Patents by Inventor Yi-Chen Kuo

Yi-Chen Kuo 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: 12650642
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device includes forming a photoresist layer over a substrate, including combining a first precursor and a second precursor in a vapor state to form a photoresist material, and depositing the photoresist material over the substrate. A protective layer is formed over the photoresist layer. The photoresist layer is selectively exposed to actinic radiation through the protective layer to form a latent pattern in the photoresist layer. The protective layer is removed, and the latent pattern is developed by applying a developer to the selectively exposed photoresist layer to form a pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2024
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2026
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Ming-Hui Weng, Chen-Yu Liu, Chih-Cheng Liu, Yi-Chen Kuo, Jia-Lin Wei, Yen-Yu Chen, Jr-Hung Li, Yahru Cheng, Chi-Ming Yang, Tze-Liang Lee, Ching-Yu Chang
  • Patent number: 12494368
    Abstract: Photoresists and methods of forming and using the same are disclosed. In an embodiment, a method includes spin-on coating a first hard mask layer over a target layer; depositing a photoresist layer over the first hard mask layer using chemical vapor deposition or atomic layer deposition, the photoresist layer being deposited using one or more organometallic precursors; heating the photoresist layer to cause cross-linking between the one or more organometallic precursors; exposing the photoresist layer to patterned energy; heating the photoresist layer to cause de-crosslinking in the photoresist layer forming a de-crosslinked portion of the photoresist layer; and removing the de-crosslinked portion of the photoresist layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2025
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chih-Cheng Liu, Yi-Chen Kuo, Yen-Yu Chen, Jr-Hung Li, Tze-Liang Lee
  • Patent number: 12487523
    Abstract: Metal-comprising resist layers (for example, metal oxide resist layers), methods for forming the metal-comprising resist layers, and lithography methods that implement the metal-comprising resist layers are disclosed herein that can improve lithography resolution. An exemplary method includes forming a metal oxide resist layer over a workpiece by performing deposition processes to form metal oxide resist sublayers of the metal oxide resist layer over the workpiece and performing a densification process on at least one of the metal oxide resist sublayers. Each deposition process forms a respective one of the metal oxide resist sublayers. The densification process increases a density of the at least one of the metal oxide resist sublayers. Parameters of the deposition processes and/or parameters of the densification process can be tuned to achieve different density profiles, different density characteristics, and/or different absorption characteristics to optimize patterning of the metal oxide resist layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2025
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Yi-Chen Kuo, Chih-Cheng Liu, Yen-Yu Chen, Jr-Hung Li, Chi-Ming Yang, Tze-Liang Lee
  • Publication number: 20250357118
    Abstract: Photoresists and methods of forming and using the same are disclosed. In an embodiment, a method includes spin-on coating a first hard mask layer over a target layer; depositing a photoresist layer over the first hard mask layer using chemical vapor deposition or atomic layer deposition, the photoresist layer being deposited using one or more organometallic precursors; heating the photoresist layer to cause cross-linking between the one or more organometallic precursors; exposing the photoresist layer to patterned energy; heating the photoresist layer to cause de-crosslinking in the photoresist layer forming a de-crosslinked portion of the photoresist layer; and removing the de-crosslinked portion of the photoresist layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2025
    Publication date: November 20, 2025
    Inventors: Chih-Cheng Liu, Yi-Chen Kuo, Yen-Yu Chen, Jr-Hung Li, Tze-Liang Lee
  • Publication number: 20250341775
    Abstract: An organometallic precursor for extreme ultraviolet (EUV) lithography is provided. An organometallic precursor includes a chemical formula of MaXbLc, where M is a metal, X is a multidentate aromatic ligand that includes a pyrrole-like nitrogen and a pyridine-like nitrogen, L is an extreme ultraviolet (EUV) cleavable ligand, a is between 1 and 2, b is equal to or greater than 1, and c is equal to or greater than 1.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2025
    Publication date: November 6, 2025
    Inventors: Chih-Cheng Liu, Yi-Chen Kuo, Yen-Yu Chen, Jr-Hung Li, Chi-Ming Yang, Tze-Liang Lee
  • Patent number: 12463034
    Abstract: A method of forming a pattern in a photoresist layer includes forming a photoresist layer over a substrate, and reducing moisture or oxygen absorption characteristics of the photoresist layer. The photoresist layer is selectively exposed to actinic radiation to form a latent pattern, and the latent pattern is developed by applying a developer to the selectively exposed photoresist layer to form a pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2024
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2025
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Yi-Chen Kuo, Chih-Cheng Liu, Ming-Hui Weng, Jia-Lin Wei, Yen-Yu Chen, Jr-Hung Li, Yahru Cheng, Chi-Ming Yang, Tze-Liang Lee, Ching-Yu Chang
  • Publication number: 20250323038
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device includes forming a photoresist layer over a substrate and forming a dehydrated film over the photoresist layer. The photoresist layer is selectively exposed to actinic radiation to form an exposed portion and an unexposed portion of the photoresist layer. The photoresist layer is developed to remove the unexposed portion of the photoresist layer and a first portion of the dehydrated film over the unexposed portion of the photoresist layer. In an embodiment, the method includes etching the substrate by using the exposed portion of the photoresist layer as a mask.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2025
    Publication date: October 16, 2025
    Applicant: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yen-Yu CHEN, Chih-Cheng LIU, Yi-Chen KUO, Jr-Hung LI, Tze-Liang LEE, Ming-Hui WENG, Yahru CHENG
  • Publication number: 20250246430
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing semiconductor device includes forming a multilayer photoresist structure including a metal-containing photoresist over a substrate. The multilayer photoresist structure includes two or more metal-containing photoresist layers having different physical parameters. The metal-containing photoresist is a reaction product of a first precursor and a second precursor, and each layer of the multilayer photoresist structure is formed using different photoresist layer formation parameters. The different photoresist layer formation parameters are one or more selected from the group consisting of the first precursor, an amount of the first precursor, the second precursor, an amount of the second precursor, a length of time each photoresist layer formation operation, and heating conditions of the photoresist layers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2025
    Publication date: July 31, 2025
    Applicant: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Jia-Lin WEI, Ming-Hui WENG, Chih-Cheng LIU, Yi-Chen KUO, Yen-Yu CHEN, Yahru CHENG, Jr-Hung LI, Ching-Yu CHANG, Tze-Liang LEE, Chi-Ming YANG
  • Patent number: 12374548
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device includes forming a photoresist layer over a substrate and forming a dehydrated film over the photoresist layer. The photoresist layer is selectively exposed to actinic radiation to form an exposed portion and an unexposed portion of the photoresist layer. The photoresist layer is developed to remove the unexposed portion of the photoresist layer and a first portion of the dehydrated film over the unexposed portion of the photoresist layer. In an embodiment, the method includes etching the substrate by using the exposed portion of the photoresist layer as a mask.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2024
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2025
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Yen-Yu Chen, Chih-Cheng Liu, Yi-Chen Kuo, Jr-Hung Li, Tze-Liang Lee, Ming-Hui Weng, Yahru Cheng
  • Patent number: 12272554
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing semiconductor device includes forming a multilayer photoresist structure including a metal-containing photoresist over a substrate. The multilayer photoresist structure includes two or more metal-containing photoresist layers having different physical parameters. The metal-containing photoresist is a reaction product of a first precursor and a second precursor, and each layer of the multilayer photoresist structure is formed using different photoresist layer formation parameters. The different photoresist layer formation parameters are one or more selected from the group consisting of the first precursor, an amount of the first precursor, the second precursor, an amount of the second precursor, a length of time each photoresist layer formation operation, and heating conditions of the photoresist layers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2023
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2025
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Jia-Lin Wei, Ming-Hui Weng, Chih-Cheng Liu, Yi-Chen Kuo, Yen-Yu Chen, Yahru Cheng, Jr-Hung Li, Ching-Yu Chang, Tze-Liang Lee, Chi-Ming Yang
  • Patent number: 12271113
    Abstract: Method of manufacturing semiconductor device includes forming photoresist layer over substrate. Forming photoresist layer includes combining first precursor and second precursor in vapor state to form photoresist material, wherein first precursor is organometallic having formula: MaRbXc, where M at least one of Sn, Bi, Sb, In, Te, Ti, Zr, Hf, V, Co, Mo, W, Al, Ga, Si, Ge, P, As, Y, La, Ce, Lu; R is substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, alkenyl, carboxylate group; X is halide or sulfonate group; and 1?a?2, b?1, c?1, and b+c?5. Second precursor is at least one of an amine, a borane, a phosphine. Forming photoresist layer includes depositing photoresist material over the substrate. The photoresist layer is selectively exposed to actinic radiation to form latent pattern, and the latent pattern is developed by applying developer to selectively exposed photoresist layer to form pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2025
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Chih-Cheng Liu, Yi-Chen Kuo, Jia-Lin Wei, Ming-Hui Weng, Yen-Yu Chen, Jr-Hung Li, Yahru Cheng, Chi-Ming Yang, Tze-Liang Lee, Ching-Yu Chang
  • Patent number: 12153346
    Abstract: An organometallic precursor for extreme ultraviolet (EUV) lithography is provided. An organometallic precursor includes a chemical formula of MaXbLc, where M is a metal, X is a multidentate aromatic ligand that includes a pyrrole-like nitrogen and a pyridine-like nitrogen, L is an extreme ultraviolet (EUV) cleavable ligand, a is between 1 and 2, b is equal to or greater than 1, and c is equal to or greater than 1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2024
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Chih-Cheng Liu, Yi-Chen Kuo, Yen-Yu Chen, Jr-Hung Li, Chi-Ming Yang, Tze-Liang Lee
  • Publication number: 20240385516
    Abstract: An organometallic precursor for extreme ultraviolet (EUV) lithography is provided. An organometallic precursor includes an aromatic di-dentate ligand, a transition metal coordinated to the aromatic di-dentate ligand, and an extreme ultraviolet (EUV) cleavable ligand coordinated to the transition metal. The aromatic di-dentate ligand includes a plurality of pyrazine molecules.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2024
    Publication date: November 21, 2024
    Inventors: Chih-Cheng Liu, Yi-Chen Kuo, Yen-Yu Chen, Jr-Hung Li, Chi-Ming Yang, Tze-Liang Lee
  • Publication number: 20240385523
    Abstract: Method of manufacturing semiconductor device includes forming photoresist layer over substrate. Forming photoresist layer includes combining first precursor and second precursor in vapor state to form photoresist material, wherein first precursor is organometallic having formula: MaRbXc, where M at least one of Sn, Bi, Sb, In, Te, Ti, Zr, Hf, V, Co, Mo, W, Al, Ga, Si, Ge, P, As, Y, La, Ce, Lu; R is substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, alkenyl, carboxylate group; X is halide or sulfonate group; and 1?a?2, b?1, c?1, and b+c?5. Second precursor is at least one of an amine, a borane, a phosphine. Forming photoresist layer includes depositing photoresist material over the substrate. The photoresist layer is selectively exposed to actinic radiation to form latent pattern, and the latent pattern is developed by applying developer to selectively exposed photoresist layer to form pattern.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2024
    Publication date: November 21, 2024
    Applicant: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Chih-Cheng LIU, Yi-Chen KUO, Jia-Lin WEI, Ming-Hui WENG, Yen-Yu CHEN, Jr-Hung LI, Yahru CHENG, Chi-Ming YANG, Tze-Liang LEE, Ching-Yu CHANG
  • Publication number: 20240385514
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device includes forming a photoresist layer over a substrate, including combining a first precursor and a second precursor in a vapor state to form a photoresist material, and depositing the photoresist material over the substrate. A protective layer is formed over the photoresist layer. The photoresist layer is selectively exposed to actinic radiation through the protective layer to form a latent pattern in the photoresist layer. The protective layer is removed, and the latent pattern is developed by applying a developer to the selectively exposed photoresist layer to form a pattern.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2024
    Publication date: November 21, 2024
    Applicant: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Ming-Hui WENG, Chen-Yu LIU, Chih-Cheng LIU, Yi-Chen KUO, Jia-Lin WEI, Yen-Yu CHEN, Jr-Hung LI, Yahru CHENG, Chi-Ming YANG, Tze-Liang LEE, Ching-Yu CHANG
  • Publication number: 20240377732
    Abstract: An organometallic precursor for extreme ultraviolet (EUV) lithography is provided. An organometallic precursor includes a chemical formula of MaXbLc, where M is a metal, X is a multidentate aromatic ligand that includes a pyrrole-like nitrogen and a pyridine-like nitrogen, L is an extreme ultraviolet (EUV) cleavable ligand, a is between 1 and 2, b is equal to or greater than 1, and c is equal to or greater than 1.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 23, 2024
    Publication date: November 14, 2024
    Inventors: Chih-Cheng Liu, Yi-Chen Kuo, Yen-Yu Chen, Jr-Hung Li, Chi-Ming Yang, Tze-Liang Lee
  • Patent number: 12135501
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device includes forming a photoresist layer over a substrate, including combining a first precursor and a second precursor in a vapor state to form a photoresist material, and depositing the photoresist material over the substrate. A protective layer is formed over the photoresist layer. The photoresist layer is selectively exposed to actinic radiation through the protective layer to form a latent pattern in the photoresist layer. The protective layer is removed, and the latent pattern is developed by applying a developer to the selectively exposed photoresist layer to form a pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2023
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2024
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Ming-Hui Weng, Chen-Yu Liu, Chih-Cheng Liu, Yi-Chen Kuo, Jia-Lin Wei, Yen-Yu Chen, Jr-Hung Li, Yahru Cheng, Chi-Ming Yang, Tze-Liang Lee, Ching-Yu Chang
  • Publication number: 20240355623
    Abstract: A method of forming a pattern in a photoresist layer includes forming a photoresist layer over a substrate, and reducing moisture or oxygen absorption characteristics of the photoresist layer. The photoresist layer is selectively exposed to actinic radiation to form a latent pattern, and the latent pattern is developed by applying a developer to the selectively exposed photoresist layer to form a pattern.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 2, 2024
    Publication date: October 24, 2024
    Applicant: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yi-Chen KUO, Chih-Cheng LIU, Ming-Hui WENG, Jia-Lin WEI, Yen-Yu CHEN, Jr-Hung LI, Yahru CHENG, Chi-Ming YANG, Tze-Liang LEE, Ching-Yu CHANG
  • Patent number: 12127430
    Abstract: A device includes a micro-organic light emitting diode (?-OLED) display panel and an electronic component. An electrical connector electrically couples the ?-OLED display panel and the electronic component. A standoff is disposed between the electronic component and the ?-OLED display panel. The standoff physically couples the electronic component and the ?-OLED display panel with a gap therebetween. The gap thermally decouples the electronic component from the ?-OLED display panel. A U-shaped heat sink can be disposed in the standoff, and heat generated by the ?-OLED display can be mitigated by a system fan when a U-shaped heat sink is disposed in the standoff.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2024
    Assignee: Meta Platforms Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Giti Karimi Moghaddam, Douglas Moskowitz, Kyung Won Park, Ryan Fleming, Alexander Klement, Donghee Nam, Yi-Chen Kuo, Mark Shintaro Ando
  • Publication number: 20240282577
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device includes forming a photoresist layer over a substrate and forming a dehydrated film over the photoresist layer. The photoresist layer is selectively exposed to actinic radiation to form an exposed portion and an unexposed portion of the photoresist layer. The photoresist layer is developed to remove the unexposed portion of the photoresist layer and a first portion of the dehydrated film over the unexposed portion of the photoresist layer. In an embodiment, the method includes etching the substrate by using the exposed portion of the photoresist layer as a mask.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2024
    Publication date: August 22, 2024
    Applicant: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yen-Yu CHEN, Chih-Cheng LIU, Yi-Chen KUO, Jr-Hung LI, Tze-Liang LEE, Ming-Hui WENG, Yahru CHENG