Patents by Inventor Cheng Horng

Cheng Horng 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: 11935871
    Abstract: A semiconductor package including a first semiconductor die, a second semiconductor die, a first insulating encapsulation, a dielectric layer structure, a conductor structure and a second insulating encapsulation is provided. The first semiconductor die includes a first semiconductor substrate and a through silicon via (TSV) extending from a first side to a second side of the semiconductor substrate. The second semiconductor die is disposed on the first side of the semiconductor substrate. The first insulating encapsulation on the second semiconductor die encapsulates the first semiconductor die. A terminal of the TSV is coplanar with a surface of the first insulating encapsulation. The dielectric layer structure covers the first semiconductor die and the first insulating encapsulation. The conductor structure extends through the dielectric layer structure and contacts with the through silicon via.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2024
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hao-Yi Tsai, Cheng-Chieh Hsieh, Tsung-Hsien Chiang, Hui-Chun Chiang, Tzu-Sung Huang, Ming-Hung Tseng, Kris Lipu Chuang, Chung-Ming Weng, Tsung-Yuan Yu, Tzuan-Horng Liu
  • Patent number: 11915994
    Abstract: A package structure is provided. The package structure includes a semiconductor die and a thermoelectric structure disposed on the semiconductor die. The thermoelectric structure includes P-type semiconductor blocks, N-type semiconductor blocks and metal pads. The P-type semiconductor blocks and the N-type semiconductor blocks are arranged in alternation with the metal pads connecting the P-type semiconductor blocks and the N-type semiconductor blocks. When a current flowing through one of the N-type semiconductor block, one of the metal pad, and one of the P-type semiconductor block in order, the metal pad between the N-type semiconductor block and the P-type semiconductor block forms a cold junction which absorbs heat generated by the semiconductor die.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Cheng-Yen Hsieh, Chih-Horng Chang, Chung-Yu Lu
  • Patent number: 9006704
    Abstract: A magnetic element is disclosed wherein first and second interfaces of a free layer with a Hk enhancing layer and tunnel barrier, respectively, produce enhanced surface perpendicular anisotropy to lower switching current or increase thermal stability in a magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ). In a MTJ with a bottom spin valve configuration where the Hk enhancing layer is an oxide, the capping layer contacting the Hk enhancing layer is selected to have a free energy of oxide formation substantially greater than that of the oxide. The free layer may be a single layer or composite comprised of an Fe rich alloy such as Co20Fe60B20. With a thin free layer, the interfacial perpendicular anisotropy may dominate the shape anisotropy to generate a magnetization perpendicular to the planes of the layers. The magnetic element may be part of a spintronic device or serve as a propagation medium in a domain wall motion device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Headway Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Guenole Jan, Ru Ying Tong, Witold Kula, Cheng Horng
  • Patent number: 8673654
    Abstract: An MRAM structure is disclosed in which the bottom electrode has an amorphous TaN capping layer to consistently provide smooth and dense growth for AFM, pinned, tunnel barrier, and free layers in an overlying MTJ. Unlike a conventional Ta capping layer, TaN is oxidation resistant and has high resistivity to avoid shunting of a sense current caused by redeposition of the capping layer on the sidewalls of the tunnel barrier layer. Alternatively, the ?-TaN layer is the seed layer in the MTJ. Furthermore, the seed layer may be a composite layer comprised of a NiCr, NiFe, or NiFeCr layer on the ?-TaN layer. An ?-TaN capping layer or seed layer can also be used in a TMR read head. An MTJ formed on an ?-TaN capping layer has a high MR ratio, high Vb, and a RA similar to results obtained from MTJs based on an optimized Ta capping layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: Headway Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Liubo Hong, Cheng Horng, Mao-Min Chen, Ru-Yin Tong
  • Patent number: 8525280
    Abstract: An MRAM array of MTJ memory cells is provided wherein each such cell is a layered MTJ structure located at an intersection of a word and bit line and has a small circular horizontal cross-section of 1.0 microns or less in diameter and wherein the ferromagnetic free layer of each such cell has a magnetic anisotropy produced by a magnetic coupling with a thin antiferromagnetic layer that is formed on the free layer. The array of MTJ memory cells so provided is far less sensitive to shape irregularities and edge defects of individual cells than arrays of the prior art.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2013
    Assignee: Headway Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Tai Min, Cheng Horng, Po Kang Wang
  • Patent number: 8268641
    Abstract: A method of forming a CPP MTJ MRAM element that utilizes transfer of spin angular momentum as a mechanism for changing the magnetic moment direction of a free layer. The device includes a tunneling barrier layer of MgO and a non-magnetic CPP layer of Cu or Cr and utilizes a novel synthetic free layer having three ferromagnetic layers mutually exchange coupled in pairwise configurations. The free layer comprises an inner ferromagnetic and two outer ferromagnetic layers, with the inner layer being ferromagnetically exchange coupled to one outer layer and anti-ferromagnetically exchange coupled to the other outer layer. The ferromagnetic coupling is very strong across an ultra-thin layer of Ta, Hf or Zr of thickness preferably less than 0.4 nm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2012
    Assignee: MagIC Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Yimin Guo, Cheng Horng, Ru-Ying Tong
  • Publication number: 20120205758
    Abstract: A magnetic element is disclosed wherein first and second interfaces of a free layer with a Hk enhancing layer and tunnel barrier, respectively, produce enhanced surface perpendicular anisotropy to lower switching current or increase thermal stability in a magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ). In a MTJ with a bottom spin valve configuration where the Hk enhancing layer is an oxide, the capping layer contacting the Hk enhancing layer is selected to have a free energy of oxide formation substantially greater than that of the oxide. The free layer may be a single layer or composite comprised of an Fe rich alloy such as Co20Fe60B20. With a thin free layer, the interfacial perpendicular anisotropy may dominate the shape anisotropy to generate a magnetization perpendicular to the planes of the layers. The magnetic element may be part of a spintronic device or serve as a propagation medium in a domain wall motion device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 11, 2011
    Publication date: August 16, 2012
    Inventors: Guenole Jan, Ru Ying Tong, Witold Kula, Cheng Horng
  • Patent number: 8178363
    Abstract: An MRAM is disclosed that has a MTJ comprised of a ferromagnetic layer with a magnetization direction along a first axis, a super-paramagnetic (SP) free layer, and an insulating layer formed therebetween. The SP free layer has a remnant magnetization that is substantially zero in the absence of an external field, and in which magnetization is roughly proportional to an external field until reaching a saturation value. In one embodiment, a separate storage layer is formed above, below, or adjacent to the MTJ and has uniaxial anisotropy with a magnetization direction along its easy axis which parallels the first axis. In a second embodiment, the storage layer is formed on a non-magnetic conducting spacer layer within the MTJ and is patterned simultaneously with the MTJ. The SP free layer may be multiple layers or laminated layers of CoFeB. The storage layer may have a SyAP configuration and a laminated structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2012
    Assignee: MagIC Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Po-Kang Wang, Yimin Guo, Cheng Horng, Tai Min, Ru-Ying Tong
  • Publication number: 20120064640
    Abstract: A method of forming a CPP MTJ MRAM element that utilizes transfer of spin angular momentum as a mechanism for changing the magnetic moment direction of a free layer. The device includes a tunneling barrier layer of MgO and a non-magnetic CPP layer of Cu or Cr and utilizes a novel synthetic free layer having three ferromagnetic layers mutually exchange coupled in pairwise configurations. The free layer comprises an inner ferromagnetic and two outer ferromagnetic layers, with the inner layer being ferromagnetically exchange coupled to one outer layer and anti-ferromagnetically exchange coupled to the other outer layer. The ferromagnetic coupling is very strong across an ultra-thin layer of Ta, Hf or Zr of thickness preferably less than 0.4 nm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 7, 2011
    Publication date: March 15, 2012
    Inventors: Yimin Guo, Cheng Horng, Ru-Ying Tong
  • Publication number: 20120058574
    Abstract: An MRAM is disclosed that has a MTJ comprised of a ferromagnetic layer with a magnetization direction along a first axis, a super-paramagnetic (SP) free layer, and an insulating layer formed therebetween. The SP free layer has a remnant magnetization that is substantially zero in the absence of an external field, and in which magnetization is roughly proportional to an external field until reaching a saturation value. In one embodiment, a separate storage layer is formed above, below, or adjacent to the MTJ and has uniaxial anisotropy with a magnetization direction along its easy axis which parallels the first axis. In a second embodiment, the storage layer is formed on a non-magnetic conducting spacer layer within the MTJ and is patterned simultaneously with the MTJ. The SP free layer may be multiple layers or laminated layers of CoFeB. The storage layer may have a SyAP configuration and a laminated structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 4, 2011
    Publication date: March 8, 2012
    Inventors: Po-Kang Wang, Yimin Guo, Cheng Horng, Tai Min, Ru-Ying Tong
  • Publication number: 20110284977
    Abstract: An MRAM array of MTJ memory cells is provided wherein each such cell is a layered MTJ structure located at an intersection of a word and bit line and has a small circular horizontal cross-section of 1.0 microns or less in diameter and wherein the ferromagnetic free layer of each such cell has a magnetic anisotropy produced by a magnetic coupling with a thin antiferromagnetic layer that is formed on the free layer. The array of MTJ memory cells so provided is far less sensitive to shape irregularities and edge defects of individual cells than arrays of the prior art.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2011
    Publication date: November 24, 2011
    Inventors: Tai Min, Cheng Horng, Po Kang Wang
  • Patent number: 8062909
    Abstract: An MRAM is disclosed that has a MTJ comprised of a ferromagnetic layer with a magnetization direction along a first axis, a super-paramagnetic (SP) free layer, and an insulating layer formed therebetween. The SP free layer has a remnant magnetization that is substantially zero in the absence of an external field, and in which magnetization is roughly proportional to an external field until reaching a saturation value. In one embodiment, a separate storage layer is formed above, below, or adjacent to the MTJ and has uniaxial anisotropy with a magnetization direction along its easy axis which parallels the first axis. In a second embodiment, the storage layer is formed on a non-magnetic conducting spacer layer within the MTJ and is patterned simultaneously with the MTJ. The SP free layer may be multiple layers or laminated layers of CoFeB. The storage layer may have a SyAP configuration and a laminated structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2011
    Assignee: MagIC Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Po-Kang Wang, Yimin Guo, Cheng Horng, Tai Min, Ru-Ying Tong
  • Patent number: 8058697
    Abstract: We describe a CPP MTJ MRAM element that utilizes transfer of spin angular momentum as a mechanism for changing the magnetic moment direction of a free layer. The device includes a tunneling barrier layer of MgO and a non-magnetic CPP layer of Cu or Cr and utilizes a novel synthetic free layer having three ferromagnetic layers mutually exchange coupled in pairwise configurations. The free layer comprises an inner ferromagnetic and two outer ferromagnetic layers, with the inner layer being ferromagnetically exchange coupled to one outer layer and anti-ferromagnetically exchange coupled to the other outer layer. The ferromagnetic coupling is very strong across an ultra-thin layer of Ta, Hf or Zr of thickness preferably less than 0.4 nm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2011
    Assignee: MagIC Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Yimin Guo, Cheng Horng, Ru-Ying Tong
  • Patent number: 8039885
    Abstract: An MRAM is disclosed that has a MTJ comprised of a ferromagnetic layer with a magnetization direction along a first axis, a super-paramagnetic (SP) free layer, and an insulating layer formed therebetween. The SP free layer has a remnant magnetization that is substantially zero in the absence of an external field, and in which magnetization is roughly proportional to an external field until reaching a saturation value. In one embodiment, a separate storage layer is formed above, below, or adjacent to the MTJ and has uniaxial anisotropy with a magnetization direction along its easy axis which parallels the first axis. In a second embodiment, the storage layer is formed on a non-magnetic conducting spacer layer within the MTJ and is patterned simultaneously with the MTJ. The SP free layer may be multiple layers or laminated layers of CoFeB. The storage layer may have a SyAP configuration and a laminated structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2011
    Assignee: MagIC Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Po-Kang Wang, Yimin Guo, Cheng Horng, Tai Min, Ru-Ying Tong
  • Patent number: 7999360
    Abstract: An MRAM structure is disclosed in which the bottom electrode has an amorphous TaN capping layer to consistently provide smooth and dense growth for AFM, pinned, tunnel barrier, and free layers in an overlying MTJ. Unlike a conventional Ta capping layer, TaN is oxidation resistant and has high resistivity to avoid shunting of a sense current caused by redeposition of the capping layer on the sidewalls of the tunnel barrier layer. Alternatively, the ?-TaN layer is the seed layer in the MTJ. Furthermore, the seed layer may be a composite layer of NiCr, NiFe, or NiFeCr layer on the oc-TaN layer. An ?-TaN capping layer or seed layer can also be used in a TMR read head. An MTJ formed on an ?-TaN capping layer has a high MR ratio, high Vb, and a RA similar to results obtained from MTJs based on an optimized Ta capping layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2011
    Assignees: Headway Technologies, Inc., MagIC Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Liubo Hong, Cheng Horng, Mao-Min Chen, Ru-Yin Tong
  • Patent number: 7994596
    Abstract: An MTJ memory cell and/or an array of such cells is provided wherein each such cell has a small circular horizontal cross-section of 1.0 microns or less in diameter and wherein the ferromagnetic free layer of each such cell has a magnetic anisotropy produced by a magnetic coupling with a thin antiferromagnetic layer that is formed on the free layer. The MTJ memory cell so provided is far less sensitive to shape irregularities and edge defects than cells of the prior art.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Assignee: Headway Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Tai Min, Cheng Horng, Po Kang Wang
  • Patent number: 7696548
    Abstract: An MRAM is disclosed that has a MTJ comprised of a ferromagnetic layer with a magnetization direction along a first axis, a super-paramagnetic (SP) free layer, and an insulating layer formed therebetween. The SP free layer has a remnant magnetization that is substantially zero in the absence of an external field, and in which magnetization is roughly proportional to an external field until reaching a saturation value. In one embodiment, a separate storage layer is formed above, below, or adjacent to the MTJ and has uniaxial anisotropy with a magnetization direction along its easy axis which parallels the first axis. In a second embodiment, the storage layer is formed on a non-magnetic conducting spacer layer within the MTJ and is patterned simultaneously with the MTJ. The SP free layer may be multiple layers or laminated layers of CoFeB. The storage layer may have a SyAP configuration and a laminated structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2010
    Assignee: MagIC Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Po-Kang Wang, Yimin Guo, Cheng Horng, Tai Min, Ru-Ying Tong
  • Publication number: 20100047929
    Abstract: An MRAM structure is disclosed in which the bottom electrode has an amorphous TaN capping layer to consistently provide smooth and dense growth for AFM, pinned, tunnel barrier, and free layers in an overlying MTJ. Unlike a conventional Ta capping layer, TaN is oxidation resistant and has high resistivity to avoid shunting of a sense current caused by redeposition of the capping layer on the sidewalls of the tunnel barrier layer. Alternatively, the ?-TaN layer is the seed layer in the MTJ. Furthermore, the seed layer may be a composite layer comprised of a NiCr, NiFe, or NiFeCr layer on the ?-TaN layer. An ?-TaN capping layer or seed layer can also be used in a TMR read head. An MTJ formed on an ?-TaN capping layer has a high MR ratio, high Vb, and a RA similar to results obtained from MTJs based on an optimized Ta capping layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2009
    Publication date: February 25, 2010
    Inventors: Liubo Hong, Cheng Horng, Mao-Min Chen, Ru-Yin Tong
  • Publication number: 20100044680
    Abstract: An MRAM structure is disclosed in which the bottom electrode has an amorphous TaN capping layer to consistently provide smooth and dense growth for AFM, pinned, tunnel barrier, and free layers in an overlying MTJ. Unlike a conventional Ta capping layer, TaN is oxidation resistant and has high resistivity to avoid shunting of a sense current caused by redeposition of the capping layer on the sidewalls of the tunnel barrier layer. Alternatively, the ?-TaN layer is the seed layer in the MTJ. Furthermore, the seed layer may be a composite layer comprised of a NiCr, NiFe, or NiFeCr layer on the ?-TaN layer. An ?-TaN capping layer or seed layer can also be used in a TMR read head. An MTJ formed on an ?-TaN capping layer has a high MR ratio, high Vb, and a RA similar to results obtained from MTJs based on an optimized Ta capping layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2009
    Publication date: February 25, 2010
    Inventors: LIUBO HONG, Cheng Horng, Mao-Min Chen, Ru-Yin Tong
  • Patent number: 7611912
    Abstract: An MRAM structure is disclosed in which the bottom electrode has an amorphous TaN capping layer to consistently provide smooth and dense growth for AFM, pinned, tunnel barrier, and free layers in an overlying MTJ. Unlike a conventional Ta capping layer, TaN is oxidation resistant and has high resistivity to avoid shunting of a sense current caused by redeposition of the capping layer on the sidewalls of the tunnel barrier layer. Alternatively, the ?-TaN layer is the seed layer in the MTJ. Furthermore, the seed layer may be a composite layer comprised of a NiCr, NiFe, or NiFeCr layer on the ?-TaN layer. An ?-TaN capping layer or seed layer can also be used in a TMR read head. An MTJ formed on an ?-TaN capping layer has a high MR ratio, high Vb, and a RA similar to results obtained from MTJs based on an optimized Ta capping layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2009
    Assignee: Headway Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Liubo Hong, Cheng Horng, Mao-Min Chen, Ru-Yin Tong