Patents by Inventor Tz-Jun Kuo

Tz-Jun Kuo 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: 11715689
    Abstract: A device includes a first conductive feature disposed over a substrate; a second conductive feature disposed directly on and in physical contact with the first conductive feature; a dielectric layer surrounding sidewalls of the second conductive feature; and a first barrier layer interposed between the second conductive feature and the dielectric layer and in physical contact with both the second conductive feature and the dielectric layer. The first barrier layer and the dielectric layer comprise at least two common elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2023
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Shin-Yi Yang, Ming-Han Lee, Shau-Lin Shue, Tz-Jun Kuo
  • Patent number: 11551967
    Abstract: Vias and methods of making the same. The vias including a middle portion located in a via opening in an interconnect-level dielectric layer, a top portion including a top head that extends above the via opening and extends laterally beyond upper edges of the via opening and a bottom portion including a bottom head that extends below the via opening and extends laterally beyond lower edges of the via opening. The via may be formed from a refractory material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2023
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited
    Inventors: Meng-Pei Lu, Ming-Han Lee, Shin-Yi Yang, Tz-Jun Kuo
  • Publication number: 20220352012
    Abstract: Vias and methods of making the same. The vias including a middle portion located in a via opening in an interconnect-level dielectric layer, a top portion including a top head that extends above the via opening and extends laterally beyond upper edges of the via opening and a bottom portion including a bottom head that extends below the via opening and extends laterally beyond lower edges of the via opening. The via may be formed from a refractory material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2022
    Publication date: November 3, 2022
    Inventors: Meng-Pei LU, Tz-Jun Kuo, Shin-Yi Yang, Ming-Han Lee
  • Publication number: 20220262675
    Abstract: Embodiments and methods of an interconnect structure are provided. The interconnect structure includes a via, a trench that has an overlapping area with a top of the via, and a first layer of conducting material that has an overlapping area with a bottom of the via. The interconnect also includes a second layer of conducting material formed in the via, and a third layer of conducting material formed in the trench. The second layer of conducting material is in contact with the first layer of conducting material without a barrier in between the two conducting materials. The absence of the barrier at the bottom of the via can reduce the contact resistance of the interconnect structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 2, 2022
    Publication date: August 18, 2022
    Applicant: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tz-Jun Kuo, Chien-Hsin HO, Ming-Han LEE
  • Patent number: 11322391
    Abstract: Embodiments and methods of an interconnect structure are provided. The interconnect structure includes a via, a trench that has an overlapping area with a top of the via, and a first layer of conducting material that has an overlapping area with a bottom of the via. The interconnect also includes a second layer of conducting material formed in the via, and a third layer of conducting material formed in the trench. The second layer of conducting material is in contact with the first layer of conducting material without a barrier in between the two conducting materials. The absence of the barrier at the bottom of the via can reduce the contact resistance of the interconnect structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2022
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tz-Jun Kuo, Chien-Hsin Ho, Ming-Han Lee
  • Publication number: 20210366765
    Abstract: Vias and methods of making the same. The vias including a middle portion located in a via opening in an interconnect-level dielectric layer, a top portion including a top head that extends above the via opening and extends laterally beyond upper edges of the via opening and a bottom portion including a bottom head that extends below the via opening and extends laterally beyond lower edges of the via opening. The via may be formed from a refractory material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 19, 2020
    Publication date: November 25, 2021
    Inventors: Meng-Pei Lu, Ming-Han Lee, Shin-Yi Yang, Tz-Jun Kuo
  • Publication number: 20200343177
    Abstract: A device includes a first conductive feature disposed over a substrate; a second conductive feature disposed directly on and in physical contact with the first conductive feature; a dielectric layer surrounding sidewalls of the second conductive feature; and a first barrier layer interposed between the second conductive feature and the dielectric layer and in physical contact with both the second conductive feature and the dielectric layer. The first barrier layer and the dielectric layer comprise at least two common elements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 13, 2020
    Publication date: October 29, 2020
    Inventors: Shin-Yi Yang, Ming-Han Lee, Shau-Lin Shue, Tz-Jun Kuo
  • Patent number: 10714424
    Abstract: A device includes a first conductive feature disposed over a substrate; a second conductive feature disposed directly on and in physical contact with the first conductive feature; a dielectric layer surrounding sidewalls of the second conductive feature; and a first barrier layer interposed between the second conductive feature and the dielectric layer and in physical contact with both the second conductive feature and the dielectric layer. The first barrier layer and the dielectric layer comprise at least two common elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2020
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Shin-Yi Yang, Ming-Han Lee, Shau-Lin Shue, Tz-Jun Kuo
  • Publication number: 20200035546
    Abstract: Embodiments and methods of an interconnect structure are provided. The interconnect structure includes a via, a trench that has an overlapping area with a top of the via, and a first layer of conducting material that has an overlapping area with a bottom of the via. The interconnect also includes a second layer of conducting material formed in the via, and a third layer of conducting material formed in the trench. The second layer of conducting material is in contact with the first layer of conducting material without a barrier in between the two conducting materials. The absence of the barrier at the bottom of the via can reduce the contact resistance of the interconnect structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 4, 2019
    Publication date: January 30, 2020
    Applicant: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tz-Jun KUO, Chien-Hsin HO, Ming-Han LEE
  • Patent number: 10453740
    Abstract: Embodiments and methods of an interconnect structure are provided. The interconnect structure includes a via, a trench that has an overlapping area with a top of the via, and a first layer of conducting material that has an overlapping area with a bottom of the via. The interconnect also includes a second layer of conducting material formed in the via, and a third layer of conducting material formed in the trench. The second layer of conducting material is in contact with the first layer of conducting material without a barrier in between the two conducting materials. The absence of the barrier at the bottom of the via can reduce the contact resistance of the interconnect structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2019
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tz-Jun Kuo, Chien-Hsin Ho, Ming-Han Lee
  • Publication number: 20190115297
    Abstract: A device includes a first conductive feature disposed over a substrate; a second conductive feature disposed directly on and in physical contact with the first conductive feature; a dielectric layer surrounding sidewalls of the second conductive feature; and a first barrier layer interposed between the second conductive feature and the dielectric layer and in physical contact with both the second conductive feature and the dielectric layer. The first barrier layer and the dielectric layer comprise at least two common elements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2018
    Publication date: April 18, 2019
    Inventors: Shin-Yi Yang, Ming-Han Lee, Shau-Lin Shue, Tz-Jun Kuo
  • Publication number: 20190006230
    Abstract: Embodiments and methods of an interconnect structure are provided. The interconnect structure includes a via, a trench that has an overlapping area with a top of the via, and a first layer of conducting material that has an overlapping area with a bottom of the via. The interconnect also includes a second layer of conducting material formed in the via, and a third layer of conducting material formed in the trench. The second layer of conducting material is in contact with the first layer of conducting material without a barrier in between the two conducting materials. The absence of the barrier at the bottom of the via can reduce the contact resistance of the interconnect structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 17, 2017
    Publication date: January 3, 2019
    Applicant: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tz-Jun KUO, Chien-Hsin HO, Ming-Han LEE
  • Patent number: 10163786
    Abstract: A device includes a first conductive feature disposed over a substrate; a second conductive feature disposed directly on and in physical contact with the first conductive feature; a dielectric layer surrounding sidewalls of the second conductive feature; and a first barrier layer interposed between the second conductive feature and the dielectric layer and in physical contact with both the second conductive feature and the dielectric layer. The first barrier layer and the dielectric layer comprise at least two common elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2018
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Shin-Yi Yang, Ming-Han Lee, Shau-Lin Shue, Tz-Jun Kuo
  • Patent number: 9972529
    Abstract: A method of fabricating a semiconductor device is disclosed. The method includes forming a first conductive feature over a substrate, forming a dielectric layer over the first conductive feature, forming a via trench in the dielectric layer, forming a first barrier layer in the via trench. Therefore the first barrier has a first portion disposed over the dielectric layer and a second portion disposed over the first conductive feature, applying a thermal treatment to convert the first portion of the barrier layer to a second barrier layer and exposing the first conductive feature in the via trench while a portion of the second barrier layer is disposed over the dielectric layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2018
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Shin-Yi Yang, Ming-Han Lee, Shau-Lin Shue, Tz-Jun Kuo
  • Patent number: 9842767
    Abstract: A method of fabricating a semiconductor integrated circuit (IC) is disclosed. The method includes providing a substrate. A patterned dielectric layer with a plurality of openings is formed on the substrate. A barrier layer is deposited in the openings by a first tool and a sacrificing protection layer is deposited on the barrier layer by the first tool. The sacrificing layer is removed and a metal layer is deposited on the barrier layer by a second tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2017
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Ming-Han Lee, Tz-Jun Kuo, Chien-Hsin Ho, Hsiang-Huan Lee
  • Publication number: 20170236750
    Abstract: Presented herein is a method for plating comprising providing a substrate having a dielectric layer formed over a trace, and forming a via/trench opening extending through the dielectric layer, the via/trench opening exposing a surface of the trace. The method further comprises forming a seed layer in the via/trench opening and contacting the trace and forming a protection layer over the seed layer. The protection layer is removed and a conductive layer deposited on the seed layer in a single plating process step by applying a plating solution in the via/trench opening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 2, 2017
    Publication date: August 17, 2017
    Inventors: Shin-Yi Yang, Ching-Fu Yeh, Tz-Jun Kuo, Hsiang-Huan Lee, Ming-Han Lee
  • Publication number: 20170186685
    Abstract: A device includes a first conductive feature disposed over a substrate; a second conductive feature disposed directly on and in physical contact with the first conductive feature; a dielectric layer surrounding sidewalls of the second conductive feature; and a first barrier layer interposed between the second conductive feature and the dielectric layer and in physical contact with both the second conductive feature and the dielectric layer. The first barrier layer and the dielectric layer comprise at least two common elements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2017
    Publication date: June 29, 2017
    Inventors: Shin-Yi Yang, Ming-Han Lee, Shau-Lin Shue, Tz-Jun Kuo
  • Patent number: 9640431
    Abstract: Presented herein is a method for plating comprising providing a substrate having a dielectric layer formed over a trace, and forming a via/trench opening extending through the dielectric layer, the via/trench opening exposing a surface of the trace. The method further comprises forming a seed layer in the via/trench opening and contacting the trace and forming a protection layer over the seed layer. The protection layer is removed and a conductive layer deposited on the seed layer in a single plating process step by applying a plating solution in the via/trench opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Shin-Yi Yang, Ching-Fu Yeh, Tz-Jun Kuo, Hsiang-Huan Lee, Ming-Han Lee
  • Patent number: 9613856
    Abstract: A method of fabricating a semiconductor device is disclosed. The method includes forming a first conductive feature over a substrate, forming a dielectric layer over the first conductive feature, forming a trench in the dielectric layer, forming a first barrier layer in the trench, applying a thermal treatment to convert a first portion of the barrier layer to a second barrier layer, exposing the first conductive feature in the trench while a portion of the second barrier layer is disposed over the dielectric layer and forming a second conductive feature in the trench.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2017
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Shin-Yi Yang, Ming-Han Lee, Shau-Lin Shue, Tz-Jun Kuo
  • Publication number: 20170092536
    Abstract: A method of fabricating a semiconductor device is disclosed. The method includes forming a first conductive feature over a substrate, forming a dielectric layer over the first conductive feature, forming a via trench in the dielectric layer, forming a first barrier layer in the via trench. Therefore the first barrier has a first portion disposed over the dielectric layer and a second portion disposed over the first conductive feature, applying a thermal treatment to convert the first portion of the barrier layer to a second barrier layer and exposing the first conductive feature in the via trench while a portion of the second barrier layer is disposed over the dielectric layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2015
    Publication date: March 30, 2017
    Inventors: Shin-Yi Yang, Ming-Han Lee, Shau-Lin Shue, Tz-Jun Kuo