Patents Examined by Lamont B Koo
  • Patent number: 11791336
    Abstract: Semiconductor devices and methods of forming the same are provided. In an embodiment, a semiconductor device includes a first fin extending along a first direction, a second fin extending parallel to the first fin, and a gate structure over and wrapping around the first fin and the second fin, the gate structure extending along a second direction perpendicular to the first direction. The first fin bents away from the second fin along the second direction and the second fin bents away from the first fin along the second direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2023
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Jiun-Ming Kuo, Pei-Ling Gao, Chen-Hsuan Liao, Hung-Ju Chou, Chih-Chung Chang, Che-Yuan Hsu
  • Patent number: 11792971
    Abstract: An SRAM cell includes: first, second, third, fourth, and fifth dielectric fins disposed in this order along a first direction and oriented lengthwise along a second direction, where the first and the fifth dielectric fins define two edges of the SRAM cell; a first n-type semiconductor fin structure disposed between the first and the second dielectric fins; a second n-type semiconductor fin structure disposed between the fourth and the fifth dielectric fins; a first p-type semiconductor fin structure disposed between the second and the third dielectric fins; a second p-type semiconductor fin structure disposed between the third and the fourth dielectric fins, where each of the first and the second n-type semiconductor fin structures and each of the first and the second p-type semiconductor fin structures is oriented lengthwise along the second direction; and gate structures oriented lengthwise along the first direction, where the gate structures engage with one or more of the dielectric fin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2023
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Jhon Jhy Liaw
  • Patent number: 11785768
    Abstract: A three-dimensional semiconductor memory device includes a substrate, an electrode structure including a plurality of gate electrodes sequentially stacked on the substrate in a first direction that extends perpendicular to an upper surface of the substrate, a source conductive pattern between the substrate and the electrode structure, a vertical semiconductor pattern penetrating the electrode structure and the source conductive pattern, and a data storage pattern extending in the first direction between the vertical semiconductor pattern and the electrode structure. A lower surface of the data storage pattern contacts the source conductive pattern. A portion of the lower surface of the data storage pattern is at a different height from the upper surface of the substrate, in relation to a height of another portion of the lower surface of the data storage pattern from the upper surface of the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2023
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Euntaek Jung, Joongshik Shin, Dongyoun Shin
  • Patent number: 11785781
    Abstract: An integrated circuit construction comprising memory comprises two memory-cell-array regions having a peripheral-circuitry region laterally there-between in a vertical cross-section. The two memory-cell-array regions individually comprise a plurality of capacitors individually comprising a capacitor storage node electrode, a shared capacitor electrode that is shared by the plurality of capacitors, and a capacitor insulator there-between. A laterally-extending insulator structure is about lateral peripheries of the capacitor storage node electrodes and is vertically spaced from a top and a bottom of individual of the capacitor storage node electrodes in the vertical cross-section. The peripheral-circuitry region in the vertical cross-section comprises a pair of elevationally-extending walls comprising a first insulative composition. A second insulative composition different from the first insulative composition is laterally between the pair of walls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2023
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Mitsunari Sukekawa
  • Patent number: 11784250
    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: February 2, 2023
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2023
    Assignee: Apogee Semiconductor, Inc.
    Inventor: Mark Hamlyn
  • Patent number: 11777031
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a semiconductor device and a method for fabricating a semiconductor device. The semiconductor device includes a substrate, a metal gate layer over the substrate, a channel between a source region and a drain region in the substrate, and a ferroelectric layer, at least a portion of the ferroelectric layer is between the metal gate layer and the substrate, wherein the ferroelectric layer includes hafnium oxide-based material, the hafnium oxide-based material includes a first portion of hafnium oxide with orthorhombic phase, a second portion of hafnium oxide with monoclinic phase, and a third portion of the hafnium oxide with tetragonal phase, wherein a first volume of the first portion is greater than a second volume of the second portion, and the second volume of the second portion is greater than a third volume the third portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY LTD.
    Inventors: Chun-Yen Peng, Chih-Yu Chang, Bo-Feng Young, Te-Yang Lai, Sai-Hooi Yeong, Chi On Chui
  • Patent number: 11777055
    Abstract: A light emitting device includes a substrate, a plurality of light sources, a partitioning member, a light transmissive member, a plurality of reflecting portions. The light sources are arranged on the substrate. Each of the light sources has a light emitting diode. The partitioning member includes a plurality of wall portions defining a plurality of sections respectively surrounding at least one of the light sources, the wall portions including top portions. The light transmissive member is arranged above the light sources. The plurality of reflecting portions are arranged on a lower surface of the light transmissive member. Lower surfaces of the reflecting portions are positioned lower than apexes of the top portions of the wall portions of the partitioning member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Assignee: NICHIA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Shimpei Sasaoka, Toshiyuki Hashimoto, Yoshihiro Sho, Toshinobu Katsumata
  • Patent number: 11735484
    Abstract: Semiconductor device and the manufacturing method thereof are disclosed. An exemplary semiconductor device comprises a first semiconductor stack and a second semiconductor stack over a substrate, wherein each of the first and second semiconductor stacks includes semiconductor layers stacked up and separated from each other; a dummy spacer between the first and second semiconductor stacks, wherein the dummy spacer contacts a first sidewall of each semiconductor layer of the first and second semiconductor stacks; and a gate structure wrapping a second sidewall, a top surface, and a bottom surface of each semiconductor layer of the first and second semiconductor stacks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2023
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Chih-Yu Hsu, Jian-Hao Chen, Chia-Wei Chen, Shan-Mei Liao, Hui-Chi Chen, Cheng Hong Yang, Shih-Hao Lin, Kuo-Feng Yu, Feng-Cheng Yang, Yen-Ming Chen
  • Patent number: 11737260
    Abstract: A memory device includes a substrate, an active region, a first gate structure, a second gate structure, a first word line, and a second word line. The active region protrudes from a top surface of the substrate. The active region has at least one ring structure, in which when viewed from above, the ring structure has a first linear portion, a second linear portion, a first curved portion, and a second curved portion, the first curved portion connects first sides of the first and second linear portions, and the second curved portion connects second sides of the first and second linear portions. The first gate structure and the second gate structure are over the substrate and cross the active region. The first word line and the second word line are electrically connected to the first gate structure and the second gate structure, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2023
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hsin-Wen Su, Yu-Kuan Lin, Lien-Jung Hung, Ping-Wei Wang, Chia-En Huang
  • Patent number: 11735591
    Abstract: A method includes providing a structure having two fins extending from a substrate; an isolation structure isolating bottom portions of the fins; source/drain (S/D) features over each of the fins; a dielectric fin oriented lengthwise parallel to the fins and disposed between the two fins and over the isolation structure; a dummy gate stack over the isolation structure, the fins, and the dielectric fin; and one or more dielectric layers over sidewalls of the dummy gate stack. The method further includes removing the dummy gate stack to result in a gate trench within the one or more dielectric layers, wherein the dielectric fin is exposed in the gate trench; trimming the dielectric fin to reduce a width of the dielectric fin; and after the trimming, forming a high-k metal gate in the gate trench.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2023
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kuan-Ting Pan, Chih-Hao Wang, Shi Ning Ju, Jia-Chuan You, Kuo-Cheng Chiang
  • Patent number: 11735485
    Abstract: A method includes forming a deep well region of a first conductivity type in a substrate, implanting a portion of the deep well region to form a first gate, and implanting the deep well region to form a well region. The well region and the first gate are of a second conductivity type opposite the first conductivity type. An implantation is performed to form a channel region of the first conductivity type over the first gate. A portion of the deep well region overlying the channel region is implanted to form a second gate of the second conductivity type. A source/drain implantation is performed to form a source region and a drain region of the first conductivity type on opposite sides of the second gate. The source and drain regions are connected to the channel region, and overlap the channel region and the first gate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2023
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Chi-Feng Huang, Chia-Chung Chen, Victor Chiang Liang, Mingo Liu
  • Patent number: 11728406
    Abstract: A method for forming a semiconductor device and a semiconductor device formed by the method are disclosed. In an embodiment, the method includes depositing a dummy dielectric layer on a fin extending from a substrate; depositing a dummy gate seed layer on the dummy dielectric layer; reflowing the dummy gate seed layer; etching the dummy gate seed layer; and selectively depositing a dummy gate material over the dummy gate seed layer, the dummy gate material and the dummy gate seed layer constituting a dummy gate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2023
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: De-Wei Yu, Cheng-Po Chau, Yun Chen Teng
  • Patent number: 11715783
    Abstract: In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, a method and semiconductor device is described, including forming a plurality of gaps of variable size between device features, each of the gaps including vertical sidewalls perpendicular to a substrate surface and a horizontal surface parallel to the substrate surface. Spacer material is directionally deposited concurrently on the horizontal surface in each gap and in a flat area using a total flow rate of gaseous precursors that minimizes gap-loading in a smallest gap compared to the flat area such that the spacer material is deposited on the substrate surface in each gap and in the flat area to a uniform thickness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2023
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Michael P. Belyansky, Oleg Gluschenkov
  • Patent number: 11710777
    Abstract: A method of forming a semiconductor device includes depositing a film over a dielectric layer. The dielectric layer is over a first fin, a second fin, and within a trench between the first fin and the second fin. The method further includes etching top portions of the film, performing a treatment on the dielectric layer to remove impurities after etching the top portions of the film, and filling the trench over the remaining portions of the film. The treatment includes bombarding the dielectric layer with radicals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2023
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Chia-Ao Chang, De-Wei Yu, Chii-Horng Li, Yee-Chia Yeo, Hsueh-Chang Sung, Pei-Ren Jeng
  • Patent number: 11699751
    Abstract: A parasitic capacitance and a leak current in a nitride semiconductor device are reduced. For example, a 100 nm-thick buffer layer made of AlN, a 2 ?m-thick undoped GaN layer, and 20 nm-thick undoped AlGaN having an Al composition ratio of 20% are epitaxially grown in this order on, for example, a substrate made of silicon, and a source electrode and a drain electrode are formed so as to be in ohmic contact with the undoped AlGaN layer. Further, in the undoped GaN layer and the undoped AlGaN layer immediately below a gate wire, a high resistance region, the resistance of which is increased by, for example, ion implantation with Ar or the like, is formed, and a boundary between the high resistance region and an element region is positioned immediately below the gate wire.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2023
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hidekazu Umeda, Kazuhiro Kaibara, Satoshi Tamura
  • Patent number: 11695035
    Abstract: A semiconductor structure and a method for forming the semiconductor structure are provided. The semiconductor structure includes a substrate and a dummy gate structure on the substrate. The substrate contains source-drain openings on both sides of the dummy gate structure. The semiconductor structure also includes a first stress layer formed on a sidewall of a source-drain opening of the source-drain openings. Further, the semiconductor structure includes a second stress layer formed at a bottom of the source-drain opening and on the first stress layer. The second stress layer fully fills the source-drain opening, and stress of the first stress layer is less than stress of the second stress layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2023
    Assignees: Semiconductor Manufacturing International (Shanghai) Corporation, Semiconductor Manufacturing International (Beijing) Corporation
    Inventor: Meng Zhao
  • Patent number: 11688793
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing an integrated circuit (IC) structure is provided. The method includes: etching a first recess and a second recess in a substrate; forming a sacrificial epitaxial plug in the first recess in the substrate; forming a first epitaxial feature and a second epitaxial feature respectively in the first recess and the second recess, wherein the first epitaxial feature is over the sacrificial epitaxial plug; forming a first source/drain epitaxial structure and a second source/drain epitaxial structure over the first epitaxial feature and the second epitaxial feature respectively; forming a gate structure laterally between the first source/drain epitaxial structure and the second source/drain epitaxial structure; removing the sacrificial epitaxial plug and the first epitaxial feature to form a backside via opening exposing a backside of the first source/drain epitaxial structure; and forming a backside via in the backside via opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2023
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Wei-Hao Lu, Chien-I Kuo, LI-Li Su, Wei-Yang Lee, Yee-Chia Yeo
  • Patent number: 11682638
    Abstract: A method of forming a semiconductor structure is provided. A first inter-level dielectric (ILD) layer is formed overlying a molding layer. The first ILD layer is patterned to form a plurality of first openings. A first lower transmitter electrode and a first lower receiver electrode are formed by depositing a first metal material within the plurality of first openings. A first dielectric waveguide is formed overlying the first ILD layer, the first lower transmitter electrode and the first lower receiver electrode. A second ILD layer is formed overlying the first dielectric waveguide and includes a plurality of second openings. A second lower transmitter electrode and a second lower receiver electrode are formed by depositing a second metal material within the plurality of second openings. A second dielectric waveguide is formed overlying the second ILD layer, the second lower transmitter electrode and the second lower receiver electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2023
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY LTD.
    Inventors: Wen-Shiang Liao, Huan-Neng Chen
  • Patent number: 11682710
    Abstract: Structures and formation methods of a semiconductor device structure are provided. The method includes forming a first metal gate structure in a first dielectric layer. The method includes forming a second metal gate structure in the first dielectric layer, and the second metal gate structure includes a second metal electrode over a second gate dielectric layer. The method also includes forming a mask structure covering the first metal gate structure. The method includes etching a portion of the second gate dielectric layer and a portion of the second metal electrode of the second metal gate structure to form a first conductive portion extending above a top surface of the second gate dielectric layer. The method includes forming a metal layer over the first conductive portion, and the metal layer has a recess, and a top portion of the first conductive portion extends into the recess.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2023
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yi-Ching Huang, Tsung-Yu Chiang
  • Patent number: 11672129
    Abstract: A memory device according to an embodiment includes a first conductive layer; a second conductive layer; a ferroelectric layer provided between the first conductive layer and the second conductive layer and containing hafnium oxide; a paraelectric layer provided between the first conductive layer and the ferroelectric layer and containing a first oxide; and an oxide layer provided between the paraelectric layer and the ferroelectric layer and containing a second oxide having an oxygen area density lower than an oxygen area density of the first oxide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Assignee: Kioxia Corporation
    Inventors: Shoichi Kabuyanagi, Yuuichi Kamimuta, Masumi Saitoh, Marina Yamaguchi