Patents by Inventor Wen-I Hsu
Wen-I Hsu 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).
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Publication number: 20170098679Abstract: An image sensor structure that includes a first semiconductor substrate having a plurality of imaging sensors; a first interconnect structure formed on the first semiconductor substrate; a second semiconductor substrate having a logic circuit; a second interconnect structure formed on the second semiconductor substrate, wherein the first and the second semiconductor substrates are bonded together in a configuration that the first and second interconnect structures are sandwiched between the first and second semiconductor substrates; and a backside deep contact (BDCT) feature extended from the first interconnect structure to the second interconnect structure, thereby electrically coupling the logic circuit to the image sensors.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 19, 2016Publication date: April 6, 2017Inventors: Min-Feng Kao, Dun-Nian Yaung, Jen-Cheng Liu, Chun-Chieh Chuang, Feng-Chi Hung, Shuang-Ji Tsai, Jeng-Shyan Lin, Shu-Ting Tsai, Wen-I Hsu
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Publication number: 20170077163Abstract: An image sensor for high angular response discrimination is provided. A plurality of pixels comprises a phase detection autofocus (PDAF) pixel and an image capture pixel. Pixel sensors of the pixels are arranged in a semiconductor substrate. A grid structure is arranged over the semiconductor substrate, laterally surrounding color filters of the pixels. Microlenses of the pixels are arranged over the grid structure, and comprise a PDAF microlens of the PDAF pixel and an image capture microlens of the image capture pixel. The PDAF microlens comprises a larger optical power than the image capture microlens, or comprises a location or shape so a PDAF receiving surface of the PDAF pixel has an asymmetric profile. A method for manufacturing the image sensor is also provided.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 16, 2015Publication date: March 16, 2017Inventors: Keng-Yu Chou, Chien-Hsien Tseng, Wei-Chieh Chiang, Wen-I Hsu, Yuichiro Yamashita
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Publication number: 20170005076Abstract: An integrated circuit structure includes a first and a second semiconductor chip. The first semiconductor chip includes a first substrate and a first plurality of dielectric layers underlying the first substrate. The second semiconductor chip includes a second substrate and a second plurality of dielectric layers over the second substrate, wherein the first and the second plurality of dielectric layers are bonded to each other. A metal pad is in the second plurality of dielectric layers. A redistribution line is over the first substrate. A conductive plug is electrically coupled to the redistribution line. The conductive plug includes a first portion extending from a top surface of the first substrate to a bottom surface of the first substrate, and a second portion extending from the bottom surface of the first substrate to the metal pad. A bottom surface of the second portion contacts a top surface of the metal pad.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 19, 2016Publication date: January 5, 2017Inventors: Cheng-Ying Ho, Jeng-Shyan Lin, Wen-I Hsu, Feng-Chi Hung, Dun-Nian Yaung, Ying-Ling Tsai
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Patent number: 9525003Abstract: The present disclosure provides a device having a doped active region disposed in a substrate. The doped active region having an elongate shape and extends in a first direction. The device also includes a plurality of first metal gates disposed over the active region such that the first metal gates each extend in a second direction different from the first direction. The plurality of first metal gates includes an outer-most first metal gate having a greater dimension measured in the second direction than the rest of the first metal gates. The device further includes a plurality of second metal gates disposed over the substrate but not over the doped active region. The second metal gates contain different materials than the first metal gates. The second metal gates each extend in the second direction and form a plurality of respective N/P boundaries with the first metal gates.Type: GrantFiled: June 15, 2015Date of Patent: December 20, 2016Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.Inventors: Min-Feng Kao, Dun-Nian Yaung, Jen-Cheng Liu, Chun-Chieh Chuang, Feng-Chi Hung, Shuang-Ji Tsai, Jeng-Shyan Lin, Shu-Ting Tsai, Wen-I Hsu
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Publication number: 20160276384Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method the present disclosure relates to an integrated chip having an active pixel sensor with a gate dielectric protection layer that reduces damage to an underlying gate dielectric layer during fabrication, and an associated method of formation. In some embodiments, the integrated chip has a photodetector disposed within a substrate, and a gate structure located over the substrate. A gate dielectric protection layer is disposed over the substrate and extends from along a sidewall of the gate structure to a location overlying the photodetector. The gate dielectric protection layer has an upper surface that is vertically below an upper surface of the gate structure.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 1, 2016Publication date: September 22, 2016Inventors: Cheng-Hsien Chou, Wen-I Hsu, Tsun-Kai Tsao, Chih-Yu Lai, Jiech-Fun Lu, Yeur-Luen Tu
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Patent number: 9449914Abstract: An integrated circuit structure includes a first and a second semiconductor chip. The first semiconductor chip includes a first substrate and a first plurality of dielectric layers underlying the first substrate. The second semiconductor chip includes a second substrate and a second plurality of dielectric layers over the second substrate, wherein the first and the second plurality of dielectric layers are bonded to each other. A metal pad is in the second plurality of dielectric layers. A redistribution line is over the first substrate. A conductive plug is electrically coupled to the redistribution line. The conductive plug includes a first portion extending from a top surface of the first substrate to a bottom surface of the first substrate, and a second portion extending from the bottom surface of the first substrate to the metal pad. A bottom surface of the second portion contacts a top surface of the metal pad.Type: GrantFiled: July 17, 2014Date of Patent: September 20, 2016Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.Inventors: Cheng-Ying Ho, Jeng-Shyan Lin, Wen-I Hsu, Feng-Chi Hung, Dun-Nian Yaung, Ying-Ling Tsai
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Patent number: 9437578Abstract: A package includes a semiconductor chip. The semiconductor chip includes a substrate, a plurality of dielectric layers underlying the substrate, a dielectric region penetrating through the plurality of dielectric layers, and a metal pad overlapped by the dielectric region. A conductive plug penetrates through the substrate, the dielectric region, and the metal pad.Type: GrantFiled: June 26, 2014Date of Patent: September 6, 2016Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.Inventors: Wen-I Hsu, Cheng-Ying Ho, Jeng-Shyan Lin, Feng-Chi Hung, Dun-Nian Yaung
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Publication number: 20160233257Abstract: A device includes a semiconductor substrate and implant isolation region extending from a top surface of the semiconductor substrate into the semiconductor substrate surrounding an active region. A gate dielectric is disposed over an active region of the semiconductor substrate and extends over the implant isolation region. A gate electrode is disposed over the gate dielectric and two end cap hardmasks are between the gate dielectric and the gate electrode over the implant isolation region. The two end cap hardmasks include same dopants as those implanted into the active region.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 21, 2016Publication date: August 11, 2016Inventors: Min-Feng Kao, Dun-Nian Yaung, Jen-Cheng Liu, Tzu-Hsuan Hsu, Wen-De Wang, Wen-I Hsu
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Patent number: 9412781Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method the present disclosure relates to an active pixel sensor having a gate dielectric protection layer that reduces damage to an underlying gate dielectric layer during fabrication, and an associated method of formation. In some embodiments, the active pixel sensor has a photodetector disposed within a semiconductor substrate. A transfer transistor having a first gate structure is located on a first gate dielectric layer disposed above the semiconductor substrate. A reset transistor having a second gate structure is located on the first gate dielectric layer. A gate dielectric protection layer is disposed onto the gate oxide at a position extending between the first gate structure and the second gate structure and over the photodetector. The gate dielectric protection layer protects the first gate dielectric layer from etching procedures during fabrication of the active pixel sensor.Type: GrantFiled: September 28, 2015Date of Patent: August 9, 2016Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.Inventors: Cheng-Hsien Chou, Wen-I Hsu, Tsun-Kai Tsao, Chih-Yu Lai, Jiech-Fun Lu, Yeur-Luen Tu
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Patent number: 9355888Abstract: A device includes a semiconductor substrate and implant isolation region extending from a top surface of the semiconductor substrate into the semiconductor substrate surrounding an active region. A gate dielectric is disposed over an active region of the semiconductor substrate and extends over the implant isolation region. A gate electrode is disposed over the gate dielectric and two end cap hardmasks are between the gate dielectric and the gate electrode over the implant isolation region. The two end cap hardmasks include same dopants as those implanted into the active region.Type: GrantFiled: October 1, 2012Date of Patent: May 31, 2016Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.Inventors: Min-Feng Kao, Dun-Nian Yaung, Jen-Cheng Liu, Tzu-Hsuan Hsu, Wen-De Wang, Wen-I Hsu
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Patent number: 9287312Abstract: The present disclosure provides an embodiment of a method for fabricating a three dimensional (3D) image sensor structure. The method includes providing to an image sensor substrate having image sensors formed therein and a first interconnect structure formed thereon, and a logic substrate having a logic circuit formed therein and a second interconnect structure formed thereon; bonding the logic substrate to the image sensor substrate in a configuration that the first interconnect structure and second interconnect structure are sandwiched between the logic substrate and the image sensor substrate; and forming a conductive feature extending from the logic substrate to the first interconnect structure, thereby electrically coupling the logic circuit to the image sensors.Type: GrantFiled: December 30, 2013Date of Patent: March 15, 2016Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.Inventors: Min-Feng Kao, Dun-Nian Yaung, Jen-Cheng Liu, Chun-Chieh Chuang, Feng-Chi Hung, Shu-Ting Tsai, Jeng-Shyan Lin, Shuang-Ji Tsai, Wen-I Hsu
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Publication number: 20160056202Abstract: A system and method for isolating semiconductor devices is provided. An embodiment comprises an isolation region that is laterally removed from source/drain regions of semiconductor devices and has a dielectric material extending over the isolation implant between the source/drain regions. The isolation region may be formed by forming an opening through a layer over the substrate, depositing a dielectric material along the sidewalls of the opening, implanting ions into the substrate after the deposition, and filling the opening with another dielectric material.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 2, 2015Publication date: February 25, 2016Inventors: Wen-I Hsu, Min-Feng Kao, Jen-Cheng Liu, Dun-Nian Yaung, Tzu-Hsuan Hsu, Wen-De Wang
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Publication number: 20160020243Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method the present disclosure relates to an active pixel sensor having a gate dielectric protection layer that reduces damage to an underlying gate dielectric layer during fabrication, and an associated method of formation. In some embodiments, the active pixel sensor has a photodetector disposed within a semiconductor substrate. A transfer transistor having a first gate structure is located on a first gate dielectric layer disposed above the semiconductor substrate. A reset transistor having a second gate structure is located on the first gate dielectric layer. A gate dielectric protection layer is disposed onto the gate oxide at a position extending between the first gate structure and the second gate structure and over the photodetector. The gate dielectric protection layer protects the first gate dielectric layer from etching procedures during fabrication of the active pixel sensor.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 28, 2015Publication date: January 21, 2016Inventors: Cheng-Hsien Chou, Wen-I Hsu, Tsun-Kai Tsao, Chih-Yu Lai, Jiech-Fun Lu, Yeur-Luen Tu
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Publication number: 20160020170Abstract: An integrated circuit structure includes a first and a second semiconductor chip. The first semiconductor chip includes a first substrate and a first plurality of dielectric layers underlying the first substrate. The second semiconductor chip includes a second substrate and a second plurality of dielectric layers over the second substrate, wherein the first and the second plurality of dielectric layers are bonded to each other. A metal pad is in the second plurality of dielectric layers. A redistribution line is over the first substrate. A conductive plug is electrically coupled to the redistribution line. The conductive plug includes a first portion extending from a top surface of the first substrate to a bottom surface of the first substrate, and a second portion extending from the bottom surface of the first substrate to the metal pad. A bottom surface of the second portion contacts a top surface of the metal pad.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 17, 2014Publication date: January 21, 2016Inventors: Cheng-Ying Ho, Jeng-Shyan Lin, Wen-I Hsu, Feng-Chi Hung, Dun-Nian Yaung, Ying-Ling Tsai
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Publication number: 20150380385Abstract: A package includes a semiconductor chip. The semiconductor chip includes a substrate, a plurality of dielectric layers underlying the substrate, a dielectric region penetrating through the plurality of dielectric layers, and a metal pad overlapped by the dielectric region. A conductive plug penetrates through the substrate, the dielectric region, and the metal pad.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 26, 2014Publication date: December 31, 2015Inventors: Wen-I Hsu, Cheng-Ying Ho, Jeng-Shyan Lin, Feng-Chi Hung, Dun-Nian Yaung
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Patent number: 9177986Abstract: A system and method for isolating semiconductor devices is provided. An embodiment comprises an isolation region that is laterally removed from source/drain regions of semiconductor devices and has a dielectric material extending over the isolation implant between the source/drain regions. The isolation region may be formed by forming an opening through a layer over the substrate, depositing a dielectric material along the sidewalls of the opening, implanting ions into the substrate after the deposition, and filling the opening with another dielectric material.Type: GrantFiled: August 29, 2012Date of Patent: November 3, 2015Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.Inventors: Wen-I Hsu, Min-Feng Kao, Jen-Cheng Liu, Dun-Nian Yaung, Tzu-Hsuan Hsu, Wen-De Wang
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Publication number: 20150279893Abstract: An image sensor structure that includes a first semiconductor substrate having a plurality of imaging sensors; a first interconnect structure formed on the first semiconductor substrate; a second semiconductor substrate having a logic circuit; a second interconnect structure formed on the second semiconductor substrate, wherein the first and the second semiconductor substrates are bonded together in a configuration that the first and second interconnect structures are sandwiched between the first and second semiconductor substrates; and a backside deep contact (BDCT) feature extended from the first interconnect structure to the second interconnect structure, thereby electrically coupling the logic circuit to the image sensors.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 15, 2015Publication date: October 1, 2015Inventors: Min-Feng KAO, Dun-Nian YAUNG, Jen-Cheng LIU, Chun-Chieh CHUANG, Feng-Chi HUNG, Shuang-Ji TSAI, Jeng-Shyan LIN, Shu-Ting TSAI, Wen-I HSU
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Patent number: 9147710Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method the present disclosure relates to an active pixel sensor having a gate dielectric protection layer that reduces damage to an underlying gate dielectric layer during fabrication, and an associated method of formation. In some embodiments, the active pixel sensor has a photodetector disposed within a semiconductor substrate. A transfer transistor having a first gate structure is located on a first gate dielectric layer disposed above the semiconductor substrate. A reset transistor having a second gate structure is located on the first gate dielectric layer. A gate dielectric protection layer is disposed onto the gate oxide at a position extending between the first gate structure and the second gate structure and over the photodetector. The gate dielectric protection layer protects the first gate dielectric layer from etching procedures during fabrication of the active pixel sensor.Type: GrantFiled: July 23, 2013Date of Patent: September 29, 2015Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.Inventors: Cheng-Hsien Chou, Wen-I Hsu, Tsun-Kai Tsao, Chih-Yu Lai, Jiech-Fun Lu, Yeur-Luen Tu
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Patent number: 9059061Abstract: The present disclosure provides an embodiment of an image sensor structure that includes a first semiconductor substrate having a plurality of imaging sensors; a first interconnect structure formed on the first semiconductor substrate; a second semiconductor substrate having a logic circuit; a second interconnect structure formed on the second semiconductor substrate, wherein the first and the second semiconductor substrates are bonded together in a configuration that the first and second interconnect structures are sandwiched between the first and second semiconductor substrates; and a backside deep contact (BDCT) feature extended from the first interconnect structure to the second interconnect structure, thereby electrically coupling the logic circuit to the image sensors.Type: GrantFiled: December 30, 2013Date of Patent: June 16, 2015Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.Inventors: Min-Feng Kao, Dun-Nian Yaung, Jen-Cheng Liu, Chun-Chieh Chuang, Feng-Chi Hung, Shuang-Ji Tsai, Jeng-Shyan Lin, Shu-Ting Tsai, Wen-I Hsu
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Publication number: 20150145096Abstract: Embodiments of mechanisms for forming an image-sensor device are provided. The image-sensor device includes a substrate having a front surface and a back surface. The image-sensor device also includes a radiation-sensing region formed in the substrate. The radiation-sensing region is operable to detect incident radiation that enters the substrate through the back surface. The radiation-sensing region further includes an epitaxial isolation feature formed in the substrate and adjacent to the radiation-sensing region. The radiation-sensing region and the epitaxial isolation feature have different doping polarities.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 25, 2013Publication date: May 28, 2015Applicant: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., LtdInventors: Wen-I HSU, Feng-Chi HUNG, Chun-Chieh CHUANG, Dun-Nian YAUNG, Jen-Cheng LIU