Patents Examined by André C. Stevenson
  • Patent number: 11901436
    Abstract: A method comprises forming first and second fins each comprising alternately stacking first and second semiconductor layers; forming dummy gate structures over the first and second fins, and gate spacers on either side of the dummy gate structures; removing the dummy gate structures to form first and second gate trenches; removing the first semiconductor layers such that the second semiconductor layers are suspended in the first and second gate trenches; depositing a first dielectric layer around the second semiconductor layers and a second dielectric layer around the first dielectric layer; performing an ALD process to form a hard mask layer around the second dielectric layer, the ALD process comprising pulsing a first precursor for a first pulse time longer than about one second; patterning the hard mask layer; and etching a portion of the second gate dielectric layer in the second gate trench.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2024
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Yen-Jui Chiu, Yao-Teng Chuang, Kuei-Lun Lin
  • Patent number: 11894398
    Abstract: A photodetector, includes a photosensitive layer, a thin film transistor, and a sensing electrode, the sensing electrode connected to one of source/drain electrodes of the thin film transistor to transmit a signal generated by the photosensitive layer to the thin film transistor; wherein the photodetector further is a hydrogen barrier layer which is disposed between the photosensitive layer and the thin film transistor and is configured to inhibit hydrogen of the photosensitive layer from entering the thin film transistor. A method of manufacturing a photodetector is further provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2024
    Assignee: BOE Technology Group Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jiangbo Chen, Fanli Meng, Fan Li, Shuo Zhang, Da Li, Zeyuan Li, Yanzhao Li
  • Patent number: 11894270
    Abstract: Embodiments include an interconnect structure and methods of forming such an interconnect structure. In an embodiment, the interconnect structure comprises a first interlayer dielectric (ILD) and a first interconnect layer with a plurality of first conductive traces partially embedded in the first ILD. In an embodiment, an etch stop layer is formed over surfaces of the first ILD and sidewall surfaces of the first conductive traces. In an embodiment, the interconnect structure further comprises a second interconnect layer that includes a plurality of second conductive traces. In an embodiment, a via between the first interconnect layer and the second interconnect layer may be self-aligned with the first interconnect layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2024
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Kevin Lin, Sudipto Naskar, Manish Chandhok, Miriam Reshotko, Rami Hourani
  • Patent number: 11887995
    Abstract: A display panel is provided and includes a substrate and a plurality of pixel units. Each of the pixel units includes a color resist block, a light transmission area, and a non-light transmission area. An opening is defined at an edge of the color resist block in the non-light transmission area, and a through-hole area is defined in the opening. The opening includes a first sidewall near the light transmission area, a compensation member is disposed at an end of the first sidewall near a gap area, and a block angle structure is formed between the compensation member and the first sidewall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2024
    Inventors: Shaomao Fang, Ilgon Kim, Bin Zhao, Xin Zhang, Jun Zhao
  • Patent number: 11869891
    Abstract: Non-planar integrated circuit structures having mitigated source or drain etch from replacement gate process are described. For example, an integrated circuit structure includes a fin or nanowire. A gate stack is over the fin or nanowire. The gate stack includes a gate dielectric and a gate electrode. A first dielectric spacer is along a first side of the gate stack, and a second dielectric spacer is along a second side of the gate stack. The first and second dielectric spacers are over at least a portion of the fin or nanowire. An insulating material is vertically between and in contact with the portion of the fin or nanowire and the first and second dielectric spacers. A first epitaxial source or drain structure is at the first side of the gate stack, and a second epitaxial source or drain structure is at the second side of the gate stack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Jun Sung Kang, Kai Loon Cheong, Erica J. Thompson, Biswajeet Guha, William Hsu, Dax M. Crum, Tahir Ghani, Bruce Beattie
  • Patent number: 11859278
    Abstract: Methods of forming carbon polymer films are disclosed. Some methods are advantageously performed at lower temperatures. The substrate is exposed to a first carbon precursor to form a substrate surface with terminations based on the reactive functional groups of the first carbon precursor and exposed to a second carbon precursor to react with the surface terminations and form a carbon polymer film. Processing tools and non-transitory memories to perform the process are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Bhaskar Jyoti Bhuyan, Mark Saly, Ahbijit Basu Mallick, Eugene Yu Jin Kong, Bo Qi
  • Patent number: 11854819
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods of forming semiconductor devices. A method according to the present disclosure includes receiving a workpiece that includes a stack of semiconductor layers, depositing a first pad oxide layer on a germanium-containing top layer of the stack, depositing a second pad oxide layer on the first pad oxide layer, depositing a pad nitride layer on the second pad oxide layer, and patterning the stack using the first pad oxide layer, the second pad oxide layer, and the pad nitride layer as a hard mask layer. The depositing of the first pad oxide layer includes a first oxygen plasma power and the depositing of the second pad oxide layer includes a second oxygen plasma power greater than the first oxygen plasma power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2023
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Shih-Hao Fu, Hung-Ju Chou, Che-Lun Chang, Jiun-Ming Kuo, Yuan-Ching Peng, Sung-En Lin, Nung-Che Cheng, Chunyao Wang
  • Patent number: 11851325
    Abstract: Methods for improving wafer bonding performance are disclosed herein. In some embodiments, a method for bonding a pair of semiconductor substrates is disclosed. The method includes: processing at least one of the pair of semiconductor substrates, and bonding the pair of semiconductor substrates together. Each of the pair of semiconductor substrates is processed by: performing at least one chemical vapor deposition (CVD), and performing at least one chemical mechanical polishing (CMP). One of the at least one CVD is performed after all CMP performed before bonding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2023
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chien-Wei Chang, Ya-Jen Sheuh, Ren-Dou Lee, Yi-Chih Chang, Yi-Hsun Chiu, Yuan-Hsin Chi
  • Patent number: 11848232
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to processes for filling trenches. The process includes depositing a first amorphous silicon layer on a surface of a layer and a second amorphous silicon layer in a portion of a trench formed in the layer, and portions of side walls of the trench are exposed. The first amorphous silicon layer is removed. The process further includes depositing a third amorphous silicon layer on the surface of the layer and a fourth amorphous silicon layer on the second amorphous silicon layer. The third amorphous silicon layer is removed. The deposition/removal cyclic processes may be repeated until the trench is filled with amorphous silicon layers. The amorphous silicon layers form a seamless amorphous silicon gap fill in the trench since the amorphous silicon layers are formed from bottom up.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2023
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Xin Liu, Fei Wang, Rui Cheng, Abhijit Basu Mallick, Robert Jan Visser
  • Patent number: 11848253
    Abstract: A semiconductor structure with an air gap includes a dielectric stack having a first dielectric layer on a substrate, a second dielectric layer on the first dielectric layer, and a third dielectric layer on the second dielectric layer. A first conductive layer and a second conductive layer are disposed in the dielectric stack. The first conductive layer and the second conductive layer are coplanar. A cross-like-shaped air gap is disposed in the dielectric stack between the first and second conductive layers. An oxide layer is disposed on a sidewall of the second dielectric layer within the cross-like-shaped air gap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2023
    Assignee: UNITED MICROELECTRONICS CORP.
    Inventors: Ching-Pin Hsu, Chih-Jung Wang, Chu-Chun Chang, Kuo-Yuh Yang, Chia-Huei Lin, Purakh Raj Verma
  • Patent number: 11848370
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a semiconductor device and a method for forming a semiconductor device. The semiconductor device includes a substrate, and a first gate dielectric stack over the substrate, wherein the first gate dielectric stack includes a first ferroelectric layer, and a first dielectric layer coupled to the first ferroelectric layer, wherein the first ferroelectric layer includes a first portion made of a ferroelectric material in orthorhombic phase, a second portion made of the ferroelectric material in monoclinic phase, and a third portion made of the ferroelectric material in tetragonal phase, wherein a total volume of the second portion is greater than a total volume of the first portion and the total volume of the first portion is greater than a total volume of the third portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2023
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY LTD.
    Inventors: Chun-Yen Peng, Te-Yang Lai, Bo-Feng Young, Chih-Yu Chang, Sai-Hooi Yeong, Chi On Chui
  • Patent number: 11830937
    Abstract: In a method, a first dielectric layer is formed over semiconductor fins, a second dielectric layer is formed over the first dielectric layer, the second dielectric layer is recessed below a top of each of the semiconductor fins, a third dielectric layer is formed over the recessed second dielectric layer, and the third dielectric layer is recessed below the top of the semiconductor fin, thereby forming a wall fin. The wall fin includes the recessed third dielectric layer and the recessed second dielectric layer disposed over the recessed third dielectric layer. The first dielectric layer is recessed below a top of the wall fin, a fin liner layer is formed, the fin liner layer is recessed and the semiconductor fins are recessed, and source/drain epitaxial layers are formed over the recessed semiconductor fins, respectively. The source/drain epitaxial layers are separated by the wall fin from each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2023
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Chia-Chi Yu, Jui Fu Hsieh, Yu-Li Lin, Chih-Teng Liao, Yi-Jen Chen
  • Patent number: 11812611
    Abstract: Embodiments of structure and methods for forming a three-dimensional (3D) memory device are provided. In an example, the memory device includes a stack structure having interleaved a plurality of conductor layers and a plurality of dielectric layers over a substrate along a vertical direction. The memory device also includes a channel structure extending in the stack structure along the vertical direction. A thickness of at least one of the plurality of conductor layers is nominally proportional to a width of the channel structure at the same depth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2023
    Assignee: YANGTZE MEMORY TECHNOLOGIES CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Qiguang Wang, Wenxi Zhou
  • Patent number: 11805651
    Abstract: Some embodiments include an integrated assembly having a second deck over a first deck. The first deck has first memory cell levels, and the second deck has second memory cell levels. A pair of cell-material-pillars pass through the first and second decks. Memory cells are along the first and second memory cell levels. The cell-material-pillars are a first pillar and a second pillar. An intermediate level is between the first and second decks. The intermediate level includes a region between the first and second pillars. The region includes a first segment adjacent the first pillar, a second segment adjacent the second pillar, and a third segment between the first and second segments. The first and second segments include a first composition, and the third segment includes a second composition different from the first composition. Some embodiments include methods of forming integrated assemblies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2023
    Inventors: Jordan D. Greenlee, John D. Hopkins
  • Patent number: 11799032
    Abstract: A semiconductor device with favorable electrical characteristics is provided. A semiconductor device with stable electrical characteristics is provided. The semiconductor device includes a semiconductor layer, a first insulating layer, and a first conductive layer. The first insulating layer is provided over the semiconductor layer. The first conductive layer is provided over the first insulating layer. The semiconductor layer includes a first region that overlaps with the first conductive layer and the first insulating layer, a second region that does not overlap with the first conductive layer and overlaps with the first insulating layer, and a third region that overlaps with neither the first conductive layer nor the first insulating layer. The semiconductor layer contains a metal oxide. The second region and the third region contain a first element. The first element is one or more elements selected from boron, phosphorus, aluminum, and magnesium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2023
    Assignee: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kenichi Okazaki, Masami Jintyou, Kensuke Yoshizumi
  • Patent number: 11791393
    Abstract: Provided are a semiconductor device and a method of forming the same. The semiconductor device includes a substrate, a plurality of semiconductor nanosheets, a bottom dielectric layer, and a gate stack. The substrate includes at least one fin. The plurality of semiconductor nanosheets are stacked on the at least one fin. The bottom dielectric layer is vertically disposed between the at least one fin and the plurality of semiconductor nanosheets. The gate stack wraps the plurality of semiconductor nanosheets. An area of the gate stack projected on a top surface of the substrate is within an area of the bottom dielectric layer projected on the top surface of the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2023
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Bo-Feng Young, Sai-Hooi Yeong, Chi-On Chui
  • Patent number: 11784043
    Abstract: Methods of forming silicon nitride thin films on a substrate in a reaction space under high pressure are provided. The methods can include a plurality of plasma enhanced atomic layer deposition (PEALD) cycles, where at least one PEALD deposition cycle comprises contacting the substrate with a nitrogen plasma at a process pressure of 20 Torr to 500 Torr within the reaction space. In some embodiments the silicon precursor is a silyl halide, such as H2SiI2. In some embodiments the processes allow for the deposition of silicon nitride films having improved properties on three dimensional structures. For example, such silicon nitride films can have a ratio of wet etch rates on the top surfaces to the sidewall of about 1:1 in dilute HF.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2023
    Assignee: ASM IP Holding, B.V.
    Inventors: Toshiya Suzuki, Viljami J. Pore, Shang Chen, Ryoko Yamada, Dai Ishikawa, Kunitoshi Namba
  • Patent number: 11784186
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a first active pattern extending lengthwise along a first direction and a second active pattern extending lengthwise along the first direction and spaced apart from the first active pattern in the first direction. The device also includes a field insulating film between the first active pattern and the second active pattern. An upper surface of the field insulating film is lower than or coplanar with upper surfaces of the first and second active patterns. The device further includes an element isolation structure in an isolation trench in the first active pattern and the field insulating film. An upper surface of the element isolation structure is higher than the upper surfaces of the first and second active patterns.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2023
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Sang Min Yoo, Ju Youn Kim, Hyung Joo Na, Bong Seok Suh, Joo Ho Jung, Eui Chui Hwang, Sung Moon Lee
  • Patent number: 11769691
    Abstract: The method includes providing a to-be-etched layer including an first region and a second region adjoining the first region, forming a first mask layer on the to-be-etched layer, forming a patterned core layer on the first mask layer of the first region, forming a sidewall spacer on the core layer and the first mask layer, forming a first sacrificial layer on the sidewall spacer on the surface of the first mask layer of the second region, forming a second sacrificial layer on the sidewall spacer, removing the first sacrificial layer, the sidewall spacer on the surface of the first mask layer of the second region, and the sidewall spacer on a top of the core layer, removing the core layer, etching the first mask layer of the first region to form a first trench, and etching the first mask layer of the second region to form a second trench.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2023
    Assignees: Semiconductor Manufacturing International (Shanghai) Corporation, Semiconductor Manufacturing International (Beijing) Corporation
    Inventors: Jisong Jin, Abraham Yoo
  • Patent number: 11769672
    Abstract: A semiconductor structure and a forming method thereof are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2023
    Assignees: Semiconductor Manufacturing International (Shanghai) Corporation, Semiconductor Manufacturing International (Beijing) Corporation
    Inventor: Jisong Jin