Patents by Inventor Kuo-Chyuan Tzeng

Kuo-Chyuan Tzeng 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: 10872777
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to integrated circuit device manufacturing processes. A self-aligned double patterning method is provided. In the method, a lithography process for line cut that determines the locations of line termini is performed after forming a spacer layer alongside the mandrel and prior to stripping the mandrel. The lithographic mask for the line cut is aligned to the mandrel and the spacer layer using a mark made of the mandrel material and the spacer material. Compared to the previous approach where the line cut process is performed after the mandrel removal, in the disclosed approach, the line termini mask is made of the mandrel material and the spacer material, and is more distinguishable compared to a mark made of just the spacer material. Thereby, the methods provide robust photo alignment signal for the line cut photolithography and precise positioning of the line termini mask.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2020
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jui-Yu Pan, Kuo-Chyuan Tzeng, Lee-Chuan Tseng, Ying-Hua Chen
  • Patent number: 10818505
    Abstract: A method comprises following steps. A first mandrel is formed over a target layer over a substrate, wherein the first mandrel comprises a mandrel island and a first mandrel strip, the mandrel island comprises a first sidewall and a second sidewall perpendicular to the first sidewall, and the first mandrel strip extends from the first sidewall of the mandrel island. A first spacer is formed along the first and second sidewalls of the mandrel island and a sidewall of the first mandrel strip. The first mandrel is removed from the target layer. The target layer is patterned when the first spacer remains over the target layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2020
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yu-Wen Wang, Kuo-Chyuan Tzeng
  • Publication number: 20200098580
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to integrated circuit device manufacturing processes. A self-aligned double patterning method is provided. In the method, a lithography process for line cut that determines the locations of line termini is performed after forming a spacer layer alongside the mandrel and prior to stripping the mandrel. The lithographic mask for the line cut is aligned to the mandrel and the spacer layer using a mark made of the mandrel material and the spacer material. Compared to the previous approach where the line cut process is performed after the mandrel removal, in the disclosed approach, the line termini mask is made of the mandrel material and the spacer material, and is more distinguishable compared to a mark made of just the spacer material. Thereby, the methods provide robust photo alignment signal for the line cut photolithography and precise positioning of the line termini mask.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2019
    Publication date: March 26, 2020
    Inventors: Jui-Yu Pan, Kuo-Chyuan Tzeng, Lee-Chuan Tseng, Ying-Hua Chen
  • Publication number: 20200058514
    Abstract: A method comprises following steps. A first mandrel is formed over a target layer over a substrate, wherein the first mandrel comprises a mandrel island and a first mandrel strip, the mandrel island comprises a first sidewall and a second sidewall perpendicular to the first sidewall, and the first mandrel strip extends from the first sidewall of the mandrel island. A first spacer is formed along the first and second sidewalls of the mandrel island and a sidewall of the first mandrel strip. The first mandrel is removed from the target layer. The target layer is patterned when the first spacer remains over the target layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 4, 2019
    Publication date: February 20, 2020
    Inventors: Yu-Wen Wang, Kuo-Chyuan Tzeng
  • Patent number: 10483119
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to integrated circuit device manufacturing processes. A self-aligned double patterning method is provided. In the method, a lithography process for line cut that determines the locations of line termini is performed after forming a spacer layer alongside the mandrel and prior to stripping the mandrel. The lithographic mask for the line cut is aligned to the mandrel and the spacer layer using a mark made of the mandrel material and the spacer material. Compared to the previous approach where the line cut process is performed after the mandrel removal, in the disclosed approach, the line termini mask is made of the mandrel material and the spacer material, and is more distinguishable compared to a mark made of just the spacer material. Thereby, the methods provide robust photo alignment signal for the line cut photolithography and precise positioning of the line termini mask.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2019
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jui-Yu Pan, Kuo-Chyuan Tzeng, Lee-Chuan Tseng, Ying-Hua Chen
  • Patent number: 9401395
    Abstract: Decoupling metal-insulator-metal (MIM) capacitor designs for interposers and methods of manufacture thereof are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method of forming a decoupling capacitor includes providing a packaging device, and forming a decoupling MIM capacitor in at least two metallization layers of the packaging device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2016
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kuo-Chyuan Tzeng, Kuo-Chi Tu, Chen-Jong Wang, Hsiang-Fan Lee
  • Publication number: 20160155700
    Abstract: Decoupling metal-insulator-metal (MIM) capacitor designs for interposers and methods of manufacture thereof are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method of forming a decoupling capacitor includes providing a packaging device, and forming a decoupling MIM capacitor in at least two metallization layers of the packaging device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 5, 2016
    Publication date: June 2, 2016
    Inventors: Kuo-Chyuan Tzeng, Kuo-Chi Tu, Chen-Jong Wang, Hsiang-Fan Lee
  • Patent number: 9269762
    Abstract: Embodiments of MIM capacitors may be embedded into a thick IMD layer with enough thickness (e.g., 10 K?˜30 K?) to get high capacitance, which may be on top of a thinner IMD layer. MIM capacitors may be formed among three adjacent metal layers which have two thick IMD layers separating the three adjacent metal layers. Materials such as TaN or TiN are used as bottom/top electrodes & Cu barrier. The metal layer above the thick IMD layer may act as the top electrode connection. The metal layer under the thick IMD layer may act as the bottom electrode connection. The capacitor may be of different shapes such as cylindrical shape, or a concave shape. Many kinds of materials (Si3N4, ZrO2, HfO2, BST . . . etc.) can be used as the dielectric material. The MIM capacitors are formed by one or two extra masks while forming other non-capacitor logic of the circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2016
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kuo-Chyuan Tzeng, Luan C. Tran, Chen-Jong Wang, Kuo-Chi Tu, Hsiang-Fan Lee
  • Patent number: 9263415
    Abstract: Decoupling metal-insulator-metal (MIM) capacitor designs for interposers and methods of manufacture thereof are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method of forming a decoupling capacitor includes providing a packaging device, and forming a decoupling MIM capacitor in at least two metallization layers of the packaging device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kuo-Chyuan Tzeng, Kuo-Chi Tu, Chen-Jong Wang, Hsiang-Fan Lee
  • Patent number: 9257409
    Abstract: Decoupling metal-insulator-metal (MIM) capacitor designs for interposers and methods of manufacture thereof are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method of forming a decoupling capacitor includes providing a packaging device, and forming a decoupling MIM capacitor in at least two metallization layers of the packaging device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2016
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kuo-Chyuan Tzeng, Kuo-Chi Tu, Chen-Jong Wang, Hsiang-Fan Lee
  • Publication number: 20150187866
    Abstract: Embodiments of MIM capacitors may be embedded into a thick IMD layer with enough thickness (e.g., 10 K?˜30 K?) to get high capacitance, which may be on top of a thinner IMD layer. MIM capacitors may be formed among three adjacent metal layers which have two thick IMD layers separating the three adjacent metal layers. Materials such as TaN or TiN are used as bottom/top electrodes & Cu barrier. The metal layer above the thick IMD layer may act as the top electrode connection. The metal layer under the thick IMD layer may act as the bottom electrode connection. The capacitor may be of different shapes such as cylindrical shape, or a concave shape. Many kinds of materials (Si3N4, ZrO2, HfO2, BST . . . etc.) can be used as the dielectric material. The MIM capacitors are formed by one or two extra masks while forming other non-capacitor logic of the circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 10, 2015
    Publication date: July 2, 2015
    Inventors: Kuo-Chyuan Tzeng, Luan C. Tran, Chen-Jong Wang, Kuo-Chi Tu, Hsiang-Fan Lee
  • Patent number: 8994146
    Abstract: Embodiments of MIM capacitors may be embedded into a thick IMD layer with enough thickness (e.g., 10 K?˜30 K?) to get high capacitance, which may be on top of a thinner IMD layer. MIM capacitors may be formed among three adjacent metal layers which have two thick IMD layers separating the three adjacent metal layers. Materials such as TaN or TiN are used as bottom/top electrodes & Cu barrier. The metal layer above the thick IMD layer may act as the top electrode connection. The metal layer under the thick IMD layer may act as the bottom electrode connection. The capacitor may be of different shapes such as cylindrical shape, or a concave shape. Many kinds of materials (Si3N4, ZrO2, HfO2, BST . . . etc.) can be used as the dielectric material. The MIM capacitors are formed by one or two extra masks while forming other non-capacitor logic of the circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kuo-Chyuan Tzeng, Luan C. Tran, Chen-Jong Wang, Kuo-Chi Tu, Hsiang-Fan Lee
  • Patent number: 8993405
    Abstract: Embodiments of MIM capacitors may be embedded into a thick IMD layer with enough thickness (e.g., 10 K?˜30 K?) to get high capacitance, which may be on top of a thinner IMD layer. MIM capacitors may be formed among three adjacent metal layers which have two thick IMD layers separating the three adjacent metal layers. Materials such as TaN or TiN are used as bottom/top electrodes & Cu barrier. The metal layer above the thick IMD layer may act as the top electrode connection. The metal layer under the thick IMD layer may act as the bottom electrode connection. The capacitor may be of different shapes such as cylindrical shape, or a concave shape. Many kinds of materials (Si3N4, ZrO2, HfO2, BST . . . etc.) can be used as the dielectric material. The MIM capacitors are formed by one or two extra masks while forming other non-capacitor logic of the circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kuo-Chyuan Tzeng, Luan C. Tran, Chen-Jong Wang, Kuo-Chi Tu, Hsiang-Fan Lee
  • Publication number: 20140235019
    Abstract: Decoupling metal-insulator-metal (MIM) capacitor designs for interposers and methods of manufacture thereof are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method of forming a decoupling capacitor includes providing a packaging device, and forming a decoupling MIM capacitor in at least two metallization layers of the packaging device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2014
    Publication date: August 21, 2014
    Applicant: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Kuo-Chyuan Tzeng, Kuo-Chi Tu, Chen-Jong Wang, Hsiang-Fan Lee
  • Publication number: 20140217549
    Abstract: Decoupling metal-insulator-metal (MIM) capacitor designs for interposers and methods of manufacture thereof are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method of forming a decoupling capacitor includes providing a packaging device, and forming a decoupling MIM capacitor in at least two metallization layers of the packaging device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 8, 2014
    Publication date: August 7, 2014
    Applicant: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Kuo-Chyuan Tzeng, Kuo-Chi Tu, Chen-Jong Wang, Hsiang-Fan Lee
  • Publication number: 20140191364
    Abstract: Embodiments of MIM capacitors may be embedded into a thick IMD layer with enough thickness (e.g., 10 K?˜30 K?) to get high capacitance, which may be on top of a thinner IMD layer. MIM capacitors may be formed among three adjacent metal layers which have two thick IMD layers separating the three adjacent metal layers. Materials such as TaN or TiN are used as bottom/top electrodes & Cu barrier. The metal layer above the thick IMD layer may act as the top electrode connection. The metal layer under the thick IMD layer may act as the bottom electrode connection. The capacitor may be of different shapes such as cylindrical shape, or a concave shape. Many kinds of materials (Si3N4, ZrO2, HfO2, BST . . . etc.) can be used as the dielectric material. The MIM capacitors are formed by one or two extra masks while forming other non-capacitor logic of the circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 10, 2014
    Publication date: July 10, 2014
    Applicant: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kuo-Chyuan Tzeng, Luan C. Tran, Chen-Jong Wang, Kuo-Chi Tu, Hsiang-Fan Lee
  • Publication number: 20140193961
    Abstract: Embodiments of MIM capacitors may be embedded into a thick IMD layer with enough thickness (e.g., 10 K?˜30 K?) to get high capacitance, which may be on top of a thinner IMD layer. MIM capacitors may be formed among three adjacent metal layers which have two thick IMD layers separating the three adjacent metal layers. Materials such as TaN or TiN are used as bottom/top electrodes & Cu barrier. The metal layer above the thick IMD layer may act as the top electrode connection. The metal layer under the thick IMD layer may act as the bottom electrode connection. The capacitor may be of different shapes such as cylindrical shape, or a concave shape. Many kinds of materials (Si3N4, ZrO2, HfO2, BST . . . etc.) can be used as the dielectric material. The MIM capacitors are formed by one or two extra masks while forming other non-capacitor logic of the circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 10, 2014
    Publication date: July 10, 2014
    Applicant: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Kuo-Chyuan Tzeng, Luan C. Tran, Chen-Jong Wang, Kuo-Chi Tu, Hsiang-Fan Lee
  • Patent number: 8748284
    Abstract: Decoupling metal-insulator-metal (MIM) capacitor designs for interposers and methods of manufacture thereof are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method of forming a decoupling capacitor includes providing a packaging device, and forming a decoupling MIM capacitor in at least two metallization layers of the packaging device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kuo-Chyuan Tzeng, Kuo-Chi Tu, Chen-Jong Wang, Hsiang-Fan Lee
  • Patent number: 8716100
    Abstract: Embodiments of MIM capacitors may be embedded into a thick IMD layer with enough thickness (e.g., 10 K?˜30 K?) to get high capacitance, which may be on top of a thinner IMD layer. MIM capacitors may be formed among three adjacent metal layers which have two thick IMD layers separating the three adjacent metal layers. Materials such as TaN or TiN are used as bottom/top electrodes & Cu barrier. The metal layer above the thick IMD layer may act as the top electrode connection. The metal layer under the thick IMD layer may act as the bottom electrode connection. The capacitor may be of different shapes such as cylindrical shape, or a concave shape. Many kinds of materials (Si3N4, ZrO2, HfO2, BST . . . etc) can be used as the dielectric material. The MIM capacitors are formed by one or two extra masks while forming other non-capacitor logic of the circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kuo-Chyuan Tzeng, Luan C. Tran, Chen-Jong Wang, Kuo-Chi Tu, Hsiang-Fan Lee
  • Patent number: 8659121
    Abstract: Semiconductor devices with orientation-free decoupling capacitors and methods of manufacture thereof are disclosed. In one embodiment, a semiconductor device includes at least one integrated circuit and at least one decoupling capacitor. The at least one decoupling capacitor is oriented in a different direction than the at least one integrated circuit is oriented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kuo-Chi Tu, Kuo-Chyuan Tzeng, Wen-Chuan Chiang, Chen-Jong Wang