Patents by Inventor Yuan-Tai Tseng

Yuan-Tai Tseng 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: 11950434
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an integrated chip including a first word line and a second word line adjacent to the first word line. The first word line and the second word line both extend along a first direction. A first memory cell is over the first word line and a second memory cell is over the second word line. A first bit line extends over the first memory cell, over the second memory cell, and along a second direction transverse to the first direction. A first dielectric layer is arranged between the first memory cell and the second memory cell. The first dielectric layer extends in a first closed loop to form and enclose a first void within the first dielectric layer. The first void laterally separates the first memory cell from the second memory cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2024
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventor: Yuan-Tai Tseng
  • Publication number: 20240088206
    Abstract: A semiconductor structure includes a first electrode, a second electrode over the first electrode, a third electrode over the second electrode, a first insulating layer between the first electrode and the second electrode, and a second insulating layer between the second electrode and the third electrode. The third electrode includes a first bottom surface and a second bottom surface. The first bottom surface and the second bottom surface are at different levels. A width of the first bottom surface is greater than a width of the second bottom surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2023
    Publication date: March 14, 2024
    Inventors: YI JEN TSAI, YUAN-TAI TSENG, CHERN-YOW HSU
  • Publication number: 20240023460
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a semiconductor structure, including an Nth metal layer, a bottom electrode over the Nth metal layer, a magnetic tunneling junction (MTJ) over the bottom electrode, a top electrode over the MTJ, and an (N+M)th metal layer over the Nth metal layer. N and M are positive integers. The (N+M)th metal layer surrounds a portion of a sidewall of the top electrode. A manufacturing method of forming the semiconductor structure is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2023
    Publication date: January 18, 2024
    Inventors: Fu-Ting Sung, Chung-Chiang Min, Yuan-Tai Tseng, Chern-Yow Hsu, Shih-Chang Liu
  • Patent number: 11871686
    Abstract: Various embodiments of the present application are directed towards an integrated circuit comprising a resistive random-access memory (RRAM) cell with recessed bottom electrode sidewalls to mitigate the effect of sidewall plasma damage. In some embodiments, the RRAM cell includes a lower electrode, a data storage element, and an upper electrode. The lower electrode includes a pair of recessed bottom electrode sidewalls respectively on opposite sides of the lower electrode. The data storage element overlies the lower electrode and includes a pair of storage sidewalls. The storage sidewalls are respectively on the opposite sides of the lower electrode, and the recessed bottom electrode sidewalls are laterally spaced from and laterally between the storage sidewalls. The upper electrode overlies the data storage element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yuan-Tai Tseng, Shih-Chang Liu
  • Patent number: 11855127
    Abstract: A semiconductor structure includes a first electrode, a second electrode over the first electrode, a third electrode over the second electrode, a first insulating layer between the first electrode and the second electrode, and a second insulating layer between the second electrode and the third electrode. The third electrode includes a first bottom surface and a second bottom surface. The first bottom surface and the second bottom surface are at different levels. A width of the first bottom surface is greater than a width of the second bottom surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2023
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY LTD.
    Inventors: Yi Jen Tsai, Yuan-Tai Tseng, Chern-Yow Hsu
  • Publication number: 20230389445
    Abstract: Various embodiments of the present disclosure are directed towards a method for forming an integrated chip. The method includes forming a memory cell stack over a substrate. The memory cell stack includes a top electrode. A sidewall spacer structure is formed around the memory cell stack. The sidewall spacer structure includes a first sidewall spacer layer, a second sidewall spacer layer, and a protective sidewall spacer layer sandwiched between the first and second sidewall spacer layers. A dielectric structure is formed over the sidewall spacer structure. A first etch process is performed on the dielectric structure and the second sidewall spacer layer to define an opening above the top electrode. The second sidewall spacer layer and the dielectric structure are etched at a higher rate than the protective sidewall spacer layer during the first etch process. A top electrode via is formed within the opening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2023
    Publication date: November 30, 2023
    Inventors: Yao-Wen Chang, Chung-Chiang Min, Harry-Hak-Lay Chuang, Hung Cho Wang, Tsung-Hsueh Yang, Yuan-Tai Tseng, Sheng-Huang Huang, Chia-Hua Lin
  • Publication number: 20230380188
    Abstract: Some embodiments relate to a method for forming a memory device. The method includes forming a lower dielectric layer over a conductive wire. A stack of memory layers is formed within the lower dielectric layer and over the conductive wire. The stack of memory layers comprises a top electrode, a bottom electrode, and a data storage layer between the top electrode and the bottom electrode. A removal process is performed on the stack of memory layers to define a programmable metallization cell that comprises the top electrode, the bottom electrode, and the data storage layer. The programmable metallization cell comprises a central region and a peripheral region that extends upwardly from the central region. A top surface of the programmable metallization cell and a top surface of the lower dielectric layer are coplanar.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2023
    Publication date: November 23, 2023
    Inventors: Fu-Ting Sung, Chung-Chiang Min, Yuan-Tai Tseng
  • Patent number: 11818962
    Abstract: Various embodiments of the present disclosure are directed towards a method for forming an integrated chip. The method includes forming a memory cell stack over a substrate. The memory cell stack includes a top electrode. A sidewall spacer structure is formed around the memory cell stack. The sidewall spacer structure includes a first sidewall spacer layer, a second sidewall spacer layer, and a protective sidewall spacer layer sandwiched between the first and second sidewall spacer layers. A dielectric structure is formed over the sidewall spacer structure. A first etch process is performed on the dielectric structure and the second sidewall spacer layer to define an opening above the top electrode. The second sidewall spacer layer and the dielectric structure are etched at a higher rate than the protective sidewall spacer layer during the first etch process. A top electrode via is formed within the opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2023
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yao-Wen Chang, Chung-Chiang Min, Harry-Hak-Lay Chuang, Hung Cho Wang, Tsung-Hsueh Yang, Yuan-Tai Tseng, Sheng-Huang Huang, Chia-Hua Lin
  • Patent number: 11805660
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a semiconductor structure. The semiconductor structure includes a memory region, the memory region includes a first metal line, a magnetic tunneling junction (MTJ) over the first metal line, a cap, wherein at least a portion of the cap is above the MTJ, a first stop layer above the cap, and a first metal via being disposed over the MTJ and in direct contact with the first stop layer, and a logic region adjacent to the memory region, the logic region includes a second metal line, a third metal line over the second metal line, a second stop layer being disposed over the third metal line, and a second metal via over the third metal line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2023
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY LTD.
    Inventors: Chern-Yow Hsu, Yuan-Tai Tseng, Shih-Chang Liu
  • Patent number: 11785861
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a semiconductor structure, including an Nth metal layer, a bottom electrode over the Nth metal layer, a magnetic tunneling junction (MTJ) over the bottom electrode, a top electrode over the MTJ, and an (N+M)th metal layer over the Nth metal layer. N and M are positive integers. The (N+M)th metal layer surrounds a portion of a sidewall of the top electrode. A manufacturing method of forming the semiconductor structure is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2023
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY LTD.
    Inventors: Fu-Ting Sung, Chung-Chiang Min, Yuan-Tai Tseng, Chern-Yow Hsu, Shih-Chang Liu
  • Patent number: 11785786
    Abstract: Some embodiments relate to a method for forming a memory device. The method includes forming a lower dielectric layer over a conductive wire. A stack of memory layers is formed within the lower dielectric layer and over the conductive wire. The stack of memory layers comprises a top electrode, a bottom electrode, and a data storage layer between the top electrode and the bottom electrode. A removal process is performed on the stack of memory layers to define a programmable metallization cell that comprises the top electrode, the bottom electrode, and the data storage layer. The programmable metallization cell comprises a central region and a peripheral region that extends upwardly from the central region. A top surface of the programmable metallization cell and a top surface of the lower dielectric layer are coplanar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2023
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Fu-Ting Sung, Chung-Chiang Min, Yuan-Tai Tseng
  • Patent number: 11751406
    Abstract: An RRAM cell stack is formed over an opening in a dielectric layer. The dielectric layer is sufficiently thick and the opening is sufficiently deep that an RRAM cell can be formed by a planarization process. The resulting RRAM cells may have a U-shaped profile. The RRAM cell area includes contributions from a bottom portion in which the RRAM cell layers are stacked parallel to the substrate and a side portion in which RRAM cell layers are stacked roughly perpendicular to the substrate. The combined side and bottom portions of the curved RRAM cell provide an increased area in comparison to a planar cell stack. The increased area lowers forming and set voltages for the RRAM cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2023
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Te-Hsien Hsieh, Tzu-Yu Chen, Kuo-Chi Tu, Yuan-Tai Tseng
  • Patent number: 11742262
    Abstract: A novel integrated circuit and method thereof are provided. The integrated circuit includes a plurality of first interconnect pads, a plurality of second interconnect pads, a first inter-level dielectric layer, a thin film resistor, and at least two end-caps. The end-caps, which are connectors for the thin film resistor, are positioned at the same level with the plurality of second interconnect pads. Therefore, an electrical connection between the end-caps and the plurality of second interconnect pads can be formed by directly connection of them. An integrated circuit with a thin film resistor can be made in a cost benefit way accordingly, so as to overcome disadvantages mentioned above.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2023
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yuan-Tai Tseng, Chia-Shiung Tsai, Chung-Yen Chou, Ming-Chyi Liu
  • Patent number: 11690232
    Abstract: A memory device including a first array of rail structures that extend along a first horizontal direction, in which each of the rail structures are formed to serve as a bottom electrode, and a second array of rail structures that laterally extend along a second horizontal direction and are laterally spaced apart along the first horizontal direction. Each of the rail structures in the second array are formed to server as a top electrode. The memory device also includes a continuous dielectric memory layer located between the first array of rail structures and the second array of rail structures. The continuous dielectric memory layer providing protection from current leakage between the rail structures of the first array and the rail structures of the second array.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2023
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited
    Inventors: Te-Hsien Hsieh, Yuan-Tai Tseng
  • Patent number: 11665911
    Abstract: The present disclosure, in some embodiments, relates to an integrated chip. The integrated chip includes a lower interconnect disposed within a dielectric structure over a substrate. A memory device includes a data storage structure disposed between a bottom electrode and a top electrode. The bottom electrode is electrically coupled to the lower interconnect. A sidewall spacer includes an interior sidewall that continuously extends from along an outermost sidewall of the top electrode to below an outermost sidewall of the bottom electrode. The sidewall spacer further includes an outermost sidewall that extends from a bottom surface of the sidewall spacer to above a top of the bottom electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2023
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yuan-Tai Tseng, Chung-Chiang Min, Shih-Chang Liu
  • Publication number: 20230100433
    Abstract: Some embodiments relate to a memory device. The memory device includes a first electrode overlying a substrate. A data storage layer is disposed on the first electrode. A second electrode overlies the data storage layer. A buffer layer is disposed between the data storage layer and the second electrode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2022
    Publication date: March 30, 2023
    Inventors: Chung-Chiang Min, Chang-Chih Huang, Yuan-Tai Tseng, Kuo-Chyuan Tzeng, Yihuei Zhu
  • Publication number: 20230064578
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an integrated chip including a first word line and a second word line adjacent to the first word line. The first word line and the second word line both extend along a first direction. A first memory cell is over the first word line and a second memory cell is over the second word line. A first bit line extends over the first memory cell, over the second memory cell, and along a second direction transverse to the first direction. A first dielectric layer is arranged between the first memory cell and the second memory cell. The first dielectric layer extends in a first closed loop to form and enclose a first void within the first dielectric layer. The first void laterally separates the first memory cell from the second memory cell.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 26, 2021
    Publication date: March 2, 2023
    Inventor: Yuan-Tai Tseng
  • Patent number: 11569296
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a semiconductor structure. The semiconductor structure includes a transistor layer, a memory region over the transistor layer, and a logic region adjacent to the memory region. The memory region includes a first Nth metal line, a magnetic tunneling junction (MTJ) over the first Nth metal line, a cap over the MTJ, a first stop layer on the cap, and a first (N+1)th metal via over the MTJ. The first (N+1)th metal via is laterally surrounded by the cap and the first stop layer. The logic region includes a second Nth metal line, a second stop layer over an (N+1)th metal line, and a second (N+1)th metal via over the (N+1)th metal line. N is an integer greater than or equal to 1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2023
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY LTD.
    Inventors: Chern-Yow Hsu, Yuan-Tai Tseng, Shih-Chang Liu
  • Patent number: 11532785
    Abstract: Some embodiments relate to a memory device. The memory device includes a first electrode overlying a substrate. A data storage layer overlies the first electrode. A second electrode overlies the data storage layer. A conductive bridge is selectively formable within the data storage layer to couple the first electrode to the second electrode. An active metal layer is disposed between the data storage layer and the second electrode. A buffer layer is disposed between the active metal layer and the second electrode. The buffer layer has a lower reactivity to oxygen than the active metal layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2022
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Chung-Chiang Min, Chang-Chih Huang, Yuan-Tai Tseng, Kuo-Chyuan Tzeng, Yihuei Zhu
  • Patent number: 11532697
    Abstract: A semiconductor structure includes a substrate, a first electrode over the substrate, a second electrode over the first electrode, and a first insulating layer between the first electrode and the second electrode. The first insulating layer has a first portion and a second portion coupled to the first portion, the second portion of the first insulating layer is in contact with the second electrode, the first portion is separated from the second electrode by the second portion. A thickness of the second portion is greater than a thickness of the first portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2022
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY LTD.
    Inventors: Yi Jen Tsai, Yuan-Tai Tseng, Chern-Yow Hsu