Patents by Inventor Wen Jer Tsai

Wen Jer Tsai 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: 9385240
    Abstract: A memory device includes a substrate, a first doped region, composite structures, word lines, and a charge storage layer. The first doped region is disposed on a surface of the substrate. The composite structures are disposed on the first doped region. Each composite structure includes two semiconductor fin structures and a dielectric layer. Each semiconductor fin structure includes a second doped region disposed at an upper portion of the semiconductor fin structure and a body region disposed between the second doped region and the first doped region. The dielectric layer is disposed between the semiconductor fin structures. The word lines are disposed on the substrate. Each word line covers a partial sidewall and a partial top of each composite structure. The charge storage layer is disposed between the composite structures and the word lines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2016
    Assignee: MACRONIX International Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chih-Chieh Cheng, Shih-Guei Yan, Wen-Jer Tsai, Nan-Heng Lu
  • Patent number: 9373629
    Abstract: A memory device is provided. The memory device includes a plurality of stack structures, a plurality of first stepped contacts, and a plurality of second stepped contacts. Each of the stack structures extends in a first direction, and includes a first semiconductor layer and a second semiconductor layer. The second semiconductor layer is disposed above the first semiconductor layer. Each of the first stepped contacts extends in a second direction, and a bottom surface thereof is electrically connected to the first semiconductor layers of an i+1th stack structure and an i+2th stack structure, wherein i is an odd number. Each of the second stepped contacts extends in the second direction, and a bottom surface thereof is electrically connected to the second semiconductor layers of an nth stack structure and the i+1th stack structure. The first direction is different from the second direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2016
    Assignee: MACRONIX International Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shih-Guei Yan, Chih-Chieh Cheng, Wen-Jer Tsai
  • Patent number: 9349878
    Abstract: A memory structure includes a memory cell, and the memory cell includes following elements. A first gate is disposed on a substrate. A stacked structure includes a first dielectric structure, a channel layer, a second dielectric structure and a second gate disposed on the first gate, a first charge storage structure disposed in the first dielectric structure and a second charge storage structure disposed in the second dielectric structure. The first charge storage structure is a singular charge storage unit and the second charge storage structure comprises two charge storage units which are physically separated. A channel output line physically connected to the channel layer. A first dielectric layer is disposed on the first gate at two sides of the stacked structure. A first source or drain and a second source or drain are disposed on the first dielectric layer and located at two sides of the channel layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2016
    Assignee: MACRONIX International Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Cheng-Hsien Cheng, Wen-Jer Tsai, Shih-Guei Yan, Chih-Chieh Cheng, Jyun-Siang Huang
  • Patent number: 9324431
    Abstract: A nonvolatile memory cell has a semiconductor substrate, a multilayer stack including a charge trapping layer over a floating gate, a top conductive layer, and circuitry controlling program and erase operations on the nonvolatile memory cell. The program and erase operations change a first charge density on the floating gate by a larger magnitude than a second charge density on the charge trapping dielectric layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2016
    Assignee: Macronix International Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Cheng-Hsien Cheng, Wen-Jer Tsai
  • Patent number: 9269583
    Abstract: Provided is a method for fabricating a memory device, including the following steps. A plurality of semiconductor fin structures is formed on a substrate. Each semiconductor fin structure includes a first doped region and a body region on which the first doped region is disposed, and a trench is disposed between adjacent two semiconductor fin structures. A second doped region is formed in the substrate under the body regions of the semiconductor fin structures and the trenches. A plurality of first contacts are formed on the substrate. A plurality of second contacts are formed on the substrate. Each second contact is electrically connected with the corresponding first doped region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2016
    Assignee: MACRONIX International Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shih-Guei Yan, Chih-Chieh Cheng, Wen-Jer Tsai
  • Publication number: 20160035425
    Abstract: A programming method for a memory device is provided. The memory device includes a first transistor, a memory cell string, and a second transistor which are electrically connected in series. The memory cell string includes a target memory cell, first and second peripheral memory cells adjacent to the target memory cell, and a plurality of non-target memory cells which are not adjacent to the target memory cell. The programming method includes following steps. The first transistor is turned on, and the second transistor is turned off. A pass voltage is applied to turn on the non-target memory cells, and an assistant voltage is applied to turn on the first and second peripheral memory cells. A programming voltage is applied to program the target memory cell. The assistant voltage is greater than the pass voltage and is less than the programming voltage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2014
    Publication date: February 4, 2016
    Inventors: Ping-Hung Tsai, Wen-Jer Tsai
  • Patent number: 9209198
    Abstract: Provided is a memory cell including a substrate, two doped regions of a first conductivity type, one doped region of a second conductivity type, two stacked structures, and a first isolation structure. The doped regions of the first conductivity type are respectively disposed in the substrate. The doped region of the second conductivity type is disposed in the substrate between the two doped regions of the first conductivity type. The stacked structures are disposed on the substrate and respectively cover the corresponding doped regions of the first conductivity type and a portion of the doped region of the second conductivity type. Each of the stacked structures includes one charge storage layer. The first isolation structure completely covers and is in contact with the bottom surface of each of the doped regions of the first conductivity type and the bottom surface of the doped region of the second conductivity type.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2015
    Assignee: MACRONIX International Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chih-Chieh Cheng, Shih-Guei Yan, Wen-Jer Tsai
  • Patent number: 9209316
    Abstract: A read only memory including a substrate, a source region and a drain region, a charge storage structure, a gate, and a local extreme doping region is provided. The source region and the drain region are disposed in the substrate, the charge storage structure is located on the substrate between the source region and the drain region, and the gate is configured on the charge storage structure. The local extreme doping region is located in the substrate between the source region and the drain region and includes a low doping concentration region and at least one high doping concentration region. The high doping concentration region is disposed between the low doping concentration region and one of the source region and the drain region, and a doping concentration of the high doping concentration region is three times or more than three times a doping concentration of the low doping concentration region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2015
    Assignee: MACRONIX International Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chih-Chieh Cheng, Cheng-Hsien Cheng, Wen-Jer Tsai
  • Publication number: 20150325584
    Abstract: Provided is a memory cell including a substrate, two doped regions of a first conductivity type, one doped region of a second conductivity type, two stacked structures, and a first isolation structure. The doped regions of the first conductivity type are respectively disposed in the substrate. The doped region of the second conductivity type is disposed in the substrate between the two doped regions of the first conductivity type. The stacked structures are disposed on the substrate and respectively cover the corresponding doped regions of the first conductivity type and a portion of the doped region of the second conductivity type. Each of the stacked structures includes one charge storage layer. The first isolation structure completely covers and is in contact with the bottom surface of each of the doped regions of the first conductivity type and the bottom surface of the doped region of the second conductivity type.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 12, 2014
    Publication date: November 12, 2015
    Applicant: MACRONIX International Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chih-Chieh Cheng, Shih-Guei Yan, Wen-Jer Tsai
  • Patent number: 9070588
    Abstract: A non-volatile memory structure, including a substrate, a plurality of stacked structures, a plurality of first conductive type doped regions, at least one second conductive type doped region, a conductive layer, and a first dielectric layer, is provided. The stacked structures are disposed on the substrate, and each of the stacked structures includes a charge storage structure. The first conductive type doped regions are disposed in the substrate under the corresponding charge storage structures respectively. The second conductive type doped region is disposed in the substrate between the adjacent charge storage structures and has an overlap region with each of the charge storage structures. The conductive layer covers the second conductive type doped region. The first dielectric layer is disposed between the conductive layer and the second conductive type doped region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2015
    Assignee: MACRONIX International Co. Ltd.
    Inventors: Chih-Chieh Cheng, Shih-Guei Yan, Wen-Jer Tsai
  • Patent number: 9048263
    Abstract: A non-volatile memory and a manufacturing method thereof are provided. In this method, a first oxide layer having a protrusion is formed on a substrate. A pair of doped regions is formed in the substrate at two sides of the protrusion. A pair of charge storage spacers is formed on the sidewalls of the protrusion. A second oxide layer is formed on the first oxide layer and the pair of charge storage spacers. A conductive layer is formed on the second oxide layer, wherein the conductive layer is located completely on the top of the pair of charge storage spacers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2015
    Assignee: MACRONIX International Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chih-Chieh Cheng, Shih-Guei Yan, Cheng-Hsien Cheng, Wen-Jer Tsai
  • Patent number: 9018085
    Abstract: A method for fabricating a memory device of this invention includes at least the following steps. A tunnel dielectric layer is formed over a substrate. A gate is fowled over the tunnel dielectric layer. At least one charge storage layer is formed between the gate and the tunnel dielectric layer. Two doped regions are formed in the substrate beside the gate. A word line is formed on and electrically connected to the gate, wherein the word line having a thickness greater than a thickness of the gate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: MACRONIX International Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shih-Guei Yan, Wen-Jer Tsai, Cheng-Hsien Cheng
  • Patent number: 8981459
    Abstract: A semiconductor structure uses its control gate to be the wordline for receiving an operation voltage for the semiconductor structure. The semiconductor structure has a first and a second doped region and a buried channel between the first and the second doped region, wherein the buried channel has a first length along the first direction. The semiconductor structure further has a charge trapping layer stack on the buried channel and a conductive layer on the charge trapping layer stack, wherein the conductive layer extends along the first direction. The conductive layer is configured as both the control gate and the wordline of the semiconductor structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: MACRONIX International Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shih-Guei Yan, Wen-Jer Tsai, Chih-Chieh Cheng
  • Patent number: 8976581
    Abstract: A non-volatile memory system includes a bit line and a plurality of memory cells associated with the bit line and coupled in a serial manner. The system further has a control circuitry in communication with the memory cells, wherein the control circuitry programs a target cell selected from the memory cells by applying a bit line voltage on the bit line in order to promote hot carrier injection into the target cell. The circuit also applies a programming voltage on the target cell under a hot carrier injection mechanism. Moreover, the circuit also applies a control voltage on a control cell, which is adjacent to the target cell when programming the target cell, wherein the control voltage is dependent on the threshold voltage of the control cell and the control voltage is less than the programming voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignee: MACRONIX International Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Wen Jer Tsai, Ping Hung Tsai
  • Patent number: 8952440
    Abstract: Provided is a memory device including a first dielectric layer, a T-shaped gate, two charge storage layers and two second dielectric layers. The first dielectric layer is disposed on a substrate. The T-shaped gate is disposed on the first dielectric layer and has an upper gate and a lower gate, wherein two gaps are present respectively at both sides of the lower gate and between the upper gate and the substrate. The charge storage layers are respectively embedded into the gaps. A second dielectric layer is disposed between each charge storage layer and the upper gate, between each charge storage layer and the lower gate and between each charge storage layer and the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: MACRONIX International Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shih-Guei Yan, Wen-Jer Tsai, Ping-Hung Tsai
  • Patent number: 8947939
    Abstract: A memory device includes a plurality of memory cells arranged in series in the semiconductor body, such as a NAND string, having a plurality of word lines. A selected memory cell is programmed by hot carrier injection. The program operation is based on metering a flow of carriers between a first semiconductor body region on a first side of the selected cell in the NAND string and a second semiconductor body region on a second side of the selected cell. A program potential higher than a hot carrier injection barrier level is applied to the selected cell, and then the drain to source voltage across the selected cell and the flow of carriers in the selected cell reach a level sufficient to support hot carrier injection, which is controlled by a switch cell adjacent the selected cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignee: Macronix International Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ping-Hung Tsai, Jyun-Siang Huang, Wen-Jer Tsai
  • Publication number: 20140346586
    Abstract: A non-volatile memory structure, including a substrate, a plurality of stacked structures, a plurality of first conductive type doped regions, at least one second conductive type doped region, a conductive layer, and a first dielectric layer, is provided. The stacked structures are disposed on the substrate, and each of the stacked structures includes a charge storage structure. The first conductive type doped regions are disposed in the substrate under the corresponding charge storage structures respectively. The second conductive type doped region is disposed in the substrate between the adjacent charge storage structures and has an overlap region with each of the charge storage structures. The conductive layer covers the second conductive type doped region. The first dielectric layer is disposed between the conductive layer and the second conductive type doped region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 13, 2014
    Publication date: November 27, 2014
    Inventors: Chih-Chieh Cheng, Shih-Guei Yan, Wen-Jer Tsai
  • Publication number: 20140306282
    Abstract: A memory structure includes a memory cell, and the memory cell includes following elements. A first gate is disposed on a substrate. A stacked structure includes a first dielectric structure, a channel layer, a second dielectric structure and a second gate disposed on the first gate, a first charge storage structure disposed in the first dielectric structure and a second charge storage structure disposed in the second dielectric structure. The first charge storage structure is a singular charge storage unit and the second charge storage structure comprises two charge storage units which are physically separated. A channel output line physically connected to the channel layer. A first dielectric layer is disposed on the first gate at two sides of the stacked structure. A first source or drain and a second source or drain are disposed on the first dielectric layer and located at two sides of the channel layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2014
    Publication date: October 16, 2014
    Inventors: Cheng-Hsien Cheng, Wen-Jer Tsai, Shih-Guei Yan, Chih-Chieh Cheng, Jyun-Siang Huang
  • Publication number: 20140308791
    Abstract: A non-volatile memory and a manufacturing method thereof are provided. In this method, a first oxide layer having a protrusion is formed on a substrate. A pair of doped regions is formed in the substrate at two sides of the protrusion. A pair of charge storage spacers is formed on the sidewalls of the protrusion. A second oxide layer is formed on the first oxide layer and the pair of charge storage spacers. A conductive layer is formed on the second oxide layer, wherein the conductive layer is located completely on the top of the pair of charge storage spacers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2014
    Publication date: October 16, 2014
    Inventors: Chih-Chieh Cheng, Shih-Guei Yan, Cheng-Hsien Cheng, Wen-Jer Tsai
  • Patent number: 8861281
    Abstract: A method of programming a memory is provided. The memory has a first cell, having a first S/D region and a second S/D region shared with a second cell. The second cell has a third S/D region opposite to the second S/D region. When programming the first cell, a first voltage is applied to a control gate of the first cell, a second voltage is applied to a control gate of the second cell to slightly turn on a channel of the second cell, a third and a fourth voltage are respectively applied to the first and the third S/D regions, and the second S/D region is floating. A carrier flows from the third S/D region to the first S/D region, and is injected into a charge storage layer of the first cell by source-side injection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: MACRONIX International Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ping-Hung Tsai, Jyun-Siang Huang, Wen-Jer Tsai