Patents by Inventor Li-Chun Tien

Li-Chun Tien 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: 12176338
    Abstract: A semiconductor device, includes a first metal layer, a second metal layer, a drain/source contact and at least one conductive via. The first metal layer has a first conductor that extends in a first direction and a second conductor that extends in the first direction, wherein the second conductor is directly adjacent to the first conductor. The second metal layer has a third conductor that extends in a second direction, wherein the second direction is transverse to the first direction. The drain/source contact extends in the second direction and is connected to the second conductor. The at least one conductive via connects the first conductor and the second conductor through the third conductor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2023
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2024
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Wei-Hsin Tsai, Hui-Zhong Zhuang, Chih-Liang Chen, Li-Chun Tien
  • Patent number: 12176394
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes: fins configured to include: first active fins having a first conductivity type; and second active fins having a second conductivity type; and at least one gate structure formed over corresponding ones of the fins; and wherein the fins and the at least one gate structure are located in at least one cell region; and each cell region, relative to the second direction, including: a first active region which includes a sequence of three or more consecutive first active fins located in a central portion of the cell region; a second active region which includes one or more second active fins located between the first active region and a first edge of the cell region; and a third active region which includes one or more second active fins located between the first active region and a second edge of the cell region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2023
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2024
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Jung-Chan Yang, Hui-Zhong Zhuang, Lee-Chung Lu, Ting-Wei Chiang, Li-Chun Tien
  • Patent number: 12169679
    Abstract: A transmission gate structure includes first and second PMOS transistors positioned in a first active area, first and second NMOS transistors positioned in a second active area parallel to the first active area, and four metal segments parallel to the active areas. A first metal segment overlies the first active area, a fourth metal segment overlies the second active area, and second and third metal segments are a total of two metal segments positioned between the first and fourth metal segments. A first conductive path connects gates of the first PMOS and NMOS transistors, a second conductive path connects gates of the second PMOS and NMOS transistors, a third conductive path connects a source/drain (S/D) terminal of each of the first and second PMOS transistors and first and second NMOS transistors and includes a first conductive segment extending across at least three of the four metal segments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2023
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2024
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Shao-Lun Chien, Pin-Dai Sue, Li-Chun Tien, Ting-Wei Chiang, Ting Yu Chen
  • Publication number: 20240395718
    Abstract: A method includes fabricating a first-type active-region semiconductor structure and second-type active-region semiconductor structure stacked with each other. The method also includes fabricating an upper source conductive segment intersecting the second-type active-region semiconductor structure at a second source region and forming a front-side power rail extending in a first direction that is conductively connected to the upper source conductive segment through a front-side terminal via-connector. The method further includes forming a top-to-bottom via-connector that passes through the substrate and conductively connects to the upper source conductive segment, forming a back-side metal layer on a backside of the substrate, and forming a back-side power node extending in the first direction that is conductively connected to the top-to-bottom via-connector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2024
    Publication date: November 28, 2024
    Inventors: Chih-Yu LAI, Chih-Liang CHEN, Li-Chun TIEN
  • Publication number: 20240395716
    Abstract: A method includes forming, over a substrate, adjacent first and second transistor stacks each including a first transistor, and a second transistor over the first transistor. A plurality of first conductive lines is formed in a first metal layer. The plurality of first conductive lines includes a power conductive line configured to route power to the first transistor stack, one or more signal conductive lines configured to route one or more signals to the first transistor stack, and a shielding conductive line configured to shield the routed one or more signals. The power conductive line or the shielding conductive line is shared with the second transistor stack.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2024
    Publication date: November 28, 2024
    Inventors: Chih-Yu LAI, Hui-Zhong ZHUANG, Chih-Liang CHEN, Li-Chun TIEN
  • Publication number: 20240394459
    Abstract: A method of generating a layout diagram of a semiconductor device includes populating a conductive layer M(h) with segment patterns representing corresponding conductive segments in the semiconductor device. The segment patterns including first and second power grid (PG) patterns and first routing patterns, where h is an integer and h?1. Arranging long axes of the first and second PG patterns and the first routing patterns to extend in a first direction. Arranging the first and second PG patterns to be separated, relative to a second direction, by a PG gap having a midpoint. The second direction being substantially perpendicular to the first direction. Distributing the first routing patterns between the first and second PG patterns and substantially uniformly in the second direction with respect to the midpoint of the PG gap.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2024
    Publication date: November 28, 2024
    Inventors: Li-Chun TIEN, Shun Li CHEN, Ting-Wei CHIANG, Ting Yu CHEN, XinYong WANG
  • Publication number: 20240387373
    Abstract: An integrated circuit includes a cell that is between a substrate and a supply conductive line and that includes a source region, a contact conductive line, a power conductive line, and a power via. The contact conductive line extends from the source region. The power conductive line is coupled to the contact conductive line. The power via interconnects the supply conductive line and the power conductive line.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2024
    Publication date: November 21, 2024
    Inventors: Sheng-Hsiung Chen, Chung-Hsing Wang, Fong-yuan Chang, Lee-Chung Lu, Li-Chun Tien, Po-Hsiang Huang, Shao-huan Wang, Ting Yu Chen, Yen-Pin Chen, Chun-Chen Chen, Tzu-Hen Lin, Tai-Yu Cheng
  • Publication number: 20240371768
    Abstract: An integrated circuit includes a first and second conductor, and a first and second pair of transistors. The first conductor is on a back-side of a substrate, extending in a first direction, and being configured to supply a first supply voltage. The second conductor is on the back-side of the substrate, and extending in the first direction. The first pair of transistors includes a first gate extending in a second direction, overlapping at least the second conductor, being located on a first level of a front-side of the substrate opposite from the back-side. The second pair of transistors includes a second gate extending in the second direction, overlapping at least the second conductor, being on the first level, and being separated from the first gate in the first direction. The second conductor electrically couples the first gate and the second gate together.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2024
    Publication date: November 7, 2024
    Inventors: Guo-Huei WU, Pochun WANG, Wei-Hsin TSAI, Chih-Liang CHEN, Li-Chun TIEN
  • Publication number: 20240355821
    Abstract: A semiconductor device and a method of manufacturing the semiconductor device are provided. The semiconductor device comprises a first electrical conductor, a first additional electrical conductor, a first active region, a second electrical conductor, a second additional electrical conductor, and a second active region. The first electrical conductor has a first width and extends along a first direction. The first additional electrical conductor has a second width and extends along the first direction. The second width is greater than the first width. The first active region extends along a second direction perpendicular to the first direction. The first active region overlaps the first electrical conductor and the first additional electrical conductor from a top view perspective. The second electrical conductor has the first width and extends along the first direction. The second additional electrical conductor has the second width and extends along the first direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 19, 2023
    Publication date: October 24, 2024
    Inventors: YUNG-CHIN HOU, LI-CHUN TIEN, CHIH-LIANG CHEN, WEI-HUNG WANG, SHUN LI CHEN, JIANN-TYNG TZENG
  • Publication number: 20240355707
    Abstract: An integrated circuit device includes a first-type active-region semiconductor structure extending and a second-type active-region semiconductor structure both extending in a first direction. The second-type active-region semiconductor structure is stacked with the first-type active-region semiconductor structure. The integrated circuit device also includes a front-side conductive layer above the two active-region semiconductor structures and a back-side conductive layer below the two active-region semiconductor structures. The integrated circuit device still includes a front-side power rail extending in the second direction in the front-side conductive layer and a back-side power rail extending in the second direction in the back-side conductive layer. The integrated circuit device further includes a first source conductive segment connected to the front-side power rail and a second source conductive segment connected to the back-side power rail.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 21, 2023
    Publication date: October 24, 2024
    Inventors: Yung-Chin HOU, Li-Chun TIEN, Chih-LIang CHEN, Chi-Yu LU, Wei-Cheng LIN, Guo-Huei WU
  • Publication number: 20240347546
    Abstract: A method of making a semiconductor device includes manufacturing a first bridge pillar; manufacturing a first transistor channel bar and first transistor source/drain electrode, the first transistor S/D electrode electrically connecting to the first bridge pillar; manufacturing a second transistor channel bar and second transistor S/D electrode; manufacturing a first metal electrode, the first bridge pillar connecting the first transistor S/D electrode and first metal electrode; manufacturing a first via connected to the first metal electrode; and manufacturing a first conductive line connected to the first via. The first transistor S/D electrode and the second transistor S/D electrode are spaced apart by a first height, the first metal electrode is separate from the second transistor S/D electrode, the first bridge pillar is separate from the second transistor S/D electrode, and the first bridge pillar has a height in the first direction substantially equal to the first height.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2024
    Publication date: October 17, 2024
    Inventors: Chih-Yu LAI, Chih-Liang CHEN, Ching-Wei TSAI, Shang-Wen CHANG, Li-Chun TIEN
  • Publication number: 20240332187
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a substrate, a gate structure, source/drain structures, a backside via, and a power rail. The gate structure extends along a first direction parallel with a front-side surface of the substrate. The backside via extends along a second direction parallel with the front-side surface of the substrate but perpendicular to the first direction, the backside via has a first portion aligned with one of the source/drain structures along the first direction and a second portion aligned with the gate structure along the first direction, the first portion of the backside via has a first width along the first direction, and the second portion of the backside via has a second width along the first direction, in which the first width is greater than the second width. The power rail is on a backside surface of the substrate and in contact with the backside via.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 11, 2024
    Publication date: October 3, 2024
    Inventors: Chih-Liang CHEN, Li-Chun TIEN
  • Patent number: 12094880
    Abstract: An integrated circuit includes a first diffusion area for a first type transistor. The first type transistor includes a first drain region and a first source region. A second diffusion area for a second type transistor is separated from the first diffusion area. The second type transistor includes a second drain region and a second source region. A gate electrode continuously extends across the first diffusion area and the second diffusion area in a routing direction. A first metallic structure is electrically coupled with the first source region. A second metallic structure is electrically coupled with the second drain region. A third metallic structure is disposed over and electrically coupled with the first and second metallic structures. A width of the first metallic structure is substantially equal to or larger than a width of the third metallic structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2023
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2024
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Ali Keshavarzi, Ta-Pen Guo, Shu-Hui Sung, Hsiang-Jen Tseng, Shyue-Shyh Lin, Lee-Chung Lu, Chung-Cheng Wu, Li-Chun Tien, Jung-Chan Yang, Ting Yu Chen, Min Cao, Yung-Chin Hou
  • Patent number: 12087690
    Abstract: An integrated circuit includes a cell that is between a substrate and a supply conductive line and that includes a source region, a contact conductive line, a power conductive line, and a power via. The contact conductive line extends from the source region. The power conductive line is coupled to the contact conductive line. The power via interconnects the supply conductive line and the power conductive line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2024
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited
    Inventors: Sheng-Hsiung Chen, Chung-Hsing Wang, Fong-yuan Chang, Lee-Chung Lu, Li-Chun Tien, Po-Hsiang Huang, Shao-huan Wang, Ting Yu Chen, Yen-Pin Chen, Chun-Chen Chen, Tzu-Hen Lin, Tai-Yu Cheng
  • Publication number: 20240296273
    Abstract: An integrated circuit includes a first power rail extending in a first direction, and configured to supply a first supply voltage, and a first region next to the first power rail. The first region includes a first conductive structure extending in the first direction, a first set of conductive structures extending in a second direction, and a first set of vias between the first set of conductive structures and the first conductive structure. The first set of conductive structures overlaps the first conductive structure and the first power rail, and is located on a second level. Each conductive structure of the first set of conductive structures is separated from each other in the first direction. Each via of the first set of vias is located where the first set of conductive structures overlaps the first conductive structure and couples the first set of conductive structures to the first conductive structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 14, 2024
    Publication date: September 5, 2024
    Inventors: Jung-Chan YANG, Ting-Wei CHIANG, Jerry Chang-Jui KAO, Hui-Zhong ZHUANG, Lee-Chung LU, Li-Chun TIEN, Meng-Hung SHEN, Shang-Chih HSIEH, Chi-Yu LU
  • Publication number: 20240296272
    Abstract: A method includes forming a transistor layer; forming a first metallization layer, including: forming first conductors, aligned along alpha tracks, and representing input pins of a cell region including first and second input pins; and cutting lengths of the first and second input pins to accommodate at most two access points, each aligned to a different one of first to fourth beta tracks, the beta tracks to which are aligned the access points of the first input pin being different than the beta tracks to which are aligned the access points of the second input pin; and forming a second metallization layer, including: forming second conductors representing routing segments and a representing a power grid segment aligned with one of the beta tracks of access points of the first input pin or the access points of the second input pin.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 10, 2024
    Publication date: September 5, 2024
    Inventors: Pin-Dai SUE, Po-Hsiang HUANG, Fong-Yuan CHANG, Chi-Yu LU, Sheng-Hsiung CHEN, Chin-Chou LIU, Lee-Chung LU, Yen-Hung LIN, Li-Chun TIEN, Yi-Kan CHENG
  • Patent number: 12080647
    Abstract: An integrated circuit includes a first power rail, a conductive structure, a first active region of a first set of transistors and a second active region of a second set of transistors. The first power rail is on a back-side of a substrate, extends in a first direction, and is configured to supply a first supply voltage. The first active region extends in the first direction, and is on a first level of a front-side of the substrate opposite from the back-side. The second active region extends in the first direction, is on the first level of the front-side of the substrate, and is separated from the first active region in a second direction different from the first direction. The conductive structure is on the back-side of the substrate, extends in the first direction, and is electrically coupled to the first active region and the second active region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2024
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Guo-Huei Wu, Pochun Wang, Wei-Hsin Tsai, Chih-Liang Chen, Li-Chun Tien
  • Publication number: 20240274607
    Abstract: A method includes fabricating a first-voltage underlayer power rail conductively connecting to the source region of a first-type transistor and fabricating a second-voltage underlayer power rail conductively connecting to the source region of a second-type transistor. Each of the first-voltage and second-voltage underlayer power rails extends in a first direction. The method also includes patterning a first connection layer to form a first-voltage power rail and a second-voltage power rail extending in the second direction which is perpendicular to the first direction. The first-voltage power rail is directly connected with the first-voltage underlayer power rail through a first via-connector and the second-voltage power rail is directly connected with the second-voltage underlayer power rail through a second via-connector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 22, 2024
    Publication date: August 15, 2024
    Inventors: Guo-Huei WU, Shih-Wei PENG, Wei-Cheng LIN, Hui-Zhong ZHUANG, Chih-Liang CHEN, Li-Chun TIEN, Lee-Chung LU
  • Publication number: 20240243065
    Abstract: A device includes: at a front side of a substrate, a first conductive line; and at a back side of the substrate, first to fifth power rails in a same back side metal layer; and wherein, within a span of a first cell, the second power rail is between the third and fourth power rails; each of the first to fifth power rails is configured different reference voltages first to third reference voltages, the first conductive line is configured to receive a control signal, an input signal, an output signal or one of the reference voltages; and relative to a center of the second power rail, a distribution of the first, second and third reference voltages amongst the first to fifth power rails is (A) symmetric with respect to a first direction and (B) symmetric with respect to perpendicular second direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 1, 2024
    Publication date: July 18, 2024
    Inventors: Guo-Huei WU, Hui-Zhong ZHUANG, Chih-Liang CHEN, Li-Chun TIEN
  • Patent number: 12034009
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a base isolation layer, a first transistor with a first source electrode at a first side of the base isolation layer. A bridge pillar extends through the base isolation layer, and a metal electrode electrically connects the bridge pillar to the first source electrode. The metal electrode and the first source electrode are at the same side of the base isolation layer. A second metal electrode at an opposite side of the base isolation layer electrically connects to the bridge pillar and to a conductive line at the second side of the base isolation layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2024
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Chih-Yu Lai, Chih-Liang Chen, Ching-Wei Tsai, Shang-Wen Chang, Li-Chun Tien