Patents by Inventor Chien-Mao Chen

Chien-Mao Chen 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: 11894279
    Abstract: Present disclosure provides a semiconductor stress monitoring structure, including a substrate, first conductive segments over the substrate, second conductive segments and a sensing structure proximate to the substrate. The first conductive segments are arranged parallel to each other. The second conductive segments are arranged below the first conductive segments and parallel to each other. The first conductive segments and the second conductive segments extend in the same direction. The sensing structure is configured to respond to a stress caused by the first conductive segments and the second conductive segments and generate a monitoring signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2024
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY LTD.
    Inventor: Chien-Mao Chen
  • Publication number: 20230397509
    Abstract: In an embodiment, a method includes: growing a phase change material on a platform configured for a semiconductor workpiece process; setting the phase change material to an amorphous state; performing the semiconductor workpiece process within a semiconductor processing chamber; and measuring resistance across two points along the phase change material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2023
    Publication date: December 7, 2023
    Inventors: Chien-Mao CHEN, Hung-Jen HSU
  • Patent number: 11812674
    Abstract: In an embodiment, a method includes: growing a phase change material on a platform configured for a semiconductor workpiece process; setting the phase change material to an amorphous state; performing the semiconductor workpiece process within a semiconductor processing chamber; and measuring resistance across two points along the phase change material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2023
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chien-Mao Chen, Hung-Jen Hsu
  • Publication number: 20230290675
    Abstract: A method includes: forming a first conductive structure in a first dielectric layer; forming a conductive protection structure that is coupled to at least part of the first conductive structure; forming a second dielectric layer over the first dielectric layer; forming a via hole extending through at least part of the second dielectric layer to expose a portion of the conductive protection structure; cleaning the via hole; and refilling the via hole with a conductive material to form a via structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 12, 2023
    Publication date: September 14, 2023
    Inventors: Hung-Chih Yu, Chien-Mao Chen
  • Publication number: 20230268340
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes: a metal thin film disposed on a semiconductor substrate; and first and second contact structures disposed on the metal thin film, wherein the first and second contact structures are laterally spaced from each other by a dummy layer that comprises at least one polishing resistance material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 28, 2023
    Publication date: August 24, 2023
    Inventors: Hung-Chih YU, Chien-Mao Chen
  • Patent number: 11705393
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes: a plurality of vertical conductive structures, wherein each of the plurality of vertical conductive structures extends through an isolation layer; and an insulated extension disposed horizontally between a first one and a second one of the plurality of vertical conductive structures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2023
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hung-Chih Yu, Chien-Mao Chen
  • Patent number: 11676853
    Abstract: A method includes: forming a first conductive structure in a first dielectric layer; forming a conductive protection structure that is coupled to at least part of the first conductive structure; forming a second dielectric layer over the first dielectric layer; forming a via hole extending through at least part of the second dielectric layer to expose a portion of the conductive protection structure; cleaning the via hole; and refilling the via hole with a conductive material to form a via structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2023
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hung-Chih Yu, Chien-Mao Chen
  • Patent number: 11670632
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes: a metal thin film disposed on a semiconductor substrate; and first and second contact structures disposed on the metal thin film, wherein the first and second contact structures are laterally spaced from each other by a dummy layer that comprises at least one polishing resistance material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hung-Chih Yu, Chien-Mao Chen
  • Publication number: 20220367300
    Abstract: Present disclosure provides a semiconductor stress monitoring structure, including a substrate, first conductive segments over the substrate, second conductive segments and a sensing structure proximate to the substrate. The first conductive segments are arranged parallel to each other. The second conductive segments are arranged below the first conductive segments and parallel to each other. The first conductive segments and the second conductive segments extend in the same direction. The sensing structure is configured to respond to a stress caused by the first conductive segments and the second conductive segments and generate a monitoring signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2022
    Publication date: November 17, 2022
    Inventor: CHIEN-MAO CHEN
  • Patent number: 11456223
    Abstract: Present disclosure provides a semiconductor stress monitoring structure, including a substrate, first conductive segments, second conductive segments, and a sensing structure. The first conductive segments are over the substrate and arranged parallel to each other. The second conductive segments are arranged below the first conductive segments and parallel to each other. The sensing structure is proximate to the substrate. The sensing structure is configured to respond to a stress caused by the first conductive segments and the second conductive segments and generate a monitoring signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2022
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY LTD.
    Inventor: Chien-Mao Chen
  • Publication number: 20220115277
    Abstract: Present disclosure provides a semiconductor stress monitoring structure, including a substrate, first conductive segments, second conductive segments, and a sensing structure. The first conductive segments are over the substrate and arranged parallel to each other. The second conductive segments are arranged below the first conductive segments and parallel to each other. The sensing structure is proximate to the substrate. The sensing structure is configured to respond to a stress caused by the first conductive segments and the second conductive segments and generate a monitoring signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 14, 2020
    Publication date: April 14, 2022
    Inventor: CHIEN-MAO CHEN
  • Publication number: 20210327808
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes: a plurality of vertical conductive structures, wherein each of the plurality of vertical conductive structures extends through an isolation layer; and an insulated extension disposed horizontally between a first one and a second one of the plurality of vertical conductive structures.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2021
    Publication date: October 21, 2021
    Inventors: Hung-Chih YU, Chien-Mao CHEN
  • Publication number: 20210288254
    Abstract: In an embodiment, a method includes: growing a phase change material on a platform configured for a semiconductor workpiece process; setting the phase change material to an amorphous state; performing the semiconductor workpiece process within a semiconductor processing chamber; and measuring resistance across two points along the phase change material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2021
    Publication date: September 16, 2021
    Inventors: Chien-Mao Chen, Hung-Jen Hsu
  • Patent number: 11121056
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a semiconductive substrate, a dielectric stack disposed over the semiconductive substrate, a probe pad formed on the dielectric stack, a test key embedded in the semiconductor device and a single via string stacking extending along a direction from a level of the probe pad to the semiconductive substrate and electrically connecting the periphery of the probe pad to the test key. A semiconductor device includes a semiconductive substrate, a dielectric stack, a probe pad, a test key, an extension segment electrically connected to the periphery of the probe pad and laterally extending from the probe pad from a top view, and a single via string stacking extending along a direction from the probe pad to the semiconductive substrate and electrically connecting the extension segment to the test key. The single via string stacking and the probe pad are laterally offset from a top view.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2021
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY LTD.
    Inventor: Chien-Mao Chen
  • Patent number: 11094579
    Abstract: A method of forming a semiconductor structure includes depositing a mask layer over a substrate. The method includes etching the substrate to define a first opening. The method includes depositing a sacrificial material in the first opening. The method includes depositing a dielectric liner along sidewalls of the first opening, wherein a bottom surface of the dielectric liner contacts the sacrificial material. The method includes removing the sacrificial material. The method includes etching the substrate to enlarge the first opening to define a second opening. The second opening includes a first portion extending a first depth from the dielectric material in a first direction perpendicular to a top surface of the substrate, and a second portion extending in a second direction, parallel to the top surface of the substrate. The method includes removing the dielectric liner. The method includes filling the second opening with a dielectric material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2021
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Yen-Bin Huang, Chien-Mao Chen, Yu-Hsuan Kuo, Shih-Kai Fan, Chia-Hung Lai, Kang-Min Kuo
  • Patent number: 11056428
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes: a plurality of vertical conductive structures, wherein each of the plurality of vertical conductive structures extends through an isolation layer; and an insulated extension disposed horizontally between a first one and a second one of the plurality of vertical conductive structures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2021
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hung-Chih Yu, Chien-Mao Chen
  • Patent number: 11031556
    Abstract: In an embodiment, a method includes: growing a phase change material on a platform configured for a semiconductor workpiece process; setting the phase change material to an amorphous state; performing the semiconductor workpiece process within a semiconductor processing chamber; and measuring resistance across two points along the phase change material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2021
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chien-Mao Chen, Hung-Jen Hsu
  • Publication number: 20210013197
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes: a metal thin film disposed on a semiconductor substrate; and first and second contact structures disposed on the metal thin film, wherein the first and second contact structures are laterally spaced from each other by a dummy layer that comprises at least one polishing resistance material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2020
    Publication date: January 14, 2021
    Inventors: Hung-Chih YU, Chien-Mao Chen
  • Publication number: 20200357685
    Abstract: A method includes: forming a first conductive structure in a first dielectric layer; forming a conductive protection structure that is coupled to at least part of the first conductive structure; forming a second dielectric layer over the first dielectric layer; forming a via hole extending through at least part of the second dielectric layer to expose a portion of the conductive protection structure; cleaning the via hole; and refilling the via hole with a conductive material to form a via structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2020
    Publication date: November 12, 2020
    Inventors: Hung-Chih YU, Chien-Mao Chen
  • Publication number: 20200286774
    Abstract: A method of forming a semiconductor structure includes depositing a mask layer over a substrate. The method includes etching the substrate to define a first opening. The method includes depositing a sacrificial material in the first opening. The method includes depositing a dielectric liner along sidewalls of the first opening, wherein a bottom surface of the dielectric liner contacts the sacrificial material. The method includes removing the sacrificial material. The method includes etching the substrate to enlarge the first opening to define a second opening. The second opening includes a first portion extending a first depth from the dielectric material in a first direction perpendicular to a top surface of the substrate, and a second portion extending in a second direction, parallel to the top surface of the substrate. The method includes removing the dielectric liner. The method includes filling the second opening with a dielectric material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 26, 2020
    Publication date: September 10, 2020
    Inventors: Yen-Bin HUANG, Chien-Mao CHEN, Yu-Hsuan KUO, Shih-Kai FAN, Chia-Hung LAI, Kang-Min KUO