Patents by Inventor Min-Feng Kao

Min-Feng Kao 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: 11404534
    Abstract: Some embodiments relate to a semiconductor structure including a semiconductor substrate having a frontside surface and a backside surface. An interconnect structure is disposed over the frontside surface. The interconnect structure includes a plurality of metal lines and vias that operably couple semiconductor transistor devices disposed in or on the frontside surface of the semiconductor substrate to one another. A trench is disposed in the backside surface of the semiconductor substrate. The trench is filled with an inner capacitor electrode, a capacitor dielectric layer overlying the inner capacitor electrode, and an outer capacitor electrode overlying the capacitor dielectric layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2022
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Min-Feng Kao, Dun-Nian Yaung, Hsing-Chih Lin, Jen-Cheng Liu
  • Publication number: 20220238568
    Abstract: Some embodiments relate to an image sensor. The image sensor includes a semiconductor substrate including a pixel region and a peripheral region. A backside isolation structure extends into a backside of the semiconductor substrate and laterally surrounds the pixel region. The backside isolation structure includes a metal core, and a dielectric liner separates the metal core from the semiconductor substrate. A conductive feature is disposed over a front side of the semiconductor substrate. A through substrate via extends from the backside of the semiconductor substrate through the peripheral region to contact the conductive feature. The through substrate via is laterally offset from the backside isolation structure. A conductive bridge is disposed beneath the backside of the semiconductor substrate and electrically couples the metal core of the backside isolation structure to the through substrate via.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 2, 2021
    Publication date: July 28, 2022
    Inventors: Min-Feng Kao, Dun-Nian Yaung, Jen-Cheng Liu, Wen-Chang Kuo, Sheng-Chau Chen, Feng-Chi Hung, Sheng-Chan Li
  • Publication number: 20220231058
    Abstract: An image sensor includes a pixel and an isolation structure. The pixel includes a photosensitive region and a circuitry region next to the photosensitive region. The isolation structure is located over the pixel, where the isolation structure includes a conductive grid and a dielectric structure covering a sidewall of the conductive grid, and the isolation structure includes an opening or recess overlapping the photosensitive region. The isolation structure surrounds a peripheral region of the photosensitive region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2021
    Publication date: July 21, 2022
    Inventors: Min-Feng Kao, Dun-Nian Yaung, Jen-Cheng Liu, Wen-Chang Kuo, Sheng-Chau Chen, Feng-Chi Hung, Sheng-Chan Li
  • Publication number: 20220223635
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a substrate having a front side and a back side opposite to each other. A plurality of photodetectors is disposed in the substrate within a pixel region. An isolation structure is disposed within the pixel region and between the photodetectors. The isolation structure includes a back side isolation structure extending from the back side of the substrate to a position in the substrate. A conductive plug structure is disposed in the substrate within a periphery region. A conductive cap is disposed on the back side of the substrate and extends from the pixel region to the periphery region and electrically connects the back side isolation structure to the conductive plug structure. A conductive contact lands on the conductive plug structure, and is electrically connected to the back side isolation structure through the conductive plug structure and the conductive cap.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 17, 2021
    Publication date: July 14, 2022
    Inventors: Min-Feng Kao, Dun-Nian Yaung, Jen-Cheng Liu, Hsing-Chih Lin, Feng-Chi Hung, Shyh-Fann Ting
  • Publication number: 20220223498
    Abstract: Some embodiments relate to a semiconductor structure including a semiconductor substrate, and n interconnect structure disposed over the semiconductor substrate. The interconnect structure includes a dielectric structure and a plurality of metal lines that are stacked over one another in the dielectric structure. A through substrate via (TSV) extends through the semiconductor substrate to contact a metal line of the plurality of metal lines. A protective sleeve is disposed along outer sidewalls of the TSV and separates the outer sidewalls of the TSV from the dielectric structure of the interconnect structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 8, 2021
    Publication date: July 14, 2022
    Inventors: Zheng-Xun Li, Min-Feng Kao, Hsing-Chih Lin, Jen-Cheng Liu, Dun-Nian Yaung
  • Patent number: 11387167
    Abstract: Present disclosure provides a semiconductor structure, including a semiconductor substrate, a first metal layer, and a through substrate via (TSV). The semiconductor substrate has an active side. The first metal layer is closest to the active side of the semiconductor substrate, and the first metal layer has a first continuous metal feature. The TSV is extending from the semiconductor substrate to the first continuous metal feature. A width of the TSV at the first metal layer is wider than a width of the first continuous metal feature. Present disclosure also provides a method for manufacturing the semiconductor structure described herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2022
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY LTD.
    Inventors: Min-Feng Kao, Dun-Nian Yaung, Jen-Cheng Liu, Ching-Chun Wang, Kuan-Chieh Huang, Hsing-Chih Lin, Yi-Shin Chu
  • Publication number: 20220216185
    Abstract: In some embodiments, the present disclosure relates to a 3D integrated circuit (IC) stack that includes a first IC die bonded to a second IC die. The first IC die includes a first semiconductor substrate, a first interconnect structure arranged on a frontside of the first semiconductor substrate, and a first bonding structure arranged over the first interconnect structure. The second IC die includes a second semiconductor substrate, a second interconnect structure arranged on a frontside of the second semiconductor substrate, and a second bonding structure arranged on a backside of the second semiconductor substrate. The first bonding structure faces the second bonding structure. Further, the 3D IC stack includes a first backside contact that extends from the second bonding structure to the backside of the second semiconductor substrate and is thermally coupled to at least one of the first or second interconnect structures.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 24, 2022
    Publication date: July 7, 2022
    Inventors: Min-Feng Kao, Dun-Nian Yaung, Hsing-Chih Lin, Jen-Cheng Liu, Yi-Shin Chu, Ping-Tzu Chen, Che-Wei Chen
  • Publication number: 20220208651
    Abstract: The present disclosure, in some embodiments, relates to an integrated chip structure. The integrated chip structure includes a standard contact disposed within a dielectric structure on a substrate. An oversized contact is disposed within the dielectric structure and is laterally separated from the standard contact. The oversized contact has a larger width than the standard contact. An interconnect wire vertically contacts the oversized contact. A through-substrate via (TSV) vertically extends through the substrate. The TSV physically and vertically contacts the oversized contact or the interconnect wire. The TSV vertically overlaps the oversized contact or the interconnect wire over a non-zero distance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 16, 2022
    Publication date: June 30, 2022
    Inventors: Min-Feng Kao, Dun-Nian Yaung, Hsing-Chih Lin, Jen-Cheng Liu, Yi-Shin Chu, Ping-Tzu Chen
  • Patent number: 11322481
    Abstract: A three-dimensional (3D) integrated circuit (IC) is provided. In some embodiments, a second IC die is bonded to a first IC die by a first bonding structure. A third IC die is bonded to the second IC die by a second bonding structure. The second bonding structure is arranged between back sides of the second IC die and the third IC die opposite to corresponding interconnect structures and comprises a first TSV (through substrate via) disposed through a second substrate of the second IC die and a second TSV disposed through a third substrate of the third IC die. The second bonding structure further comprises conductive features with oppositely titled sidewalls disposed between the first TSV and the second TSV.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2022
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kuo-Ming Wu, Ching-Chun Wang, Dun-Nian Yaung, Hsing-Chih Lin, Jen-Cheng Liu, Min-Feng Kao, Yung-Lung Lin, Shih-Han Huang, I-Nan Chen
  • Patent number: 11289455
    Abstract: In some embodiments, the present disclosure relates to a 3D integrated circuit (IC) stack that includes a first IC die bonded to a second IC die. The first IC die includes a first semiconductor substrate, a first interconnect structure arranged on a frontside of the first semiconductor substrate, and a first bonding structure arranged over the first interconnect structure. The second IC die includes a second semiconductor substrate, a second interconnect structure arranged on a frontside of the second semiconductor substrate, and a second bonding structure arranged on a backside of the second semiconductor substrate. The first bonding structure faces the second bonding structure. Further, the 3D IC stack includes a first backside contact that extends from the second bonding structure to the backside of the second semiconductor substrate and is thermally coupled to at least one of the first or second interconnect structures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2022
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Min-Feng Kao, Dun-Nian Yaung, Hsing-Chih Lin, Jen-Cheng Liu, Yi-Shin Chu, Ping-Tzu Chen, Che-Wei Chen
  • Publication number: 20220093571
    Abstract: In some embodiments, the present disclosure relates to method of forming an integrated circuit, including forming a semiconductor device on a frontside of a semiconductor substrate; depositing a dielectric layer over a backside of the semiconductor substrate; patterning the dielectric layer to form a first opening in the dielectric layer so that the first opening exposes a surface of the backside of the semiconductor substrate; depositing a glue layer having a first thickness over the first opening; filling the first opening with a first material to form a backside contact that is separated from the semiconductor substrate by the glue layer; and depositing more dielectric layers, bonding contacts, and bonding wire layers over the dielectric layer to form a second bonding structure on the backside of the semiconductor substrate, so that the backside contact is coupled to the bonding contacts and the bonding wire layers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 1, 2021
    Publication date: March 24, 2022
    Inventors: Ping-Tzu Chen, Hsing-Chih Lin, Min-Feng Kao
  • Patent number: 11282769
    Abstract: The present disclosure, in some embodiments, relates to an integrated chip structure. The integrated chip structure includes a standard via disposed on a first side of a substrate. An oversized via is disposed on the first side of the substrate and is laterally separated from the standard via. The oversized via has a larger width than the standard via. An interconnect wire vertically contacting the oversized via. A through-substrate via (TSV) extends from a second side of the substrate, and through the substrate, to physically contact the oversized via or the interconnect wire. The TSV has a minimum width that is smaller than a width of the oversized via.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2022
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Min-Feng Kao, Dun-Nian Yaung, Hsing-Chih Lin, Jen-Cheng Liu, Yi-Shin Chu, Ping-Tzu Chen
  • Patent number: 11244925
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method of forming a semiconductor device structure. The method may be performed by forming a gate structure along a first side of a semiconductor substrate. The semiconductor substrate is thinned. Thinning the semiconductor substrate causes defects to form along a second side of the semiconductor substrate opposing the first side of the semiconductor substrate. Dopants are implanted into the second side of the semiconductor substrate after thinning the semiconductor substrate. The semiconductor substrate is annealed to form a doped layer after implanting the dopants. The doped layer is formed along the second side of the semiconductor substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2022
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Min-Feng Kao, Dun-Nian Yaung, Jen-Cheng Liu, Jeng-Shyan Lin, Hsun-Ying Huang
  • Patent number: 11222814
    Abstract: An integrated circuit (IC) provides high performance and high functional density. A first back-end-of-line (BEOL) interconnect structure and a second BEOL interconnect structure are respectively under and over a semiconductor substrate. A first electronic device and a second electronic device are between the semiconductor substrate and respectively a bottom of the first BEOL interconnect structure and a top of the second BEOL interconnect structure. A through substrate via (TSV) extends through the semiconductor substrate, from the first BEOL interconnect structure to the second BEOL interconnect structure. A method for manufacturing the IC is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2022
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Min-Feng Kao, Dun-Nian Yaung, Hsing-Chih Lin, Jen-Cheng Liu, Kuan-Chieh Huang
  • Patent number: 11217478
    Abstract: An integrated circuit (IC) provides high performance and high functional density. A first back-end-of-line (BEOL) interconnect structure and a second BEOL interconnect structure are respectively under and over a semiconductor substrate. A first electronic device and a second electronic device are between the semiconductor substrate and respectively a bottom of the first BEOL interconnect structure and a top of the second BEOL interconnect structure. A through substrate via (TSV) extends through the semiconductor substrate, from the first BEOL interconnect structure to the second BEOL interconnect structure. A method for manufacturing the IC is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2022
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Min-Feng Kao, Dun-Nian Yaung, Hsing-Chih Lin, Jen-Cheng Liu, Kuan-Chieh Huang
  • Publication number: 20210391302
    Abstract: In some embodiments, the present disclosure relates to a 3D integrated circuit (IC) stack that includes a first IC die bonded to a second IC die. The first IC die includes a first semiconductor substrate, a first interconnect structure arranged on a frontside of the first semiconductor substrate, and a first bonding structure arranged over the first interconnect structure. The second IC die includes a second semiconductor substrate, a second interconnect structure arranged on a frontside of the second semiconductor substrate, and a second bonding structure arranged on a backside of the second semiconductor substrate. The first bonding structure faces the second bonding structure. Further, the 3D IC stack includes a first backside contact that extends from the second bonding structure to the backside of the second semiconductor substrate and is thermally coupled to at least one of the first or second interconnect structures.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 11, 2020
    Publication date: December 16, 2021
    Inventors: Min-Feng Kao, Dun-Nian Yaung, Hsing-Chih Lin, Jen-Cheng Liu, Yi-Shin Chu, Ping-Tzu Chen, Che-Wei Chen
  • Publication number: 20210391237
    Abstract: The present disclosure, in some embodiments, relates to an integrated chip structure. The integrated chip structure includes a standard via disposed on a first side of a substrate. An oversized via is disposed on the first side of the substrate and is laterally separated from the standard via. The oversized via has a larger width than the standard via. An interconnect wire vertically contacting the oversized via. A through-substrate via (TSV) extends from a second side of the substrate, and through the substrate, to physically contact the oversized via or the interconnect wire. The TSV has a minimum width that is smaller than a width of the oversized via.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 11, 2020
    Publication date: December 16, 2021
    Inventors: Min-Feng Kao, Dun-Nian Yaung, Hsing-Chih Lin, Jen-Cheng Liu, Yi-Shin Chu, Ping-Tzu Chen
  • Patent number: 11195818
    Abstract: In some embodiments, the present disclosure relates to a three dimensional (3D) integrated circuit (IC) stack, including a first IC die having a first substrate and a first interconnect structure over a frontside of the first substrate; a second IC die having a second substrate and a second interconnect structure over the frontside of the second substrate; and a third IC die vertically between the first and second IC dies and having a third substrate, a third interconnect structure over the frontside of the third substrate, and a third bonding structure over a backside of the third substrate. A heat dissipation path extends from the third substrate to at least the first or second substrate, and includes a backside contact that extends from the third bonding structure to the backside of the third substrate and that is thermally coupled to at least the first or second interconnect structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2021
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Ping-Tzu Chen, Hsing-Chih Lin, Min-Feng Kao
  • Patent number: 11177307
    Abstract: A semiconductor device structure is provided. The semiconductor device structure includes a first semiconductor die, and a second semiconductor die bonded on the first semiconductor die. A through-substrate via penetrates through a semiconductor substrate of the second semiconductor die. A passivation layer is disposed between the first semiconductor die and the second semiconductor die, wherein the passivation layer is directly bonded to the semiconductor substrate of the second semiconductor die. A conductive feature passes through the passivation layer, wherein the conductive feature is bonded to the through-substrate via. A barrier layer is disposed between the conductive feature and the passivation layer. The barrier layer covers sidewalls of the conductive feature and separates the surface of the conductive feature from a nearest neighboring surface of the first or second semiconductor die.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2021
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Min-Feng Kao, Dun-Nian Yaung, Jen-Cheng Liu, Hsun-Ying Huang
  • Publication number: 20210351134
    Abstract: In some embodiments, the present disclosure relates to an integrated chip. The integrated chip includes a first plurality of interconnects within a first inter-level dielectric (ILD) structure disposed along a first side of a first substrate. A conductive pad is arranged along a second side of the first substrate. A first through-substrate-via (TSV) physically contacts an interconnect of the first plurality of interconnects and a first surface of the conductive pad. A second plurality of interconnects are within a second ILD structure disposed on a second substrate. A second TSV extends from an interconnect of the second plurality of interconnects to through the second substrate. A conductive bump is arranged on a second surface of the conductive pad opposing the first surface. The second TSV has a greater width than the first TSV.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 22, 2021
    Publication date: November 11, 2021
    Inventors: Min-Feng Kao, Dun-Nian Yaung, Jen-Cheng Liu, Hsun-Ying Huang