Patents by Inventor Ya-Chen Kao

Ya-Chen Kao 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: 9412721
    Abstract: A communications structure comprises a first semiconductor substrate having a first coil, and a second semiconductor substrate having a second coil above the first semiconductor substrate. Inner edges of the first and second coils define a boundary of a volume that extends below the first coil and above the second coil. A ferromagnetic core is positioned at least partially within the boundary, such that a mutual inductance is provided between the first and second coils for wireless transmission of signals or power between the first and second coils.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2016
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ping-Lin Yang, Jun-De Jin, Fu-Lung Hsueh, Sa-Lly Liu, Tong-Chern Ong, Chun-Jung Lin, Ya-Chen Kao
  • Publication number: 20160225776
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates an integrated circuit (IC) for an embedded flash memory device. In some embodiments, the IC includes a memory array region and a boundary region surrounding the memory array region disposed over a semiconductor substrate. A hard mask is disposed at the memory array region comprising a plurality of discrete portions. The hard mask is disposed under a control dielectric layer of the memory array region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2015
    Publication date: August 4, 2016
    Inventors: Harry-Hak-Lay Chuang, Chin-Yi Huang, Ya-Chen Kao
  • Patent number: 9390927
    Abstract: An integrated circuit structure includes a plurality of flash memory cells forming a memory array, wherein each of the plurality of flash memory cells includes a select gate and a memory gate. A select gate electrode includes a first portion including polysilicon, wherein the first portion forms select gates of a column of the memory array, and a second portion electrically connected to the first portion, wherein the second portion includes a metal. A memory gate electrode has a portion forming memory gates of the column of the memory array.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2016
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Harry-Hak-Lay Chuang, Wei-Cheng Wu, Ya-Chen Kao, Chin-Yi Huang
  • Patent number: 9379316
    Abstract: One method includes forming an anti-ferromagnetic layer on a substrate. A ferromagnetic layer may be formed on the anti-ferromagnetic layer. The ferromagnetic layer includes a first, second and third portions where the second portion is located between the first and third portions. A first ion irradiation is performed to only one portion of the ferromagnetic layer. A second ion irradiation is performed to another portion of the ferromagnetic layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2016
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Chih-Huang Lai, Sheng-Huang Huang, Kuo-Feng Huang, Ming-Te Liu, Chun-Jung Lin, Ya-Chen Kao, Wen-Cheng Chen
  • Publication number: 20160181268
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a structure and method for reducing CMP dishing in integrated circuits. In some embodiments, the structure has a semiconductor substrate with an embedded memory region and a periphery region. one or more dummy structures are formed between the memory region and the periphery region. Placement of the dummy structures between the embedded memory region and the periphery region causes the surface of a deposition layer therebetween to become more planar after being polished without resulting in a dishing effect. The reduced recess reduces metal residue formation and thus leakage and shorting of current due to metal residue. Further, less dishing will reduce the polysilicon loss of active devices. In some embodiments, one of the dummy structures is formed with an angled sidewall which eliminates the need for a boundary cut etch process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2014
    Publication date: June 23, 2016
    Inventors: Harry-Hak-Lay Chuang, Wei Cheng Wu, Ya-Chen Kao, Shih-Chang Liu, Fang-Lan Chu
  • Publication number: 20160141298
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a structure and method for reducing contact over-etching and high contact resistance (Rc) on an embedded flash memory HKMG integrated circuit. In one embodiment, an STI region underlying a memory contact pad region is recessed to make the STI surface substantially co-planar with the rest of the semiconductor substrate. The recess allows formation of thicker memory contact pad structures. The thicker polysilicon on these contact pad structures prevents contact over-etching and thus reduces the Rc of contacts formed thereon.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2014
    Publication date: May 19, 2016
    Inventors: Harry-Hak-Lay Chuang, Wei Cheng Wu, Ya-Chen Kao
  • Patent number: 9276010
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a structure and method for embedding a non-volatile memory (NVM) in a high-K metal gate (HKMG) integrated circuit that utilizes a replacement gate technology with low poly resistance and high program/erase speed. A silicide layer formed over top surfaces of the NVM device, after replacement gate process of the HKMG circuit prevents poly damage during contact formation and provides low gate resistance, thereby improving program/erase speed of the NVM device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2016
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Harry-Hak-Lay Chuang, Wei Cheng Wu, Ya-Chen Kao, Fang-Lan Chu
  • Publication number: 20160056250
    Abstract: Some embodiments of the present disclosure provide an integrated circuit (IC) for an embedded flash memory device. The IC includes a flash memory cell having a memory cell gate. A silicide contact pad is arranged in a recess of the memory cell gate. A top surface of the silicide contact pad is recessed relative to a top surface of the memory cell gate. Dielectric side-wall spacers extend along sidewalls of the recess from the top surface of the memory cell gate to the top surface of the silicide contact pad.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2014
    Publication date: February 25, 2016
    Inventors: Harry Hak-Lay Chuang, Wei Cheng Wu, Shih-Chang Liu, Ya-Chen Kao
  • Publication number: 20160005756
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a structure and method for embedding a non-volatile memory (NVM) in a HKMG (high-? metal gate) integrated circuit which includes a high voltage (HV) HKMG transistor. NVM devices (e.g., flash memory) are operated at high voltages for its read and write operations and hence a HV device is necessary for integrated circuits involving non-volatile embedded memory and HKMG logic circuits. Forming a HV HKMG circuit along with the HKMG periphery circuit reduces the need for additional boundaries between the HV transistor and rest of the periphery circuit. This method further helps reduce divot issue and reduce cell size.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 7, 2014
    Publication date: January 7, 2016
    Inventors: Harry-Hak-Lay Chuang, Wei Cheng Wu, Ya-Chen Kao, Yi Hsien Lu
  • Patent number: 9202817
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a semiconductor device and a method for manufacturing the same. The semiconductor device includes a substrate, at least one split gate memory device, and at least one logic device. The split gate memory device is disposed on the substrate. The logic device is disposed on the substrate. At least one of a select gate and a main gate of the split gate memory device and a logic gate of the logic device are made of metal. The method for manufacturing the semiconductor device includes forming at least one split gate stack and at least one logic gate stack and respectively replacing at least one of a dummy gate layer and a main gate layer in the split gate stack and the dummy gate layer in the logic gate stack with at least one metal memory gate and a metal logic gate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2015
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductorr Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Harry Hak-Lay Chuang, Wei-Cheng Wu, Ya-Chen Kao
  • Publication number: 20150333082
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a structure and method for embedding a non-volatile memory (NVM) in a high-K metal gate (HKMG) integrated circuit that utilizes a replacement gate technology with low poly resistance and high program/erase speed. A silicide layer formed over top surfaces of the NVM device, after replacement gate process of the HKMG circuit prevents poly damage during contact formation and provides low gate resistance, thereby improving program/erase speed of the NVM device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2014
    Publication date: November 19, 2015
    Inventors: Harry-Hak-Lay Chuang, Wei Cheng Wu, Ya-Chen Kao, Fang-Lan Chu
  • Publication number: 20150206891
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a semiconductor device and a method for manufacturing the same. The semiconductor device includes a substrate, at least one split gate memory device, and at least one logic device. The split gate memory device is disposed on the substrate. The logic device is disposed on the substrate. At least one of a select gate and a main gate of the split gate memory device and a logic gate of the logic device are made of metal. The method for manufacturing the semiconductor device includes forming at least one split gate stack and at least one logic gate stack and respectively replacing at least one of a dummy gate layer and a main gate layer in the split gate stack and the dummy gate layer in the logic gate stack with at least one metal memory gate and a metal logic gate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2014
    Publication date: July 23, 2015
    Applicant: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Harry Hak-Lay CHUANG, Wei-Cheng WU, Ya-Chen Kao
  • Publication number: 20150129952
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a substrate, at least one split gate memory device, and at least one logic device. The split gate memory device is disposed on the substrate. The logic device is disposed on the substrate. A select gate or a main gate of the split gate memory device and a logic gate of the logic device are both made of metal, and the other gate of the split gate memory device is made of nonmetal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 8, 2013
    Publication date: May 14, 2015
    Applicant: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Harry Hak-Lay CHUANG, Wei-Cheng WU, Ya-Chen KAO
  • Publication number: 20150048433
    Abstract: An integrated circuit structure includes a plurality of flash memory cells forming a memory array, wherein each of the plurality of flash memory cells includes a select gate and a memory gate. A select gate electrode includes a first portion including polysilicon, wherein the first portion forms select gates of a column of the memory array, and a second portion electrically connected to the first portion, wherein the second portion includes a metal. A memory gate electrode has a portion forming memory gates of the column of the memory array.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 16, 2013
    Publication date: February 19, 2015
    Applicant: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Harry-Hak-Lay Chuang, Wei-Cheng Wu, Ya-Chen Kao, Chin-Yi Huang
  • Patent number: 8884386
    Abstract: A magnetoresistive random access memory (MRAM) device and a method of manufacture are provided. The MRAM device comprises a magnetic pinned layer, a compound GMR structure acting as a free layer, and a non-magnetic barrier layer separating the pinned and GMR layers. The barrier layer is provided to reduce the magnetic coupling of the free layer and GMR structure, as well as provide a resistive state (high or low) for retaining binary data (0 or 1) in the device. The GMR structure provides physical electrode connectivity for set/clear memory functionality which is separated from the physical electrode connectivity for the read functionality for the memory device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Tien-Wei Chiang, Chwen Yu, Ya-Chen Kao
  • Patent number: 8878318
    Abstract: MTJ stack structures for an MRAM device include an MTJ stack having a pinned ferromagnetic layer over a pinning layer, a tunneling barrier layer over the pinned ferromagnetic layer, a free ferromagnetic layer over the tunneling barrier layer, a conductive oxide layer over the free ferromagnetic layer, and an oxygen-based cap layer over the conductive oxide layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Chih-Ming Chen, Ya-Chen Kao, Ming-Te Liu, Chung-Yi Yu, Cheng-Yuan Tsai, Chun-Jung Lin
  • Publication number: 20140264463
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides one embodiment of a semiconductor structure that includes a first metal layer formed on a semiconductor substrate, wherein the first metal layer includes a first metal feature in a first region and a second metal feature in a second region; a second metal layer disposed on the first metal layer, wherein the second metal layer includes a third metal feature in the first region and a fourth metal feature in a second region; a magneto-resistive memory device sandwiched between the first metal feature and the third metal feature; and a capacitor sandwiched between the second metal feature and the fourth metal feature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Inventors: Chung-Cheng Chou, Ya-Chen Kao, Tien-Wei Chiang
  • Publication number: 20140256063
    Abstract: A communications structure comprises a first semiconductor substrate having a first coil, and a second semiconductor substrate having a second coil above the first semiconductor substrate. Inner edges of the first and second coils define a boundary of a volume that extends below the first coil and above the second coil. A ferromagnetic core is positioned at least partially within the boundary, such that a mutual inductance is provided between the first and second coils for wireless transmission of signals or power between the first and second coils.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 19, 2014
    Publication date: September 11, 2014
    Applicant: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ping-Lin YANG, Jun-De JIN, Fu-Lung HSUEH, Sa-Lly LIU, Tong-Chern ONG, Chun-Jung LIN, Ya-Chen KAO
  • Patent number: 8760255
    Abstract: A communications structure comprises a first semiconductor substrate having a first coil, and a second semiconductor substrate having a second coil above the first semiconductor substrate. Inner edges of the first and second coils define a boundary of a volume that extends below the first coil and above the second coil. A ferromagnetic core is positioned at least partially within the boundary, such that a mutual inductance is provided between the first and second coils for wireless transmission of signals or power between the first and second coils.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ping-Lin Yang, Jun-De Jin, Fu-Lung Hsueh, Sa-Lly Liu, Tong-Chern Ong, Chun-Jung Lin, Ya-Chen Kao
  • Patent number: 8750031
    Abstract: Test structures, methods of manufacturing thereof, test methods, and magnetic random access memory (MRAM) arrays are disclosed. In one embodiment, a test structure is disclosed. The test structure includes an MRAM cell having a magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ) and a transistor coupled to the MTJ. The test structure includes a test node coupled between the MTJ and the transistor, and a contact pad coupled to the test node.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Ya-Chen Kao, Tien-Wei Chiang, Chun-Jung Lin