Patents by Inventor Chin-Szu Lee
Chin-Szu Lee 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).
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Patent number: 11022437Abstract: A leveling sensor, a load port including a leveling sensor, and a method of leveling a load port using a load port are disclosed. In an embodiment, a sensor includes an accelerometer configured to detect leveling and vibration of a load port and produce a plurality of data; a plurality of indicator lights configured to display a level measurement and a level direction based on the leveling of the load port; a processor configured to process the data produced by the accelerometer; and a wired connection configured to connect the processor to an external device.Type: GrantFiled: January 13, 2020Date of Patent: June 1, 2021Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.Inventors: Yi-Lin Wang, Jung-Tang Wu, Chin-Szu Lee, Hua-Sheng Chiu
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Patent number: 11024801Abstract: The present disclosure describes an exemplary method that can prevent or reduce out-diffusion of Cu from interconnect layers to magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ) structures. The method includes forming an interconnect layer over a substrate that includes an interlayer dielectric stack with openings therein; disposing a metal in the openings to form corresponding conductive structures; and selectively depositing a diffusion barrier layer on the metal. In the method, selectively depositing the diffusion barrier layer includes pre-treating the surface of the metal; disposing a precursor to selectively form a partially-decomposed precursor layer on the metal; and exposing the partially-decomposed precursor layer to a plasma to form the diffusion barrier layer. The method further includes forming an MTJ structure on the interconnect layer over the diffusion barrier layer, where the bottom electrode of the MTJ structure is aligned to the diffusion barrier layer.Type: GrantFiled: December 5, 2018Date of Patent: June 1, 2021Inventors: Jung-Tang Wu, Jui-Hung Ho, Chin-Szu Lee, Meng-Yu Wu, Szu-Hua Wu
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Patent number: 10998219Abstract: A wafer support device includes a susceptor, at least one lift pin, at least one lift pin support base and at least one pad. The susceptor has a bottom surface and a top surface configured to support a wafer. The susceptor has at least one through hole extending between the bottom surface and the top surface. The lift pin is at least partially telescopically received in the through hole of the susceptor. The lift pin support base has at least one coupling feature thereon. The pad is detachably coupled with the coupling feature and supports the lift pin.Type: GrantFiled: June 13, 2016Date of Patent: May 4, 2021Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.Inventors: Zong-Han Hu, Yu-Shan Shih, Chen-Liang Chang, Chin-Szu Lee
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Patent number: 10991876Abstract: Methods of forming magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ) memory cells used in a magneto-resistive random access memory (MRAM) array are provided. A pre-clean process is performed to remove a metal oxide layer that may form on the top surface of the bottom electrodes of MTJ memory cells during the time the bottom electrode can be exposed to air prior to depositing MTJ layers. The pre-clean processes may include a remote plasma process wherein the metal oxide reacts with hydrogen radicals generated in the remote plasma.Type: GrantFiled: October 31, 2018Date of Patent: April 27, 2021Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.Inventors: Jung-Tang Wu, Wu Meng Yu, Szu-Hua Wu, Chin-Szu Lee
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Publication number: 20210098248Abstract: A method of forming a semiconductor structure includes forming a first top electrode (TE) layer over a magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ) layer and performing a smoothing treatment on the first TE layer. The smoothing treatment is performed in situ after the forming first TE layer. The smoothing treatment removes spike point defects from the first TE layer. Additional TE layers may be formed over the first TE layer.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 1, 2019Publication date: April 1, 2021Inventors: Jung-Tang Wu, Yu-Jen Chien, Szu-Hua Wu, Chin-Szu Lee, Yao-Shien Huang
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Patent number: 10957540Abstract: A method includes providing a semiconductor structure having an active region and an isolation structure adjacent to the active region, the active region having source and drain regions sandwiching a channel region for a transistor, the semiconductor structure further having a gate structure over the channel region. The method further includes etching a trench in one of the source and drain regions, wherein the trench exposes a portion of a sidewall of the isolation structure, epitaxially growing a first semiconductor layer in the trench, epitaxially growing a second semiconductor layer over the first semiconductor layer, changing a crystalline facet orientation of a portion of a top surface of the second semiconductor layer by an etching process, and epitaxially growing a third semiconductor layer over the second semiconductor layer after the changing of the crystalline facet orientation.Type: GrantFiled: December 18, 2019Date of Patent: March 23, 2021Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.Inventors: Wen-Chin Chen, Cheng-Yi Wu, Yu-Hung Cheng, Ren-Hua Guo, Hsiang Liu, Chin-Szu Lee
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Patent number: 10879114Abstract: A conductive fill is provided in an opening of an interconnect layer. A seed layer is formed, a portion of which is then oxidized. The oxygen is removed in a treatment process and the surface of the de-oxidized seed layer is hydrolyzed to form a hydroxyl sublayer and moisturized. The conductive fill is formed over the hydroxyl sublayer.Type: GrantFiled: August 23, 2019Date of Patent: December 29, 2020Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.Inventors: Jung-Tang Wu, Chi-Hung Liao, Szu-Hua Wu, Liang-Yueh Ou Yang, Chin-Szu Lee
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Patent number: 10872815Abstract: An interconnect structure and a method of forming the interconnect structure are provided. A dielectric layer and openings therein are formed over a substrate. A conductive seed layer is formed over the top surface and along a bottom and sidewalls of the openings. A conductive fill layer is formed over the seed layer. Metal oxide on the surface of the seed layer may be reduced/removed by a surface pre-treatment. The cleaned surface is covered by depositing fill material over the seed layer without exposing the surface to oxygen. The surface treatment may include a reactive remote plasma clean using hydrogen radicals. If electroplating is used to deposit the fill layer, then the surface treatment may include soaking the substrate in the electrolyte before turning on the electroplating current. Other surface treatments may include active pre-clean (APC) using hydrogen radicals; or Ar sputtering using a metal clean version xT (MCxT) tool.Type: GrantFiled: April 27, 2020Date of Patent: December 22, 2020Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.Inventors: Jung-Tang Wu, Shao Tzu Lien, Chi-Hung Liao, Szu-Hua Wu, Liang-Yueh Ou Yang, Chin-Szu Lee
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Publication number: 20200312894Abstract: A plurality of radiation-sensing doped regions are formed in a substrate. A trench is formed in the substrate between the radiation-sensing doped regions. A SiOCN layer is filled in the trench by reacting Bis(tertiary-butylamino)silane (BTBAS) and a gas mixture comprising N2O, N2 and O2 through a plasma enhanced atomic layer deposition (PEALD) method, to form an isolation structure between the radiation-sensing doped regions.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 14, 2020Publication date: October 1, 2020Applicant: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.Inventors: Chao-Ching Chang, Sheng-Chan Li, Chih-Hui Huang, Jian-Shin Tsai, Cheng-Yi Wu, Chia-Hsing Chou, Yi-Ming Lin, Min-Hui Lin, Chin-Szu Lee
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Patent number: 10763116Abstract: A semiconductor device includes: a fin structure disposed on a substrate; a gate feature that traverses the fin structure to overlay a central portion of the fin structure; a pair of source/drain features, along the fin structure, that are disposed at respective sides of the gate feature; and a plurality of contact structures that are formed of tungsten, wherein a gate electrode of the gate feature and the pair of source/drain features are each directly coupled to a respective one of the plurality of contact structures.Type: GrantFiled: October 30, 2017Date of Patent: September 1, 2020Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.Inventors: Hong-Ying Lin, Cheng-Yi Wu, Alan Tu, Chung-Liang Cheng, Li-Hsuan Chu, Ethan Hsiao, Hui-Lin Sung, Sz-Yuan Hung, Sheng-Yung Lo, C. W. Chiu, Chih-Wei Hsieh, Chin-Szu Lee
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Publication number: 20200258777Abstract: An interconnect structure and a method of forming the interconnect structure are provided. A dielectric layer and openings therein are formed over a substrate. A conductive seed layer is formed over the top surface and along a bottom and sidewalls of the openings. A conductive fill layer is formed over the seed layer. Metal oxide on the surface of the seed layer may be reduced/removed by a surface pre-treatment. The cleaned surface is covered by depositing fill material over the seed layer without exposing the surface to oxygen. The surface treatment may include a reactive remote plasma clean using hydrogen radicals. If electroplating is used to deposit the fill layer, then the surface treatment may include soaking the substrate in the electrolyte before turning on the electroplating current. Other surface treatments may include active pre-clean (APC) using hydrogen radicals; or Ar sputtering using a metal clean version xT (MCxT) tool.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 27, 2020Publication date: August 13, 2020Inventors: Jung-Tang Wu, Shao Tzu Lien, Chi-Hung Liao, Szu-Hua Wu, Liang-Yueh Ou Yang, Chin-Szu Lee
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Patent number: 10658296Abstract: A method for semiconductor manufacturing is disclosed. The method includes receiving a device having a first surface through which a first metal or an oxide of the first metal is exposed. The method further includes depositing a dielectric film having Si, N, C, and O over the first surface such that the dielectric film has a higher concentration of N and C in a first portion of the dielectric film near the first surface than in a second portion of the dielectric film further away from the first surface than the first portion. The method further includes forming a conductive feature over the dielectric film. The dielectric film electrically insulates the conductive feature from the first metal or the oxide of the first metal.Type: GrantFiled: September 30, 2016Date of Patent: May 19, 2020Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.Inventors: Cheng-Yi Wu, Li-Hsuan Chu, Ching-Wen Wen, Chia-Chun Hung, Chen Liang Chang, Chin-Szu Lee, Hsiang Liu
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Publication number: 20200149886Abstract: A leveling sensor, a load port including a leveling sensor, and a method of leveling a load port using a load port are disclosed. In an embodiment, a sensor includes an accelerometer configured to detect leveling and vibration of a load port and produce a plurality of data; a plurality of indicator lights configured to display a level measurement and a level direction based on the leveling of the load port; a processor configured to process the data produced by the accelerometer; and a wired connection configured to connect the processor to an external device.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 13, 2020Publication date: May 14, 2020Inventors: Yi-Lin Wang, Jung-Tang Wu, Chin-Szu Lee, Hua-Sheng Chiu
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Publication number: 20200136027Abstract: Methods of forming magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ) memory cells used in a magneto-resistive random access memory (MRAM) array are provided. A pre-clean process is performed to remove a metal oxide layer that may form on the top surface of the bottom electrodes of MTJ memory cells during the time the bottom electrode can be exposed to air prior to depositing MTJ layers. The pre-clean processes may include a remote plasma process wherein the metal oxide reacts with hydrogen radicals generated in the remote plasma.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 31, 2018Publication date: April 30, 2020Inventors: Jung-Tang Wu, Wu Meng Yu, Szu-Hua Wu, Chin-Szu Lee
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Patent number: 10636702Abstract: An interconnect structure and a method of forming the interconnect structure are provided. A dielectric layer and openings therein are formed over a substrate. A conductive seed layer is formed over the top surface and along a bottom and sidewalls of the openings. A conductive fill layer is formed over the seed layer. Metal oxide on the surface of the seed layer may be reduced/removed by a surface pre-treatment. The cleaned surface is covered by depositing fill material over the seed layer without exposing the surface to oxygen. The surface treatment may include a reactive remote plasma clean using hydrogen radicals. If electroplating is used to deposit the fill layer, then the surface treatment may include soaking the substrate in the electrolyte before turning on the electroplating current. Other surface treatments may include active pre-clean (APC) using hydrogen radicals; or Ar sputtering using a metal clean version xT (MCxT) tool.Type: GrantFiled: November 1, 2018Date of Patent: April 28, 2020Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.Inventors: Jung-Tang Wu, Shao Tzu Lien, Chi-Hung Liao, Szu-Hua Wu, Liang-Yueh Ou Yang, Chin-Szu Lee
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Publication number: 20200126793Abstract: A method includes providing a semiconductor structure having an active region and an isolation structure adjacent to the active region, the active region having source and drain regions sandwiching a channel region for a transistor, the semiconductor structure further having a gate structure over the channel region. The method further includes etching a trench in one of the source and drain regions, wherein the trench exposes a portion of a sidewall of the isolation structure, epitaxially growing a first semiconductor layer in the trench, epitaxially growing a second semiconductor layer over the first semiconductor layer, changing a crystalline facet orientation of a portion of a top surface of the second semiconductor layer by an etching process, and epitaxially growing a third semiconductor layer over the second semiconductor layer after the changing of the crystalline facet orientation.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 18, 2019Publication date: April 23, 2020Inventors: Wen-Chin Chen, Cheng-Yi Wu, Yu-Hung Cheng, Ren-Hua Guo, Hsiang Liu, Chin-Szu Lee
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Publication number: 20200105593Abstract: An interconnect structure and a method of forming the interconnect structure are provided. A dielectric layer and openings therein are formed over a substrate. A conductive seed layer is formed over the top surface and along a bottom and sidewalls of the openings. A conductive fill layer is formed over the seed layer. Metal oxide on the surface of the seed layer may be reduced/removed by a surface pre-treatment. The cleaned surface is covered by depositing fill material over the seed layer without exposing the surface to oxygen. The surface treatment may include a reactive remote plasma clean using hydrogen radicals. If electroplating is used to deposit the fill layer, then the surface treatment may include soaking the substrate in the electrolyte before turning on the electroplating current. Other surface treatments may include active pre-clean (APC) using hydrogen radicals; or Ar sputtering using a metal clean version xT (MCxT) tool.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 1, 2018Publication date: April 2, 2020Inventors: Jung-Tang Wu, Shao Tzu Lien, Chi-Hung Liao, Szu-Hua Wu, Liang-Yueh Ou Yang, Chin-Szu Lee
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Publication number: 20200106009Abstract: A top electrode of a magnetoresistive random access memory (MRAM) device over a magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ) is formed using a film of titanium nitride oriented in a (111) crystal structure rather than a top electrode which uses tantalum, tantalum nitride, and/or a multilayer including tantalum and tantalum nitride.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 3, 2019Publication date: April 2, 2020Inventors: Jung-Tang Wu, Wu Meng Yu, Szu-Hua Wu, Chin-Szu Lee, Han-Ting Tsai, Yu-Jen Chien
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Publication number: 20200083168Abstract: A method for semiconductor manufacturing is disclosed. The method includes receiving a device having a first surface through which a first metal or an oxide of the first metal is exposed. The method further includes depositing a dielectric film having Si, N, C, and O over the first surface such that the dielectric film has a higher concentration of N and C in a first portion of the dielectric film near the first surface than in a second portion of the dielectric film further away from the first surface than the first portion. The method further includes forming a conductive feature over the dielectric film. The dielectric film electrically insulates the conductive feature from the first metal or the oxide of the first metal.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 12, 2019Publication date: March 12, 2020Inventors: Cheng-Yi Wu, Li-Hsuan Chu, Ching-Wen Wen, Chia-Chun Hung, Chen Liang Chang, Chin-Szu Lee, Hsiang Liu
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Publication number: 20200075299Abstract: A method includes placing a wafer on a wafer holder, depositing a film on a front surface of the wafer, and blowing a gas through ports in a redistributor onto a back surface of the wafer at a same time the deposition is performed. The gas is selected from a group consisting of nitrogen (N2), He, Ne, and combinations thereof.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 1, 2019Publication date: March 5, 2020Inventors: Jung-Tang Wu, Szu-Hua Wu, Chin-Szu Lee, Yi-Lin Wang