Patents by Inventor Hsing-Chih LIN

Hsing-Chih LIN 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: 20250219016
    Abstract: A semiconductor structure and a manufacturing method thereof are provided. A semiconductor structure includes top, bottom, and middle tiers. The bottom tier includes a first interconnect structure overlying a first semiconductor substrate, and a first front-side bonding structure overlying the first interconnect structure. The middle tier interposed between and electrically coupled to the top and bottom tiers includes a second interconnect structure overlying a second semiconductor substrate, a second front-side bonding structure interposed between the top tier and the second interconnect structure, and a back-side bonding structure interposed between the second semiconductor substrate and the first front-side bonding structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2025
    Publication date: July 3, 2025
    Applicant: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Min-Feng Kao, Dun-Nian Yaung, Jen-Cheng Liu, Hsing-Chih Lin, Zheng-Xun Li
  • Publication number: 20250221067
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an image sensor integrated chip (IC) structure. The image sensor IC structure includes a plurality of image sensing elements respectively disposed within a plurality of pixel regions of a pixel array within a substrate. An inter-level dielectric (ILD) structure is disposed on a surface of the substrate and surrounds one or more interconnects. A plurality of three-dimensional (3D) capacitors are arranged within respective ones of the plurality of pixel regions and are coupled to one of the plurality of image sensing elements by the one or more interconnects. The plurality of 3D capacitors include a base region extending in parallel to the surface of the substrate and one or more fingers extending outward from the base region along a direction perpendicular to the surface of the substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 15, 2024
    Publication date: July 3, 2025
    Inventors: Min-Feng Kao, Hsing-Chih Lin, Jen-Cheng Liu, Dun-Nian Yaung
  • Patent number: 12322694
    Abstract: Various embodiments of the present disclosure are directed towards an integrated chip (IC). The IC includes a first inter-metal dielectric (IMD) structure disposed over a semiconductor substrate. A metal-insulator-metal (MIM) device is disposed over the first IMD structure. The MIM device includes at least three metal plates that are spaced from one another. The MIM device further includes a plurality of capacitor insulator structures. Each of the plurality of capacitor insulator structures are disposed between and electrically isolate neighboring metal plates of the at least three metal plates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2023
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2025
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Min-Feng Kao, Dun-Nian Yaung, Jen-Cheng Liu, Hsing-Chih Lin, Kuan-Hua Lin
  • Patent number: 12300669
    Abstract: In some embodiments, the present disclosure relates to method of forming an integrated circuit, including forming a semiconductor device on a frontside of a semiconductor substrate; depositing a dielectric layer over a backside of the semiconductor substrate; patterning the dielectric layer to form a first opening in the dielectric layer so that the first opening exposes a surface of the backside of the semiconductor substrate; depositing a glue layer having a first thickness over the first opening; filling the first opening with a first material to form a backside contact that is separated from the semiconductor substrate by the glue layer; and depositing more dielectric layers, bonding contacts, and bonding wire layers over the dielectric layer to form a second bonding structure on the backside of the semiconductor substrate, so that the backside contact is coupled to the bonding contacts and the bonding wire layers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2023
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2025
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Ping-Tzu Chen, Hsing-Chih Lin, Min-Feng Kao
  • Publication number: 20250149509
    Abstract: In some embodiments, the present disclosure relates to a 3D integrated circuit (IC) stack that includes a first IC die bonded to a second IC die. The first IC die includes a first semiconductor substrate, a first interconnect structure arranged on a frontside of the first semiconductor substrate, and a first bonding structure arranged over the first interconnect structure. The second IC die includes a second semiconductor substrate, a second interconnect structure arranged on a frontside of the second semiconductor substrate, and a second bonding structure arranged on a backside of the second semiconductor substrate. The first bonding structure faces the second bonding structure. Further, the 3D IC stack includes a first backside contact that extends from the second bonding structure to the backside of the second semiconductor substrate and is thermally coupled to at least one of the first or second interconnect structures.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 3, 2025
    Publication date: May 8, 2025
    Inventors: Min-Feng Kao, Dun-Nian Yaung, Hsing-Chih Lin, Jen-Cheng Liu, Yi-Shin Chu, Ping-Tzu Chen, Che-Wei Chen
  • Publication number: 20250149407
    Abstract: Various embodiments of the present application are directed towards an integrated circuit (IC) in which a shield structure blocks the migration of charge to a semiconductor device from proximate a through substrate via (TSV). In some embodiments, the IC comprises a substrate, an interconnect structure, the semiconductor device, the TSV, and the shield structure. The interconnect structure is on a frontside of the substrate and comprises a wire. The semiconductor device is on the frontside of the substrate, between the substrate and the interconnect structure. The TSV extends completely through the substrate, from a backside of the substrate to the wire, and comprises metal. The shield structure comprises a PN junction extending completely through the substrate and directly between the semiconductor device and the TSV.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 9, 2025
    Publication date: May 8, 2025
    Inventors: Min-Feng Kao, Dun-Nian Yaung, Hsing-Chih Lin, Jen-Cheng Liu, Wei-Tao Tsai
  • Publication number: 20250143000
    Abstract: An image sensor includes a substrate including a first surface and a second surface opposite to the first surface; a plurality of pixel sensors disposed in the substrate, a sensor isolation feature disposed in the substrate defining an active region, and a dielectric layer between the sensor isolation feature and the substrate, wherein the sensor isolation feature comprises a conductive material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2024
    Publication date: May 1, 2025
    Inventors: MIN-FENG KAO, DUN-NIAN YAUNG, JEN-CHENG LIU, HSING-CHIH LIN, CHE-WEI CHEN
  • Patent number: 12283564
    Abstract: A semiconductor structure and a manufacturing method thereof are provided. A semiconductor structure includes top, bottom, and middle tiers. The bottom tier includes a first interconnect structure overlying a first semiconductor substrate, and a first front-side bonding structure overlying the first interconnect structure. The middle tier interposed between and electrically coupled to the top and bottom tiers includes a second interconnect structure overlying a second semiconductor substrate, a second front-side bonding structure interposed between the top tier and the second interconnect structure, and a back-side bonding structure interposed between the second semiconductor substrate and the first front-side bonding structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2023
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2025
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Min-Feng Kao, Dun-Nian Yaung, Jen-Cheng Liu, Hsing-Chih Lin, Zheng-Xun Li
  • Publication number: 20250126812
    Abstract: Some embodiments relate to a method that includes depositing a first layer of hard mask material over a layer of dielectric material; etching the first layer of the hard mask material, the etched first layer of hard mask material including an etched portion having a first lateral dimension; depositing a second layer of the hard mask material over the first layer of the hard mask material; etching at least a portion of the second layer of the hard mask material, while allowing a remaining portion of the hard mask material, to expose a portion of the layer of the dielectric material that has a second lateral dimension less than the first lateral dimension; and etching a trench into the layer of the dielectric material at the exposed portion of the layer of the dielectric material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 17, 2023
    Publication date: April 17, 2025
    Inventors: Meng-Hsien Lin, Jaio-Wei Wang, Ko Chun Liu, Hsing-Chih Lin, Jen-Cheng Liu, Dun-Nian Yaung
  • Patent number: 12278250
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a substrate having a front side and a back side opposite to each other. A plurality of photodetectors is disposed in the substrate within a pixel region. An isolation structure is disposed within the pixel region and between the photodetectors. The isolation structure includes a back side isolation structure extending from the back side of the substrate to a position in the substrate. A conductive plug structure is disposed in the substrate within a periphery region. A conductive cap is disposed on the back side of the substrate and extends from the pixel region to the periphery region and electrically connects the back side isolation structure to the conductive plug structure. A conductive contact lands on the conductive plug structure, and is electrically connected to the back side isolation structure through the conductive plug structure and the conductive cap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2025
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Min-Feng Kao, Dun-Nian Yaung, Jen-Cheng Liu, Hsing-Chih Lin, Feng-Chi Hung, Shyh-Fann Ting
  • Publication number: 20250105098
    Abstract: The present disclosure, in some embodiments, relates to an integrated chip structure. The integrated chip structure includes a first via disposed on a first side of a substrate. A second via is disposed on the first side of the substrate and is laterally separated from the first via. An interconnect wire vertically contacts the second via. A through-substrate via (TSV) extends through the substrate to physically contact one or more of the second via and the interconnect wire. The first via has a first width and the second via has a second width. The second width is between approximately 2,000% and approximately 5,000% larger than the first width.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2024
    Publication date: March 27, 2025
    Inventors: Min-Feng Kao, Dun-Nian Yaung, Hsing-Chih Lin, Jen-Cheng Liu, Yi-Shin Chu, Ping-Tzu Chen
  • Patent number: 12230554
    Abstract: Various embodiments of the present application are directed towards an integrated circuit (IC) in which a shield structure blocks the migration of charge to a semiconductor device from proximate a through substrate via (TSV). In some embodiments, the IC comprises a substrate, an interconnect structure, the semiconductor device, the TSV, and the shield structure. The interconnect structure is on a frontside of the substrate and comprises a wire. The semiconductor device is on the frontside of the substrate, between the substrate and the interconnect structure. The TSV extends completely through the substrate, from a backside of the substrate to the wire, and comprises metal. The shield structure comprises a PN junction extending completely through the substrate and directly between the semiconductor device and the TSV.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2023
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2025
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Min-Feng Kao, Dun-Nian Yaung, Hsing-Chih Lin, Jen-Cheng Liu, Wei-Tao Tsai
  • Publication number: 20250048658
    Abstract: In some embodiments, the present disclosure relates to an integrated device, including a substrate; an interconnect structure disposed over the substrate, the interconnect structure including an dielectric; a first bottom electrode structure disposed in the dielectric, the first bottom electrode structure having a first width as measured between outer sidewalls of the first bottom electrode structure and a first depth as measured from an upper surface of the dielectric; and a second bottom electrode structure disposed in the dielectric and spaced apart from the first bottom electrode structure, the second bottom electrode structure having a second width as measured between outer sidewalls of the second bottom electrode structure and a second depth as measured from the upper surface of the dielectric; where the first width is greater than the second width and the first depth is greater than the second depth.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2023
    Publication date: February 6, 2025
    Inventors: Meng-Hsien Lin, Hsing-Chih Lin, Wei-Chih Weng, Kuan-Hua Lin, Jen-Cheng Liu, Dun-Nian Yaung
  • Patent number: 12218106
    Abstract: In some embodiments, the present disclosure relates to a 3D integrated circuit (IC) stack that includes a first IC die bonded to a second IC die. The first IC die includes a first semiconductor substrate, a first interconnect structure arranged on a frontside of the first semiconductor substrate, and a first bonding structure arranged over the first interconnect structure. The second IC die includes a second semiconductor substrate, a second interconnect structure arranged on a frontside of the second semiconductor substrate, and a second bonding structure arranged on a backside of the second semiconductor substrate. The first bonding structure faces the second bonding structure. Further, the 3D IC stack includes a first backside contact that extends from the second bonding structure to the backside of the second semiconductor substrate and is thermally coupled to at least one of the first or second interconnect structures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2023
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2025
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Min-Feng Kao, Dun-Nian Yaung, Hsing-Chih Lin, Jen-Cheng Liu, Yi-Shin Chu, Ping-Tzu Chen, Che-Wei Chen
  • Patent number: 12218165
    Abstract: An image sensor includes a substrate including a first surface and a second surface opposite to the first surface; a plurality of pixel sensors disposed in the substrate, a sensor isolation feature disposed in the substrate defining an active region, and a dielectric layer between the sensor isolation feature and the substrate, wherein the sensor isolation feature comprises a conductive material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2025
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY LTD.
    Inventors: Min-Feng Kao, Dun-Nian Yaung, Jen-Cheng Liu, Hsing-Chih Lin, Che-Wei Chen
  • Patent number: 12205868
    Abstract: The present disclosure, in some embodiments, relates to an integrated chip structure. The integrated chip structure includes a first via disposed within a dielectric structure on a substrate, and a second via disposed within the dielectric structure and laterally separated from the first via by the dielectric structure. The first via has a first width that is smaller than a second width of the second via. An interconnect wire vertically contacts the second via and extends laterally past an outermost sidewall of the second via. A through-substrate via (TSV) is arranged over the second via and extends through the substrate. The TSV has a minimum width that is smaller than the second width of the second via. The second via has opposing outermost sidewalls that are laterally outside of the TSV.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2023
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2025
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Min-Feng Kao, Dun-Nian Yaung, Hsing-Chih Lin, Jen-Cheng Liu, Yi-Shin Chu, Ping-Tzu Chen
  • Publication number: 20250022912
    Abstract: An embodiment high-density capacitor includes a bottom electrode having a plurality of non-concentric cylindrical portions, a top electrode including a plurality of vertical portions and a surrounding portion, and a dielectric layer separating the top electrode from the bottom electrode. Each of the plurality of non-concentric cylindrical portions includes an inner shell and an outer shell and each of the plurality of vertical portions is vertically surrounded by the inner shell of a respective cylindrical portion of the bottom electrode. The surrounding portion of the top electrode respectively vertically surrounds each of the plurality of non-concentric cylindrical portions of the bottom electrode such that adjacent non-concentric cylindrical portions of the bottom electrode are separated from one another by the surrounding portion of the top electrode. At least some of the plurality of non-concentric cylindrical portions of the bottom electrode include a spatial distribution having a hexagonal symmetry.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 14, 2023
    Publication date: January 16, 2025
    Inventors: Meng-Hsien Lin, Dun-Nian Yaung, Jen-Cheng Liu, Hsing-Chih Lin, Ko Chun Liu
  • Publication number: 20250015124
    Abstract: Fabricating a metal-insulator-metal (MIM) capacitor structure includes: forming a patterned metallization layer; disposing a dielectric material on the patterned metallization layer; etching one or more deep trenches through the dielectric material to the patterned metallization layer; depositing a MIM multilayer on the dielectric material and inside the one or more deep trenches formed in the dielectric material; and fabricating at least one three-dimensional MIM (3D-MIM) capacitor comprising a portion of the MIM multilayer deposited inside at least one of the one or more deep trenches; and fabricating at least one second capacitor, including at least one shallow 3D-MIM capacitor comprising a portion of the MIM multilayer deposited inside one or more shallow trenches passing partway through the dielectric material that are shallower than the one or more deep trenches, and/or at least one two-dimensional MIM (2D-MIM) capacitor comprising a portion of the MIM multilayer deposited on the dielectric material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 7, 2023
    Publication date: January 9, 2025
    Inventors: Chieh-En Chen, Chen-Hsien Lin, Shyh-Fann Ting, Wei-Chih Weng, Hsing-Chih Lin, Dun-Nian Yaung
  • Publication number: 20250014987
    Abstract: An integrated chip including a semiconductor substrate having a first side and a second side, opposite the first side. A first transistor and a second transistor are along the first side of the semiconductor substrate. A dielectric structure including a plurality of dielectric layers is under the first side of the semiconductor substrate. A first metal line is within the dielectric structure. A second metal line is within the dielectric structure and under the first metal line. A first metal via extends between the first metal line and the second metal line. A through-substrate via (TSV) extends from the second side of the semiconductor substrate, through the semiconductor substrate between the first transistor and the second transistor, to the first metal line and the second metal line.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 3, 2023
    Publication date: January 9, 2025
    Inventors: Chieh-En Chen, Chen-Hsien Lin, Shyh-Fann Ting, Hsing-Chih Lin, Dun-Nian Yaung
  • Publication number: 20240379528
    Abstract: Various embodiments of the present disclosure are directed towards a metal-insulator-metal (MIM) device. The MIM device includes a first conductive layer disposed over a substrate, a first capacitor dielectric disposed over the first conductive layer, and a second conductive layer disposed over the first capacitor dielectric. The first conductive layer and the first capacitor dielectric laterally extend past an outermost sidewall of the second conductive layer. A second capacitor dielectric is disposed over the second conductive layer and the first capacitor dielectric, and a third conductive layer is disposed over the second capacitor dielectric. The third conductive layer laterally extends past the outermost sidewall of the second conductive layer. A conductive structure is coupled to both the first conductive layer and the third conductive layer. The conductive structure extends through the first capacitor dielectric and the second capacitor dielectric laterally outside of the second conductive layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 22, 2024
    Publication date: November 14, 2024
    Inventors: Min-Feng Kao, Dun-Nian Yaung, Jen-Cheng Liu, Hsing-Chih Lin, Kuan-Hua Lin