Patents by Inventor Wen-Ting Chu

Wen-Ting 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: 20250140608
    Abstract: An integrated circuit structure includes a plurality of transistors, an interconnect layer, and a memory stack. The interconnect layer includes an interlayer dielectric (ILD) and a conductive structure embedded in the ILD. The conductive structure includes a barrier layer and a conductive filling material surrounded by the barrier layer in a cross-sectional view. The memory stack is over the interconnect layer. The memory stack includes a bottom electrode extending across the conductive structure in the cross-sectional view, a resistance switching layer over the bottom electrode, and a top electrode over the resistance switching layer. In the cross-sectional view, an interface formed by the bottom electrode and the barrier layer has a topmost point higher than a topmost point of an interface formed by the bottom electrode and the conductive filling material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 26, 2024
    Publication date: May 1, 2025
    Applicant: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Hsia-Wei CHEN, Fu-Ting SUNG, Yu-Wen LIAO, Wen-Ting CHU, Fa-Shen JIANG, Tzu-Hsuan YEH
  • Publication number: 20250133969
    Abstract: A device structure includes a first metal interconnect structure formed in a first dielectric material layer; an etch-stop dielectric layer overlying the first dielectric material layer and having an opening having a first width along a first horizontal direction; and a resistive memory cell including a stack of a bottom electrode, a memory material layer, and a top electrode. The bottom electrode includes a plate portion and a via portion located within the opening in the etch-stop dielectric layer. The memory material layer overlies the bottom electrode and is configured to provide at least two states having different electrical resistance. The top electrode overlies the memory material layer. A hard mask plate overlies the top electrode. A periphery of a top surface of the hard mask plate has a second width along the first horizontal direction that is greater than the first width.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 3, 2024
    Publication date: April 24, 2025
    Inventors: Jhih-Bin Chen, Hsia-Wei Chen, Wen-Ting Chu
  • Publication number: 20250120097
    Abstract: A memory device includes a two-dimensional array of access transistors located on a semiconductor substrate; metal interconnect structures embedded in dielectric material layers and electrical connected to electrical nodes of the access transistors; and a two-dimensional array of resistive memory structures embedded in the dielectric material layers. The metal interconnect structures include two first source lines located at a first metal line level and laterally extending along a first horizontal direction; a second source line located at a second metal line level and laterally extending along the first horizontal direction; and a vertical connection structure including a plurality of interconnection via structures and at least one line-level metal structure and providing a vertical electrical connection between the two first source lines and the second source line.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 8, 2024
    Publication date: April 10, 2025
    Inventors: Sheng-Hung Shih, Kuo-Chi Tu, Wan-Chen Chen, Tzu-Yu Chen, Wen-Ting Chu
  • Patent number: 12256652
    Abstract: Some embodiments relate to an integrated circuit including one or more memory cells arranged over a semiconductor substrate between an upper metal interconnect layer and a lower metal interconnect layer. A memory cell includes a bottom electrode disposed over the lower metal interconnect layer, a data storage or dielectric layer disposed over the bottom electrode, and a top electrode disposed over the data storage or dielectric layer. An upper surface of the top electrode is in direct contact with the upper metal interconnect layer without a via or contact coupling the upper surface of the top electrode to the upper metal interconnect layer. Sidewall spacers are arranged along sidewalls of the top electrode, and have bottom surfaces that rest on an upper surface of the data storage or dielectric layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2024
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2025
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Chih-Yang Chang, Wen-Ting Chu
  • Patent number: 12238939
    Abstract: A memory device includes a first bottom electrode, a first memory stack, and a second memory stack. The first bottom electrode has a first portion and a second portion connected to the first portion. The first memory stack is over the first portion of the first bottom electrode. The first memory stack includes a first resistive switching element and a first top electrode over the first resistive switching element. The second memory stack is over the second portion of the first bottom electrode. The second memory stack comprises a second resistive switching element and a second top electrode over the second resistive switching element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2025
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Chieh-Fei Chiu, Yong-Shiuan Tsair, Wen-Ting Chu, Yu-Wen Liao, Chin-Yu Mei, Po-Hao Tseng
  • Publication number: 20250063956
    Abstract: A semiconductor structure includes a ferroelectric layer and a semiconductor layer. Thee ferroelectric layer has a first surface and a second surface opposite to the first surface. The semiconductor layer is formed on one of the first surface and the second surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 18, 2023
    Publication date: February 20, 2025
    Applicant: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Tzu-Yu CHEN, Sheng-Hung SHIH, Kuo-Chi TU, Wen-Ting CHU, Kuo-Ching HUANG, Harry-Haklay CHUANG
  • Patent number: 12232333
    Abstract: A method for fabricating an integrated circuit is provided. The method includes depositing a dielectric layer over a conductive feature; etching an opening in the dielectric layer to expose the conductive feature, such that the dielectric layer has a tapered sidewall surrounding the opening; depositing a bottom electrode layer into the opening in the dielectric layer; depositing a resistance switch layer over the bottom electrode layer; patterning the resistance switch layer and the bottom electrode layer respectively into a resistance switch element and a bottom electrode, in which a sidewall of the bottom electrode is landing on the tapered sidewall of the dielectric layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2023
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2025
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Chieh-Fei Chiu, Wen-Ting Chu, Yong-Shiuan Tsair, Yu-Wen Liao, Chih-Yang Chang, Chin-Chieh Yang
  • Publication number: 20250048647
    Abstract: In some embodiments, the present disclosure relates to a method of forming an integrated chip including forming a ferroelectric layer over a bottom electrode layer, forming a top electrode layer over the ferroelectric layer, performing a first removal process to remove peripheral portions of the bottom electrode layer, the ferroelectric layer, and the top electrode layer, and performing a second removal process using a second etch that is selective to the bottom electrode layer and the top electrode layer to remove portions of the bottom electrode layer and the top electrode layer, so that after the second removal process the ferroelectric layer has a surface that protrudes past a surface of the bottom electrode layer and the top electrode layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2024
    Publication date: February 6, 2025
    Inventors: Chih-Hsiang Chang, Kuo-Chi Tu, Sheng-Hung Shih, Wen-Ting Chu, Tzu-Yu Chen, Fu-Chen Chang
  • Publication number: 20250048943
    Abstract: The present disclosure, in some embodiments, relates to an integrated chip. The integrated chip includes a memory device arranged over an etch stop material on a substrate. The memory device includes a data storage structure disposed between a bottom electrode and a top electrode. A first interconnect via contacts an upper surface of the bottom electrode and a second interconnect via contacts an upper surface of the top electrode. An insulating structure is arranged over and along opposing outermost sidewalls of the top electrode. The bottom electrode laterally extends to different non-zero distances past opposing outermost sidewalls of the insulating structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 22, 2024
    Publication date: February 6, 2025
    Inventors: Chieh-Fei Chiu, Wen-Ting Chu, Yong-Shiuan Tsair, Yu-Wen Liao, Chin-Yu Mei, Po-Hao Tseng
  • Patent number: 12218005
    Abstract: An integrated circuit device includes an interconnect layer, a memory structure, a third conductive feature, and a fourth conductive feature. The interconnect layer includes a first conductive feature and a second conductive feature. The memory structure is over and in contact with the first conductive feature. The memory structure includes at least a resistance switching element over the first conductive feature. The third conductive feature, including a first conductive line, is over and in contact with the second conductive feature. The fourth conductive feature is over and in contact with the memory structure. The fourth conductive feature includes a second conductive line, a top surface of the first conductive line is substantially level with a top surface of the second conductive line, and a bottom surface of the first conductive line is lower than a bottommost portion of a bottom surface of the second conductive line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2024
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2025
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Hsia-Wei Chen, Fu-Ting Sung, Yu-Wen Liao, Wen-Ting Chu, Fa-Shen Jiang, Tzu-Hsuan Yeh
  • Patent number: 12167611
    Abstract: In some embodiments, the present disclosure relates to a method of forming an integrated chip including forming a ferroelectric layer over a bottom electrode layer, forming a top electrode layer over the ferroelectric layer, performing a first removal process to remove peripheral portions of the bottom electrode layer, the ferroelectric layer, and the top electrode layer, and performing a second removal process using a second etch that is selective to the bottom electrode layer and the top electrode layer to remove portions of the bottom electrode layer and the top electrode layer, so that after the second removal process the ferroelectric layer has a surface that protrudes past a surface of the bottom electrode layer and the top electrode layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2023
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2024
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Chih-Hsiang Chang, Kuo-Chi Tu, Sheng-Hung Shih, Wen-Ting Chu, Tzu-Yu Chen, Fu-Chen Chang
  • Patent number: 12161056
    Abstract: The present disclosure, in some embodiments, relates to an integrated chip. The integrated chip includes a memory device arranged over an etch stop material over a substrate. The memory device includes a data storage structure disposed between a bottom electrode and a top electrode. A first interconnect via contacts an upper surface of the bottom electrode and a second interconnect via contacts an upper surface of the top electrode. An interconnect wire contacts a top of the first interconnect via. A third interconnect via contacts a bottom of the interconnect wire and extends through the etch stop material to a plurality of lower interconnects below the etch stop material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2024
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Chieh-Fei Chiu, Wen-Ting Chu, Yong-Shiuan Tsair, Yu-Wen Liao, Chin-Yu Mei, Po-Hao Tseng
  • Patent number: 12156409
    Abstract: Various embodiments of the present application are directed a memory layout for reduced line loading. In some embodiments, a memory device comprises an array of bit cells, a first conductive line, a second conductive line, and a plurality of conductive bridges. The first and second conductive lines may, for example, be source lines or some other conductive lines. The array of bit cells comprises a plurality of rows and a plurality of columns, and the plurality of columns comprise a first column and a second column. The first conductive line extends along the first column and is electrically coupled to bit cells in the first column. The second conductive line extends along the second column and is electrically coupled to bit cells in the second column. The conductive bridges extend from the first conductive line to the second conductive line and electrically couple the first and second conductive lines together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2024
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Chih-Yang Chang, Wen-Ting Chu
  • Publication number: 20240379533
    Abstract: Some embodiments relate to a method of forming an integrated chip, including forming a first wire level over a substrate; depositing an etch stop layer over the first wire level; etching the etch stop layer to form an opening over the first wire level; depositing a barrier layer over the etch stop layer, the barrier layer extending into the opening; depositing a first conductive layer over the barrier layer and in the opening; performing a planarization into the first conductive layer to flatten a top of the first conductive layer, wherein the planarization stops before reaching the barrier layer; depositing a data storage layer and a second conductive layer over the first conductive layer; and patterning the barrier layer, the first conductive layer, the data storage layer, and the second conductive layer to form a memory cell at the opening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 12, 2023
    Publication date: November 14, 2024
    Inventors: Tzu-Yu Chen, Wen-Ting Chu, Kuo-Chi Tu, Sheng-Hung Shih
  • Publication number: 20240365561
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a bottom electrode, a top electrode, a sidewall spacer, and a data storage element. The sidewall spacer is disposed aside the top electrode. The data storage element is located between the bottom electrode and the top electrode, and includes a ferroelectric material. The data storage element has a peripheral region which is disposed beneath the sidewall spacer and which has at least 60% of ferroelectric phase. A method for manufacturing the semiconductor device and a method for transforming a non-ferroelectric phase of a ferroelectric material to a ferroelectric phase are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 11, 2024
    Publication date: October 31, 2024
    Applicant: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Tzu-Yu CHEN, Sheng-Hung SHIH, Fu-Chen CHANG, Kuo-Chi TU, Wen-Ting CHU
  • Publication number: 20240363155
    Abstract: A method for efficiently waking up ferroelectric memory is provided. A wafer is formed with a plurality of first signal lines, a plurality of second signal lines, a plurality of third signal lines, and a plurality of ferroelectric memory cells that constitute a ferroelectric memory array. Each of the ferroelectric memory cells is electrically connected to one of the first signal lines, one of the second signal lines and one of the third signal lines. Voltage signals are simultaneously applied to the first signal lines, the second signal lines and the third signal lines to induce occurrence of a wake-up effect in the ferroelectric memory cells.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 9, 2024
    Publication date: October 31, 2024
    Applicant: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Tzu-Yu CHEN, Sheng-Hung SHIH, Fu-Chen CHANG, Kuo-Chi TU, Wen-Ting CHU
  • Publication number: 20240324478
    Abstract: An integrated circuit device has an RRAM cell that includes a top electrode, an RRAM dielectric layer, and a bottom electrode having a surface that interfaces with the RRAM dielectric layer. Oxides of the bottom electrode are substantially absent from the bottom electrode surface. The bottom electrode has a higher density in a zone adjacent the surface as compared to a bulk region of the bottom electrode. The surface has a roughness Ra of 2 nm or less. A process for forming the surface includes chemical mechanical polishing followed by hydrofluoric acid etching followed by argon ion bombardment. An array of RRAM cells formed by this process is superior in terms of narrow distribution and high separation between low and high resistance states.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2024
    Publication date: September 26, 2024
    Inventors: Fu-Chen Chang, Kuo-Chi Tu, Wen-Ting Chu
  • Patent number: 12082421
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a bottom electrode, a top electrode, a sidewall spacer, and a data storage element. The sidewall spacer is disposed aside the top electrode. The data storage element is located between the bottom electrode and the top electrode, and includes a ferroelectric material. The data storage element has a peripheral region which is disposed beneath the sidewall spacer and which has at least 60% of ferroelectric phase. A method for manufacturing the semiconductor device and a method for transforming a non-ferroelectric phase of a ferroelectric material to a ferroelectric phase are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2023
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2024
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Tzu-Yu Chen, Sheng-Hung Shih, Fu-Chen Chang, Kuo-Chi Tu, Wen-Ting Chu
  • Patent number: 12075634
    Abstract: The present disclosure, in some embodiments, relates to an integrated chip. The integrated chip includes a first resistive random access memory (RRAM) element and a second RRAM element over a substrate. A conductive element is arranged below the first RRAM element and the second RRAM element. The conductive element electrically couples the first RRAM element to the second RRAM element. An upper insulating layer continuously extends over the first RRAM element and the second RRAM element. An upper inter-level dielectric (ILD) structure laterally surrounds the first RRAM element and the second RRAM element. The upper insulating layer separates the first RRAM element and the second RRAM element from the upper ILD structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2023
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2024
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Chin-Chieh Yang, Chih-Yang Chang, Wen-Ting Chu, Yu-Wen Liao
  • Patent number: 12069971
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a resistive random access memory (RRAM) device. The RRAM device includes a first electrode over a substrate and a second electrode over the substrate. A data storage structure is disposed between the first electrode and the second electrode. The data storage structure includes a first metal and a second metal. The first metal has a peak concentration at a first distance from the first electrode and the second metal has a peak concentration at a second distance from the first electrode. The first distance is different than the second distance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2023
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2024
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hai-Dang Trinh, Cheng-Yuan Tsai, Hsing-Lien Lin, Wen-Ting Chu