Patents by Inventor Wei-Chen CHU

Wei-Chen CHU 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: 20240085803
    Abstract: Photolithography overlay errors are a source of patterning defects, which contribute to low wafer yield. An interconnect formation process that employs a patterning photolithography/etch process with self-aligned interconnects is disclosed herein. The interconnection formation process, among other things, improves a photolithography overlay (OVL) margin since alignment is accomplished on a wider pattern. In addition, the patterning photolithography/etch process supports multi-metal gap fill and low-k dielectric formation with voids.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2023
    Publication date: March 14, 2024
    Applicant: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tai-I Yang, Wei-Chen Chu, Hsiang-Wei Liu, Shau-Lin Shue, Li-Lin Su, Yung-Hsu Wu
  • Patent number: 11860550
    Abstract: Photolithography overlay errors are a source of patterning defects, which contribute to low wafer yield. An interconnect formation process that employs a patterning photolithography/etch process with self-aligned interconnects is disclosed herein. The interconnection formation process, among other things, improves a photolithography overlay (OVL) margin since alignment is accomplished on a wider pattern. In addition, the patterning photolithography/etch process supports multi-metal gap fill and low-k dielectric formation with voids.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tai-I Yang, Wei-Chen Chu, Hsiang-Wei Liu, Shau-Lin Shue, Li-Lin Su, Yung-Hsu Wu
  • Publication number: 20230369096
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a conductive line and a conductive via contacting the conductive line. A first dielectric material contacts a first sidewall surface of the conductive via. A second dielectric material contacts a second sidewall surface of the conductive via. The first dielectric material includes a first material composition, and the second dielectric material includes a second material composition different than the first material composition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 24, 2023
    Publication date: November 16, 2023
    Inventors: Tai-I YANG, Wei-Chen CHU, Yung-Chih WANG, Chia-Tien WU, Hsin-Ping CHEN, Shau-Lin SHUE
  • Publication number: 20230309296
    Abstract: A semiconductor device and a method of operating the same are provided. The semiconductor device includes a transistor and a fuse structure electrically connected to the transistor. The fuse structure includes a first fuse element, a second fuse element, and a fuse medium. The second fuse element at least partially overlaps the first fuse element. The fuse medium connects the first fuse element and the second fuse element. The fuse medium includes an electrically conductive material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2023
    Publication date: September 28, 2023
    Inventors: HSIANG-WEI LIU, WEI-CHEN CHU, CHIA-TIEN WU
  • Patent number: 11764106
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a conductive line and a conductive via contacting the conductive line. A first dielectric material contacts a first sidewall surface of the conductive via. A second dielectric material contacts a second sidewall surface of the conductive via. The first dielectric material includes a first material composition, and the second dielectric material includes a second material composition different than the first material composition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2023
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited
    Inventors: Tai-I Yang, Wei-Chen Chu, Yung-Chih Wang, Chia-Tien Wu, Hsin-Ping Chen, Shau-Lin Shue
  • Publication number: 20230282571
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an integrated chip that includes a substrate, a first metal line, and a hybrid metal line. The first metal line includes a first metal material and is within a first interlayer dielectric (ILD) layer over the substrate. The hybrid metal line is also within the first ILD layer. The hybrid metal line includes a pair of first metal segments that comprise the first metal material. The hybrid metal line further includes a second metal segment that comprises a second metal material that is different from the first metal material. The second metal segment is laterally between the pair of first metal segments.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 8, 2023
    Publication date: September 7, 2023
    Inventors: Pokuan Ho, Chia-Tien Wu, Hsin-Ping Chen, Wei-Chen Chu
  • Publication number: 20230275018
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method of fabricating a semiconductor device. The method includes forming a first interconnect layer over a substrate, the first interconnect layer including a first conductive feature and a second conductive feature, forming a patterned mask on the first interconnect layer, one or more openings in the patterned mask overlaying the second conductive feature, recessing the second conductive feature through the one or more openings in the patterned mask, and forming a second interconnect layer over the first interconnect layer. The second interconnect layer includes a first via in contact with the first conductive feature and a second via in contact with the second conductive feature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2022
    Publication date: August 31, 2023
    Inventors: Chia-Tien Wu, Wei-Chen Chu, Yu-Chieh Liao, Hsin-Ping Chen
  • Publication number: 20230262968
    Abstract: A semiconductor device and a method of operating the same are provided. The semiconductor device includes a transistor and a fuse structure electrically connected to the transistor. The fuse structure includes a first fuse element, a second fuse element, and a fuse medium. The second fuse element at least partially overlaps the first fuse element. The fuse medium connects the first fuse element and the second fuse element. The fuse medium includes an electrically conductive material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 15, 2022
    Publication date: August 17, 2023
    Inventors: HSIANG-WEI LIU, WEI-CHEN CHU, CHIA-TIEN WU
  • Patent number: 11729969
    Abstract: A semiconductor device and a method of operating the same are provided. The semiconductor device includes a transistor and a fuse structure electrically connected to the transistor. The fuse structure includes a first fuse element, a second fuse element, and a fuse medium. The second fuse element at least partially overlaps the first fuse element. The fuse medium connects the first fuse element and the second fuse element. The fuse medium includes an electrically conductive material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2023
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY LTD.
    Inventors: Hsiang-Wei Liu, Wei-Chen Chu, Chia-Tien Wu
  • Patent number: 11682618
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an integrated chip that includes a substrate, a first metal line, and a hybrid metal line. The first metal line includes a first metal material and is within a first interlayer dielectric (ILD) layer over the substrate. The hybrid metal line is also within the first ILD layer. The hybrid metal line includes a pair of first metal segments that comprise the first metal material. The hybrid metal line further includes a second metal segment that comprises a second metal material that is different from the first metal material. The second metal segment is laterally between the pair of first metal segments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2023
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Pokuan Ho, Chia-Tien Wu, Hsin-Ping Chen, Wei-Chen Chu
  • Publication number: 20230067527
    Abstract: A semiconductor structure includes a substrate, a dielectric layer, a first conductive feature and a second conductive feature. The substrate includes a semiconductor device. The dielectric layer is disposed on the substrate. The first conductive feature is formed in the first dielectric layer. The second conductive feature penetrates the first conductive feature and the dielectric layer, and is electrically connected to the first conductive feature and the semiconductor device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2021
    Publication date: March 2, 2023
    Applicant: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Wei-Chen CHU, Chia-Tien WU, Chia-Wei SU, Yu-Chieh LIAO, Chia-Chen LEE, Hsin-Ping CHEN, Shau-Lin SHUE
  • Publication number: 20220359380
    Abstract: A semiconductor device structure is provided. The semiconductor device structure includes a semiconductor substrate and a conductive line over the semiconductor substrate. The conductive line has a barrier region surrounding an inner portion of the conductive line, and the barrier region has a greater dopant concentration than the inner portion. The semiconductor device structure also includes a conductive via on the conductive line. The semiconductor device structure further includes a dielectric layer over the semiconductor substrate. The dielectric layer surrounds the conductive line and the conductive via.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 20, 2022
    Publication date: November 10, 2022
    Applicant: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Tai-I YANG, Wei-Chen CHU, Yung-Hsu WU, Chung-Ju LEE
  • Publication number: 20220350262
    Abstract: Photolithography overlay errors are a source of patterning defects, which contribute to low wafer yield. An interconnect formation process that employs a patterning photolithography/etch process with self-aligned interconnects is disclosed herein. The interconnection formation process, among other things, improves a photolithography overlay (OVL) margin since alignment is accomplished on a wider pattern. In addition, the patterning photolithography/etch process supports multi-metal gap fill and low-k dielectric formation with voids.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2022
    Publication date: November 3, 2022
    Applicant: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tai-I YANG, Wei-Chen Chu, Hsiang-Wei Liu, Shau-Lin Shue, Li-Lin Su, Yung-Hsu Wu
  • Publication number: 20220310508
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an integrated chip that includes a substrate, a first metal line, and a hybrid metal line. The first metal line includes a first metal material and is within a first interlayer dielectric (ILD) layer over the substrate. The hybrid metal line is also within the first ILD layer. The hybrid metal line includes a pair of first metal segments that comprise the first metal material. The hybrid metal line further includes a second metal segment that comprises a second metal material that is different from the first metal material. The second metal segment is laterally between the pair of first metal segments.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2021
    Publication date: September 29, 2022
    Inventors: Pokuan Ho, Chia-Tien Wu, Hsin-Ping Chen, Wei-Chen Chu
  • Patent number: 11422475
    Abstract: Photolithography overlay errors are a source of patterning defects, which contribute to low wafer yield. An interconnect formation process that employs a patterning photolithography/etch process with self-aligned interconnects is disclosed herein. The interconnection formation process, among other things, improves a photolithography overlay (OVL) margin since alignment is accomplished on a wider pattern. In addition, the patterning photolithography/etch process supports multi-metal gap fill and low-k dielectric formation with voids.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2022
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tai-I Yang, Wei-Chen Chu, Hsiang-Wei Liu, Shau-Lin Shue, Li-Lin Su, Yung-Hsu Wu
  • Patent number: 11404367
    Abstract: A method for forming a semiconductor device structure is provided. The method includes forming a conductive layer over a semiconductor substrate and forming a sacrificial layer over the conductive layer. The method also includes partially removing the sacrificial layer to form a first dummy element. The method further includes etching the conductive layer with the first dummy element as an etching mask to form a conductive line. In addition, the method includes partially removing the first dummy element to form a second dummy element over the conductive line. The method also includes forming a dielectric layer to surround the conductive line and the second dummy element and removing the second dummy element to form a via hole exposing the conductive line. The method further includes forming a conductive via in the via hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2022
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tai-I Yang, Wei-Chen Chu, Yung-Hsu Wu, Chung-Ju Lee
  • Publication number: 20210391211
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides an interconnect structure, including a first metal line, a second metal line spaced away from the first metal line, a conductive contact over the first metal line, including a first portion, a second portion over the first portion, wherein a bottom width of the second portion is greater than a top width of the first portion, wherein a shortest distance between the second portion and the second metal line is in a range from 50 Angstrom to 200 Angstrom, and a third portion over the second portion, wherein a bottom width of the third portion is greater than a top width of the second portion, the entire first portion and the entire second portion are under a coverage of a. vertical projection area of the third portion, a first layer, and a second layer over the first layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2021
    Publication date: December 16, 2021
    Inventors: HSIANG-WEI LIU, WEI-CHEN CHU, CHIA-TIEN WU, TAI-I YANG
  • Patent number: 11183422
    Abstract: A semiconductor structure includes an integrated circuit, a first dielectric layer over the integrated circuit, an etch stop layer over the first dielectric layer, a barrier layer over the etch stop layer, a conductive layer over the barrier layer, and a void region vertically extending through the conductive layer, the barrier layer, and the etch stop layer. The void region has an upper portion, a middle portion below the upper portion, and a lower portion below the middle portion, the middle portion. The middle portion is narrower than the upper portion and the lower portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2021
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Tai-I Yang, Wei-Chen Chu, Hsin-Ping Chen, Chih-Wei Lu, Chung-Ju Lee
  • Patent number: 11107725
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides an interconnect structure, including a first metal line, a conductive contact over the first metal line, including a first portion, a second portion over the first portion, wherein a bottom width of the second portion is greater than a top width of the first portion, and a third portion over the second portion, wherein a bottom width of the third portion is greater than a top width of the second portion, a sacrificial bilayer, including a first sacrificial layer, wherein a first portion of the first sacrificial layer is under a coverage of a vertical projection area of the first portion of the conductive contact, and a second sacrificial layer over the first sacrificial layer, and a dielectric layer over a top surface of the second sacrificial layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2021
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY LTD.
    Inventors: Hsiang-Wei Liu, Wei-Chen Chu, Chia-Tien Wu, Tai-I Yang
  • Patent number: 11088020
    Abstract: Structures and formation methods of a semiconductor device structure are provided. The semiconductor device structure includes a conductive feature in a first dielectric layer. The semiconductor device structure also includes an etching stop layer over the first dielectric layer and a second dielectric layer over the etching stop layer. The semiconductor device structure further includes a conductive via in the etching stop layer and the second dielectric layer. In addition, the semiconductor device structure includes a conductive line over the conductive via. The semiconductor device structure also includes a first barrier liner covering the bottom surface of the conductive line. The semiconductor device structure further includes a second barrier liner surrounding sidewalls of the conductive line and the conductive via. The conductive line and the conductive via are confined in the first barrier liner and the second barrier liner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2021
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tai-I Yang, Wei-Chen Chu, Li-Lin Su, Shin-Yi Yang, Cheng-Chi Chuang, Hsin-Ping Chen