Patents by Inventor Kuo-Ji Chen

Kuo-Ji Chen 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: 20250142950
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides embodiments of semiconductor devices. A semiconductor device according to the present disclosure include an elongated semiconductor member surrounded by an isolation feature and extending lengthwise along a first direction, a first source/drain feature and a second source/drain feature over a top surface of the elongated semiconductor member, a vertical stack of channel members each extending lengthwise between the first source/drain feature and the second source/drain feature along the first direction, a gate structure wrapping around each of the channel members, an epitaxial layer deposited on the bottom surface of the elongated semiconductor member, a silicide layer disposed on the epitaxial layer, and a conductive layer disposed on the silicide layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2024
    Publication date: May 1, 2025
    Inventors: Yu-Xuan Huang, Ching-Wei Tsai, Jam-Wem Lee, Kuo-Ji Chen, Kuan-Lun Cheng
  • Patent number: 12272691
    Abstract: A circuit structure is provided. The circuit structure may include a first die area including an output gate, a second die area including a circuit and an input gate and a die-to-die interconnect. The input gate may include a transistor. The circuit may be connected between the die-to-die interconnect and a gate region of the transistor. The circuit may include a MOS transistor. A first source/drain region of the MOS transistor may be connected to the die-to-die interconnect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2023
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2025
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY LTD.
    Inventors: Chang-Fen Hu, Shao-Yu Li, Kuo-Ji Chen, Chih-Peng Lin, Chuei-Tang Wang, Ching-Fang Chen
  • Publication number: 20250089379
    Abstract: An electrostatic discharge (ESD) protection apparatus and method for fabricating the same are disclosed herein. In some embodiments, the ESD protection apparatus, comprises: an internal circuit patterned in a device wafer and electrically coupled between a first node and a second node, an array of electrostatic discharge (ESD) circuits patterned in a carrier wafer, where the ESD circuits are electrically coupled between a first node and a second node and configured to protect the internal circuit from transient ESD events, and where the device wafer is bonded to the carrier wafer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 26, 2024
    Publication date: March 13, 2025
    Inventors: Tao-Yi HUNG, Wun-Jie LIN, Jam-Wem LEE, Kuo-Ji CHEN
  • Publication number: 20250062138
    Abstract: A method for fabricating a package structure is provided. The method includes premixing cellulose nanofibrils (CNFs) and a graphene material in a solvent to form a solution; removing the solvent from the solution to form a composite filler; mixing a prepolymeric material with the composite filler to form a composite material; and performing a molding process using the composite material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 18, 2023
    Publication date: February 20, 2025
    Applicants: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD., NATIONAL TAIWAN UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Tzu-Hsuan CHANG, Rong-Teng Lin, Bi-Xian Wu, Teng-Chin Hsu, Yun-Hong Yang, Chien-Liang Chen, Jam-Wem Lee, Kuo-Ji Chen, Wun-Jie Lin
  • Patent number: 12183736
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides embodiments of semiconductor devices. A semiconductor device according to the present disclosure include an elongated semiconductor member surrounded by an isolation feature and extending lengthwise along a first direction, a first source/drain feature and a second source/drain feature over a top surface of the elongated semiconductor member, a vertical stack of channel members each extending lengthwise between the first source/drain feature and the second source/drain feature along the first direction, a gate structure wrapping around each of the channel members, an epitaxial layer deposited on the bottom surface of the elongated semiconductor member, a silicide layer disposed on the epitaxial layer, and a conductive layer disposed on the silicide layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2023
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2024
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yu-Xuan Huang, Ching-Wei Tsai, Jam-Wem Lee, Kuo-Ji Chen, Kuan-Lun Cheng
  • Patent number: 12176341
    Abstract: An electrostatic discharge (ESD) protection apparatus and method for fabricating the same are disclosed herein. In some embodiments, the ESD protection apparatus, comprises: an internal circuit patterned in a device wafer and electrically coupled between a first node and a second node, an array of electrostatic discharge (ESD) circuits patterned in a carrier wafer, where the ESD circuits are electrically coupled between a first node and a second node and configured to protect the internal circuit from transient ESD events, and where the device wafer is bonded to the carrier wafer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2023
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2024
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tao-Yi Hung, Wun-Jie Lin, Jam-Wem Lee, Kuo-Ji Chen
  • Publication number: 20240387554
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing an integrated circuit (IC) device includes forming, over a substrate, at least one first well region of a first semiconductor type, and a second well region of a second semiconductor type different from the first semiconductor type. The method further includes forming a plurality of first doped regions of the first semiconductor type over the at least one first well region, and a second doped region of the second semiconductor type over the second well region. Each of the plurality of first doped regions has a first length in a first direction. The second doped region extends in the first direction between at least two first doped regions among the plurality of first doped regions over a second length greater than the first length.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2024
    Publication date: November 21, 2024
    Inventors: Chien Yao HUANG, Wun-Jie LIN, Kuo-Ji CHEN
  • Publication number: 20240387509
    Abstract: An integrated circuit including: substrates stacked one over another, the substrates including first to fourth substrates having a P-type doping; the first substrate including a first set of electrical components on one or more of the substrates and forming a first circuit; a first ground reference rail connected to the first circuit; a first power supply rail connected between the first power supply rail and the first ground reference rail; a first electrostatic discharge (ESD) conduction element, connected between the first ground reference rail and a first part of a common ground reference rail, including a first diode in the second substrate and a second diode in the first substrate; the first diode and the second diode being connected in parallel, having different dopant types and having opposite polarities; and a second part of the common ground reference rail being connected to the third substrate and the fourth substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2024
    Publication date: November 21, 2024
    Inventors: Wei Yu MA, Chia-Hui CHEN, Kuo-Ji CHEN
  • Publication number: 20240386180
    Abstract: An integrated circuit design method includes receiving an integrated circuit design, and determining a floor plan for the integrated circuit design. The floor plan includes an arrangement of a plurality of functional cells and a plurality of tap cells. Potential latchup locations in the floor plan are determined, and the arrangement of at least one of the functional cells or the tap cells is modified based on the determined potential latchup locations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2024
    Publication date: November 21, 2024
    Inventors: Po-Chia Lai, Kuo-Ji Chen, Wen-Hao Chen, Wun-Jie Lin, Yu-Ti Su, Rabiul Islam, Shu-Yi Ying, Stefan Rusu, Kuan-Te Li, David Barry Scott
  • Publication number: 20240387412
    Abstract: A method includes forming signal lines in a pair of neighboring metal layers of a semiconductor device, and forming first dummy conductive cells in an empty area without metal lines passing therethrough, between the pair of neighboring metal layers. At least two dummy conductive cells of the first dummy conductive cells that are separated from each other, and the at least two dummy conductive cells fully overlap one of the signal lines in plan view.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2024
    Publication date: November 21, 2024
    Applicant: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Wei-Yu MA, Hui-Mei CHOU, Kuo-Ji CHEN
  • Patent number: 12125809
    Abstract: A method includes forming signal lines in a pair of neighboring metal layers of a semiconductor device, and forming first dummy conductive cells in an empty area without metal lines passing therethrough, between the pair of neighboring metal layers. At least two dummy conductive cells of the first dummy conductive cells that are separated from each other, and the at least two dummy conductive cells fully overlap one of the signal lines in plan view.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2024
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Wei-Yu Ma, Hui-Mei Chou, Kuo-Ji Chen
  • Publication number: 20240347483
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a device wafer including a first side and a second side opposite to each other, and a carrier wafer disposed over the first side of the device wafer. The carrier wafer includes an electrostatic discharge (ESD) protection circuit. The ESD protection circuit includes a first diode and a second diode. The first diode is operatively coupled to a first power rail, and the second diode is operatively coupled to a second power rail at least through the device wafer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 21, 2024
    Publication date: October 17, 2024
    Applicant: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Tao-Yi Hung, Jam-Wem Lee, Kuo-Ji Chen, Wun-Jie Lin
  • Publication number: 20240332958
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for a self-biasing electro-static discharge (ESD) power clamp. The ESD power clamp comprises an ESD detection circuit coupled to a positive supply voltage node and a ground voltage node. The ESD detection circuit includes a first node having a first voltage level during a standby mode and a second voltage level during an ESD mode. The ESD power clamp further comprises a discharge circuit coupled to the ESD detection circuit that includes a plurality of discharge elements a self-biasing node having a third voltage level during the standby mode. The third voltage level provides a voltage drop across at least one of the discharge elements that is less than the first voltage level. The discharge circuit provides a high-impedance path during the standby mode and a low-impedance path during the ESD mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2023
    Publication date: October 3, 2024
    Inventors: Tao Yi Hung, Jam-Wem Lee, Kuo-Ji Chen, Wun-Jie Lin
  • Publication number: 20240321781
    Abstract: An electrostatic discharge (ESD) protection apparatus and method for fabricating the same are disclosed herein. In some embodiments, the ESD protection apparatus comprises: an internal circuit formed in a first wafer; an array of electrostatic discharge (ESD) circuits formed in a second wafer, wherein the ESD circuits include a plurality of ESD protection devices each coupled to a corresponding switch and configured to protect the internal circuit from a transient ESD event; and a switch controller in the second wafer, wherein the switch controller is configured to control, based on a control signal from the first wafer, each of the plurality of ESD protection devices to be activated or deactivated by the corresponding switch, and wherein the first wafer is bonded to the second wafer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2024
    Publication date: September 26, 2024
    Applicant: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Tao-Yi HUNG, Wun-Jie LIN, Jam-Wem LEE, Kuo-Ji CHEN
  • Publication number: 20240312979
    Abstract: A diode structure includes a silicon remaining layer, a first p-type doping region disposed on the silicon remaining layer and a first n-type doping region disposed on the silicon remaining layer. A first channel region is disposed on the silicon remaining layer and between the p-type doping region and the n-type doping region, wherein the first channel region, the first p-type doping region, and the first n-type doping region are disposed along a first direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 4, 2023
    Publication date: September 19, 2024
    Inventors: Tao-Yi Hung, Wun-Jie Lin, Jam-Wem Lee, Kuo-Ji Chen
  • Publication number: 20240297499
    Abstract: An ESD clamp circuit has an ESD detection circuit connected between a first terminal and a second terminal, with a first output node and a second output node. The ESD detection circuit is configured to output respective first and second control signals at the first and second output nodes in response to an ESD event. A discharge circuit includes a p-type transistor having a source, a drain and a gate, with the gate connected to the first output node. An n-type transistor has a source, a drain and a gate, with the gate connected to the second output node. The drain is connected to the drain of the p-type transistor. The discharge circuit is configured to establish a first ESD discharge path from the first terminal, through the p-type transistor and the n-type transistor, to the second terminal, and to further establish a second ESD discharge path in parallel with the first ESD discharge path. The second ESD discharge path includes a parasitic silicon controlled rectifier (SCR).
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 8, 2024
    Publication date: September 5, 2024
    Inventors: Tao Yi HUNG, Wun-Jie LIN, Jam-Wen LEE, Kuo-Ji CHEN
  • Patent number: 12046567
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a device wafer having a first side and a second side. The first and second sides are opposite to each other. The semiconductor device includes a plurality of first interconnect structures disposed on the first side of the device wafer. The semiconductor device includes a plurality of second interconnect structures disposed on the second side of the device wafer. The plurality of second interconnect structures comprise a first power rail and a second power rail. The semiconductor device includes a carrier wafer disposed over the plurality of first interconnect structures. The semiconductor device includes an electrostatic discharge (ESD) protection circuit formed over a side of the carrier wafer. The ESD protection circuit is operatively coupled to the first and second power rails.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2024
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY LTD.
    Inventors: Tao-Yi Hung, Jam-Wem Lee, Kuo-Ji Chen, Wun-Jie Lin
  • Publication number: 20240234407
    Abstract: An ESD protection device includes a PN diode formed in a semiconductor body. The PN diode has a first contact coupled to a metal structure on a front side of the semiconductor body and a second contact coupled to a metal structure on a back side of the semiconductor body. The metal coupled to the first contact is spaced apart from the metal coupled to the second contact by a thickness of the semiconductor body. This spacing greatly reduces the capacitance associated with the metal structures, which can substantially reduce the overall capacitance added to an I/O channel by the ESD protection device and thereby improve the performance of a high-speed circuit that uses the I/O channel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2024
    Publication date: July 11, 2024
    Inventors: Tao Yi Hung, Yu-Xuan Huang, Kuo-Ji Chen
  • Patent number: 12033962
    Abstract: An electrostatic discharge (ESD) protection apparatus and method for fabricating the same are disclosed herein. In some embodiments, the ESD protection apparatus comprises: an internal circuit formed in a first wafer; an array of electrostatic discharge (ESD) circuits formed in a second wafer, wherein the ESD circuits include a plurality of ESD protection devices each coupled to a corresponding switch and configured to protect the internal circuit from a transient ESD event; and a switch controller in the second wafer, wherein the switch controller is configured to control, based on a control signal from the first wafer, each of the plurality of ESD protection devices to be activated or deactivated by the corresponding switch, and wherein the first wafer is bonded to the second wafer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2023
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2024
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tao-Yi Hung, Wun-Jie Lin, Jam-Wem Lee, Kuo-Ji Chen
  • Publication number: 20240222364
    Abstract: An integrated circuit (IC) device includes an antenna effect protection device, and a to-be-protected device. A first source/drain of the antenna effect protection device is electrically coupled to a first conductor configured to carry a reference voltage. A second source/drain of the antenna effect protection device is electrically coupled by a second conductor to a gate of the to-be-protected device. The antenna effect protection device is a bulk-less device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2023
    Publication date: July 4, 2024
    Inventors: Tao-Yi HUNG, Jam-Wem LEE, Kuo-Ji CHEN, Wun-Jie LIN