Patents by Inventor Chia-Shiung Tsai

Chia-Shiung Tsai 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: 20240249974
    Abstract: A method of forming a semiconductor-on-insulator (SOI) substrate includes: forming a first dielectric layer on a first substrate; forming a buffer layer on a second substrate; forming a semiconductor cap on the buffer layer over the second substrate; forming a cleavage plane in the buffer layer; forming a second dielectric layer on the semiconductor cap after forming the cleavage plane; bonding the second dielectric layer on the second substrate to the first dielectric layer on the first substrate; performing a splitting process along the cleavage plane in the buffer layer; removing a first split buffer layer from the semiconductor cap; and removing a second split buffer layer from the second substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2024
    Publication date: July 25, 2024
    Applicant: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Chi-Ming Chen, Eugene I-Chun Chen, Chia-Shiung Tsai
  • Patent number: 12021066
    Abstract: A structure includes first and second substrates, first and second stress buffer layers, and a post-passivation interconnect (PPI) structure. The first and second substrates include first and second semiconductor substrates and first and second interconnect structures on the first and second semiconductor substrates, respectively. The second interconnect structure is on a first side of the second semiconductor substrate. The first substrate is bonded to the second substrate at a bonding interface. A via extends at least through the second semiconductor substrate into the second interconnect structure. The first stress buffer layer is on a second side of the second semiconductor substrate opposite from the first side of the second semiconductor substrate. The PPI structure is on the first stress buffer layer and is electrically coupled to the via. The second stress buffer layer is on the PPI structure and the first stress buffer layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2024
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Chen-Fa Lu, Cheng-Yuan Tsai, Yeur-Luen Tu, Chia-Shiung Tsai
  • Patent number: 12002813
    Abstract: A method for forming an SOI substrate is provided. The method includes following operations. A recycle substrate is received. A first multilayered structure is formed on the recycle substrate. A trench is formed in the first multilayered structure. A lateral etching is performed to remove portions of sidewalls of the trench to form a recess in the first multilayered structure. The trench and the recess are sealed with an epitaxial layer, and a potential cracking interface is formed in the first multilayered structure. A second multilayered structure is formed over the first multilayered structure. The device layer of the recycle substrate is bonded to an insulator layer over an carrier substrate. The first multilayered structure is cleaved along the potential cracking interface to separate the recycle substrate from the second multilayered structure, the insulator layer and the carrier substrate. The device layer is exposed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2024
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY LTD.
    Inventors: Yu-Hung Cheng, Ching I Li, Chia-Shiung Tsai
  • Publication number: 20240178263
    Abstract: A device includes two BSI image sensor elements and a third element. The third element is bonded in between the two BSI image sensor elements using element level stacking methods. Each of the BSI image sensor elements includes a substrate and a metal stack disposed over a first side of the substrate. The substrate of the BSI image sensor element includes a photodiode region for accumulating an image charge in response to radiation incident upon a second side of the substrate. The third element also includes a substrate and a metal stack disposed over a first side of the substrate. The metal stacks of the two BSI image sensor elements and the third element are electrically coupled.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 5, 2024
    Publication date: May 30, 2024
    Inventors: Ping-Yin Liu, Yeur-Luen Tu, Chia-Shiung Tsai, Xiaomeng Chen, Pin-Nan Tseng
  • Publication number: 20240170326
    Abstract: A manufacturing method of a semiconductor device includes at least the following steps. A sacrificial substrate is provided. An etch stop layer is formed on the sacrificial substrate. A portion of the etch stop layer is oxidized to form an oxide layer between the sacrificial substrate and the remaining etch stop layer. A capping layer is formed on the remaining etch stop layer. A device layer is formed on the capping layer. A first etching process is performed to remove the sacrificial substrate. A second etching process is performed to remove the oxide layer. A third etching process is performed to remove the remaining etch stop layer. A power rail is formed on the capping layer opposite to the device layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2024
    Publication date: May 23, 2024
    Applicant: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Chi-Ming Chen, Kuei-Ming Chen, Po-Chun Liu, Chung-Yi Yu, Chia-Shiung Tsai
  • Patent number: 11955374
    Abstract: A method of forming a semiconductor-on-insulator (SOI) substrate includes: forming a first dielectric layer on a first substrate; forming a buffer layer on a second substrate; forming a semiconductor cap on the buffer layer over the second substrate; forming a cleavage plane in the buffer layer; forming a second dielectric layer on the semiconductor cap after forming the cleavage plane; bonding the second dielectric layer on the second substrate to the first dielectric layer on the first substrate; performing a splitting process along the cleavage plane in the buffer layer; removing a first split buffer layer from the semiconductor cap; and removing a second split buffer layer from the second substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2024
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Chi-Ming Chen, Eugene I-Chun Chen, Chia-Shiung Tsai
  • Publication number: 20240094464
    Abstract: A semiconductor-on-insulator (SOI) structure and a method for forming the SOI structure. The method includes forming a first dielectric layer on a first semiconductor layer. A second semiconductor layer is formed over an etch stop layer. A cleaning solution is provided to a first surface of the first dielectric layer. The first dielectric layer is bonded under the second semiconductor layer in an environment having a substantially low pressure. An index guiding layer may be formed over the second semiconductor layer. A third semiconductor layer is formed over the second semiconductor layer. A distance between a top of the third semiconductor layer and a bottom of the second semiconductor layer varies between a maximum distance and a minimum distance. A planarization process is performed on the third semiconductor layer to reduce the maximum distance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 3, 2023
    Publication date: March 21, 2024
    Inventors: Eugene I-Chun Chen, Kuan-Liang Liu, De-Yang Chiou, Yung-Lung Lin, Chia-Shiung Tsai
  • Publication number: 20240087879
    Abstract: A method includes performing a plasma activation on a surface of a first package component, removing oxide regions from surfaces of metal pads of the first package component, and performing a pre-bonding to bond the first package component to a second package component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2023
    Publication date: March 14, 2024
    Inventors: Xin-Hua Huang, Ping-Yin Liu, Hung-Hua Lin, Hsun-Chung Kuang, Yuan-Chih Hsieh, Lan-Lin Chao, Chia-Shiung Tsai, Xiaomeng Chen
  • Patent number: 11923237
    Abstract: A manufacturing method of a semiconductor device includes at least the following steps. A sacrificial substrate is provided. An epitaxial layer is formed on the sacrificial substrate. An etch stop layer is formed on the epitaxial layer. Carbon atoms are implanted into the etch stop layer. A capping layer and a device layer are formed on the etch stop layer. A handle substrate is bonded to the device layer. The sacrificial substrate, the epitaxial layer, and the etch stop layer having the carbon atoms are removed from the handle substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2024
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Chi-Ming Chen, Kuei-Ming Chen, Po-Chun Liu, Chung-Yi Yu, Chia-Shiung Tsai
  • Patent number: 11925033
    Abstract: In some embodiments, the present disclosure relates to an integrated chip that includes a first and second transistors arranged over a substrate. The first transistor includes first channel structures extending between first and second source/drain regions. A first gate electrode is arranged between the first channel structures, and a first protection layer is arranged over a topmost one of the first channel structures. The second transistor includes second channel structures extending between the second source/drain region and a third source/drain region. A second gate electrode is arranged between the second channel structures, and a second protection layer is arranged over a topmost one of the second channel structures. The integrated chip further includes a first interconnect structure arranged between the substrate and the first and second channel structures, and a contact plug structure coupled to the second source/drain region and arranged above the first and second gate electrodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2024
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kuan-Liang Liu, Sheng-Chau Chen, Chung-Liang Cheng, Chia-Shiung Tsai, Yeong-Jyh Lin, Pinyen Lin, Huang-Lin Chao
  • Patent number: 11894408
    Abstract: A device includes two BSI image sensor elements and a third element. The third element is bonded in between the two BSI image sensor elements using element level stacking methods. Each of the BSI image sensor elements includes a substrate and a metal stack disposed over a first side of the substrate. The substrate of the BSI image sensor element includes a photodiode region for accumulating an image charge in response to radiation incident upon a second side of the substrate. The third element also includes a substrate and a metal stack disposed over a first side of the substrate. The metal stacks of the two BSI image sensor elements and the third element are electrically coupled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2024
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Ping-Yin Liu, Yeur-Luen Tu, Chia-Shiung Tsai, Xiaomeng Chen, Pin-Nan Tseng
  • Publication number: 20240030134
    Abstract: Some implementations described herein provide a semiconductor device and methods of formation. The semiconductor device includes a transistor structure that is electrically connected to a metal layer. Described techniques include forming an interconnect structure that electrically connects the metal layer to a backside power rail structure. The techniques include forming a first portion of the interconnect structure using a layer of silicon germanium as an etch stop and, after removal of the layer of the silicon germanium, forming a second portion of the interconnect structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 22, 2022
    Publication date: January 25, 2024
    Inventors: Chung-Liang CHENG, Chia-Shiung TSAI, Sheng-Chau CHEN
  • Publication number: 20240021719
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a substrate and a seed layer over the substrate. The seed layer includes a first seed sublayer having a first lattice structure, wherein the first seed sublayer includes AlN, and the first seed sublayer is doped with carbon, and a second seed sublayer over the first seed layer, wherein the second seed layer has a second lattice structure different from the first lattice structure, and a thickness of the second seed sublayer ranges from about 50 nanometers (nm) to about 200 nm. The semiconductor device further includes a graded layer over the seed layer. The graded layer includes a first graded sublayer including AlGaN, having a first Al:Ga ratio; and a second graded sublayer over the first graded sublayer, wherein the second graded sublayer includes AlGaN having a second Al:Ga ratio. The semiconductor device further includes a two-dimensional electron gas (2-DEG) over the graded layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2023
    Publication date: January 18, 2024
    Inventors: Chi-Ming CHEN, Po-Chun LIU, Chung-Yi YU, Chia-Shiung TSAI, Ru-Liang LEE
  • Patent number: 11856750
    Abstract: A semiconductor arrangement includes a logic region and a memory region. The memory region has an active region that includes a semiconductor device. The memory region also has a capacitor within one or more dielectric layers over the active region, where the capacitor is over the semiconductor device. The semiconductor arrangement also includes a protective ring within at least one of the logic region or the memory region and that separates the logic region from the memory region. The capacitor has a first electrode, a second electrode and an insulating layer between the first electrode and the second electrode, where the first electrode is substantially larger than other portions of the capacitor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2023
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY LIMITED
    Inventors: Chern-Yow Hsu, Chen-Jong Wang, Chia-Shiung Tsai, Shih-Chang Liu, Xiaomeng Chen
  • Patent number: 11854795
    Abstract: A method includes performing a plasma activation on a surface of a first package component, removing oxide regions from surfaces of metal pads of the first package component, and performing a pre-bonding to bond the first package component to a second package component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2023
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Xin-Hua Huang, Ping-Yin Liu, Hung-Hua Lin, Hsun-Chung Kuang, Yuan-Chih Hsieh, Lan-Lin Chao, Chia-Shiung Tsai, Xiaomeng Chen
  • Patent number: 11855159
    Abstract: Various embodiments of the present application are directed to a method for forming a thin semiconductor-on-insulator (SOI) substrate without implantation radiation and/or plasma damage. In some embodiments, a device layer is epitaxially formed on a sacrificial substrate and an insulator layer is formed on the device layer. The insulator layer may, for example, be formed with a net charge that is negative or neutral. The sacrificial substrate is bonded to a handle substrate, such that the device layer and the insulator layer are between the sacrificial and handle substrates. The sacrificial substrate is removed, and the device layer is cyclically thinned until the device layer has a target thickness. Each thinning cycle comprises oxidizing a portion of the device layer and removing oxide resulting from the oxidizing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2023
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Cheng-Ta Wu, Chia-Shiung Tsai, Jiech-Fun Lu, Kuo-Hwa Tzeng, Shih-Pei Chou, Yu-Hung Cheng, Yeur-Luen Tu
  • Publication number: 20230389335
    Abstract: In some embodiments, the present disclosure relates to an integrated chip that includes a first and second transistors arranged over a substrate. The first transistor includes first channel structures extending between first and second source/drain regions. A first gate electrode is arranged between the first channel structures, and a first protection layer is arranged over a topmost one of the first channel structures. The second transistor includes second channel structures extending between the second source/drain region and a third source/drain region. A second gate electrode is arranged between the second channel structures, and a second protection layer is arranged over a topmost one of the second channel structures. The integrated chip further includes a first interconnect structure arranged between the substrate and the first and second channel structures, and a contact plug structure coupled to the second source/drain region and arranged above the first and second gate electrodes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2023
    Publication date: November 30, 2023
    Inventors: Kuan-Liang Liu, Sheng-Chau Chen, Chung-Liang Cheng, Chia-Shiung Tsai, Yeong-Jyh Lin, Pinyen Lin, Huang-Lin Chao
  • Patent number: 11830764
    Abstract: Various embodiments of the present application are directed towards a method for forming a semiconductor-on-insulator (SOI) substrate with a thick device layer and a thick insulator layer. In some embodiments, the method includes forming an insulator layer covering a handle substrate, and epitaxially forming a device layer on a sacrificial substrate. The sacrificial substrate is bonded to a handle substrate, such that the device layer and the insulator layer are between the sacrificial and handle substrates, and the sacrificial substrate is removed. The removal includes performing an etch into the sacrificial substrate until the device layer is reached. Because the device layer is formed by epitaxy and transferred to the handle substrate, the device layer may be formed with a large thickness. Further, because the epitaxy is not affected by the thickness of the insulator layer, the insulator layer may be formed with a large thickness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2023
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Cheng-Ta Wu, Chia-Shiung Tsai, Jiech-Fun Lu, Kuan-Liang Liu, Shih-Pei Chou, Yu-Hung Cheng, Yeur-Luen Tu
  • Publication number: 20230377946
    Abstract: A manufacturing method of a semiconductor device includes at least the following steps. A sacrificial substrate is provided. An epitaxial layer is formed on the sacrificial substrate. An etch stop layer is formed on the epitaxial layer. Carbon atoms are implanted into the etch stop layer. A capping layer and a device layer are formed on the etch stop layer. A handle substrate is bonded to the device layer. The sacrificial substrate, the epitaxial layer, and the etch stop layer having the carbon atoms are removed from the handle substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2023
    Publication date: November 23, 2023
    Applicant: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Chi-Ming Chen, Kuei-Ming Chen, Po-Chun Liu, Chung-Yi Yu, Chia-Shiung Tsai
  • Publication number: 20230377948
    Abstract: Various embodiments of the present application are directed towards a method for forming a semiconductor-on-insulator (SOI) substrate with a thick device layer and a thick insulator layer. In some embodiments, the method includes forming an insulator layer covering a handle substrate, and epitaxially forming a device layer on a sacrificial substrate. The sacrificial substrate is bonded to a handle substrate, such that the device layer and the insulator layer are between the sacrificial and handle substrates, and the sacrificial substrate is removed. The removal includes performing an etch into the sacrificial substrate until the device layer is reached. Because the device layer is formed by epitaxy and transferred to the handle substrate, the device layer may be formed with a large thickness. Further, because the epitaxy is not affected by the thickness of the insulator layer, the insulator layer may be formed with a large thickness.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 4, 2023
    Publication date: November 23, 2023
    Inventors: Cheng-Ta Wu, Chia-Shiung Tsai, Jiech-Fun Lu, Kuan-Liang Liu, Shih-Pei Chou, Yu-Hung Cheng, Yeur-Luen Tu