Patents by Inventor Chia-Ming Hung

Chia-Ming Hung 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: 20250250163
    Abstract: Various embodiments of the present disclosure are directed towards an integrated chip. The integrated chip includes a first movable element over a first substrate. A second movable element overlies the first substrate. A first functional layer is on the first movable element. The first functional layer comprises a first material different from a material of the first movable element. A second functional layer is on the second movable element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 25, 2025
    Publication date: August 7, 2025
    Inventors: Hsiang-Fu Chen, Chia-Ming Hung, I-Hsuan Chiu
  • Publication number: 20250214108
    Abstract: Various embodiments of the present disclosure are directed towards a semiconductor device. The semiconductor device includes an interconnect structure disposed over a semiconductor substrate. A dielectric structure is disposed over the interconnect structure. A plurality of cavities are disposed in the dielectric structure. A microelectromechanical system (MEMS) substrate is disposed over the dielectric structure, where the MEMS substrate comprises a plurality of movable membranes, and where the movable membranes overlie the cavities, respectively. A plurality of fluid communication channels are disposed in the dielectric structure, where each of the fluid communication channels extend laterally between two neighboring cavities of the cavities, such that each of the cavities are in fluid communication with one another.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2025
    Publication date: July 3, 2025
    Inventors: I-Hsuan Chiu, Chia-Ming Hung, Li-Chun Peng, Hsiang-Fu Chen
  • Publication number: 20250208445
    Abstract: A semiconductor photonics device includes an optical modulator structure and a modulator heater structure in one or more dielectric layers of the semiconductor photonics device. An isolation trench is included around the modulator heater structure to reduce the likelihood of damage to the dielectric layer(s) that might otherwise be caused by thermal stress. The isolation trench may include an air gap through the dielectric layer(s), and the air gap surrounds the modulator heater structure in a top-down view of the semiconductor photonics device. The isolation trench reduces the amount of heat absorbed in the dielectric layer(s) in that the isolation trench thermally isolates the modulator heater structure from the dielectric layer(s). This reduces the likelihood of cracking, delamination, and/or another type of damage to the dielectric layer(s) that might otherwise be caused by thermal stress to the dielectric layer(s).
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 4, 2024
    Publication date: June 26, 2025
    Inventors: Fan HU, YingKit Felix TSUI, Hsiang-Fu CHEN, Chia-Ming HUNG
  • Patent number: 12269735
    Abstract: Various embodiments of the present disclosure are directed towards an integrated chip including an interconnect structure overlying a semiconductor substrate. An upper dielectric structure overlies the interconnect structure. A microelectromechanical system (MEMS) substrate overlies the upper dielectric structure. A cavity is defined between the MEMS substrate and the upper dielectric structure. The MEMS substrate comprises a movable membrane over the cavity. A cavity electrode is disposed in the upper dielectric structure and underlies the cavity. A plurality of stopper structures is disposed in the cavity between the movable membrane and the cavity electrode. A dielectric protection layer is disposed along a top surface of the cavity electrode. The dielectric protection layer has a greater dielectric constant than the upper dielectric structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2025
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Wen-Chuan Tai, Hsiang-Fu Chen, Chia-Ming Hung, I-Hsuan Chiu, Fan Hu
  • Patent number: 12257602
    Abstract: Various embodiments of the present disclosure are directed towards a semiconductor device. The semiconductor device includes an interconnect structure disposed over a semiconductor substrate. A dielectric structure is disposed over the interconnect structure. A plurality of cavities are disposed in the dielectric structure. A microelectromechanical system (MEMS) substrate is disposed over the dielectric structure, where the MEMS substrate comprises a plurality of movable membranes, and where the movable membranes overlie the cavities, respectively. A plurality of fluid communication channels are disposed in the dielectric structure, where each of the fluid communication channels extend laterally between two neighboring cavities of the cavities, such that each of the cavities are in fluid communication with one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2025
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: I-Hsuan Chiu, Chia-Ming Hung, Li-Chun Peng, Hsiang-Fu Chen
  • Publication number: 20250058353
    Abstract: A micro-electromechanical-system (MEMS) device may include a capacitive micromachined ultrasonic transducer (CMUT) that includes an actuation membrane and a sensing dielectric layer that are spaced apart by a cavity. The sensing dielectric layer may be formed such that the thickness of the sensing dielectric layer may extend the operational of the CMUT while enabling the CMUT to accommodate a sufficiently high direct current voltage bias for collapsed mode operation. In this way, the thickness of the sensing dielectric layer enables the CMUT to operate in the collapsed mode, which enables the CMUT to achieve greater sound pressure output relative to other operational modes and enables the frequency response of the CMUT to be adjustable, thereby enabling the frequency response to be optimized for specific use cases and applications.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 16, 2023
    Publication date: February 20, 2025
    Inventors: Chia-Ming HUNG, Wen-Chuan TAI, Chun-Heng CHEN, Shao-Da WANG, Hsiang-Fu CHEN
  • Publication number: 20240413911
    Abstract: Some implementations described herein provide an optical receiver system. The optical receiver system includes optical circuitry that may include a phase shifter device, a demultiplexer device, a power combiner device, and/or a power splitter device. Different combinations of such devices within the optical circuitry may balance and/or reduce photocurrents within the photodiode device to improve a performance (e.g., a bandwidth) of the optical receiver system relative to another optical receiver system that does not include the optical circuitry.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2023
    Publication date: December 12, 2024
    Inventors: Chih-Tsung SHIH, Chia-Ming HUNG, Chi-Yuan SHIH
  • Patent number: 12162749
    Abstract: A semiconductor device and method of manufacturing the device that includes a growth die and a dummy die. The method includes patterning, on an integrated circuit wafer, at one least growth die, and patterning at least one dummy die that is positioned on at least a portion of a circumference of the integrated circuit wafer. The patterned growth and dummy dies are etched on the wafer. A bond wave is initiated at a starting point on the integrated circuit wafer. The starting point is positioned on an edge of the integrated circuit wafer opposite the portion on which the at least one dummy die is patterned. Upon application of pressure at the starting point, a uniform bond wave propagates across the wafers, bonding the two wafers together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2023
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2024
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Kang-Yi Lien, I-Hsuan Chiu, Yi-Chieh Huang, Chia-Ming Hung, Kuan-Chi Tsai, Hsiang-Fu Chen
  • Publication number: 20240395897
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device includes forming a conductive layer over a first substrate, forming at least one circuit element at least partially from a semiconductor material of a second substrate, bonding the first substrate to the second substrate, etching a through via extending through the second substrate to partially expose the conductive layer, depositing at least one conductive material in the through via to form a conductive through via electrically coupled to the conductive layer and over the second substrate to form a first contact structure electrically coupling the conductive through via to the at least one circuit element. The at least one circuit element includes at least one of a Schottky diode, a capacitor, or a resistor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2024
    Publication date: November 28, 2024
    Inventors: Chia-Ming HUNG, I-Hsuan CHIU, Hsiang-Fu CHEN, Kang-Yi LIEN, Chu-Heng CHEN
  • Publication number: 20240375943
    Abstract: Various embodiments of the present disclosure are directed towards an integrated chip including an interconnect structure overlying a semiconductor substrate. An upper dielectric structure overlies the interconnect structure. A microelectromechanical system (MEMS) substrate overlies the upper dielectric structure. A cavity is defined between the MEMS substrate and the upper dielectric structure. The MEMS substrate comprises a movable membrane over the cavity. A cavity electrode is disposed in the upper dielectric structure and underlies the cavity. A plurality of stopper structures is disposed in the cavity between the movable membrane and the cavity electrode. A dielectric protection layer is disposed along a top surface of the cavity electrode. The dielectric protection layer has a greater dielectric constant than the upper dielectric structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2024
    Publication date: November 14, 2024
    Inventors: Wen-Chuan Tai, Hsiang-Fu Chen, Chia-Ming Hung, I-Hsuan Chiu, Fan Hu
  • Patent number: 12139399
    Abstract: Various embodiments of the present disclosure are directed towards a method for forming an integrated chip, where the method includes forming an interconnect structure over a first substrate. A dielectric structure is formed over the interconnect structure. The dielectric structure comprises opposing sidewalls defining an opening. A conductive bonding structure is formed on a second substrate. A bonding process is performed to bond the conductive bonding structure to the interconnect structure. The conductive bonding structure is disposed in the opening. The bonding process defines a first cavity between inner opposing sidewalls of the conductive bonding structure and a second cavity between the conducive bonding structure and the opposing sidewalls of the dielectric structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2024
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hung-Hua Lin, Chia-Ming Hung, Xin-Hua Huang, Yuan-Chih Hsieh
  • Publication number: 20240367965
    Abstract: Various embodiments of the present disclosure are directed towards an integrated chip including a dielectric structure overlying a first substrate. A second substrate overlies the dielectric structure and comprises a movable element. A first bond structure is arranged between the dielectric structure and the second substrate. A second bond structure is arranged between the dielectric structure and the second substrate. At least a portion of the movable element is spaced laterally between sidewalls of the second bond structure. The first bond structure comprises a first material and the second bond structure comprises a second material different form the first material. A thickness of the first bond structure is less than a thickness of the second bond structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2024
    Publication date: November 7, 2024
    Inventors: Hung-Hua Lin, Chia-Ming Hung, Xin-Hua Huang, Yuan-Chih Hsieh
  • Patent number: 11851323
    Abstract: Various embodiments of the present disclosure are directed towards a semiconductor device. The semiconductor device includes an interconnect structure disposed over a semiconductor substrate. A dielectric structure is disposed over the interconnect structure. A first cavity and a second cavity are disposed in the dielectric structure. A microelectromechanical system (MEMS) substrate is disposed over the dielectric structure, where the MEMS substrate comprises a first movable membrane overlying the first cavity and a second movable membrane overlying the second cavity. A first functional structure overlies the first movable membrane, where the first functional structure comprises a first material having a first chemical composition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2023
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hsiang-Fu Chen, Chia-Ming Hung, I-Hsuan Chiu
  • Publication number: 20230406695
    Abstract: Various embodiments of the present disclosure are directed towards a semiconductor device. The semiconductor device includes an interconnect structure disposed over a semiconductor substrate. A dielectric structure is disposed over the interconnect structure. A first cavity and a second cavity are disposed in the dielectric structure. A microelectromechanical system (MEMS) substrate is disposed over the dielectric structure, where the MEMS substrate comprises a first movable membrane overlying the first cavity and a second movable membrane overlying the second cavity. A first functional structure overlies the first movable membrane, where the first functional structure comprises a first material having a first chemical composition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 4, 2023
    Publication date: December 21, 2023
    Inventors: Hsiang-Fu Chen, Chia-Ming Hung, I-Hsuan Chiu
  • Patent number: 11834332
    Abstract: A semiconductor device and method of manufacturing the device that includes a growth die and a dummy die. The method includes patterning, on an integrated circuit wafer, at one least growth die, and patterning at least one dummy die that is positioned on at least a portion of a circumference of the integrated circuit wafer. The patterned growth and dummy dies are etched on the wafer. A bond wave is initiated at a starting point on the integrated circuit wafer. The starting point is positioned on an edge of the integrated circuit wafer opposite the portion on which the at least one dummy die is patterned. Upon application of pressure at the starting point, a uniform bond wave propagates across the wafers, bonding the two wafers together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2023
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Kang-Yi Lien, Kuan-Chi Tsai, Yi-Chieh Huang, Hsiang-Fu Chen, Chia-Ming Hung, I-Hsuan Chiu
  • Publication number: 20230382724
    Abstract: Various embodiments of the present disclosure are directed towards an integrated chip including an interconnect structure overlying a semiconductor substrate. An upper dielectric structure overlies the interconnect structure. A microelectromechanical system (MEMS) substrate overlies the upper dielectric structure. A cavity is defined between the MEMS substrate and the upper dielectric structure. The MEMS substrate comprises a movable membrane over the cavity. A cavity electrode is disposed in the upper dielectric structure and underlies the cavity. A plurality of stopper structures is disposed in the cavity between the movable membrane and the cavity electrode. A dielectric protection layer is disposed along a top surface of the cavity electrode. The dielectric protection layer has a greater dielectric constant than the upper dielectric structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 26, 2022
    Publication date: November 30, 2023
    Inventors: Wen-Chuan Tai, Hsiang-Fu Chen, Chia-Ming Hung, I-Hsuan Chiu, Fan Hu
  • Publication number: 20230382723
    Abstract: A semiconductor device and method of manufacturing the device that includes a growth die and a dummy die. The method includes patterning, on an integrated circuit wafer, at one least growth die, and patterning at least one dummy die that is positioned on at least a portion of a circumference of the integrated circuit wafer. The patterned growth and dummy dies are etched on the wafer. A bond wave is initiated at a starting point on the integrated circuit wafer. The starting point is positioned on an edge of the integrated circuit wafer opposite the portion on which the at least one dummy die is patterned. Upon application of pressure at the starting point, a uniform bond wave propagates across the wafers, bonding the two wafers together.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2023
    Publication date: November 30, 2023
    Inventors: Kang-Yi Lien, I-Hsuan Chiu, Yi-Chieh Huang, Chia-Ming Hung, Kuan-Chi Tsai, Hsiang-Fu Chen
  • Publication number: 20230386948
    Abstract: A semiconductor device and method of forming such a device includes a MEMS component including one or more MEMS pixels and having a MEMS membrane substrate and a MEMS sidewall. The semiconductor device includes an analog circuit component bonded to the MEMS component, and which includes at least one analog CMOS component within an analog circuit insulative layer, and an analog circuit component substrate. The semiconductor device includes an HPC component bonded to the analog circuit component substrate. The HPC component includes at least one HPC metal component disposed within an HPC insulative layer, at least one bond pad, at least one bond pad via connecting the at least one bond pad and the at least one HPC metal component, and an HPC substrate. Additionally, the semiconductor device includes a DTC component bonded to the HPC substrate, and which includes a DTC die disposed in a DTC substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 25, 2022
    Publication date: November 30, 2023
    Inventors: You-Ru Lin, Sheng Kai Yeh, Jen-Yuan Chang, Chi-Yuan Shih, Chia-Ming Hung, Hsiang-Fu Chen, Shih-Fen Huang
  • Publication number: 20230278073
    Abstract: A semiconductor device and method of manufacturing the same that utilizes dielectric pedestals on a sensing electrode. The semiconductor device includes a one or more membranes and an integrated circuit substrate. The integrated circuit substrate includes one or more conductive components disposed within a first dielectric layer on the substrate, with the conductive components interconnected with respective integrated circuit components. The substrate further includes one or more sensing electrodes electrically coupled to the conductive components, and one or more dielectric pedestals positioned within a landing area of the sensing electrode. In addition, the semiconductor device includes at least one cavity that is formed by the membrane positioned over the sensing electrode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2022
    Publication date: September 7, 2023
    Inventors: Kang-Yi Lien, Kuan-Chi Tsai, Yi-Chieh Huang, Hsiang-Fu Chen, Chia-Ming Hung, I-Hsuan Chiu
  • Publication number: 20230282726
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a first substrate having opposite first and second sides, a first conductive layer on the first side of the first substrate, and a second substrate having opposite first and second sides. The second side of the second substrate is bonded to the first side of the first substrate. The second substrate includes a semiconductor material, and at least one circuit element electrically coupled to the first conductive layer. The at least one circuit element includes at least one of a Schottky diode configured by the semiconductor material and a first contact structure, a capacitor having a first electrode of the semiconductor material, or a resistor of the semiconductor material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 14, 2022
    Publication date: September 7, 2023
    Inventors: Chia-Ming HUNG, I-Hsuan CHIU, Hsiang-Fu CHEN, Kang-Yi LIEN, Chu-Heng CHEN