Patents by Inventor Kuo-Cheng Lee
Kuo-Cheng Lee 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).
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Publication number: 20240247882Abstract: A liquid-cooling heat dissipation structure having a nonlinear fin array and a method for manufacturing the same are provided. The liquid-cooling heat dissipation structure includes an upper plate, a lower plate, and a flow guide member. The upper plate has an accommodating groove of which an inner side has an upper joint area formed thereon. The lower plate has a lower joint area. The flow guide member disposed between the upper plate and the lower plate includes a heat dissipation plate body having a first surface and a second surface, and a plurality of heat dissipation columns integrally disposed on the second surface. The upper brazing area is connected to the lower brazing area, and two ends of the flow guide member are respectively connected to the upper joint area and the lower joint area to form an enclosed cavity for accommodating the heat dissipation columns.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 23, 2023Publication date: July 25, 2024Inventors: KUO-WEI LEE, CHIEN-CHENG WU, CHUN-LUNG WU, TZE-YANG YEH
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Publication number: 20240234460Abstract: An electrode controls transmittance of a blocking layer over a photodiode of a pixel sensor (e.g., a photodiode of a small pixel detector) by changing oxidation of a metal material included in the blocking layer. By using the electrode to adjust transmittance of the blocking layer, pixel sensors for different uses and/or products may be produced using a single manufacturing process. As a result, power and processing resources are conserved that otherwise would have been expended in switching manufacturing processes. Additionally, production time is decreased (e.g., by eliminating downtime that would otherwise have been used to reconfigure fabrication machines.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 22, 2024Publication date: July 11, 2024Inventors: Li-Wen HUANG, Chung-Liang CHENG, Ping-Hao LIN, Kuo-Cheng LEE
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Patent number: 12033902Abstract: A method of manufacturing a semiconductor wafer is disclosed. The method includes exposing the semiconductor wafer to one or more dopant species to form one or more first implant layers on the semiconductor wafer, testing one or more geometric parameter values of the formed one or more first implant layers, after testing the one or more geometric parameter values, conditionally exposing the semiconductor wafer to one or more dopant species to form one or more additional implant layers on the semiconductor wafer, after forming the one or more additional implant layers, conditionally forming one or more additional circuit layers on the semiconductor wafer to form a plurality of functional electronic circuits on the semiconductor wafer, and conditionally testing the semiconductor wafer with a wafer acceptance test (WAT) operation.Type: GrantFiled: September 1, 2021Date of Patent: July 9, 2024Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.Inventors: Feng-Chien Hsieh, Ting-Hao Chang, Chun-Hao Lin, Yun-Wei Cheng, Kuo-Cheng Lee
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Patent number: 12021054Abstract: Redistribution layers of integrated circuits include one or more arrays of conductive contacts that are configured and arranged to allow a bonding wave to displace air between the redistribution layers during bonding. This configuration and arrangement of the one or more arrays minimize discontinuities, such as pockets of air to provide an example, between the redistribution layers during the bonding.Type: GrantFiled: July 31, 2023Date of Patent: June 25, 2024Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.Inventors: Cheng-Yuan Li, Kuo-Cheng Lee, Yun-Wei Cheng, Yen-Liang Lin
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Patent number: 12021105Abstract: A pixel array includes octagon-shaped pixel sensors and square-shaped pixel sensors. The octagon-shaped pixel sensors may be interspersed in the pixel array with square-shaped pixel sensors to increase the utilization of space in the pixel array, and to allow for pixel sensors in the pixel array to be sized differently. Moreover, the pixel array may include a combination of red, green, and blue pixel sensors to obtain color information from incident light; yellow pixel sensors for blue and green color enhancement and correction for the pixel array; near infrared (NIR) pixel sensors to increase contour sharpness and low light performance for the pixel array; and/or white pixel sensors to increase light sensitivity and brightness for the pixel array. The capability to configure different sizes and types of pixel sensors permits the pixel array to be formed and/or configured to satisfy various performance parameters.Type: GrantFiled: November 20, 2020Date of Patent: June 25, 2024Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.Inventors: Feng-Chien Hsieh, Yun-Wei Cheng, Kuo-Cheng Lee, Cheng-Ming Wu
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Publication number: 20240204024Abstract: A method of making a semiconductor image sensor includes forming a photodiode in a substrate. The method further includes forming a recess in the substrate. The method further includes depositing a sacrificial material in the recess. The method further includes forming an interconnect structure over the sacrificial material. The method further includes etching a plurality of trenches in the interconnect structure. The method further includes removing the sacrificial material by passing an etchant through the plurality of trenches.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 1, 2024Publication date: June 20, 2024Inventors: Chun-Liang LU, Cheng-Hao CHIU, Huan-En LIN, Chun-Hao CHOU, Kuo-Cheng LEE
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Patent number: 12009323Abstract: A semiconductor structure is provided. The semiconductor structure includes a first semiconductor device. The semiconductor structure includes a first semiconductor device and a second semiconductor device. The first semiconductor device includes a first oxide layer formed below the a first substrate, a first bonding layer formed below the first oxide layer, and a first bonding via formed through the first bonding layer and the first oxide layer. The second semiconductor device includes a second oxide layer formed over a second substrate, a second bonding layer formed over the second oxide layer, and a second bonding via formed through the second bonding layer and the second oxide layer. The semiconductor structure also includes a bonding structure between the first substrate and the second substrate, and the bonding structure includes the first bonding via bonded to the second bonding via.Type: GrantFiled: July 26, 2022Date of Patent: June 11, 2024Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.Inventors: Chia-Yu Wei, Cheng-Yuan Li, Yen-Liang Lin, Kuo-Cheng Lee, Hsun-Ying Huang, Hsin-Chi Chen
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Patent number: 11996428Abstract: An image sensor includes an array of image pixels and black level correction (BLC) pixels. Each BLC pixel includes a BLC pixel photodetector, a BLC pixel sensing circuit, and a BLC pixel optics assembly configured to block light that impinges onto the BLC pixel photodetector. Each BLC pixel optics assembly may include a first portion of a layer stack including a vertically alternating sequence of first material layers having a first refractive index and second material layers having a second refractive index. Additionally or alternatively, each BLC pixel optics assembly may include a first portion of a layer stack including at least two metal layers, each having a respective wavelength sub-range having a greater reflectivity than another metal layer. Alternatively or additionally, each BLC pixel optics assembly may include an infrared blocking material layer that provides a higher absorption coefficient than color filter materials within image pixel optics assemblies.Type: GrantFiled: March 3, 2021Date of Patent: May 28, 2024Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company LimitedInventors: Feng-Chien Hsieh, Yun-Wei Cheng, Kuo-Cheng Lee, Hsin-Chi Chen
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Patent number: 11990488Abstract: A grid structure in a pixel array may be at least partially angled or tapered toward a top surface of the grid structure such that the width of the grid structure approaches a near-zero width near the top surface of the grid structure. This permits the spacing between color filter regions in between the grid structure to approach a near-zero spacing near the top surfaces of the color filter regions. The tight spacing of color filter regions provided by the angled or tapered grid structure provides a greater surface area and volume for incident light collection in the color filter regions. Moreover, the width of the grid structure may increase at least partially toward a bottom surface of the grid structure such that the wider dimension of the grid structure near the bottom surface of the grid structure provides optical crosstalk protection for the pixel sensors in the pixel array.Type: GrantFiled: March 12, 2021Date of Patent: May 21, 2024Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.Inventors: Wei-Lin Chen, Ching-Chung Su, Chun-Hao Chou, Kuo-Cheng Lee
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Patent number: 11985438Abstract: A pixel array includes a plurality of dark pixel sensors configured to generate dark current calibration information for a plurality of visible light pixel sensors included in the pixel array. The plurality of dark pixel sensors may generate respective dark current measurements for each of the plurality of visible light pixel sensors or for small subsets of the plurality of visible light pixel sensors. In this way, each of the plurality of visible light pixel sensors may be individually calibrated (or small subsets of the plurality of visible light pixel sensors may be individually calibrated) based on an estimated dark current experienced by each of the plurality of visible light pixel sensors. This may enable more accurate dark current calibration of the visible light pixel sensors included in the pixel array, and may be used to account for large differences in estimated dark currents for the visible light pixel sensors.Type: GrantFiled: March 18, 2021Date of Patent: May 14, 2024Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.Inventors: Feng-Chien Hsieh, Yun-Wei Cheng, Kuo-Cheng Lee
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Publication number: 20240155260Abstract: A pixel array includes a plurality of dark pixel sensors configured to generate dark current calibration information for a plurality of visible light pixel sensors included in the pixel array. The plurality of dark pixel sensors may generate respective dark current measurements for each of the plurality of visible light pixel sensors or for small subsets of the plurality of visible light pixel sensors. In this way, each of the plurality of visible light pixel sensors may be individually calibrated (or small subsets of the plurality of visible light pixel sensors may be individually calibrated) based on an estimated dark current experienced by each of the plurality of visible light pixel sensors. This may enable more accurate dark current calibration of the visible light pixel sensors included in the pixel array, and may be used to account for large differences in estimated dark currents for the visible light pixel sensors.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 18, 2024Publication date: May 9, 2024Inventors: Feng-Chien HSIEH, Yun-Wei CHENG, Kuo-Cheng LEE
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Patent number: 11978751Abstract: An electrode controls transmittance of a blocking layer over a photodiode of a pixel sensor (e.g., a photodiode of a small pixel detector) by changing oxidation of a metal material included in the blocking layer. By using the electrode to adjust transmittance of the blocking layer, pixel sensors for different uses and/or products may be produced using a single manufacturing process. As a result, power and processing resources are conserved that otherwise would have been expended in switching manufacturing processes. Additionally, production time is decreased (e.g., by eliminating downtime that would otherwise have been used to reconfigure fabrication machines.Type: GrantFiled: January 10, 2023Date of Patent: May 7, 2024Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.Inventors: Li-Wen Huang, Chung-Liang Cheng, Ping-Hao Lin, Kuo-Cheng Lee
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Patent number: 11956553Abstract: An image sensor device has a first number of first pixels disposed in a substrate and a second number of second pixels disposed in the substrate. The first number is substantially equal to the second number. A light-blocking structure disposed over the first pixels and the second pixels. The light-blocking structure defines a plurality of first openings and second openings through which light can pass. The first openings are disposed over the first pixels. The second openings are disposed over the second pixels. The second openings are smaller than the first openings. A microcontroller is configured to turn on different ones of the second pixels at different points in time.Type: GrantFiled: November 8, 2021Date of Patent: April 9, 2024Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.Inventors: Yun-Wei Cheng, Chun-Hao Chou, Kuo-Cheng Lee, Hsin-Chi Chen
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Publication number: 20240113237Abstract: The present disclosure provides a semiconductor structure and a method of manufacturing the same. The semiconductor structure includes a sensing device, a solar cell, and an interconnecting structure. The solar cell is disposed above the sensing device and is electrically connected to the sensing device. The interconnecting structure is disposed between the sensing device and the solar cell and has a first surface facing the solar cell and a second surface facing the sensing devices. The interconnecting structure comprises a first energy storage component and a second energy storage component. The first energy storage component is disposed closer to the first surface of the interconnecting structure than the second energy storage component.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 10, 2023Publication date: April 4, 2024Inventors: FENG-CHIEN HSIEH, YUN-WEI CHENG, KUO-CHENG LEE, CHENG-MING WU, PING KUAN CHANG
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Patent number: 11948954Abstract: An electrode controls transmittance of a blocking layer over a photodiode of a pixel sensor (e.g., a photodiode of a small pixel detector) by changing oxidation of a metal material included in the blocking layer. By using the electrode to adjust transmittance of the blocking layer, pixel sensors for different uses and/or products may be produced using a single manufacturing process. As a result, power and processing resources are conserved that otherwise would have been expended in switching manufacturing processes. Additionally, production time is decreased (e.g., by eliminating downtime that would otherwise have been used to reconfigure fabrication machines.Type: GrantFiled: January 10, 2023Date of Patent: April 2, 2024Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.Inventors: Li-Wen Huang, Chung-Liang Cheng, Ping-Hao Lin, Kuo-Cheng Lee
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Publication number: 20240105750Abstract: A CMOS image sensor includes PDAF pixels distributed in an array of image pixels in plan view. Each PDAF pixel includes m×m binned photodiodes, a PDAF color filter overlying the binned photodiodes and laterally surrounded by a first isolation structure, and a PDAF micro-lens overlying the PDAF color filter. A first horizontal distance between a center of the PDAF color filter and a center of the binned photodiodes varies depending on a location of the PDAF pixel in plan view in the CMOS image sensor. Additionally, the first isolation structure includes a first low-n dielectric grid, a second low-n dielectric grid underlying the first low-n dielectric grid, and a metal grid enclosed by the second low-n dielectric grid. The second low-n dielectric grid includes a filler dielectric material different from a second low-n dielectric grid material. Thus, quantum efficiency and uniformity of the CMOS image sensor are improved.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 16, 2023Publication date: March 28, 2024Inventors: Ming-Hsien YANG, Chun-Hao Chou, Kuo-Cheng Lee
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Publication number: 20240096923Abstract: The image sensing structure includes a first semiconductor device and a second semiconductor device. The first semiconductor device includes at least one first unit. The at least one first unit includes a plurality of first interconnects adjacent to the top side of the first semiconductor device, a row selector, and an analog-to-digital converter (ADC) connected to the row selectors. The second semiconductor device includes at least one second unit. The at least one second unit includes a photodiode facing the top side of the second semiconductor device. The photodiode is configured to receive the light incident on the top side of the second semiconductor device. The top side of the first semiconductor device is bonded to the bottom side of the second semiconductor device.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 6, 2023Publication date: March 21, 2024Inventors: FENG-CHIEN HSIEH, YUN-WEI CHENG, WEI-LI HU, KUO-CHENG LEE, CHENG-MING WU
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Publication number: 20240096917Abstract: An image sensor structure includes a semiconductor substrate, a plurality of image sensing elements, a reflective element, and a high-k dielectric structure. The image sensing elements are in the semiconductor substrate. The reflective element is in the semiconductor substrate and between the image sensing elements. The high-k dielectric structure is between the reflective element and the image sensing elements.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 6, 2023Publication date: March 21, 2024Inventors: PO CHUN CHANG, PING-HAO LIN, WEI-LIN CHEN, KUN-HUI LIN, KUO-CHENG LEE
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Publication number: 20240088195Abstract: An image sensor device includes a semiconductor substrate, a radiation sensing member, a shallow trench isolation, and a color filter layer. The radiation sensing member is in the semiconductor substrate. An interface between the radiation sensing member and the semiconductor substrate includes a direct band gap material. The shallow trench isolation is in the semiconductor substrate and surrounds the radiation sensing member. The color filter layer covers the radiation sensing member.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 16, 2023Publication date: March 14, 2024Applicant: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.Inventors: Chia-Yu WEI, Yen-Liang LIN, Kuo-Cheng LEE, Hsun-Ying HUANG, Hsin-Chi CHEN
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Publication number: 20240088193Abstract: A semiconductor device and a method for manufacturing the semiconductor device are provided. The semiconductor device comprises a substrate and a wafer disposed on the substrate. The wafer includes a p-doped layer disposed on the substrate; a first diode disposed on the p-doped layer; a second diode disposed on the p-doped layer; a third diode disposed on the p-doped layer; and a dielectric layer disposed on the substrate and covering the first, second, and third diodes. The first, second, and third diodes are disposed side by side.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 12, 2023Publication date: March 14, 2024Inventors: CHUN-LIANG LU, CHUN-HAO CHOU, KUO-CHENG LEE