Patents by Inventor Kuang-Wen Liu

Kuang-Wen 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: 20250107080
    Abstract: A method of fabricating a memory device at least includes the following steps. A first stack structure is formed above a substrate. The first stack structure includes a plurality of first insulating layers and a plurality of first conductive layers alternately stacked. A top layer of the first stack structure includes a plurality of anti-oxidation atoms therein. A second stack structure is formed on the first stack structure. The second stack structure includes a plurality of second insulating layers and a plurality of middle layers alternately stacked. A slit trench is formed to extend from the second stack structure to a top first conductor layer of the plurality of first conductor layers. A protective layer is formed on a sidewall of the top first conductive layer exposed by the slit trench. The memory device may be a 3D NAND flash memory with high capacity and high performance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2023
    Publication date: March 27, 2025
    Applicant: MACRONIX International Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Mao-Yuan Weng, Ting-Feng Liao, Kuang-Wen Liu
  • Publication number: 20250098162
    Abstract: A memory device includes, from bottom to top, a substrate, a laminated layer and a stacked structure. Vertical channel pillars penetrate through the stacked structure and the laminated layer. First isolation structures are disposed aside the vertical channel pillars and penetrate through a lower part of the stacked structure. Second isolation structures are disposed over the first isolation structures and penetrate through an upper part of the stacked structure. Common source lines are disposed aside the vertical channel pillars and penetrate through the stacked structure and part of the laminated layer. From a top view, the common source lines extend in a first direction. Each of the first and second isolation structures has, in the first direction, two wide end portions respectively adjacent to two common source lines. The memory device may be applied in the process of manufacturing a 3D NAND flash memory with high capacity and high performance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2023
    Publication date: March 20, 2025
    Applicant: MACRONIX International Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ting-Feng Liao, Mao-Yuan Weng, Kuang-Wen Liu
  • Publication number: 20240395705
    Abstract: The semiconductor device includes a substrate, a stack disposed on the substrate, a first common source line and a second common source line disposed in the stack and connected to the substrate. The stack includes insulating layers and conductive layers alternately arranged. The first common source line and the second common source line are extended along a first direction and are arranged in a second direction that is perpendicular to the first direction. The first common source line includes a first segment and a second segment spaced apart by a first common source line cut. The second common source line includes a third segment and a fourth segment spaced apart by a second common source line cut. The first common source line cut is shifted relative to the second common source line cut in the first direction. A method of forming the semiconductor device is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 22, 2023
    Publication date: November 28, 2024
    Inventors: Ting-Feng LIAO, Mao-Yuan WENG, Kuang-Wen LIU
  • Publication number: 20240237339
    Abstract: A semiconductor structure is provided. The semiconductor structure has a device region and a periphery region adjacent to the device region. The periphery region comprises an array contact defining region and a periphery contact defining region. The semiconductor structure comprises a substrate, a staircase structure, an etch stop layer, a plurality of array contacts, and a plurality of periphery contacts. The staircase structure is disposed on the substrate in the periphery region. The staircase structure comprises conductive layers and dielectric layers disposed alternately. The etch stop layer is disposed on the staircase structure in the array contact defining region. The array contacts are disposed on the staircase structure and through the etch stop layer in the array contact defining region. The periphery contacts are through the staircase structure in the periphery contact defining region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 5, 2023
    Publication date: July 11, 2024
    Inventors: Ting-Feng LIAO, Kuang-Wen LIU
  • Patent number: 11991882
    Abstract: A method for fabricating a memory device includes: providing a substrate; forming a first dielectric layer over the substrate; forming a plurality of conductive layers and a plurality of dielectric layers alternately and horizontally disposed on the substrate; forming a channel column structure on the substrate and in the plurality of conductive layers and the plurality of dielectric layers, where a side wall of the channel column structure is in contact with the plurality of conductive layers; forming a second dielectric layer covering the first dielectric layer; and forming, in the first and second dielectric layers, a conductive column structure adjacent to the channel column structure and in contact with one of the plurality of conductive layers, where the conductive column structure includes a liner insulating layer as a shell layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2024
    Assignee: MACRONIX International Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yao-An Chung, Yuan-Chieh Chiu, Ting-Feng Liao, Kuang-Wen Liu, Kuang-Chao Chen
  • Patent number: 11917828
    Abstract: Methods, systems and apparatus for memory devices with multiple string select line (SSL) cuts are provided. In one aspect, a semiconductor device includes: a three-dimensional (3D) array of memory cells and a plurality of common source lines (CSLs) configured to separate the 3D array of memory cells into a plurality of portions. Each portion of the plurality of portions is between two adjacent CSLs and includes a plurality of conductive layers separated from each other by insulating layers and a plurality of vertical channels arranged orthogonally through the plurality of conductive layers and the insulating layers, each of the plurality of vertical channels including a string of memory cells. A top part of each portion of one or more portions includes at least two SSL cuts configured to separate the portion into multiple independent units, and each of the independent units is selectable by a corresponding SSL of multiple SSLs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: Macronix International Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ting-Feng Liao, Mao-Yuan Weng, Kuang-Wen Liu
  • Publication number: 20230328982
    Abstract: A semiconductor structure is provided. The semiconductor structure includes a substrate, a stack, active structures connecting structures and isolation layers. The stack is disposed on the substrate. The active structures penetrate through the stack in sub-array regions thereof. A plurality of memory cells are defined by cross points of gate electrodes in the stack and the active structures. The connecting structures penetrate through the stack between the sub-array regions. Each connecting structure includes a first portion, a second portion and a third portion. The first portion is formed as an outermost layer of the connecting structure and formed of polysilicon. The second portion is disposed in a space defined by the first portion and formed of amorphous silicon. The third portion is disposed on the second portion and formed of amorphous silicon. The isolation layers are disposed between sidewalls of the stack and the connecting structures.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2022
    Publication date: October 12, 2023
    Inventors: Ting-Feng LIAO, Mao-Yuan WENG, Kuang-Wen LIU
  • Publication number: 20230260912
    Abstract: A semiconductor structure and a method for manufacturing the same are provided. The semiconductor structure includes a conductive pillar having a sidewall and a multi-layer isolation structure on the sidewall of the conductive pillar. The multi-layer isolation structure includes a first isolation layer and a second isolation layer. The first isolation layer is between the conductive pillar and the second isolation layer. The first isolation layer includes protrusions extending toward the second isolation layer. A density of the first isolation layer is different from that of the second isolation layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 14, 2022
    Publication date: August 17, 2023
    Inventors: Ting-Feng LIAO, Mao-Yuan WENG, Kuang-Wen LIU
  • Publication number: 20230157016
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a peripheral circuit region, a substrate on the peripheral circuit region, and an array region on the substrate. The peripheral circuit region has complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor components. The substrate includes an N-type doped poly silicon layer on the peripheral circuit region, an oxide layer on the N-type doped poly silicon layer, and a conductive layer on the oxide layer. The array region includes gate structures and insulating layers alternately stacked on the conductive layer. A bottommost gate structure and the conductive layer together serve as ground select lines of the semiconductor device, and a ratio of a thickness of the conductive layer to a thickness of each of the gate structures is about 3 to 4. The array region further includes a vertical channel structure penetrating the gate structures and the insulating layers and extending into the N-type doped poly silicon layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2021
    Publication date: May 18, 2023
    Inventors: Ting-Feng LIAO, Mao-Yuan WENG, Kuang-Wen LIU
  • Publication number: 20230118976
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a peripheral circuit region, a substrate on the peripheral circuit region, and an array region on the substrate. The peripheral circuit region includes a plurality of complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor components. The substrate includes an N-type doped poly silicon layer on the peripheral circuit region, an insulating layer on the N-type doped poly silicon layer; and a P-type doped poly silicon layer on the insulating layer. The array region includes a plurality of gate structures and a plurality of oxide layers alternately stacked on the P-type doped poly silicon layer, wherein a bottommost gate structure of the gate structures and the P-type doped poly silicon layer together serve as a plurality ground select lines of the semiconductor device. The array region further includes a vertical channel structure penetrating the gate structures and the oxide layers and extending into the N-type doped poly silicon layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 14, 2021
    Publication date: April 20, 2023
    Inventors: Mao-Yuan WENG, Ting-Feng LIAO, Kuang-Wen LIU
  • Publication number: 20230051621
    Abstract: A semiconductor structure and a method for manufacturing a semiconductor are provided. The semiconductor structure includes a channel pillar, a dielectric layer formed on the channel pillar, a via formed in the dielectric layer and electrically connected to the channel pillar, and a spacer formed between the dielectric layer and the via.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 12, 2021
    Publication date: February 16, 2023
    Inventors: Ting-Feng LIAO, Sheng-Hong CHEN, Kuang-Wen LIU
  • Publication number: 20220359556
    Abstract: Methods, systems and apparatus for memory devices with multiple string select line (SSL) cuts are provided. In one aspect, a semiconductor device includes: a three-dimensional (3D) array of memory cells and a plurality of common source lines (CSLs) configured to separate the 3D array of memory cells into a plurality of portions. Each portion of the plurality of portions is between two adjacent CSLs and includes a plurality of conductive layers separated from each other by insulating layers and a plurality of vertical channels arranged orthogonally through the plurality of conductive layers and the insulating layers, each of the plurality of vertical channels including a string of memory cells. A top part of each portion of one or more portions includes at least two SSL cuts configured to separate the portion into multiple independent units, and each of the independent units is selectable by a corresponding SSL of multiple SSLs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 7, 2021
    Publication date: November 10, 2022
    Applicant: Macronix International Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: TING-FENG LIAO, MAO-YUAN WENG, KUANG-WEN LIU
  • Patent number: 11374099
    Abstract: A semiconductor structure and a method for manufacturing the same are provided. The semiconductor structure includes a source line structure. The source line structure includes a composite material formed in a trench. The composite material includes an oxide portion and a metal portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2022
    Assignee: MACRONIX INTERNATIONAL CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Ting-Feng Liao, Sheng-Hong Chen, Kuang-Wen Liu
  • Publication number: 20220077187
    Abstract: A method for fabricating a memory device includes: providing a substrate; forming a first dielectric layer over the substrate; forming a plurality of conductive layers and a plurality of dielectric layers alternately and horizontally disposed on the substrate; forming a channel column structure on the substrate and in the plurality of conductive layers and the plurality of dielectric layers, where a side wall of the channel column structure is in contact with the plurality of conductive layers; forming a second dielectric layer covering the first dielectric layer; and forming, in the first and second dielectric layers, a conductive column structure adjacent to the channel column structure and in contact with one of the plurality of conductive layers, where the conductive column structure includes a liner insulating layer as a shell layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2021
    Publication date: March 10, 2022
    Applicant: MACRONIX International Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yao-An Chung, Yuan-Chieh Chiu, Ting-Feng Liao, Kuang-Wen Liu, Kuang-Chao Chen
  • Publication number: 20220020856
    Abstract: A semiconductor structure and a method for manufacturing the same are provided. The semiconductor structure includes a source line structure. The source line structure includes a composite material formed in a trench. The composite material includes an oxide portion and a metal portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2020
    Publication date: January 20, 2022
    Inventors: Ting-Feng LIAO, Sheng-Hong CHEN, Kuang-Wen LIU
  • Patent number: 11211401
    Abstract: A memory device includes a substrate. A first dielectric layer is disposed over the substrate. A plurality of conductive layers and a plurality of dielectric layers are alternately and horizontally disposed on the substrate. A channel column structure is disposed on the substrate and in the conductive layers and the dielectric layers. A side wall of the channel column structure is in contact with the plurality of conductive layers. A second dielectric layer covers the first dielectric layer. A conductive column structure is in the first and second dielectric layers, adjacent to the channel column structure, and in contact with one of the plurality of conductive layers. The conductive column structure includes a liner insulating layer as a shell layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2021
    Assignee: MACRONIX INTERNATIONAL CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yao-An Chung, Yuan-Chieh Chiu, Ting-Feng Liao, Kuang-Wen Liu, Kuang-Chao Chen
  • Patent number: 11183513
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a substrate, a stacked structure disposed on the substrate, and dummy memory string structures. The stacked structure includes alternately stacked insulating layers and conductive layers. The dummy memory string structures disposed in a staircase region of the semiconductor device penetrate the stacked structure along a first direction. The staircase region includes a body portion including a first region and a second region adjacent to the first region. In the first region, an amount of conductive layers corresponding to the dummy memory string structures is between 1 and 10; in the second region, an amount of conductive layers corresponding to the dummy memory string structures is greater than 10. An area of the dummy memory string structures in the first region is greater than an area of the dummy memory string structures in the second area under an identical unit area in a top view.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2021
    Assignee: MACRONIX INTERNATIONAL CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Jr-Meng Wang, Cheng-Wei Lin, Kuang-Wen Liu
  • Publication number: 20210343739
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a substrate, a stacked structure disposed on the substrate, and dummy memory string structures. The stacked structure includes alternately stacked insulating layers and conductive layers. The dummy memory string structures disposed in a staircase region of the semiconductor device penetrate the stacked structure along a first direction. The staircase region includes a body portion including a first region and a second region adjacent to the first region. In the first region, an amount of conductive layers corresponding to the dummy memory string structures is between 1 and 10; in the second region, an amount of conductive layers corresponding to the dummy memory string structures is greater than 10. An area of the dummy memory string structures in the first region is greater than an area of the dummy memory string structures in the second area under an identical unit area in a top view.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 4, 2020
    Publication date: November 4, 2021
    Inventors: Jr-Meng WANG, Cheng-Wei LIN, Kuang-Wen LIU
  • Publication number: 20210202518
    Abstract: A memory device includes a substrate. A first dielectric layer is disposed over the substrate. A plurality of conductive layers and a plurality of dielectric layers are alternately and horizontally disposed on the substrate. A channel column structure is disposed on the substrate and in the conductive layers and the dielectric layers. A side wall of the channel column structure is in contact with the plurality of conductive layers. A second dielectric layer covers the first dielectric layer. A conductive column structure is in the first and second dielectric layers, adjacent to the channel column structure, and in contact with one of the plurality of conductive layers. The conductive column structure includes a liner insulating layer as a shell layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 27, 2019
    Publication date: July 1, 2021
    Applicant: MACRONIX International Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: YAO-AN CHUNG, Yuan-Chieh Chiu, Ting-Feng Liao, Kuang-Wen Liu, Kuang-Chao Chen
  • Publication number: 20210098482
    Abstract: A semiconductor structure includes a substrate, at least one first conductive structure, at least one second conductive structure, at least one first memory structure, and at least one second memory structure. The substrate has an array region and a dummy region. The first conductive structure is disposed on the array region. The second conductive structure is disposed on the dummy region. The first memory structure is disposed on the first conductive structure. The first memory structure includes a first channel layer, and the first channel layer is in contact with the first conductive structure. The second memory structure is disposed on the second conductive structure. The second memory structure includes a second channel layer, and the second channel layer is isolated from the second conductive structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2019
    Publication date: April 1, 2021
    Inventors: Kuan-Cheng LIU, Cheng-Wei LIN, Kuang-Wen LIU