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).

  • Publication number: 20230067967
    Abstract: In a method of inspecting an extreme ultraviolet (EUV) radiation source, during an idle mode, a borescope mounted on a fixture is inserted through a first opening into a chamber of the EUV radiation source. The borescope includes a connection cable attached at a first end to a camera. The fixture includes an extendible section mounted from a first side on a lead screw, and the camera of the borescope is mounted on a second side, opposite to the first side, of the extendible section. The extendible section is extended to move the camera inside the chamber of the EUV radiation source. One or more images are acquired by the camera from inside the chamber of the EUV radiation source at one or more viewing positions. The one or more acquired images are analyzed to determine an amount of tin debris deposited inside the chamber of the EUV radiation source.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2021
    Publication date: March 2, 2023
    Inventors: Chiao-Hua CHENG, Sheng-Kang YU, Shang-Chieh CHIEN, Wei-Chun YEN, Heng-Hsin LIU, Ming-Hsun TSAI, Yu-Fa LO, Li-Jui CHEN, Wei-Shin CHENG, Cheng-Hsuan WU, Cheng-Hao LAI, Yu-Kuang SUN, Yu-Huan CHEN
  • Publication number: 20230060899
    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: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2021
    Publication date: March 2, 2023
    Inventors: Chieh HSIEH, Tai-Yu CHEN, Cho-Ying LIN, Shang-Chieh CHIEN, Li-Jui CHEN, Heng-Hsin LIU
  • Publication number: 20230065403
    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: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2021
    Publication date: March 2, 2023
    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: 20230061242
    Abstract: In a method of generating extreme ultraviolet (EUV) radiation in a semiconductor manufacturing system one or more streams of a gas is directed, through one or more gas outlets mounted over a rim of a collector mirror of an EUV radiation source, to generate a flow of the gas over a surface of the collector mirror. The one or more flow rates of the one or more streams of the gas are adjusted to reduce an amount of metal debris deposited on the surface of the collector mirror.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2021
    Publication date: March 2, 2023
    Inventors: Che-Chang HSU, Sheng-Kang YU, Shang-Chieh CHIEN, Li-Jui CHEN, Heng-Hsin LIU
  • Publication number: 20230058753
    Abstract: Some implementations described herein provide techniques and apparatuses for an extreme ultraviolet (EUV) radiation source that includes a backsplash-prevention system to reduce, minimize, and/or prevent the formation of tin (Sn) build-up in a tunnel structure of a collector flow ring that might otherwise be caused by the accumulation of Sn satellites. This reduces backsplash of Sn onto a collector of the EUV radiation source, increases the operational life of the collector (e.g., by increasing the time duration between cleaning and/or replacement of the collector), reduces downtime of the EUV radiation source, and/or enables the performance of the EUV radiation source to be sustained for longer time durations (e.g., by reducing, minimizing, and/or preventing the rate of Sn contamination of the collector), among other examples.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 19, 2021
    Publication date: February 23, 2023
    Inventors: Cheng-Hao LAI, Ming-Hsun TSAI, Hsin-Feng CHEN, Wei-Shin CHENG, Yu-Kuang SUN, Cheng-Hsuan WU, Shang-Chieh CHIEN, Li-Jui CHEN, Heng-Hsin LIU
  • Publication number: 20230046032
    Abstract: Some implementations described herein include operating components in a lithography system at variable speeds to reduce, minimize, and/or prevent particle generation due to rubbing of or collision between contact parts of the components. In some implementations, a component in a path of transfer of a semiconductor substrate in the lithography system is operated at a relatively high movement speed through a first portion of an actuation operation, and is operated at a reduced movement speed (e.g., a movement speed that is less than the high movement speed) through a second portion of the actuation operation in which contact parts of the component are to interact. The reduced movement speed reduces the likelihood of particle generation and/or release from the contact parts when the contact parts interact, while the high movement speed provides a high semiconductor substrate throughput in the lithography system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 11, 2022
    Publication date: February 16, 2023
    Inventors: Shao-Hua WANG, Kueilin HO, Cheng Wei SUN, Zong-You YANG, Chih-Chun CHIANG, Yi-Fam SHIU, Chueh-Chi KUO, Heng-Hsin LIU, Li-Jui CHEN
  • Publication number: 20230049820
    Abstract: Some implementations described herein provide a dual-feedback control system for laser beam targeting in a lithography system such as an EUV lithography system. In addition to using feedback from a high-frequency quad-cell sensor to adjust a target position of the pre-pulse laser beam based on a first portion of a phase of a wavefront of the pre-pulse laser beam, the dual-feedback control system uses feedback from a low-frequency camera sensor to adjust the target position of the pre-pulse laser beam based on a second portion of the phase of the wavefront.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 15, 2022
    Publication date: February 16, 2023
    Inventors: Kuan-Hung CHEN, Shang-Chieh CHIEN, Li-Jui CHEN, Heng-Hsin LIU
  • Publication number: 20230038668
    Abstract: Example implementations described herein include a laser source and associated methods of operation that can balance or reduce uneven beam profile problem and even improve plasma heating efficiency to enhance conversion efficiency and intensity for extreme ultraviolet radiation generation. The laser source described herein generates an auxiliary laser beam to augment a pre-pulse laser beam and/or a main-pulse laser beam, such that uneven beam profiles may be corrected and/or compensated. This may improve an intensity of the laser source and also improve an energy distribution from the laser source to a droplet of a target material, effective to increase an overall operating efficiency of the laser source.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2022
    Publication date: February 9, 2023
    Inventors: Tai-Yu CHEN, Shang-Chieh CHIEN, Sheng-Kang YU, Li-Jui CHEN, Heng-Hsin LIU
  • Patent number: 11574447
    Abstract: A method for capturing real-world information into a virtual environment is provided. The method is suitable for a head-mounted device (HMD) located in a physical environment, and includes the following operations: providing the virtual environment, wherein a real-world content within the virtual environment is captured from a part of the physical environment corresponding to a perspective of the HMD; tracking a feature point which located within the physical environment and moved by a user, so as to define a selected plane of the real-world content by projecting a moving track of the feature point onto the real-world content; capturing image information corresponding to the selected plane; and generating a virtual object having an appearance rendered according to the image information, in which the virtual object is adjustable in size.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2023
    Assignee: HTC Corporation
    Inventors: Sheng-Cherng Lin, Chien-Hsin Liu, Shih-Lung Lin
  • Patent number: 11576250
    Abstract: Some implementations described herein provide techniques and apparatuses for an extreme ultraviolet (EUV) radiation source that includes a backsplash-prevention system to reduce, minimize, and/or prevent the formation of tin (Sn) build-up in a tunnel structure of a collector flow ring that might otherwise be caused by the accumulation of Sn satellites. This reduces backsplash of Sn onto a collector of the EUV radiation source, increases the operational life of the collector (e.g., by increasing the time duration between cleaning and/or replacement of the collector), reduces downtime of the EUV radiation source, and/or enables the performance of the EUV radiation source to be sustained for longer time durations (e.g., by reducing, minimizing, and/or preventing the rate of Sn contamination of the collector), among other examples.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2023
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Cheng-Hao Lai, Ming-Hsun Tsai, Hsin-Feng Chen, Wei-Shin Cheng, Yu-Kuang Sun, Cheng-Hsuan Wu, Shang-Chieh Chien, Li-Jui Chen, Heng-Hsin Liu
  • Patent number: 11567415
    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: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2023
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Ltd.
    Inventors: Chiao-Hua Cheng, Shang-Chieh Chien, Heng-Hsin Liu, Li-Jui Chen, Sheng-Kang Yu
  • Publication number: 20230026676
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates an integrated chip structure. The integrated chip structure includes a first chiplet predominantly having a first plurality of integrated chip devices coupled to a first plurality of interconnects over a first substrate. The first plurality of integrated chip devices are a first type of integrated chip device. The integrated chip structure further includes a second chiplet predominantly having a second plurality of integrated chip devices coupled to a second plurality of interconnects over a second substrate. The second plurality of integrated chip devices are a second type of integrated chip device different than the first type of integrated chip device. One or more inter-chiplet connectors are between the first and second chiplets and are configured to electrically couple the first and second chiplets. The first plurality of interconnects have a first minimum width different than a second minimum width of the second plurality of interconnects.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 7, 2022
    Publication date: January 26, 2023
    Inventors: Chih-Chang Cheng, Po-Chih Su, Ruey-Hsin Liu, Ming-Ta Lei
  • Publication number: 20230014120
    Abstract: Various embodiments of the present disclosure are directed towards an integrated chip. The integrated chip includes a semiconductor substrate having a device substrate overlying a handle substrate and an insulator layer disposed between the device substrate and the handle substrate. A gate electrode overlies the device substrate between a drain region and a source region. A conductive via extends through the device substrate and the insulator layer to contact the handle substrate. A first isolation structure is disposed within the device substrate and comprises a first isolation segment disposed laterally between the gate electrode and the conductive via. A contact region is disposed within the device substrate between the first isolation segment and the conductive via. A conductive gate electrode directly overlies the first isolation segment and is electrically coupled to the contact region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 21, 2022
    Publication date: January 19, 2023
    Inventors: Hsin-Chih Chiang, Tung-Yang Lin, Ruey-Hsin Liu, Ming-Ta Lei
  • Patent number: 11556065
    Abstract: A method includes moving a wafer stage to a first station on a table body of a lithography chamber; placing a wafer on a top surface of the wafer stage; emitting a first laser beam from a first laser emitter toward a first beam splitter on a first sidewall of the wafer stage, wherein a first portion of the first laser beam is reflected by the first beam splitter to form a first reflected laser beam, and a second portion of the first laser beam transmits through the first beam splitter to form a first transmitted laser beam; calculating a position of the wafer stage on a first axis based on the first reflected laser beam; after calculating the position of the wafer, moving the wafer stage to a second station on the table body; and performing a lithography process to the wafer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2023
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Yu-Huan Chen, Yu-Chih Huang, Ya-An Peng, Shang-Chieh Chien, Li-Jui Chen, Heng-Hsin Liu
  • Publication number: 20230010810
    Abstract: A system and a method for supplying target material in an EUV light source are provided. The system for supplying a target material comprises a priming assembly, a refill assembly and a droplet generator assembly. The priming is configured to transform the target material from a solid state to a liquid state. The refill assembly is in fluid communication with the priming assembly and configured to receive the target material in the liquid state from the priming assembly. Further, the refill assembly includes a purifier configured to purify the target material in the liquid state. The droplet generator assembly is configured to supply the target material in the liquid state from the refill assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 9, 2021
    Publication date: January 12, 2023
    Inventors: HSIN-FENG CHEN, MING-HSUN TSAI, LI-JUI CHEN, SHANG-CHIEH CHIEN, HENG-HSIN LIU, CHENG-HAO LAI, YU-HUAN CHEN, WEI-SHIN CHENG, YU-KUANG SUN, CHENG-HSUAN WU, YU-FA LO, CHIAO-HUA CHENG
  • Patent number: 11553581
    Abstract: A method for using an extreme ultraviolet radiation source is provided. The method includes assembling a first droplet generator onto a port of a vessel; ejecting a target droplet from the first droplet generator to a zone of excitation in front of a collector; emitting a laser toward the zone of excitation, such that the target droplet is heated by the laser to generate extreme ultraviolet (EUV) radiation; stopping the ejection of the target droplet; after stopping the ejection of the target droplet, disassembling the first droplet generator from the port of the vessel; after disassembling the first droplet generator from the port of the vessel, inserting a cleaning device into the vessel through the port; and cleaning the collector by using the cleaning device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2023
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Chiao-Hua Cheng, Hsin-Feng Chen, Yu-Fa Lo, Yu-Kuang Sun, Wei-Shin Cheng, Yu-Huan Chen, Ming-Hsun Tsai, Cheng-Hao Lai, Cheng-Hsuan Wu, Shang-Chieh Chien, Heng-Hsin Liu, Li-Jui Chen, Sheng-Kang Yu
  • Publication number: 20230005737
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device includes depositing a photoresist material over a substrate. The substrate is rotated to spread the photoresist material. A gas is blown to an edge of the substrate when rotating the substrate. The rotating of the substrate is stopped. The blowing of the gas is stopped.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2021
    Publication date: January 5, 2023
    Applicant: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Yen-Hsin LIU, Ming-Jhih KUO, Chun-Yen TAI
  • Publication number: 20220413399
    Abstract: A coating is included on one or more components of a lithography system. The coating reduces surface roughness of the one or more surfaces, increases flatness of the one or more surfaces, and/or increases uniformity of the one or more surfaces. The coating may be formed on the one or more surfaces using one or more of the techniques described herein. The coating is configured to reduce adhesion of target material particles to the one or more surfaces, is configured to resist buildup of target material particles on the one or more surfaces, is configured to provide resistance against oxidation of the one or more surfaces, is configured to resist thermal damage of the one or more surfaces, and/or is configured to enable the lithography system to operate at higher operating temperatures, among other examples.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 14, 2022
    Publication date: December 29, 2022
    Inventors: Shih-Yu TU, Chieh HSIEH, Shang-Chieh CHIEN, Sheng-Kang YU, Li-Jui CHEN, Heng-Hsin LIU
  • Publication number: 20220413401
    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: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2022
    Publication date: December 29, 2022
    Inventors: Che-Chang HSU, Sheng-Kang YU, Shang-Chieh CHIEN, Li-Jui CHEN, Heng-Hsin LIU
  • Publication number: 20220413398
    Abstract: An extreme ultraviolet (EUV) source includes a collector associated with the vessel. The extreme ultraviolet (EUV) source includes a plurality of vanes along walls of the vessel. Each vane includes a stacked vane segment, and the stacked vane segments for each vane are stacked in a direction of drainage of tin (Sn) in the vessel. The EUV source includes a thermal control system comprising a plurality of independently controllable heating elements, where a heating element is configured to provide localized control for heating of a vane segment of the stacked vane segments.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2022
    Publication date: December 29, 2022
    Inventors: Cheng Hung TSAI, Sheng-Kang YU, Shang-Chieh CHIEN, Heng-Hsin LIU, Li-Jui CHEN