Patents by Inventor Lien Lee

Lien 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).

  • Publication number: 20210202306
    Abstract: One or more techniques or systems for mitigating pattern collapse are provided herein. For example, a semiconductor structure for mitigating pattern collapse is formed. In some embodiments, the semiconductor structure includes an extreme low-k (ELK) dielectric region associated with a via or a metal line. For example, a first metal line portion and a second metal line portion are associated with a first lateral location and a second lateral location, respectively. In some embodiments, the first portion is formed based on a first stage of patterning and the second portion is formed based on a second stage of patterning. In this manner, pattern collapse associated with the semiconductor structure is mitigated, for example.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2021
    Publication date: July 1, 2021
    Inventors: Chih-Yuan Ting, Ya-Lien Lee, Chung-Wen Wu, Jeng-Shiou Chen
  • Patent number: 11043413
    Abstract: Embodiments described herein relate generally to one or more methods for forming a barrier layer for a conductive feature in semiconductor processing. In some embodiments, an opening is formed through a dielectric layer to a conductive feature. A barrier layer is formed in the opening along a sidewall of the dielectric layer and on a surface of the conductive feature. Forming the barrier layer includes depositing a layer including using a precursor gas. The precursor gas has a first incubation time for deposition on the surface of the conductive feature and has a second incubation time for deposition on the sidewall of the dielectric layer. The first incubation time is greater than the second incubation time. A conductive fill material is formed in the opening and on the barrier layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2021
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Chia-Pang Kuo, Ya-Lien Lee
  • Patent number: 11043416
    Abstract: A method for forming a semiconductor device includes forming a barrier layer over a dielectric layer, a concentration of an impurity in the barrier layer increasing as the barrier layer extends away from the dielectric layer; and performing a plasma process to treat the barrier layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2021
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chia-Pang Kuo, Ya-Lien Lee
  • Patent number: 11015256
    Abstract: Methods of forming near field transducers (NFTs) including electrodepositing a plasmonic material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2021
    Assignee: Seagate Technology LLC
    Inventors: Lien Lee, Jie Gong, Venkatram Venkatasamy, Yongjun Zhao, Lijuan Zou, Dongsung Hong, Ibro Tabakovic, Mark Ostrowski
  • Patent number: 11015581
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a coating monitoring system of wind turbines, comprising a monitoring object having at least one coating on the surface. A coating monitoring module is coupled to the monitoring object, and the coating monitoring module comprises a MEMS system including a signal generating device, and a printed circuit board connected to the MEMS system. The coating monitoring module measures a measured coating impedance value of the monitoring object. A potentiostat, calculating an actual coating impedance value of the monitoring object, is connected to the monitoring object. And a computing device coupled to the coating monitoring module, the computing device correcting the measured coating impedance value based on the actual coating impedance value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2021
    Assignee: SHIP AND OCEAN INDUSTRIES R&D CENTER
    Inventors: Yueh-Lien Lee, Jau-Horng Chen, Cheng-Hsien Chung, Hua-Tung Wu, Shu-Wen Hsu
  • Patent number: 10950495
    Abstract: One or more techniques or systems for mitigating pattern collapse are provided herein. For example, a semiconductor structure for mitigating pattern collapse is formed. In some embodiments, the semiconductor structure includes an extreme low-k (ELK) dielectric region associated with a via or a metal line. For example, a first metal line portion and a second metal line portion are associated with a first lateral location and a second lateral location, respectively. In some embodiments, the first portion is formed based on a first stage of patterning and the second portion is formed based on a second stage of patterning. In this manner, pattern collapse associated with the semiconductor structure is mitigated, for example.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2021
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY LIMITED
    Inventors: Chih-Yuan Ting, Ya-Lien Lee, Chung-Wen Wu, Jeng-Shiou Chen
  • Patent number: 10867800
    Abstract: An interconnect structure and a method of forming an interconnect structure are disclosed. The interconnect structure includes a conductive plug over a substrate; a conductive feature over the conductive plug, wherein the conductive feature has a first sidewall, a second sidewall facing the first sidewall, and a bottom surface; and a carbon-containing barrier layer having a first portion along the first sidewall of the conductive feature, a second portion along the second sidewall of the conductive feature, and a third portion along the bottom surface of the conductive feature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2020
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Rueijer Lin, Ya-Lien Lee, Chun-Chieh Lin, Hung-Wen Su
  • Publication number: 20200388499
    Abstract: An interconnect structure and a method of forming an interconnect structure are disclosed. The interconnect structure includes a conductive plug over a substrate; a conductive feature over the conductive plug, wherein the conductive feature has a first sidewall, a second sidewall facing the first sidewall, and a bottom surface; and a carbon-containing barrier layer having a first portion along the first sidewall of the conductive feature, a second portion along the second sidewall of the conductive feature, and a third portion along the bottom surface of the conductive feature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2020
    Publication date: December 10, 2020
    Inventors: Rueijer Lin, Ya-Lien Lee, Chun-Chieh Lin, Hung-Wen Su
  • Publication number: 20200279771
    Abstract: A method for forming a semiconductor device includes forming a barrier layer over a dielectric layer, a concentration of an impurity in the barrier layer increasing as the barrier layer extends away from the dielectric layer; and performing a plasma process to treat the barrier layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 20, 2020
    Publication date: September 3, 2020
    Inventors: Chia-Pang Kuo, Ya-Lien Lee
  • Patent number: 10741442
    Abstract: Embodiments described herein relate generally to one or more methods for forming a barrier layer for a conductive feature in semiconductor processing. In some embodiments, an opening is formed through a dielectric layer to a conductive feature. A barrier layer is formed in the opening along a sidewall of the dielectric layer and on a surface of the conductive feature. Forming the barrier layer includes depositing a layer including using a precursor gas. The precursor gas has a first incubation time for deposition on the surface of the conductive feature and has a second incubation time for deposition on the sidewall of the dielectric layer. The first incubation time is greater than the second incubation time. A conductive fill material is formed in the opening and on the barrier layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2020
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Chia-Pang Kuo, Ya-Lien Lee
  • Publication number: 20200191121
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a coating monitoring system of wind turbines, comprising a monitoring object having at least one coating on the surface. A coating monitoring module is coupled to the monitoring object, and the coating monitoring module comprises a MEMS system including a signal generating device, and a printed circuit board connected to the MEMS system. The coating monitoring module measures a measured coating impedance value of the monitoring object. A potentiostat, calculating an actual coating impedance value of the monitoring object, is connected to the monitoring object. And a computing device coupled to the coating monitoring module, the computing device correcting the measured coating impedance value based on the actual coating impedance value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 25, 2018
    Publication date: June 18, 2020
    Inventors: YUEH-LIEN LEE, JAU-HORNG CHEN, CHENG-HSIEN CHUNG, HUA-TUNG WU, SHU-WEN HSU
  • Patent number: 10672652
    Abstract: A method for forming a semiconductor device includes forming a barrier layer over a dielectric layer, a concentration of an impurity in the barrier layer increasing as the barrier layer extends away from the dielectric layer; and performing a plasma process to treat the barrier layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chia-Pang Kuo, Ya-Lien Lee
  • Publication number: 20200144065
    Abstract: An interconnect structure and a method of forming an interconnect structure are disclosed. The interconnect structure includes a conductive plug over a substrate; a conductive feature over the conductive plug, wherein the conductive feature has a first sidewall, a second sidewall facing the first sidewall, and a bottom surface; and a carbon-containing barrier layer having a first portion along the first sidewall of the conductive feature, a second portion along the second sidewall of the conductive feature, and a third portion along the bottom surface of the conductive feature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 6, 2020
    Publication date: May 7, 2020
    Inventors: Rueijer Lin, Ya-Lien Lee, Chun-Chieh Lin, Hung-Wen Su
  • Publication number: 20200105592
    Abstract: A method of forming an integrated circuit structure includes forming an etch stop layer over a conductive feature, forming a dielectric layer over the etch stop layer, forming an opening in the dielectric layer to reveal the etch stop layer, and etching the etch stop layer through the opening using an etchant comprising an inhibitor. An inhibitor film comprising the inhibitor is formed on the conductive feature. The method further includes depositing a conductive barrier layer extending into the opening, performing a treatment to remove the inhibitor film after the conductive barrier layer is deposited, and depositing a conductive material to fill a remaining portion of the opening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2018
    Publication date: April 2, 2020
    Inventors: Chia-Pang Kuo, Ya-Lien Lee, Chieh-Yi Shen
  • Publication number: 20200102645
    Abstract: A semiconductor device is manufactured by modifying an electromagnetic field within a deposition chamber. In embodiments in which the deposition process is a sputtering process, the electromagnetic field may be modified by adjusting a distance between a first coil and a mounting platform. In other embodiments, the electromagnetic field may be adjusted by applying or removing power from additional coils that are also present.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 12, 2019
    Publication date: April 2, 2020
    Inventors: Jen-Chun Wang, Ya-Lien Lee, Chih-Chien Chi, Hung-Wen Su
  • Publication number: 20200083096
    Abstract: Embodiments described herein relate generally to one or more methods for forming a barrier layer for a conductive feature in semiconductor processing. In some embodiments, an opening is formed through a dielectric layer to a conductive feature. A barrier layer is formed in the opening along a sidewall of the dielectric layer and on a surface of the conductive feature. Forming the barrier layer includes depositing a layer including using a precursor gas. The precursor gas has a first incubation time for deposition on the surface of the conductive feature and has a second incubation time for deposition on the sidewall of the dielectric layer. The first incubation time is greater than the second incubation time. A conductive fill material is formed in the opening and on the barrier layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2019
    Publication date: March 12, 2020
    Inventors: Chia-Pang Kuo, Ya-Lien Lee
  • Publication number: 20200083095
    Abstract: Embodiments described herein relate generally to one or more methods for forming a barrier layer for a conductive feature in semiconductor processing. In some embodiments, an opening is formed through a dielectric layer to a conductive feature. A barrier layer is formed in the opening along a sidewall of the dielectric layer and on a surface of the conductive feature. Forming the barrier layer includes depositing a layer including using a precursor gas. The precursor gas has a first incubation time for deposition on the surface of the conductive feature and has a second incubation time for deposition on the sidewall of the dielectric layer. The first incubation time is greater than the second incubation time. A conductive fill material is formed in the opening and on the barrier layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2019
    Publication date: March 12, 2020
    Inventors: Chia-Pang Kuo, Ya-Lien Lee
  • Patent number: 10529575
    Abstract: An interconnect structure and a method of forming an interconnect structure are disclosed. The interconnect structure includes a conductive plug over a substrate; a conductive feature over the conductive plug, wherein the conductive feature has a first sidewall, a second sidewall facing the first sidewall, and a bottom surface; and a carbon-containing barrier layer having a first portion along the first sidewall of the conductive feature, a second portion along the second sidewall of the conductive feature, and a third portion along the bottom surface of the conductive feature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2020
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Rueijer Lin, Ya-Lien Lee, Chun-Chieh Lin, Hung-Wen Su
  • Publication number: 20200006132
    Abstract: A method for forming a semiconductor device includes forming a barrier layer over a dielectric layer, a concentration of an impurity in the barrier layer increasing as the barrier layer extends away from the dielectric layer; and performing a plasma process to treat the barrier layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2018
    Publication date: January 2, 2020
    Inventors: Chia-Pang Kuo, Ya-Lien Lee
  • Publication number: 20190371660
    Abstract: Embodiments described herein relate generally to one or more methods for forming a barrier layer for a conductive feature in semiconductor processing. In some embodiments, an opening is formed through a dielectric layer to a conductive feature. A barrier layer is formed in the opening along a sidewall of the dielectric layer and on a surface of the conductive feature. Forming the barrier layer includes depositing a layer including using a precursor gas. The precursor gas has a first incubation time for deposition on the surface of the conductive feature and has a second incubation time for deposition on the sidewall of the dielectric layer. The first incubation time is greater than the second incubation time. A conductive fill material is formed in the opening and on the barrier layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2018
    Publication date: December 5, 2019
    Inventors: Chia-Pang Kuo, Ya-Lien Lee