Patents by Inventor Chih-Wei Lu

Chih-Wei Lu 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: 11854965
    Abstract: Some embodiments relate to a method for forming a semiconductor structure, the method includes forming a first dielectric layer over a substrate. A first conductive wire is formed over the first dielectric layer. A spacer structure is formed over the first conductive wire. The spacer structure is disposed along sidewalls of the first conductive wire. A second dielectric layer is deposited over and around the first conductive wire. The spacer structure is spaced between the first conductive wire and the second dielectric layer. A removal process is performed on the spacer structure and the second dielectric layer. An upper surface of the spacer structure is disposed above an upper surface of the first conductive wire.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2023
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yu-Teng Dai, Chung-Ju Lee, Chih Wei Lu, Hsin-Chieh Yao, Hsi-Wen Tien, Wei-Hao Liao
  • Patent number: 11854836
    Abstract: An semiconductor device includes a first dielectric layer, an etch stop layer, an interconnect structure, and a second dielectric layer. The etch stop layer is over the first dielectric layer. The interconnect structure includes a conductive via in the first dielectric layer and the etch stop layer, a conductive line over the conductive via, an intermediate conductive layer over the conductive line, and a conductive pillar over the intermediate conductive layer. The interconnect structure is electrically conductive at least from a top of the conductive pillar to a bottom of the conductive via. The second dielectric layer surrounds the conductive line, the intermediate conductive layer, and the conductive pillar, wherein a bottom of the second dielectric layer is lower than a top of the conductive line, and a top of the second dielectric layer is higher than the top of the conductive line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2023
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2023
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hsi-Wen Tien, Wei-Hao Liao, Chih-Wei Lu, Pin-Ren Dai, Chung-Ju Lee
  • Patent number: 11848207
    Abstract: Semiconductor device and the manufacturing method thereof are disclosed herein. An exemplary method of forming a semiconductor device comprises receiving a structure including a substrate and a first hard mask over the substrate, the first hard mask having at least two separate portions; forming spacers along sidewalls of the at least two portions of the first hard mask with a space between the spacers; forming a second hard mask in the space; forming a first cut in the at least two portions of the first hard mask; forming a second cut in the second hard mask; and depositing a cut hard mask in the first cut and the second cut.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2023
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hsi-Wen Tien, Wei-Hao Liao, Pin-Ren Dai, Chih Wei Lu, Chung-Ju Lee
  • Patent number: 11849645
    Abstract: An integrated circuit includes a substrate, a bottom electrode, a dielectric layer, a metal-containing compound layer, a resistance switching element, and a top electrode. The bottom electrode is over the substrate, the bottom electrode having a bottom portion and a top portion over the bottom portion. The bottom portion of the bottom electrode has a sidewall slanted with respect to a sidewall of the top portion of the bottom electrode. The dielectric layer surrounds the bottom portion of the bottom electrode. The metal-containing compound layer surrounds the top portion of the bottom electrode. A top end of the sidewall of the bottom portion of the bottom electrode is higher than a bottom surface of the metal-containing compound layer. The resistance switching element is over the bottom electrode. The top electrode is over the resistance switching element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2023
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Wei-Hao Liao, Hsi-Wen Tien, Chih-Wei Lu, Pin-Ren Dai, Chung-Ju Lee
  • Patent number: 11842966
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an integrated chip comprising a substrate. A first conductive wire is over the substrate. A second conductive wire is over the substrate and is adjacent to the first conductive wire. A first dielectric cap is laterally between the first conductive wire and the second conductive wire. The first dielectric cap laterally separates the first conductive wire from the second conductive wire. The first dielectric cap includes a first dielectric material. A first cavity is directly below the first dielectric cap and is laterally between the first conductive wire and the second conductive wire. The first cavity is defined by one or more surfaces of the first dielectric cap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2023
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hsin-Chieh Yao, Chung-Ju Lee, Chih Wei Lu, Hsi-Wen Tien, Wei-Hao Liao, Yu-Teng Dai, Hsin-Yen Huang, Chia-Tien Wu
  • Patent number: 11842924
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an integrated chip including a substrate. A first conductive wire is within a first dielectric layer that is over the substrate. A first etch-stop layer is over the first dielectric layer. A second etch-stop layer is over the first etch-stop layer. A conductive via is within a second dielectric layer that is over the second etch-stop layer. The conductive via extends through the second etch-stop layer and along the first etch-stop layer to the first conductive wire. A first lower surface of the second etch-stop layer is on a top surface of the first etch-stop layer. A second lower surface of the second etch-stop layer is on a top surface of the first conductive wire.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2023
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hsi-Wen Tien, Wei-Hao Liao, Yu-Teng Dai, Hsin-Chieh Yao, Chih Wei Lu, Chung-Ju Lee
  • Patent number: 11837546
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an integrated chip comprising a pair of first metal lines over a substrate. A first interlayer dielectric (ILD) layer is laterally between the pair of first metal lines. The first ILD layer comprises a first dielectric material. A pair of spacers are on opposite sides of the first ILD layer and are laterally separated from the first ILD layer by a pair of cavities. The pair of spacers comprise a second dielectric material. Further, the pair of cavities are defined by opposing sidewalls of the first ILD layer and sidewalls of the pair of spacers that face the first ILD layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2023
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Wei-Hao Liao, Chung-Ju Lee, Chih Wei Lu, Hsi-Wen Tien, Yu-Teng Dai
  • Publication number: 20230387022
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a substrate, an interconnect layer disposed over the substrate and including a metal line, and a dielectric layer disposed on the interconnect layer and including a via contact. The via contact is electrically connected to the metal line and has a first dimension in a first direction greater than a second dimension in a second direction. The first direction and the second direction are perpendicular to each other, and are both perpendicular to a longitudinal direction of the via contact.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 26, 2022
    Publication date: November 30, 2023
    Applicant: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Hsi-Wen TIEN, Hwei-Jay CHU, Chia-Tien WU, Yung-Hsu WU, Wei-Hao LIAO, Yu-Teng DAI, Hsin-Chieh YAO, Hsin-Ping CHEN, Chih-Wei LU
  • Publication number: 20230369281
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a semiconductor structure including an interconnect structure disposed over a semiconductor substrate. A lower metal line is disposed at a first height over the semiconductor substrate and extends through a first interlayer dielectric layer. A second interlayer dielectric layer is disposed at a second height over the semiconductor substrate and comprises a first dielectric material. An upper metal line is disposed at a third height over the semiconductor substrate. A via is disposed at the second height. The via extends between the lower metal line and the upper metal line. A protective dielectric structure is disposed at the second height. The protective dielectric structure comprises a protective dielectric material and is disposed along a first set of opposing sidewalls of the via, the protective dielectric material differing from the first dielectric material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2023
    Publication date: November 16, 2023
    Inventors: Hsin-Chieh Yao, Chung-Ju Lee, Chih Wei Lu, Hsi-Wen Tien, Yu-Teng Dai, Wei-Hao Liao
  • Publication number: 20230369231
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an integrated chip comprising a substrate. A first conductive wire is over the substrate. A second conductive wire is over the substrate and is adjacent to the first conductive wire. A first dielectric cap is laterally between the first conductive wire and the second conductive wire. The first dielectric cap laterally separates the first conductive wire from the second conductive wire. The first dielectric cap includes a first dielectric material. A first cavity is directly below the first dielectric cap and is laterally between the first conductive wire and the second conductive wire. The first cavity is defined by one or more surfaces of the first dielectric cap.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2023
    Publication date: November 16, 2023
    Inventors: Hsin-Chieh Yao, Chung-Ju Lee, Chih Wei Lu, Hsi-Wen Tien, Wei-Hao Liao, Yu-Teng Dai, Hsin-Yen Huang, Chia-Tien Wu
  • Publication number: 20230369108
    Abstract: Some embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a semiconductor structure including a first conductive wire disposed over a substrate. A dielectric liner is arranged along sidewalls and an upper surface of the first conductive wire and is laterally surrounded by a first dielectric layer. The dielectric liner and the first dielectric layer are different materials. A conductive via is disposed within a second dielectric layer over the first conductive wire. The conductive via has a first lower surface disposed over the first dielectric layer and a second lower surface below the first lower surface and over the first conductive wire.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2023
    Publication date: November 16, 2023
    Inventors: Wei-Hao Liao, Hsi-Wen Tien, Chih Wei Lu, Yu-Teng Dai, Hsin-Chieh Yao, Chung-Ju Lee
  • Publication number: 20230369099
    Abstract: A semiconductor arrangement is provided. The semiconductor arrangement includes a first dielectric layer over a substrate, a metal layer over the first dielectric layer, a first conductive structure passing through the metal layer and the first dielectric layer, a second conductive structure passing through the metal layer and the first dielectric layer, and a third conductive structure coupling the first conductive structure to the second conductive structure, and overlying a first portion of the metal layer between the first conductive structure and the second conductive structure, wherein an interface exists between the metal layer and at least one of the first conductive structure or the second conductive structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2023
    Publication date: November 16, 2023
    Inventors: Hsi-Wen TIEN, Wei-Hao LIAO, Pin-Ren DAI, Chih Wei LU, Chung-Ju LEE
  • Publication number: 20230369228
    Abstract: A circuit device having an interlayer dielectric with pillar-type air gaps and a method of forming the circuit device are disclosed. In an exemplary embodiment, the method comprises receiving a substrate and depositing a first layer over the substrate. A copolymer layer that includes a first constituent polymer and a second constituent polymer is formed over the first layer. The first constituent polymer is selectively removed from the copolymer layer. A first region of the first layer corresponding to the selectively removed first constituent polymer is etched. The etching leaves a second region of the first layer underlying the second constituent polymer unetched. A metallization process is performed on the etched substrate, and the first layer is removed from the second region to form an air gap. The method may further comprise depositing a dielectric material within the etched first region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2023
    Publication date: November 16, 2023
    Inventors: Chih Wei Lu, Chung-Ju Lee, Tien-I Bao
  • Publication number: 20230361029
    Abstract: An interconnect structure includes a dielectric layer, a first conductive feature, a second conductive feature, a third conductive feature, and a dielectric fill. The first conductive feature is disposed in the dielectric layer. The second conductive feature is disposed over the first conductive feature. The second conductive feature includes a first conductive layer disposed over the first conductive feature, a second conductive layer disposed on the first conductive layer, and a third conductive layer disposed on the second conductive layer. The first conductive layer, the second conductive layer and the third conductive layer have substantially the same width. The third conductive feature is disposed over the dielectric layer. The dielectric fill is disposed over the dielectric layer between the second conductive feature and the third conductive feature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 20, 2023
    Publication date: November 9, 2023
    Inventors: Wei-Hao Liao, Hsi-Wen Tien, Yu-Teng Dai, Chih Wei Lu, Hsin-Chieh Yao, Chung-Ju Lee
  • Patent number: 11798910
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a semiconductor structure including an interconnect structure disposed over a semiconductor substrate. A lower metal line is disposed at a first height over the semiconductor substrate and extends through a first interlayer dielectric layer. A second interlayer dielectric layer is disposed at a second height over the semiconductor substrate and comprises a first dielectric material. An upper metal line is disposed at a third height over the semiconductor substrate. A via is disposed at the second height. The via extends between the lower metal line and the upper metal line. A protective dielectric structure is disposed at the second height. The protective dielectric structure comprises a protective dielectric material and is disposed along a first set of opposing sidewalls of the via, the protective dielectric material differing from the first dielectric material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2023
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hsin-Chieh Yao, Chung-Ju Lee, Chih Wei Lu, Hsi-Wen Tien, Yu-Teng Dai, Wei-Hao Liao
  • Patent number: 11798840
    Abstract: Some embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a semiconductor structure including a first conductive wire disposed over a substrate. A dielectric liner is arranged along sidewalls and an upper surface of the first conductive wire and is laterally surrounded by a first dielectric layer. The dielectric liner and the first dielectric layer are different materials. A conductive via is disposed within a second dielectric layer over the first conductive wire. The conductive via has a first lower surface disposed over the first dielectric layer and a second lower surface below the first lower surface and over the first conductive wire.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2023
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Wei-Hao Liao, Hsi-Wen Tien, Chih Wei Lu, Yu-Teng Dai, Hsin-Chieh Yao, Chung-Ju Lee
  • Publication number: 20230335608
    Abstract: A semiconductor structure includes a substrate, a gate structure, source/drain epitaxial structures, a contact structure, a first via structure, a metal line, a hard mask layer, a spacer layer, and a second via structure. The gate structure is formed over the substrate. The source/drain epitaxial structures are formed on opposite sides of the gate structure. The contact structure is formed over one of the source/drain epitaxial structures. The first via structure is formed over the contact structure. The metal line is electrically connected to the first via structure. The hard mask layer is formed over the metal line. The spacer layer is formed over a top surface of the hard mask layer and over a sidewall of metal line. The second via structure is formed over the metal line through the spacer layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2023
    Publication date: October 19, 2023
    Applicant: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Wei-Hao LIAO, Hsi-Wen TIEN, Chih-Wei LU, Yu-Teng DAI, Hsin-Chieh YAO, Chung-Ju LEE
  • Publication number: 20230337545
    Abstract: An MRAM device includes a bottom electrode over a substrate, a magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ) structure on the bottom electrode and a top electrode on the MTJ structure. The MRAM device also includes spacers on sidewalls of the top electrode and the MTJ structure. The MRAM device further includes a first etch stop layer on the spacers. A bottommost surface of the first etch stop layer covers a topmost surface of the spacers. In addition, the MRAM device includes a top electrode via on the top electrode and the first etch stop layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 16, 2023
    Publication date: October 19, 2023
    Applicant: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Wei-Hao LIAO, Hsi-Wen TIEN, Chih-Wei LU, Pin-Ren DAI, Chung-Ju LEE
  • Patent number: 11776845
    Abstract: A semiconductor arrangement is provided. The semiconductor arrangement includes a first dielectric layer over a substrate, a metal layer over the first dielectric layer, a first conductive structure passing through the metal layer and the first dielectric layer, a second conductive structure passing through the metal layer and the first dielectric layer, and a third conductive structure coupling the first conductive structure to the second conductive structure, and overlying a first portion of the metal layer between the first conductive structure and the second conductive structure, wherein an interface exists between the metal layer and at least one of the first conductive structure or the second conductive structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY LIMITED
    Inventors: Hsi-Wen Tien, Wei-Hao Liao, Pin-Ren Dai, Chih Wei Lu, Chung-Ju Lee
  • Publication number: 20230300989
    Abstract: A circuit board etching device for improving etching factor, comprising: a circuit board conveying device, which laterally conveys a circuit board; a circuit forming etching tank and a first etchant spraying unit, the first etchant spraying unit sprays a first etchant on the etching surface of the circuit board; and a circuit modification etching tank and a second etchant spraying unit, the second etchant spraying unit sprays a second etchant on the etching surface of the circuit board, and make the etching speed of the circuit modification etching tank slower than the etching speed of the circuit forming etching tank, whereby having the effect of improving the etching factor of the circuit board
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 14, 2022
    Publication date: September 21, 2023
    Inventors: PATRICK LU, CHIH WEI LU