Patents by Inventor Kam-Tou SIO

Kam-Tou SIO 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: 10565348
    Abstract: A method of fabricating an integrated circuit is disclosed. The method includes defining a via grid, generating a first layout design of the integrated circuit based on at least the via grid or design criteria, generating a standard cell layout design of the integrated circuit, generating a via color layout design of the integrated circuit based on the first layout design and the standard cell layout design, performing a color check on the via color layout design based on design rules, and fabricating the integrated circuit based on at least the via color layout design. The first layout design has a first set of vias arranged in first rows and first columns based on the via grid. The standard cell layout design has standard cells and a second set of vias arranged in the standard cells. The via color layout design has a third set of vias.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2020
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Wei-Cheng Lin, Chih-Liang Chen, Chih-Ming Lai, Charles Chew-Yuen Young, Jiann-Tyng Tzeng, Kam-Tou Sio, Ru-Gun Liu, Shih-Wei Peng, Wei-Chen Chien
  • Publication number: 20200043741
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device includes depositing a first material on a substrate, depositing on the substrate a second material that has an etch selectivity different from an etch selectively of the first material, depositing a spacer material on the first and second material, and etching the substrate using the spacer material as an etch mask to form a fin under the first material and a fin under the second material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 14, 2019
    Publication date: February 6, 2020
    Inventors: Lei-Chun Chou, Chih-Liang Chen, Chih-Ming Lai, Charles Chew-Yuen Young, Chin-Yuan Tseng, Hsin-Chih Chen, Shi Ning Ju, Jiann-Tyng Tzeng, Kam-Tou Sio, Ru-Gun Liu, Wei-Cheng Lin, Wei-Liang Lin
  • Publication number: 20200019673
    Abstract: A method for calculating cell edge leakage in a semiconductor device comprising performing a device leakage simulation to obtain leakage information for different cell edge conditions and providing attributes associated with cell edges in the semiconductor device. The method further comprises performing an analysis to identify cell abutment cases present in the semiconductor device and calculating the leakage of the semiconductor device based at least in part on probabilities associated with the cell abutment cases and the simulated leakage values obtained from the device leakage simulation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2019
    Publication date: January 16, 2020
    Inventors: Shih-Wei Peng, Charles Chew-Yuen Young, Jiann-Tyng Tzeng, Kam-Tou Sio
  • Publication number: 20200020588
    Abstract: The present disclosure, in some embodiments, relates to a method of forming an integrated chip. The method may be performed by forming a plurality of gate structures over a substrate, and forming a plurality of source and drain regions along opposing sides of the plurality of gate structures. A plurality of middle-of-the-line (MOL) structures are formed at locations laterally interleaved between the plurality of gate structures. The plurality of MOL structures are redefined by getting rid of a part but not all of one or more of the plurality of MOL structures. Redefining the plurality of MOL structures results in a plurality of MOL active structures arranged over the plurality of source and drain regions at an irregular pitch.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2019
    Publication date: January 16, 2020
    Inventors: Hui-Ting Yang, Chih-Ming Lai, Chun-Kuang Chen, Chih-Liang Chen, Charles Chew-Yuen Young, Jiann-Tyng Tzeng, Kam-Tou Sio, Meng-Hung Shen, Ru-Gun Liu, Wei-Cheng Lin
  • Publication number: 20200020625
    Abstract: Examples of an integrated circuit a having an advanced two-dimensional (2D) metal connection with metal cut and methods of fabricating the same are provided. An example method for fabricating a conductive interconnection layer of an integrated circuit may include: patterning a conductive connector portion on the conductive interconnection layer of the integrated circuit using extreme ultraviolet (EUV) lithography, wherein the conductive connector portion is patterned to extend across multiple semiconductor structures in a different layer of the integrated circuit; and cutting the conductive connector portion into a plurality of conductive connector sections, wherein the conductive connector portion is cut by removing conductive material from the metal connector portion at one or more locations between the semiconductor structures.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2019
    Publication date: January 16, 2020
    Inventors: Chih-Liang Chen, Cheng-Chi Chuang, Chih-Ming Lai, Chia-Tien Wu, Charles Chew-Yuen Young, Hui-Ting Yang, Jiann-Tyng Tzeng, Kam-Tou Sio, Ru-Gun Liu, Shun Li Chen, Shih-Wei Peng, Tien-Lu Lin
  • Patent number: 10516047
    Abstract: Structures and formation methods of a semiconductor device structure are provided. The semiconductor device structure includes a dielectric layer. The semiconductor device structure also includes a gate stack structure in the dielectric layer. The semiconductor device structure further includes a semiconductor wire partially surrounded by the gate stack structure. In addition, the semiconductor device structure includes a contact electrode in the dielectric layer and electrically connected to the semiconductor wire. The contact electrode and the gate stack structure extend from the semiconductor wire in opposite directions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2019
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kam-Tou Sio, Jiann-Tyng Tzeng, Charles Chew-Yuen Young, Yi-Ming Sheu, Chun-Fu Cheng, Yi-Han Wang
  • Patent number: 10510688
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an integrated circuit having a via rail that prevents reliability concerns such as electro-migration. In some embodiments, the integrated circuit has a first plurality of conductive contacts arranged over a semiconductor substrate. A first metal interconnect wire is arranged over the first plurality of conductive contacts, and a second metal interconnect wire is arranged over the first metal interconnect wire. A via rail is arranged over the first metal interconnect wire and electrically couples the first metal interconnect wire and the second metal interconnect wire. The via rail has a length that continuously extends over two or more of the plurality of conductive contacts. The length of via rail provides for an increased cross-sectional area both between the first metal interconnect wire and the second metal interconnect wire and along a length of the via rail, thereby mitigating electro-migration within the integrated circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2019
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kam-Tou Sio, Chih-Ming Lai, Chun-Kuang Chen, Chih-Liang Chen, Charles Chew-Yuen Young, Chi-Yeh Yu, Jiann-Tyng Tzeng, Ru-Gun Liu, Wen-Hao Chen
  • Patent number: 10510599
    Abstract: An embodiment of a semiconductor switch structure includes source contacts, drain contacts, gates and fins. The contacts and gates are elongated in a first direction and are spaced apart from each other in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction. The gates are interspersed between the contacts. The fins underlie both the contacts and the gates. The fins are elongated in the second direction and are spaced apart from each other in the first direction. A contact via extends through one of the contacts without contacting a gate or a fin. A gate via extends through one of the gates without contacting a contact or a fin. A contact-gate via is in contact with both a contact and a gate but not a fin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2019
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited
    Inventors: Kam-Tou Sio, Chih-Liang Chen, Charles Chew-Yuen Young, Ho Che Yu
  • Publication number: 20190371784
    Abstract: A method of generating a layout diagram includes: generating first and second conductor shapes; generating first, second and third cap shapes correspondingly over the first and second conductor shapes; arranging a corresponding one of the second conductor shapes to be interspersed between each pair of neighboring ones of the first conductor shapes; generating first cut patterns over selected portions of corresponding ones of the first cap shapes; and generating second cut patterns over selected portions of corresponding ones of the second cap shapes. In some circumstances, the first cut patterns are designated as selective for a first etch sensitivity corresponding to the first cap shapes; and the second cut patterns are designated as selective for a second etch sensitivity corresponding to the second cap shapes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 19, 2019
    Publication date: December 5, 2019
    Inventors: Kam-Tou SIO, Chih-Liang CHEN, Chih-Ming LAI, Charles Chew-Yuen YOUNG, Hui-Ting YANG, Ko-Bin KAO, Ru-Gun LIU, Shun Li CHEN
  • Patent number: 10467374
    Abstract: A method for calculating cell edge leakage in a semiconductor device comprising performing a device leakage simulation to obtain leakage information for different cell edge conditions and providing attributes associated with cell edges in the semiconductor device. The method further comprises performing an analysis to identify cell abutment cases present in the semiconductor device and calculating the leakage of the semiconductor device based at least in part on probabilities associated with the cell abutment cases and the simulated leakage values obtained from the device leakage simulation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2019
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited
    Inventors: Shih-Wei Peng, Charles Chew-Yuen Young, Jiann-Tyng Tzeng, Kam-Tou Sio
  • Patent number: 10468349
    Abstract: Examples of an integrated circuit a having an advanced two-dimensional (2D) metal connection with metal cut and methods of fabricating the same are provided. An example method for fabricating a conductive interconnection layer of an integrated circuit may include: patterning a conductive connector portion on the conductive interconnection layer of the integrated circuit using extreme ultraviolet (EUV) lithography, wherein the conductive connector portion is patterned to extend across multiple semiconductor structures in a different layer of the integrated circuit; and cutting the conductive connector portion into a plurality of conductive connector sections, wherein the conductive connector portion is cut by removing conductive material from the metal connector portion at one or more locations between the semiconductor structures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2019
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited
    Inventors: Chih-Liang Chen, Cheng-Chi Chuang, Chih-Ming Lai, Chia-Tien Wu, Charles Chew-Yuen Young, Hui-Ting Yang, Jiann-Tyng Tzeng, Kam-Tou Sio, Ru-Gun Liu, Shun Li Chen, Shih-Wei Peng, Tien-Lu Lin
  • Publication number: 20190325109
    Abstract: A method of fabricating an integrated circuit is disclosed. The method includes defining a via grid, generating a first layout design of the integrated circuit based on at least the via grid or design criteria, generating a standard cell layout design of the integrated circuit, generating a via color layout design of the integrated circuit based on the first layout design and the standard cell layout design, performing a color check on the via color layout design based on design rules, and fabricating the integrated circuit based on at least the via color layout design. The first layout design has a first set of vias arranged in first rows and first columns based on the via grid. The standard cell layout design has standard cells and a second set of vias arranged in the standard cells. The via color layout design has a third set of vias.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 1, 2019
    Publication date: October 24, 2019
    Inventors: Wei-Cheng LIN, Chih-Liang CHEN, Chih-Ming LAI, Charles Chew-Yuen YOUNG, Jiann-Tyng TZENG, Kam-Tou SIO, Ru-Gun LIU, Shih-Wei PENG, Wei-Chen CHIEN
  • Patent number: 10446406
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device includes depositing a first material on a substrate, depositing on the substrate a second material that has an etch selectivity different from an etch selectively of the first material, depositing a spacer material on the first and second material, and etching the substrate using the spacer material as an etch mask to form a fin under the first material and a fin under the second material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited
    Inventors: Lei-Chun Chou, Chih-Liang Chen, Chih-Ming Lai, Charles Chew-Yuen Young, Chin-Yuan Tseng, Hsin-Chih Chen, Shi Ning Ju, Jiann-Tyng Tzeng, Kam-Tou Sio, Ru-Gun Liu, Wei-Cheng Lin, Wei-Liang Lin
  • Patent number: 10388644
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing conductors for a semiconductor device, the method comprising: forming a structure on a base; and eliminating selected portions of members of a first set and selected portions of members of a second set from the structure. The structure includes: capped first conductors arranged parallel to a first direction; and capped second conductors arranged parallel to and interspersed with the capped first conductors. The capped first conductors are organized into at least first and second sets. Each member of the first set has a first cap with a first etch sensitivity. Each member of the second set has a second cap with a second etch sensitivity. Each of the capped second conductors has a third etch sensitivity. The first, second and third etch sensitivities are different.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2019
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Kam-Tou Sio, Chih-Liang Chen, Chih-Ming Lai, Charles Chew-Yuen Young, Hui-Ting Yang, Ko-Bin Kao, Ru-Gun Liu, Shun Li Chen
  • Publication number: 20190244901
    Abstract: The present disclosure, in some embodiments, relates to a method of forming an integrated chip. The method includes forming a plurality of gate structures extending in a first direction over a substrate between a plurality of source/drain regions. A lower power rail is formed extending in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction. A first connection pin is formed to be electrically coupled to one of the plurality of source/drain regions and to the lower power rail. The first connection pin is formed according to a cut mask having cut regions that define opposing ends of the first connection pin. An upper power rail is formed directly over the lower power rail and extending in the second direction. The upper power rail is electrically coupled to the first connection pin.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 12, 2019
    Publication date: August 8, 2019
    Inventors: Shih-Wei Peng, Chih-Ming Lai, Chun-Kuang Chen, Chih-Liang Chen, Charles Chew-Yuen Young, Jiann-Tyng Tzeng, Kam-Tou Sio, Ru-Gun Liu, Yung-Sung Yen
  • Patent number: 10366200
    Abstract: A method of forming a layout design for fabricating an integrated circuit is disclosed. The method includes generating a first layout of the integrated circuit based on design criteria, generating a standard cell layout of the integrated circuit, generating a via color layout of the integrated circuit based on the first layout and the standard cell layout and performing a color check on the via color layout based on design rules. The first layout having a first set of vias arranged in first rows and first columns. The standard cell layout having standard cells and a second set of vias arranged in the standard cells. The via color layout having a third set of vias. The third set of vias including a portion of the second set of vias and corresponding locations, and color of corresponding sub-set of vias.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2019
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Wei-Cheng Lin, Chih-Liang Chen, Chih-Ming Lai, Charles Chew-Yuen Young, Jiann-Tyng Tzeng, Kam-Tou Sio, Ru-Gun Liu, Shih-Wei Peng, Wei-Chen Chien
  • Publication number: 20190164949
    Abstract: An integrated circuit structure includes: a first plurality of cell rows extending in a first direction, each of which has a first row height and comprises a plurality of first cells disposed therein; and a second plurality of cell rows extending in the first direction, each of which has a second row height different from the first row height and comprises a plurality of second cells disposed therein. The plurality of first cells comprises a first plurality of active regions each of which continuously extends across the plurality of first cells in the first direction, and wherein the plurality of second cells comprises a second plurality of active regions each of which continuously extends across the plurality of second cells in the first direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2018
    Publication date: May 30, 2019
    Inventors: Kam-Tou SIO, Jiann-Tyng Tzeng, Jack Liu, Yi-Chuin Tsai, Shang-Wei Fang, Sing-Kai Huang
  • Publication number: 20190164883
    Abstract: A semiconductor structure is disclosed that includes a first conductive line, a first conductive segment, a second conductive segment, and a gate. The first conductive segment is electrically coupled to the first conductive line through a conductive via. The second conductive segment is configured to electrically couple the first conductive segment with a third conductive segment disposed over an active area. The gate is disposed under the second conductive segment and disposed between first conductive segment and the third conductive segment. The first conductive line and the second conductive segment are disposed at two sides of the conductive via respectively.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2019
    Publication date: May 30, 2019
    Applicant: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Meng-Hung SHEN, Chih-Liang CHEN, Charles Chew-Yuen YOUNG, Jiann-Tyng TZENG, Kam-Tou SIO, Wei-Cheng LIN
  • Publication number: 20190164962
    Abstract: An integrated circuit device includes: a first fin structure disposed on a substrate in a first direction; a second fin structure disposed on the substrate and aligned in the first direction; a third fin structure disposed on the substrate and aligned in the first direction; a fourth fin structure disposed on the substrate and aligned in the first direction; and a first conductive line aligned in a second direction arranged to wrap a first portion, a second portion, a third portion, and a fourth portion of the first fin structure, the second fin structure, the third fin structure, and the fourth fin structure respectively. A first distance between the first fin structure and the second fin structure is different from a second distance between the third fin structure and the fourth fin structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 14, 2018
    Publication date: May 30, 2019
    Inventors: KAM-TOU SIO, SHANG-WEI FANG, JIANN-TYNG TZENG, CHEW-YUEN YOUNG
  • Publication number: 20190165178
    Abstract: The present disclosure describes various non-planar semiconductor devices, such as fin field-effect transistors (finFETs) to provide an example, having one or more metal rail conductors and various methods for fabricating these non-planar semiconductor devices. In some situations, the one or more metal rail conductors can be electrically connected to gate, source, and/or drain regions of these various non-planar semiconductor devices. In these situations, the one or more metal rail conductors can be utilized to electrically connect the gate, the source, and/or the drain regions of various non-planar semiconductor devices to other gate, source, and/or drain regions of various non-planar semiconductor devices and/or other semiconductor devices. However, in other situations, the one or more metal rail conductors can be isolated from the gate, the source, and/or the drain regions these various non-planar semiconductor devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2018
    Publication date: May 30, 2019
    Inventors: Chih-Liang CHEN, Charles Chew-Yuen Young, Hui-Ting Yang, Jiann-Tyng Tzeng, Kam-Tou Sio, Shih-Wei Peng, Wei-Cheng Lin, Lei-Chun Chou