Patents by Inventor Shu-Ting Tsai
Shu-Ting 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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Patent number: 10861899Abstract: A stacked integrated circuit (IC) device and a method are disclosed. The stacked IC device includes a first semiconductor element and a second semiconductor element bonded on the first semiconductor element. The first semiconductor element includes a first substrate, a common conductive feature in the first substrate, a first inter-level dielectric (ILD) layer, a first interconnection feature and a conductive plug connecting the first interconnection feature to the common conductive feature. The second semiconductor element includes a second substrate, a second ILD layers over the second substrate and a second interconnection feature in second ILD layers. The device also includes a conductive deep plug connecting to the common conductive feature in the first semiconductor element and the second interconnection feature. The conductive deep plug is separated with the conductive plug by the first ILD layer.Type: GrantFiled: December 20, 2019Date of Patent: December 8, 2020Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.Inventors: Chun-Chieh Chuang, Dun-Nian Yaung, Jen-Cheng Liu, Feng-Chi Hung, Tzu-Hsuan Hsu, Shu-Ting Tsai, Min-Feng Kao
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Publication number: 20200381465Abstract: Various embodiments of the present disclosure are directed towards an image sensor. The image sensor includes a photodetector disposed in a semiconductor substrate. An interlayer dielectric (ILD) structure is disposed on a first side of the semiconductor substrate. A storage node is disposed in the semiconductor substrate and spaced from the photodetector, where the storage node is spaced from the first side by a first distance. A first isolation structure is disposed in the semiconductor substrate and between the photodetector and the storage node, where the first isolation structure extends into the semiconductor substrate from a second side of the semiconductor substrate that is opposite the first side, and where the first isolation structure is spaced from the first side by a second distance that is less than the first distance.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 30, 2019Publication date: December 3, 2020Inventors: Jeng-Shyan Lin, Shu-Ting Tsai, Tzu-Hsuan Hsu
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Patent number: 10847560Abstract: A backside illumination (BSI) image sensor and a method of forming the same are provided. A method includes forming a plurality of photosensitive pixels in a substrate, the substrate having a first surface and a second surface, the second surface being opposite the first surface, the substrate having one or more active devices on the first surface. A first portion of the second surface is protected. A second portion of the second surface is patterned to form recesses in the substrate. An anti-reflective layer is formed on sidewalls of the recesses. A metal grid is formed over the second portion of the second surface, the anti-reflective layer being interposed between the substrate and the metal grid.Type: GrantFiled: April 15, 2019Date of Patent: November 24, 2020Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.Inventors: Hung-Wen Hsu, Jiech-Fun Lu, Yeur-Luen Tu, U-Ting Chen, Shu-Ting Tsai, Hsiu-Yu Cheng
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Patent number: 10840287Abstract: An interconnect apparatus and a method of forming the interconnect apparatus is provided. Two substrates, such as wafers, dies, or a wafer and a die, are bonded together. A first mask is used to form a first opening extending partially to an interconnect formed on the first wafer. A dielectric liner is formed, and then another etch process is performed using the same mask. The etch process continues to expose interconnects formed on the first substrate and the second substrate. The opening is filled with a conductive material to form a conductive plug.Type: GrantFiled: July 22, 2019Date of Patent: November 17, 2020Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.Inventors: Shih Pei Chou, Hung-Wen Hsu, Ching-Chung Su, Chun-Han Tsao, Chia-Chieh Lin, Shu-Ting Tsai, Jiech-Fun Lu, Shih-Chang Liu, Yeur-Luen Tu, Chia-Shiung Tsai
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Patent number: 10818720Abstract: An image sensor includes a sensor portion and an ASIC portion bonded to the sensor portion. The sensor portion includes a first substrate having radiation-sensing pixels, a first interconnect structure, a first isolation layer, and a first dielectric layer. The ASIC portion includes a second substrate, a second isolation layer, and a second dielectric layer. The material compositions of the first and second isolation layers and the first and second dielectric layers are configured such that the first and second isolation layers may serve as barrier layers to prevent copper diffusion into oxide. The first and second isolation layers may also serve as etching-stop layers in the formation of the image sensor.Type: GrantFiled: May 3, 2019Date of Patent: October 27, 2020Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.Inventors: U-Ting Chen, Shu-Ting Tsai, Cheng-Ying Ho, Tzu-Hsuan Hsu, Shih-Pei Chou
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Publication number: 20200306552Abstract: A semiconductor device comprises a first chip bonded on a second chip. The first chip comprises a first substrate and first interconnection components formed in first IMD layers. The second chip comprises a second substrate and second interconnection components formed in second IMD layers. The device further comprises a first conductive plug formed within the first substrate and the first IMD layers, wherein the first conductive plug is coupled to a first interconnection component and a second conductive plug formed through the first substrate and the first IMD layers and formed partially through the second IMD layers, wherein the second conductive plug is coupled to a second interconnection component.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 15, 2020Publication date: October 1, 2020Inventors: Shu-Ting Tsai, Jeng-Shyan Lin, Chun-Chieh Chuang, Dun-Nian Yaung, Jen-Cheng Liu, Feng-Chi Hung
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Patent number: 10763292Abstract: A method includes bonding a first semiconductor chip on a second semiconductor chip, applying an etching process to the first semiconductor chip and the second semiconductor chip until a metal surface of the second semiconductor chip is exposed, wherein as a result of applying the etching process, an opening is formed in the first semiconductor chip and the second semiconductor chip and plating a conductive material in the opening to from a conductive plug.Type: GrantFiled: December 18, 2018Date of Patent: September 1, 2020Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.Inventors: Jeng-Shyan Lin, Shu-Ting Tsai, Dun-Nian Yaung, Jen-Cheng Liu, Feng-Chi Hung, Shih-Pei Chou, Min-Feng Kao, Szu-Ying Chen
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Patent number: 10682523Abstract: A semiconductor device comprises a first chip bonded on a second chip. The first chip comprises a first substrate and first interconnection components formed in first IMD layers. The second chip comprises a second substrate and second interconnection components formed in second IMD layers. The device further comprises a first conductive plug formed within the first substrate and the first IMD layers, wherein the first conductive plug is coupled to a first interconnection component and a second conductive plug formed through the first substrate and the first IMD layers and formed partially through the second IMD layers, wherein the second conductive plug is coupled to a second interconnection component.Type: GrantFiled: October 8, 2018Date of Patent: June 16, 2020Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.Inventors: Shu-Ting Tsai, Jeng-Shyan Lin, Chun-Chieh Chuang, Dun-Nian Yaung, Jen-Cheng Liu, Feng-Chi Hung
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Publication number: 20200127027Abstract: A stacked integrated circuit (IC) device and a method are disclosed. The stacked IC device includes a first semiconductor element and a second semiconductor element bonded on the first semiconductor element. The first semiconductor element includes a first substrate, a common conductive feature in the first substrate, a first inter-level dielectric (ILD) layer, a first interconnection feature and a conductive plug connecting the first interconnection feature to the common conductive feature. The second semiconductor element includes a second substrate, a second ILD layers over the second substrate and a second interconnection feature in second ILD layers. The device also includes a conductive deep plug connecting to the common conductive feature in the first semiconductor element and the second interconnection feature. The conductive deep plug is separated with the conductive plug by the first ILD layer.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 20, 2019Publication date: April 23, 2020Inventors: Chun-Chieh Chuang, Dun-Nian Yaung, Jen-Cheng Liu, Feng-Chi Hung, Tzu-Hsuan Hsu, Shu-Ting Tsai, Min-Feng Kao
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Publication number: 20200075659Abstract: An image sensor structure that includes a first semiconductor substrate having a plurality of imaging sensors; a first interconnect structure formed on the first semiconductor substrate; a second semiconductor substrate having a logic circuit; a second interconnect structure formed on the second semiconductor substrate, wherein the first and the second semiconductor substrates are bonded together in a configuration that the first and second interconnect structures are sandwiched between the first and second semiconductor substrates; and a backside deep contact (BDCT) feature extended from the first interconnect structure to the second interconnect structure, thereby electrically coupling the logic circuit to the image sensors.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 8, 2019Publication date: March 5, 2020Inventors: Min-Feng Kao, Dun-Nian Yaung, Jen-Cheng Liu, Chun-Chieh Chuang, Feng-Chi Hung, Shuang-Ji Tsai, Jen-Shyan Lin, Shu-Ting Tsai, Wen-I Hsu
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Patent number: 10535697Abstract: An image sensor structure that includes a first semiconductor substrate having a plurality of imaging sensors; a first interconnect structure formed on the first semiconductor substrate; a second semiconductor substrate having a logic circuit; a second interconnect structure formed on the second semiconductor substrate, wherein the first and the second semiconductor substrates are bonded together in a configuration that the first and second interconnect structures are sandwiched between the first and second semiconductor substrates; and a backside deep contact (BDCT) feature extended from the first interconnect structure to the second interconnect structure, thereby electrically coupling the logic circuit to the image sensors.Type: GrantFiled: November 6, 2017Date of Patent: January 14, 2020Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.Inventors: Min-Feng Kao, Dun-Nian Yaung, Jen-Cheng Liu, Chun-Chieh Chuang, Feng-Chi Hung, Shuang-Ji Tsai, Jen-Shyan Lin, Shu-Ting Tsai, Wen-I Hsu
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Patent number: 10535706Abstract: A stacked integrated circuit (IC) device and a method are disclosed. The stacked IC device includes a first semiconductor element and a second semiconductor element bonded on the first semiconductor element. The first semiconductor element includes a first substrate, a common conductive feature in the first substrate, a first inter-level dielectric (ILD) layer, a first interconnection feature and a conductive plug connecting the first interconnection feature to the common conductive feature. The second semiconductor element includes a second substrate, a second ILD layers over the second substrate and a second interconnection feature in second ILD layers. The device also includes a conductive deep plug connecting to the common conductive feature in the first semiconductor element and the second interconnection feature. The conductive deep plug is separated with the conductive plug by the first ILD layer.Type: GrantFiled: December 14, 2018Date of Patent: January 14, 2020Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.Inventors: Chun-Chieh Chuang, Dun-Nian Yaung, Jen-Cheng Liu, Feng-Chi Hung, Tzu-Hsuan Hsu, Shu-Ting Tsai, Min-Feng Kao
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Patent number: 10510729Abstract: An interconnect apparatus and a method of forming the interconnect apparatus is provided. Two integrated circuits are bonded together. A first opening is formed through one of the substrates. A multi-layer dielectric film is formed along sidewalls of the first opening. One or more etch processes form one or more spacer-shaped structures along sidewalls of the first opening. A second opening is formed extending from the first opening to pads in the integrated circuits. A dielectric liner is formed, and the opening is filled with a conductive material to form a conductive plug.Type: GrantFiled: December 4, 2018Date of Patent: December 17, 2019Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.Inventors: Shu-Ting Tsai, Dun-Nian Yaung, Jen-Cheng Liu, U-Ting Chen, Shih Pei Chou
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Publication number: 20190363126Abstract: An interconnect apparatus and a method of forming the interconnect apparatus is provided. Two substrates, such as wafers, dies, or a wafer and a die, are bonded together. A first mask is used to form a first opening extending partially to an interconnect formed on the first wafer. A dielectric liner is formed, and then another etch process is performed using the same mask. The etch process continues to expose interconnects formed on the first substrate and the second substrate. The opening is filled with a conductive material to form a conductive plug.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 22, 2019Publication date: November 28, 2019Inventors: Shih Pei Chou, Hung-Wen Hsu, Ching-Chung Su, Chun-Han Tsao, Chia-Chieh Lin, Shu-Ting Tsai, Jiech-Fun Lu, Shih-Chang Liu, Yeur-Luen Tu, Chia-Shiung Tsai
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Publication number: 20190279974Abstract: Semiconductor devices and methods of manufacture thereof are disclosed. In some embodiments, a semiconductor device includes a first semiconductor chip including a first substrate and a first conductive feature formed over the first substrate, and a second semiconductor chip bonded to the first semiconductor chip. The second semiconductor chip includes a second substrate and a second conductive feature formed over the second substrate. A conductive plug is disposed through the first conductive feature and is coupled to the second conductive feature. The conductive plug includes a first portion disposed over the first conductive feature, the first portion having a first width, and a second portion disposed beneath or within the first conductive feature. The second portion has a second width. The first width is greater than the second width.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 23, 2019Publication date: September 12, 2019Inventors: Shu-Ting Tsai, Dun-Nian Yaung, Jen-Cheng Liu, Szu-Ying Chen, U-Ting Chen
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Publication number: 20190259799Abstract: An image sensor includes a sensor portion and an ASIC portion bonded to the sensor portion. The sensor portion includes a first substrate having radiation-sensing pixels, a first interconnect structure, a first isolation layer, and a first dielectric layer. The ASIC portion includes a second substrate, a second isolation layer, and a second dielectric layer. The material compositions of the first and second isolation layers and the first and second dielectric layers are configured such that the first and second isolation layers may serve as barrier layers to prevent copper diffusion into oxide. The first and second isolation layers may also serve as etching-stop layers in the formation of the image sensor.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 3, 2019Publication date: August 22, 2019Inventors: U-Ting Chen, Shu-Ting Tsai, Cheng-Ying Ho, Tzu-Hsuan Hsu, Shih-Pei Chou
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Publication number: 20190252423Abstract: A backside illumination (BSI) image sensor and a method of forming the same are provided. A method includes forming a plurality of photosensitive pixels in a substrate, the substrate having a first surface and a second surface, the second surface being opposite the first surface, the substrate having one or more active devices on the first surface. A first portion of the second surface is protected. A second portion of the second surface is patterned to form recesses in the substrate. An anti-reflective layer is formed on sidewalls of the recesses. A metal grid is formed over the second portion of the second surface, the anti-reflective layer being interposed between the substrate and the metal grid.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 15, 2019Publication date: August 15, 2019Inventors: Hung-Wen Hsu, Jiech-Fun Lu, Yeur-Luen Tu, U-Ting Chen, Shu-Ting Tsai, Hsiu-Yu Cheng
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Patent number: 10361234Abstract: An interconnect apparatus and a method of forming the interconnect apparatus is provided. Two substrates, such as wafers, dies, or a wafer and a die, are bonded together. A first mask is used to form a first opening extending partially to an interconnect formed on the first wafer. A dielectric liner is formed, and then another etch process is performed using the same mask. The etch process continues to expose interconnects formed on the first substrate and the second substrate. The opening is filled with a conductive material to form a conductive plug.Type: GrantFiled: April 3, 2018Date of Patent: July 23, 2019Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.Inventors: Shih Pei Chou, Hung-Wen Hsu, Ching-Chung Su, Chun-Han Tsao, Chia-Chieh Lin, Shu-Ting Tsai, Jiech-Fun Lu, Shih-Chang Liu, Yeur-Luen Tu, Chia-Shiung Tsai
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Patent number: 10304818Abstract: Semiconductor devices and methods of manufacture thereof are disclosed. In some embodiments, a semiconductor device includes a first semiconductor chip including a first substrate and a first conductive feature formed over the first substrate, and a second semiconductor chip bonded to the first semiconductor chip. The second semiconductor chip includes a second substrate and a second conductive feature formed over the second substrate. A conductive plug is disposed through the first conductive feature and is coupled to the second conductive feature. The conductive plug includes a first portion disposed over the first conductive feature, the first portion having a first width, and a second portion disposed beneath or within the first conductive feature. The second portion has a second width. The first width is greater than the second width.Type: GrantFiled: December 8, 2017Date of Patent: May 28, 2019Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing CompanyInventors: Shu-Ting Tsai, Dun-Nian Yaung, Jen-Cheng Liu, Szu-Ying Chen, U-Ting Chen
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Publication number: 20190148435Abstract: A method includes bonding a first semiconductor chip on a second semiconductor chip, applying an etching process to the first semiconductor chip and the second semiconductor chip until a metal surface of the second semiconductor chip is exposed, wherein as a result of applying the etching process, an opening is formed in the first semiconductor chip and the second semiconductor chip and plating a conductive material in the opening to from a conductive plug.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 18, 2018Publication date: May 16, 2019Inventors: Jeng-Shyan Lin, Shu-Ting Tsai, Dun-Nian Yaung, Jen-Cheng Liu, Feng-Chi Hung, Shih Pei Chou, Min-Feng Kao, Szu-Ying Chen