Patents by Inventor Szu-Lin Cheng

Szu-Lin Cheng 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: 9799689
    Abstract: A light absorption apparatus includes a substrate, a light absorption layer above the substrate on a first selected area, a silicon layer above the light absorption layer, a spacer surrounding at least part of the sidewall of the light absorption layer, an isolation layer surrounding at least part of the spacer, wherein the light absorption apparatus can achieve high bandwidth and low dark current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2017
    Assignee: Artilux Inc.
    Inventors: Szu-Lin Cheng, Shu-Lu Chen
  • Publication number: 20170294550
    Abstract: Structures and techniques introduced here enable the design and fabrication of photodetectors (PDs) and/or other electronic circuits using typical semiconductor device manufacturing technologies meanwhile reducing the adverse impacts on PDs' performance. Examples of the various structures and techniques introduced here include, but not limited to, a pre-PD homogeneous wafer bonding technique, a pre-PD heterogeneous wafer bonding technique, a post-PD wafer bonding technique, their combinations, and a number of mirror equipped PD structures. With the introduced structures and techniques, it is possible to implement PDs using typical direct growth material epitaxy technology while reducing the adverse impact of the defect layer at the material interface caused by lattice mismatch.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 19, 2017
    Publication date: October 12, 2017
    Inventors: Szu-Lin Cheng, Han-Din Liu, Shu-Lu Chen, Yun-Chung Na, Hui-Wen Chen
  • Patent number: 9786715
    Abstract: An optical sensor including a first material layer comprising at least a first material; a second material layer comprising at least a second material that is different from the first material, where a material bandgap of the first material is larger than a material bandgap of the second material; and a graded material layer arranged between the first material layer and the second material layer, the graded material layer comprising an alloy of at least the first material and the second material having compositions of the second material that vary along a direction that is from the first material to the second material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2017
    Assignee: Artilux Corporation
    Inventors: Yun-Chung Na, Szu-Lin Cheng, Shu-Lu Chen, Han-Din Liu, Hui-Wen Chen
  • Patent number: 9748307
    Abstract: A light absorption apparatus includes a substrate, a light absorption layer above the substrate on a first selected area, a silicon layer above the light absorption layer, a spacer surrounding at least part of the sidewall of the light absorption layer, an isolation layer surrounding at least part of the spacer, wherein the light absorption apparatus can achieve high bandwidth and low dark current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2017
    Assignee: Artilux Inc.
    Inventors: Szu-Lin Cheng, Han-Din Liu, Shu-Lu Chen
  • Publication number: 20170200752
    Abstract: Examples of the various techniques introduced here include, but not limited to, a mesa height adjustment approach during shallow trench isolation formation, a transistor via first approach, and a multiple absorption layer approach. As described further below, the techniques introduced herein include a variety of aspects that can individually and/or collectively resolve or mitigate one or more traditional limitations involved with manufacturing PDs and transistors on the same substrate, such as above discussed reliability, performance, and process temperature issues.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2017
    Publication date: July 13, 2017
    Inventors: Szu-Lin Cheng, Shu-Lu Chen
  • Patent number: 9704916
    Abstract: Structures and techniques introduced here enable the design and fabrication of photodetectors (PDs) and/or other electronic circuits using typical semiconductor device manufacturing technologies meanwhile reducing the adverse impacts on PDs' performance. Examples of the various structures and techniques introduced here include, but not limited to, a pre-PD homogeneous wafer bonding technique, a pre-PD heterogeneous wafer bonding technique, a post-PD wafer bonding technique, their combinations, and a number of mirror equipped PD structures. With the introduced structures and techniques, it is possible to implement PDs using typical direct growth material epitaxy technology while reducing the adverse impact of the defect layer at the material interface caused by lattice mismatch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2017
    Assignee: Artilux Inc.
    Inventors: Szu-Lin Cheng, Han-Din Liu, Shu-Lu Chen, Yun-Chung Na, Hui-Wen Chen
  • Publication number: 20170170270
    Abstract: A semiconductor structure includes a plurality of semiconductor fins located on a semiconductor substrate, in which each of the semiconductor fins comprises a sequential stack of a buffered layer including a III-V semiconductor material and a channel layer including a III-V semiconductor material. The semiconductor structure further includes a gap filler material surrounding the semiconductor fins and including a plurality of trenches therein. The released portions of the channel layers of the semiconductor fins located in the trenches constitute nanowire channels of the semiconductor structure, and opposing end portions of the channel layers of the semiconductor fins located outside of the trenches constitute a source region and a drain region of the semiconductor structure, respectively. In addition, the semiconductor structure further includes a plurality of gates structures located within the trenches that surround the nanowire channels in a gate all around configuration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2016
    Publication date: June 15, 2017
    Inventors: Jack O. Chu, Szu Lin Cheng, Isaac Lauer, Kuen-Ting Shiu, Jeng-Bang Yau
  • Patent number: 9640421
    Abstract: Examples of the various techniques introduced here include, but not limited to, a mesa height adjustment approach during shallow trench isolation formation, a transistor via first approach, and a multiple absorption layer approach. As described further below, the techniques introduced herein include a variety of aspects that can individually and/or collectively resolve or mitigate one or more traditional limitations involved with manufacturing PDs and transistors on the same substrate, such as above discussed reliability, performance, and process temperature issues.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: ARTILUX, INC.
    Inventors: Szu-Lin Cheng, Shu-Lu Chen
  • Publication number: 20170077036
    Abstract: In one aspect, a method of forming a wiring layer on a wafer is provided which includes: depositing a HSQ layer onto the wafer; cross-linking a first portion(s) of the HSQ layer using e-beam lithography; depositing a hardmask material onto the HSQ layer; patterning the hardmask using optical lithography, wherein the patterned hardmask covers a second portion(s) of the HSQ layer; patterning the HSQ layer using the patterned hardmask in a manner such that i) the first portion(s) of the HSQ layer remain and ii) the second portion(s) of the HSQ layer covered by the patterned hardmask remain, wherein by way of the patterning step trenches are formed in the HSQ layer; and filling the trenches with a conductive material to form the wiring layer on the wafer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 28, 2016
    Publication date: March 16, 2017
    Inventors: Josephine B. Chang, Szu-Lin Cheng, Isaac Lauer, Jeffrey W. Sleight
  • Publication number: 20170077319
    Abstract: Examples of the various techniques introduced here include, but not limited to, a mesa height adjustment approach during shallow trench isolation formation, a transistor via first approach, and a multiple absorption layer approach. As described further below, the techniques introduced herein include a variety of aspects that can individually and/or collectively resolve or mitigate one or more traditional limitations involved with manufacturing PDs and transistors on the same substrate, such as above discussed reliability, performance, and process temperature issues.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2016
    Publication date: March 16, 2017
    Inventors: Szu-Lin Cheng, Shu-Lu Chen
  • Publication number: 20170069668
    Abstract: Examples of the various techniques introduced here include, but not limited to, a mesa height adjustment approach during shallow trench isolation formation, a transistor via first approach, and a multiple absorption layer approach. As described further below, the techniques introduced herein include a variety of aspects that can individually and/or collectively resolve or mitigate one or more traditional limitations involved with manufacturing PDs and transistors on the same substrate, such as above discussed reliability, performance, and process temperature issues.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2016
    Publication date: March 9, 2017
    Inventors: Szu-Lin Cheng, Shu-Lu Chen
  • Patent number: 9589791
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a wafer having a bulk layer and a III-V buffer layer on an upper surface of the bulk layer. The semiconductor device further includes at least one semiconductor fin on the III-V buffer layer. The semiconductor fin includes a III-V channel portion. Either the wafer or the semiconductor fin includes an oxidized III-V portion interposed between the III-V channel portion and the III-V buffer layer to prevent current leakage to the bulk layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Szu-Lin Cheng, Isaac Lauer, Kuen-Ting Shiu, Jeng-Bang Yau
  • Publication number: 20170062508
    Abstract: An optical sensor including a semiconductor substrate; a first light absorption region formed in the semiconductor substrate, the first light absorption region configured to absorb photons at a first wavelength range and to generate photo-carriers from the absorbed photons; a second light absorption region formed on the first light absorption region, the second light absorption region configured to absorb photons at a second wavelength range and to generate photo-carriers from the absorbed photons; and a sensor control signal coupled to the second light absorption region, the sensor control signal configured to provide at least a first control level and a second control level.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 26, 2016
    Publication date: March 2, 2017
    Inventors: Yun-Chung Na, Szu-Lin Cheng, Shu-Lu Chen, Han-Din Liu, Hui-Wen Chen
  • Publication number: 20170040362
    Abstract: An image sensor array including a carrier substrate; a first group of photodiodes coupled to the carrier substrate, where the first group of photodiodes include a first photodiode, and where the first photodiode includes a semiconductor layer configured to absorb photons at visible wavelengths and to generate photo-carriers from the absorbed photons; and a second group of photodiodes coupled to the carrier substrate, where the second group of photodiodes include a second photodiode, and where the second photodiode includes a germanium-silicon region fabricated on the semiconductor layer, the germanium-silicon region configured to absorb photons at infrared or near-infrared wavelengths and to generate photo-carriers from the absorbed photons.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 4, 2016
    Publication date: February 9, 2017
    Inventors: Yun-Chung Na, Szu-Lin Cheng, Shu-Lu Chen, Han-Din Liu, Hui-Wen Chen, Che-Fu Liang
  • Patent number: 9558930
    Abstract: In one aspect, a method of forming a wiring layer on a wafer is provided which includes: depositing a HSQ layer onto the wafer; cross-linking a first portion(s) of the HSQ layer using e-beam lithography; depositing a hardmask material onto the HSQ layer; patterning the hardmask using optical lithography, wherein the patterned hardmask covers a second portion(s) of the HSQ layer; patterning the HSQ layer using the patterned hardmask in a manner such that i) the first portion(s) of the HSQ layer remain and ii) the second portion(s) of the HSQ layer covered by the patterned hardmask remain, wherein by way of the patterning step trenches are formed in the HSQ layer; and filling the trenches with a conductive material to form the wiring layer on the wafer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Josephine B. Chang, Szu-Lin Cheng, Isaac Lauer, Jeffrey W. Sleight
  • Publication number: 20170025454
    Abstract: Structures and techniques introduced here enable the design and fabrication of photodetectors (PDs) and/or other electronic circuits using typical semiconductor device manufacturing technologies meanwhile reducing the adverse impacts on PDs performance. Examples of the various structures and techniques introduced here include, but not limited to, a pre-PD homogeneous wafer bonding technique, a pre-PD heterogeneous wafer bonding technique, a post-PD wafer bonding technique, their combinations, and a number of mirror equipped PD structures. With the introduced structures and techniques, it is possible to implement PDs using typical direct growth material epitaxy technology while reducing the adverse impact of the defect layer at the material interface caused by lattice mismatch.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2016
    Publication date: January 26, 2017
    Inventors: Szu-Lin Cheng, Han-Din Liu, Shu-Lu Chen, Yun-Chung Na, Hui-Wen Chen
  • Publication number: 20170025466
    Abstract: An optical sensor including a first material layer comprising at least a first material; a second material layer comprising at least a second material that is different from the first material, where a material bandgap of the first material is larger than a material bandgap of the second material; and a graded material layer arranged between the first material layer and the second material layer, the graded material layer comprising an alloy of at least the first material and the second material having compositions of the second material that vary along a direction that is from the first material to the second material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 22, 2016
    Publication date: January 26, 2017
    Inventors: Yun-Chung Na, Szu-Lin Cheng, Shu-Lu Chen, Han-Din Liu, Hui-Wen Chen
  • Patent number: 9548355
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a wafer having a bulk layer and a III-V buffer layer on an upper surface of the bulk layer. The semiconductor device further includes at least one semiconductor fin on the III-V buffer layer. The semiconductor fin includes a III-V channel portion. Either the wafer or the semiconductor fin includes an oxidized III-V portion interposed between the III-V channel portion and the III-V buffer layer to prevent current leakage to the bulk layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Szu-Lin Cheng, Isaac Lauer, Kuen-Ting Shiu, Jeng-Bang Yau
  • Patent number: 9548238
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a semiconductor device, comprises forming an organic planarization layer on a plurality of gates on a substrate, wherein the plurality of gates each include a spacer layer thereon, forming an oxide layer on the organic planarization layer, removing a portion of the oxide layer to expose the organic planarization layer, stripping the organic planarization layer to form a cavity, patterning a direct lithographically-patternable gap dielectric on at least one of the gates in the cavity, and depositing a conductive contact in a remaining portion of the cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: GLOBALFOUNDRIES INC.
    Inventors: Szu-Lin Cheng, Jack O. Chu, Isaac Lauer, Jeng-Bang Yau
  • Publication number: 20170005180
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a first source/drain region a second source/drain region, and a gate region interposed between the first and second source/drain regions. At least one nanowire has a first end anchored to the first source/drain region and an opposing second end anchored to the second source/drain region such that the nanowire is suspended above the wafer in the gate region. At least one gate electrode is in the gate region. The gate electrode contacts an entire surface of the nanowire to define a gate-all-around configuration. At least one pair of oxidized spacers surrounds the at least one gate electrode to electrically isolate the at least one gate electrode from the first and second source/drain regions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2015
    Publication date: January 5, 2017
    Inventors: Szu-Lin Cheng, Michael A. Guillorn, Gen P. Lauer, Isaac Lauer