Patents by Inventor Chi-Wen Liu

Chi-Wen Liu 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: 10727135
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a substrate, a first insulating structure, a second insulating structure, at least one first active semiconductor fin, and at least one second active semiconductor fin. The first insulating structure and the second insulating structure are disposed on the substrate. The first active semiconductor fin is disposed on the substrate and has a protruding portion protruding from the first insulating structure. The second active semiconductor fin is disposed on the substrate and has a protruding portion protruding from the second insulating structure. The protruding portion of the first active semiconductor fin and the protruding portion of the second active semiconductor fin have different heights.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2020
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chih-Sheng Li, Hsin-Chieh Huang, Chi-Wen Liu
  • Patent number: 10700176
    Abstract: Vertical gate all around (VGAA) devices and methods of manufacture thereof are described. A method for manufacturing a VGAA device includes: exposing a top surface and sidewalls of a first portion of a protrusion extending from a doped region, wherein a second portion of the protrusion is surrounded by a gate stack; and enlarging the first portion of the protrusion using an epitaxial growth process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Chia-Hao Chang, Ming-Shan Shieh, Cheng-Long Chen, Chin-Chi Wang, Chi-Wen Liu, Wai-Yi Lien, Chih-Hao Wang
  • Patent number: 10679990
    Abstract: A multiple-fin device includes a substrate and a plurality of fins formed on the substrate. Source and drain regions are formed in the respective fins. A dielectric layer is formed on the substrate. The dielectric layer has a first thickness adjacent one side of a first fin and having a second thickness, different from the first thickness, adjacent an opposite side of the fin. A continuous gate structure is formed overlying the plurality of fins, the continuous gate structure being adjacent a top surface of each fin and at least one sidewall surface of at least one fin. By adjusting the dielectric layer thickness, channel width of the resulting device can be fine-tuned.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2020
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Chi-Wen Liu, Chao-Hsiung Wang
  • Patent number: 10679900
    Abstract: A method includes forming Shallow Trench Isolation (STI) regions in a semiconductor substrate and a semiconductor strip between the STI regions. The method also include replacing a top portion of the semiconductor strip with a first semiconductor layer and a second semiconductor layer over the first semiconductor layer. The first semiconductor layer has a first germanium percentage higher than a second germanium percentage of the second semiconductor layer. The method also includes recessing the STI regions to form semiconductor fins, forming a gate stack over a middle portion of the semiconductor fin, and forming gate spacers on sidewalls of the gate stack. The method further includes forming fin spacers on sidewalls of an end portion of the semiconductor fin, recessing the end portion of the semiconductor fin, and growing an epitaxial region over the end portion of the semiconductor fin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2020
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kuo-Cheng Chiang, Ting-Hung Hsu, Chao-Hsiung Wang, Chi-Wen Liu
  • Patent number: 10665718
    Abstract: A method includes forming a gate stack on a middle portion of s semiconductor fin, and forming a first gate spacer on a sidewall of the gate stack. After the first gate spacer is formed, a template dielectric region is formed to cover the semiconductor fin. The method further includes recessing the template dielectric region. After the recessing, a second gate spacer is formed on the sidewall of the gate stack. The end portion of the semiconductor fin is etched to form a recess in the template dielectric region. A source/drain region is epitaxially grown in the recess.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2020
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kuo-Cheng Chiang, Chi-Wen Liu, Ying-Keung Leung
  • Patent number: 10658247
    Abstract: In accordance with some embodiments, a device includes first and second p-type transistors. The first transistor includes a first channel region including a first material of a first fin. The first transistor includes first and second epitaxial source/drain regions each in a respective first recess in the first material and on opposite sides of the first channel region. The first transistor includes a first gate stack on the first channel region. The second transistor includes a second channel region including a second material of a second fin. The second material is a different material from the first material. The second transistor includes third and fourth epitaxial source/drain regions each in a respective second recess in the second material and on opposite sides of the second channel region. The second transistor includes a second gate stack on the second channel region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2020
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kuo-Cheng Chiang, Chi-Wen Liu
  • Publication number: 20200135854
    Abstract: Transistor structures and methods of forming transistor structures are provided. The transistor structures include alternating layers of a first epitaxial material and a second epitaxial material. In some embodiments, one of the first epitaxial material and the second epitaxial material may be removed for one of an n-type or p-type transistor. A bottommost layer of the first epitaxial material and the second epitaxial material maybe be removed, and sidewalls of one of the first epitaxial material and the second epitaxial material may be indented or recessed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2019
    Publication date: April 30, 2020
    Inventors: Cheng-Yi Peng, Hung-Li Chiang, Yu-Lin Yang, Chih Chieh Yeh, Yee-Chia Yeo, Chi-Wen Liu
  • Patent number: 10636651
    Abstract: A transistor based on topological insulators is provided. In an embodiment a topological insulator is used to form both the channel as well as the source/drain regions, wherein the channel has a first thickness such that the topological insulator material has properties of a semiconductor material and the source/drain regions have a second thickness such that the topological insulator has properties of a conductive material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2020
    Assignees: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd., National Taiwan University
    Inventors: Sheng-Ting Fan, Pin-Shiang Chen, Chee Wee Liu, Chi-Wen Liu
  • Patent number: 10622480
    Abstract: An integrated circuit structure includes a semiconductor substrate, and isolation regions extending into the semiconductor substrate, wherein the isolation regions have opposite sidewalls facing each other. A fin structure includes a silicon fin higher than top surfaces of the isolation regions, a germanium-containing semiconductor region overlapped by the silicon fin, silicon oxide regions on opposite sides of the germanium-containing semiconductor region, and a germanium-containing semiconductor layer between and in contact with the silicon fin and one of the silicon oxide regions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2020
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kuo-Cheng Chiang, Jiun-Jia Huang, Chao-Hsiung Wang, Chi-Wen Liu
  • Publication number: 20200111897
    Abstract: Devices and structures that include a gate spacer having a gap or void are described along with methods of forming such devices and structures. In accordance with some embodiments, a structure includes a substrate, a gate stack over the substrate, a contact over the substrate, and a spacer disposed laterally between the gate stack and the contact. The spacer includes a first dielectric sidewall portion and a second dielectric sidewall portion. A void is disposed between the first dielectric sidewall portion and the second dielectric sidewall portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2019
    Publication date: April 9, 2020
    Inventors: Kuo-Cheng Chiang, Ching-Wei Tsai, Chi-Wen Liu, Ying-Keung Leung
  • Publication number: 20200098883
    Abstract: Gate structures and methods of forming the gate structures are described. In some embodiments, a method includes forming source/drain regions in a substrate, and forming a gate structure between the source/drain regions. The gate structure includes a gate dielectric layer over the substrate, a work function tuning layer over the gate dielectric layer, a first metal over the work function tuning layer, an adhesion layer over the first metal, and a second metal over the adhesion layer. In some embodiments, the adhesion layer can include an alloy of the first and second metals, and may be formed by annealing the first and second metals. In other embodiments, the adhesion layer can include an oxide of at least one of the first and/or second metal, and may be formed at least in part by exposing the first metal to an oxygen-containing plasma or to a natural environment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 22, 2019
    Publication date: March 26, 2020
    Inventors: Shiu-Ko JangJian, Chi-Wen Liu, Chih-Nan Wu, Chun Che Lin
  • Publication number: 20200090938
    Abstract: Gate stacks for improving integrated circuit device performance and methods for fabricating such gate stacks are disclosed herein. An exemplary gate stack includes a gate dielectric layer disposed over the substrate, a multi-function layer disposed over the gate dielectric layer, and a work function layer disposed over the multi-function layer. The multi-function layer includes a first metal nitride sub-layer having a first nitrogen (N) concentration and a second metal nitride material with a second metal nitride sub-layer having a second N concentration. The second metal nitride sub-layer is disposed over the first metal nitride-sub layer and the first N concentration is greater than the second N concentration. In some implementations, the second N concentration is from about 2% to about 5% and the first N concentration is from about 5% to about 15%.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2019
    Publication date: March 19, 2020
    Inventors: SHIU-KO JANGJIAN, TING-CHUN WANG, CHI-CHERNG JENG, CHI-WEN LIU
  • Publication number: 20200083091
    Abstract: A method for forming FinFETs comprises forming a plurality of first fins and a plurality of second fins over a substrate and embedded in isolation regions, depositing a first photoresist layer over the substrate, removing the first photoresist layer over an n-type region, applying a first ion implantation process to the first isolation regions, wherein dopants with a first polarity type are implanted in the first isolation regions, depositing a second photoresist layer over the substrate, removing the second photoresist layer over a p-type region, applying a second ion implantation process to the second isolation regions, wherein dopants with a second polarity type are implanted in the second isolation regions, applying an annealing process to the isolation regions and recessing the first isolation regions and the second isolation regions through an etching process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2019
    Publication date: March 12, 2020
    Inventors: Yu-Lien Huang, Chi-Kang Liu, Chi-Wen Liu
  • Publication number: 20200075742
    Abstract: Vertical gate all around (VGAA) devices and methods of manufacture thereof are described. A method for manufacturing a VGAA device includes: exposing a top surface and sidewalls of a first portion of a protrusion extending from a doped region, wherein a second portion of the protrusion is surrounded by a gate stack; and enlarging the first portion of the protrusion using an epitaxial growth process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2019
    Publication date: March 5, 2020
    Inventors: Chia-Hao Chang, Ming-Shan Shieh, Cheng-Long Chen, Chin-Chi Wang, Chi-Wen Liu, Wai-Yi Lien, Chih-Hao Wang
  • Publication number: 20200051988
    Abstract: A method for forming an antifuse on a substrate is provided, which comprises: forming a first conductive material on the substrate; placing the first conductive material in an electrolytic solution; performing anodic oxidation on the first conductive material to form a nanowire made of the first conductive material and surrounded by a first dielectric material formed during the anodic oxidation and to form the antifuse on the nanowire; and forming a second conductive material on the antifuse to sandwich the antifuse between the first conductive material and the second conductive material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 17, 2019
    Publication date: February 13, 2020
    Inventors: Jenn-Gwo Hwu, Wei-Cheng Tian, Samuel C. Pan, Chao-Hsiung Wang, Chi-Wen Liu
  • Publication number: 20200044088
    Abstract: A device includes a first semiconductor strip, a first gate dielectric encircling the first semiconductor strip, a second semiconductor strip overlapping the first semiconductor strip, and a second gate dielectric encircling the second semiconductor strip. The first gate dielectric contacts the first gate dielectric. A gate electrode has a portion over the second semiconductor strip, and additional portions on opposite sides of the first and the second semiconductor strips and the first and the second gate dielectrics.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2019
    Publication date: February 6, 2020
    Inventors: Kuo-Cheng Chiang, Chi-Wen Liu, Ying-Keung Leung
  • Publication number: 20200035564
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a substrate, a first insulating structure, a second insulating structure, at least one first active semiconductor fin, and at least one second active semiconductor fin. The first insulating structure and the second insulating structure are disposed on the substrate. The first active semiconductor fin is disposed on the substrate and has a protruding portion protruding from the first insulating structure. The second active semiconductor fin is disposed on the substrate and has a protruding portion protruding from the second insulating structure. The protruding portion of the first active semiconductor fin and the protruding portion of the second active semiconductor fin have different heights.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 4, 2019
    Publication date: January 30, 2020
    Inventors: Chih-Sheng Li, Hsin-Chieh Huang, Chi-Wen Liu
  • Publication number: 20200027963
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a substrate, at least one active semiconductor fin, at least one first dummy semiconductor fin, and at least one second dummy semiconductor fin. The active semiconductor fin is disposed on the substrate. The first dummy semiconductor fin is disposed on the substrate. The second dummy semiconductor fin is disposed on the substrate and between the active semiconductor fin and the first dummy semiconductor fin. A top surface of the first dummy semiconductor fin and a top surface of the second dummy semiconductor fin are curved in different directions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2019
    Publication date: January 23, 2020
    Inventors: Chih-Sheng Li, Hsin-Chieh Huang, Chi-Wen Liu
  • Patent number: 10535732
    Abstract: Transistor structures and methods of forming transistor structures are provided. The transistor structures include alternating layers of a first epitaxial material and a second epitaxial material. In some embodiments, one of the first epitaxial material and the second epitaxial material may be removed for one of an n-type or p-type transistor. A bottommost layer of the first epitaxial material and the second epitaxial material maybe be removed, and sidewalls of one of the first epitaxial material and the second epitaxial material may be indented or recessed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2020
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Cheng-Yi Peng, Hung-Li Chiang, Yu-Lin Yang, Chih Chieh Yeh, Yee-Chia Yeo, Chi-Wen Liu
  • Publication number: 20200013869
    Abstract: A semiconductor device has a semiconductor substrate with a dielectric layer disposed thereon. A trench is defined in the dielectric layer. A metal gate structure is disposed in the trench. The metal gate structure includes a first layer and a second layer disposed on the first layer. The first layer extends to a first height in the trench and the second layer extends to a second height in the trench; the second height is less than the first height.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 16, 2019
    Publication date: January 9, 2020
    Inventors: Yu-Lien HUANG, Chi-Wen LIU, Clement Hsingjen WANN, Ming-Huan TSAI, Zhao-Cheng CHEN