps with the second well in a vertical direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2022
    Publication date: February 15, 2024
    Inventors: Kun-Ju LI, Hsin-Jung LIU, Zong-Sian WU, Wei-Xin GAO, Jhih-Yuan CHEN, Ang CHAN, Chau-Chung HOU, Hsiang-Chi CHIEN, I-Ming LAI
  • Patent number: 11871677
    Abstract: A method for fabricating a semiconductor device includes the steps of: providing a substrate, wherein the substrate comprises a MRAM region and a logic region; forming a magnetic tunneling junction (MTJ) on the MRAM region; forming a top electrode on the MTJ; and then performing a flowable chemical vapor deposition (FCVD) process to form a first inter-metal dielectric (IMD) layer around the top electrode and the MTJ.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Assignee: UNITED MICROELECTRONICS CORP.
    Inventors: Tai-Cheng Hou, Fu-Yu Tsai, Bin-Siang Tsai, Da-Jun Lin, Chau-Chung Hou, Wei-Xin Gao
  • Publication number: 20230200088
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a first magnetic tunneling junction (MTJ) and a second MTJ on a substrate, a first ultra low-k (ULK) dielectric layer on the first MTJ and the second MTJ, a passivation layer on the first ULK dielectric layer, and a second ULK dielectric layer on the passivation layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 23, 2023
    Publication date: June 22, 2023
    Applicant: UNITED MICROELECTRONICS CORP.
    Inventors: Kun-Ju Li, Tai-Cheng Hou, Hsin-Jung Liu, Fu-Yu Tsai, Bin-Siang Tsai, Chau-Chung Hou, Yu-Lung Shih, Ang Chan, Chih-Yueh Li, Chun-Tsen Lu
  • Publication number: 20230197467
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a semiconductor device includes: providing a wafer-bonding stack structure having a sidewall layer and an exposed first component layer; forming a photoresist layer on the first component layer; performing an edge trimming process to at least remove the sidewall layer; and removing the photoresist layer. In this way, contaminant particles generated from the blade during the edge trimming process may fall on the photoresist layer but not fall on the first component layer, so as to protect the first component layer from being contaminated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2021
    Publication date: June 22, 2023
    Inventors: KUN-JU LI, Ang Chan, HSIN-JUNG LIU, WEI-XIN GAO, Jhih-Yuan Chen, Chun-Han Chen, Zong-Sian Wu, Chau-Chung Hou, I-MING LAI, FU-SHOU TSAI
  • Publication number: 20230157180
    Abstract: A method for fabricating a semiconductor device includes the steps of forming a magnetic tunneling junction (MTJ) on a substrate, forming a first inter-metal dielectric (IMD) layer on the MTJ, removing part of the first IMD layer to form a damaged layer on the MTJ and a trench exposing the damaged layer, performing a ultraviolet (UV) curing process on the damaged layer, and then conducting a planarizing process to remove the damaged layer and part of the first IMD layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2021
    Publication date: May 18, 2023
    Applicant: UNITED MICROELECTRONICS CORP.
    Inventors: Tai-Cheng Hou, Chau-Chung Hou, Da-Jun Lin, Wei-Xin Gao, Fu-Yu Tsai, Bin-Siang Tsai
  • Patent number: 11621296
    Abstract: A method for fabricating semiconductor device includes the steps of: forming a first magnetic tunneling junction (MTJ) and a second MTJ on a substrate; forming a first top electrode on the first MTJ and a second top electrode on the second MTJ; forming a first ultra low-k (ULK) dielectric layer on the first MTJ and the second MTJ; forming a passivation layer on the first ULK dielectric layer, wherein a bottom surface of the passivation layer between the first MTJ and the second MTJ is lower than a top surface of the first MTJ; and forming a second ULK dielectric layer on the passivation layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2023
    Assignee: UNITED MICROELECTRONICS CORP.
    Inventors: Kun-Ju Li, Tai-Cheng Hou, Hsin-Jung Liu, Fu-Yu Tsai, Bin-Siang Tsai, Chau-Chung Hou, Yu-Lung Shih, Ang Chan, Chih-Yueh Li, Chun-Tsen Lu
  • Publication number: 20230051000
    Abstract: A semiconductor structure includes a first dielectric layer on a substrate, a conductive structure disposed in the first dielectric layer and including a terminal portion and an extending portion connecting the terminal portion and extending away from the terminal portion, a second dielectric layer disposed on the first dielectric layer, a conductive via through the second dielectric layer and directly contacting the extending portion, and a dummy via through the second dielectric layer and directly contacting the terminal portion. In a cross-sectional view, a width of the dummy via is smaller than 50% of a width of the conductive via.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 5, 2021
    Publication date: February 16, 2023
    Applicant: UNITED MICROELECTRONICS CORP.
    Inventors: Ang Chan, Hsin-Jung Liu, Kun-Ju Li, Chau-Chung Hou, Fu-Shou Tsai, Yu-Lung Shih, Jhih-Yuan Chen, Chun-Han Chen, Wei-Xin Gao, Shih-Ming Lin
  • Patent number: 11482666
    Abstract: A semiconductor substrate is provided. The semiconductor substrate has thereon a first dielectric layer, at least one conductive pattern disposed in the first dielectric layer, and a second dielectric layer covering the first dielectric layer and the at least one conductive pattern. A via opening is formed in the second dielectric layer. The via opening exposes a portion of the at least one conductive pattern. A polish stop layer is conformally deposited on the second dielectric layer and within the via opening. A barrier layer is conformally deposited on the polish stop layer. A tungsten layer is conformally deposited on the barrier layer. The tungsten layer and the barrier layer are polished until the polish stop layer on the second dielectric layer is exposed, thereby forming a via plug in the via opening. A bottom electrode layer is conformally deposited on the second dielectric layer and the via plug.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2022
    Assignee: UNITED MICROELECTRONICS CORP.
    Inventors: Hsin-Jung Liu, Chau-Chung Hou, Ang Chan, Kun-Ju Li, Wen-Chin Lin
  • Publication number: 20220238800
    Abstract: A method for fabricating a semiconductor device includes the steps of: providing a substrate, wherein the substrate comprises a MRAM region and a logic region; forming a magnetic tunneling junction (MTJ) on the MRAM region; forming a top electrode on the MTJ; and then performing a flowable chemical vapor deposition (FCVD) process to form a first inter-metal dielectric (IMD) layer around the top electrode and the MTJ.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2021
    Publication date: July 28, 2022
    Inventors: Tai-Cheng Hou, Fu-Yu Tsai, Bin-Siang Tsai, Da-Jun Lin, Chau-Chung Hou, Wei-Xin Gao
  • Publication number: 20220085284
    Abstract: A semiconductor substrate is provided. The semiconductor substrate has thereon a first dielectric layer, at least one conductive pattern disposed in the first dielectric layer, and a second dielectric layer covering the first dielectric layer and the at least one conductive pattern. A via opening is formed in the second dielectric layer. The via opening exposes a portion of the at least one conductive pattern. A polish stop layer is conformally deposited on the second dielectric layer and within the via opening. A barrier layer is conformally deposited on the polish stop layer. A tungsten layer is conformally deposited on the barrier layer. The tungsten layer and the barrier layer are polished until the polish stop layer on the second dielectric layer is exposed, thereby forming a via plug in the via opening. A bottom electrode layer is conformally deposited on the second dielectric layer and the via plug.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 17, 2020
    Publication date: March 17, 2022
    Inventors: Hsin-Jung Liu, Chau-Chung Hou, Ang Chan, Kun-Ju Li, Wen-Chin Lin
  • Patent number: 11145602
    Abstract: An alignment mark structure includes a dielectric layer. A trench is embedded in the dielectric layer. An alignment mark fills up the trench, wherein the alignment mark includes a metal layer covering the trench. A first material layer covers and contacts the metal layer. A second material layer covers and contacts the first material layer. A third material layer covers and contacts the second material layer. The first material layer, the second material layer, and the third material layer independently includes silicon nitride, silicon oxide, tantalum-containing material, aluminum-containing material, titanium-containing material, or a low-k dielectric having a dielectric constant smaller than 2.7, and a reflectance of the first material layer is larger than a reflectance of the second material layer, the reflectance of the second material layer is larger than a reflectance of the third material layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2021
    Assignee: UNITED MICROELECTRONICS CORP.
    Inventors: Kun-Ju Li, Jhih-Yuan Chen, Hsin-Jung Liu, Chau-Chung Hou, Yu-Lung Shih, Ang Chan, Fu-Chun Hsiao, Ji-Min Lin, Chun-Han Chen
  • Publication number: 20210249357
    Abstract: An alignment mark structure includes a dielectric layer. A trench is embedded in the dielectric layer. An alignment mark fills up the trench, wherein the alignment mark includes a metal layer covering the trench. A first material layer covers and contacts the metal layer. A second material layer covers and contacts the first material layer. A third material layer covers and contacts the second material layer. The first material layer, the second material layer, and the third material layer are independently comprises silicon nitride, silicon oxide, tantalum-containing material, aluminum-containing material, titanium-containing material, or a low-k dielectric having a dielectric constant smaller than 2.7, and a reflectance of the first material layer is larger than a reflectance of the second material layer, the reflectance of the second material layer is larger than a reflectance of the third material layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 10, 2020
    Publication date: August 12, 2021
    Inventors: Kun-Ju Li, Jhih-Yuan Chen, Hsin-Jung Liu, Chau-Chung Hou, Yu-Lung Shih, Ang Chan, Fu-Chun Hsiao, Ji-Min Lin, Chun-Han Chen
  • Publication number: 20210225932
    Abstract: A method for fabricating semiconductor device includes the steps of: forming a first magnetic tunneling junction (MTJ) and a second MTJ on a substrate; forming a first top electrode on the first MTJ and a second top electrode on the second MTJ; forming a first ultra low-k (ULK) dielectric layer on the first MTJ and the second MTJ; forming a passivation layer on the first ULK dielectric layer, wherein a bottom surface of the passivation layer between the first MTJ and the second MTJ is lower than a top surface of the first MTJ; and forming a second ULK dielectric layer on the passivation layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 6, 2021
    Publication date: July 22, 2021
    Inventors: Kun-Ju Li, Tai-Cheng Hou, Hsin-Jung Liu, Fu-Yu Tsai, Bin-Siang Tsai, Chau-Chung Hou, Yu-Lung Shih, Ang Chan, Chih-Yueh Li, Chun-Tsen Lu
  • Patent number: 11004897
    Abstract: A method for fabricating semiconductor device includes the steps of: forming a first magnetic tunneling junction (MTJ) and a second MTJ on a substrate; forming a first top electrode on the first MTJ and a second top electrode on the second MTJ; forming a first ultra low-k (ULK) dielectric layer on the first MTJ and the second MTJ; forming a passivation layer on the first ULK dielectric layer, wherein a bottom surface of the passivation layer between the first MTJ and the second MTJ is lower than a top surface of the first MTJ; and forming a second ULK dielectric layer on the passivation layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2021
    Assignee: UNITED MICROELECTRONICS CORP.
    Inventors: Kun-Ju Li, Tai-Cheng Hou, Hsin-Jung Liu, Fu-Yu Tsai, Bin-Siang Tsai, Chau-Chung Hou, Yu-Lung Shih, Ang Chan, Chih-Yueh Li, Chun-Tsen Lu