Patents Examined by David C Spalla
  • Patent number: 11764265
    Abstract: A field effect transistor (FET) structure upon a substrate formed by forming a stack of nanosheets upon a semiconductor substrate, the stack including alternating layers of a compound semiconductor material and an elemental semiconductor material, forming a dummy gate structure upon the stack of nanosheets, recessing the stack of nanosheets in alignment with the dummy gate structure, recessing the compound semiconductor layers beyond the edges of the dummy gate, yielding indentations between adjacent semiconductor nanosheets. Further by filling the indentations with a bi-layer dielectric material, epitaxially growing source/drain regions adjacent to the nanosheet stack and bi-layer dielectric material, removing remaining portions of the compound semiconductor nanosheet layers, recessing the bi-layer dielectric material to expose an inner material layer, and forming gate structure layers in contact with first and second dielectric materials of the bi-layer dielectric material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2023
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Kangguo Cheng, Ruilong Xie, Julien Frougier, Juntao Li
  • Patent number: 11764261
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a substrate having a logic region and a high-voltage (HV) region, a first gate structure on the HV region, a first epitaxial layer and a second epitaxial layer adjacent to one side of the first gate structure, a first contact plug between the first epitaxial layer and the second epitaxial layer, a third epitaxial layer and a fourth epitaxial layer adjacent to another side of the first gate structure, and a second contact plug between the third epitaxial layer and the fourth epitaxial layer. Preferably, a bottom surface of the first epitaxial layer is lower than a bottom surface of the first contact plug and a bottom surface of the third epitaxial layer is lower than a bottom surface of the second contact plug.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2023
    Assignee: UNITED MICROELECTRONICS CORP.
    Inventors: Cheng-Pu Chiu, Tzung-Ying Lee, Dien-Yang Lu, Chun-Kai Chao, Chun-Mao Chiou
  • Patent number: 11764281
    Abstract: Fin-like field effect transistors (FinFETs) and methods of fabrication thereof are disclosed herein. The FinFETs disclosed herein have gate air spacers integrated into their gate structures. An exemplary transistor includes a fin and a gate structure disposed over the fin between a first epitaxial source/drain feature and a second epitaxial source/drain feature. The gate structure includes a gate electrode, a gate dielectric, and gate air spacers disposed between the gate dielectric and sidewalls of the gate electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2023
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD
    Inventors: Chien-Ning Yao, Bo-Feng Young, Sai-Hooi Yeong, Kuan-Lun Cheng, Chih-Hao Wang
  • Patent number: 11749743
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a gate structure on a substrate, a first spacer on sidewalls of gate structure, a second spacer on sidewalls of the first spacer, a polymer block adjacent to the first spacer and on a corner between the gate structure and the substrate, an interfacial layer under the polymer block, and a source/drain region adjacent to two sides of the first spacer. Preferably, the polymer block is surrounded by the first spacer, the interfacial layer, and the second spacer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2023
    Assignee: UNITED MICROELECTRONICS CORP.
    Inventors: Fu-Jung Chuang, Tsuo-Wen Lu, Chia-Ming Kuo, Po-Jen Chuang, Chi-Mao Hsu
  • Patent number: 11735634
    Abstract: A method for forming heterogeneous complementary FETs using a compact stacked nanosheet process is disclosed. The method comprises forming a first nanosheet stack comprising two layers of a first channel material separated by a second sacrificial layer, forming over the first nanosheet stack an equivalent second nanosheet stack, wherein the first channel material is complementary to the second channel material. The method comprises further forming a first source region and a first drain region, thereby building a first FET, and forming over the first source region and the first drain region a second source region and a second drain region, thereby building a second FET, removing selectively sacrificial layers, and forming a gate stack comprising a gate-all-around structure around all channels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2023
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Cezar Bogdan Zota, Clarissa Convertino, Kirsten Emilie Moselund
  • Patent number: 11728407
    Abstract: In a gate replacement process, a dummy gate and adjacent structure, such as a source/drain region, are formed. The dummy gate is removed, at least in part, using a directional etch to remove some but not all of the dummy gate to form a trench. A portion of the dummy gate remains and protects the adjacent structure. A gate electrode can then be formed in the trench. A two step process can be employed, using an initial isotropic etch followed by the directional etch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2023
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Shiang-Bau Wang
  • Patent number: 11728171
    Abstract: A semiconductor process system etches gate metals on semiconductor wafers. The semiconductor process system includes a machine learning based analysis model. The analysis model dynamically selects process conditions for an etching process. The process system then uses the selected process conditions data for the next etching process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2023
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Chung-Liang Cheng
  • Patent number: 11728409
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes first and second active patterns each extending in a first direction and are spaced apart from each other in a second direction that is perpendicular to the first direction. A field insulating layer is disposed between the first active pattern and the second active pattern. A first gate structure is disposed on the first active pattern and extends in the second direction. An interlayer insulating layer is disposed between the first gate structure and the field insulating layer. The interlayer insulating layer includes a first part disposed below the first gate structure. A spacer is disposed between the first gate structure and the first part of the interlayer insulating layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2023
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Sun Hye Lee, Sung Soo Kim, Ik Soo Kim, Woong Sik Nam, Dong Hyun Roh
  • Patent number: 11728391
    Abstract: Semiconductor devices and methods of forming the same are provided. A method includes providing a workpiece having a semiconductor structure; depositing a two-dimensional (2D) material layer over the semiconductor structure; forming a source feature and a drain feature electrically connected to the semiconductor structure and the 2D material layer, wherein the source feature and drain feature include a semiconductor material; and forming a gate structure over the two-dimensional material layer and interposed between the source feature and the drain feature. The gate structure, the source feature, the drain feature, the semiconductor structure and the 2D material layer are configured to form a field-effect transistor. The semiconductor structure and the 2D material layer function, respectively, as a first channel and a second channel between the source feature and the drain feature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2023
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Dhanyakumar Mahaveer Sathaiya, Khaderbad Mrunal Abhijith, Tzer-Min Shen
  • Patent number: 11721635
    Abstract: A chip package includes a semiconductor die laterally encapsulating by an insulating encapsulant, a first dielectric portion, conductive vias, conductive traces and a second dielectric portion. The first dielectric portion covers the semiconductor die and the encapsulant. The conductive vias penetrate through the first dielectric portion and electrically connected to the semiconductor die. The conductive traces are disposed on the first dielectric portion. The second dielectric portion is disposed on the first dielectric portion and covering the conductive traces, wherein a first minimum lateral width of a conductive trace among the conductive traces is smaller than a second minimum lateral width of a conductive via among the conductive vias. A method of forming the chip package is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2023
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yu-Hsiang Hu, Chen-Hua Yu, Hung-Jui Kuo
  • Patent number: 11715762
    Abstract: In an embodiment, a device includes: a first nanostructure; a second nanostructure; a gate dielectric around the first nanostructure and the second nanostructure, the gate dielectric including dielectric materials; and a gate electrode including: a work function tuning layer on the gate dielectric, the work function tuning layer including a pure work function metal, the pure work function metal of the work function tuning layer and the dielectric materials of the gate dielectric completely filling a region between the first nanostructure and the second nanostructure, the pure work function metal having a composition of greater than 95 at. % metals; an adhesion layer on the work function tuning layer; and a fill layer on the adhesion layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2023
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hsin-Yi Lee, Jia-Ming Lin, Chi On Chui
  • Patent number: 11715764
    Abstract: A semiconductor device structure, along with methods of forming such, are described. The structure includes a substrate, a source/drain contact disposed over the substrate, a first dielectric layer disposed on the source drain contact, an etch stop layer disposed on the first dielectric layer, and a source/drain conductive layer disposed in the etch stop layer and the first dielectric layer. The structure further includes a spacer structure disposed in the etch stop layer and the first dielectric layer. The spacer structure surrounds a sidewall of the source/drain conductive layer and includes a first spacer layer having a first portion and a second spacer layer adjacent the first portion of the first spacer layer. The first portion of the first spacer layer and the second spacer layer are separated by an air gap. The structure further includes a seal layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2023
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Lin-Yu Huang, Li-Zhen Yu, Cheng-Chi Chuang, Kuan-Lun Cheng, Chih-Hao Wang
  • Patent number: 11710782
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides embodiments of semiconductor structures and method of forming the same. An example semiconductor structure includes a first source/drain feature and a second source/drain feature and a hybrid fin disposed between the first source/drain feature and the second source/drain feature and extending lengthwise along a first direction. The hybrid fin includes an inner feature and an outer layer disposed around the inner feature. The outer layer includes silicon oxycarbonitride and the inner feature includes silicon carbonitride.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2023
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Wan-Yi Kao, Hung Cheng Lin, Che-Hao Chang, Yung-Cheng Lu, Chi On Chui
  • Patent number: 11705520
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes first and second fin-shaped patterns disposed on a substrate and extending in a first direction, first and second channel layers disposed on the first and second fin-shaped patterns, first and second etch stop layers disposed inside the first and second channel layers, first and second gate structures extending in a second direction different from the first direction on the first channel layer with a first recess formed therebetween, third and fourth gate structures extending in the second direction on the second channel layer with a second recess formed therebetween, the first recess having a first width in the first direction and having a first depth in a third direction perpendicular to the first and second directions, the second recess having a second width different from the first width in the first direction, and having a second depth equal to the first depth in the third direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2023
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hyo Jin Kim, Dong Woo Kim, Sang Moon Lee, Seung Hun Lee
  • Patent number: 11703619
    Abstract: [Object] To make it possible to improve viewing angle characteristics more. [Solution] Provided is a display device including: a plurality of light emitting sections formed on a substrate; and a color filter provided on the light emitting section to correspond to each of the plurality of light emitting sections. The light emitting sections and the color filters are arranged such that, in at least a partial region in a display surface, a relative misalignment between a center of a luminescence surface of the light emitting section and a center of the color filter corresponding to the light emitting section is created in a plane perpendicular to a stacking direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2023
    Assignee: Sony Group Corporation
    Inventor: Daisuke Ueda
  • Patent number: 11705488
    Abstract: A device includes a semiconductor substrate, a source feature and a drain feature over the semiconductor substrate, a stack of semiconductor layers interposed between the source feature and the drain feature, a gate portion, and an inner spacer of a dielectric material. The gate portion is between two vertically adjacent layers of the stack of semiconductor layers and between the source feature and the drain feature. Moreover, the gate portion has a first sidewall surface and a second sidewall surface opposing the first sidewall surface. The inner spacer is on the first sidewall surface and between the gate portion and the drain feature. The second sidewall surface is in direct contact with the source feature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2023
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Cheng-Ting Chung, Yu-Xuan Huang, Yi-Bo Liao, Ching-Wei Tsai, Kuan-Lun Cheng
  • Patent number: 11699739
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes source and a drain above a substrate and spaced apart along a first direction, and a semiconductor channel extending between the source and the drain. The semiconductor device further includes gate spacers, an interfacial layer, and a metal gate structure. The gate spacers are disposed on the semiconductor channel and spaced apart by a spacer-to-spacer distance along the first direction. The interfacial layer is on the semiconductor channel. The interfacial layer extends a length along the first direction, and the length is less than a minimum of the spacer-to-spacer distance along the first direction. The metal gate structure is over the interfacial layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2023
    Assignees: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD., NATIONAL TAIWAN UNIVERSITY, NATIONAL TAIWAN NORMAL UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Tung-Ying Lee, Tse-An Chen, Tzu-Chung Wang, Miin-Jang Chen, Yu-Tung Yin, Meng-Chien Yang
  • Patent number: 11695055
    Abstract: The structure of a semiconductor device with passivation layers on active regions of FET devices and a method of fabricating the semiconductor device are disclosed. The semiconductor device includes a substrate, first and second source/drain (S/D) regions disposed on the substrate, nanostructured channel regions disposed between the first and second S/D regions, a passivation layer, and a nanosheet (NS) structure wrapped around the nanostructured channel regions. Each of the S/D regions have a stack of first and second semiconductor layers arranged in an alternating configuration and an epitaxial region disposed on the stack of first and second semiconductor layers. A first portion of the passivation layer is disposed between the epitaxial region and the stack of first and second semiconductor layers and a second portion of the passivation layer is disposed on sidewalls of the nanostructured channel regions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2023
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Cheng-Yi Peng, Ching-Hua Lee, Song-Bor Lee
  • Patent number: 11688767
    Abstract: A semiconductor device structure includes first nanostructures formed over a substrate. The structure also includes a first gate structure wrapped around the first nanostructures. The structure also includes first source/drain epitaxial structures formed over opposite sides of the first nanostructures. The structure also includes second nanostructures formed over the first nanostructure. The structure also includes a second gate structure wrapped around the second nanostructures. The structure also includes second source/drain epitaxial structures formed over opposite sides of the second nanostructures. The first gate structure and the second gate structure have different conductivity types, and the Ge concentration of the first nanostructures and the Ge concentration of the second nanostructures are different.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2023
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Ming-Shuan Li, Ming-Lung Cheng
  • Patent number: 11688703
    Abstract: Methods of fabricating semiconductor devices are provided. The method includes forming an interconnect structure over a substrate. The method also includes forming a passivation layer over the interconnect structure. The method further includes forming an opening in the passivation layer to expose a portion of the interconnect structure. In addition, the method includes sequentially forming a lower barrier film, an upper barrier film, and an aluminum-containing layer in the opening. The lower barrier film and the upper barrier film are made of metal nitride, and the upper barrier film has a nitrogen atomic percentage that is higher than a nitrogen atomic percentage of the lower barrier film and has an amorphous structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2023
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Po-Hsun Huang, Po-Han Wang, Ing-Ju Lee, Chao-Lung Chen, Cheng-Ming Wu