Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Comp. Ltd.

Yin-Tun Chou

Yuan-Hsin Chi

Sheng-Yuan Lin

Hung-Chih Wang

Yu-Chi Liu

Chih-Wei Chou

Hsi-Cheng Hsu

I-Shi Wang

Yu-Pei Chiang

Jr-Sheng Chen

Lin-Ching Huang

Chin-Han Meng

Hong-Ta Kuo

Tzu-Ping Yang

Hsing-Yu Wang

Chih-Hua Chan

Chih-Ming Wang

Jen-Hao Liu

Chun-Yi Chen

Yen-Hao Huang

Chih-Hang Chang

Ming-Sze Chen

I-shi Wang

Shu-Han Chao

Chin-Wei Chen

Yao-Fong Dai

Richard Huang

Ming-Yi Shen

Hsin-Lin Wu

Pei-Yuan Tai

Yu Li Wang

A preclean process may be omitted from a eutectic bonding sequence. To remove oxide from one or more surfaces of a device wafer of a micro-electromechanical-system (MEMS) structure, a duration of an acid-based etch process in the eutectic bonding sequence may be increased relative to the duration of the acid-based etch process when the preclean process is performed. The increased duration of the acid-based etch process enables the acid-based etch process to remove the oxide from the one or more surfaces of the device wafer without the use of a preceding preclean process. This reduces the complexity and cycle time of the eutectic bonding sequence, reduces the risk of stiction between suspended mechanical components of the MEMS structure, and/or reduces the likelihood that the MEMS structure may be rendered defective or inoperable during manufacturing, which increases process yield.

Extended acid etch for oxide removal

The present disclosure relates to exclusion rings for use in processing a semiconductor substrate in a processing chamber, such as a chemical vapor deposition chamber. The exclusion ring includes an alignment structure that cooperates with an alignment structure on a platen on which the exclusion ring will rest during processing of the wafer. The first alignment structure includes a guiding surface which promotes the reception of and positioning of the second alignment structure within the first alignment structure. Methods of utilizing the described exclusion rings are also described.

Structures and methods for processing a semiconductor substrate

A clamp ring including an inner periphery of increased diameter at locations where inwardly extending tabs are not located reduces the risk a workpiece that is placed in close proximity to the clamp ring or which contacts the clamp ring during processing will stick to the clamp ring.

Clamp ring and method of using clamp ring

A deposition tool includes a power cable pedestal including a pedestal body with a first surface and a second surface and a guide hole that extends through the pedestal body from the first surface to the second surface, where at least a portion of a sidewall of the guide hole has a slanted surface, and where the pedestal body is formed from a first material with a melting point that is higher than a melting point of Polyoxymethylene (POM). The deposition tool includes a bushing arranged over the guide hole, where the bushing is formed from a second material with a melting point that is higher than the melting point of POM.

Power alarm and fire loading risk reduction for a deposition tool

A wafer pod transfer assembly includes a wafer pod port to receive a wafer pod, a transfer axle coupled to the wafer pod port, a shaft receiver, a shaft coupled to the transfer axle and to the shaft receiver, a pin through the shaft receiver and through the shaft, wherein the pin comprises a first end and a second end, opposite the first end, and a pin buckle including a first loop and a second loop. The pin buckle is coupled to the pin, the first loop encircles the first end of the pin, and the second loop encircles the second end of the pin.

Wafer pod transfer assembly

A radio frequency (RF) match assembly for a chemical vapor deposition processing chamber. The assembly includes a top electrically insulating column and a bottom electrically insulating column. The assembly further includes a one-piece RF match strap that has a head, a main body and a body extension. The main body of the one-piece RF match strap is configured to extend through the top electrically insulating column and the bottom electrically insulating column. A flexible chamber lid strap connects the processing chamber to the top of the one piece RF match strap.

Radio frequency match strap assembly

A bonding tool includes a gas supply line that may extend directly between valves associated with one or more gas supply tanks and a processing chamber such that gas supply line is uninterrupted without any intervening valves or other types of structures that might otherwise cause a pressure buildup in the gas supply line between the processing chamber and the valves associated with the one or more gas supply tanks. The pressure in the gas supply line may be maintained at or near the pressure in the processing chamber so that gas provided to the processing chamber through the gas supply line does not cause a pressure imbalance in the processing chamber, which might otherwise cause early or premature contact between semiconductor substrates that are to be bonded in the processing chamber.

Semiconductor substrate bonding tool and methods of operation

In an embodiment, a system includes: a circular frame comprising a first side and a second side opposite the first side, wherein the circular frame comprises an aperture formed therethrough; an insert disposed within the aperture; a first wafer disposed over the insert; a second wafer disposed over the first wafer, wherein both the first wafer and the second wafer are configured for eutectic bonding when heated; two clamps disposed on the first side along the circular frame, wherein the two clamps are configured to contact the second wafer at respective clamp locations; and a plurality of pieces configured to secure the insert within the aperture, the plurality of pieces comprising both fixed and flexible pieces, the plurality of pieces comprising two fixed pieces disposed respectively adjacent to the clamp locations along the second side of the circular frame.

Systems and methods for semi-flexible eutectic bonder piece arranegments

A multi-zone gas distribution plate (GDP) for high uniformity in plasma-based etching is provided. A housing defines a process chamber and comprises a gas inlet configured to receive a process gas. A GDP is arranged in the process chamber and is configured to distribute the process gas within the process chamber. The GDP comprises a plurality of holes extending through the GDP, and further comprises a plurality of zones into which the holes are grouped. The zones comprise a first zone and a second zone. Holes of the first zone share a first cross-sectional profile and holes of the second zone share a second cross-sectional profile different than the first cross-sectional profile. A method for designing the multi-zone GDP is also provided.

Multi-zone gas distribution plate (GDP) and a method for designing the multi-zone GDP

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Hsinchu, Taiwan

Yin-Tun Chou