Patents by Inventor Shau-Lin Shue

Shau-Lin Shue 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: 11569124
    Abstract: A multilayer interconnect structure for integrated circuits includes a first dielectric layer over a substrate and a conductive line partially exposed over the first dielectric layer. The structure further includes an etch stop layer over both the first dielectric layer and the exposed conductive line, and a second dielectric layer over the etch stop layer. The second dielectric layer and the etch stop layer provide a via hole that partially exposes the conductive line. The structure further includes a via disposed in the via hole, and another conductive line disposed over the via and coupled to the conductive line through the via. Methods of forming the multilayer interconnect structure are also disclosed. The etch stop layer reduces the lateral and vertical etching of the first and second dielectric layers when the via hole is misaligned due to overlay errors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2023
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Cheng-Hsiung Tsai, Chung-Ju Lee, Shau-Lin Shue, Tien-I Bao
  • Publication number: 20230016154
    Abstract: A semiconductor device structure and method for forming the same are provided. The semiconductor device structure includes a first conductive layer formed over a substrate, and an air gap structure adjacent to the first conductive layer. The semiconductor device structure includes a support layer formed over the air gap structure. A bottom surface of the support layer is in direct contact with the air gap structure, and the bottom surface of the support layer is lower than a top surface of the first conductive layer and higher than a bottom surface of the first conductive layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2021
    Publication date: January 19, 2023
    Applicant: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hsin-Yen HUANG, Ting-Ya LO, Shao-Kuan LEE, Chi-Lin TENG, Shau-Lin SHUE, Hsiao-Kang CHANG
  • Patent number: 11557511
    Abstract: An interconnection structure, along with methods of forming such, are described. The structure includes a dielectric layer, a first conductive feature disposed in the dielectric layer, and a conductive layer disposed over the dielectric layer. The conductive layer includes a first portion and a second portion adjacent the first portion, and the second portion of the conductive layer is disposed over the first conductive feature. The structure further includes a first barrier layer in contact with the first portion of the conductive layer, a second barrier layer in contact with the second portion of the conductive layer, and a support layer in contact with the first and second barrier layers. An air gap is located between the first and second barrier layers, and the dielectric layer and the support layer are exposed to the air gap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2023
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Hsin-Yen Huang, Ting-Ya Lo, Shao-Kuan Lee, Chi-Lin Teng, Cheng-Chin Lee, Hsiaokang Chang, Shau-Lin Shue
  • Patent number: 11545389
    Abstract: A semiconductor device is provided. The semiconductor device includes a dielectric layer over a substrate and a contact structure embedded in the dielectric layer. The contact structure includes a diffusion barrier contacting the dielectric layer, the diffusion barrier including a titanium (Ti)-containing alloy. The contact structure further includes a liner on the diffusion barrier, the liner including a noble metal. The contact structure further includes a conductive plug on the liner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2023
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shih-Kang Fu, Ming-Han Lee, Shau-Lin Shue
  • Publication number: 20220415704
    Abstract: A method of forming a semiconductor device structure is provided. The method includes forming a masking structure with first openings over a semiconductor substrate and correspondingly forming metal layers in the first openings. The method also includes recessing the masking structure to form second openings between the metal layers and forming a sacrificial layer surrounded by a first liner in each of the second openings. In addition, after forming a second liner over the sacrificial layer in each of the second openings, the method includes removing the sacrificial layer in each of the second openings to form a plurality of air gaps therefrom.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2021
    Publication date: December 29, 2022
    Applicant: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hsi-Wen Tien, Wei-Hao Liao, Yu-Teng Dai, Hsin-Chieh Yao, Chih-Wei Lu, Chung-Ju Lee, Shau-Lin Shue
  • Publication number: 20220415798
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an integrated chip including a lower conductive wire within a first dielectric layer over a substrate. A second dielectric layer is over the first dielectric layer. A conductive via is over the lower conductive wire and within the second dielectric layer. A conductive liner layer lines sidewalls of the via. A barrier layer lines sidewalls of the conductive liner layer and lines sidewalls of the second dielectric layer. The conductive liner layer is laterally separated from the second dielectric layer by the barrier layer. The conductive liner layer vertically extends between sidewalls of the barrier layer from a bottom surface of the conductive via to a top surface of the lower conductive wire.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 23, 2021
    Publication date: December 29, 2022
    Inventors: Shu-Wei Li, Shin-Yi Yang, Ming-Han Lee, Shau-Lin Shue
  • Patent number: 11538749
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates an integrated chip. The integrated chip may include a first interconnect and a second interconnect disposed within a first inter-level dielectric (ILD) layer over a substrate. A lower etch stop structure is disposed on the first ILD layer and a third interconnect is disposed within a second ILD layer that is over the first ILD layer. The third interconnect extends through the lower etch stop structure to contact the first interconnect. An interconnect patterning layer is disposed on the second interconnect and laterally adjacent to the lower etch stop structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2022
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Shao-Kuan Lee, Hsin-Yen Huang, Cheng-Chin Lee, Kuang-Wei Yang, Ting-Ya Lo, Chi-Lin Teng, Hsiao-Kang Chang, Shau-Lin Shue
  • Publication number: 20220406648
    Abstract: An interconnection structure includes a first dielectric layer, a first conductive feature, a first liner layer, a second conductive feature, a second liner layer, and an air gap. The first conductive feature is disposed in the first dielectric layer. The first liner layer is disposed between the first conductive feature and the first dielectric layer. The second conductive feature penetrates the first dielectric layer. The second liner layer is disposed between the second conductive feature and the first dielectric layer. The air gap is disposed in the first dielectric layer between the first liner layer and the second liner layer. The first liner layer and the second liner layer include metal oxide, metal nitride, or silicon oxide doped carbide.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2022
    Publication date: December 22, 2022
    Inventors: Cheng-Chin LEE, Hsiao-Kang CHANG, Hsin-Yen HUANG, Cherng-Shiaw TSAI, Shao-Kuan LEE, Shau-Lin SHUE
  • Patent number: 11532552
    Abstract: A first layer is located over a substrate. The first layer includes a first dielectric component and a first conductive component. A first etching stop layer is located over the first dielectric component. A metal capping layer is located over the first conductive component. A second etching stop layer is located over the first etching stop layer and over the metal capping layer. A second layer is located over the second etching stop layer. The second layer includes a second dielectric component and a second conductive component. A third conductive component electrically interconnects the second conductive component to the first conductive component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2022
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Yung-Hsu Wu, Hai-Ching Chen, Jung-Hsun Tsai, Shau-Lin Shue, Tien-I Bao
  • Patent number: 11527435
    Abstract: A method and structure for forming an enhanced metal capping layer includes forming a portion of a multi-level metal interconnect network over a substrate. In some embodiments, the portion of the multi-level metal interconnect network includes a plurality of metal regions. In some cases, a dielectric region is disposed between each of the plurality of metal regions. By way of example, a metal capping layer may be deposited over each of the plurality of metal regions. Thereafter, in some embodiments, a self-assembled monolayer (SAM) may be deposited, where the SAM forms selectively on the metal capping layer, while the dielectric region is substantially free of the SAM. In various examples, after selectively forming the SAM on the metal capping layer, a thermal process may be performed, where the SAM prevents diffusion of the metal capping layer during the thermal process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2022
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD
    Inventors: Shao-Kuan Lee, Cheng-Chin Lee, Hsin-Yen Huang, Hai-Ching Chen, Shau-Lin Shue
  • Publication number: 20220384336
    Abstract: A semiconductor structure includes a semiconductor substrate, a dielectric layer, a via, a first graphene layer, and a metal line. The dielectric layer is over the semiconductor substrate. The via extends through the dielectric layer. The first graphene layer extends along a top surface of the via. The metal line spans the first graphene layer. The metal line has a line width decreasing as a distance from the first graphene layer increases.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2022
    Publication date: December 1, 2022
    Applicant: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Shin-Yi YANG, Ming-Han LEE, Shau-Lin SHUE
  • Publication number: 20220375791
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a first underlying metal line and a second underlying metal line in a first dielectric layer over a substrate. The semiconductor device includes a first metal feature and a second metal feature in a second dielectric layer over the first dielectric layer. The first metal feature is over and connected to the first underlying metal line, and the second metal feature is over and connected to the second underlying metal line. The first metal feature has a first dimension, the second metal feature has a second dimension, the second dimension being greater than the first dimension. The first metal feature includes a first metal having a first mean free path, the second metal feature includes a second metal having a second mean free path, and the second mean free path is greater than the first mean free path.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2022
    Publication date: November 24, 2022
    Inventors: Guanyu LUO, Shin-Yi YANG, Ming-Han LEE, Shau-Lin SHUE
  • Publication number: 20220367346
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a semiconductor device that includes a substrate, a first dielectric layer over the substrate, and an interconnect layer over the first dielectric layer. The interconnect layer includes a plurality of metal lines and a second dielectric layer filling space between the plurality of metal lines. The plurality of metal lines includes a first metal line having a first bulk metal layer of a noble metal and a second metal line having a second bulk metal layer of a non-noble metal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2022
    Publication date: November 17, 2022
    Inventors: Shih-Kang Fu, Ming-Han Lee, Shau-Lin Shue
  • Publication number: 20220367435
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a semiconductor package. In one embodiment, the semiconductor package includes a first integrated circuit die having a first circuit design, and the first integrated circuit die comprises a first device layer and a first interconnect structure. The semiconductor package also includes a second integrated circuit die having a second circuit design different than the first circuit design, and the second integrated circuit die comprises a second device layer and a second interconnect structure having a first side in contact with the first device layer and a second side in direct contact with the first interconnect structure of the first integrated circuit die. The semiconductor package further includes a substrate having a first side bonded to the first interconnect structure, wherein the second integrated circuit die is surrounded by at least a portion of the substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2021
    Publication date: November 17, 2022
    Inventors: Han-Tang Hung, Shin-Yi Yang, Ming-Han Lee, Shau-Lin Shue
  • Publication number: 20220367244
    Abstract: A semiconductor device is provided. The semiconductor device includes a dielectric layer over a substrate and a contact structure embedded in the dielectric layer. The contact structure includes a diffusion barrier contacting the dielectric layer, the diffusion barrier including a titanium (Ti)-containing alloy. The contact structure further includes a liner on the diffusion barrier, the liner including a noble metal. The contact structure further includes a conductive plug on the liner.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 20, 2022
    Publication date: November 17, 2022
    Inventors: Shih-Kang Fu, Ming-Han Lee, Shau-Lin Shue
  • Publication number: 20220359414
    Abstract: An interconnection structure, along with methods of forming such, are described. The interconnection structure includes a first portion of a conductive layer, and the conductive layer includes one or more graphene layers. The first portion of the conductive layer includes a first interface portion and a second interface portion opposite the first interface portion, and each of the first and second interface portion includes a metal disposed between adjacent graphene layers. The structure further includes a second portion of the conductive layer disposed adjacent the first portion of the conductive layer, and the second portion of the conductive layer includes a third interface portion and a fourth interface portion opposite the third interface portion. Each of the third and fourth interface portion includes the metal disposed between adjacent graphene layers. The structure further includes a dielectric material disposed between the first and second portions of the conductive layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 7, 2021
    Publication date: November 10, 2022
    Inventors: Shu-Wei Li, Yu-Chen Chan, Shin-Yi Yang, Ming-Han Lee, Shau-Lin Shue
  • Publication number: 20220359483
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a semiconductor package comprising a first integrated circuit (IC) die having a first back-end-of-the-line (BEOL) structure, a second integrated circuit die having a second BEOL structure, an integrated BEOL structure having a first side in direct contact with both the first BEOL structure and the second BEOL structure. In some embodiments, a substrate is further disposed at a second side of the integrated BEOL structure to support both the first integrated circuit die and the second integrated circuit die.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2021
    Publication date: November 10, 2022
    Inventors: Han-Tang Hung, Shin-Yi Yang, Ming-Han Lee, Shau-Lin Shue
  • Publication number: 20220359385
    Abstract: The present disclosure, in some embodiments, relates to an integrated chip. The integrated chip includes a first interconnect and a second interconnect disposed within a first inter-level dielectric (ILD) layer over a substrate. A lower etch stop structure is disposed on the first ILD layer and a third interconnect is disposed within a second ILD layer that is over the first ILD layer. The third interconnect extends through the lower etch stop structure to contact the first interconnect. An interconnect patterning layer is disposed on the second interconnect and laterally adjacent to the lower etch stop structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2022
    Publication date: November 10, 2022
    Inventors: Shao-Kuan Lee, Hsin-Yen Huang, Cheng-Chin Lee, Kuang-Wei Yang, Ting-Ya Lo, Chi-Lin Teng, Hsiao-Kang Chang, Shau-Lin Shue
  • Publication number: 20220359413
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an integrated chip. The integrated chip includes a substrate. A first conductive feature is over the substrate. A second conductive feature is over the substrate and is adjacent to the first conductive feature. The first and second conductive features are separated by a cavity. A dielectric liner extends from the first conductive feature to the second conductive feature along a bottom of the cavity and further extends along opposing sidewalls of the first and second conductive features. A dielectric cap covers and seals the cavity. The dielectric cap has a top surface that is approximately planar with top surfaces of the first and second conductive features. The first conductive feature and the second conductive feature comprise graphene intercalated with one or more metals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 5, 2021
    Publication date: November 10, 2022
    Inventors: Shin-Yi Yang, Meng-Pei Lu, Chin-Lung Chung, Ming-Han Lee, Shau-Lin Shue
  • Publication number: 20220350262
    Abstract: Photolithography overlay errors are a source of patterning defects, which contribute to low wafer yield. An interconnect formation process that employs a patterning photolithography/etch process with self-aligned interconnects is disclosed herein. The interconnection formation process, among other things, improves a photolithography overlay (OVL) margin since alignment is accomplished on a wider pattern. In addition, the patterning photolithography/etch process supports multi-metal gap fill and low-k dielectric formation with voids.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2022
    Publication date: November 3, 2022
    Applicant: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tai-I YANG, Wei-Chen Chu, Hsiang-Wei Liu, Shau-Lin Shue, Li-Lin Su, Yung-Hsu Wu