Patents by Inventor Kuan-Chi Tsai

Kuan-Chi Tsai 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: 20150132918
    Abstract: An embodiment radio frequency area of an integrated circuit is disclosed. The radio frequency area includes a substrate having an implant region. The substrate has a first resistance. A buried oxide layer is disposed over the substrate and an interface layer is disposed between the substrate and the buried oxide layer. The interface layer has a second resistance lower than the first resistance. A silicon layer is disposed over the buried oxide layer and an interlevel dielectric is disposed in a deep trench. The deep trench extends through the silicon layer, the buried oxide layer, and the interface layer over the implant region. The deep trench may also extend through a polysilicon layer disposed over the silicon layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2015
    Publication date: May 14, 2015
    Inventors: Kuo-Yu Cheng, Wei-Kung Tsai, Kuan-Chi Tsai, Tsung-Yu Yang, Chung-Long Chang, Chun-Hong Chen, Chih-Ping Chao, Chen-Yao Tang, Yu Hung Chen
  • Publication number: 20150115381
    Abstract: Embodiments of mechanisms of forming a radio frequency area of an integrated circuit are provided. The radio frequency area of an integrated circuit structure includes a substrate, a buried oxide layer formed over the substrate, and an interface layer formed between the substrate and the buried oxide layer. The radio frequency area of an integrated circuit structure also includes a silicon layer formed over the buried oxide layer and an interlayer dielectric layer formed in a deep trench. The radio frequency area of an integrated circuit structure further includes the interlayer dielectric layer extending through the silicon layer, the buried oxide layer and the interface layer. The radio frequency area of an integrated circuit structure includes an implant region formed below the interlayer dielectric layer in the deep trench and a polysilicon layer formed below the implant region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2013
    Publication date: April 30, 2015
    Applicant: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kuo-Yu CHENG, Keng-Yu CHEN, Wei-Kung TSAI, Kuan-Chi TSAI, Tsung-Yu YANG, Chung-LONG CHANG, Chun-Hung CHEN, Chih-Ping CHAO
  • Publication number: 20150115404
    Abstract: Embodiments of mechanisms for forming a semiconductor device structure are provided. The semiconductor device structure includes a metal-insulator-metal (MIM) capacitor formed on a substrate. The semiconductor device structure also includes an inductor formed on the MIM capacitor. The semiconductor device structure further includes a via formed between the MIM capacitor and the inductor, and the via is formed in a plurality of dielectric layers, and the dielectric layers comprise an etch stop layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2013
    Publication date: April 30, 2015
    Applicant: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chih-Hung HSUEH, Yen-Hsiang HSU, Kuan-Chi TSAI
  • Publication number: 20150108607
    Abstract: An integrated circuit includes a stacked MIM capacitor and a thin film resistor and methods of fabricating the same are disclosed. A capacitor bottom metal in one capacitor of the stacked MIM capacitor and the thin film resistor are substantially at the same layer of the integrated circuit, and the capacitor bottom metal and the thin film resistor are also made of substantially the same materials. The integrated circuit with both of a stacked MIM capacitor and a thin film resistor can be made in a cost benefit way accordingly, so as to overcome disadvantages mentioned above.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 17, 2013
    Publication date: April 23, 2015
    Applicant: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shao-Yu CHEN, Chih-Ping Chao, Chun-Hung Chen, Chung-Long Chang, Kuan-Chi Tsai, Wei-Kung Tsai, Hsiang-Chi Chen, Ching-Chung Hsu, Cheng-Chang Hsu, Yi-Sin Wang
  • Patent number: 8941211
    Abstract: An embodiment radio frequency area of an integrated circuit is disclosed. The radio frequency area includes a substrate having an implant region. The substrate has a first resistance. A buried oxide layer is disposed over the substrate and an interface layer is disposed between the substrate and the buried oxide layer. The interface layer has a second resistance lower than the first resistance. A silicon layer is disposed over the buried oxide layer and an interlevel dielectric is disposed in a deep trench. The deep trench extends through the silicon layer, the buried oxide layer, and the interface layer over the implant region. The deep trench may also extend through a polysilicon layer disposed over the silicon layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2015
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kuo-Yu Cheng, Wei-Kung Tsai, Kuan-Chi Tsai, Tsung-Yu Yang, Chung-Long Chang, Chun-Hong Chen, Chih-Ping Chao, Chen-Yao Tang, Yu Hung Chen
  • Patent number: 8884441
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an integrated chip (IC) having an ultra-thick metal layer formed in a metal layer trench having a rounded shape that reduces stress between an inter-level dielectric (ILD) layer and an adjacent metal layer, and a related method of formation. In some embodiments, the IC has an inter-level dielectric layer disposed above a semiconductor substrate. The ILD layer has a cavity with a sidewall having a plurality of sections, wherein respective sections have different slopes that cause the cavity to have a rounded shape. A metal layer is disposed within the cavity. The rounded shape of the cavity reduces stress between the ILD layer and the metal layer to prevent cracks from forming along an interface between the ILD layer and the metal layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chih-Hung Hsueh, Wei-Te Wang, Shao-Yu Chen, Chun-Liang Fan, Kuan-Chi Tsai
  • Patent number: 8860224
    Abstract: A device includes a top metal layer; a UTM line over the top metal layer and having a first thickness; and a passivation layer over the UTM line and having a second thickness. A ratio of the second thickness to the first thickness is less than about 0.33.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yu-Wen Chen, Chuang-Han Hsieh, Kun-Yu Lin, Kuan-Chi Tsai
  • Publication number: 20140231955
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an integrated chip (IC) having an ultra-thick metal layer formed in a metal layer trench having a rounded shape that reduces stress between an inter-level dielectric (ILD) layer and an adjacent metal layer, and a related method of formation. In some embodiments, the IC has an inter-level dielectric layer disposed above a semiconductor substrate. The ILD layer has a cavity with a sidewall having a plurality of sections, wherein respective sections have different slopes that cause the cavity to have a rounded shape. A metal layer is disposed within the cavity. The rounded shape of the cavity reduces stress between the ILD layer and the metal layer to prevent cracks from forming along an interface between the ILD layer and the metal layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 18, 2013
    Publication date: August 21, 2014
    Applicant: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chih-Hung Hsueh, Wei-Te Wang, Shao-Yu Chen, Chun-Liang Fan, Kuan-Chi Tsai
  • Patent number: 8741732
    Abstract: A plurality of metal layers includes a top metal layer. An Ultra-Thick Metal (UTM) layer is disposed over the top metal layer, wherein no additional metal layer is located between the UTM layer and the top metal layer. A Metal-Insulator-Metal (MIM) capacitor is disposed under the UTM layer and over the top metal layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kun-Mao Wu, Chih-Hsun Lin, Yu-Lung Yeh, Kuan-Chi Tsai
  • Publication number: 20140134801
    Abstract: A method includes forming a plurality of dielectric layers over a semiconductor substrate; and forming integrated passive devices in the plurality of dielectric layers. The semiconductor substrate is then removed from the plurality of dielectric layers. A dielectric substrate is bonded onto the plurality of dielectric layers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 16, 2014
    Publication date: May 15, 2014
    Inventors: Wen-Chao Chen, Ming-Ray Mao, Shih-Hsien Yang, Kuan-Chi Tsai
  • Publication number: 20140106563
    Abstract: A stress reduction apparatus comprises a metal structure formed over a substrate, an inter metal dielectric layer formed over the substrate, wherein a lower portion of the metal structure is embedded in the inter metal dielectric layer and an inverted cup shaped stress reduction layer formed over the metal structure, wherein an upper portion of the metal structure is embedded in the inverted cup shaped stress reduction layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2013
    Publication date: April 17, 2014
    Applicant: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Ying-Ti Lu, Wen-Tsao Chen, Ming-Ray Mao, Kuan-Chi Tsai
  • Publication number: 20140038384
    Abstract: A plurality of metal layers includes a top metal layer. An Ultra-Thick Metal (UTM) layer is disposed over the top metal layer, wherein no additional metal layer is located between the UTM layer and the top metal layer. A Metal-Insulator-Metal (MIM) capacitor is disposed under the UTM layer and over the top metal layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 4, 2013
    Publication date: February 6, 2014
    Applicant: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Kun-Mao Wu, Chih-Hsun Lin, Yu-Lung Yeh, Kuan-Chi Tsai
  • Patent number: 8629559
    Abstract: A stress reduction apparatus comprises a metal structure formed over a substrate, an inter metal dielectric layer formed over the substrate, wherein a lower portion of the metal structure is embedded in the inter metal dielectric layer and an inverted cup shaped stress reduction layer formed over the metal structure, wherein an upper portion of the metal structure is embedded in the inverted cup shaped stress reduction layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2014
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Ying-Ti Lu, Wen-Tsao Chen, Ming-Ray Mao, Kuan-Chi Tsai
  • Patent number: 8552486
    Abstract: A plurality of metal layers includes a top metal layer. An Ultra-Thick Metal (UTM) layer is disposed over the top metal layer, wherein no additional metal layer is located between the UTM layer and the top metal layer. A Metal-Insulator-Metal (MIM) capacitor is disposed under the UTM layer and over the top metal layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kun-Mao Wu, Chih-Hsun Lin, Yu-Lung Yeh, Kuan-Chi Tsai
  • Publication number: 20130207264
    Abstract: A stress reduction apparatus comprises a metal structure formed over a substrate, an inter metal dielectric layer formed over the substrate, wherein a lower portion of the metal structure is embedded in the inter metal dielectric layer and an inverted cup shaped stress reduction layer formed over the metal structure, wherein an upper portion of the metal structure is embedded in the inverted cup shaped stress reduction layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 9, 2012
    Publication date: August 15, 2013
    Applicant: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Ying-Ti Lu, Wen-Tsao Chen, Ming-Ray Mao, Kuan-Chi Tsai
  • Publication number: 20130200490
    Abstract: Disclosed embodiments include a capacitor structure and a method for forming a capacitor structure. An embodiment is a structure comprising a conductor-insulator-conductor capacitor on a substrate. The conductor-insulator-conductor capacitor comprises a first conductor on the substrate, a dielectric stack over the first conductor, and a second conductor over the dielectric stack. The dielectric stack comprises a first nitride layer, a first oxide layer over the first nitride layer, and a second nitride layer over the first oxide layer. A further embodiment is a method comprising forming a first conductor on a substrate; forming a first nitride layer over the first conductor; treating the first nitride layer with a first nitrous oxide (N2O) treatment to form an oxide layer on the first nitride layer; forming a second nitride layer over the oxide layer; and forming a second conductor over the second nitride layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2012
    Publication date: August 8, 2013
    Applicant: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Tai-Chun Lin, Wen-Tsao Chen, Chih-Ho Tai, Ming-Ray Mao, Kuan-Chi Tsai
  • Publication number: 20120217641
    Abstract: A device includes a top metal layer; a UTM line over the top metal layer and having a first thickness; and a passivation layer over the UTM line and having a second thickness. A ratio of the second thickness to the first thickness is less than about 0.33.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2011
    Publication date: August 30, 2012
    Applicant: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yu-Wen Chen, Chuang-Han Hsieh, Kun-Yu Lin, Kuan-Chi Tsai
  • Publication number: 20120190152
    Abstract: A method includes forming a plurality of dielectric layers over a semiconductor substrate; and forming integrated passive devices in the plurality of dielectric layers. The semiconductor substrate is then removed from the plurality of dielectric layers. A dielectric substrate is bonded onto the plurality of dielectric layers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2011
    Publication date: July 26, 2012
    Applicant: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Wen-Chao Chen, Ming-Ray Mao, Shih-Hsien Yang, Kuan-Chi Tsai
  • Publication number: 20120181657
    Abstract: A plurality of metal layers includes a top metal layer. An Ultra-Thick Metal (UTM) layer is disposed over the top metal layer, wherein no additional metal layer is located between the UTM layer and the top metal layer. A Metal-Insulator-Metal (MIM) capacitor is disposed under the UTM layer and over the top metal layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 17, 2011
    Publication date: July 19, 2012
    Applicant: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kun-Mao Wu, Chih-Hsun Lin, Yu-Lung Yeh, Kuan-Chi Tsai
  • Patent number: 8076235
    Abstract: Semiconductor devices and methods for fabricating the same. The devices includes a substrate, a first etch stop layer, a dielectric layer, an opening, and an anti-diffusion layer. The first etch stop layer overlies the substrate. The dielectric layer overlies the first etch stop layer. The opening extends through the dielectric layer and the first etch stop layer, and exposes parts of the substrate. The anti-diffusion layer overlies at least sidewalls of the opening, preventing contamination molecule diffusion from at least the first etch stop layer, wherein the anti-diffusion layer is respectively denser than the first etch stop layer and the dielectric layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2011
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kuan-Chi Tsai, Chih-Hsun Lin, Sheng-Wen Su, Shaw-Jang Liou