Patents by Inventor Tien-Lu Lin

Tien-Lu Lin 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).

  • Publication number: 20180090439
    Abstract: The present disclosure, in some embodiments, relates to an integrated chip having a back-end-of-the-line interconnect stack. The integrated chip has a dielectric structure arranged over a substrate. A first interconnect structure is arranged within the dielectric structure and has sidewalls and a horizontally extending surface that define a recess within a lower surface of the first interconnect structure facing the substrate. A lower interconnect structure is arranged within the dielectric structure and extends from within the recess to a location between the first interconnect structure and the substrate. The first interconnect structure and the lower interconnect structure comprise one or more different conductive materials.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2017
    Publication date: March 29, 2018
    Inventors: Hsiang-Wei Liu, Tai-I Yang, Cheng-Chi Chuang, Tien-Lu Lin
  • Patent number: 9875967
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an interconnect structure. In some embodiments, the interconnect structure has a first conductive body arranged within a first dielectric layer over a substrate. A first air-gap separates sidewalls of the first conductive body from the first dielectric layer. A barrier layer is arranged on sidewalls of the first conductive body at a location between the first conductive body and the first air-gap. The first air-gap is defined by a sidewall of the barrier layer and an opposing sidewall of the first dielectric layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2018
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tai-I Yang, Cheng-Chi Chuang, Yung-Chih Wang, Tien-Lu Lin
  • Patent number: 9865539
    Abstract: Structures and formation methods of a semiconductor device structure are provided. The method includes forming a dielectric layer over a semiconductor substrate. The method also includes forming an opening in the dielectric layer. A dielectric constant of a first portion of the dielectric layer is less than that of a second portion of the dielectric layer surrounding the opening. The method further includes forming a conductive feature in the opening. The second portion is between the first portion and the conductive feature. In addition, the method includes modifying an upper portion of the first portion to increase the dielectric constant of the upper portion of the first portion. The method also includes removing the upper portion of the first portion and the second portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2018
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jian-Hua Chen, Tai-I Yang, Cheng-Chi Chuang, Chia-Tien Wu, Tien-Lu Lin, Tien-I Bao
  • Patent number: 9837354
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method of forming a BEOL metallization layer that uses different conductive materials (e.g., metals) to fill different size openings in an inter-level dielectric layer, and an associated apparatus. In some embodiments, the present disclosure relates to an integrated chip having a first plurality of metal interconnect structures disposed within a first BEOL metallization layer, which include a first conductive material. The integrated chip also has a second plurality of metal interconnect structures disposed within the first BEOL metallization layer at positions laterally separated from the first plurality of metal interconnect structures. The second plurality of metal interconnect structures have a second conductive material that is different than the first conductive material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2017
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hsiang-Wei Liu, Tai-I Yang, Cheng-Chi Chuang, Tien-Lu Lin
  • Patent number: 9837307
    Abstract: A metal first, via first process for forming interconnects within a metallization layer of a semiconductor device is provided. In an embodiment a conductive material is deposited and the conductive material is patterned into a conductive line and a via. A dielectric material is deposited over the conductive line and the via, and the dielectric material and the via are planarized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2017
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hsiang-Lun Kao, Tien-Lu Lin, Yung-Chih Wang, Yu-Chieh Liao
  • Patent number: 9805970
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing an image sensor with deep trench spacing isolation is provided. A trench is formed in a semiconductor substrate, around and between a plurality of pixel regions of the semiconductor substrate. A cap is formed using epitaxy to seal a gap between sidewalls of the trench. Pixel sensors corresponding to the plurality of pixel regions are formed over or within the corresponding pixel regions. An image sensor resulting from the method is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2017
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tai-I Yang, Jung-I Lin, Ta-Chun Lin, Tien-Lu Lin, Chen-Jong Wang
  • Publication number: 20170301618
    Abstract: Examples of an integrated circuit a having an advanced two-dimensional (2D) metal connection with metal cut and methods of fabricating the same are provided. An example method for fabricating a conductive interconnection layer of an integrated circuit may include: patterning a conductive connector portion on the conductive interconnection layer of the integrated circuit using extreme ultraviolet (EUV) lithography, wherein the conductive connector portion is patterned to extend across multiple semiconductor structures in a different layer of the integrated circuit; and cutting the conductive connector portion into a plurality of conductive connector sections, wherein the conductive connector portion is cut by removing conductive material from the metal connector portion at one or more locations between the semiconductor structures.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 10, 2017
    Publication date: October 19, 2017
    Inventors: Chih-Liang Chen, Cheng-Chi Chuang, Chih-Ming Lai, Chia-Tien Wu, Charles Chew-Yuen Young, Hui-Ting Yang, Jiann-Tyng Tzeng, Kam-Tou Sio, Ru-Gun Liu, Shun Li Chen, Shih-Wei Peng, Tien-Lu Lin
  • Publication number: 20170301775
    Abstract: A semiconductor arrangement and method of formation are provided. The semiconductor arrangement comprises a conductive contact in contact with a substantially planar first top surface of a first active area, the contact between and in contact with a first alignment spacer and a second alignment spacer both having substantially vertical outer surfaces. The contact formed between the first alignment spacer and the second alignment spacer has a more desired contact shape then a contact formed between alignment spacers that do not have substantially vertical outer surfaces. The substantially planar surface of the first active area is indicative of a substantially undamaged structure of the first active area as compared to an active area that is not substantially planar. The substantially undamaged first active area has a greater contact area for the contact and a lower contact resistance as compared to a damaged first active area.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 3, 2017
    Publication date: October 19, 2017
    Inventors: Tai-I Yang, Tien-Lu LIN, Wai-Yi Lien, Chih-Hao Wang, Jiun-Peng Wu
  • Publication number: 20170263548
    Abstract: Structures and formation methods of a semiconductor device structure are provided. The method includes forming a dielectric layer over a semiconductor substrate. The method also includes forming an opening in the dielectric layer. A dielectric constant of a first portion of the dielectric layer is less than that of a second portion of the dielectric layer surrounding the opening. The method further includes forming a conductive feature in the opening. The second portion is between the first portion and the conductive feature. In addition, the method includes modifying an upper portion of the first portion to increase the dielectric constant of the upper portion of the first portion. The method also includes removing the upper portion of the first portion and the second portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 9, 2016
    Publication date: September 14, 2017
    Applicant: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Jian-Hua CHEN, Tai-I YANG, Cheng-Chi CHUANG, Chia-Tien WU, Tien-Lu LIN, Tien-I BAO
  • Patent number: 9735232
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method for manufacturing a semiconductor structure. The method includes several operations as follows. A semiconductor substrate is received. A trench along a depth in the semiconductor substrate is formed. The semiconductor substrate is exposed in a hydrogen containing atmosphere. Dopants are inserted into a portion of the semiconductor substrate. A dielectric is filled in the trench. The dopants are driven into a predetermined distance in the semiconductor substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2017
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY LTD.
    Inventors: Tai-I Yang, Jheng-Sheng You, Chi-Fu Lin, Tien-Lu Lin
  • Publication number: 20170229396
    Abstract: A semiconductor device structure and method for forming the same are provided. The semiconductor device structure includes a substrate and an interconnect structure formed over the substrate. The interconnect structure includes a first dielectric layer formed over the substrate, and a first graphene layer formed in and on the first dielectric layer. The first graphene layer includes a first portion in the first dielectric layer and a second portion on the first dielectric layer and a first insulating layer formed over the first portion of the first graphene layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 5, 2016
    Publication date: August 10, 2017
    Applicant: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tai-I YANG, Tien-I BAO, Tien-Lu LIN, Wei-Chen CHU
  • Publication number: 20170213790
    Abstract: A semiconductor device structure is provided. The semiconductor device structure includes a semiconductor substrate. The semiconductor device structure includes a first conductive plug and a second conductive plug over the semiconductor substrate and adjacent to each other. The semiconductor device structure includes a first conductive via structure and a second conductive via structure over the semiconductor substrate and adjacent to each other. A first distance between the first conductive plug and the second conductive plug is less than a second distance between the first conductive via structure and the second conductive via structure. A first height of the first conductive plug is greater than a second height of the first conductive via structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2016
    Publication date: July 27, 2017
    Inventors: Yung-Chih WANG, Carlos H. DIAZ, Tien-Lu LIN
  • Patent number: 9716035
    Abstract: An embodiment semiconductor device includes a substrate and a dielectric layer over the substrate. The dielectric layer includes a first conductive line and a second conductive line. The second conductive line comprises a different conductive material than the first conductive line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2017
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Tai-I Yang, Yung-Chih Wang, Cheng-Chi Chuang, Chia-Tien Wu, Tien-Lu Lin
  • Publication number: 20170194259
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an interconnect structure. In some embodiments, the interconnect structure has a first conductive body arranged within a first dielectric layer over a substrate. A first air-gap separates sidewalls of the first conductive body from the first dielectric layer. A barrier layer is arranged on sidewalls of the first conductive body at a location between the first conductive body and the first air-gap. The first air-gap is defined by a sidewall of the barrier layer and an opposing sidewall of the first dielectric layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2017
    Publication date: July 6, 2017
    Inventors: Tai-I Yang, Cheng-Chi Chuang, Yung-Chih Wang, Tien-Lu Lin
  • Patent number: 9698242
    Abstract: A semiconductor arrangement and method of formation are provided. The semiconductor arrangement comprises a conductive contact in contact with a substantially planar first top surface of a first active area, the contact between and in contact with a first alignment spacer and a second alignment spacer both having substantially vertical outer surfaces. The contact formed between the first alignment spacer and the second alignment spacer has a more desired contact shape then a contact formed between alignment spacers that do not have substantially vertical outer surfaces. The substantially planar surface of the first active area is indicative of a substantially undamaged structure of the first active area as compared to an active area that is not substantially planar. The substantially undamaged first active area has a greater contact area for the contact and a lower contact resistance as compared to a damaged first active area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY LIMITED
    Inventors: Tai-I Yang, Tien-Lu Lin, Wai-Yi Lien, Chih-Hao Wang, Jiun-Peng Wu
  • Publication number: 20170162504
    Abstract: A method comprises forming a first conductive line and a second conductive line in a first dielectric layer over a substrate, each having a planar top surface, applying an etch-back process to the first dielectric layer until a dielectric portion between the first conductive line and the second conductive line has been removed, and the first conductive line and the second conductive line have respective cross sectional shapes including a rounded surface and two rounded corners and depositing a second dielectric layer over the substrate, while leaving a first air gap between the first conductive line and the second conductive line.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2017
    Publication date: June 8, 2017
    Inventors: Hsiang-Lun Kao, Hsiang-Wei Liu, Tai-I Yang, Jian-Hua Chen, Yu-Chieh Liao, Yung-Chih Wang, Tien-Lu Lin
  • Publication number: 20170148671
    Abstract: A metal first, via first process for forming interconnects within a metallization layer of a semiconductor device is provided. In an embodiment a conductive material is deposited and the conductive material is patterned into a conductive line and a via. A dielectric material is deposited over the conductive line and the via, and the dielectric material and the via are planarized.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2017
    Publication date: May 25, 2017
    Inventors: Hsiang-Lun Kao, Tien-Lu Lin, Yung-Chih Wang, Yu-Chieh Liao
  • Patent number: 9633897
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method of forming an interconnect structure. In some embodiments, the method is performed by forming a trench within a first dielectric layer and forming sacrificial spacers along sidewalls of the trench. The trench is filled with a conductive material, and the sacrificial spacers are removed after the trench has been filled with the conductive material. A second dielectric layer is formed over the first dielectric layer to leave an air-gap in a region from which the sacrificial spacers were removed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2017
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tai-I Yang, Cheng-Chi Chuang, Yung-Chih Wang, Tien-Lu Lin
  • Patent number: 9607881
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a structure conductive lines disposed in a base layer and separated by a first region. Pillars are each disposed over a respective one of the conductive lines. A dielectric fill layer is disposed over the pillars and extending between the pillars into the first region, and a void is disposed in the dielectric fill layer in the first region between the conductive lines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hsiang-Wei Liu, Yu-Chieh Liao, Tien-Lu Lin
  • Publication number: 20170084646
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing an image sensor with deep trench spacing isolation is provided. A trench is formed in a semiconductor substrate, around and between a plurality of pixel regions of the semiconductor substrate. A cap is formed using epitaxy to seal a gap between sidewalls of the trench. Pixel sensors corresponding to the plurality of pixel regions are formed over or within the corresponding pixel regions. An image sensor resulting from the method is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2016
    Publication date: March 23, 2017
    Inventors: Tai-I Yang, Jung-I Lin, Ta-Chun Lin, Tien-Lu Lin, Chen-Jong Wang