Patents by Inventor Ya-Jui Tsou

Ya-Jui Tsou 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: 11967351
    Abstract: A device is provided. The device includes a physical unclonable function (PUF) cell array. The PUF cell array includes multiple bit cells, and generates a PUF response output, in response to a challenge input, based on a data state of one bit cell in the bit cells. Each of the bit cells stores a bit data and includes a transistor having a control terminal coupled to a word line and a first terminal coupled to a source line, a first memory cell having a first terminal coupled to a first data line and a second terminal coupled to a second terminal of the transistor, and a second memory cell having a first terminal coupled to a second data line, different from the first data line, and a second terminal coupled to the second terminal of the first memory cell at the second terminal of the transistor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2024
    Assignees: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD., NATIONAL TAIWAN UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Chia-Che Chung, Chia-Jung Tsen, Ya-Jui Tsou, Chee-Wee Liu
  • Publication number: 20230397501
    Abstract: A method of forming a memory device including forming a bottom electrode via (BEVA) in a dielectric layer, forming a magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ) multilayer structure over the BEVA, forming a top electrode on the MTJ multilayer structure, patterning the MTJ multilayer structure using the top electrode as an etch mask to form a MTJ stack, forming a first interlayer dielectric (ILD) layer over the MTJ stack, and after forming the first ILD layer, forming a ferromagnetic metal that exerts a magnetic field on the MTJ stack.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 2, 2022
    Publication date: December 7, 2023
    Applicants: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD., NATIONAL TAIWAN UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Ya-Jui TSOU, Jih-Chao CHIU, Huan-Chi SHIH, Chee-Wee LIU, Shao-Yu LIN, Chih-Lin WANG
  • Publication number: 20230369407
    Abstract: The current disclosure describes techniques for individually selecting the number of channel strips for a device. The channel strips are selected by defining a three-dimensional active region that include a surface active area and a depth/height. Semiconductor strips in the active region are selected as channel strips. Semiconductor strips contained in the active region will be configured to be channel strips. Semiconductor strips not included in the active region are not selected as channel strips and are separated from source/drain structures by an auxiliary buffer layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2023
    Publication date: November 16, 2023
    Inventors: Ya-Jui Tsou, Zong-You Luo, Wen Hung Huang, Jhih-Yang Yan, Chee-Wee Liu
  • Publication number: 20230363287
    Abstract: A method includes forming a memory stack over a substrate. A dielectric layer is deposited to cover the memory stack. An opening is formed in the dielectric layer. The opening does not expose the memory stack. A spin-orbit-torque (SOT) layer is formed in the opening. A free layer is formed over the dielectric layer to interconnect the memory stack and the SOT layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 17, 2023
    Publication date: November 9, 2023
    Applicants: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD., NATIONAL TAIWAN UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Ya-Jui TSOU, Zong-You LUO, Chee-Wee LIU, Shao-Yu LIN, Liang-Chor CHUNG, Chih-Lin WANG
  • Publication number: 20230360686
    Abstract: A method includes forming bottom conductive lines over a wafer. A first magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ) stack is formed over the bottom conductive lines. Middle conductive lines are formed over the first MTJ stack. A second MTJ stack is formed over the middle conductive lines. Top conductive lines are formed over the second MTJ stack.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 14, 2023
    Publication date: November 9, 2023
    Applicants: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD., NATIONAL TAIWAN UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Zong-You LUO, Ya-Jui TSOU, Chee-Wee LIU, Shao-Yu LIN, Liang-Chor CHUNG, Chih-Lin WANG
  • Patent number: 11778923
    Abstract: A magnetoresistive memory device includes a memory stack, a spin-orbit-torque (SOT) layer, and a free layer. The memory stack includes a pinned layer, a spacer layer over the pinned layer, a reference layer over the spacer layer, and a tunnel barrier layer over the reference layer. The SOT layer has a top surface substantially coplanar with a top surface of the tunnel barrier layer of the memory stack. The free layer interconnects the SOT layer and the tunnel barrier layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Assignees: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD., NATIONAL TAIWAN UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Ya-Jui Tsou, Zong-You Luo, Chee-Wee Liu, Shao-Yu Lin, Liang-Chor Chung, Chih-Lin Wang
  • Patent number: 11749328
    Abstract: A method includes forming bottom conductive lines over a wafer. A first magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ) stack is formed over the bottom conductive lines. Middle conductive lines are formed over the first MTJ stack. A second MTJ stack is formed over the middle conductive lines. Top conductive lines are formed over the second MTJ stack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2023
    Assignees: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD., NATIONAL TAIWAN UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Zong-You Luo, Ya-Jui Tsou, Chee-Wee Liu, Shao-Yu Lin, Liang-Chor Chung, Chih-Lin Wang
  • Patent number: 11742388
    Abstract: The current disclosure describes techniques for individually selecting the number of channel strips for a device. The channel strips are selected by defining a three-dimensional active region that include a surface active area and a depth/height. Semiconductor strips in the active region are selected as channel strips. Semiconductor strips contained in the active region will be configured to be channel strips. Semiconductor strips not included in the active region are not selected as channel strips and are separated from source/drain structures by an auxiliary buffer layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2023
    Assignees: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd., National Taiwan University
    Inventors: Ya-Jui Tsou, Zong-You Luo, Wen Hung Huang, Jhih-Yang Yan, Chee-Wee Liu
  • Publication number: 20230255122
    Abstract: A memory structure comprises a dielectric layer, a first ferromagnetic bottom electrode, a second ferromagnetic bottom electrode, an SOT channel layer, and an MTJ structure. The dielectric layer is over the substrate. The first ferromagnetic bottom electrode extends through the dielectric layer. The second ferromagnetic bottom electrode extends through the dielectric layer, and is spaced apart from the first ferromagnetic bottom electrode. The SOT channel layer extends from the first ferromagnetic bottom electrode to the second ferromagnetic bottom electrode. The MTJ structure is over the SOT channel layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 10, 2022
    Publication date: August 10, 2023
    Applicants: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD., NATIONAL TAIWAN UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Wei-Jen CHEN, Ya-Jui TSOU, Chee-Wee LIU, Shao-Yu LIN, Chih-Lin WANG
  • Publication number: 20230170403
    Abstract: A memory device comprises a source region, a drain region, a channel region, a gate dielectric layer, an MTJ stack, and a metal gate. The source region and the drain region are over a substrate. The channel region is between the source region and the drain region. The gate dielectric layer is over the channel region. The MTJ stack is over the gate dielectric layer. The MTJ stack comprises a first ferromagnetic layer, a second ferromagnetic layer with a switchable magnetization, and a tunnel barrier layer between the first and second ferromagnetic layers. The metal gate is over the MTJ stack.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 7, 2022
    Publication date: June 1, 2023
    Applicants: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD., NATIONAL TAIWAN UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Ya-Jui Tsou, Wei-Jen Chen, Pang-Chun Liu, Chee-Wee Liu, Shao-Yu Lin, Chih-Lin Wang
  • Patent number: 11605670
    Abstract: The disclosure is directed to spin-orbit torque MRAM structures and methods. A SOT channel of the SOT-MRAM includes multiple heavy metal layers and one or more dielectric dusting layers each sandwiched between two adjacent heavy metal layers. The dielectric dusting layers each include discrete molecules or discrete molecule clusters of a dielectric material scattered in or adjacent to an interface between two adjacent heavy metal layers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2023
    Assignees: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd., National Taiwan University
    Inventors: Zong-You Luo, Ya-Jui Tsou, I-Cheng Tung, CheeWee Liu
  • Publication number: 20230027792
    Abstract: A memory device includes a spin-orbit-transfer (SOT) bottom electrode, an SOT ferromagnetic free layer, a first tunnel barrier layer, a spin-transfer-torque (STT) ferromagnetic free layer, a second tunnel barrier layer and a reference layer. The SOT ferromagnetic free layer is over the SOT bottom electrode. The SOT ferromagnetic free layer has a magnetic orientation switchable by the SOT bottom electrode using a spin Hall effect or Rashba effect. The first tunnel barrier layer is over the SOT ferromagnetic free layer. The STT ferromagnetic free layer is over the first tunnel barrier layer and has a magnetic orientation switchable using an STT effect. The second tunnel barrier layer is over the STT ferromagnetic free layer. The second tunnel barrier layer has a thickness different from a thickness of the first tunnel barrier layer. The reference layer is over the second tunnel barrier layer and has a fixed magnetic orientation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 4, 2022
    Publication date: January 26, 2023
    Applicants: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD., NATIONAL TAIWAN UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Jih-Chao CHIU, Ya-Jui TSOU, Wei-Jen CHEN, Chee-Wee LIU, Shao-Yu LIN, Chih-Lin WANG
  • Publication number: 20230015775
    Abstract: The current disclosure describes techniques for individually selecting the number of channel strips for a device. The channel strips are selected by defining a three-dimensional active region that include a surface active area and a depth/height. Semiconductor strips in the active region are selected as channel strips. Semiconductor strips contained in the active region will be configured to be channel strips. Semiconductor strips not included in the active region are not selected as channel strips and are separated from source/drain structures by an auxiliary buffer layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 22, 2022
    Publication date: January 19, 2023
    Inventors: Ya-Jui Tsou, Zong-You Luo, Wen Hung Huang, Jhih-Yang Yan, Chee-Wee Liu
  • Publication number: 20230013730
    Abstract: A device is provided. The device includes a physical unclonable function (PUF) cell array. The PUF cell array includes multiple bit cells, and generates a PUF response output, in response to a challenge input, based on a data state of one bit cell in the bit cells. Each of the bit cells stores a bit data and includes a transistor having a control terminal coupled to a word line and a first terminal coupled to a source line, a first memory cell having a first terminal coupled to a first data line and a second terminal coupled to a second terminal of the transistor, and a second memory cell having a first terminal coupled to a second data line, different from the first data line, and a second terminal coupled to the second terminal of the first memory cell at the second terminal of the transistor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 12, 2022
    Publication date: January 19, 2023
    Applicants: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD., NATIONAL TAIWAN UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Chia-Che CHUNG, Chia-Jung TSEN, Ya-Jui TSOU, Chee-Wee LIU
  • Publication number: 20220359615
    Abstract: The disclosure is directed to spin-orbit torque MRAM structures and methods. A SOT channel of the SOT-MRAM includes multiple heavy metal layers and one or more dielectric dusting layers each sandwiched between two adjacent heavy metal layers. The dielectric dusting layers each include discrete molecules or discrete molecule clusters of a dielectric material scattered in or adjacent to an interface between two adjacent heavy metal layers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 22, 2022
    Publication date: November 10, 2022
    Inventors: Zong-You Luo, Ya-Jui Tsou, I-Cheng Tung, CheeWee Liu
  • Publication number: 20220358980
    Abstract: A method includes forming bottom conductive lines over a wafer. A first magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ) stack is formed over the bottom conductive lines. Middle conductive lines are formed over the first MTJ stack. A second MTJ stack is formed over the middle conductive lines. Top conductive lines are formed over the second MTJ stack.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2022
    Publication date: November 10, 2022
    Applicants: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD., NATIONAL TAIWAN UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Zong-You LUO, Ya-Jui TSOU, Chee-Wee LIU, Shao-Yu LIN, Liang-Chor CHUNG, Chih-Lin WANG
  • Patent number: 11411082
    Abstract: The current disclosure describes techniques for individually selecting the number of channel strips for a device. The channel strips are selected by defining a three-dimensional active region that include a surface active area and a depth/height. Semiconductor strips in the active region are selected as channel strips. Semiconductor strips contained in the active region will be configured to be channel strips. Semiconductor strips not included in the active region are not selected as channel strips and are separated from source/drain structures by an auxiliary buffer layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2022
    Assignees: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd., National Taiwan University
    Inventors: Ya-Jui Tsou, Zong-You Luo, Wen Hung Huang, Jhih-Yang Yan, Chee-Wee Liu
  • Patent number: 11410714
    Abstract: A magnetoresistive memory device includes a plurality of bottom conductive lines, a plurality of top conductive lines, a first memory cell, and a second memory cell. The top conductive lines are over the bottom conductive lines. The first memory cell is between the bottom conductive lines and the top conductive lines and includes a first magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ) stack. The second memory cell is adjacent the first memory cell and between the bottom conductive lines and the top conductive lines. The second memory cell includes a second MTJ stack, and a top surface of the second MTJ stack is higher than a top surface of the first MTJ stack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2022
    Assignees: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD., NATIONAL TAIWAN UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Zong-You Luo, Ya-Jui Tsou, Chee-Wee Liu, Shao-Yu Lin, Liang-Chor Chung, Chih-Lin Wang
  • Publication number: 20220077384
    Abstract: A magnetoresistive memory device includes a memory stack, a spin-orbit-torque (SOT) layer, and a free layer. The memory stack includes a pinned layer, a spacer layer over the pinned layer, a reference layer over the spacer layer, and a tunnel barrier layer over the reference layer. The SOT layer has a top surface substantially coplanar with a top surface of the tunnel barrier layer of the memory stack. The free layer interconnects the SOT layer and the tunnel barrier layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2021
    Publication date: March 10, 2022
    Applicants: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD., NATIONAL TAIWAN UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Ya-Jui TSOU, Zong-You LUO, Chee-Wee LIU, Shao-Yu LIN, Liang-Chor CHUNG, Chih-Lin WANG
  • Patent number: 11177430
    Abstract: A magnetoresistive memory device includes a memory stack, a spin-orbit-torque (SOT) layer, and a free layer. The memory stack includes a pinned layer and a reference layer over the pinned layer. The SOT layer is spaced apart from the memory stack. The free layer is over the memory stack and the SOT layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2021
    Assignees: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD., NATIONAL TAIWAN UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Ya-Jui Tsou, Zong-You Luo, Chee-Wee Liu, Shao-Yu Lin, Liang-Chor Chung, Chih-Lin Wang