Patents by Inventor Hsin Liu

Hsin Liu 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: 11662668
    Abstract: A lithography system is provided capable of deterring contaminants, such as tin debris from entering into the scanner. The lithography system in accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure includes a processor, an extreme ultraviolet light source, a scanner, and a hollow connection member. The light source includes a droplet generator for generating a droplet, a collector for reflecting extreme ultraviolet light into an intermediate focus point, and a light generator for generating pre-pulse light and main pulse light. The droplet generates the extreme ultraviolet light in response to the droplet being illuminated with the pre-pulse light and the main pulse light. The scanner includes a wafer stage. The hollow connection member includes an inlet that is in fluid communication with an exhaust pump. The hollow connection member provides a hollow space in which the intermediate focus point is disposed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2023
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chieh Hsieh, Tai-Yu Chen, Cho-Ying Lin, Shang-Chieh Chien, Li-Jui Chen, Heng-Hsin Liu
  • Patent number: 11658685
    Abstract: A storage device includes a memory array and a memory controller. The memory controller generates read and write commands for the memory array. An error correction code engine for the storage device is operable to use a plurality of different codeword sizes, different code rates, or different ECC algorithms. Logic is included that applies a selected codeword size, code rate or ECC algorithm in dependence on the operating conditions of the memory array.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2023
    Assignee: MACRONIX INTERNATIONAL CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Chin-Chu Chung, Chien-Hsin Liu, Hung-Jen Kao, Yu-Chih Yeh
  • Patent number: 11650512
    Abstract: Some implementations described herein provide a reticle cleaning device and a method of use. The reticle cleaning device includes a support member configured for extension toward a reticle within an extreme ultraviolet lithography tool. The reticle cleaning device also includes a contact surface disposed at an end of the support member and configured to bond to particles contacted by the contact surface. The reticle cleaning device further includes a stress sensor configured to measure an amount of stress applied to the support member at the contact surface. During a cleaning operation in which the contact surface is moving toward the reticle, the stress sensor may provide an indication that the amount of stress applied to the support member satisfies a threshold. Based on satisfying the threshold, movement of the contact surface and/or the support member toward the reticle ceases to avoid damaging the reticle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2023
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Che-Chang Hsu, Sheng-Kang Yu, Shang-Chieh Chien, Li-Jui Chen, Heng-Hsin Liu
  • Publication number: 20230142835
    Abstract: A method for inspecting an extreme ultraviolet (EUV) light source includes: removing a collector mirror of the EUV light source from a collector chamber; installing an inspection apparatus within the collector chamber, the apparatus including a selectively extendable and retractable member and a camera at one end of the member; operating a first actuator to extend the member along a path through the interior chamber of the EUV light source, thereby moving the camera to a given position within the interior chamber of the EUV light source; operating a second actuator to pan the camera about an axis of rotation, thereby establishing a given camera orientation within the interior of the EUV light source; and, capturing an image of the interior chamber of the EUV light source with the camera while the camera is at the given position and orientation established by the operation of the first and second actuators.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 10, 2023
    Publication date: May 11, 2023
    Inventors: Chiao-Hua Cheng, Sheng-Kang Yu, Heng-Hsin Liu, Li-Jui Chen, Shang-Chieh Chien
  • Publication number: 20230143018
    Abstract: An optical lens assembly includes a lens barrel and an optical lens group. The lens barrel includes a light entering hole, which is configured for allowing a light to enter the lens barrel. The lens barrel accommodates the optical lens group, and an optical axis passes through the optical lens group. The optical lens group includes a plurality of lens elements and at least one light blocking sheet. The light blocking sheet is an opaque sheet-shaped element and surrounds the optical axis to form a light passing hole. The light blocking sheet includes an object-side surface and an image-side surface, and the object-side surface is located more adjacent to the light entering hole than the image-side surface thereto. A first film layer is disposed on the object-side surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2022
    Publication date: May 11, 2023
    Inventors: Ssu-Hsin LIU, Chen-Wei FAN, Ming-Ta CHOU, Chien-Pang CHANG, Wen-Yu TSAI
  • Patent number: 11647578
    Abstract: A light source is provided capable of maintaining the temperature of a collector surface at or below a predetermined temperature. The light source in accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure includes a processor, a droplet generator for generating a droplet to create extreme ultraviolet light, a collector for reflecting the extreme ultraviolet light into an intermediate focus point, a light generator for generating pre-pulse light and main pulse light, and a thermal image capture device for capturing a thermal image from a reflective surface of the collector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2023
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Tai-Yu Chen, Cho-Ying Lin, Sagar Deepak Khivsara, Hsiang Chen, Chieh Hsieh, Sheng-Kang Yu, Shang-Chieh Chien, Kai Tak Lam, Li-Jui Chen, Heng-Hsin Liu, Zhiqiang Wu
  • Publication number: 20230135277
    Abstract: A hybrid indoor positioning system comprises an electronic label provided with an acceleration sensing module, a first direction sensing module, a second direction sensing module and an operational module, the acceleration sensing module generates an acceleration signal, the operational module receives the acceleration signal and generates a movement data, the first direction sensing module and the second direction sensing module respectively generate a first direction signal, a magnetic force information and a second direction signal, the operational module receives the first direction signal and the second direction signal and generates a direction data, the electronic label is provided with a signal receiving module that generates an ambient wireless signal, the movement data and the direction data of the operational module are transmitted to a signal sending module; and a remote server, the remote server has a central processing unit, a signal receiving unit and a judgment model.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 20, 2022
    Publication date: May 4, 2023
    Inventors: JUN-BANG JIANG, SHIH-HSIN LIU, SHAO-YUNG HUANG
  • Publication number: 20230132074
    Abstract: In an embodiment, a method includes: heating a byproduct transport ring of an extreme ultraviolet source, the byproduct transport ring disposed beneath vanes of the extreme ultraviolet source; after heating the byproduct transport ring for a first duration, heating the vanes; after heating the vanes, cooling the vanes; and after cooling the vanes for a second duration, cooling the byproduct transport ring.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 10, 2022
    Publication date: April 27, 2023
    Inventors: Wei-Chun Yen, Chi Yang, Sheng-Kang Yu, Shang-Chieh Chien, Li-Jui Chen, Heng-Hsin Liu
  • Patent number: 11637216
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices are disclosed for implementing high conversion efficiency solar cells. In one aspect, an optical-to-electrical energy conversion device includes a substrate formed of a doped semiconductor material and having a first region and a second region, an array of multilayered nanoscale structures protruding from the first region of the substrate, in which the nanoscale structures are formed of a first co-doped semiconductor material covered by a layer of a second co-doped semiconductor material forming a core-shell structure, the layer covering at least a portion of the doped semiconductor material of the substrate in the second region, and an electrode formed on the layer-covered portion of the substrate in the second region, in which the multilayered nanoscale structures provide an optical active region capable of absorbing photons from light at one or more wavelengths to generate an electrical signal presented at the electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2023
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: Yu-Hwa Lo, Yuchun Zhou, Yu-Hsin Liu
  • Patent number: 11632849
    Abstract: A shutter is provided near the immediate focus of a lithography apparatus in order to deflect tin debris generated by a source side of the apparatus away from a scanner side of the apparatus and towards a debris collection device. The activation of the shutter is synchronized with the generation of light pulses so as not to block light from entering the scanner side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2023
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Chieh Hsieh, Tai-Yu Chen, Hung-Jung Hsu, Cho-Ying Lin, Shang-Chieh Chien, Li-Jui Chen, Heng-Hsin Liu
  • Publication number: 20230106125
    Abstract: A storage device includes a memory array and a memory controller. The memory controller generates read and write commands for the memory array. An error correction code engine for the storage device is operable to use a plurality of different codeword sizes, different code rates, or different ECC algorithms. Logic is included that applies a selected codeword size, code rate or ECC algorithm in dependence on the operating conditions of the memory array.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 5, 2021
    Publication date: April 6, 2023
    Applicant: MACRONIX INTERNATIONAL CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Chin-Chu CHUNG, Chien-Hsin LIU, Hung-Jen KAO, Yu-Chih YEH
  • Publication number: 20230099309
    Abstract: In a method of cleaning a lithography system, during idle mode, a stream of air is directed, through a first opening, into a chamber of a wafer table of an EUV lithography system. One or more particles is extracted by the directed stream of air from surfaces of one or more wafer chucks in the chamber of the wafer table. The stream of air and the extracted one or more particle are drawn, through a second opening, out of the chamber of the wafer table.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2022
    Publication date: March 30, 2023
    Inventors: Shih-Yu TU, Shao-Hua WANG, Yen-Hao LIU, Chueh-Chi KUO, Li-Jui CHEN, Heng-Hsin LIU
  • Patent number: 11605477
    Abstract: An extreme ultra violet (EUV) light source apparatus includes a metal droplet generator, a collector mirror, an excitation laser inlet port for receiving an excitation laser, a first mirror configured to reflect the excitation laser that passes through a zone of excitation, and a second mirror configured to reflect the excitation laser reflected by the first mirror.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2023
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Cheng Hung Tsai, Sheng-Kang Yu, Shang-Chieh Chien, Heng-Hsin Liu, Li-Jui Chen
  • Publication number: 20230076566
    Abstract: In a method executed in an exposure apparatus, a focus control effective region and a focus control exclusion region are set based on an exposure map and a chip area layout within an exposure area. Focus-leveling data are measured over a wafer. A photo resist layer on the wafer is exposed with an exposure light. When a chip area of a plurality of chip areas of the exposure area is located within an effective region of a wafer, the chip area is included in the focus control effective region, and when a part of or all of a chip area of the plurality of chip areas is located on or outside a periphery of the effective region of the wafer, the chip area is included in the focus control exclusion region In the exposing, a focus-leveling is controlled by using the focus-leveling data measured at the focus control effective region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2022
    Publication date: March 9, 2023
    Inventors: Yung-Yao LEE, Heng-Hsin LIU, Hung-Ming KUO, Jui-Chun PENG
  • Patent number: 11602037
    Abstract: A target droplet source for an extreme ultraviolet (EUV) source includes a droplet generator configured to generate target droplets of a given material. The droplet generator includes a nozzle configured to supply the target droplets in a space enclosed by a chamber. In some embodiments, a nozzle tube is arranged within the nozzle of the droplet generator, and the nozzle tube includes a structured nozzle pattern configured to provide an angular momentum to the target droplets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2023
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Yu-Huan Chen, Yu-Chih Huang, Ming-Hsun Tsai, Shang-Chieh Chien, Heng-Hsin Liu
  • Publication number: 20230069707
    Abstract: In order to prevent observed long-term energy decay of power amplifiers and correspondingly increase the lifespan of CO2 lasers employing them, a hydrogen-doped mixing gas is supplied from an external pipeline during operation or periodic maintenance in order to effectively remove solid contaminants that build-up over time on a surface of a catalyst disposed within the power amplifier.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2021
    Publication date: March 2, 2023
    Inventors: Chih-Ping YEN, Yen-Shuo SU, Jui-Pin WU, Chun-Lin CHANG, Han-Lung CHANG, Heng-Hsin LIU
  • Publication number: 20230062302
    Abstract: An extreme ultra violet (EUV) light source apparatus includes a metal droplet generator, a collector mirror, an excitation laser inlet port for receiving an excitation laser, a first mirror configured to reflect the excitation laser that passes through a zone of excitation, and a second mirror configured to reflect the excitation laser reflected by the first mirror.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2021
    Publication date: March 2, 2023
    Inventors: Cheng Hung TSAI, Sheng-Kang YU, Shang-Chieh CHIEN, Heng-Hsin LIU, Li-Jui CHEN
  • Publication number: 20230062653
    Abstract: Supersonic gas jets are provided near the immediate focus of a lithography apparatus in order to deflect tin debris generated by the lithography process away from a scanner side and towards a debris collection device. The gas jets can be positioned in a variety of useful orientations, with adjustable gas flow velocity and gas density in order to prevent up to nearly 100% of the tin debris from migrating to the reticle on the scanner side.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2021
    Publication date: March 2, 2023
    Inventors: Chih-Ping YEN, Yen-Shuo SU, Chieh HSIEH, Shang-Chieh CHIEN, Chun-Lin CHANG, Li-Jui CHEN, Heng-Hsin LIU
  • Publication number: 20230060625
    Abstract: A target droplet source for an extreme ultraviolet (EUV) source includes a droplet generator configured to generate target droplets of a given material. The droplet generator includes a nozzle configured to supply the target droplets in a space enclosed by a chamber. In some embodiments, a nozzle tube is arranged within the nozzle of the droplet generator, and the nozzle tube includes a structured nozzle pattern configured to provide an angular momentum to the target droplets.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2021
    Publication date: March 2, 2023
    Inventors: Yu-Huan CHEN, Yu-Chih HUANG, Ming-Hsun TSAI, Shang-Chieh CHIEN, Heng-Hsin LIU
  • Publication number: 20230064840
    Abstract: A shutter is provided near the immediate focus of a lithography apparatus in order to deflect tin debris generated by a source side of the apparatus away from a scanner side of the apparatus and towards a debris collection device. The activation of the shutter is synchronized with the generation of light pulses so as not to block light from entering the scanner side.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2021
    Publication date: March 2, 2023
    Inventors: Chieh HSIEH, Tai-Yu CHEN, Hung-Jung HSU, Cho-Ying LIN, Shang-Chieh CHIEN, Li-Jui CHEN, Heng-Hsin LIU