Patents by Inventor Chen-Hau Wu

Chen-Hau Wu 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: 11073763
    Abstract: Shrinkage and mass losses are reduced in photoresist exposure and post exposure baking by utilizing a small group which will decompose. Alternatively a bulky group which will not decompose or a combination of the small group which will decompose along with the bulky group which will not decompose can be utilized. Additionally, polar functional groups may be utilized in order to reduce the diffusion of reactants through the photoresist.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2021
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Wei-Han Lai, Ching-Yu Chang, Chen-Hau Wu
  • Publication number: 20200133125
    Abstract: Shrinkage and mass losses are reduced in photoresist exposure and post exposure baking by utilizing a small group which will decompose. Alternatively a bulky group which will not decompose or a combination of the small group which will decompose along with the bulky group which will not decompose can be utilized. Additionally, polar functional groups may be utilized in order to reduce the diffusion of reactants through the photoresist.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2019
    Publication date: April 30, 2020
    Inventors: Wei-Han Lai, Ching-Yu Chang, Chen-Hau Wu
  • Patent number: 10514603
    Abstract: Shrinkage and mass losses are reduced in photoresist exposure and post exposure baking by utilizing a small group which will decompose. Alternatively a bulky group which will not decompose or a combination of the small group which will decompose along with the bulky group which will not decompose can be utilized. Additionally, polar functional groups may be utilized in order to reduce the diffusion of reactants through the photoresist.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2019
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Wei-Han Lai, Ching-Yu Chang, Chen-Hau Wu
  • Publication number: 20190346766
    Abstract: Shrinkage and mass losses are reduced in photoresist exposure and post exposure baking by utilizing a small group which will decompose. Alternatively a bulky group which will not decompose or a combination of the small group which will decompose along with the bulky group which will not decompose can be utilized. Additionally, polar functional groups may be utilized in order to reduce the diffusion of reactants through the photoresist.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2019
    Publication date: November 14, 2019
    Inventors: Wei-Han Lai, Ching-Yu Chang, Chen-Hau Wu
  • Patent number: 10365561
    Abstract: Shrinkage and mass losses are reduced in photoresist exposure and post exposure baking by utilizing a small group which will decompose. Alternatively a bulky group which will not decompose or a combination of the small group which will decompose along with the bulky group which will not decompose can be utilized. Additionally, polar functional groups may be utilized in order to reduce the diffusion of reactants through the photoresist.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2019
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Wei-Han Lai, Ching-Yu Chang, Chen-Hau Wu
  • Patent number: 10276377
    Abstract: Various patterning methods involved with manufacturing semiconductor devices are disclosed herein. A method for fabricating a semiconductor structure (for example, interconnects) includes forming a patterned photoresist layer over a dielectric layer. An opening (hole) is formed in the patterned photoresist layer. In some embodiments, a surrounding wall of the patterned photoresist layer defines the opening, where the surrounding wall has a generally peanut-shaped cross section. The opening in the patterned photoresist layer can be used to form an opening in the dielectric layer, which can be filled with conductive material. In some embodiments, a chemical layer is formed over the patterned photoresist layer to form a pair of spaced apart holes defined by the chemical layer, and an etching process is performed on the dielectric layer using the chemical layer as an etching mask to form a pair of spaced apart holes through the dielectric layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2019
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yung-Sung Yen, Yu-Hsun Chen, Chen-Hau Wu, Chun-Kuang Chen, Ta-Ching Yu, Ken-Hsien Hsieh, Ming-Jhih Kuo, Ru-Gun Liu
  • Publication number: 20190041749
    Abstract: Shrinkage and mass losses are reduced in photoresist exposure and post exposure baking by utilizing a small group which will decompose. Alternatively a bulky group which will not decompose or a combination of the small group which will decompose along with the bulky group which will not decompose can be utilized. Additionally, polar functional groups may be utilized in order to reduce the diffusion of reactants through the photoresist.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 8, 2018
    Publication date: February 7, 2019
    Inventors: Wei-Han Lai, Ching-Yu Chang, Chen-Hau Wu
  • Patent number: 10114286
    Abstract: A photoresist with a group which will decompose bonded to a high etching resistance moiety is provided. Alternatively, the group which will decompose can additionally be attached to a re-attachment group that will re-attach to the polymer after the group which will decompose has cleaved from the polymer. The photoresist may also comprise a non-leaving monomer with a cross-linking site and a cross-linking agent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2018
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Chen-Hau Wu, Wei-Han Lai, Ching-Yu Chang
  • Patent number: 10036953
    Abstract: A photoresist includes a group which will decompose that is attached to a hydrocarbon backbone at multiple points along the hydrocarbon chain. With such an attachment, the group which will decompose will cleave from one point in order to generate a desired shift in polarity while still remaining bonded to the hydrocarbon backbone. This prevents the group which will decompose from leaving the photoresist, thereby reducing or eliminating volume losses associated with exposure and post-exposure baking.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2018
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Chen-Hau Wu, Ching-Yu Chang
  • Patent number: 9989850
    Abstract: A system and method for photoresists is provided. In an embodiment a cross-linking or coupling reagent is included within a photoresist composition. The cross-linking or coupling reagent will react with the polymer resin within the photoresist composition to cross-link or couple the polymers together, resulting in a polymer with a larger molecular weight. This larger molecular weight will cause the dissolution rate of the photoresist to decrease, leading to a better depth of focus for the line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2018
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Chen-Hau Wu, Ching-Yu Chang
  • Publication number: 20170338146
    Abstract: Various patterning methods involved with manufacturing semiconductor devices are disclosed herein. A method for fabricating a semiconductor structure (for example, interconnects) includes forming a patterned photoresist layer over a dielectric layer. An opening (hole) is formed in the patterned photoresist layer. In some embodiments, a surrounding wall of the patterned photoresist layer defines the opening, where the surrounding wall has a generally peanut-shaped cross section. The opening in the patterned photoresist layer can be used to form an opening in the dielectric layer, which can be filled with conductive material. In some embodiments, a chemical layer is formed over the patterned photoresist layer to form a pair of spaced apart holes defined by the chemical layer, and an etching process is performed on the dielectric layer using the chemical layer as an etching mask to form a pair of spaced apart holes through the dielectric layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 11, 2017
    Publication date: November 23, 2017
    Inventors: Yung-Sung Yen, Yu-Hsun Chen, Chen-Hau Wu, Chun-Kuang Chen, Ta-Ching Yu, Ken-Hsien Hsieh, Ming-Jhih Kuo, Ru-Gun Liu
  • Patent number: 9773671
    Abstract: Provided is a material composition and method for inhibiting the printing of SRAFs onto a substrate including coating a substrate with a resist layer. After coating the substrate, the resist layer is patterned to form a main feature pattern and at least one sub-resolution assist feature (SRAF) pattern within the resist layer. The main feature pattern may include resist sidewalls and a portion of a layer underlying the patterned resist layer. In various examples, a material composition is deposited over the patterned resist layer and into each of the main feature pattern and the at least one SRAF pattern. Thereafter, a material composition development process is performed to dissolve a portion of the material composition within the main feature pattern and to expose the portion of the layer underlying the patterned resist layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2017
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Meng-Tze Chen, Chen-Hau Wu, Meng-Wei Chen, Kuei-Shun Chen, Yu-Chin Huang, Li-Hsiang Lai, Shih-Ming Chang, Ken-Hsien Hsieh
  • Publication number: 20170176857
    Abstract: A photoresist with a group which will decompose bonded to a high etching resistance moiety is provided. Alternatively, the group which will decompose can additionally be attached to a re-attachment group that will re-attach to the polymer after the group which will decompose has cleaved from the polymer. The photoresist may also comprise a non-leaving monomer with a cross-linking site and a cross-linking agent.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2017
    Publication date: June 22, 2017
    Inventors: Chen-Hau Wu, Wei-Han Lai, Ching-Yu Chang
  • Patent number: 9581908
    Abstract: A photoresist with a group which will decompose bonded to a high etching resistance moiety is provided. Alternatively, the group which will decompose can additionally be attached to a re-attachment group that will re-attach to the polymer after the group which will decompose has cleaved from the polymer. The photoresist may also comprise a non-leaving monomer with a cross-linking site and a cross-linking agent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2017
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Chen-Hau Wu, Wei-Han Lai, Ching-Yu Chang
  • Patent number: 9529265
    Abstract: Provided in one embodiment is a method that includes selecting a photoresist that is one of a positive-tone photoresist and a negative-tone photoresist. A first additive or a second additive is selected based on the photoresist. The first additive has a fluorine component and a base component attached to a polymer and is selected if the a positive-tone resist is provided. The second additive has the fluorine component and an acid component attached to the polymer and is selected with a negative-tone resist is provided. The selected photoresist and the selected additive material are applied to a target substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2016
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: An-Ren Zi, Chen-Hau Wu, Ching-Yu Chang
  • Publication number: 20150331317
    Abstract: A photoresist with a group which will decompose bonded to a high etching resistance moiety is provided. Alternatively, the group which will decompose can additionally be attached to a re-attachment group that will re-attach to the polymer after the group which will decompose has cleaved from the polymer. The photoresist may also comprise a non-leaving monomer with a cross-linking site and a cross-linking agent.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 17, 2014
    Publication date: November 19, 2015
    Inventors: Chen-Hau Wu, Wei-Han Lai, Ching-Yu Chang
  • Publication number: 20150316846
    Abstract: Provided in one embodiment is a method that includes selecting a photoresist that is one of a positive-tone photoresist and a negative-tone photoresist. A first additive or a second additive is selected based on the photoresist. The first additive has a fluorine component and a base component attached to a polymer and is selected if the a positive-tone resist is provided. The second additive has the fluorine component and an acid component attached to the polymer and is selected with a negative-tone resist is provided. The selected photoresist and the selected additive material are applied to a target substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2014
    Publication date: November 5, 2015
    Inventors: An-Ren Zi, Chen-Hau Wu, Ching-Yu Chang
  • Publication number: 20150132701
    Abstract: A photoresist includes a group which will decompose that is attached to a hydrocarbon backbone at multiple points along the hydrocarbon chain. With such an attachment, the group which will decompose will cleave from one point in order to generate a desired shift in polarity while still remaining bonded to the hydrocarbon backbone. This prevents the group which will decompose from leaving the photoresist, thereby reducing or eliminating volume losses associated with exposure and post-exposure baking.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 8, 2013
    Publication date: May 14, 2015
    Inventors: Chen-Hau Wu, Ching-Yu Chang
  • Publication number: 20150086924
    Abstract: A system and method for photoresists is provided. In an embodiment a cross-linking or coupling reagent is included within a photoresist composition. The cross-linking or coupling reagent will react with the polymer resin within the photoresist composition to cross-link or couple the polymers together, resulting in a polymer with a larger molecular weight. This larger molecular weight will cause the dissolution rate of the photoresist to decrease, leading to a better depth of focus for the line.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2014
    Publication date: March 26, 2015
    Inventors: Chen-Hau Wu, Ching-Yu Chang
  • Patent number: 8932799
    Abstract: A system and method for photoresists is provided. In an embodiment a cross-linking or coupling reagent is included within a photoresist composition. The cross-linking or coupling reagent will react with the polymer resin within the photoresist composition to cross-link or couple the polymers together, resulting in a polymer with a larger molecular weight. This larger molecular weight will cause the dissolution rate of the photoresist to decrease, leading to a better depth of focus for the line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2015
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Chen-Hau Wu, Ching-Yu Chang