Patents by Inventor Kun Lai

Kun Lai 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: 20170025473
    Abstract: A memory device having an array area and a periphery area is provided. The memory device includes a substrate, an isolation layer formed in the substrate, a first doped region formed on the isolation layer in the array area, a second doped region formed on the first doped region, a metal silicide layer formed on the second doped region, and a metal silicide oxide layer formed on the metal silicide layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 23, 2015
    Publication date: January 26, 2017
    Inventors: Erh-Kun Lai, Chao-I Wu, Yu-Hsuan Lin, Dai-Ying Lee
  • Patent number: 9537093
    Abstract: A memory structure is disclosed. The memory structure comprises a phase change material layer, a first electrode, a second electrode, and conductive spacers. The second electrode and the first electrode are electrically connected to an upper surface and a lower surface of the phase change material layer respectively. The conductive spacers are separated from each other and on side surfaces of the phase change material layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: MACRONIX INTERNATIONAL CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Erh-Kun Lai, Hsiang-Lan Lung
  • Patent number: 9514982
    Abstract: A semiconductor structure and a manufacturing method thereof are provided. The semiconductor structure includes a substrate having a trench, a stacked strip structure formed in the trench, and at least a conductive structure. The stacked strip structure includes a plurality of interlaced conductive strips and insulating strips. Each of the conductive strips has a horizontal conductive segment and two vertical conductive segments connected to the corresponding horizontal conductive segment. Each of the insulating strips has a horizontal insulating segment and two vertical insulating segments. The conductive structure is electrically connected to at least one of the conductive strips. The stacked strip structure has a horizontal stacked portion corresponding to the horizontal conductive segments and two vertical stacked portions corresponding to the vertical conductive segments, wherein a width of the vertical stacked portions is larger than a thickness of the horizontal stacked portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: MACRONIX INTERNATIONAL CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Erh-Kun Lai
  • Patent number: 9484353
    Abstract: A memory device includes a first insulating layer, a second insulating layer, an isolation layer, a floating gate electrode, a control gate electrode, a channel layer and a tunneling oxide layer. The second insulating layer is disposed adjacent to and substantially parallel with the first insulating layer to form an interlayer space there between. The isolation layer is disposed in the interlayer space to form a non-straight angle with the first insulating layer, and divides the interlayer space into a first recess and a second recess. The floating gate electrode is disposed in the first recess. The control gate electrode is disposed in the second recess. The channel layer is disposed on an opening surface of the first recess and forms a non-straight angle with the first insulating layer. The tunneling oxide layer is disposed between the channel layer and the floating gate electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2016
    Assignee: MACRONIX INTERNATIONAL CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Erh-Kun Lai, Wei-Chen Chen, Dai-Ying Lee
  • Patent number: 9484356
    Abstract: A semiconductor structure and a method for manufacturing the same are provided. The semiconductor structure comprises a substrate, a stack of alternate conductive layers and insulating layers, an opening, an oxide layer and a conductor. The stack is formed on the substrate. The opening penetrates through the stack. The oxide layer is formed on a sidewall of the opening. The conductor is filled into the opening. The conductor is separated from the sidewall of the opening by only the oxide layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2016
    Assignee: MACRONIX INTERNATIONAL CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Erh-Kun Lai
  • Patent number: 9461063
    Abstract: A method for forming a semiconductor structure is provided. The method includes following steps. First, a stack of alternate conductive layers and insulating layers is formed on a buffer layer on a buried layer. Next, a first opening is formed through the stack and through a portion of the buffer layer. Thereafter, a spacer is formed on a sidewall of the first opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2016
    Assignee: MACRONIX INTERNATIONAL CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Erh-Kun Lai, Chun-Min Cheng, Kuang-Hao Chiang
  • Publication number: 20160284722
    Abstract: A memory device including a substrate, at least one first stacked structure and at least one second stacked structure disposed on the substrate is provided. The first stacked structure includes a plurality of alternately stacked metal layers and oxide layers. The second stacked structure is disposed adjacent to the first stacked structure and includes a plurality of alternately stacked semiconductor layers and oxide layers. The metal layers of the first stacked structure are connected to the semiconductor layers of the second stacked structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2015
    Publication date: September 29, 2016
    Inventor: Erh-Kun Lai
  • Patent number: 9455403
    Abstract: A semiconductor structure and a method for manufacturing the same are provided. The semiconductor structure comprises an access device, a dielectric layer, a barrier layer, a first interlayer conductor, a first barrier liner, a second interlayer conductor, a second barrier liner, a memory element and a top electrode layer. The access device has two terminals. The dielectric layer covers the access device. The barrier layer is disposed on the dielectric layer. The first and second interlayer conductors are connected to the two terminals, respectively. The first and second barrier liners are disposed on sidewalls of the first and second interlayer conductors, respectively. The memory element is disposed on the first interlayer conductor. The top electrode layer is disposed on the barrier layer and the memory element and covers the memory element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Assignee: MACRONIX INTERNATIONAL CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Erh-Kun Lai, Feng-Min Lee, Yu-Yu Lin, Dai-Ying Lee
  • Patent number: 9455270
    Abstract: A semiconductor structure and a manufacturing method of the same are provided. The semiconductor structure includes a substrate having a trench, a stacked structure, an etching stop structure, a plurality of memory structure, and a first filled slit groove formed in the stacked structure. The stacked structure has a horizontal extended region and a vertical extended region extending along a sidewall of the trench. The stacked structure includes a plurality of conductive layer s and a plurality of insulating layers interlacedly stacked in the trench. The etching stop structure is formed in the vertical extended region. The memory structures vertically penetrate through the conductive layers and the insulating layers in the horizontal extended region. The conductive layers and the insulating layers in the vertical extended region are formed on the etching stop structure and located between the etching stop structure and the first filled slit groove.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Assignee: MACRONIX INTERNATIONAL CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Erh-Kun Lai
  • Patent number: 9455155
    Abstract: A semiconductor structure and a manufacturing method of the same are disclosed. The semiconductor structure includes a conductive layer, a conductive strip, a dielectric layer, and a conductive element. The conductive layer has a first conductive material. The conductive strip is in the same level as the conductive layer and has a second conductive material. The second conductive material is adjoined with the first conductive material having a conductivity characteristic different from a conductivity characteristic of the second conductive material. The conductive element crisscrosses the conductive strip and separated from the conductive strip by the dielectric layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Assignee: MACRONIX INTERNATIONAL CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Erh-Kun Lai
  • Publication number: 20160260898
    Abstract: A method is provided for manufacturing a memory. An insulating layer is formed over an array of interlayer conductors, and etched to define a first opening corresponding to a first interlayer conductor in the array, where the etching stops at a first top surface of the first interlayer conductor. A metal oxide layer is formed on the first top surface. A first layer of barrier material is deposited conformal with and contacting the metal oxide layer and surfaces of the first opening. Subsequently the insulating layer is etched to define a second opening corresponding to a second interlayer conductor in the array, where the etching stops at a second top surface of the second interlayer conductor. A second layer of barrier material is deposited conformal with and contacting the first layer of barrier material in the first opening. The first opening is filled with a conductive material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 4, 2015
    Publication date: September 8, 2016
    Applicant: MACRONIX INTERNATIONAL CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Erh-Kun LAI, Feng-Min LEE, Yu-Yu LIN
  • Patent number: 9437611
    Abstract: A semiconductor device and a manufacturing method of a semiconductor device thereof are provided. The manufacturing method includes the following steps. A bottom insulating layer is formed on a substrate. Two stacked structures are formed on the bottom insulating layer. Each of the stacked structures includes a plurality of gate layers, a plurality of gate insulating layers, a top insulating layer and a conductive mask layer. Each of the charge trapping structures includes a plurality of first dielectric layers and a plurality of second dielectric layers. Part of each of first dielectric layers is etched. Part of each of second dielectric layers is etched to expose part of the channel layer. A landing pad layer is formed on the conductive mask layer, the first dielectric layers and the second dielectric layers to connect the conductive mask layer and the channel layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2016
    Assignee: MACRONIX INTERNATIONAL CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Erh-Kun Lai
  • Patent number: 9431417
    Abstract: A semiconductor structure and a method for manufacturing the same are provided. The semiconductor structure comprises a substrate, a plurality of stacks, a plurality of memory layers, a plurality of channel layers and a plurality of connecting portions. The stacks are disposed on the substrate. Each of the stacks comprises alternately-stacked conductive layers and insulating layers. The memory layers are disposed on sidewalls of the stacks, respectively. The channel layers are disposed on the memory layers, respectively, wherein each of the channel layers comprises a surface being exposed. The connecting portions connect the surface of each of the channel layers to the substrate, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2016
    Assignee: MACRONIX INTERNATIONAL CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Erh-Kun Lai, Yen-Hao Shih
  • Publication number: 20160247813
    Abstract: A semiconductor device and a manufacturing method of a semiconductor device thereof are provided. The manufacturing method includes the following steps. A bottom insulating layer is formed on a substrate. Two stacked structures are formed on the bottom insulating layer. Each of the stacked structures includes a plurality of gate layers, a plurality of gate insulating layers, a top insulating layer and a conductive mask layer. Each of the charge trapping structures includes a plurality of first dielectric layers and a plurality of second dielectric layers. Part of each of first dielectric layers is etched. Part of each of second dielectric layers is etched to expose part of the channel layer. A landing pad layer is formed on the conductive mask layer, the first dielectric layers and the second dielectric layers to connect the conductive mask layer and the channel layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2015
    Publication date: August 25, 2016
    Inventor: Erh-Kun Lai
  • Publication number: 20160247814
    Abstract: A semiconductor device and a manufacturing method of a semiconductor device thereof are provided. The manufacturing method includes the following steps. Two stacked structures are formed a substrate. Each of the stacked structures includes a plurality of gate layers, a plurality of gate insulating layers and a top insulating layer. A charge trapping structure and a channel layer are formed. The charge trapping structure includes a plurality of first dielectric layers and a plurality of second dielectric layers. Part of each of first dielectric layers is etched and part of each of second dielectric layers is etched to expose part of the channel layer. A landing pad layer is formed on the first dielectric layers and the second dielectric layers to connect the channel layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2015
    Publication date: August 25, 2016
    Inventors: Erh-Kun Lai, Kuang-Hao Chiang
  • Patent number: 9425391
    Abstract: A method is provided for manufacturing a memory. An insulating layer is formed over an array of interlayer conductors, and etched to define a first opening corresponding to a first interlayer conductor in the array, where the etching stops at a first top surface of the first interlayer conductor. A metal oxide layer is formed on the first top surface. A first layer of barrier material is deposited conformal with and contacting the metal oxide layer and surfaces of the first opening. Subsequently the insulating layer is etched to define a second opening corresponding to a second interlayer conductor in the array, where the etching stops at a second top surface of the second interlayer conductor. A second layer of barrier material is deposited conformal with and contacting the first layer of barrier material in the first opening. The first opening is filled with a conductive material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2016
    Assignee: Macronix International Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Erh-Kun Lai, Feng-Min Lee, Yu-Yu Lin
  • Publication number: 20160240551
    Abstract: A semiconductor structure is provided. The semiconductor structure comprises a substrate, stacks, a blocking layer-trapping layer-tunneling layer structure, channel layers, a first insulating material and a dielectric layer. The stacks are formed on the substrate. Each stack comprises a group of alternating conductive strips and insulating strips as well as a first string select line formed on the group. The blocking layer-trapping layer-tunneling layer structure and the channel layers are formed conformally with the stacks. The first insulating material is formed between the stacks and covers portions of the channel layers. The dielectric layer is formed on portions of the channel layers that are not covered by the first insulating material. The semiconductor structure further comprises second string select lines formed between the stacks on the first insulating material, wherein the second string select lines are separated from the channel layers by the dielectric layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 12, 2015
    Publication date: August 18, 2016
    Inventor: Erh-Kun Lai
  • Patent number: 9379131
    Abstract: A 3D stacked semiconductor structure is provided, comprising a plurality of multi-layered pillars formed on a substrate and spaced apart from each other, a plurality of first conductors formed between the adjacent multi-layered pillars, a plurality of charging-trapping layers formed on the substrate and on the sidewalls of the multi-layered pillars for separating the first conductor and the multi-layered pillars, and a second conductor formed on the first conductors and on the charging-trapping layers. One of the multi-layered pillars comprises a plurality of insulating layers and a plurality of conductive layers arranged alternately. The top surfaces of the first conductors are higher than the top surfaces of the multi-layered pillars so as to create a plurality of receiving trenches respectively on the multi-layered pillars. The second conductor fills up the receiving trenches on the multi-layered pillars.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2016
    Assignee: MACRONIX INTERNATIONAL CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Erh-Kun Lai
  • Publication number: 20160181269
    Abstract: A 3D stacked semiconductor structure is provided, comprising a plurality of stacks vertically formed on a substrate and disposed parallel to each other, a dielectric layer formed on the stacks, a plurality of conductive plugs independently formed in the dielectric layer; and a metal-oxide-semiconductor (MOS) layer formed on the dielectric layer. One of the stacks at least comprises a plurality of multi-layered pillars, and each of the multi-layered pillars comprises a plurality of insulating layers and a plurality of conductive layers arranged alternately. The MOS layer comprises a plurality of MOS structures connected to the conductive plugs respectively, and function as layer-selectors for selecting and decoding the to-be-operated layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2014
    Publication date: June 23, 2016
    Inventors: Erh-Kun Lai, Yen-Hao Shih
  • Patent number: 9362302
    Abstract: A memory device includes a plurality of stacks of conductive strips separated by insulating material, including at least a bottom level of conductive strips, a plurality of intermediate levels of conductive strips, and a top level of conductive strips. A reference conductor is disposed in a level between the bottom level of conductive strips and a substrate, isolated from the substrate by a layer of insulating material, and isolated from the bottom level by another layer of insulating material. A plurality of vertical active strips is disposed between the plurality of stacks in electrical contact with the substrate, and with the reference conductor. Charge storage structures are disposed in interface regions at cross-points between side surfaces of the conductive strips in the plurality of intermediate levels and the vertical active strips. A bias circuit is configured to provide different bias arrangements to the reference conductor and the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2016
    Assignee: Macronix International Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Erh-Kun Lai