Patents by Inventor Su-Jen Sung

Su-Jen Sung 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: 11923304
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an integrated circuit. The integrated circuit includes a conductive interconnect disposed on a dielectric over a substrate. An interfacial layer is arranged along an upper surface of the conductive interconnect. A liner is arranged along a lower surface of the conductive interconnect. The liner and the interfacial layer surround the conductive interconnect. A middle layer is located over the interfacial layer and has a bottommost surface over the dielectric. A bottommost surface of the interfacial layer and the bottommost surface of the middle layer are both above a top of the conductive interconnect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2024
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Su-Jen Sung, Chih-Chiang Chang, Chia-Ho Chen
  • Patent number: 11848231
    Abstract: A method for forming a semiconductor device structure is provided. The method includes successively forming a first multi-layer etch stop structure and an insulating layer over a first conductive feature. The insulating layer and the first multi-layer etch stop structure are successively etched to form an opening substantially aligned to the first conductive feature. A second conductive feature is formed in the opening. The formation of the first multi-layer etch stop structure and the second multi-layer etch stop structure includes forming a first metal-containing dielectric layer, forming a silicon-containing dielectric layer over the first metal-containing dielectric layer, and forming a second metal-containing dielectric layer over the silicon-containing dielectric layer. The second metal-containing dielectric layer has a material that is different from the material of the first metal-containing dielectric layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2023
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Po-Cheng Shih, Tze-Liang Lee, Jen-Hung Wang, Yu-Kai Lin, Su-Jen Sung
  • Publication number: 20230274975
    Abstract: A semiconductor structure including a substrate, a first dielectric layer, a first conductive feature, an etch stop layer, a second dielectric layer and a second conductive feature is provided. The first dielectric layer is disposed over the substrate. The first conductive feature is disposed in the first dielectric layer. The etch stop layer is disposed over the first dielectric layer and the first conductive feature, wherein the etch stop layer comprises a metal-containing layer and a silicon-containing layer, the metal-containing layer is located between the first dielectric layer and the silicon-containing layer, the metal-containing layer comprises a nitride-containing region and an oxide-containing region, and the nitride-containing region contacts the first conductive feature. The second dielectric layer is disposed over the etch stop layer. The second conductive feature penetrates the second dielectric layer and electrically connects with the first conductive feature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 1, 2023
    Publication date: August 31, 2023
    Applicant: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yu-Kai Lin, Su-Jen Sung, Tze-Liang Lee, Jen-Hung Wang
  • Publication number: 20230178446
    Abstract: A method includes bonding a first wafer to a second wafer, performing a trimming process on the first wafer, and depositing a sidewall protection layer contacting a sidewall of the first wafer. The depositing the sidewall protection layer includes depositing a high-density material in contact with the sidewall of the first wafer. The sidewall protection layer has a density higher than a density of silicon oxide. The method further includes removing a horizontal portion of the sidewall protection layer that overlaps the first wafer, and forming an interconnect structure over the first wafer. The interconnect structure is electrically connected to integrated circuit devices in the first wafer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2022
    Publication date: June 8, 2023
    Inventors: Su-Jen Sung, Jr-Hung Li, Tze-Liang Lee
  • Patent number: 11670546
    Abstract: A semiconductor structure including a substrate, a first dielectric layer, a first conductive feature, an etch stop layer, a second dielectric layer and a second conductive feature is provided. The first dielectric layer is disposed over the substrate. The first conductive feature is disposed in the first dielectric layer. The etch stop layer is disposed over the first dielectric layer and the first conductive feature, wherein the etch stop layer comprises a metal-containing layer and a silicon-containing layer, the metal-containing layer is located between the first dielectric layer and the silicon-containing layer, the metal-containing layer comprises a nitride-containing region and an oxide-containing region, and the nitride-containing region contacts the first conductive feature. The second dielectric layer is disposed over the etch stop layer. The second conductive feature penetrates the second dielectric layer and electrically connects with the first conductive feature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yu-Kai Lin, Su-Jen Sung, Tze-Liang Lee, Jen-Hung Wang
  • Publication number: 20230154837
    Abstract: A method includes forming a first bond layer on a first wafer, and forming a first thermal conductive channel extending into the first bond layer. The first thermal conductive channel has a first thermal conductivity value higher than a second thermal conductivity value of the first bond layer. The method further includes forming a second bond layer on a second wafer, and forming a second thermal conductive channel extending into the second bond layer. The second thermal conductive channel has a third thermal conductivity value higher than a fourth thermal conductivity value of the second bond layer. The first wafer is bonded to the second wafer, and the first thermal conductive channel at least physically contacts the second thermal conductive channel. An interconnect structure is formed over the first wafer. The interconnect structure is electrically connected to integrated circuit devices in the first wafer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 18, 2022
    Publication date: May 18, 2023
    Inventors: Su-Jen Sung, Guan-Yao Tu, Tze-Liang Lee
  • Publication number: 20230121958
    Abstract: Interconnect structures exhibiting reduced accumulation of copper vacancies along interfaces between contact etch stop layers (CESLs) and interconnects, along with methods for fabrication, are disclosed herein. A method includes forming a copper interconnect in a dielectric layer and depositing a metal nitride CESL over the copper interconnect and the dielectric layer. An interface between the metal nitride CESL and the copper interconnect has a first surface nitrogen concentration, a first nitrogen concentration and/or a first number of nitrogen-nitrogen bonds. A nitrogen plasma treatment is performed to modify the interface between the metal nitride CESL and the copper interconnect.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2022
    Publication date: April 20, 2023
    Inventors: Hui Lee, Po-Hsiang Huang, Wen-Sheh Huang, Jen Hung Wang, Su-Jen Sung, Chih-Chien Chi, Pei-Hsuan Lee
  • Publication number: 20230088795
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an integrated circuit. The integrated circuit includes a conductive interconnect disposed on a dielectric over a substrate. An interfacial layer is arranged along an upper surface of the conductive interconnect. A liner is arranged along a lower surface of the conductive interconnect. The liner and the interfacial layer surround the conductive interconnect. A middle layer is located over the interfacial layer and has a bottommost surface over the dielectric. A bottommost surface of the interfacial layer and the bottommost surface of the middle layer are both above a top of the conductive interconnect.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 28, 2022
    Publication date: March 23, 2023
    Inventors: Su-Jen Sung, Chih-Chiang Chang, Chia-Ho Chen
  • Patent number: 11532548
    Abstract: Interconnect structures exhibiting reduced accumulation of copper vacancies along interfaces between contact etch stop layers (CESLs) and interconnects, along with methods for fabrication, are disclosed herein. A method includes forming a copper interconnect in a dielectric layer and depositing a metal nitride CESL over the copper interconnect and the dielectric layer. An interface between the metal nitride CESL and the copper interconnect has a first surface nitrogen concentration, a first nitrogen concentration and/or a first number of nitrogen-nitrogen bonds. A nitrogen plasma treatment is performed to modify the interface between the metal nitride CESL and the copper interconnect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2022
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hui Lee, Po-Hsiang Huang, Wen-Sheh Huang, Jen Hung Wang, Su-Jen Sung, Chih-Chien Chi, Pei-Hsuan Lee
  • Publication number: 20220384346
    Abstract: An apparatus comprises a first metal feature in a first dielectric layer over a substrate, wherein a sidewall portion of the first dielectric layer is over a top surface of the first metal feature, a second dielectric layer over the first dielectric layer and a second metal feature extending through the second dielectric layer, wherein a bottom of a first portion of the second metal feature is in contact with the top surface of the first metal feature and a bottom of a second portion of the second metal feature is in contact with the sidewall portion of the first dielectric layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2022
    Publication date: December 1, 2022
    Inventor: Su-Jen Sung
  • Patent number: 11515255
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an integrated circuit having a conductive interconnect disposed on a dielectric over a substrate. A first liner is arranged along an upper surface of the conductive interconnect. A barrier layer is arranged along a lower surface of the conductive interconnect and contacts an upper surface of the dielectric. The barrier layer and the first liner surround the conductive interconnect. A second liner is located over the first liner and has a lower surface contacting the upper surface of the dielectric.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2022
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Su-Jen Sung, Chih-Chiang Chang, Chia-Ho Chen
  • Patent number: 11502035
    Abstract: An apparatus comprises a first metal feature in a first dielectric layer over a substrate, wherein a sidewall portion of the first dielectric layer is over a top surface of the first metal feature, a second dielectric layer over the first dielectric layer and a second metal feature extending through the second dielectric layer, wherein a bottom of a first portion of the second metal feature is in contact with the top surface of the first metal feature and a bottom of a second portion of the second metal feature is in contact with the sidewall portion of the first dielectric layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2022
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventor: Su-Jen Sung
  • Publication number: 20220336583
    Abstract: A method includes forming a transistor over a front side of a substrate; forming a front-side interconnect structure over the transistor, the front-side interconnect structure comprising layers of conductive lines, and conductive vias interconnecting the layers of conductive lines; forming a first bonding layer over the front-side interconnect structure; forming a second bonding layer over a carrier substrate; bonding the front-side interconnect structure to the carrier substrate by pressing the first bonding layer against the second bonding layer; and forming a backside interconnect structure over a backside of the substrate after bonding the front-side interconnect structure to the carrier substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2021
    Publication date: October 20, 2022
    Applicant: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Guan-Yao TU, Su-Jen SUNG, Tze-Liang LEE, Hong-Wei CHAN
  • Publication number: 20220285210
    Abstract: A semiconductor structure including a substrate, a first dielectric layer, a first conductive feature, an etch stop layer, a second dielectric layer and a second conductive feature is provided. The first dielectric layer is disposed over the substrate. The first conductive feature is disposed in the first dielectric layer. The etch stop layer is disposed over the first dielectric layer and the first conductive feature, wherein the etch stop layer comprises a metal-containing layer and a silicon-containing layer, the metal-containing layer is located between the first dielectric layer and the silicon-containing layer, the metal-containing layer comprises a nitride-containing region and an oxide-containing region, and the nitride-containing region contacts the first conductive feature. The second dielectric layer is disposed over the etch stop layer. The second conductive feature penetrates the second dielectric layer and electrically connects with the first conductive feature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 4, 2021
    Publication date: September 8, 2022
    Applicant: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yu-Kai Lin, Su-Jen Sung, Tze-Liang Lee, Jen-Hung Wang
  • Publication number: 20220208603
    Abstract: A method for forming a semiconductor device structure is provided. The method includes successively forming a first multi-layer etch stop structure and an insulating layer over a first conductive feature. The insulating layer and the first multi-layer etch stop structure are successively etched to form an opening substantially aligned to the first conductive feature. A second conductive feature is formed in the opening. The formation of the first multi-layer etch stop structure and the second multi-layer etch stop structure includes forming a first metal-containing dielectric layer, forming a silicon-containing dielectric layer over the first metal-containing dielectric layer, and forming a second metal-containing dielectric layer over the silicon-containing dielectric layer. The second metal-containing dielectric layer has a material that is different from the material of the first metal-containing dielectric layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 16, 2022
    Publication date: June 30, 2022
    Applicant: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Po-Cheng SHIH, Tze-Liang LEE, Jen-Hung WANG, Yu-Kai LIN, Su-Jen SUNG
  • Patent number: 11282742
    Abstract: A semiconductor device structure is provided. The structure includes a conductive feature formed in an insulating layer. The structure also includes a first metal-containing dielectric layer formed over the insulating layer and covering the top surface of the conductive feature. The structure further includes a silicon-containing dielectric layer formed over the first metal-containing dielectric layer. In addition, the structure includes a second metal-containing dielectric layer formed over the silicon-containing dielectric layer. The second metal-containing dielectric layer includes a material that is different than the material of the first metal-containing dielectric layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2022
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Po-Cheng Shih, Tze-Liang Lee, Jen-Hung Wang, Yu-Kai Lin, Su-Jen Sung
  • Patent number: 11264328
    Abstract: The present disclosure, in some embodiments, relates to a method of forming an integrated chip. The method may be performed by forming a first capping layer on a dielectric structure over a substrate, and patterning the dielectric structure and the first capping layer to define cavities within the dielectric structure. A conductive material is formed within the cavities and a second capping layer is formed on the conductive material. An etch stop layer is formed along sidewalls and over an upper surface of the second capping layer. The etch stop layer has a first thickness over the first capping layer and a second thickness over the second capping layer. The first thickness is greater than the second thickness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2022
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Chao-Chun Wang, Su-Jen Sung
  • Publication number: 20210257293
    Abstract: Interconnect structures exhibiting reduced accumulation of copper vacancies along interfaces between contact etch stop layers (CESLs) and interconnects, along with methods for fabrication, are disclosed herein. A method includes forming a copper interconnect in a dielectric layer and depositing a metal nitride CESL over the copper interconnect and the dielectric layer. An interface between the metal nitride CESL and the copper interconnect has a first surface nitrogen concentration, a first nitrogen concentration and/or a first number of nitrogen-nitrogen bonds. A nitrogen plasma treatment is performed to modify the interface between the metal nitride CESL and the copper interconnect.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 14, 2020
    Publication date: August 19, 2021
    Inventors: Hui Lee, Po-Hsiang Huang, Wen-Sheh Huang, Jen Hung Wang, Su-Jen Sung, Chih-Chien Chi, Pei-Hsuan Lee
  • Publication number: 20210118728
    Abstract: A semiconductor device structure is provided. The structure includes a conductive feature formed in an insulating layer. The structure also includes a first metal-containing dielectric layer formed over the insulating layer and covering the top surface of the conductive feature. The structure further includes a silicon-containing dielectric layer formed over the first metal-containing dielectric layer. In addition, the structure includes a second metal-containing dielectric layer formed over the silicon-containing dielectric layer. The second metal-containing dielectric layer includes a material that is different than the material of the first metal-containing dielectric layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 17, 2019
    Publication date: April 22, 2021
    Applicant: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Po-Cheng SHIH, Tze-Liang LEE, Jen-Hung WANG, Yu-Kai LIN, Su-Jen SUNG
  • Publication number: 20210082831
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an integrated circuit having a conductive interconnect disposed on a dielectric over a substrate. A first liner is arranged along an upper surface of the conductive interconnect. A barrier layer is arranged along a lower surface of the conductive interconnect and contacts an upper surface of the dielectric. The barrier layer and the first liner surround the conductive interconnect. A second liner is located over the first liner and has a lower surface contacting the upper surface of the dielectric.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 25, 2020
    Publication date: March 18, 2021
    Inventors: Su-Jen Sung, Chih-Chiang Chang, Chia-Ho Chen