Patents by Inventor Hsiao-Lun CHANG

Hsiao-Lun CHANG 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: 20230305404
    Abstract: A method of lithography process is provided. The method includes forming a conductive layer over a reticle. The method includes applying ionized particles to the reticle by a discharging device. The method includes forming a photoresist layer over a semiconductor substrate. The method includes securing the semiconductor substrate by a wafer electrostatic-clamp. The method also includes patterning the photoresist layer by emitting radiation from a radiation source via the reticle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2023
    Publication date: September 28, 2023
    Applicant: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hsiao-Lun CHANG, Chueh-Chi KUO, Tsung-Yen LEE, Tzung-Chi FU, Li-Jui CHEN, Po-Chung CHENG, Che-Chang HSU
  • Patent number: 11703763
    Abstract: A reticle, a reticle container and a method of lithography process are provided. The reticle container includes: a cover configured to protect a reticle, a baseplate, and a discharging device on the baseplate. The baseplate has: a top surface configured to engage to the cover and a bottom surface opposite to the top surface. The discharging device is configured to neutralize static charges accumulated on the reticle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2023
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hsiao-Lun Chang, Chueh-Chi Kuo, Tsung-Yen Lee, Tzung-Chi Fu, Li-Jui Chen, Po-Chung Cheng, Che-Chang Hsu
  • Publication number: 20230107078
    Abstract: A method includes following steps. A photoresist-coated substrate is received to an extreme ultraviolet (EUV) tool. An EUV radiation is directed from a radiation source onto the photoresist-coated substrate, wherein the EUV radiation is generated by an excitation laser hitting a plurality of target droplets ejected from a first droplet generator. The first droplet generator is replaced with a second droplet generator at a temperature not lower than about 150° C.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2022
    Publication date: April 6, 2023
    Applicant: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Shih-Yu TU, Han-Lung CHANG, Hsiao-Lun CHANG, Li-Jui CHEN, Po-Chung CHENG
  • Patent number: 11599030
    Abstract: A droplet catcher system of an EUV lithography apparatus is provided. The droplet catcher system includes a catcher body, a heat transfer part, a heat exchanger, and a controller. The catcher body has an outer surface. The heat transfer part is directly attached to the outer surface of the catcher body. The heat exchanger is thermally coupled to the heat transfer part. The controller is electrically coupled to the heat exchanger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2023
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Shih-Yu Tu, Po-Chung Cheng, Hsiao-Lun Chang, Li-Jui Chen, Han-Lung Chang
  • Patent number: 11528798
    Abstract: A method includes ejecting a metal droplet from a reservoir of a first droplet generator assembled to a vessel; emitting an excitation laser from a laser source to the metal droplet to generate extreme ultraviolet (EUV) radiation; turning off the first droplet generator; cooling down the first droplet generator to a temperature not lower than about 150° C.; dismantling the first droplet generator from the vessel at the temperature not lower than about 150° C.; and assembling a second droplet generator to the vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2022
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Shih-Yu Tu, Han-Lung Chang, Hsiao-Lun Chang, Li-Jui Chen, Po-Chung Cheng
  • Publication number: 20220369447
    Abstract: A metal reuse system for an extreme ultra violet (EUV) radiation source apparatus includes a first metal collector for collecting metal from vanes of the EUV radiation source apparatus, a first metal storage coupled to the first metal collector via a first conduit, a metal droplet generator coupled to the first metal storage via a second conduit, and a first metal filtration device disposed on either one of the first conduit and the second conduit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2022
    Publication date: November 17, 2022
    Inventors: Wei-Shin CHENG, Han-Lung CHANG, Li-Jui CHEN, Po-Chung CHENG, Hsiao-Lun CHANG
  • Patent number: 11470710
    Abstract: A metal reuse system for an extreme ultra violet (EUV) radiation source apparatus includes a first metal collector for collecting metal from vanes of the EUV radiation source apparatus, a first metal storage coupled to the first metal collector via a first conduit, a metal droplet generator coupled to the first metal storage via a second conduit, and a first metal filtration device disposed on either one of the first conduit and the second conduit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2022
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Wei-Shin Cheng, Han-Lung Chang, Li-Jui Chen, Po-Chung Cheng, Hsiao-Lun Chang
  • Publication number: 20220260901
    Abstract: A reticle, a reticle container and a method of lithography process are provided. The reticle container includes: a cover configured to protect a reticle, a baseplate, and a discharging device on the baseplate. The baseplate has: a top surface configured to engage to the cover and a bottom surface opposite to the top surface. The discharging device is configured to neutralize static charges accumulated on the reticle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2022
    Publication date: August 18, 2022
    Applicant: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hsiao-Lun CHANG, Chueh-Chi KUO, Tsung-Yen LEE, Tzung-Chi FU, Li-Jui CHEN, Po-Chung CHENG, Che-Chang HSU
  • Patent number: 11320733
    Abstract: A reticle, a reticle container and a method for discharging static charges accumulated on a reticle are provided. The reticle includes a mask substrate, a reflective multilayer (ML) structure, a capping layer, an absorption structure and a conductive material structure. The mask substrate has a front-side surface and a back-side surface. The reflective ML structure is positioned over the front-side surface of mask substrate. The capping layer is positioned over the reflective ML structure. The absorption structure is positioned over the capping layer. The conductive material structure is positioned over a sidewall surface of the mask substrate and a sidewall surface of the absorption structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2022
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hsiao-Lun Chang, Chueh-Chi Kuo, Tsung-Yen Lee, Tzung-Chi Fu, Li-Jui Chen, Po-Chung Cheng, Che-Chang Hsu
  • Patent number: 11134558
    Abstract: A droplet generator assembly includes a storage tank, a refill system, a droplet generator, and a temperature control system. The storage tank is configured to store a target material. The refill system is connected to the storage tank. The droplet generator includes a reservoir and a nozzle connected to the reservoir, in which the droplet generator is connected to the refill system, and the refill system is configured to deliver the target material to the reservoir. The temperature control system is adjacent to the refill system or the reservoir.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2021
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Shih-Yu Tu, Yu-Kuang Sun, Shao-Hua Wang, Han-Lung Chang, Hsiao-Lun Chang, Li-Jui Chen, Po-Chung Cheng, Cheng-Hao Lai, Hsin-Feng Chen, Wei-Shin Cheng, Ming-Hsun Tsai, Yen-Hsun Chen
  • Publication number: 20210298161
    Abstract: A method includes ejecting a metal droplet from a reservoir of a first droplet generator assembled to a vessel; emitting an excitation laser from a laser source to the metal droplet to generate extreme ultraviolet (EUV) radiation; turning off the first droplet generator; cooling down the first droplet generator to a temperature not lower than about 150° C.; dismantling the first droplet generator from the vessel at the temperature not lower than about 150° C.; and assembling a second droplet generator to the vessel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 3, 2021
    Publication date: September 23, 2021
    Applicant: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Shih-Yu TU, Han-Lung CHANG, Hsiao-Lun CHANG, Li-Jui CHEN, Po-Chung CHENG
  • Publication number: 20210286273
    Abstract: A droplet catcher system of an EUV lithography apparatus is provided. The droplet catcher system includes a catcher body, a heat transfer part, a heat exchanger, and a controller. The catcher body has an outer surface. The heat transfer part is directly attached to the outer surface of the catcher body. The heat exchanger is thermally coupled to the heat transfer part. The controller is electrically coupled to the heat exchanger.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2021
    Publication date: September 16, 2021
    Applicant: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Shih-Yu Tu, Po-Chung Cheng, Hsiao-Lun Chang, Li-Jui Chen, Han-Lung Chang
  • Publication number: 20210227676
    Abstract: A metal reuse system for an extreme ultra violet (EUV) radiation source apparatus includes a first metal collector for collecting metal from vanes of the EUV radiation source apparatus, a first metal storage coupled to the first metal collector via a first conduit, a metal droplet generator coupled to the first metal storage via a second conduit, and a first metal filtration device disposed on either one of the first conduit and the second conduit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2020
    Publication date: July 22, 2021
    Inventors: Wei-Shin CHENG, Han-Lung CHANG, Li-Jui CHEN, Po-Chung CHENG, Hsiao-Lun CHANG
  • Patent number: 11067906
    Abstract: A droplet catcher system of an EUV lithography apparatus is provided. The droplet catcher system includes a catcher body, a heat transfer part, a heat exchanger, and a controller. The catcher body has an outer surface. The heat transfer part is directly attached to the outer surface of the catcher body. The heat exchanger is thermally coupled to the heat transfer part. The controller is electrically coupled to the heat exchanger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2021
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Shih-Yu Tu, Po-Chung Cheng, Hsiao-Lun Chang, Li-Jui Chen, Han-Lung Chang
  • Patent number: 11032897
    Abstract: A method includes ejecting a metal droplet from a reservoir of a droplet generator toward a zone of excitation in front of a collector, emitting an excitation laser toward the zone of excitation, such that the metal droplet is heated by the excitation laser to generate extreme ultraviolet (EUV) radiation, halting the emission of the excitation laser, depressurizing the reservoir of the droplet generator, cooling down the droplet generator to a temperature not lower than about 150° C., and refilling the reservoir of the droplet generator with a solid metal material at the temperature not lower than about 150° C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2021
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Shih-Yu Tu, Han-Lung Chang, Hsiao-Lun Chang, Li-Jui Chen, Po-Chung Cheng
  • Publication number: 20210059036
    Abstract: A method includes ejecting a metal droplet from a reservoir of a droplet generator toward a zone of excitation in front of a collector, emitting an excitation laser toward the zone of excitation, such that the metal droplet is heated by the excitation laser to generate extreme ultraviolet (EUV) radiation, halting the emission of the excitation laser, depressurizing the reservoir of the droplet generator, cooling down the droplet generator to a temperature not lower than about 150° C., and refilling the reservoir of the droplet generator with a solid metal material at the temperature not lower than about 150° C.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2019
    Publication date: February 25, 2021
    Applicant: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Shih-Yu TU, Han-Lung CHANG, Hsiao-Lun CHANG, Li-Jui CHEN, Po-Chung CHENG
  • Publication number: 20210033986
    Abstract: A droplet catcher system of an EUV lithography apparatus is provided. The droplet catcher system includes a catcher body, a heat transfer part, a heat exchanger, and a controller. The catcher body has an outer surface. The heat transfer part is directly attached to the outer surface of the catcher body. The heat exchanger is thermally coupled to the heat transfer part. The controller is electrically coupled to the heat exchanger.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 2, 2020
    Publication date: February 4, 2021
    Applicant: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shih-Yu Tu, Po-Chung Cheng, Hsiao-Lun Chang, Li-Jui Chen, Han-Lung Chang
  • Publication number: 20210026236
    Abstract: A reticle, a reticle container and a method for discharging static charges accumulated on a reticle are provided. The reticle includes a mask substrate, a reflective multilayer (ML) structure, a capping layer, an absorption structure and a conductive material structure. The mask substrate has a front-side surface and a back-side surface. The reflective ML structure is positioned over the front-side surface of mask substrate. The capping layer is positioned over the reflective ML structure. The absorption structure is positioned over the capping layer. The conductive material structure is positioned over a sidewall surface of the mask substrate and a sidewall surface of the absorption structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 8, 2020
    Publication date: January 28, 2021
    Applicant: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hsiao-Lun CHANG, Chueh-Chi KUO, Tsung-Yen LEE, Tzung-Chi FU, Li-Jui CHEN, Po-Chung CHENG, Che-Chang HSU
  • Patent number: 10880980
    Abstract: A metal reuse system for an extreme ultra violet (EUV) radiation source apparatus includes a first metal collector for collecting metal from vanes of the EUV radiation source apparatus, a first metal storage coupled to the first metal collector via a first conduit, a metal droplet generator coupled to the first metal storage via a second conduit, and a first metal filtration device disposed on either one of the first conduit and the second conduit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2020
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Wei-Shin Cheng, Han-Lung Chang, Li-Jui Chen, Po-Chung Cheng, Hsiao-Lun Chang
  • Patent number: 10802394
    Abstract: A reticle, a reticle container and a method for discharging static charges accumulated on a reticle are provided. The reticle includes a mask substrate, a reflective multilayer (ML) structure, a capping layer, an absorption structure and a conductive material structure. The mask substrate has a front-side surface and a back-side surface. The reflective ML structure is positioned over the front-side surface of mask substrate. The capping layer is positioned over the reflective ML structure. The absorption structure is positioned over the capping layer. The conductive material structure is positioned over a sidewall surface of the mask substrate and a sidewall surface of the absorption structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2020
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hsiao-Lun Chang, Chueh-Chi Kuo, Tsung-Yen Lee, Tzung-Chi Fu, Li-Jui Chen, Po-Chung Cheng, Che-Chang Hsu