Patents by Inventor Fu-Chiang KUO

Fu-Chiang KUO 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).

  • Publication number: 20240128261
    Abstract: A structure and method for improving manufacturing yield of passive device dies are disclosed. The structure includes first and second groups of capacitors disposed on a substrate, an interconnect structure disposed on the first and second groups of capacitors, first and second bonding structures disposed on the first and second conductive lines, respectively, and first and second measurement structures connected to the first and second conductive lines, respectively, and configured to measure electrical properties of the first and second groups of capacitors, respectively. The interconnect structure includes first and second conductive line connected to the first and second groups of trench capacitors, respectively. The first bonding structure is electrically connected to the first group of capacitors and the second bonding structure is electrically isolated from the first and second groups of capacitors. The first and second measurement structures are electrically isolated from each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2023
    Publication date: April 18, 2024
    Applicant: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Fu-Chiang KUO, Yu-Hsin Fang, Min-Hsiung Chen
  • Publication number: 20240105707
    Abstract: Semiconductor structures and methods are provided. An exemplary method according to the present disclosure includes forming a trench extending into a substrate, in a top view, the trench extends lengthwise along a first direction, forming a material layer over the substrate and intersecting a first portion of the trench, after the forming of material layer, forming a first capacitor intersecting a second portion of the trench, the first capacitor comprising a first plurality of conductor plates, and forming a second capacitor intersecting a third portion of the trench, the second capacitor comprising a second plurality of conductor plates, where the first plurality of conductor plates and the second plurality of conductor plates are in direct contact with the material layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2023
    Publication date: March 28, 2024
    Inventors: Fu-Chiang Kuo, Meei-Shiou Chern, Jyun-Ting Hou
  • Publication number: 20240088207
    Abstract: A capacitance structure comprises a metal nitride layer, such as a titanium nitride (TiN) layer, a compositionally graded film formed on a surface of the metal nitride layer by thermal oxidation, and a dielectric layer disposed on the compositionally graded film. A method of manufacturing a capacitance structure includes forming a conductive layer, performing thermal oxidation of a surface of the conductive layer to produce a compositionally graded film on the conductive layer, and forming a dielectric layer on the compositionally graded film.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2023
    Publication date: March 14, 2024
    Inventor: Fu-Chiang Kuo
  • Publication number: 20240079353
    Abstract: A semiconductor device with capacitive structures and a method of fabricating the same are disclosed. The semiconductor device includes a substrate, first and second trenches disposed in the substrate and separated from each other by a substrate region of the substrate, first, second, and third conductive layers disposed in the first and second trenches and on the substrate region in a stacked configuration, a nitride layer including first and second nitride portions disposed on the first and second trenches and on the substrate region, and first and second contact structures configured to provide first and second voltages to the first and second conductive layers. The first nitride portion is disposed on the first conductive layer and on sidewalls of the second and third conductive layers. The second nitride portion is disposed on the second conductive layer and on sidewalls of the third conductive layers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2023
    Publication date: March 7, 2024
    Applicant: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Fu-Chiang KUO, Meei-Shiou Chern, Jyun-Ting Hou
  • Publication number: 20240055470
    Abstract: A method includes forming first-type deep trenches and second-type deep trenches in a substrate, in which the first-type deep trenches have a first lengthwise direction along a first direction and the second-type deep trenches have a second lengthwise direction along a second direction; forming a capacitor structure over the substrate and in the first-type deep trenches and the second-type deep trenches, in which the capacitor structure includes a first metallic electrode layer, a node dielectric layer over the first metallic electrode layer, and a second metallic electrode layer over the node dielectric layer; and forming a first metal via over the capacitor structure and in contact with the second metallic electrode layer of the capacitor structure, in which a length of the first metal via is greater than a width of the first metal via from a top view.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 12, 2022
    Publication date: February 15, 2024
    Applicant: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Fu-Chiang KUO, Yu-Han CHEN, Cheng-Wei LO
  • Publication number: 20240047552
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides an embodiment of a method. The method includes patterning a substrate to form trenches; etching the substrate, thereby modifying the trenches with round tips; forming a stack including conductive layers and dielectric layers in the trenches, wherein the conductive layers and the dielectric layers alternate with one another within the stack; forming an insulating compressive film in the first trenches, thereby sealing voids in the trenches; and forming conductive plugs connected to the conductive layers, respectively.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 17, 2023
    Publication date: February 8, 2024
    Inventors: Fu-Chiang Kuo, Hsin-Liang Chen, Hsin-Li Cheng, Ting-Chen Hsu
  • Publication number: 20240038654
    Abstract: A semiconductor device and a method of manufacturing the semiconductor device are disclosed. In one aspect, at least one active deep trench capacitor (DTC), the at least one active DTC including a plurality of conductive layers and an insulating layer disposed between adjacent conductive layers of the plurality of conductive layers. The semiconductor device includes a plurality of dummy DTCs disposed on opposing sides of the at least one active DTC, the plurality of dummy DTCs and the at least one active DTC arranged in a row. The semiconductor device includes a plurality of conductive structures connected to the plurality of conductive layers of the active DTC, the plurality of dummy DTCs insulated from the at least one active DTC.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2022
    Publication date: February 1, 2024
    Applicant: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Ltd.
    Inventors: Fu-Chiang Kuo, Yu-Hsin Fang, Ming-Syong Chen
  • Patent number: 11855129
    Abstract: A capacitance structure comprises a metal nitride layer, such as a titanium nitride (TiN) layer, a compositionally graded film formed on a surface of the metal nitride layer by thermal oxidation, and a dielectric layer disposed on the compositionally graded film. A method of manufacturing a capacitance structure includes forming a conductive layer, performing thermal oxidation of a surface of the conductive layer to produce a compositionally graded film on the conductive layer, and forming a dielectric layer on the compositionally graded film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2023
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventor: Fu-Chiang Kuo
  • Publication number: 20230369213
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a substrate including a first trench that extends along a first lateral direction and a second trench that extends along a second lateral direction; a first metal layer filling each of the first and second trenches; a second metal layer filling each of the first and second trenches, and disposed above and electrically isolated from the first metal layer; a first via structure in electrical contact with first metal layer; and a second via structure in electrical contact with second metal layer. When viewed from the top, the first via structure and the second via structure are interposed between the first trench and the second trench along the first lateral direction. The first via structure and the second via structure are disposed immediately adjacent to each other along the second lateral direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 15, 2023
    Publication date: November 16, 2023
    Applicant: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Fu-Chiang Kuo, Meei-Shiou Chern, Jyun-Ting Hou
  • Publication number: 20230369388
    Abstract: A deep trench is formed in a substrate. A layer stack including at least three metallic electrode layers interlaced with at least two node dielectric layers is formed over the substrate. The layer stack continuously extends into the deep trench, and a cavity is present in an unfilled volume of the deep trench. A dielectric fill material layer including a dielectric fill material is formed in the cavity and over the substrate. The dielectric fill material layer encapsulates a void that is free of any solid phase and is formed within a volume of the cavity. The void may expand or shrink under stress during subsequently handling of a deep trench capacitor including the layer stack to absorb mechanical stress and to increase mechanical stability of the deep trench capacitor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2023
    Publication date: November 16, 2023
    Inventor: Fu-Chiang KUO
  • Patent number: 11817510
    Abstract: A semiconductor trench capacitor structure is provided. The semiconductor trench capacitor comprises a semiconductor substrate; a trench capacitor overlying the semiconductor substrate, wherein the trench capacitor comprises a plurality of trench electrodes and a plurality of capacitor dielectric layers that are alternatingly stacked over the semiconductor substrate and defines a plurality of trench segments and a plurality of pillar segments, wherein the trench electrodes and the capacitor dielectric layers are recessed into the semiconductor substrate at the trench segments, and wherein the trench segments are separated from each other by the pillar segments; and a protection dielectric layer disposed between the semiconductor substrate and the trench capacitor, wherein the protection dielectric layer has a thickness greater than thicknesses of the trench electrodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2023
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY LTD.
    Inventor: Fu-Chiang Kuo
  • Publication number: 20230352404
    Abstract: The present disclosure describes a structure with a substrate, a circuit element, a first metallization layer, and a second metallization layer. The circuit element is formed on the substrate. The first metallization layer is disposed over the substrate and includes a first metal line electrically connected to the circuit element and first dummy metal lines extending along a first direction. The second metallization layer is disposed directly above the first metallization layer and includes a second metal line electrically connected to the first metal line and second dummy metal lines extending along a second direction. The second direction is perpendicular to the first direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 15, 2022
    Publication date: November 2, 2023
    Applicant: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Fu-Chiang KUO, Guan Yu Chen, Hsin-Liang Chen
  • Publication number: 20230307558
    Abstract: A semiconductor trench capacitor structure is provided. The semiconductor trench capacitor comprises a semiconductor substrate; a trench capacitor overlying the semiconductor substrate, wherein the trench capacitor comprises a plurality of trench electrodes and a plurality of capacitor dielectric layers that are alternatingly stacked over the semiconductor substrate and defines a plurality of trench segments and a plurality of pillar segments, wherein the trench electrodes and the capacitor dielectric layers are recessed into the semiconductor substrate at the trench segments, and wherein the trench segments are separated from each other by the pillar segments; and a protection dielectric layer disposed between the semiconductor substrate and the trench capacitor, wherein the protection dielectric layer has a thickness greater than thicknesses of the trench electrodes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2023
    Publication date: September 28, 2023
    Inventor: FU-CHIANG KUO
  • Publication number: 20230307389
    Abstract: A semiconductor structure is provided. The semiconductor structure includes a substrate and a deep trench capacitor (DTC) region formed in the substrate. The DTC region includes a plurality of DTC units, and each DTC unit includes: a trench extending downwardly from a top surface of the substrate; a first conductive layer disposed in the trench; a second conductive layer disposed in the trench; and a dielectric layer sandwiched by the first conductive layer and the second conductive layer. Each DTC unit is elongated, and a first group of the plurality of DTC units extend horizontally in a first direction, whereas a second group of the plurality of the DTC units extend horizontally in a second direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2022
    Publication date: September 28, 2023
    Inventor: Fu-Chiang Kuo
  • Publication number: 20230063050
    Abstract: A semiconductor structure includes a substrate containing first-type deep trenches and second-type deep trenches. The first-type deep trenches and the second-type deep trenches have lengthwise sidewalls that laterally extend along different directions. The semiconductor structure includes a capacitor structure, which includes a layer stack containing at least three metallic electrode layers interlaced with at least two node dielectric layers. Each layer within the layer stack includes a horizontally-extending portion that overlies a top surface of the substrate and vertically-extending portions that protrude downward into a respective one of the first-type deep trenches and second-type deep trenches. The different orientations of the lengthwise directions of the deep trenches reduces deformation of the semiconductor structure. Stress-relief structures may be formed in corner regions of the capacitor structure to provide structural reinforcement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2021
    Publication date: March 2, 2023
    Inventor: Fu-Chiang KUO
  • Publication number: 20230069538
    Abstract: A deep trench is formed in a substrate. A layer stack including at least three metallic electrode layers interlaced with at least two node dielectric layers is formed over the substrate. The layer stack continuously extends into the deep trench, and a cavity is present in an unfilled volume of the deep trench. A dielectric fill material layer including a dielectric fill material is formed in the cavity and over the substrate. The dielectric fill material layer encapsulates a void that is free of any solid phase and is formed within a volume of the cavity. The void may expand or shrink under stress during subsequently handling of a deep trench capacitor including the layer stack to absorb mechanical stress and to increase mechanical stability of the deep trench capacitor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2021
    Publication date: March 2, 2023
    Inventor: Fu-Chiang KUO
  • Publication number: 20230068481
    Abstract: A semiconductor trench capacitor structure is provided. The semiconductor trench capacitor comprises a semiconductor substrate; a trench capacitor overlying the semiconductor substrate, wherein the trench capacitor comprises a plurality of trench electrodes and a plurality of capacitor dielectric layers that are alternatingly stacked over the semiconductor substrate and defines a plurality of trench segments and a plurality of pillar segments, wherein the trench electrodes and the capacitor dielectric layers are recessed into the semiconductor substrate at the trench segments, and wherein the trench segments are separated from each other by the pillar segments; and a protection dielectric layer disposed between the semiconductor substrate and the trench capacitor, wherein the protection dielectric layer has a thickness greater than thicknesses of the trench electrodes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2021
    Publication date: March 2, 2023
    Inventor: FU-CHIANG KUO
  • Publication number: 20230010825
    Abstract: A semiconductor structure comprises a semiconductor substrate, a first trench capacitor, and a second trench capacitor. The substrate has first trenches arranged in a first arrangement direction with each first trench extending in a first extension direction and second trenches arranged in a second arrangement direction with each second trench extending in a second extension direction. The first trench capacitor includes first capacitor segments disposed inside the first trenches. The second trench capacitor includes second capacitor segments disposed inside the second trenches. One first capacitor segment of the first capacitor segments has an extending length different from that of another first capacitor segment of the first capacitor segments, and one second capacitor segment of the second capacitor segments has an extending length different from that of another second capacitor segment of the second capacitor segments.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 11, 2022
    Publication date: January 12, 2023
    Applicant: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Fu-Chiang Kuo, Jen-Yuan Chang
  • Publication number: 20230009279
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method of manufacturing a semiconductor structure. The method includes providing a substrate; forming a trench with a predetermined aspect ratio in the substrate to form two fins, wherein the forming of the trench induces the substrate to warp toward a first direction; forming a metal-insulator-metal (MIM) stack on sidewalls of the two fins in the trench, and leaving a space surrounded by the MIM stack in the trench; determining whether the substrate warps toward a second direction reverse to the first direction after the forming of the MIM stack; and in response to the substrate warping toward the second direction, depositing an insulating layer to cover an upper surface of the MIM stack and seal the trench to thereby leave a void in the space.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2022
    Publication date: January 12, 2023
    Inventor: FU-CHIANG KUO
  • Publication number: 20220367734
    Abstract: A semiconductor die includes an array of first capacitor regions, each of the first capacitor regions including multiple first capacitor cell structures, wherein each first capacitor cell structure includes a plurality of first trench segments characterized by a first trench length, a first trench width, and a first trench spacing, and a first air gap width in a gap-filling material. The semiconductor die also includes a plurality of second capacitor regions interspersed in the array of first capacitor regions, each of the second capacitor region including multiple second capacitor cell structures, wherein each second capacitor cell structures includes a plurality of second trench segments characterized by a second trench length, a second trench width, a second trench spacing, and a second air gap width in the gap-filling material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2022
    Publication date: November 17, 2022
    Inventor: Fu-Chiang Kuo