Patents by Inventor Wen Lo

Wen Lo 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: 20260161099
    Abstract: A method of generating a layout pattern includes determining a first energy density indirectly exposed to a first feature of one or more features of a layout pattern on an energy-sensitive material when the one or more features of the layout pattern on the energy-sensitive material are directly exposed by a charged particle beam. The method also includes adjusting a second energy density exposed the first feature when the first feature is directly exposed by the charged particle beam. A total energy density of the first feature that comprises a sum of the first energy density from the indirect exposure and the second energy density from the direct exposure is maintained at about a threshold energy level to fully expose the first feature in the energy-sensitive material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2026
    Publication date: June 11, 2026
    Applicant: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Wen LO, Shih-Ming CHANG
  • Patent number: 12560870
    Abstract: A method of generating a layout pattern includes determining a first energy density indirectly exposed to a first feature of one or more features of a layout pattern on an energy-sensitive material when the one or more features of the layout pattern on the energy-sensitive material are directly exposed by a charged particle beam. The method also includes adjusting a second energy density exposed the first feature when the first feature is directly exposed by the charged particle beam. A total energy density of the first feature that comprises a sum of the first energy density from the indirect exposure and the second energy density from the direct exposure is maintained at about a threshold energy level to fully expose the first feature in the energy-sensitive material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2023
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2026
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Wen Lo, Shih-Ming Chang
  • Patent number: 12393114
    Abstract: A method includes generating an electron beam from a radiation source; modifying an energy distribution of the electron beam through a first shaping aperture; and exposing a substrate to portions of the electron beam passing through the first shaping aperture. The first shaping aperture comprises blocking strips with a plurality of slots therebetween, a frame surrounding the blocking strips, and a diagonal support connected to the frame and one of the blocking strips.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2025
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Wen Lo, Shih-Ming Chang, Chun-Hung Liu
  • Patent number: 12320493
    Abstract: A flexible warning light includes a lamp housing including a base with a bottom plate, a flexible lamp shell covering base and an accommodation space defined between base and flexible lamp shell, and a light-emitting device mounted in the accommodation space and having at least one light-emitting element on the top of a flexible circuit board of a light-emitting device on the top, and a first heat sink and multiple second heat sinks on the bottom. The flexible lamp shell will elastically deform in accordance with the surface curvature of a preset vehicle body to drive first heat sink and second heat sinks to deform so that the base can be closely attached to the curved surface of the preset vehicle body through the deformation of the first heat sink and the second heat sinks, so as to achieve the effect of being more compliant with the curved vehicle body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2023
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2025
    Assignee: Juluen Enterprise Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chao-Ching Liu, Yi-Ting Huang, Wen Lo, Yu-Ting Lin, Shuo-Ying Yen
  • Publication number: 20250164087
    Abstract: A flexible warning light includes a lamp housing including a base with a bottom plate, a flexible lamp shell covering base and an accommodation space defined between base and flexible lamp shell, and a light-emitting device mounted in the accommodation space and having at least one light-emitting element on the top of a flexible circuit board of a light-emitting device on the top, and a first heat sink and multiple second heat sinks on the bottom. The flexible lamp shell will elastically deform in accordance with the surface curvature of a preset vehicle body to drive first heat sink and second heat sinks to deform so that the base can be closely attached to the curved surface of the preset vehicle body through the deformation of the first heat sink and the second heat sinks, so as to achieve the effect of being more compliant with the curved vehicle body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 17, 2023
    Publication date: May 22, 2025
    Inventors: Chao-Ching LIU, Yi-Ting HUANG, Wen LO, Yu-Ting LIN, Shuo-Ying YEN
  • Patent number: 11899367
    Abstract: An electron beam lithography system and an electron beam lithography process are disclosed herein for improving throughput. An exemplary method for increasing throughput achieved by an electron beam lithography system includes receiving an integrated circuit (IC) design layout that includes a target pattern, wherein the electron beam lithography system implements a first exposure dose to form the target pattern on a workpiece based on the IC design layout. The method further includes inserting a dummy pattern into the IC design layout to increase a pattern density of the IC design layout to greater than or equal to a threshold pattern density, thereby generating a modified IC design layout. The electron beam lithography system implements a second exposure dose that is less than the first exposure dose to form the target pattern on the workpiece based on the modified IC design layout.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2024
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD
    Inventors: Shih-Ming Chang, Wen Lo, Chun-Hung Liu, Chia-Hua Chang, Hsin-Wei Wu, Ta-Wei Ou, Chien-Chih Chen, Chien-Cheng Chen
  • Patent number: 11899373
    Abstract: A method of generating a layout pattern includes determining a first energy density indirectly exposed to a first feature of one or more features of a layout pattern on an energy-sensitive material when the one or more features of the layout pattern on the energy-sensitive material are directly exposed by a charged particle beam. The method also includes adjusting a second energy density exposed the first feature when the first feature is directly exposed by the charged particle beam. A total energy density of the first feature that comprises a sum of the first energy density from the indirect exposure and the second energy density from the direct exposure is maintained at about a threshold energy level to fully expose the first feature in the energy-sensitive material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2023
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2024
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Wen Lo, Shih-Ming Chang
  • Publication number: 20230375941
    Abstract: A method of generating a layout pattern includes determining a first energy density indirectly exposed to a first feature of one or more features of a layout pattern on an energy-sensitive material when the one or more features of the layout pattern on the energy-sensitive material are directly exposed by a charged particle beam. The method also includes adjusting a second energy density exposed the first feature when the first feature is directly exposed by the charged particle beam. A total energy density of the first feature that comprises a sum of the first energy density from the indirect exposure and the second energy density from the direct exposure is maintained at about a threshold energy level to fully expose the first feature in the energy-sensitive material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2023
    Publication date: November 23, 2023
    Inventors: Wen Lo, Shih-Ming Chang
  • Publication number: 20230273524
    Abstract: An electron beam lithography system and an electron beam lithography process are disclosed herein for improving throughput. An exemplary method for increasing throughput achieved by an electron beam lithography system includes receiving an integrated circuit (IC) design layout that includes a target pattern, wherein the electron beam lithography system implements a first exposure dose to form the target pattern on a workpiece based on the IC design layout. The method further includes inserting a dummy pattern into the IC design layout to increase a pattern density of the IC design layout to greater than or equal to a threshold pattern density, thereby generating a modified IC design layout. The electron beam lithography system implements a second exposure dose that is less than the first exposure dose to form the target pattern on the workpiece based on the modified IC design layout.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2022
    Publication date: August 31, 2023
    Inventors: Shih-Ming Chang, Wen Lo, Chun-Hung Liu, Chia-Hua Chang, Hsin-Wei Wu, Ta-Wei Ou, Chien-Chih Chen, Chien-Cheng Chen
  • Publication number: 20230168589
    Abstract: A method of generating a layout pattern includes determining a first energy density indirectly exposed to a first feature of one or more features of a layout pattern on an energy-sensitive material when the one or more features of the layout pattern on the energy-sensitive material are directly exposed by a charged particle beam. The method also includes adjusting a second energy density exposed the first feature when the first feature is directly exposed by the charged particle beam. A total energy density of the first feature that comprises a sum of the first energy density from the indirect exposure and the second energy density from the direct exposure is maintained at about a threshold energy level to fully expose the first feature in the energy-sensitive material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 13, 2023
    Publication date: June 1, 2023
    Inventors: Wen LO, Shih-Ming CHANG
  • Patent number: 11556058
    Abstract: A method of generating a layout pattern includes determining a first energy density indirectly exposed to a first feature of one or more features of a layout pattern on an energy-sensitive material when the one or more features of the layout pattern on the energy-sensitive material are directly exposed by a charged particle beam. The method also includes adjusting a second energy density exposed the first feature when the first feature is directly exposed by the charged particle beam. A total energy density of the first feature that comprises a sum of the first energy density from the indirect exposure and the second energy density from the direct exposure is maintained at about a threshold energy level to fully expose the first feature in the energy-sensitive material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2023
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Wen Lo, Shih-Ming Chang
  • Patent number: 11543753
    Abstract: In one example, an apparatus includes an extreme ultraviolet illumination source and an illuminator. The extreme ultraviolet illumination source is arranged to generate a beam of extreme ultraviolet illumination to pattern a resist layer on a substrate. The illuminator is arranged to direct the beam of extreme ultraviolet illumination onto a surface of a photomask. In one example, the illuminator includes a field facet mirror and a pupil facet mirror. The field facet mirror includes a first plurality of facets arranged to split the beam of extreme ultraviolet illumination into a plurality of light channels. The pupil facet mirror includes a second plurality of facets arranged to direct the plurality of light channels onto the surface of the photomask. The distribution of the second plurality of facets is denser at a periphery of the pupil facet mirror than at a center of the pupil facet mirror.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2023
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Ken-Hsien Hsieh, Shih-Ming Chang, Wen Lo, Wei-Shuo Su, Hua-Tai Lin
  • Patent number: 11526081
    Abstract: An electron beam lithography system and an electron beam lithography process are disclosed herein for improving throughput. An exemplary method for increasing throughput achieved by an electron beam lithography system includes receiving an integrated circuit (IC) design layout that includes a target pattern, wherein the electron beam lithography system implements a first exposure dose to form the target pattern on a workpiece based on the IC design layout. The method further includes inserting a dummy pattern into the IC design layout to increase a pattern density of the IC design layout to greater than or equal to a threshold pattern density, thereby generating a modified IC design layout. The electron beam lithography system implements a second exposure dose that is less than the first exposure dose to form the target pattern on the workpiece based on the modified IC design layout.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2022
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Shih-Ming Chang, Wen Lo, Chun-Hung Liu, Chia-Hua Chang, Hsin-Wei Wu, Ta-Wei Ou, Chien-Chih Chen, Chien-Cheng Chen
  • Publication number: 20220382145
    Abstract: A method includes generating an electron beam from a radiation source; modifying an energy distribution of the electron beam through a first shaping aperture; and exposing a substrate to portions of the electron beam passing through the first shaping aperture. The first shaping aperture comprises blocking strips with a plurality of slots therebetween, a frame surrounding the blocking strips, and a diagonal support connected to the frame and one of the blocking strips.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2022
    Publication date: December 1, 2022
    Applicant: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Wen LO, Shih-Ming CHANG, Chun-Hung LIU
  • Patent number: 11467488
    Abstract: A method of operating a semiconductor apparatus includes forming a first electron beam passing through a first shaping aperture; modifying an energy distribution of the first electron beam by a second shaping aperture, such that the first electron beam has a main region and an edge region having a greater energy than the main region; and exposing a workpiece to the main region and the edge region of the first electron beam to create a pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2022
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Wen Lo, Shih-Ming Chang, Chun-Hung Liu
  • Publication number: 20210405534
    Abstract: An electron beam lithography system and an electron beam lithography process are disclosed herein for improving throughput. An exemplary method for increasing throughput achieved by an electron beam lithography system includes receiving an integrated circuit (IC) design layout that includes a target pattern, wherein the electron beam lithography system implements a first exposure dose to form the target pattern on a workpiece based on the IC design layout. The method further includes inserting a dummy pattern into the IC design layout to increase a pattern density of the IC design layout to greater than or equal to a threshold pattern density, thereby generating a modified IC design layout. The electron beam lithography system implements a second exposure dose that is less than the first exposure dose to form the target pattern on the workpiece based on the modified IC design layout.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 2, 2021
    Publication date: December 30, 2021
    Inventors: Shih-Ming Chang, Wen Lo, Chun-Hung Liu, Chia-Hua Chang, Hsin-Wei Wu, Ta-Wei Ou, Chien-Chih Chen, Chien-Cheng Chen
  • Patent number: 11054748
    Abstract: An electron beam lithography system and an electron beam lithography process are disclosed herein for improving throughput. An exemplary method for increasing throughput achieved by an electron beam lithography system includes receiving an integrated circuit (IC) design layout that includes a target pattern, wherein the electron beam lithography system implements a first exposure dose to form the target pattern on a workpiece based on the IC design layout. The method further includes inserting a dummy pattern into the IC design layout to increase a pattern density of the IC design layout to greater than or equal to a threshold pattern density, thereby generating a modified IC design layout. The electron beam lithography system implements a second exposure dose that is less than the first exposure dose to form the target pattern on the workpiece based on the modified IC design layout.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2021
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Shih-Ming Chang, Wen Lo, Chun-Hung Liu, Chia-Hua Chang, Hsin-Wei Wu, Ta-Wei Ou, Chien-Chih Chen, Chien-Cheng Chen
  • Publication number: 20210132504
    Abstract: In one example, an apparatus includes an extreme ultraviolet illumination source and an illuminator. The extreme ultraviolet illumination source is arranged to generate a beam of extreme ultraviolet illumination to pattern a resist layer on a substrate. The illuminator is arranged to direct the beam of extreme ultraviolet illumination onto a surface of a photomask. In one example, the illuminator includes a field facet mirror and a pupil facet mirror. The field facet mirror includes a first plurality of facets arranged to split the beam of extreme ultraviolet illumination into a plurality of light channels. The pupil facet mirror includes a second plurality of facets arranged to direct the plurality of light channels onto the surface of the photomask. The distribution of the second plurality of facets is denser at a periphery of the pupil facet mirror than at a center of the pupil facet mirror.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 28, 2020
    Publication date: May 6, 2021
    Applicant: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Ken-Hsien HSIEH, Shih-Ming CHANG, Wen LO, Wei-Shuo SU, Hua-Tai LIN
  • Publication number: 20200393752
    Abstract: A method of operating a semiconductor apparatus includes forming a first electron beam passing through a first shaping aperture; modifying an energy distribution of the first electron beam by a second shaping aperture, such that the first electron beam has a main region and an edge region having a greater energy than the main region; and exposing a workpiece to the main region and the edge region of the first electron beam to create a pattern.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 14, 2019
    Publication date: December 17, 2020
    Inventors: Wen LO, Shih-Ming CHANG, Chun-Hung LIU
  • Publication number: 20200133139
    Abstract: A method of generating a layout pattern includes determining a first energy density indirectly exposed to a first feature of one or more features of a layout pattern on an energy-sensitive material when the one or more features of the layout pattern on the energy-sensitive material are directly exposed by a charged particle beam. The method also includes adjusting a second energy density exposed the first feature when the first feature is directly exposed by the charged particle beam. A total energy density of the first feature that comprises a sum of the first energy density from the indirect exposure and the second energy density from the direct exposure is maintained at about a threshold energy level to fully expose the first feature in the energy-sensitive material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2019
    Publication date: April 30, 2020
    Inventors: Wen LO, Shih-Ming CHANG