Patents by Inventor Yi-Ming Lin

Yi-Ming Lin 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: 11749760
    Abstract: A device and method for fabricating the same is disclosed. For example, the device includes a sensor having a front side and a back side, a metal interconnect layer formed on the front side of the sensor, an anti-reflective coating formed on the back side of the sensor, a composite etch stop mask layer formed on the anti-reflective coating wherein the composite etch stop mask layer includes a hydrogen rich layer and a compressive high density layer, and a light filter formed on the composite etch stop mask layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2023
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Cheng-Han Lin, Chao-Ching Chang, Yi-Ming Lin, Yen-Ting Chou, Yen-Chang Chen, Sheng-Chan Li, Cheng-Hsien Chou
  • Patent number: 11735436
    Abstract: An apparatus for fabricating a semiconductor device has a housing defining a buffer chamber, a plurality of reactor ports formed in the housing for establishing interfaces with a plurality of process chambers that are to receive a wafer during a fabrication process to fabricate the semiconductor device, a wafer positioning robot positioned within the buffer chamber to transport the wafer between the plurality of process chambers through the plurality of reactor ports, a purge port formed in the housing for introducing a purge gas into the buffer chamber, a pump port formed in the housing for exhausting a portion of the purge gas from the buffer chamber, and a first flow enhancer that directs the purge gas flowing in an axial direction along a longitudinal axis of the purge port into the buffer chamber in a plurality of radial directions relative to the longitudinal axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2023
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited
    Inventors: Chih-Tsung Lee, Sheng-Chun Yang, Yun-Tzu Chiu, Chao-Hung Wan, Yi-Ming Lin, Chyi-Tsong Ni
  • Publication number: 20230260764
    Abstract: A radio frequency (RF) screen for a microwave powered ultraviolet (UV) lamp system is disclosed. In one example, a disclosed RF screen includes: a sheet comprising a conductive material; and a frame around edges of the sheet. The conductive material defines a predetermined mesh pattern of individual openings across substantially an operative area of the screen. Each of the individual openings has a triangular shape.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 28, 2023
    Publication date: August 17, 2023
    Inventors: Sheng-chun YANG, Po-Wei LIANG, Chao-Hung WAN, Yi-Ming LIN, Liu Che KANG
  • Patent number: 11685994
    Abstract: Pumping liners for use in an apparatus for depositing a material on a work piece by chemical vapor deposition includes a plurality of unevenly spaced apertures are disclosed. Uneven spacing of the plurality of apertures produces a uniform flow of processing gases within a processing chamber with which the pumping liner is associated. Films of materials deposited onto a work piece by chemical vapor deposition techniques using disclosed pumping liners exhibit desirable properties such as uniform thickness and smooth and uniform surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2023
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Sheng-chun Yang, Yi-Ming Lin, Chih-tsung Lee, Yun-Tzu Chiu, Chao-Hung Wan
  • Publication number: 20230197421
    Abstract: A method includes loading a wafer over a wafer chuck in a process chamber; performing a deposition process on the loaded wafer; supplying a fluid medium to a fluid guiding structure in the wafer chuck from a fluid inlet port on the wafer chuck, the fluid guiding structure comprising a plurality of arc-shaped channels fluidly communicated with each other; guiding the fluid medium from a first one of the arc-shaped channels of the fluid guiding structure to a second one of the arc-shaped channels of the fluid guiding structure. The second one of the arc-shaped channels of the fluid guiding structure is concentric with the first one of the arc-shaped channels of the fluid guiding structure from a top view.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2023
    Publication date: June 22, 2023
    Applicant: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Sheng-Chun YANG, Yi-Ming LIN, Po-Wei LIANG, Chu-Han HSIEH, Chih-Lung CHENG, Po-Chih HUANG
  • Patent number: 11666950
    Abstract: A method of forming a process film includes the following operations. A substrate is transferred into a process chamber having an interior surface. A process film is formed over the substrate, and the process film is also formed on the interior surface of the process chamber. The substrate is transferred out of the process chamber. A non-process film is formed on the interior surface of the process chamber. In some embodiments, porosity of the process film is greater than a porosity of the non-process film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Tsung-Lin Lee, Yi-Ming Lin, Chih-Hung Yeh, Zi-Yuang Wang
  • Patent number: 11670491
    Abstract: A radio frequency (RF) screen for a microwave powered ultraviolet (UV) lamp system is disclosed. In one example, a disclosed RF screen includes: a sheet comprising a conductive material; and a frame around edges of the sheet. The conductive material defines a predetermined mesh pattern of individual openings across substantially an operative area of the screen. Each of the individual openings has a triangular shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Sheng-chun Yang, Po-Wei Liang, Chao-Hung Wan, Yi-Ming Lin, Liu Che Kang
  • Publication number: 20230108888
    Abstract: An image sensor may include a polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) layer that is subwavelength, hydrophobic, and/or antireflective. The PDMS layer may be fabricated to include a surface having a plurality of nanostructures (e.g., an array of convex protuberances and/or an array of concave recesses). The nanostructures may be formed through the use of a porous anodic aluminum oxide (AAO) template that uses a plurality of nanopores to form the array of convex protuberances and/or the array of concave recesses. The nanostructures may each have a respective width that is less than the wavelength of incident light that is to be collected by the image sensor to increase light absorption by increasing the angle of incidence for which the image sensor is capable of collecting incident light. This may increase the quantum efficiency of the image sensor and may increase the sensitivity of the image sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2022
    Publication date: April 6, 2023
    Inventors: Yi-Ming LIN, Chen-Chi WU, Chen-Kuei CHUNG
  • Publication number: 20230098570
    Abstract: A chemical vapor deposition (CVD) apparatus is provided. The CVD apparatus includes a CVD chamber including multiple wall portions. A pedestal is disposed inside the CVD chamber, configured to support a substrate. A gas inlet port is disposed on one of the wall portions and below a substrate support portion of the pedestal. In addition, a gas flow guiding member is disposed inside the CVD chamber, coupled to the gas inlet port, and configured to dispense cleaning gases from the gas inlet port into the CVD chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2022
    Publication date: March 30, 2023
    Inventors: Chih-Hung YEH, Tsung-Lin LEE, Yi-Ming LIN, Sheng-Chun YANG, Tung-Ching TSENG
  • Publication number: 20230069237
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method and a system therefore for processing wafer. The method includes: extracting a first gas from a chamber via a first route; blocking a second route used to be pumped down to chuck a wafer placed in the chamber, wherein the second route connects the chamber and the first route; and providing a second gas via a third route to purge a junction of the first route and the second route.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2021
    Publication date: March 2, 2023
    Inventors: SHENG-CHUN YANG, CHIH-LUNG CHENG, YI-MING LIN, PO-CHIH HUANG, YU-HSIANG JUAN, XUAN-YANG ZHENG, REN-JYUE WANG, CHIH-YUAN WANG
  • Publication number: 20230067115
    Abstract: A system and method for generating a gas curtain over an access port of a processing chamber for a semiconductor substrate. A gas flow stabilizer and a gas flow receiver, each including a horizontal flow section and a vertical flow section cooperate to generate a gas curtain that impedes gas, e.g., oxygen, from outside the processing chamber, from flowing into the chamber, for example, when the access port is opened to add/or to remove a workpiece from the processing chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2021
    Publication date: March 2, 2023
    Inventors: Sheng-chun YANG, Po-Chih HUANG, Chih-Lung CHENG, Yi-Ming LIN, Chen-Hao LIAO, Min-Cheng CHUNG
  • Patent number: 11594401
    Abstract: A method for processing semiconductor wafer is provided. The method includes loading a semiconductor wafer on a top surface of a wafer chuck. The method also includes supplying a gaseous material between the semiconductor wafer and the top surface of the wafer chuck through a first gas inlet port and a second gas inlet port located underneath a fan-shaped sector of the top surface. The method further includes supplying a fluid medium to a fluid inlet port of the wafer chuck and guiding the fluid medium from the fluid inlet port to flow through a number of arc-shaped channels located underneath the fan-shaped sector of the top surface. In addition, the method includes supplying a plasma gas over the semiconductor wafer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2023
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Sheng-Chun Yang, Yi-Ming Lin, Po-Wei Liang, Chu-Han Hsieh, Chih-Lung Cheng, Po-Chih Huang
  • Patent number: 11590451
    Abstract: The water storage device includes: a water storage cavity and a water inlet, the water inlet being configured to feed a solution into the water storage cavity, the water storage cavity being configured to store or discharge the solution and containing a viscous substance; a guide rod and a floating device movable along the guide rod, the floating device being movable as a water level in the water storage cavity changes, and the viscous substance between the guide rod and the floating device restraining movement of the floating device; and a water curtain casing, the water curtain casing being connected to the water inlet and configured to split a part of the solution from the solution fed from the water inlet, and the solution split by the water curtain casing being configured to flush the viscous substance between the guide rod and the floating device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2023
    Assignee: CHANGXIN MEMORY TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Xiaomingxing Hou, Yi-Ming Lin
  • Patent number: 11532459
    Abstract: A chemical vapor deposition (CVD) apparatus is provided. The CVD apparatus includes a CVD chamber including multiple wall portions. A pedestal is disposed inside the CVD chamber, configured to support a substrate. A gas inlet port is disposed on one of the wall portions and below a substrate support portion of the pedestal. In addition, a gas flow guiding member is disposed inside the CVD chamber, coupled to the gas inlet port, and configured to dispense cleaning gases from the gas inlet port into the CVD chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2022
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Chih-Hung Yeh, Tsung-Lin Lee, Yi-Ming Lin, Sheng-Chun Yang, Tung-Ching Tseng
  • Publication number: 20220392782
    Abstract: An apparatus for fabricating a semiconductor device has a housing defining a buffer chamber, a plurality of reactor ports formed in the housing for establishing interfaces with a plurality of process chambers that are to receive a wafer during a fabrication process to fabricate the semiconductor device, a wafer positioning robot positioned within the buffer chamber to transport the wafer between the plurality of process chambers through the plurality of reactor ports, a purge port formed in the housing for introducing a purge gas into the buffer chamber, a pump port formed in the housing for exhausting a portion of the purge gas from the buffer chamber, and a first flow enhancer that directs the purge gas flowing in an axial direction along a longitudinal axis of the purge port into the buffer chamber in a plurality of radial directions relative to the longitudinal axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 10, 2022
    Publication date: December 8, 2022
    Inventors: Chih-Tsung LEE, Sheng-chun Yang, Yun-Tzu Chiu, Chao-Hung Wan, Yi-Ming Lin, Chyi-Tsong Ni
  • Publication number: 20220384239
    Abstract: A wafer fabricating system includes a wafer chuck, a gas inlet port, a fluid inlet port, first and second arc-shaped channels, a gas source, and a fluid containing source. The wafer chuck has a top surface, and orifices are formed on the top surface. The gas inlet port is formed in the wafer chuck and located underneath a fan-shaped sector of the top surface, wherein the gas inlet port is fluidly communicated with the orifices. The fluid inlet port is formed in the wafer chuck. The first and second arc-shaped channels are fluidly communicated with the fluid inlet port and located underneath the fan-shaped sector of the top surface and located at opposite sides of the gas inlet port from a top view. The gas source fluidly is connected to the gas inlet port. The fluid containing source fluidly is connected to the fluid inlet port.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2022
    Publication date: December 1, 2022
    Applicant: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Sheng-Chun YANG, Yi-Ming LIN, Po-Wei LIANG, Chu-Han HSIEH, Chih-Lung CHENG, Po-Chih HUANG
  • Publication number: 20220356574
    Abstract: Pumping liners for use in an apparatus for depositing a material on a work piece by chemical vapor deposition includes a plurality of unevenly spaced apertures are disclosed. Uneven spacing of the plurality of apertures produces a uniform flow of processing gases within a processing chamber with which the pumping liner is associated. Films of materials deposited onto a work piece by chemical vapor deposition techniques using disclosed pumping liners exhibit desirable properties such as uniform thickness and smooth and uniform surfaces.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 20, 2022
    Publication date: November 10, 2022
    Inventors: Sheng-chun YANG, Yi-Ming LIN, Chih-tsung LEE, Yun-Tzu CHIU, Chao-Hung WAN
  • Patent number: 11495635
    Abstract: An image sensor may include a polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) layer that is subwavelength, hydrophobic, and/or antireflective. The PDMS layer may be fabricated to include a surface having a plurality of nanostructures (e.g., an array of convex protuberances and/or an array of concave recesses). The nanostructures may be formed through the use of a porous anodic aluminum oxide (AAO) template that uses a plurality of nanopores to form the array of convex protuberances and/or the array of concave recesses. The nanostructures may each have a respective width that is less than the wavelength of incident light that is to be collected by the image sensor to increase light absorption by increasing the angle of incidence for which the image sensor is capable of collecting incident light. This may increase the quantum efficiency of the image sensor and may increase the sensitivity of the image sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2022
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yi-Ming Lin, Chen-Chi Wu, Chen-Kuei Chung
  • Patent number: 11443961
    Abstract: An apparatus for fabricating a semiconductor device has a housing defining a buffer chamber, a plurality of reactor ports formed in the housing for establishing interfaces with a plurality of process chambers that are to receive a wafer during a fabrication process to fabricate the semiconductor device, a wafer positioning robot positioned within the buffer chamber to transport the wafer between the plurality of process chambers through the plurality of reactor ports, a purge port formed in the housing for introducing a purge gas into the buffer chamber, a pump port formed in the housing for exhausting a portion of the purge gas from the buffer chamber, and a first flow enhancer that directs the purge gas flowing in an axial direction along a longitudinal axis of the purge port into the buffer chamber in a plurality of radial directions relative to the longitudinal axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2022
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, ltd.
    Inventors: Chih-Tsung Lee, Sheng-Chun Yang, Yun-Tzu Chiu, Chao-Hung Wan, Yi-Ming Lin, Chyi-Tsong Ni
  • Publication number: 20220278242
    Abstract: A device and method for fabricating the same is disclosed. For example, the device includes a sensor having a front side and a back side, a metal interconnect layer formed on the front side of the sensor, an anti-reflective coating formed on the back side of the sensor, a composite etch stop mask layer formed on the anti-reflective coating wherein the composite etch stop mask layer includes a hydrogen rich layer and a compressive high density layer, and a light filter formed on the composite etch stop mask layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 13, 2022
    Publication date: September 1, 2022
    Applicant: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Cheng-Han LIN, Chao-Ching CHANG, Yi-Ming LIN, Yen-Ting CHOU, Yen-Chang CHEN, Sheng-Chan LI, Cheng-Hsien CHOU