Patents by Inventor Yu-Wen LIAO

Yu-Wen LIAO 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: 10680038
    Abstract: In some embodiments, the present disclosure relates to a method of forming a memory circuit. The method may be performed by forming an interconnect wire within an inter-level dielectric (ILD) layer over a substrate. A conjunct electrode structure is formed over the interconnect wire, a data storage film is formed over the conjunct electrode structure, and a disjunct electrode structure is formed over the data storage film. The data storage film, the disjunct electrode structure, and the conjunct electrode structure are patterned to form a first data storage layer between the interconnect wire and a first disjunct electrode and to form a second data storage layer between the interconnect wire and a second disjunct electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2020
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chin-Chieh Yang, Chih-Yang Chang, Wen-Ting Chu, Yu-Wen Liao
  • Publication number: 20200144172
    Abstract: Various embodiments of the present application are directed towards an integrated circuit comprising a memory cell on a homogeneous bottom electrode via (BEVA) top surface. In some embodiments, the integrated circuit comprises a conductive wire, a via dielectric layer, a via, and a memory cell. The via dielectric layer overlies the conductive wire. The via extends through the via dielectric layer to the conductive wire, and has a first sidewall, a second sidewall, and a top surface. The first and second sidewalls of the via are respectively on opposite sides of the via, and directly contact sidewalls of the via dielectric layer. The top surface of the via is homogenous and substantially flat. Further, the top surface of the via extends laterally from the first sidewall of the via to the second sidewall of the via. The memory cell is directly on the top surface of the via.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 2, 2020
    Publication date: May 7, 2020
    Inventors: Hsia-Wei Chen, Wen-Ting Chu, Yu-Wen Liao
  • Publication number: 20200127053
    Abstract: Various embodiments of the present application are directed towards an integrated chip comprising memory cells separated by a void-free dielectric structure. In some embodiments, a pair of memory cell structures is formed on a via dielectric layer, where the memory cell structures are separated by an inter-cell area. An inter-cell filler layer is formed covering the memory cell structures and the via dielectric layer, and further filling the inter-cell area. The inter-cell filler layer is recessed until a top surface of the inter-cell filler layer is below a top surface of the pair of memory cell structures and the inter-cell area is partially cleared. An interconnect dielectric layer is formed covering the memory cell structures and the inter-cell filler layer, and further filling a cleared portion of the inter-cell area.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 4, 2019
    Publication date: April 23, 2020
    Inventors: Hsia-Wei Chen, Wen-Ting Chu, Yu-Wen Liao
  • Publication number: 20200098828
    Abstract: The present disclosure, in some embodiments, relates to a method of forming an integrated chip. The method may be performed by forming a memory device over a substrate and forming an inter-level dielectric (ILD) layer over the memory device. The ILD layer is selectively etched to define a first cavity that exposes a top of the memory device and to define a second cavity that is laterally separated from the first cavity by the ILD layer. The second cavity is defined by a smooth sidewall of the ILD layer that extends between upper and lower surfaces of the ILD layer. A conductive material is formed within the first cavity and the second cavity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 26, 2019
    Publication date: March 26, 2020
    Inventors: Hsia-Wei Chen, Chih-Yang Chang, Chin-Chieh Yang, Jen-Sheng Yang, Kuo-Chi Tu, Wen-Ting Chu, Yu-Wen Liao
  • Publication number: 20200098983
    Abstract: Some embodiments relate to a device. The device includes a top electrode and a via disposed over the top electrode. A peripheral upper surface of the top electrode is above a central upper surface of the top electrode, and a tapered inner sidewall of the top electrode connects the peripheral upper surface to the central upper surface. The via establishes electrical contact with the tapered inner sidewall but is spaced apart from the central upper surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 25, 2019
    Publication date: March 26, 2020
    Inventors: Hsia-Wei Chen, Wen-Ting Chu, Kuo-Chi Tu, Chih-Yang Chang, Chin-Chieh Yang, Yu-Wen Liao, Wen-Chun You, Sheng-Hung Shih
  • Publication number: 20200083294
    Abstract: A resistive random access memory (RRAM) structure includes a resistive memory element formed on a semiconductor substrate. The resistive element includes a top electrode, a bottom electrode, and a resistive material layer positioned between the top electrode and the bottom electrode. The RRAM structure further includes a field effect transistor (FET) formed on the semiconductor substrate, the FET having a source and a drain. The drain has a zero-tilt doping profile and the source has a tilted doping profile. The resistive memory element is coupled with the drain via a portion of an interconnect structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 11, 2019
    Publication date: March 12, 2020
    Inventors: Chin-Chieh Yang, Hsia-Wei Chen, Chih-Yang Chang, Kuo-Chi Tu, Wen-Ting Chu, Yu-Wen Liao
  • Patent number: 10566519
    Abstract: Various embodiments of the present application are directed towards a method for forming a flat via top surface for memory, as well as an integrated circuit (IC) resulting from the method. In some embodiments, an etch is performed into a dielectric layer to form an opening. A liner layer is formed covering the dielectric layer and lining the opening. A lower body layer is formed covering the dielectric layer and filling a remainder of the opening over the liner layer. A top surface of the lower body layer and a top surface of the liner layer are recessed to below a top surface of the dielectric layer to partially clear the opening. A homogeneous upper body layer is formed covering the dielectric layer and partially filling the opening. A planarization is performed into the homogeneous upper body layer until the dielectric layer is reached.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2020
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hsia-Wei Chen, Chih-Yang Chang, Chin-Chieh Yang, Jen-Sheng Yang, Sheng-Hung Shih, Tung-Sheng Hsiao, Wen-Ting Chu, Yu-Wen Liao, I-Ching Chen
  • Patent number: 10566387
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method of forming an integrated circuit. In some embodiments, the method may be performed by forming a lower interconnect structure within a first inter-level dielectric (ILD) layer over an upper surface of a substrate, and forming a resistive random access memory (RRAM) device over the lower interconnect structure. A second ILD layer is formed over the RRAM device. The second ILD layer is patterned to remove a part of the second ILD layer that defines a cavity. The cavity vertically extends from an upper surface of the second ILD layer to an upper surface of the RRAM device and laterally extends past opposing sidewalls of the RRAM device. An upper interconnect wire is formed within the cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2020
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hsia-Wei Chen, Chih-Yang Chang, Chin-Chieh Yang, Jen-Sheng Yang, Kuo-Chi Tu, Wen-Ting Chu, Yu-Wen Liao
  • Publication number: 20200027924
    Abstract: The present disclosure, in some embodiments, relates to an integrated chip. The integrated chip includes a conductive element disposed within a dielectric structure over the substrate. The conductive element has a top surface extend between outermost sidewalls of the conductive element. A first resistive random access memory (RRAM) element is arranged within the dielectric structure and has a first data storage layer directly contacting the top surface of the conductive element. A second RRAM element is arranged within the dielectric structure and has a second data storage layer directly contacting the top surface of the conductive element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2019
    Publication date: January 23, 2020
    Inventors: Chin-Chieh Yang, Chih-Yang Chang, Wen-Ting Chu, Yu-Wen Liao
  • Publication number: 20200020745
    Abstract: The present disclosure, in some embodiments, relates to an integrated circuit. The integrated circuit has a first inter-level dielectric (ILD) layer over a substrate. A lower electrode is over the first ILD layer, a data storage structure is over the lower electrode, and an upper electrode is over the data storage structure. An upper interconnect wire directly contacts an entirety of an upper surface of the upper electrode. A conductive via directly contacts an upper surface of the upper interconnect wire. The conductive via has an outermost sidewall that is directly over the upper surface of the upper interconnect wire.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2019
    Publication date: January 16, 2020
    Inventors: Hsia-Wei Chen, Chih-Yang Chang, Chin-Chieh Yang, Jen-Sheng Yang, Kuo-Chi Tu, Wen-Ting Chu, Yu-Wen Liao
  • Patent number: 10529658
    Abstract: Various embodiments of the present application are directed towards an integrated circuit comprising a memory cell on a homogeneous bottom electrode via (BEVA) top surface. In some embodiments, the integrated circuit comprises a conductive wire, a via dielectric layer, a via, and a memory cell. The via dielectric layer overlies the conductive wire. The via extends through the via dielectric layer to the conductive wire, and has a first sidewall, a second sidewall, and a top surface. The first and second sidewalls of the via are respectively on opposite sides of the via, and directly contact sidewalls of the via dielectric layer. The top surface of the via is homogenous and substantially flat. Further, the top surface of the via extends laterally from the first sidewall of the via to the second sidewall of the via. The memory cell is directly on the top surface of the via.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2020
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hsia-Wei Chen, Wen-Ting Chu, Yu-Wen Liao
  • Publication number: 20190386204
    Abstract: Various embodiments of the present application are directed towards a method for forming a flat via top surface for memory, as well as an integrated circuit (IC) resulting from the method. In some embodiments, an etch is performed into a dielectric layer to form an opening. A liner layer is formed covering the dielectric layer and lining the opening. A lower body layer is formed covering the dielectric layer and filling a remainder of the opening over the liner layer. A top surface of the lower body layer and a top surface of the liner layer are recessed to below a top surface of the dielectric layer to partially clear the opening. A homogeneous upper body layer is formed covering the dielectric layer and partially filling the opening. A planarization is performed into the homogeneous upper body layer until the dielectric layer is reached.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2019
    Publication date: December 19, 2019
    Inventors: Hsia-Wei Chen, Chih-Yang Chang, Chin-Chieh Yang, Jen-Sheng Yang, Sheng-Hung Shih, Tung-Sheng Hsiao, Wen-Ting Chu, Yu-Wen Liao, I-Ching Chen
  • Patent number: 10510953
    Abstract: Some embodiments relate to a device. The device includes a top electrode and a via disposed over the top electrode. A peripheral upper surface of the top electrode is above a central upper surface of the top electrode, and a tapered inner sidewall of the top electrode connects the peripheral upper surface to the central upper surface. The via establishes electrical contact with the tapered inner sidewall but is spaced apart from the central upper surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2019
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hsia-Wei Chen, Wen-Ting Chu, Kuo-Chi Tu, Chih-Yang Chang, Chin-Chieh Yang, Yu-Wen Liao, Wen-Chun You, Sheng-Hung Shih
  • Patent number: 10504963
    Abstract: In some embodiments, the present disclosure relates to a memory circuit having a first resistive random access memory (RRAM) element and a second RRAM element arranged within a dielectric structure over a substrate. The first RRAM element has a first conjunct electrode separated from a first disjunct electrode by a first data storage layer. The second RRAM element has a second conjunct electrode separated from a second disjunct electrode by a second data storage layer. A control device is disposed within the substrate and has first terminal coupled to the first conjunct electrode and the second conjunct electrode and a second terminal coupled to a word-line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2019
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chin-Chieh Yang, Chih-Yang Chang, Wen-Ting Chu, Yu-Wen Liao
  • Publication number: 20190371999
    Abstract: The present disclosure, in some embodiments, relates to a resistive random access memory (RRAM) cell. The RRAM cell has a bottom electrode over a substrate. A data storage layer is over the bottom electrode and has a first thickness. A capping layer is over the data storage layer. The capping layer has a second thickness that is in a range of between approximately 1.9 and approximately 3 times thicker than the first thickness. A top electrode is over the capping layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 14, 2019
    Publication date: December 5, 2019
    Inventors: Trinh Hai Dang, Hsing-Lien Lin, Cheng-Yuan Tsai, Chin-Chieh Yang, Yu-Wen Liao, Wen-Ting Chu, Chia-Shiung Tsai
  • Patent number: 10483322
    Abstract: A memory device includes a first inter-layer dielectric layer, plural conductive features, plural memory structures, a filler, and a second inter-layer dielectric layer. The conductive features are embedded in the first inter-layer dielectric layer. The memory structures are respectively over the conductive features. The filler is in between the memory structures. The second inter-layer dielectric layer is over the filler and the memory structures, and the second inter-layer dielectric layer and the filler form an interface, in which the interface extends from one of the memory structures to another of the memory structures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2019
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Ching-Pei Hsieh, Hsia-Wei Chen, Yu-Wen Liao
  • Patent number: 10475852
    Abstract: A resistive random access memory (RRAM) structure includes a resistive memory element formed on a semiconductor substrate. The resistive element includes a top electrode, a bottom electrode, and a resistive material layer positioned between the top electrode and the bottom electrode. The RRAM structure further includes a field effect transistor (FET) formed on the semiconductor substrate, the FET having a source and a drain. The drain of the FET has a higher doping concentration than the source of the FET. The resistive memory element is coupled with the drain via a portion of an interconnect structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2019
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Chin-Chieh Yang, Hsia-Wei Chen, Chih-Yang Chang, Kuo-Chi Tu, Wen-Ting Chu, Yu-Wen Liao
  • Publication number: 20190259944
    Abstract: A semiconductor structure includes a memory region. A memory structure is disposed on the memory region. The memory structure includes a first electrode, a resistance variable layer, protection spacers and a second electrode. The first electrode has a top surface and a first outer sidewall surface on the memory region. The resistance variable layer has a first portion and a second portion. The first portion is disposed over the top surface of the first electrode and the second portion extends upwardly from the first portion. The protection spacers are disposed over a portion of the top surface of the first electrode and surround the second portion of the resistance variable layer. The protection spacers are configurable to protect at least one conductive path in the resistance variable layer. The protection spacers have a second outer sidewall surface substantially aligned with the first outer sidewall surface of the first electrode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2019
    Publication date: August 22, 2019
    Inventors: Kuo-Chi Tu, Chih-Yang Chang, Hsia-Wei Chen, Chin-Chieh Yang, Sheng-Hung Shih, Wen-Chun You, Wen-Ting Chu, Yu-Wen Liao
  • Patent number: 10388868
    Abstract: A semiconductor structure includes a memory region. A memory structure is disposed on the memory region. The memory structure includes a first electrode, a resistance variable layer, protection spacers and a second electrode. The first electrode has a top surface and a first outer sidewall surface on the memory region. The resistance variable layer has a first portion and a second portion. The first portion is disposed over the top surface of the first electrode and the second portion extends upwardly from the first portion. The protection spacers are disposed over a portion of the top surface of the first electrode and surround the second portion of the resistance variable layer. The protection spacers are configurable to protect at least one conductive path in the resistance variable layer. The protection spacers have a second outer sidewall surface substantially aligned with the first outer sidewall surface of the first electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2019
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kuo-Chi Tu, Chih-Yang Chang, Hsia-Wei Chen, Chin-Chieh Yang, Sheng-Hung Shih, Wen-Chun You, Wen-Ting Chu, Yu-Wen Liao
  • Patent number: 10388865
    Abstract: The present disclosure, in some embodiments, relates to a resistive random access memory (RRAM) cell. The RRAM cell has a bottom electrode disposed over a lower interconnect layer and a data storage layer having a first thickness over the bottom electrode. A capping layer is disposed over the data storage layer. The capping layer has a second thickness that is in a range of between approximately 2 and approximately 3 times thicker than the first thickness. A top electrode is disposed over the capping layer and an upper interconnect layer is disposed over the top electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2019
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Trinh Hai Dang, Hsing-Lien Lin, Cheng-Yuan Tsai, Chin-Chieh Yang, Yu-Wen Liao, Wen-Ting Chu, Chia-Shiung Tsai