Patents by Inventor Chia-Hua Chu

Chia-Hua Chu 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: 20250123303
    Abstract: In some embodiments, the present disclosure relates to an integrated device, including: a substrate; a semiconductor layer on the substrate and including a first structure being one of a sound port, a sealed cavity, or a proof mass, and a second structure being one of the sound port, the sealed cavity, or the proof mass, where the second structure is a different one of the sound port, the sealed cavity, or the proof mass than the first structure; a piezoelectric layer on the semiconductor layer overlying the first structure and the second structure; and an air gap extending into the semiconductor layer from an upper surface of the piezoelectric layer, wherein the first structure and portions of the piezoelectric layer overlying the first structure are spaced from the second structure and portions of the piezoelectric layer overlying the second structure by the air gap.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 13, 2023
    Publication date: April 17, 2025
    Inventors: Chia-Hua Chu, Chun-Wen Cheng
  • Publication number: 20250126415
    Abstract: A semiconductor device and a method of manufacturing the same are provided. The semiconductor device includes a substrate and a membrane adjacent to the substrate and configured to generate charges in response to an acoustic wave. The membrane includes a via pattern including: first lines that partition the membrane into slices and extend to a side of the membrane such that the slices are separated from each other near the side of the membrane and connected to each other around a central region, wherein the first lines are made closer to each other when they are closer to the central region, and second lines alternatingly arranged with the first lines.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 27, 2024
    Publication date: April 17, 2025
    Inventors: CHUN-WEN CHENG, CHUN YIN TSAI, CHIA-HUA CHU
  • Patent number: 12219320
    Abstract: A MEMS device and a method of manufacturing the same are provided. A semiconductor device includes a substrate; and a membrane over the substrate and configured to generate charges in response to an acoustic wave, the membrane being in a polygonal shape including vertices. The membrane includes a via pattern includes: first lines that partition the membrane into slices and extend to the vertices of the membrane such that the slices are separated from each other near an anchored region of the membrane and connected to each other around a central region; and second lines extending from the anchored region of the membrane toward the central region of the membrane, each of the first lines or each of the second lines including non-straight lines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2023
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2025
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY LTD.
    Inventors: Chun-Wen Cheng, Chun Yin Tsai, Chia-Hua Chu
  • Patent number: 12134555
    Abstract: Representative methods for sealing MEMS devices include depositing insulating material over a substrate, forming conductive vias in a first set of layers of the insulating material, and forming metal structures in a second set of layers of the insulating material. The first and second sets of layers are interleaved in alternation. A dummy insulating layer is provided as an upper-most layer of the first set of layers. Portions of the first and second set of layers are etched to form void regions in the insulating material. A conductive pad is formed on and in a top surface of the insulating material. The void regions are sealed with an encapsulating structure. At least a portion of the encapsulating structure is laterally adjacent the dummy insulating layer, and above a top surface of the conductive pad. An etch is performed to remove at least a portion of the dummy insulating layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2023
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2024
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY LTD.
    Inventors: Yu-Chia Liu, Chia-Hua Chu, Chun-Wen Cheng
  • Publication number: 20240343551
    Abstract: Structures and formation methods of a semiconductor device structure are provided. The semiconductor device structure includes a substrate and a dielectric layer formed over the substrate. The semiconductor device structure further includes a movable membrane formed over the dielectric layer. In addition, the movable membrane includes first recessed portions arranged in a ring shape in a top view and second recessed portions surrounded by the first recessed portions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2024
    Publication date: October 17, 2024
    Inventors: Yi-Chuan TENG, Chun-Yin TSAI, Chia-Hua CHU, Chun-Wen CHENG
  • Publication number: 20240271287
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a gas sensor. The gas sensor includes a substrate, an insulating layer over the substrate, a conductor layer over and in contact with a top surface of the substrate, and a gas sensing film. The conductor layer includes a conductive pattern having a plurality of openings, and the conductive pattern is embedded in the insulating layer. The gas sensing film is formed over a portion of the conductive pattern.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 17, 2024
    Publication date: August 15, 2024
    Inventors: MING-TA LEI, CHIA-HUA CHU, HSIN-CHIH CHIANG, TUNG-TSUN CHEN, CHUN-WEN CHENG
  • Patent number: 12054383
    Abstract: Various embodiments of the present disclosure are directed towards an electronic device that comprises a semiconductor substrate having a first surface opposite a second surface. The semiconductor substrate at least partially defines a cavity. A first microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) device is disposed along the first surface of the semiconductor substrate. The first MEMS device comprises a first backplate and a diaphragm vertically separated from the first backplate. A second MEMS device is disposed along the first surface of the semiconductor substrate. The second MEMS device comprises spring structures and a moveable element. The spring structures are configured to suspend the moveable element in the cavity. A segment of the semiconductor substrate continuously laterally extends from under a sidewall of the first MEMS device to under a sidewall of the second MEMS device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2024
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Chun-Wen Cheng, Chia-Hua Chu, Chun Yin Tsai, Wen Cheng Kuo
  • Patent number: 12043538
    Abstract: Structures and formation methods of a semiconductor device structure are provided. The semiconductor device structure includes a substrate and a first dielectric layer formed over the substrate. The semiconductor device structure also includes a first movable membrane formed over the first dielectric layer. In addition, the first movable membrane has a first corrugated portion and a first edge portion connecting to the first corrugated portion. The semiconductor device structure further includes a second dielectric layer formed over the first movable membrane. In addition, the first edge portion is sandwiched between the first dielectric layer and the second dielectric layer, the first corrugated portion is partially sandwiched between the first dielectric layer and the second dielectric layer and is partially exposed by a cavity, and a bottom surface of the first corrugated portion is lower than a bottom surface of the first edge portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2024
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Yi-Chuan Teng, Chun-Yin Tsai, Chia-Hua Chu, Chun-Wen Cheng
  • Patent number: 11987891
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a gas sensor. The gas sensor includes a substrate, a conductor layer over the substrate, wherein the conductor layer includes a conductive pattern including a plurality of openings, the openings being arranged in a repeating pattern, an insulating layer in the plurality of openings and over a top surface of the conductive pattern, wherein the conductive pattern is embedded in the insulating layer, and a gas sensing film over a portion of the insulating layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2024
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY LTD.
    Inventors: Ming-Ta Lei, Chia-Hua Chu, Hsin-Chih Chiang, Tung-Tsun Chen, Chun-Wen Cheng
  • Publication number: 20230382716
    Abstract: Various embodiments of the present disclosure are directed towards an electronic device that comprises a semiconductor substrate having a first surface opposite a second surface. The semiconductor substrate at least partially defines a cavity. A first microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) device is disposed along the first surface of the semiconductor substrate. The first MEMS device comprises a first backplate and a diaphragm vertically separated from the first backplate. A second MEMS device is disposed along the first surface of the semiconductor substrate. The second MEMS device comprises spring structures and a moveable element. The spring structures are configured to suspend the moveable element in the cavity. A segment of the semiconductor substrate continuously laterally extends from under a sidewall of the first MEMS device to under a sidewall of the second MEMS device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2023
    Publication date: November 30, 2023
    Inventors: Chun-Wen Cheng, Chia-Hua Chu, Chun Yin Tsai, Wen Cheng Kuo
  • Publication number: 20230370783
    Abstract: A MEMS device and a method of manufacturing the same are provided. A semiconductor device includes a substrate; and a membrane over the substrate and configured to generate charges in response to an acoustic wave, the membrane being in a polygonal shape including vertices. The membrane includes a via pattern includes: first lines that partition the membrane into slices and extend to the vertices of the membrane such that the slices are separated from each other near an anchored region of the membrane and connected to each other around a central region; and second lines extending from the anchored region of the membrane toward the central region of the membrane, each of the first lines or each of the second lines including non-straight lines.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 21, 2023
    Publication date: November 16, 2023
    Inventors: CHUN-WEN CHENG, CHUN YIN TSAI, CHIA-HUA CHU
  • Patent number: 11807521
    Abstract: Various embodiments of the present disclosure are directed towards a method for forming a microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) device. The method includes forming a filter stack over a carrier substrate. The filter stack comprises a particle filter layer having a particle filter. A support structure layer is formed over the filter stack. The support structure layer is patterned to define a support structure in the support structure layer such that the support structure has one or more segments. The support structure is bonded to a MEMS structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2023
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Chun-Wen Cheng, Chia-Hua Chu, Wen Cheng Kuo
  • Publication number: 20230353066
    Abstract: A microelectromechanical system (MEMS) device includes a substrate and a movable element at least partially suspended above the substrate and having at least one degree of freedom. The MEMS device further includes a protrusion extending from the substrate and configured to contact the movable element when the movable element moves in the at least one degree of freedom, wherein the protrusion comprises a surface having a water contact angle of higher than about 15° measured in air.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 3, 2023
    Publication date: November 2, 2023
    Inventors: Yi Heng Tsai, Chia-Hua Chu, Kuei-Sung Chang
  • Publication number: 20230278856
    Abstract: Representative methods for sealing MEMS devices include depositing insulating material over a substrate, forming conductive vias in a first set of layers of the insulating material, and forming metal structures in a second set of layers of the insulating material. The first and second sets of layers are interleaved in alternation. A dummy insulating layer is provided as an upper-most layer of the first set of layers. Portions of the first and second set of layers are etched to form void regions in the insulating material. A conductive pad is formed on and in a top surface of the insulating material. The void regions are sealed with an encapsulating structure. At least a portion of the encapsulating structure is laterally adjacent the dummy insulating layer, and above a top surface of the conductive pad. An etch is performed to remove at least a portion of the dummy insulating layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 11, 2023
    Publication date: September 7, 2023
    Inventors: Yu-Chia Liu, Chia-Hua Chu, Chun-Wen Cheng
  • Patent number: 11750980
    Abstract: A MEMS device and a method of manufacturing the same are provided. A semiconductor device includes a substrate; and a membrane over the substrate and configured to generate charges in response to an acoustic wave, the membrane being in a polygonal shape including vertices. The membrane includes a via pattern having first lines that partition the membrane into slices and extend to the vertices of the membrane such that the slices are separated from each other near an anchored region of the membrane and connected to each other around a central region. The via pattern further includes second lines extending from the anchored region of the membrane toward the central region of the membrane. Each of the second lines includes a length less than a length of each of the first lines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2023
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY LTD.
    Inventors: Chun-Wen Cheng, Chun Yin Tsai, Chia-Hua Chu
  • Patent number: 11736037
    Abstract: A microelectromechanical system (MEMS) device includes a substrate and a movable element at least partially suspended above the substrate and having at least one degree of freedom. The MEMS device further includes a protrusion extending from the substrate and configured to contact the movable element when the movable element moves in the at least one degree of freedom, wherein the protrusion comprises a surface having a water contact angle of higher than about 15° measured in air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2023
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Yi Heng Tsai, Chia-Hua Chu, Kuei-Sung Chang
  • Publication number: 20230243461
    Abstract: Examples of stands and display devices are described. In an example, a stand may be coupled to a pair of racks, a driving gear, and a pair of pinion gears. The pair of pinion gears may be operably coupled to the driving gear. Further, the pair of pinion gears may be meshed with the pair of racks. Upon actuation of the driving gear, the pair of pinion gears may be rotated relative to the pair of racks to cause movement of the gears along the pair of racks.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 8, 2020
    Publication date: August 3, 2023
    Applicant: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventor: Chia-Hua CHU
  • Publication number: 20230192476
    Abstract: A MEMS device includes a first multi-layer structure, a second multi-layer structure over the first multi-layer structure, a first semiconductor layer between the first and second multilayer structures, a first air gap separating the first multi-layer structure and the first semiconductor layer, a second air gap separating the first semiconductor layer and the second multi-layer structure, a plurality of semiconductor pillars, and a plurality of second semiconductor pillars. The first semiconductor pillars are exposed to the first air gap, and coupled to the first semiconductor layer and the first multi-layer structure. The second semiconductor pillars are exposed to the second air gap, and coupled to the first semiconductor layer and the second multi-layer structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 12, 2023
    Publication date: June 22, 2023
    Inventors: CHEN HSIUNG YANG, CHUN-WEN CHENG, CHIA-HUA CHU, EN-CHAN CHEN
  • Patent number: 11678133
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides one embodiment of an integrated microphone structure. The integrated microphone structure includes a first silicon substrate patterned as a first plate. A silicon oxide layer formed on one side of the first silicon substrate. A second silicon substrate bonded to the first substrate through the silicon oxide layer such that the silicon oxide layer is sandwiched between the first and second silicon substrates. A diaphragm secured on the silicon oxide layer and disposed between the first and second silicon substrates such that the first plate and the diaphragm are configured to form a capacitive microphone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2023
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Jung-Huei Peng, Chia-Hua Chu, Chun-Wen Cheng, Chin-Yi Cho, Li-Min Hung, Yao-Te Huang
  • Patent number: 11667517
    Abstract: Representative methods for sealing MEMS devices include depositing insulating material over a substrate, forming conductive vias in a first set of layers of the insulating material, and forming metal structures in a second set of layers of the insulating material. The first and second sets of layers are interleaved in alternation. A dummy insulating layer is provided as an upper-most layer of the first set of layers. Portions of the first and second set of layers are etched to form void regions in the insulating material. A conductive pad is formed on and in a top surface of the insulating material. The void regions are sealed with an encapsulating structure. At least a portion of the encapsulating structure is laterally adjacent the dummy insulating layer, and above a top surface of the conductive pad. An etch is performed to remove at least a portion of the dummy insulating layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Yu-Chia Liu, Chia-Hua Chu, Chun-Wen Cheng