Patents by Inventor Carlos H. Diaz

Carlos H. Diaz has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 11404325
    Abstract: Among other things, one or semiconductor arrangements, and techniques for forming such semiconductor arrangements are provided. For example, one or more silicon and silicon germanium stacks are utilized to form PMOS transistors comprising germanium nanostructure channels and NMOS transistors comprising silicon nanostructure channels. In an example, a first silicon and silicon germanium stack is oxidized to transform silicon to silicon oxide regions, which are removed to form germanium nanostructure channels for PMOS transistors. In another example, silicon and germanium layers within a second silicon and silicon germanium stack are removed to form silicon nanostructure channels for NMOS transistors. PMOS transistors having germanium nanostructure channels and NMOS transistors having silicon nanostructure channels are formed as part of a single fabrication process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2022
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Jin-Aun Ng, Kuo-Cheng Chiang, Carlos H. Diaz, Jean-Pierre Colinge
  • Publication number: 20220238704
    Abstract: Devices, and methods of forming such devices, having a material that is semimetal when in bulk but is a semiconductor in the devices are described. An example structure includes a substrate, a first source/drain contact region, a channel structure, a gate dielectric, a gate electrode, and a second source/drain contact region. The substrate has an upper surface. The channel structure is connected to and over the first source/drain contact region, and the channel structure is over the upper surface of the substrate. The channel structure has a sidewall that extends above the first source/drain contact region. The channel structure comprises a bismuth-containing semiconductor material. The gate dielectric is along the sidewall of the channel structure. The gate electrode is along the gate dielectric. The second source/drain contact region is connected to and over the channel structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2022
    Publication date: July 28, 2022
    Inventors: Jean-Pierre Colinge, Carlos H. Diaz, Yee-Chia Yeo
  • Publication number: 20220238523
    Abstract: In a method for forming an integrated semiconductor device, a first inter-layer dielectric (ILD) layer is formed over a semiconductor device that includes a first transistor structure, a two-dimensional (2D) material layer is formed over and in contact with the first ILD layer, the 2D material layer is patterned to form a channel layer of a second transistor structure, a source electrode and a drain electrode of the second transistor structure are formed over the patterned 2D material layer and laterally spaced apart from each other, a gate dielectric layer of the second transistor structure is formed over the patterned 2D material layer, the source electrode and the drain electrode, and a gate electrode of the second transistor structure is formed over the gate dielectric layer and laterally between the source electrode and the drain electrode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2022
    Publication date: July 28, 2022
    Applicant: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Cheng-Yi PENG, Chun-Chieh LU, Meng-Hsuan HSIAO, Ling-Yen YEH, Carlos H. DIAZ, Tung-Ying LEE
  • Patent number: 11380783
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a substrate and a fin feature over the substrate. The fin feature includes a first portion of a first semiconductor material and a second portion of a second semiconductor material disposed over the first portion. The second semiconductor material is different from the first semiconductor material. The semiconductor device further includes a semiconductor oxide feature disposed on sidewalls of the first portion and a gate stack disposed on the fin feature. The gate stack includes an interfacial layer over a top surface and sidewalls of the second portion and a gate dielectric layer over the interfacial layer and sidewalls of the semiconductor oxide feature. A portion of the gate dielectric layer is below the interfacial layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2022
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Kuo-Cheng Chiang, Carlos H. Diaz, Chih-Hao Wang, Zhiqiang Wu
  • Patent number: 11380775
    Abstract: A complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) semiconductor device includes a substrate. The CMOS semiconductor device further includes an isolation region in the substrate. The CMOS semiconductor device further includes a P-metal gate electrode extending over the isolation region, wherein the P-metal gate electrode includes a first function metal and a TiN layer doped with a first material. The CMOS semiconductor device further includes an N-metal gate electrode extending over the isolation region, wherein the N-metal gate electrode includes a second function metal and a TiN layer doped with a second material different from the first material, a portion of the P-metal gate electrode is between a portion of the N-metal gate electrode and the substrate, and a portion of the TiN layer doped with the second material is between the portion of the P-metal gate electrode and the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2022
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Ming Zhu, Hui-Wen Lin, Harry Hak-Lay Chuang, Bao-Ru Young, Yuan-Sheng Huang, Ryan Chia-Jen Chen, Chao-Cheng Chen, Kuo-Cheng Ching, Ting-Hua Hsieh, Carlos H. Diaz
  • Publication number: 20220208983
    Abstract: A semiconductor device and methods of forming the same are disclosed. The semiconductor device includes a substrate, first and second source/drain (S/D) regions, a channel between the first and second S/D regions, a gate engaging the channel, and a contact feature connecting to the first S/D region. The contact feature includes first and second contact layers. The first contact layer has a conformal cross-sectional profile and is in contact with the first S/D region on at least two sides thereof. In embodiments, the first contact layer is in direct contact with three or four sides of the first S/D region so as to increase the contact area. The first contact layer includes one of a semiconductor-metal alloy, an III-V semiconductor, and germanium.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2022
    Publication date: June 30, 2022
    Inventors: Carlos H. Diaz, Chung-Wei Wu, Chia-Hao Chang, Chih-Hao Wang, Jean-Pierre Colinge, Chun-Hsiung Lin, Wai-Yi Lien, Ying-Keung Leung
  • Patent number: 11367482
    Abstract: A read method and a write method for a memory circuit are provided, wherein the memory circuit includes a memory cell and a selector electrically coupled to the memory cell. The read method includes applying a first voltage to the selector, wherein a first voltage level of the first voltage is larger than a voltage threshold corresponding to the selector; and applying, after the applying of the first voltage, a second voltage to the selector to sense one or more bit values stored in the memory cell, wherein a second voltage level of the second voltage is constant and smaller than the voltage threshold, wherein a first duration of the applying of the first voltage is smaller than a second duration of the applying of the second voltage, wherein the second voltage is applied following the end of the first duration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2022
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Carlos H. Diaz, Hung-Li Chiang, Tzu-Chiang Chen, Yih Wang
  • Patent number: 11355611
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a source/drain feature disposed over a substrate. The source/drain feature includes a first nanowire, a second nanowire disposed over the first nanowire, a cladding layer disposed over the first nanowire and the second nanowire and a spacer layer extending from the first nanowire to the second nanowire. The device also includes a conductive feature disposed directly on the source/drain feature such that the conductive feature physically contacts the cladding layer and the spacer layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2022
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Kuo-Cheng Ching, Ching-Fang Huang, Wen-Hsing Hsieh, Ying-Keung Leung, Chih-Hao Wang, Carlos H. Diaz
  • Publication number: 20220149274
    Abstract: Provided are a memory cell and a method of forming the same. The memory cell includes a bottom electrode, an etching stop layer, a variable resistance layer, and a top electrode. The etching stop layer is disposed on the bottom electrode. The variable resistance layer is embedded in the etching stop layer and in contact with the bottom electrode. The top electrode is disposed on the variable resistance layer. A semiconductor device having the memory cell is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2022
    Publication date: May 12, 2022
    Applicant: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yu-Chao Lin, Carlos H. Diaz, Shao-Ming Yu, Tung-Ying Lee
  • Patent number: 11322577
    Abstract: A negative capacitance device includes a semiconductor layer. An interfacial layer is disposed over the semiconductor layer. An amorphous dielectric layer is disposed over the interfacial layer. A ferroelectric layer is disposed over the amorphous dielectric layer. A metal gate electrode is disposed over the ferroelectric layer. At least one of the following is true: the interfacial layer is doped; the amorphous dielectric layer has a nitridized outer surface; a diffusion-barrier layer is disposed between the amorphous dielectric layer and the ferroelectric layer; or a seed layer is disposed between the amorphous dielectric layer and the ferroelectric layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2022
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Chun-Chieh Lu, Cheng-Yi Peng, Chien-Hsing Lee, Ling-Yen Yeh, Chih-Sheng Chang, Carlos H. Diaz
  • Publication number: 20220130435
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are related to a circuit and a method of reading or sensing multiple bits of data stored by a multi-level cell. In one aspect, a first reference circuit is selected from a first set of reference circuits, and a second reference circuit is selected from a second set of reference circuits. Based at least in part on the first reference circuit and the second reference circuit, one or more bits of multiple bits of data stored by a multi-level cell can be determined. According to the determined one or more bits, a third reference circuit from the first set of reference circuits and a fourth reference circuit from the second set of reference circuits can be selected. Based at least in part on the third reference circuit and the fourth reference circuit, additional one or more bits of the multiple bits of data stored by the multi-level cell can be determined.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 7, 2022
    Publication date: April 28, 2022
    Applicant: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Qing Dong, Mahmut Sinangil, Yen-Ting Lin, Kerem Akarvardar, Carlos H. Diaz, Yih Wang
  • Patent number: 11302804
    Abstract: Devices, and methods of forming such devices, having a material that is semimetal when in bulk but is a semiconductor in the devices are described. An example structure includes a substrate, a first source/drain contact region, a channel structure, a gate dielectric, a gate electrode, and a second source/drain contact region. The substrate has an upper surface. The channel structure is connected to and over the first source/drain contact region, and the channel structure is over the upper surface of the substrate. The channel structure has a sidewall that extends above the first source/drain contact region. The channel structure comprises a bismuth-containing semiconductor material. The gate dielectric is along the sidewall of the channel structure. The gate electrode is along the gate dielectric. The second source/drain contact region is connected to and over the channel structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2022
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Jean-Pierre Colinge, Carlos H Diaz, Yee-Chia Yeo
  • Patent number: 11302695
    Abstract: In a method for forming an integrated semiconductor device, a first transistor over is formed on a substrate; an inter-layer dielectric (ILD) layer is deposited over the first transistor; a gate conductive layer is deposited over the ILD layer; a gate dielectric layer is deposited over the gate conductive layer; the gate dielectric layer and the gate conductive layer are etched to form a gate stack; and a 2D material layer that has a first portion extending along a top surface and sidewalls of the gate stack and a second portion extending along a top surface of the ILD layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2022
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Cheng-Yi Peng, Chun-Chieh Lu, Meng-Hsuan Hsiao, Ling-Yen Yeh, Carlos H. Diaz, Tung-Ying Lee
  • Patent number: 11276763
    Abstract: A semiconductor device and methods of forming the same are disclosed. The semiconductor device includes a substrate, first and second source/drain (S/D) regions, a channel between the first and second S/D regions, a gate engaging the channel, and a contact feature connecting to the first S/D region. The contact feature includes first and second contact layers. The first contact layer has a conformal cross-sectional profile and is in contact with the first S/D region on at least two sides thereof. In embodiments, the first contact layer is in direct contact with three or four sides of the first S/D region so as to increase the contact area. The first contact layer includes one of a semiconductor-metal alloy, an III-V semiconductor, and germanium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2022
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Carlos H. Diaz, Chung-Cheng Wu, Chia-Hao Chang, Chih-Hao Wang, Jean-Pierre Colinge, Chun-Hsiung Lin, Wai-Yi Lien, Ying-Keung Leung
  • Patent number: 11245033
    Abstract: In a method of manufacturing a semiconductor device, a support layer is formed over a substrate. A patterned semiconductor layer made of a first semiconductor material is formed over the support layer. A part of the support layer under a part of the semiconductor layer is removed, thereby forming a semiconductor wire. A semiconductor shell layer made of a second semiconductor material different from the first semiconductor material is formed around the semiconductor wire.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2022
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD
    Inventors: Carlos H. Diaz, Chun-Hsiung Lin, Huicheng Chang, Syun-Ming Jang, Chien-Hsun Wang, Mao-Lin Huang
  • Patent number: 11245071
    Abstract: Provided are a memory cell and a method of forming the same. The memory cell includes a bottom electrode, an etching stop layer, a variable resistance layer, and a top electrode. The etching stop layer is disposed on the bottom electrode. The variable resistance layer is embedded in the etching stop layer and in contact with the bottom electrode. The top electrode is disposed on the variable resistance layer. A semiconductor device having the memory cell is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2022
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yu-Chao Lin, Carlos H. Diaz, Shao-Ming Yu, Tung-Ying Lee
  • Patent number: 11239341
    Abstract: Various transistors, such as horizontal gate-all-around transistors, and methods of fabricating such are disclosed herein. An exemplary transistor includes a first nanowire and a second nanowire that include a first semiconductor material, a gate that wraps a channel region of the first nanowire and the second nanowire, and source/drain feature that wraps source/drain regions of the first nanowire and the second nanowire. The source/drain feature includes a second semiconductor material that is configured differently than the first semiconductor material. In some implementations, the transistor further includes a fin-like semiconductor layer disposed over a substrate. The first nanowire and the second nanowire are disposed over the fin-like semiconductor layer, such that the first nanowire, the second nanowire, and the fin-like semiconductor layer extend substantially parallel to one another along the same length-wise direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2022
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Chun-Hsiung Lin, Chung-Cheng Wu, Carlos H. Diaz, Chih-Hao Wang, Wen-Hsing Hsieh, Yi-Ming Sheu
  • Patent number: 11238906
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are related to a circuit and a method of reading or sensing multiple bits of data stored by a multi-level cell. In one aspect, a first reference circuit is selected from a first set of reference circuits, and a second reference circuit is selected from a second set of reference circuits. Based at least in part on the first reference circuit and the second reference circuit, one or more bits of multiple bits of data stored by a multi-level cell can be determined. According to the determined one or more bits, a third reference circuit from the first set of reference circuits and a fourth reference circuit from the second set of reference circuits can be selected. Based at least in part on the third reference circuit and the fourth reference circuit, additional one or more bits of the multiple bits of data stored by the multi-level cell can be determined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2022
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited
    Inventors: Qing Dong, Mahmut Sinangil, Yen-Ting Lin, Kerem Akarvardar, Carlos H. Diaz, Yih Wang
  • Patent number: 11239084
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a fin structure disposed over a substrate, a gate structure and a source. The fin structure includes an upper layer being exposed from an isolation insulating layer. The gate structure disposed over part of the upper layer of the fin structure. The source includes the upper layer of the fin structure not covered by the gate structure. The upper layer of the fin structure of the source is covered by a crystal semiconductor layer. The crystal semiconductor layer is covered by a silicide layer formed by Si and a first metal element. The silicide layer is covered by a first metal layer. A second metal layer made of the first metal element is disposed between the first metal layer and the isolation insulating layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2022
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Jean-Pierre Colinge, Carlos H. Diaz
  • Patent number: 11211492
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a field effect transistor (FET). The FET includes a channel region and a source/drain region disposed adjacent to the channel region. The FET also includes a gate electrode disposed over the channel region. The FET is an n-type FET and the channel region is made of Si. The source/drain region includes an epitaxial layer including Si1-x-yM1xM2y, where M1 is one or more of Ge and Sn, and M2 is one or more of P and As, and 0.01?x?0.1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2021
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Cheng-Yi Peng, Carlos H. Diaz, Chun Hsiung Tsai, Yu-Ming Lin