Patents by Inventor Ching-I Li

Ching-I Li 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: 12218184
    Abstract: A semiconductor structure includes a capacitor structure and a contact structure. The capacitor structure includes an electrode layer, a protective dielectric layer, and a capacitor dielectric layer. The protective dielectric layer covers a top surface of the electrode layer. The capacitor dielectric layer is on the protective oxide layer. The contact structure penetrates the protective oxide layer and electrically connects to the electrode layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2025
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY LTD.
    Inventors: Jui-Lin Chu, Szu-Yu Wang, Ching I Li
  • Publication number: 20240387614
    Abstract: Some implementations described herein provide a semiconductor device and methods of formation. The semiconductor device may include a photodiode device electrically connected to a metal-insulator-metal deep-trench capacitor. The metal-insulator-metal deep-trench capacitor includes a layer of an amorphous material between an insulator layer stack of the deep-trench capacitor structure and a capacitor bottom metal layer of the metal-insulator-metal deep-trench capacitor. The amorphous material includes a bandgap energy level that provides a conduction band offset and lowers a probability of electron tunneling from the capacitor bottom metal electrode layer to the insulator layer stack. In this way, leakage associated with grain boundaries, crystal defects, and interfaces of a bottom layer of the insulator layer stack may be overcome to improve a lag performance of the semiconductor device including the metal-insulator-metal deep-trench capacitor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2024
    Publication date: November 21, 2024
    Inventors: Min-Ying TSAI, Chih-Ping CHANG, Ching I LI
  • Publication number: 20240379692
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an integrated chip. The integrated chip includes a sensor semiconductor layer. The sensor semiconductor layer is doped with a first dopant. A photodetector is along a frontside of the sensor semiconductor layer. A backside semiconductor layer is along a backside of the sensor semiconductor layer, opposite the frontside. The backside semiconductor layer is doped with a second dopant. A diffusion barrier structure is between the sensor semiconductor layer and the backside semiconductor layer. The diffusion barrier structure includes a third dopant different from the first dopant and the second dopant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 22, 2024
    Publication date: November 14, 2024
    Inventors: Yu-Hung Cheng, Ching I Li, Chen-Hao Chiang, Eugene I-Chun Chen, Chin-Chia Kuo
  • Publication number: 20240379321
    Abstract: A plasma flood gun includes a filament to emit first electrons based on a first filament current induced in the filament to heat the filament to a first temperature at a first time. The first electrons interact with an inert gas in an arc plasma chamber to generate a first plasma. A filament resistance meter measures a first filament resistance of the filament, in-situ, during generation of the first plasma. A filament current source adjusts, based on the first filament resistance, the first filament current induced in the filament at the first time to a second filament current induced in the filament at a second time to generate a second plasma in the arc plasma chamber at the second time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 24, 2024
    Publication date: November 14, 2024
    Inventors: Kai-Yun Yang, Chen Chi Wu, Ching I Li, Min-Chang Ching, Hung-Ta Huang
  • Publication number: 20240379713
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an image sensor having a photodiode surrounded by a back-side deep trench isolation (BDTI) structure, and an associated method of formation. In some embodiments, a plurality of pixel regions is disposed within an image sensing die and respectively comprises a photodiode configured to convert radiation into an electrical signal. The photodiode comprises a photodiode doping column with a first doping type surrounded by a photodiode doping layer with a second doping type that is different than the first doping type. A BDTI structure is disposed between adjacent pixel regions and extending from the back-side of the image sensor die to a position within the photodiode doping layer. The BDTI structure comprises a doped liner with the second doping type and a dielectric fill layer. The doped liner lines a sidewall surface of the dielectric fill layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 24, 2024
    Publication date: November 14, 2024
    Inventors: Yu-Hung Cheng, Chun-Tsung Kuo, Jiech-Fun Lu, Min-Ying Tsai, Chiao-Chun Hsu, Ching I Li
  • Publication number: 20240371902
    Abstract: In some embodiments, the present disclosure relates to an integrated chip, including a substrate, a first image sensing element and a second image sensing element arranged next to one another over the substrate, the first image sensing element and the second image sensing element having a first doping type, and a backside deep trench isolation (BDTI) structure arranged between the first and second image sensing elements and including a first isolation epitaxial layer setting an outermost sidewall of the BDTI structure and having the first doping type, a second isolation epitaxial layer arranged along inner sidewalls of the first isolation epitaxial layer and having a second doping type different than the first doping type, and an isolation filler structure filling between inner sidewalls of the second isolation epitaxial layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2024
    Publication date: November 7, 2024
    Inventors: Yu-Hung Cheng, Ching I Li
  • Publication number: 20240355855
    Abstract: The problem of forming a deep trench isolation (DTI) structure suitable for photodetectors having a narrow pitch is solved by a process in which a p-doped epitaxial layer is grown on the sidewalls of trenches formed by etching. The epitaxial layer becomes part of the active region of any adjacent photodetectors and narrows the DTI structure that is formed by dielectric in the trenches. The epitaxial layer may be allowed to close the trench mouths and to grow on the front side. Floating diffusion regions and the like may then be formed directly over the DTI structure. Optionally, dislocations in the epitaxial layer are removed by laser annealing. Optionally the epitaxial layer is planarized after annealing. The trenches may be accessed from the back side by thinning the substrate, whereupon the trenches may be partially or completely filled with dielectric to form the DTI structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 18, 2023
    Publication date: October 24, 2024
    Inventors: Yu-Hung Cheng, Szu-Yu Wang, Ching I Li
  • Patent number: 12125665
    Abstract: A plasma flood gun includes a filament to emit first electrons based on a first filament current induced in the filament to heat the filament to a first temperature at a first time. The first electrons interact with an inert gas in an arc plasma chamber to generate a first plasma. A filament resistance meter measures a first filament resistance of the filament, in-situ, during generation of the first plasma. A filament current source adjusts, based on the first filament resistance, the first filament current induced in the filament at the first time to a second filament current induced in the filament at a second time to generate a second plasma in the arc plasma chamber at the second time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2024
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY LIMITED
    Inventors: Kai-Yun Yang, Chen Chi Wu, Ching I Li, Min-Chang Ching, Hung-Ta Huang
  • Patent number: 12074186
    Abstract: In some embodiments, the present disclosure relates to an integrated chip, including a substrate, a first image sensing element and a second image sensing element arranged next to one another over the substrate, the first image sensing element and the second image sensing element having a first doping type, and a backside deep trench isolation (BDTI) structure arranged between the first and second image sensing elements and including a first isolation epitaxial layer setting an outermost sidewall of the BDTI structure and having the first doping type, a second isolation epitaxial layer arranged along inner sidewalls of the first isolation epitaxial layer and having a second doping type different than the first doping type, and an isolation filler structure filling between inner sidewalls of the second isolation epitaxial layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2024
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yu-Hung Cheng, Ching I Li
  • Publication number: 20240282775
    Abstract: A method for forming an SOI substrate includes following operations. A first semiconductor layer, a second semiconductor layer and a third semiconductor layer are formed over a first substrate. A plurality of trenches and a plurality of recesses are formed in the first semiconductor layer, the second semiconductor layer and the third semiconductor layer. The plurality of trenches extend along a first direction, and the plurality of recesses extend along a second direction different from the first direction. The plurality of trenches and the plurality of recesses are sealed to form a plurality of voids. A device layer is formed over the first substrate. The devices layer is bonded to an insulator layer over a second substrate. The third semiconductor layer, the device layer the insulator layer and the second substrate are separated from the first semiconductor layer and the first substrate. The device layer is exposed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2024
    Publication date: August 22, 2024
    Inventors: YU-HUNG CHENG, CHING I LI, CHIA-SHIUNG TSAI
  • Publication number: 20240186258
    Abstract: Various embodiments of the present disclosure are directed towards a method for forming an integrated chip. An alignment process is performed on a first semiconductor workpiece and a second semiconductor workpiece by virtue of a plurality of workpiece pins. The first semiconductor workpiece is bonded to the second semiconductor workpiece. A shift value is determined between the first and second semiconductor workpieces by virtue of a first plurality of alignment marks on the first semiconductor workpiece and a second plurality of alignment marks on the second semiconductor workpiece. A layer of an integrated circuit (IC) structure is formed over the second semiconductor workpiece based at least in part on the shift value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 24, 2024
    Publication date: June 6, 2024
    Inventors: Yeong-Jyh Lin, Ching I Li, De-Yang Chiou, Sz-Fan Chen, Han-Jui Hu, Ching-Hung Wang, Ru-Liang Lee, Chung-Yi Yu
  • 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: 20240072082
    Abstract: A boron (B) layer may be formed as a passivation layer in a recess in which a vertical transfer gate is to be formed. The recess may then be filled with a gate electrode of the vertical transfer gate over the passivation layer (and/or one or more intervening layers) to form the vertical transfer gate. The passivation layer may be formed in the recess by epitaxial growth. The use of epitaxy to grow the passivation layer enables precise control over the profile, uniformity, and boron concentration in the passivation layer. Moreover, the use of epitaxy to grow the passivation layer may reduce the diffusion length of the passivation layer into the substrate of the pixel sensor, which provides increased area in the pixel sensor for the photodiode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 26, 2022
    Publication date: February 29, 2024
    Inventors: Yu-Hung CHENG, Tzu-Jui WANG, Ching I. LI
  • Patent number: 11916022
    Abstract: Various embodiments of the present disclosure are directed towards a semiconductor processing system including an overlay (OVL) shift measurement device. The OVL shift measurement device is configured to determine an OVL shift between a first wafer and a second wafer, where the second wafer overlies the first wafer. A photolithography device is configured to perform one or more photolithography processes on the second wafer. A controller is configured to perform an alignment process on the photolithography device according to the determined OVL shift. The photolithography device performs the one or more photolithography processes based on the OVL shift.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yeong-Jyh Lin, Ching I Li, De-Yang Chiou, Sz-Fan Chen, Han-Jui Hu, Ching-Hung Wang, Ru-Liang Lee, Chung-Yi Yu
  • Publication number: 20240030222
    Abstract: An insulator layer of a trap-rich silicon-on-insulator (SOI) wafer is formed on a trapping layer over a high-temperature substrate instead of forming the insulator layer on a bulk silicon substrate. The silicon layer of the trap-rich SOI wafer is formed on a second wafer and is bonded to the insulator layer that was grown on the trapping layer. The second wafer is then removed by grinding, polishing, and/or another technique such that no cutting of the silicon device layer is performed, and therefore little to no surface damage is caused to the silicon layer. Accordingly, a high-temperature annealing operation to remove surface damage that would otherwise be caused by cutting of the silicon layer may be omitted. Thus, operations to form the trap-rich SOI wafer may be performed at lower temperatures, which enables the trapping layer of the trap-rich SOI wafer to be formed to a lesser thickness.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 20, 2022
    Publication date: January 25, 2024
    Inventors: Yu-Hung CHENG, Ching I LI
  • Publication number: 20240021642
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an image sensor comprising a substrate. A photodetector is in the substrate. A trench is in the substrate and is defined by sidewalls and an upper surface of the substrate. A first isolation layer extends along the sidewalls and the upper surface of the substrate that define the trench. The first isolation layer comprises a first dielectric material. A second isolation layer is over the first isolation layer. The second isolation layer lines the first isolation layer. The second isolation layer comprises a second dielectric material. A third isolation layer is over the second isolation layer. The third isolation layer fills the trench and lines the second isolation layer. The third isolation layer comprises a third material. A ratio of a first thickness of the first isolation layer to a second thickness of the second isolation layer is about 0.17 to 0.38.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 20, 2023
    Publication date: January 18, 2024
    Inventors: Min-Ying Tsai, Cheng-Te Lee, Rei-Lin Chu, Ching I Li, Chung-Yi Yu
  • Patent number: 11869761
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an image sensor having a photodiode surrounded by a back-side deep trench isolation (BDTI) structure, and an associated method of formation. In some embodiments, a plurality of pixel regions is disposed within an image sensing die and respectively comprises a photodiode configured to convert radiation into an electrical signal. The photodiode comprises a photodiode doping column with a first doping type surrounded by a photodiode doping layer with a second doping type that is different than the first doping type. A BDTI structure is disposed between adjacent pixel regions and extending from the back-side of the image sensing die to a position within the photodiode doping layer. The BDTI structure comprises a doped liner with the second doping type and a dielectric fill layer. The doped liner lines a sidewall surface of the dielectric fill layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yu-Hung Cheng, Chun-Tsung Kuo, Jiech-Fun Lu, Min-Ying Tsai, Chiao-Chun Hsu, Ching I Li
  • Publication number: 20230411425
    Abstract: In some embodiments, the present disclosure relates to a method for forming an integrated chip (IC), including forming a plurality of image sensing elements including a first doping type within a substrate, performing a first removal process to form deep trenches within the substrate, the deep trenches separating the plurality of image sensing elements from one another, performing an epitaxial growth process to form an isolation epitaxial precursor including a first material within the deep trenches and to form a light absorbing layer including a second material different than the first material within the deep trenches and between sidewalls of the isolation epitaxial precursor, performing a dopant activation process on the light absorbing layer and the isolation epitaxial precursor to form a doped isolation layer including a second doping type opposite the first doping type, and filling remaining portions of the deep trenches with an isolation filler structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2023
    Publication date: December 21, 2023
    Inventors: Yu-Hung Cheng, Ching I Li, Yu-Siang Fang, Yu-Yao Hsia, Min-Ying Tsai
  • Publication number: 20230402487
    Abstract: A Deep Trench Isolation (DTI) structure is disclosed. The DTI structures according to embodiments of the present disclosure include a composite passivation layer. In some embodiments, the composite passivation layer includes a hole accumulation layer and a defect repairing layer. The defect repairing layer is disposed between the hole accumulation layer and a semiconductor substrate in which the DTI structure is formed. The defect repairing layer reduces lattice defects in the interface, thus, reducing the density of interface trap (DIT) at the interface. Reduced density of interface trap facilitates strong hole accumulation, thus increasing the flat band voltage. In some embodiments, the hole accumulation layer according to the present disclosure is enhanced by an oxidization treatment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2022
    Publication date: December 14, 2023
    Inventors: Bi-Shen LEE, Chia-Wei HU, Hai-Dang TRINH, Min-Ying TSAI, Ching I LI, Hsun-Chung KUANG, Cheng-Yuan TSAI
  • Publication number: 20230387189
    Abstract: A semiconductor structure includes a capacitor structure and a contact structure. The capacitor structure includes an electrode layer, a protective dielectric layer, and a capacitor dielectric layer. The protective dielectric layer covers a top surface of the electrode layer. The capacitor dielectric layer is on the protective oxide layer. The contact structure penetrates the protective oxide layer and electrically connects to the electrode layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 26, 2022
    Publication date: November 30, 2023
    Inventors: JUI-LIN CHU, SZU-YU WANG, CHING I LI