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: 20170158494
    Abstract: An integrated circuit device includes a dielectric layer disposed over a semiconductor substrate, the dielectric layer having a sacrificial cavity formed therein, a membrane layer formed onto the dielectric layer, and a capping structure formed on the membrane layer such that a second cavity is formed, the second cavity being connected to the sacrificial cavity through a via formed into the membrane layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2017
    Publication date: June 8, 2017
    Inventors: Chun-Wen Cheng, Chia-Hua Chu
  • Patent number: 9650239
    Abstract: A method embodiment for forming a micro-electromechanical (MEMS) device includes providing a MEMS wafer, wherein a portion of the MEMS wafer is patterned to provide a first membrane for a microphone device and a second membrane for a pressure sensor device. A carrier wafer is bonded to the MEMS wafer, and the carrier wafer is etched to expose the first membrane for the microphone device to an ambient environment. A MEMS substrate is patterned and portions of a first sacrificial layer are removed of the MEMS wafer to form a MEMS structure. A cap wafer is bonded to a side of the MEMS wafer opposing the carrier wafer to form a first sealed cavity including the MEMS structure. A second sealed cavity and a cavity exposed to an ambient environment on opposing sides of the second membrane for the pressure sensor device are formed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2017
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Chia-Hua Chu, Chun-Wen Cheng
  • Publication number: 20170129771
    Abstract: A semiconductor structure includes a substrate including a plurality of vias passing through the substrate and filled with a conductive or semiconductive material, and an oxide layer surrounding the conductive or semiconductive material, the substrate defining a cavity therein; a membrane disposed over the substrate and the cavity; a heater disposed within the membrane and electrically connected with the substrate; and a sensing electrode disposed over the membrane and the heater.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 26, 2017
    Publication date: May 11, 2017
    Inventors: CHUN-WEN CHENG, CHIA-HUA CHU, FEI-LUNG LAI, SHIANG-CHI LIN
  • Patent number: 9643838
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a substrate, an interconnection layer, an outgassing layer, and a patterned outgassing barrier layer. The interconnection layer is over the substrate. The outgassing layer is over the interconnection layer. The patterned outgassing barrier layer is over the outgassing layer. The patterned outgassing barrier layer includes a plurality of barrier structures and a plurality of openings. The plurality of openings expose a portion of an upmost surface of the outgassing layer, and a bottommost surface of the patterned outgassing barrier layer is substantially coplanar with the upmost surface of the outgassing layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2017
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY LTD
    Inventors: Chia-Hua Chu, Jung-Huei Peng, Yi-Chien Wu, Li-Min Hung
  • Patent number: 9630837
    Abstract: A structure and a fabrication method thereof are provided. The method includes the following operations. A device substrate having a first surface and a second surface opposite to each other is received. A carrier substrate having a third surface and a fourth surface opposite to each other is received. An intermediate layer is formed between the third surface of the carrier substrate and the second surface of the device substrate. The second surface of the device substrate is attached to the third surface of the carrier substrate. The device substrate is thinned from the first surface. A device is formed over the first surface of the device substrate. The carrier substrate and the device substrate are patterned from the fourth surface to form a cavity in the carrier substrate, the intermediate layer and the device substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2017
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY LTD.
    Inventors: Chia-Hua Chu, Chun-Wen Cheng
  • Patent number: 9630831
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a CMOS structure, including a substrate, a metallization layer over the substrate, a sensing structure over the metallization layer, and a signal transmitting structure adjacent to the sensing structure. The sensing structure includes an outgassing layer over the metallization layer, a patterned outgassing barrier over the outgassing layer; and an electrode over the patterned outgassing barrier. The signal transmitting structure electrically couples the electrode and the metallization layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2017
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY LTD.
    Inventors: Jung-Huei Peng, Chia-Hua Chu, Fei-Lung Lai, Shiang-Chi Lin
  • Publication number: 20170107099
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a CMOS structure, including a substrate, a metallization layer over the substrate, a sensing structure over the metallization layer, and a signal transmitting structure adjacent to the sensing structure. The sensing structure includes an outgassing layer over the metallization layer, a patterned outgassing barrier over the outgassing layer; and an electrode over the patterned outgassing barrier. The signal transmitting structure electrically couples the electrode and the metallization layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2015
    Publication date: April 20, 2017
    Inventors: JUNG-HUEI PENG, CHIA-HUA CHU, FEI-LUNG LAI, SHIANG-CHI LIN
  • Publication number: 20170102353
    Abstract: Some embodiments of the present disclosure provide a gas sensor in an IOT. The gas sensor includes a substrate, a conductor disposed above the substrate, and a sensing film disposed over the conductor. The conductor has a top-view pattern including a plurality of openings, a minimal dimension of the opening being less than about 4 micrometer; and a perimeter enclosing the opening. Some embodiments of the present disclosure provide a method of manufacturing a gas sensor. The method includes receiving a substrate; forming a conductor, over the substrate; patterning the conductor to form a plurality of openings in the conductor by an etching operation, and forming a gas-sensing film over the conductor. The openings are arranged in a repeating pattern, and a minimal dimension of the opening being about 4 micrometer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 8, 2015
    Publication date: April 13, 2017
    Inventors: MING-TA LEI, CHIA-HUA CHU, HSIN-CHIH CHIANG, TUNG-TSUN CHEN, CHUN-WEN CHENG
  • Patent number: 9617147
    Abstract: Exemplary microelectromechanical system (MEMS) devices, and methods for fabricating such are disclosed. An exemplary method includes providing a silicon-on-insulator (SOI) substrate, wherein the SOI substrate includes a first silicon layer separated from a second silicon layer by an insulator layer; processing the first silicon layer to form a first structure layer of a MEMS device; bonding the first structure layer to a substrate; and processing the second silicon layer to form a second structure layer of the MEMS device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Chia-Hua Chu, Chun-Wen Cheng, Jiou-Kang Lee, Kai-Chih Liang, Chung-Hsien Lin, Te-Hao Lee
  • Patent number: 9617150
    Abstract: Embodiments of mechanisms for forming a micro-electro mechanical system (MEMS) device are provided. The MEMS device includes a CMOS substrate and a MEMS substrate bonded with the CMOS substrate. The CMOS substrate includes a semiconductor substrate, a first dielectric layer formed over the semiconductor substrate, and a plurality of conductive pads formed in the first dielectric layer. The MEMS substrate includes a semiconductor layer having a movable element and a second dielectric layer formed between the semiconductor layer and the CMOS substrate. The MEMS substrate also includes a closed chamber surrounding the movable element. The MEMS substrate further includes a blocking layer formed between the closed chamber and the first dielectric layer of the CMOS substrate. The blocking layer is configured to block gas, coming from the first dielectric layer, from entering the closed chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chia-Hua Chu, Chun-Wen Cheng
  • Patent number: 9604843
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure include MEMS devices and methods for forming MEMS devices. An embodiment is a method for forming a microelectromechanical system (MEMS) device, the method including forming a MEMS wafer having a first cavity, the first cavity having a first pressure, and bonding a carrier wafer to a first side of the MEMS wafer, the bonding forming a second cavity, the second cavity having a second pressure, the second pressure being greater than the first pressure. The method further includes bonding a cap wafer to a second side of the MEMS wafer, the second side being opposite the first side, the bonding forming a third cavity, the third cavity having a third pressure, the third pressure being greater than the first pressure and less than the second pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Chun-Wen Cheng, Chia-Hua Chu
  • Publication number: 20170081173
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a CMOS MEMS device. The CMOS MEMS device includes a first substrate, a second substrate, a first polysilicon and a second polysilicon. The second substrate includes a movable part and is located over the first substrate. The first polysilicon penetrates the second substrate and is adjacent to a first side of the movable part of the second substrate. The second polysilicon penetrates the second substrate and is adjacent to a second side of the movable part of the second substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2015
    Publication date: March 23, 2017
    Inventors: YU-CHIA LIU, CHIA-HUA CHU, CHUN-WEN CHENG
  • Publication number: 20170066647
    Abstract: A microelectromechanical system (MEMS) device may include a MEMS structure over a first substrate. The MEMS structure comprises a movable element. Depositing a first conductive material over the first substrate and etching trenches in a second substrate. Filling the trenches with a second conductive material and depositing a third conductive material over the second conductive material and the second substrate. Bonding the first substrate and the second substrate and thinning a backside of the second substrate which exposes the second conductive material in the trenches.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 17, 2016
    Publication date: March 9, 2017
    Inventors: Kai-Chih Liang, Chia-Hua Chu, Te-Hao Lee, Jiou-Kang Lee, Chung-Hsien Lin
  • Publication number: 20170066646
    Abstract: A semiconductor structure includes a first device and a second device. The first device includes a first substrate, a plurality of vias passing through the first substrate and filled with a conductive or semiconductive material and a first oxide layer surrounding the conductive or semiconductive material, a cavity surrounded by the first substrate, a metallic material disposed over the first surface, a second oxide layer disposed over the second surface, a membrane disposed over the second oxide layer and the cavity, a heater disposed within the membrane, a sensing electrode disposed over the membrane and the heater, and a sensing material disposed over the cavity and contacting with the sensing electrode. The second device includes a second substrate, and a bonding structure disposed over the second substrate. The metallic material is bonded with the bonding structure to integrate the first device with the second device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 3, 2015
    Publication date: March 9, 2017
    Inventors: CHUN-WEN CHENG, CHIA-HUA CHU, FEI-LUNG LAI, SHIANG-CHI LIN
  • Patent number: 9586811
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides an embodiment of a micro-electro-mechanical system (MEMS) structure, the MEMS structure comprising a MEMS substrate; a first and second conductive plugs of a semiconductor material disposed on the MEMS substrate, wherein the first conductive plug is configured for electrical interconnection and the second conductive plug is configured as an anti-stiction bump; a MEMS device configured on the MEMS substrate and electrically coupled with the first conductive plug; and a cap substrate bonded to the MEMS substrate such that the MEMS device is enclosed therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Chia-Hua Chu, Kuei-Sung Chang, Chung-Hsien Lin
  • Publication number: 20170057814
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates an integrated chip having one or more MEMS devices. In some embodiments, the integrated chip has a carrier substrate with one or more cavities disposed within a first side of the carrier substrate. A dielectric layer is disposed between the first side of the carrier substrate and a first side of a micro-electromechanical system (MEMS) substrate. The dielectric layer has sidewalls that are laterally set back from sidewalls of openings extending through the MEMs substrate to the one or more cavities. A bonding structure, including an intermetallic compound having a plurality of metallic elements, abuts a second side of the MEMS substrate and is electrically connected to a metal interconnect layer within a dielectric structure disposed over a CMOS substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2016
    Publication date: March 2, 2017
    Inventors: Chun-Wen Cheng, Chia-Hua Chu, Jung-Huei Peng
  • Patent number: 9573806
    Abstract: An integrated circuit device includes a dielectric layer disposed over a semiconductor substrate, the dielectric layer having a sacrificial cavity formed therein, a membrane layer formed onto the dielectric layer, and a capping structure formed on the membrane layer such that a second cavity is formed, the second cavity being connected to the sacrificial cavity though a via formed into the membrane layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Chun-Wen Cheng, Chia-Hua Chu
  • Publication number: 20170044004
    Abstract: Some embodiments of the present disclosure provide a microelectromechanical systems (MEMS). The MEMS includes a semiconductive block. The semiconductive block includes a protruding structure. The protruding structure includes a bottom surface. The semiconductive block includes a sensing structure. A semiconductive substrate includes a conductive region. The conductive region includes a first surface under the sensing structure. The first surface is substantially coplanar with the bottom surface. A dielectric region includes a second surface not disposed over the first surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 14, 2015
    Publication date: February 16, 2017
    Inventors: CHUN-WEN CHENG, JUNG-HUEI PENG, CHIA-HUA CHU, NIEN-TSUNG TSAI, YAO-TE HUANG, LI-MIN HUNG, YU-CHIA LIU
  • Patent number: 9567206
    Abstract: A micro-electro mechanical system (MEMS) device is provided. The MEMS device includes a cap substrate and a MEMS substrate bonded with the cap substrate. The MEMS substrate includes a first movable element and a second movable element. The MEMS device also includes a first closed chamber between the MEMS substrate and the cap substrate, and the first movable element is in the first closed chamber. The MEMS device further includes an outgassing layer in the first closed chamber. In addition, the MEMS device includes a second closed chamber between the MEMS substrate and the cap substrate, and the second movable element is in the second closed chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2017
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chia-Hua Chu, Chun-Wen Cheng, Shang-Ying Tsai, Chin-Wei Liang
  • Patent number: 9567210
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) package having two MEMS devices with different pressures, and an associated method of formation. In some embodiments, the (MEMS) package includes a device substrate and a cap substrate bonded together. The bonded substrate comprises a first cavity corresponding to a first MEMS device having a first pressure and a second cavity corresponding to a second MEMS device having a different second pressure. The second cavity comprises a major volume and a vent hole connected by a lateral channel disposed between the device substrate and the cap substrate and the vent hole is hermetically sealed by a sealing structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2017
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chun-Wen Cheng, Chia-Hua Chu, Kuei-Sung Chang