Patents Examined by Lamont B Koo
  • Patent number: 11882707
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to integrated circuits including one or more rows of transistors and methods of forming rows of transistors. In an embodiment, an integrated circuit includes a row of bipolar transistors including a first semiconductor layer having a plurality of first conduction regions, a second semiconductor layer having a second conduction region, a common base between the first semiconductor layer and the second semiconductor layer, and a plurality of insulator walls extending in a first direction. The first conduction regions are separated from one another by the insulator walls. The integrated circuit further includes an insulating trench extending in a second direction and in contact with each of the bipolar transistors of the row of bipolar transistors. A conductive layer is coupled to the base, and the conductive layer extends through the insulator walls and extends at least partially into the insulating trench.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2024
    Assignee: STMicroelectro (Rousset) SAS
    Inventor: Philippe Boivin
  • Patent number: 11877445
    Abstract: Some embodiments include an integrated assembly having a CMOS region. Fins extend across the CMOS region and are on a first pitch. A circuit arrangement is associated with the CMOS region and includes segments of one or more of the fins. The circuit arrangement has a first dimension along a first direction. A second region is proximate the CMOS region. Conductive structures are associated with the second region. The conductive structures extend along a second direction different than the first direction. Some of the conductive structures are electrically coupled with the circuit arrangement. The conductive structures are on a second pitch different from the first pitch. A second dimension is a distance across said some of the conductive structures along the first direction, and the second dimension is substantially the same as the first dimension.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2024
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Sangmin Hwang, Kyuseok Lee, Christopher G. Wieduwilt
  • Patent number: 11869889
    Abstract: Self-aligned gate endcap (SAGE) architectures without fin end gaps, and methods of fabricating self-aligned gate endcap (SAGE) architectures without fin end gaps, are described. In an example, an integrated circuit structure includes a semiconductor fin having a cut along a length of the semiconductor fin. A gate endcap isolation structure has a first portion parallel with the length of the semiconductor fin and is spaced apart from the semiconductor fin. The gate endcap isolation structure also has a second portion in a location of the cut of the semiconductor fin and in contact with the semiconductor fin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Szuya S. Liao, Scott B. Clendenning, Jessica Torres, Lukas Baumgartel, Kiran Chikkadi, Diane Lancaster, Matthew V. Metz, Florian Gstrein, Martin M. Mitan, Rami Hourani
  • Patent number: 11869893
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are directed to a method for forming a complementary field effect transistor (CFET) structure having a wrap-around contact. In a non-limiting embodiment of the invention, a complementary nanosheet stack is formed over a substrate. The complementary nanosheet stack includes a first nanosheet and a second nanosheet separated by a dielectric spacer. A first sacrificial layer is formed over a source or drain (S/D) region of the first nanosheet and a second sacrificial layer is formed over a S/D region of the second nanosheet. A conductive gate is formed over channel regions of the first nanosheet and the second nanosheet. After the conductive gate is formed, the first sacrificial layer is replaced with a first wrap-around contact and the second sacrificial layer is replaced with a second wrap-around contact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Ruilong Xie, Chun-Chen Yeh, Alexander Reznicek, Dechao Guo
  • Patent number: 11862724
    Abstract: Compact radiation-hardened NMOS transistors permitting close spacing for high circuit density can be fabricated using modern commercial foundry processes incorporating lightly-doped drain (LDD) and silicidation techniques. Radiation-induced leakage currents in parasitic field oxide transistors are reduced by spacing diffusions away from field oxide edges under the gate, forming gap regions from which n-type dopants and silicide formation are excluded using blocking patterns in the layout. P-type implants along these field oxide edges further increase radiation tolerance. Dimensions can be tailored to permit tradeoffs between radiation tolerance, breakdown voltage, and circuit density. Compact layouts for series-connected NMOS transistors are provided and applied to high-density rad-hard circuits. Methods for fabricating devices having these features are also provided, requiring minimal adaptation of standard processes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2023
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: Apogee Semiconductor, Inc.
    Inventor: Mark Hamlyn
  • Patent number: 11862620
    Abstract: A power gating cell on an integrated circuit is provided. The power gating cell includes: a central area; a peripheral area surrounding the central area; a first active region located in the central area, the first active region having a first width in a first direction corresponding to at least four fin structures extending in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction; and a plurality of second active regions located in the peripheral area, each second active region having a second width in the first direction corresponding to at least one and no more than three fin structures extending in the second direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Wei-Ling Chang, Jung-Chan Yang, Li-Chun Tien, Ting Yu Chen
  • Patent number: 11849590
    Abstract: In some examples, a system comprises a capacitor including a first plate, a second plate, and a ferroelectric material disposed between the first and the second plates and comprising a Bismuth Metal Oxide-Based Lead Titanate thin film. The capacitor further comprises a dielectric layer disposed on a transistor, wherein the capacitor is disposed on the dielectric layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2023
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Carl Sebastian Morandi, Susan Trolier-McKinstry, Kezhakkedath Ramunni Udayakumar, John Anthony Rodriguez, Bhaskar Srinivasan
  • Patent number: 11848372
    Abstract: A method provides a structure having a fin oriented lengthwise and widthwise along first and second directions respectively, an isolation structure adjacent to sidewalls of the fin, and first and second source/drain (S/D) features over the fin. The method includes forming an etch mask exposing a first portion of the fin under the first S/D feature and covering a second portion of the fin under the second S/D feature; removing the first portion of the fin, resulting in a first trench; forming a first dielectric feature in the first trench; and removing the second portion of the fin to form a second trench. The first dielectric feature and the isolation structure form first and second sidewalls of the second trench respectively. The method includes laterally etching the second sidewalls, thereby expanding the second trench along the second direction and forming a via structure in the expanded second trench.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2023
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Huan-Chieh Su, Li-Zhen Yu, Chun-Yuan Chen, Cheng-Chi Chuang, Kuan-Lun Cheng, Chih-Hao Wang
  • Patent number: 11842931
    Abstract: Provided are a semiconductor arrangement and a method for manufacturing the same. An example arrangement may comprise: a bulk semiconductor substrate; a fin formed on the substrate; a first FinFET and a second FinFET formed on the substrate, wherein the first FinFET comprises a first gate stack intersecting the fin and a first gate spacer disposed on sidewalls of the first gate stack, the second FinFET comprises a second gate stack intersecting the fin and a second gate spacer disposed on sidewalls of the second gate stack; a dummy gate spacer formed between the first FinFET and the second FinFET and intersecting the fin; a first isolation section self-aligned to a space defined by the dummy gate spacer, wherein the isolation section electrically isolates the first FinFET from the second FinFET; and a second isolation layer disposed under a bottom surface of the first isolation section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2023
    Assignee: INSTITUTE OF MICROELECTRONICS, CHINESE ACADEMY OF SCIENCES
    Inventor: Huilong Zhu
  • Patent number: 11842919
    Abstract: A method of microfabrication is provided. An initial stack of layers is formed over a semiconductor layer. The initial stack of layers can include a plurality of substacks separated from each other by one or more transition layers. One or more of the substacks include a sacrificial gate layer sandwiched between two first dielectric layers. Openings can be formed in the initial stack of layers so that the semiconductor layer is uncovered. The openings can be filled with vertical channel structures, where each vertical channel structure extends through a respective substack. The initial stack can be divided into separate stacks that include the vertical channel structures surrounded by the substacks and the transition layers. The one or more transition layers can be removed from the separate stacks to uncover transition points between neighboring vertical channel structures. Isolation structures can be formed at the transition points.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2023
    Assignee: Tokyo Electron Limited
    Inventors: Mark I. Gardner, H. Jim Fulford
  • Patent number: 11837678
    Abstract: A photodiode includes an active area formed by intrinsic germanium. The active area is located within a cavity formed in a silicon layer. The cavity is defined by opposed side walls which are angled relative to a direction perpendicular to a bottom surface of the silicon layer. The angled side walls support epitaxial growth of the intrinsic germanium with minimal lattice defects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2023
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics (Crolles 2) SAS
    Inventors: Charles Baudot, Sebastien Cremer, Nathalie Vulliet, Denis Pellissier-Tanon
  • Patent number: 11837631
    Abstract: A semiconductor structure includes a semiconductor fin protruding from a substrate, a dielectric fin disposed adjacent and substantially parallel to the semiconductor fin, an epitaxial source/drain (S/D) feature disposed in the semiconductor fin, a dielectric layer disposed between a sidewall of the epitaxial S/D feature and a sidewall of the dielectric fin, and an air gap disposed in the dielectric layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2023
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Ko-Cheng Liu, Ming-Lung Cheng, Chang-Miao Liu
  • Patent number: 11824100
    Abstract: A semiconductor device and a method of forming the same are provided. The semiconductor device includes a gate stack over an active region of a substrate. The gate stack includes a gate dielectric layer and a first work function layer over the gate dielectric layer. The first work function layer includes a plurality of first layers and a plurality of second layers arranged in an alternating manner over the gate dielectric layer. The plurality of first layers include a first material. The plurality of second layers include a second material different from the first material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2023
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hsin-Yi Lee, Weng Chang, Chi On Chui
  • Patent number: 11818901
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to integrated circuits and methods including one or more rows of transistors. In an embodiment, an integrated circuit includes a row of bipolar transistors including a plurality of first conduction regions, a second conduction region, and a common base between the first conduction regions and the second conduction region. An insulating trench is in contact with each bipolar transistor of the row of bipolar transistors. A conductive layer is on the insulating trench and the common base between the first conduction regions. A spacer layer is between the conductive layer and the first conduction regions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2023
    Assignees: STMicroelectronics (Rousset) SAS, STMicroelectronics (Crolles 2) SAS
    Inventors: Philippe Boivin, Jean Jacques Fagot, Emmanuel Petitprez, Emeline Souchier, Olivier Weber
  • Patent number: 11817343
    Abstract: Generally, examples are provided relating to filling gaps with a dielectric material, such as filling trenches between fins for Shallow Trench Isolations (STIs). In an embodiment, a first dielectric material is conformally deposited in a trench using an atomic layer deposition (ALD) process. After conformally depositing the first dielectric material, the first dielectric material is converted to a second dielectric material. In further examples, the first dielectric material can be conformally deposited in another trench, and a fill dielectric material can be flowed into the other trench and converted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2023
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventor: Yu-Yun Peng
  • Patent number: 11810823
    Abstract: Semiconductor arrangements and methods of manufacturing the same. The semiconductor arrangement may include: a substrate including a base substrate, a first semiconductor layer on the substrate, and a second semiconductor layer on the first semiconductor layer; first and second fin structures formed on the substrate and extending in the same straight line, each of the first and second fin structures including at least portions of the second semiconductor layer; a first isolation part formed around the first and second fin structures on opposite sides of the straight line; first and second FinFETs formed on the substrate based on the first and second fin structures respectively; and a second isolation part between the first and second fin structures and intersecting the first and second fin structures to isolate the first and second fin structures from each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2023
    Assignee: INSTITUTE OF MICROELECTRONICS, CHINESE ACADEMY OF SCIENCES
    Inventor: Huilong Zhu
  • Patent number: 11810919
    Abstract: A semiconductor device structure is provided. The semiconductor device structure includes a substrate having a first fin structure. The semiconductor device structure includes a first source/drain structure over the first fin structure. The semiconductor device structure includes a first dielectric layer over the first source/drain structure and the substrate. The semiconductor device structure includes a first conductive contact structure in the first dielectric layer and over the first source/drain structure. The semiconductor device structure includes a second dielectric layer over the first dielectric layer and the first conductive contact structure. The semiconductor device structure includes a first conductive via structure passing through the second dielectric layer and connected to the first conductive contact structure. The first conductive via structure has a first substantially strip shape in a top view of the first conductive via structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2023
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Jyun-De Wu, Te-Chih Hsiung, Yi-Chun Chang, Yi-Chen Wang, Yuan-Tien Tu, Peng Wang, Huan-Just Lin
  • Patent number: 11798940
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a first transistor disposed over a substrate, a second disposed over the first transistor, and a conductive trace. The first transistor includes a first active area extending on a first layer. The second transistor includes a second active area extending on a second layer above the first layer. The conductive trace extends on a third layer. The first to third layers are separated from each other in a first direction, and the third layer is interposed between the first and second layers. The first active area, the second active area, and the conductive trace overlap in a layout view.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2023
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Pin-Dai Sue, Tzung-Yo Hung, Jung-Hsuan Chen, Ting-Wei Chiang
  • Patent number: 11799002
    Abstract: A method includes depositing a dummy semiconductor layer and a first semiconductor layer over a substrate, forming spacers on sidewalls of the dummy semiconductor layer, forming a first epitaxial material in the substrate, exposing the dummy semiconductor layer and the first epitaxial material, where exposing the dummy semiconductor layer and the first epitaxial material includes thinning a backside of the substrate, etching the dummy semiconductor layer to expose the first semiconductor layer, where the spacers remain over and in contact with end portions of the first semiconductor layer while etching the dummy semiconductor layer, etching portions of the first semiconductor layer using the spacers as a mask, and replacing a second epitaxial material and the first epitaxial material with a backside via, the backside via being electrically coupled to a source/drain region of a first transistor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2023
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yen-Po Lin, Wei-Yang Lee, Yuan-Ching Peng, Chia-Pin Lin, Jiun-Ming Kuo
  • Patent number: 11798943
    Abstract: In an embodiment, a method includes: depositing a protective layer on a source/drain region and a gate mask, the gate mask disposed on a gate structure, the gate structure disposed on a channel region of a substrate, the channel region adjoining the source/drain region; etching an opening through the protective layer, the opening exposing the source/drain region; depositing a metal in the opening and on the protective layer; annealing the metal to form a metal-semiconductor alloy region on the source/drain region; and removing residue of the metal from the opening with a cleaning process, the protective layer covering the gate mask during the cleaning process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2023
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yang-Cheng Wu, Yun-Hua Chen, Wen-Kuo Hsieh, Huan-Just Lin