Patents by Inventor Chi-Yu Lu

Chi-Yu Lu 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: 11983475
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes: M*1st conductors in a first layer of metallization (M*1st layer) and being aligned correspondingly along different corresponding ones of alpha tracks and representing corresponding inputs of a cell region in the semiconductor device; and M*2nd conductors in a second layer of metallization (M*2nd layer) aligned correspondingly along beta tracks, and the M*2nd conductors including at least one power grid (PG) segment and one or more of an output pin or a routing segment; and each of first and second ones of the input pins having a length sufficient to accommodate at most two access points; each of the access points of the first and second input pins being aligned to a corresponding different one of first to fourth beta tracks; and the PG segment being aligned with one of the first to fourth beta tracks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2023
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2024
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Pin-Dai Sue, Po-Hsiang Huang, Fong-Yuan Chang, Chi-Yu Lu, Sheng-Hsiung Chen, Chin-Chou Liu, Lee-Chung Lu, Yen-Hung Lin, Li-Chun Tien, Yi-Kan Cheng
  • Patent number: 11983479
    Abstract: A method of fabricating an integrated circuit includes placing a first set of conductive feature patterns on a first level, placing a second set of conductive feature patterns on a second level, placing a first set of via patterns between the second set of conductive feature patterns and the first set of conductive feature patterns, placing a third set of conductive feature patterns on a third level different from the first level and the second level, placing a second set of via patterns between the third set of conductive feature patterns and the second set of conductive feature patterns, and manufacturing the integrated circuit based on at least one of the above patterns of the integrated circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2024
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Jung-Chan Yang, Ting-Wei Chiang, Jerry Chang-Jui Kao, Hui-Zhong Zhuang, Lee-Chung Lu, Li-Chun Tien, Meng-Hung Shen, Shang-Chih Hsieh, Chi-Yu Lu
  • Publication number: 20240096756
    Abstract: A method of making a semiconductor device includes manufacturing a first transistor over a first side of a substrate. The method further includes depositing a spacer material against a sidewall of the first transistor. The method further includes recessing the spacer material to expose a first portion of the sidewall of the first transistor. The method further includes manufacturing a first electrical connection to the transistor, a first portion of the electrical connection contacts a surface of the first transistor farthest from the substrate, and a second portion of the electrical connect contacts the first portion of the sidewall of the first transistor. The method further includes manufacturing a self-aligned interconnect structure (SIS) extending along the spacer material, wherein the spacer material separates a portion of the SIS from the first transistor, and the first electrical connection directly contacts the SIS.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 22, 2023
    Publication date: March 21, 2024
    Inventors: Chih-Yu LAI, Chih-Liang CHEN, Chi-Yu LU, Shang-Syuan CIOU, Hui-Zhong ZHUANG, Ching-Wei TSAI, Shang-Wen CHANG
  • Publication number: 20240095433
    Abstract: An integrated circuit includes a first conductor segment intersecting a first active-region structure at a source/drain region and a second conductor segment intersecting a second active-region structure at a source/drain region. The first conductor segment and the second conductor segment are separated at proximal edges by a separation distance. A distance from a first horizontal cell boundary to a proximal edge of the first conductor segment is larger than a distance from a second horizontal cell boundary to a proximal edge of the second conductor segment by a predetermined distance that is a fraction of the separation distance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 29, 2023
    Publication date: March 21, 2024
    Inventors: Chih-Yu LAI, Chih-Liang CHEN, Chi-Yu LU, Shang-Hsuan CHIU
  • Publication number: 20240096800
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes first and second active regions extending in parallel in a substrate, a plurality of conductive patterns, each conductive pattern of the plurality of conductive patterns extending on the substrate across each of the first and second active regions, and a plurality of metal lines, each metal line of the plurality of metal lines overlying and extending across each of the first and second active regions. Each conductive pattern of the plurality of conductive patterns is electrically connected in parallel with each metal line of the plurality of metal lines.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 27, 2023
    Publication date: March 21, 2024
    Inventors: Fei Fan DUAN, Fong-yuan CHANG, Chi-Yu LU, Po-Hsiang HUANG, Chih-Liang CHEN
  • Patent number: 11935888
    Abstract: A method of making an integrated circuit includes steps of selecting a first cell and a second cell for an integrated circuit layout from a cell library in an electronic design automation (EDA) system, the first and second cells each having a cell active area, a cell gate electrode, at least one fin of a first set of fins, and a cell border region, each cell also having the active area at an exposed side, and placing the first exposed side against the second exposed side at a cell border. The method also includes operations of aligning at least one fin of the first set of fins with at least one fin of the second set of fins across a cell border.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2024
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Pin-Dai Sue, Ting-Wei Chiang, Hui-Zhong Zhuang, Ya-Chi Chou, Chi-Yu Lu
  • Publication number: 20240088126
    Abstract: A method includes creating a layout design of the integrated circuit after determining a difference between the poly extension effect of a p-type transistor and the poly extension effect of an n-type transistor. Creating the layout design includes forming first-type active zone patterns, forming second-type active zone patterns, generating a gate-strip pattern, and positioning the gate-strip pattern over the first-type active zone patterns and the second-type active zone patterns. Creating the layout design also includes determining whether to generate one or more poly cut patterns that intersect the gate-strip, based on the difference between the poly extension effect of a p-type transistor and the poly extension effect of an n-type transistor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 22, 2023
    Publication date: March 14, 2024
    Inventors: Jian-Sing LI, Chi-Yu LU, Hui-Zhong ZHUANG, Chih-Liang CHEN
  • Publication number: 20240088030
    Abstract: Provided are semiconductor devices that include a first gate structure having a first end cap portion, a second gate structure having a second end cap portion coaxial with the first gate structure, a first dielectric region separating the first end cap portion and the second end cap portion, a first conductive element extending over the first gate structure, a second conductive element extending over the second gate structure, and a gate via electrically connecting the second gate structure and the second conductive element, with the first dielectric region having a first width and being positioned at least partially under the first conductive element and defines a spacing between the gate via and an end of the second end cap portion that exceeds a predetermined distance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2023
    Publication date: March 14, 2024
    Inventors: Chin-Liang CHEN, Chi-Yu LU, Ching-Wei TSAI, Chun-Yuan CHEN, Li-Chun TIEN
  • Publication number: 20240086611
    Abstract: Systems, methods and devices are provided, which can include an engineering change order (ECO) base. A base layout cell includes metal layer regions, conductive gate patterns arranged above metal layer regions; oxide definition (OD) patterns, metal-zero layer over oxide-definition (metal-zero) patterns, at least one cut metal layer (CMD) pattern; and at least one via region. The base layout cell can be implemented in at least two non-identical functional cells. A first functional cell of the at least two non-identical functional cells includes first interconnection conductive patterns arranged connecting metal-zero structures corresponding to at least two metal-zero patterns in a first layout, and a second functional cell of the at least two non-identical functional cells includes second interconnection conductive patterns arranged connecting metal-zero structures corresponding to at least two metal-zero patterns in a second layout.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2023
    Publication date: March 14, 2024
    Applicant: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shang-Hsuan Chiu, Chih-Liang Chen, Hui-Zhong Zhuang, Chi-Yu Lu, Kuang-Ching Chang
  • Patent number: 11907633
    Abstract: A layout method includes disposing a first conductive path and a second conductive path across a boundary between a first layout device and a second layout device abutting the first layout device. The layout method also includes disposing a first cut layer on the first conductive path nearby the boundary, and disposing a second cut layer on the second conductive path nearby the boundary. The layout method also includes moving the first cut layer to align with the second cut layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY LTD.
    Inventors: Cheok-Kei Lei, Yu-Chi Li, Chia-Wei Tseng, Zhe-Wei Jiang, Chi-Lin Liu, Jerry Chang-Jui Kao, Jung-Chan Yang, Chi-Yu Lu, Hui-Zhong Zhuang
  • Publication number: 20240021606
    Abstract: A method of making a semiconductor device includes forming a first active region on a first side of a substrate. The method further includes forming a first source/drain (S/D) electrode surrounding a first portion of the first active region. The method further includes forming an S/D connect via extending through the substrate. The method further includes flipping the substrate. The method further includes forming a second active region on a second side of the substrate, wherein the second side of the substrate is opposite to the first side of the substrate. The method further includes forming a second S/D electrode surrounding a first portion of the second active region, wherein the S/D connect directly contacts both the first S/D electrode and the second S/D electrode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2023
    Publication date: January 18, 2024
    Inventors: Chih-Yu LAI, Chih-Liang CHEN, Chi-Yu LU, Shang-Syuan CIOU, Hui-Zhong ZHUANG, Ching-Wei TSAI, Shang-Wen CHANG
  • Patent number: 11868697
    Abstract: Systems, methods and devices are provided, which can include an engineering change order (ECO) base. A base layout cell includes metal layer regions, conductive gate patterns arranged above metal layer regions; oxide definition (OD) patterns, metal-zero layer over oxide-definition (metal-zero) patterns, at least one cut metal layer (CMD) pattern; and at least one via region. The base layout cell can be implemented in at least two non-identical functional cells. A first functional cell of the at least two non-identical functional cells includes first interconnection conductive patterns arranged connecting metal-zero structures corresponding to at least two metal-zero patterns in a first layout, and a second functional cell of the at least two non-identical functional cells includes second interconnection conductive patterns arranged connecting metal-zero structures corresponding to at least two metal-zero patterns in a second layout.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd
    Inventors: Shang-Hsuan Chiu, Chih-Liang Chen, Hui-Zhong Zhuang, Chi-Yu Lu, Kuang-Ching Chang
  • Patent number: 11854973
    Abstract: A semiconductor device and a method of manufacturing the same are provided. The semiconductor device includes a first conductive pattern on a substrate, a second conductive pattern above the first conductive pattern, and a third conductive pattern above the first conductive pattern, all extending along a first direction. The first conductive pattern is electrically connected in parallel to the second conductive pattern and the third conductive pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2023
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Fei Fan Duan, Fong-yuan Chang, Chi-Yu Lu, Po-Hsiang Huang, Chih-Liang Chen
  • Patent number: 11854940
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a substrate and a first transistor on a first side of the substrate. The semiconductor device further includes a first electrode contacting a first region of the first transistor. The semiconductor device further includes a spacer extending along a sidewall of the first transistor. The semiconductor device further includes a self-aligned interconnect structure (SIS) separated from at least a portion of the first electrode by the spacer, wherein the SIS extends through the substrate. The semiconductor device further includes a second electrode contacting a surface of the first electrode farthest from the substrate, wherein the second electrode directly contacts the SIS.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2023
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Chih-Yu Lai, Chih-Liang Chen, Chi-Yu Lu, Shang-Syuan Ciou, Hui-Zhong Zhuang, Ching-Wei Tsai, Shang-Wen Chang
  • Patent number: 11853670
    Abstract: An integrated circuit includes a first conductor segment intersecting a first active-region structure at a source/drain region and a second conductor segment intersecting a second active-region structure at a source/drain region. The first conductor segment and the second conductor segment are separated at proximal edges by a separation distance. The first conductor has a distal edge separated from a first power rail, and the second conductor segment is connected to a second power rail through a via-connector. A distance from the first power rail to a proximal edge of the first conductor segment is larger than a distance from the second power rail to a proximal edge of the second conductor segment by a predetermined distance that is a fraction of the separation distance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2023
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Chih-Yu Lai, Chih-Liang Chen, Chi-Yu Lu, Shang-Hsuan Chiu
  • Patent number: 11855069
    Abstract: A method of fabricating an integrated circuit. The method includes generating two first-type active zones and two second-type active zones, and generating a gate-strip intersecting the two first-type active zones and the two second-type active zones. The method further includes patterning one or more poly cuts intersecting the gate-strip based on a determination of a difference between the poly extension effect of a p-type transistor and the poly extension effect of an n-type transistor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2023
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Jian-Sing Li, Chi-Yu Lu, Hui-Zhong Zhuang, Chih-Liang Chen
  • Publication number: 20230401371
    Abstract: A method of designing a semiconductor device including the operations of analyzing a vertical abutment between a first standard cell block and a second cell block and, if a mismatch is identified between the first standard cell block and the second cell block initiating the selection of a first modified cell block that reduces the mismatch and a spacing between the first modified cell block and the second cell block, the first modified cell block comprising a first abutment region having a continuous active region arranged along a first axis parallel to an edge of the vertical abutment, and replacing the first standard cell block with the first modified cell block to obtain a first modified layout design and devices manufactured according to the method.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2023
    Publication date: December 14, 2023
    Inventors: Chi-Yu LU, Hui-Zhong ZHUANG, Pin-Dai SUE, Yi-Hsin KO, Li-Chun TIEN
  • Patent number: 11842131
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a semiconductor device to which corresponds a layout diagram stored on a non-transitory computer-readable medium. The method includes generating the layout diagram using an electronic design system (EDS), the EDS including at least one processor and at least one memory including computer program code for one or more programs are configured to cause the EDS to execute the generating. Testing the semiconductor device. Revising, the layout diagram, based on testing results indicative of selected standard functional cells in the layout diagram which merit modification or replacement. Programming one or more of the ECO cells which correspond to the one or more selected standard functional cells resulting in one or more programmed ECO cells. Routing the one or more programmed ECO cells correspondingly to at least one of the selected standard functional cells or to one or more other ones of the standard functional cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2023
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Mao-Wei Chiu, Ting-Wei Chiang, Hui-Zhong Zhuang, Li-Chun Tien, Chi-Yu Lu
  • Publication number: 20230394219
    Abstract: A method (of generating a layout diagram of a wire routing arrangement in a multi-patterning context having multiple masks, the layout diagram being stored on a non-transitory computer-readable medium) includes: placing, relative to a given one of the masks, a given cut pattern at a first candidate location over a corresponding portion of a given conductive pattern in a metallization layer; determining whether the first candidate location results in a group of cut patterns which violates a design rule; and temporarily preventing placement of the given cut pattern in the metallization layer at the first candidate location until a correction is made which avoids violating the design rule.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 10, 2023
    Publication date: December 7, 2023
    Inventors: Fong-Yuan CHANG, Chin-Chou LIU, Hui-Zhong ZHUANG, Meng-Kai HSU, Pin-Dai SUE, Po-Hsiang HUANG, Yi-Kan CHENG, Chi-Yu LU, Jung-Chou TSAI
  • Publication number: 20230385522
    Abstract: A system (for generating a layout diagram of a wire routing arrangement) includes a processor and memory including computer program code for one or more programs, the system generating the layout diagram including: placing, relative to a given one of masks in a multi-patterning context, a given cut pattern at a first candidate location over a corresponding portion of a given conductive pattern in a metallization layer; determining that the first candidate location results in an intra-row non-circular group of a given row which violates a design rule, the intra-row non-circular group including first and second cut patterns which abut a same boundary of the given row, and a total number of cut patterns in the being an even number; and temporarily preventing placement of the given cut pattern in the metallization layer at the first candidate location until a correction is made which avoids violating the design rule.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 10, 2023
    Publication date: November 30, 2023
    Inventors: Fong-Yuan CHANG, Chin-Chou LIU, Hui-Zhong ZHUANG, Meng-Kai HSU, Pin-Dai SUE, Po-Hsiang HUANG, Yi-Kan CHENG, Chi-Yu LU, Jung-Chou TSAI