Patents by Inventor Min-Ying Tsai
Min-Ying Tsai 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).
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Publication number: 20220367535Abstract: In some embodiments, the present disclosure relates to a method for forming an integrated chip (IC), including forming a plurality of image sensing elements including a first doping type within a substrate, performing a first removal process to form deep trenches within the substrate, the deep trenches separating the plurality of image sensing elements from one another, performing an epitaxial growth process to form an isolation epitaxial precursor including a first material within the deep trenches and to form a light absorbing layer including a second material different than the first material within the deep trenches and between sidewalls of the isolation epitaxial precursor, performing a dopant activation process on the light absorbing layer and the isolation epitaxial precursor to form a doped isolation layer including a second doping type opposite the first doping type, and filling remaining portions of the deep trenches with an isolation filler structure.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 9, 2021Publication date: November 17, 2022Inventors: Yu-Hung Cheng, Ching I Li, Yu-Siang Fang, Yu-Yao Hsia, Min-Ying Tsai
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Publication number: 20220320154Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an image sensor having an epitaxial deposited photodiode structure surrounded by an isolation structure, and an associated method of formation. In some embodiments, a first epitaxial deposition process is performed to form a first doped EPI layer over a substrate. The first doped EPI layer is of a first doping type. Then, a second epitaxial deposition process is performed to form a second doped EPI layer on the first doped EPI layer. The second doped EPI layer is of a second doping type opposite from the first doping type. Then, an isolation structure is formed to separate the first doped EPI layer and the second doped EPI layer as a plurality of photodiode structures within a plurality of pixel regions. The plurality of photodiode structures is configured to convert radiation that enters from a first side of the image sensor into an electrical signal.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 30, 2021Publication date: October 6, 2022Inventors: Min-Ying Tsai, Ching I Li
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Publication number: 20220310691Abstract: Various embodiments of the present disclosure are directed towards a method for forming an integrated chip, the method includes forming a through substrate via (TSV) in a first substrate. The TSV continuously extends from a first surface of the first substrate to a second surface of the first substrate. A conductive contact is formed on the second surface of the first substrate. The conductive contact comprises a first conductive layer disposed on the TSV. An upper conductive layer is formed between the conductive contact and the TSV. The upper conductive layer comprises a silicide of a conductive material of the first conductive layer.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 16, 2022Publication date: September 29, 2022Inventors: Min-Ying Tsai, Cheng-Ta Wu, Yeur-Luen Tu
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Patent number: 11398516Abstract: Various embodiments of the present disclosure are directed towards an integrated chip including a first through substrate via (TSV) disposed within a semiconductor substrate. The semiconductor substrate has a front-side surface and a back-side surface respectively on opposite sides of the semiconductor substrate. The semiconductor substrate comprises a first doped channel region extending from the front-side surface to the back-side surface. The first TSV is defined at least by the first doped channel region. A conductive contact overlies the back-side surface of the semiconductor substrate and comprises a first conductive layer overlying the first TSV. The first conductive layer comprises a conductive material. An upper conductive layer underlies the conductive contact. An upper surface of the upper conductive layer is aligned with the back-side surface of the semiconductor substrate. The upper conductive layer comprises a silicide of the conductive material.Type: GrantFiled: December 23, 2019Date of Patent: July 26, 2022Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.Inventors: Min-Ying Tsai, Cheng-Ta Wu, Yeur-Luen Tu
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Publication number: 20220130888Abstract: A method includes performing an anisotropic etching on a semiconductor substrate to form a trench. The trench has vertical sidewalls and a rounded bottom connected to the vertical sidewalls. A damage removal step is performed to remove a surface layer of the semiconductor substrate, with the surface layer exposed to the trench. The rounded bottom of the trench is etched to form a slant straight bottom surface. The trench is filled to form a trench isolation region in the trench.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 3, 2022Publication date: April 28, 2022Inventors: Cheng-Hsien Chou, Chih-Yu Lai, Shih Pei Chou, Yen-Ting Chiang, Hsiao-Hui Tseng, Min-Ying Tsai
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Publication number: 20220123031Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an image sensor comprising a substrate. A photodetector is in the substrate. A trench is in the substrate and is defined by sidewalls and an upper surface of the substrate. A first isolation layer extends along the sidewalls and the upper surface of the substrate that define the trench. The first isolation layer comprises a first dielectric material. A second isolation layer is over the first isolation layer. The second isolation layer lines the first isolation layer. The second isolation layer comprises a second dielectric material. A third isolation layer is over the second isolation layer. The third isolation layer fills the trench and lines the second isolation layer. The third isolation layer comprises a third material. A ratio of a first thickness of the first isolation layer to a second thickness of the second isolation layer is about 0.17 to 0.38.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 19, 2020Publication date: April 21, 2022Inventors: Min-Ying Tsai, Cheng-Te Lee, Rei-Lin Chu, Ching I Li, Chung-Yi Yu
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Patent number: 11232975Abstract: Various embodiments of the present application are directed to a method for forming a semiconductor-on-insulator (SOI) substrate without bond interface voids and/or without delamination between layers. In some embodiments, a first high ? bonding structure is formed over a handle substrate. A device layer is formed over a sacrificial substrate. Outer most sidewalls of the device layer are between outer most sidewalls of the sacrificial substrate. A second high ? bonding structure is formed over the device layer. The first high ? bonding structure is bonded to the second high ? bonding structure, such that the device layer is between the sacrificial substrate and the handle substrate. A first removal process is performed to remove the sacrificial substrate. The first removal process comprises performing a first etch into the sacrificial substrate until the device layer is reached.Type: GrantFiled: December 20, 2018Date of Patent: January 25, 2022Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.Inventors: Min-Ying Tsai, Yeur-Luen Tu
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Patent number: 11217621Abstract: A method includes performing an anisotropic etching on a semiconductor substrate to form a trench. The trench has vertical sidewalls and a rounded bottom connected to the vertical sidewalls. A damage removal step is performed to remove a surface layer of the semiconductor substrate, with the surface layer exposed to the trench. The rounded bottom of the trench is etched to form a slant straight bottom surface. The trench is filled to form a trench isolation region in the trench.Type: GrantFiled: August 28, 2017Date of Patent: January 4, 2022Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.Inventors: Cheng-Hsien Chou, Chih-Yu Lai, Shih Pei Chou, Yen-Ting Chiang, Hsiao-Hui Tseng, Min-Ying Tsai
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Publication number: 20210375962Abstract: An image sensor device is disclosed. The image sensor device includes: a substrate having a front surface and a back surface; a radiation-sensing region formed in the substrate; an opening extending from the back surface of the substrate into the substrate; a first metal oxide film including a first metal, the first metal oxide film being formed on an interior surface of the opening; and a second metal oxide film including a second metal, the second metal oxide film being formed over the first metal oxide film; wherein the electronegativity of the first metal is greater than the electronegativity of the second metal. An associated fabricating method is also disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 12, 2021Publication date: December 2, 2021Inventors: CHIH-YU LAI, MIN-YING TSAI, YEUR-LUEN TU, HAI-DANG TRINH, CHENG-YUAN TSAI
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Patent number: 11171039Abstract: A composite semiconductor substrate includes a semiconductor substrate, an oxygen-doped crystalline semiconductor layer and an insulative layer. The oxygen-doped crystalline semiconductor layer is over the semiconductor substrate, and the oxygen-doped crystalline semiconductor layer includes a crystalline semiconductor material and a plurality of oxygen dopants. The insulative layer is over the oxygen-doped crystalline semiconductor layer.Type: GrantFiled: March 29, 2018Date of Patent: November 9, 2021Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY LTD.Inventors: Min-Ying Tsai, Cheng-Ta Wu, Yu-Hung Cheng, Yeur-Luen Tu
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Publication number: 20210335861Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an image sensor having a photodiode surrounded by a back-side deep trench isolation (BDTI) structure, and an associated method of formation. In some embodiments, a plurality of pixel regions is disposed within an image sensing die and respectively comprises a photodiode configured to convert radiation into an electrical signal. The photodiode comprises a photodiode doping column with a first doping type surrounded by a photodiode doping layer with a second doping type that is different than the first doping type. A BDTI structure is disposed between adjacent pixel regions and extending from the back-side of the image sensing die to a position within the photodiode doping layer. The BDTI structure comprises a doped liner with the second doping type and a dielectric fill layer. The doped liner lines a sidewall surface of the dielectric fill layer.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 11, 2020Publication date: October 28, 2021Inventors: Yu-Hung Cheng, Chun-Tsung Kuo, Jiech-Fun Lu, Min-Ying Tsai, Chiao-Chun Hsu, Ching I Li
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Patent number: 11101307Abstract: An image sensor device is disclosed. The image sensor device includes: a substrate having a front surface and a back surface; a radiation-sensing region formed in the substrate; an opening extending from the back surface of the substrate into the substrate; a first metal oxide film including a first metal, the first metal oxide film being formed on an interior surface of the opening; and a second metal oxide film including a second metal, the second metal oxide film being formed over the first metal oxide film; wherein the electronegativity of the first metal is greater than the electronegativity of the second metal. An associated fabricating method is also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: November 28, 2018Date of Patent: August 24, 2021Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY LTD.Inventors: Chih-Yu Lai, Min-Ying Tsai, Yeur-Luen Tu, Hai-Dang Trinh, Cheng-Yuan Tsai
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Patent number: 11069733Abstract: In some embodiments, a method is provided. The method includes forming a plurality of trenches in a semiconductor substrate, where the trenches extend into the semiconductor substrate from a back-side of the semiconductor substrate. An epitaxial layer comprising a dopant is formed on lower surfaces of the trenches, sidewalls of the trenches, and the back-side of the semiconductor substrate, where the dopant has a first doping type. The dopant is driven into the semiconductor substrate to form a first doped region having the first doping type along the epitaxial layer, where the first doped region separates a second doped region having a second doping type opposite the first doping type from the sidewalls of the trenches and from the back-side of the semiconductor substrate. A dielectric layer is formed over the back-side of the semiconductor substrate, where the dielectric layer fill the trenches to form back-side deep trench isolation structures.Type: GrantFiled: March 11, 2020Date of Patent: July 20, 2021Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.Inventors: Yu-Hung Cheng, Shyh-Fann Ting, Yen-Ting Chiang, Yeur-Luen Tu, Min-Ying Tsai
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Publication number: 20210198752Abstract: The present disclosure provides a semiconductor structure, including a first semiconductor device having a first surface and a second surface, the second surface being opposite to the first surface, a semiconductor substrate over the first surface of the first semiconductor device, and a III-V etch stop layer in contact with the second surface of the first semiconductor device. The present disclosure also provides a manufacturing method of a semiconductor structure, including providing a temporary substrate having a first surface, forming a III-V etch stop layer over the first surface, forming a first semiconductor device over the etch stop layer, and removing the temporary substrate by an etching operation and exposing a surface of the III-V etch stop layer.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 19, 2021Publication date: July 1, 2021Inventors: Min-Ying TSAI, Yeur-Luen TU
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Publication number: 20210183921Abstract: In some embodiments, a method is provided. The method includes forming a plurality of trenches in a semiconductor substrate, where the trenches extend into the semiconductor substrate from a back-side of the semiconductor substrate. An epitaxial layer comprising a dopant is formed on lower surfaces of the trenches, sidewalls of the trenches, and the back-side of the semiconductor substrate, where the dopant has a first doping type. The dopant is driven into the semiconductor substrate to form a first doped region having the first doping type along the epitaxial layer, where the first doped region separates a second doped region having a second doping type opposite the first doping type from the sidewalls of the trenches and from the back-side of the semiconductor substrate. A dielectric layer is formed over the back-side of the semiconductor substrate, where the dielectric layer fill the trenches to form back-side deep trench isolation structures.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 1, 2021Publication date: June 17, 2021Inventors: Yu-Hung Cheng, Shyh-Fann Ting, Yen-Ting Chiang, Yeur-Luen Tu, Min-Ying Tsai
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Patent number: 10971534Abstract: In some embodiments, a method is provided. The method includes forming a plurality of trenches in a semiconductor substrate, where the trenches extend into the semiconductor substrate from a back-side of the semiconductor substrate. An epitaxial layer comprising a dopant is formed on lower surfaces of the trenches, sidewalls of the trenches, and the back-side of the semiconductor substrate, where the dopant has a first doping type. The dopant is driven into the semiconductor substrate to form a first doped region having the first doping type along the epitaxial layer, where the first doped region separates a second doped region having a second doping type opposite the first doping type from the sidewalls of the trenches and from the back-side of the semiconductor substrate. A dielectric layer is formed over the back-side of the semiconductor substrate, where the dielectric layer fill the trenches to form back-side deep trench isolation structures.Type: GrantFiled: March 11, 2020Date of Patent: April 6, 2021Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.Inventors: Yu-Hung Cheng, Shyh-Fann Ting, Yen-Ting Chiang, Yeur-Luen Tu, Min-Ying Tsai
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Publication number: 20210066378Abstract: Various embodiments of the present disclosure are directed towards an integrated chip including a first through substrate via (TSV) disposed within a semiconductor substrate. The semiconductor substrate has a front-side surface and a back-side surface respectively on opposite sides of the semiconductor substrate. The semiconductor substrate comprises a first doped channel region extending from the front-side surface to the back-side surface. The first TSV is defined at least by the first doped channel region. A conductive contact overlies the back-side surface of the semiconductor substrate and comprises a first conductive layer overlying the first TSV. The first conductive layer comprises a conductive material. An upper conductive layer underlies the conductive contact. An upper surface of the upper conductive layer is aligned with the back-side surface of the semiconductor substrate. The upper conductive layer comprises a silicide of the conductive material.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 23, 2019Publication date: March 4, 2021Inventors: Min-Ying Tsai, Cheng-Ta Wu, Yeur-Luen Tu
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Patent number: 10930547Abstract: The present disclosure provides a semiconductor structure, including a first semiconductor device having a first surface and a second surface, the second surface being opposite to the first surface, a semiconductor substrate over the first surface of the first semiconductor device, and a III-V etch stop layer in contact with the second surface of the first semiconductor device. The present disclosure also provides a manufacturing method of a semiconductor structure, including providing a temporary substrate having a first surface, forming a III-V etch stop layer over the first surface, forming a first semiconductor device over the III-V etch to stop layer, and removing the temporary substrate by an etching operation and exposing a surface of the III-V etch stop layer.Type: GrantFiled: July 26, 2018Date of Patent: February 23, 2021Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.Inventors: Min-Ying Tsai, Yeur-Luen Tu
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Patent number: 10923503Abstract: Various embodiments of the present application are directed towards a method for forming a semiconductor-on-insulator (SOI) substrate comprising a trap-rich layer with small grain sizes, as well as the resulting SOI substrate. In some embodiments, an amorphous silicon layer is deposited on a high-resistivity substrate. A rapid thermal anneal (RTA) is performed to crystallize the amorphous silicon layer into a trap-rich layer of polysilicon in which a majority of grains are equiaxed. An insulating layer is formed over the trap-rich layer. A device layer is formed over the insulating layer and comprises a semiconductor material. Equiaxed grains are smaller than other grains (e.g., columnar grains). Since a majority of grains in the trap-rich layer are equiaxed, the trap-rich layer has a high grain boundary area and a high density of carrier traps. The high density of carrier traps may, for example, reduce the effects of parasitic surface conduction (PSC).Type: GrantFiled: July 2, 2018Date of Patent: February 16, 2021Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.Inventors: Yu-Hung Cheng, Cheng-Ta Wu, Yeur-Luen Tu, Min-Ying Tsai, Alex Usenko
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Patent number: 10867834Abstract: The present disclosure provides a semiconductor structure, including a first semiconductor device having a first surface and a second surface, the second surface being opposite to the first surface, a semiconductor substrate over the first surface of the first semiconductor device, and a III-V etch stop layer in contact with the second surface of the first semiconductor device. The present disclosure also provides a manufacturing method of a semiconductor structure, including providing a temporary substrate having a first surface, forming a III-V etch stop layer over the first surface, forming a first semiconductor device over the etch stop layer, and removing the temporary substrate by an etching operation and exposing a surface of the III-V etch stop layer.Type: GrantFiled: April 1, 2016Date of Patent: December 15, 2020Inventors: Min-Ying Tsai, Yeur-Luen Tu