Patents by Inventor Hau-yan Lu

Hau-yan 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).

  • Publication number: 20180308847
    Abstract: A memory system is provided. The memory system includes a number of memory cells and a number of bit lines. The memory cells are interlocked with each other in rows and columns. The memory cells include respective capacitors, respective first transistors and respective second transistors. Respective upper plates of the respective capacitors are electrically connected to respective gates of the respective first transistors, and respective drains of the respective second transistors are connected to respective sources of the respective first transistors. The bit lines are arranged along an extending direction of the rows. Respective bit lines are connected to the respective first transistors through respective bit-line contacts, and each of the respective bit-line contacts is shared by two adjacent memory cells of the extending direction of the rows.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 20, 2017
    Publication date: October 25, 2018
    Inventors: Hau-Yan LU, Shih-Hsien CHEN, Chun-Yao KO, Felix Ying-Kit TSUI
  • Patent number: 10043919
    Abstract: Representative methods of manufacturing memory devices include forming a transistor with a gate disposed over a workpiece, and forming an erase gate with a tip portion extending towards the workpiece. The transistor includes a source region and a drain region disposed in the workpiece proximate the gate. The erase gate is coupled to the gate of the transistor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2018
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Alexander Kalnitsky, Hsiao-Chin Tuan, Felix Ying-Kit Tsui, Hau-Yan Lu
  • Patent number: 9711516
    Abstract: A non-volatile memory structure includes a semiconductor substrate and a first layer of a first dopant type in the semiconductor substrate. The non-volatile memory structure further includes a first well region of a second dopant type over the first layer, a second well region of the second dopant type over the first layer and spaced apart from the first well region, and a third well region of the first dopant type disposed between the first well region and the second well region and extending downward to the first layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2017
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY LTD.
    Inventors: Shih-Hsien Chen, Hau-Yan Lu, Liang-Tai Kuo, Chun-Yao Ko, Felix Ying-Kit Tsui
  • Publication number: 20170194338
    Abstract: A memory device includes at least one memory cell. The memory cell includes first and second transistors, and first and second capacitors. The first transistor is coupled to a source line. The second transistor is coupled to the first transistor and a bit line. The first capacitor is coupled to a word line and the second transistor. The second capacitor is coupled to the second transistor and an erase gate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2017
    Publication date: July 6, 2017
    Inventors: Shih-Hsien CHEN, Liang-Tai KUO, Hau-Yan LU, Chun-Yao KO
  • Publication number: 20170194342
    Abstract: A semiconductor device is provided. The semiconductor device comprises a first active region, a second active region and a third active region, a first poly region, a second poly region, a third poly region, a first doped region and a second doped region. The first active region, the second active region and the third active region are separated and parallel with each other. The first poly region is arranged over the first and second active regions. The second poly region is arranged over the first and second active regions. The third poly region is arranged over the second and third active regions. The first doped region is in the second active region and between the first poly region and the second poly region. The second doped region is in the second active region and between the second poly region and the third poly region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 4, 2016
    Publication date: July 6, 2017
    Inventors: HAU-YAN LU, SHIH-HSIEN CHEN, CHUN-YAO KO, FELIX YING-KIT TSUI
  • Publication number: 20170125425
    Abstract: A non-volatile memory structure includes a semiconductor substrate and a first layer of a first dopant type in the semiconductor substrate. The non-volatile memory structure further includes a first well region of a second dopant type over the first layer, a second well region of the second dopant type over the first layer and spaced apart from the first well region, and a third well region of the first dopant type disposed between the first well region and the second well region and extending downward to the first layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2015
    Publication date: May 4, 2017
    Inventors: SHIH-HSIEN CHEN, HAU-YAN LU, LIANG-TAI KUO, CHUN-YAO KO, FELIX YING-KIT TSUI
  • Patent number: 9620594
    Abstract: A memory device includes at least one memory cell. The memory cell includes first and second transistors, and first and second capacitors. The first transistor is coupled to a source line. The second transistor is coupled to the first transistor and a bit line. The first capacitor is coupled to a word line and the second transistor. The second capacitor is coupled to the second transistor and an erase gate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Shih-Hsien Chen, Liang-Tai Kuo, Hau-Yan Lu, Chun-Yao Ko
  • Patent number: 9537016
    Abstract: A memory device is disclosed. The memory device includes a substrate, including a substrate, including a source region and a drain region; and a gate stack, formed over a surface of the substrate, wherein the gate stack includes: a tunneling layer; a first layer; a second layer; a third layer; and a blocking layer; wherein each of the tunneling layer and the blocking layer has an oxygen proportion higher than the first, the second and the third layers; the first layer has a highest silicon proportion among the first, the second and the third layers; the second layer has a highest oxygen proportion among the first, the second and the third layers; and the first layer has a highest nitrogen proportion among the first, the second and the third layers. An associated gate stack and a manufacturing method are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY LTD.
    Inventors: Hau-Yan Lu, Chun-Yao Ko, Chun-Heng Liao, Felix Ying-Kit Tsui
  • Publication number: 20160359052
    Abstract: Representative methods of manufacturing memory devices include forming a transistor with a gate disposed over a workpiece, and forming an erase gate with a tip portion extending towards the workpiece. The transistor includes a source region and a drain region disposed in the workpiece proximate the gate. The erase gate is coupled to the gate of the transistor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 19, 2016
    Publication date: December 8, 2016
    Inventors: Alexander Kalnitsky, Hsiao-Chin Tuan, Felix Ying-Kit Tsui, Hau-Yan Lu
  • Patent number: 9431107
    Abstract: Memory devices and methods of manufacture thereof are disclosed. In one embodiment, a memory device includes a transistor having a gate disposed over a workpiece. The transistor includes a source region and a drain region disposed in the workpiece proximate the gate. The memory device includes an erase gate having a tip portion that extends towards the workpiece. The erase gate is coupled to the gate of the transistor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2016
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Alexander Kalnitsky, Hsiao-Chin Tuan, Felix Ying-Kit Tsui, Hau-Yan Lu
  • Patent number: 9384815
    Abstract: Memory cells and operation methods thereof are provided. A memory device includes a number of memory cells. Each of the memory cells includes a first transistor, a switch and a capacitor. The first transistor has a drain connected to a corresponding bit-line. The switch has a first terminal connected to a source of the first transistor and a second terminal coupled to a reference voltage. The capacitor has a first plate and a second plate, and the first plate of the capacitor is electrically connected to a gate of the first transistor. The second plate of the capacitor is connected to a corresponding word line. The switch is turned off when the memory cell is not selected to perform a write operation or a read operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2016
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Shih-Hsien Chen, Hau-Yan Lu, Liang-Tai Kuo, Chun-Yao Ko, Felix Ying-Kit Tsui
  • Publication number: 20160093628
    Abstract: A memory device includes at least one memory cell. The memory cell includes first and second transistors, and first and second capacitors. The first transistor is coupled to a source line. The second transistor is coupled to the first transistor and a bit line. The first capacitor is coupled to a word line and the second transistor. The second capacitor is coupled to the second transistor and an erase gate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2014
    Publication date: March 31, 2016
    Inventors: Shih-Hsien CHEN, Liang-Tai KUO, Hau-Yan LU, Chun-Yao KO
  • Patent number: 9257522
    Abstract: Some embodiments relate to a memory cell to store one or more bits of data. The memory cell includes a capacitor including first and second capacitor plates which are separated from one another by a dielectric. The first capacitor plate corresponds to a doped region disposed in a semiconductor substrate, and the second capacitor plate is a polysilicon or metal layer arranged over the doped region. The memory cell also includes a transistor laterally spaced apart from the capacitor and including a gate electrode arranged between first and second source/drain regions. An interconnect structure is disposed over the semiconductor substrate and couples the gate electrode of the transistor to the second capacitor plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2016
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hau-Yan Lu, Shih-Hsien Chen, Chun-Yao Ko, Felix Ying-Kit Tsui
  • Publication number: 20150098266
    Abstract: Memory cells and operation methods thereof are provided. A memory device includes a number of memory cells. Each of the memory cells includes a first transistor, a switch and a capacitor. The first transistor has a drain connected to a corresponding bit-line. The switch has a first terminal connected to a source of the first transistor and a second terminal coupled to a reference voltage. The capacitor has a first plate and a second plate, and the first plate of the capacitor is electrically connected to a gate of the first transistor. The second plate of the capacitor is connected to a corresponding word line. The switch is turned off when the memory cell is not selected to perform a write operation or a read operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 8, 2013
    Publication date: April 9, 2015
    Applicant: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Shih-Hsien CHEN, Hau-Yan LU, Liang-Tai KUO, Chun-Yao KO, Felix Ying-Kit TSUI
  • Publication number: 20150016180
    Abstract: Some embodiments relate to a memory cell to store one or more bits of data. The memory cell includes a capacitor including first and second capacitor plates which are separated from one another by a dielectric. The first capacitor plate corresponds to a doped region disposed in a semiconductor substrate, and the second capacitor plate is a polysilicon or metal layer arranged over the doped region. The memory cell also includes a transistor laterally spaced apart from the capacitor and including a gate electrode arranged between first and second source/drain regions. An interconnect structure is disposed over the semiconductor substrate and couples the gate electrode of the transistor to the second capacitor plate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2014
    Publication date: January 15, 2015
    Inventors: Hau-Yan Lu, Shih-Hsien Chen, Chun-Yao Ko, Felix Ying-Kit Tsui
  • Patent number: 8848428
    Abstract: One embodiment relates to a memory device including a plurality of memory units tiled together to form a memory array. A memory unit includes a plurality of memory cells, which include respective capacitors and respective transistors, disposed on a semiconductor substrate. The capacitors include respective lower plates disposed in a conductive region in the semiconductor substrate. A wordline extends over the conductive region, and a contact couples the wordline to the conductive region so as to couple the wordline to the lower plates of the respective capacitors. The respective transistors are arranged so successive gates of the transistors are arranged on alternating sides of the wordline.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hau-Yan Lu, Shih-Hsien Chen, Chun-Yao Ko, Felix Ying-Kit Tsui
  • Publication number: 20140167127
    Abstract: Memory devices and methods of manufacture thereof are disclosed. In one embodiment, a memory device includes a transistor having a gate disposed over a workpiece. The transistor includes a source region and a drain region disposed in the workpiece proximate the gate. The memory device includes an erase gate having a tip portion that extends towards the workpiece. The erase gate is coupled to the gate of the transistor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2012
    Publication date: June 19, 2014
    Applicant: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Alexander Kalnitsky, Hsiao-Chin Tuan, Felix Ying-Kit Tsui, Hau-Yan Lu
  • Patent number: 8724363
    Abstract: An anti-fuse memory with coupling channel is provided. The anti-fuse memory includes a substrate of a first conductive type, a doped region of a second conductive type, a coupling gate, a gate dielectric layer, an anti-fuse gate, and an anti-fuse layer. The substrate has an isolation structure. The doped region is disposed in the substrate. A channel region is defined between the doped region and the isolation structure. The coupling gate is disposed on the substrate between the doped region and the isolation structure. The coupling gate is adjacent to the doped region. The gate dielectric layer is disposed between the coupling gate and the substrate. The anti-fuse gate is disposed on the substrate between the coupling gate and the isolation structure. The anti-fuse gate and the coupling gate have a space therebetween. The anti-fuse layer is disposed between the anti-fuse gate and the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: eMemory Technology Inc.
    Inventors: Hau-Yan Lu, Hsin-Ming Chen, Ching-Sung Yang
  • Patent number: 8638589
    Abstract: An operating method for a memory unit is provided, wherein the memory unit includes a well region, a select gate, a first gate, a second gate, an oxide nitride spacer, a first diffusion region, and a second diffusion region. The operating method for the memory unit comprises the following steps. During a programming operation, a breakdown voltage is coupled to the second diffusion region through a first channel region formed under the select gate. A programming voltage is sequentially or simultaneously applied to the first gate and the second gate to rupture a first oxide layer and a second oxide layer, wherein the first oxide layer is disposed between the first gate and the well region, and the second oxide layer is disposed between the second gate and the well region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2014
    Assignee: eMemory Technology Inc.
    Inventors: Hau-Yan Lu, Hsin-Ming Chen, Ching-Sung Yang
  • Publication number: 20140016399
    Abstract: One embodiment relates to a memory device including a plurality of memory units tiled together to form a memory array. A memory unit includes a plurality of memory cells, which include respective capacitors and respective transistors, disposed on a semiconductor substrate. The capacitors include respective lower plates disposed in a conductive region in the semiconductor substrate. A wordline extends over the conductive region, and a contact couples the wordline to the conductive region so as to couple the wordline to the lower plates of the respective capacitors. The respective transistors are arranged so successive gates of the transistors are arranged on alternating sides of the wordline.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 13, 2012
    Publication date: January 16, 2014
    Applicant: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hau-Yan Lu, Shih-Hsien Chen, Chun-Yao Ko, Felix Ying-Kit Tsui