Patents by Inventor Dian-Hau Chen

Dian-Hau 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: 11744084
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a semiconductor substrate, a gate structure, a source region, a drain region, an interconnect structure, a memory cell and a conductive via. The semiconductor substrate has a first side and a second side opposite to the first side. The gate structure is disposed over the first side of the semiconductor substrate. The source region and the drain region are disposed in the semiconductor substrate aside the gate structure. The interconnect structure is disposed over the first side of the semiconductor substrate and electrically connected to the source region. The memory cell is disposed over the second side of the semiconductor substrate and electrically connected to the drain region. The conductive via is disposed in the semiconductor substrate between the drain region and the memory cell and electrically connects the drain region and the memory cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2023
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hsiang-Ku Shen, Liang-Wei Wang, Dian-Hau Chen, Yen-Ming Chen
  • Patent number: 11728262
    Abstract: A metal-insulator-metal (MIM) structure and methods of forming the same for reducing the accumulation of external stress at the corners of the conductor layers are disclosed herein. An exemplary device includes a substrate that includes an active semiconductor device. A stack of dielectric layers is disposed over the substrate. A lower contact is disposed over the stack of dielectric layers. A passivation layer is disposed over the lower contact. A MIM structure is disposed over the passivation layer, the MIM structure including a first conductor layer, a second conductor layer disposed over the first conductor layer, and a third conductor layer disposed over the second conductor layer. A first insulator layer is disposed between the first conductor layer and the second conductor layer. A second insulator layer is disposed between the second conductor layer and the third conductor layer. One or more corners of the third conductor layer are rounded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2023
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yuan-Yang Hsiao, Hsiang-Ku Shen, Dian-Hau Chen, Hsiao Ching-Wen, Yao-Chun Chuang
  • Patent number: 11728295
    Abstract: In a method of manufacturing a semiconductor device, an opening is formed in a first dielectric layer so that a part of a lower conductive layer is exposed at a bottom of the opening, one or more liner conductive layers are formed over the part of the lower conductive layer, an inner sidewall of the opening and an upper surface of the first dielectric layer, a main conductive layer is formed over the one or more liner conductive layers, a patterned conductive layer is formed by patterning the main conductive layer and the one or more liner conductive layers, and a cover conductive layer is formed over the patterned conductive layer. The main conductive layer which is patterned is wrapped around by the cover conductive layer and one of the one or more liner conductive layers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2023
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Tsung-Chieh Hsiao, Hsiang-Ku Shen, Yuan-Yang Hsiao, Ying-Yao Lai, Dian-Hau Chen
  • Patent number: 11728375
    Abstract: A metal-insulator-metal (MIM) capacitor structure and a method for forming the same are provided. The MIM capacitor structure includes a first electrode layer formed over a substrate, and a first spacer formed on a sidewall of the first electrode layer. The MIM capacitor structure also includes a first dielectric layer formed on the first spacers, and an end of the first dielectric layer is in direct contact with the first pacer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2023
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Chih-Fan Huang, Chih-Yang Pai, Yuan-Yang Hsiao, Tsung-Chieh Hsiao, Hui-Chi Chen, Dian-Hau Chen, Yen-Ming Chen
  • Patent number: 11716910
    Abstract: Semiconductor device and methods of forming the same are provided. A semiconductor device according to one embodiment includes a dielectric layer including a top surface, a plurality of magneto-resistive memory cells disposed in the dielectric layer and including top electrodes, a first etch stop layer disposed over the dielectric layer, a common electrode extending through the first etch stop layer to be in direct contact with the top electrodes, and a second etch slop layer disposed on the first etch stop layer and the common electrode. Top surfaces of the top electrodes are coplanar with the top surface of the dielectric layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2023
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Chih-Fan Huang, Hsiang-Ku Shen, Liang-Wei Wang, Chen-Chiu Huang, Dian-Hau Chen, Yen-Ming Chen
  • Patent number: 11715756
    Abstract: A device structure, along with methods of forming such, are described. The device structure includes a structure, a first passivation layer disposed on the structure, a buffer layer disposed on the first passivation layer, a barrier layer disposed on a first portion of the buffer layer, a redistribution layer disposed over the barrier layer, an adhesion layer disposed on the barrier layer and on side surfaces of the redistribution layer, and a second passivation layer disposed on a second portion of the buffer layer. The second passivation layer is in contact with the barrier layer, the adhesion layer, and the redistribution layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2023
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Tsung-Chieh Hsiao, Hsiang-Ku Shen, Yuan-Yang Hsiao, Ying-Yao Lai, Dian-Hau Chen
  • Patent number: 11705384
    Abstract: A semiconductor structure includes a semiconductor substrate and an interconnect structure on the semiconductor structure. The interconnect structure includes a first layer, a second layer over the first layer, a third layer over the second layer, and a fourth layer over the third layer. A first through via extends through the semiconductor substrate, the first layer, and the second layer. A second through via extends through the third layer and the fourth layer. A bottom surface of the second through via contacts a top surface of the first through via.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2023
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yuan-Yang Hsiao, Dian-Hau Chen, Yen-Ming Chen
  • Publication number: 20230223063
    Abstract: A semiconductor memory structure includes bottom electrodes formed over a substrate. The structure also includes first magnetic tunneling junction (MTJ) elements formed over the bottom electrodes in a first region and a second region of the substrate. The structure also includes second MTJ elements formed over the first MTJ elements in the first region and the second region. The structure also includes top electrodes formed over the second MTJ elements. The first MTJ elements in the first region are narrower than the second MTJ elements in the first region, and the second MTJ elements in the second region are narrower than the first MTJ elements in the second region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 10, 2022
    Publication date: July 13, 2023
    Inventors: Chih-Chuan SU, Yu-Jen WANG, Liang-Wei WANG, Dian-Hau CHEN
  • Patent number: 11688759
    Abstract: A metal-insulator-metal (MIM) capacitor structure includes a bottom electrode, a first oxide layer adjacent the bottom electrode, and a first high-k dielectric layer over the bottom electrode and the first oxide layer. A middle electrode is over the first high-k dielectric layer and a second oxide layer is adjacent the middle electrode. A second high-k dielectric layer may be over the middle electrode and the second oxide layer, a top electrode may be over the second high-k dielectric layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2023
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hsiang-Ku Shen, Ming-Hong Kao, Hui-Chi Chen, Dian-Hau Chen, Yen-Ming Chen
  • Publication number: 20230187479
    Abstract: A device structure according to the present disclosure includes a metal-insulator-metal (MIM) stack that includes a plurality of conductor plate layers interleaved by a plurality of insulator layers. The MIM stack includes a first region and a second region and the first region and the second region overlaps in a third region. The MIM stack further includes a first via passing through the first region and electrically coupled to a first subset of the plurality of conductor plate layers, a second via passing through the second region and electrically coupled to a second subset of the plurality of conductor plate layers, and a ground via passing through the third region and electrically coupled to a third subset of the plurality of conductor plate layers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2022
    Publication date: June 15, 2023
    Inventors: Wen-Chiung Tu, Hsiang-Ku Shen, Yuan-Yang Hsiao, Tsung-Chieh Hsiao, Chen-Chiu Huang, Dian-Hau Chen
  • Publication number: 20230187392
    Abstract: A semiconductor structure includes a first dielectric layer over a metal line and a redistribution layer (RDL) over the first dielectric layer. The RDL is electrically connected to the metal line. The RDL has a curved top surface and a footing feature, where the footing feature extends laterally from a side surface of the RDL. A second dielectric layer is disposed over the RDL, where the second dielectric layer also has a curved top surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 9, 2023
    Publication date: June 15, 2023
    Inventors: Hsiang-Ku Shen, Dian-Hau Chen
  • Patent number: 11676895
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a first interlayer dielectric layer disposed over a substrate, metal wirings, a second interlayer dielectric layer disposed over the first interlayer dielectric layer and the metal wirings, a first air gap and a second air gap. The metal wirings are embedded in the first interlayer dielectric layer, and arranged with a first space or a second space between the metal wirings. The second space has a greater length than the first space. The first air gap is formed by the second interlayer dielectric layer and formed in a first area sandwiched by adjacent two metal wirings arranged with the first space. The second air gap is formed by the second interlayer dielectric layer and formed in a second area sandwiched by adjacent two metal wirings arranged with the second space therebetween. No adjacent two metal wirings are arranged with a space smaller than the first space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2023
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Yu-Bey Wu, Dian-Hau Chen, Jye-Yen Cheng, Sheng-Hsuan Wei, Li-Yu Lee, Tai-Yang Wu
  • Publication number: 20230178472
    Abstract: A device structure according to the present disclosure includes a passivation layer, a first conductor plate layer disposed on the passivation layer, a second conductor plate layer disposed over the first conductor layer, a third conductor plate layer disposed over the second conductor layer, and a fourth conductor plate layer disposed over the third conductor layer. The second conductor plate layer encloses the first conductor plate layer and the fourth conductor plate layer encloses the third conductor plate layer. The device structure, when used in a back-end-of-line passive device, reduces leakage and breakdown due to corner discharge effect.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2022
    Publication date: June 8, 2023
    Inventors: Tsung-Chieh Hsiao, Hsiang-Ku Shen, Yuan-Yang Hsiao, Chen-Chiu Huang, Dian-Hau Chen
  • Patent number: 11670573
    Abstract: Semiconductor devices and methods of forming the same are provided. In one embodiment, a semiconductor device includes a redistribution layer including a first conductive feature and a second conductive feature, a first contact feature disposed over and electrically coupled to the first conductive feature, a second contact feature disposed over and electrically coupled to the second conductive feature, and a passivation feature extending from between the first conductive feature and the second conductive feature between the first contact feature and the second contact feature. The passivation feature includes a dielectric feature and a dielectric layer. The dielectric layer is disposed on a planar top surface of the dielectric feature and a composition of the dielectric feature is different from a composition of the dielectric layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hsiang-Ku Shen, Chun-Li Lin, Dian-Hau Chen
  • Patent number: 11670608
    Abstract: Semiconductor devices, integrated circuits and methods of forming the same are provided. In one embodiment, a method includes depositing a first dielectric layer over a metal pad disposed over a workpiece, forming a first opening in the first dielectric layer to expose a portion of the metal pad, after the forming of the first opening, forming a second dielectric layer over the exposed portion of the metal pad, depositing a first polymeric material over the second dielectric layer, forming a second opening through the first polymeric material and the second dielectric layer to expose the metal pad, and forming a bump feature over the exposed metal pad.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Chih-Fan Huang, Hui-Chi Chen, Chih-Sheng Li, Chih-Hung Lu, Dian-Hau Chen, Yen-Ming Chen
  • Patent number: 11659771
    Abstract: A method includes providing a structure having a memory region and a logic region; a first metal layer and a dielectric barrier layer over the first metal layer in both the memory region and the logic region; a first dielectric layer over the dielectric barrier layer; multiple magnetic tunneling junction (MTJ) devices over the first metal layer, the dielectric barrier layer, and the first dielectric layer; and a second dielectric layer over the first dielectric layer and the MTJ devices. The first dielectric layer, the MTJ devices, and the second dielectric layer are in the memory device region and not in the logic device region. The method further includes depositing an extreme low-k (ELK) dielectric layer using FCVD over the memory region and the logic region; and buffing the ELK dielectric layer to planarize a top surface of the ELK dielectric layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2023
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Hsiang-Ku Shen, Dian-Hau Chen
  • Patent number: 11659774
    Abstract: Methods and devices are provided that include a magnetic tunneling junction (MTJ) element. A first spacer layer abuts sidewalls of the MTJ element. The first spacer layer has a low-dielectric constant (low-k) oxide composition. A second spacer layer is disposed on the first spacer layer and has a low-k nitride composition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2023
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Hsiang-Ku Shen, Dian-Hau Chen
  • Publication number: 20230154972
    Abstract: Structures of a semiconductor device structure are provided. The semiconductor device structure includes a first insulating layer formed over a semiconductor substrate and an interconnect structure formed in the first insulating layer. The semiconductor device structure also includes a second insulating layer formed over the first insulating layer and a capacitor device embedded in the second insulating layer. The capacitor device includes a first capacitor electrode layer electrically connected to the interconnect structure, a capacitor insulating stack formed over the first capacitor electrode layer and a second capacitor electrode layer formed over the capacitor insulating stack. The capacitor insulating stack includes first layers alternatingly stacked with second layers. The dielectric constant of the first layer is different than the dielectric constant of the second layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 5, 2022
    Publication date: May 18, 2023
    Applicant: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yu-En JENG, Hsiang-Ku SHEN, Cheng-Hao HOU, Chen-Chiu HUANG, Dian-Hau CHEN
  • Publication number: 20230145953
    Abstract: Methods and semiconductor structures are provided. A semiconductor structure according to the present disclosure includes a plurality of transistors, an interconnect structure electrically coupled to the plurality of transistors, a metal feature disposed over the interconnect structure and electrically isolated from the plurality of transistors, an insulation layer disposed over the metal feature, and a first redistribution feature and a second redistribution feature disposed over the insulation layer. A space between the first redistribution feature and the second redistribution feature is disposed directly over at least a portion of the metal feature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2022
    Publication date: May 11, 2023
    Inventors: Kuo-An Liu, Wen-Chiung Tu, Yuan-Yang Hsiao, Kai Tak Lam, Chen-Chiu Huang, Zhiqiang Wu, Dian-Hau Chen
  • Publication number: 20230101134
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a substrate. A gate structure is disposed over the substrate in a vertical direction. The gate structure extends in a first horizontal direction. An air spacer is disposed adjacent to a first portion of the gate structure in a second horizontal direction that is different from the first horizontal direction. The air spacer has a vertical boundary in a cross-sectional side view defined by the vertical direction and the first horizontal direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2022
    Publication date: March 30, 2023
    Inventors: Chih-Hsin Yang, Yen-Ming Chen, Feng-Cheng Yang, Tsung-Lin Lee, Wei-Yang Lee, Dian-Hau Chen