Patents by Inventor Chien-I Kuo

Chien-I Kuo 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).

  • Publication number: 20200135894
    Abstract: A method of forming source/drain features in a FinFET device includes providing a fin formed over a substrate and a gate structure formed over a fin, forming a recess in the fin adjacent to the gate structure, forming a first epitaxial layer in the recess, forming a second epitaxial layer over the first epitaxial layer, and forming a third epitaxial layer over the second epitaxial layer. The second epitaxial layer may be doped with a first element, while one or both of the first and the third epitaxial layer includes a second element different from the first element. One or both of the first and the third epitaxial layer may be formed by a plasma deposition process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2019
    Publication date: April 30, 2020
    Inventors: Chia-Ling Chan, Derek Chen, Liang-Yin Chen, Chien-I Kuo
  • Publication number: 20200111711
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates generally to an epitaxy scheme for forming source/drain regions in a semiconductor device, such as an n-channel device. In an example, a method of manufacturing a semiconductor device is provided. The method generally includes forming a recess in a fin, the fin being on a substrate. The recess is proximate a gate structure over the fin. The method includes epitaxially growing a source/drain region in the recess using a remote plasma chemical vapor deposition (RPCVD) process. The RPCVD process includes using a silicon source precursor and a hydrogen carrier gas.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2019
    Publication date: April 9, 2020
    Inventors: Tzu-Ching Lin, Chii-Horng Li, Chien-I Kuo, Li-Li Su
  • Publication number: 20200111712
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates generally to an epitaxy scheme for forming source/drain regions in a semiconductor device, such as an n-channel device. In an example, a method of manufacturing a semiconductor device is provided. The method generally includes forming a recess in a fin, the fin being on a substrate. The recess is proximate a gate structure over the fin. The method includes epitaxially growing a source/drain region in the recess using a remote plasma chemical vapor deposition (RPCVD) process. The RPCVD process includes using a silicon source precursor and a hydrogen carrier gas.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2019
    Publication date: April 9, 2020
    Inventors: Tzu-Ching Lin, Chii-Horng Li, Chien-I Kuo, Li-Li Su
  • Publication number: 20200052098
    Abstract: An embodiment is a method including forming a raised portion of a substrate, forming fins on the raised portion of the substrate, forming an isolation region surrounding the fins, a first portion of the isolation region being on a top surface of the raised portion of the substrate between adjacent fins, forming a gate structure over the fins, and forming source/drain regions on opposing sides of the gate structure, wherein forming the source/drain regions includes epitaxially growing a first epitaxial layer on the fin adjacent the gate structure, etching back the first epitaxial layer, epitaxially growing a second epitaxial layer on the etched first epitaxial layer, and etching back the second epitaxial layer, the etched second epitaxial layer having a non-faceted top surface, the etched first epitaxial layer and the etched second epitaxial layer forming source/drain regions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2019
    Publication date: February 13, 2020
    Inventors: Tzu-Ching Lin, Chien-I Kuo, Wei Te Chiang, Wei Hao Lu, Li-Li Su, Chii-Horng Li
  • Publication number: 20200035784
    Abstract: A method includes forming a crown structure over a substrate; forming fins in the crown structure; forming an intra-device isolation region between the fins and forming inter-device isolation regions on opposing sides of the crown structure; forming a gate structure over the fins; forming a dielectric layer that extends continuously over the inter-device isolation regions, the fins and the intra-device isolation region; performing an etching process to reduce a thickness of the dielectric layer, where after the etching process, upper surfaces of the inter-device isolation regions and upper surfaces of the fins are exposed while an upper surface of the intra-device isolation region is covered by a remaining portion of the dielectric layer; and forming an epitaxial structure over the exposed upper surfaces of the fins, where after the epitaxial structure is formed, there is a void between the epitaxial structure and the intra-device isolation region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2019
    Publication date: January 30, 2020
    Inventors: Yen-Ru Lee, Chii-Horng Li, Chien-I Kuo, Heng-Wen Ting, Jung-Chi Tai, Li-Li Su, Tzu-Ching Lin
  • Patent number: 10529803
    Abstract: A semiconductor device and method of manufacturing the semiconductor device are provided. In some embodiments, the semiconductor device includes a fin extending from a substrate and a gate structure disposed over the fin. The gate structure includes a gate dielectric formed over the fin, a gate electrode formed over the gate dielectric, and a sidewall spacer formed along a sidewall of the gate electrode. In some cases, a U-shaped recess is within the fin and adjacent to the gate structure. A first source/drain layer is conformally formed on a surface of the U-shaped recess, where the first source/drain layer extends at least partially under the adjacent gate structure. A second source/drain layer is formed over the first source/drain layer. At least one of the first and second source/drain layers includes silicon arsenide (SiAs).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2020
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chia-Ta Yu, Sheng-Chen Wang, Wei-Yuan Lu, Chien-I Kuo, Li-Li Su, Feng-Cheng Yang, Yen-Ming Chen, Sai-Hooi Yeong
  • Patent number: 10522656
    Abstract: A method of forming source/drain features in a FinFET device includes providing a fin formed over a substrate and a gate structure formed over a fin, forming a recess in the fin adjacent to the gate structure, forming a first epitaxial layer in the recess, forming a second epitaxial layer over the first epitaxial layer, and forming a third epitaxial layer over the second epitaxial layer. The second epitaxial layer may be doped with a first element, while one or both of the first and the third epitaxial layer includes a second element different from the first element. One or both of the first and the third epitaxial layer may be formed by a plasma deposition process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2019
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD
    Inventors: Chia-Ling Chan, Derek Chen, Liang-Yin Chen, Chien-I Kuo
  • Publication number: 20190393095
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates generally to an epitaxy scheme for forming source/drain regions in a semiconductor device, such as an n-channel device. In an example, a method of manufacturing a semiconductor device is provided. The method generally includes forming a recess in a fin, the fin being on a substrate. The recess is proximate a gate structure over the fin. The method includes epitaxially growing a source/drain region in the recess using a remote plasma chemical vapor deposition (RPCVD) process. The RPCVD process includes using a silicon source precursor and a hydrogen carrier gas.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2018
    Publication date: December 26, 2019
    Inventors: Tzu-Ching Lin, Chii-Horng Li, Chien-I Kuo, Li-Li Su
  • Patent number: 10510607
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates generally to an epitaxy scheme for forming source/drain regions in a semiconductor device, such as an n-channel device. In an example, a method of manufacturing a semiconductor device is provided. The method generally includes forming a recess in a fin, the fin being on a substrate. The recess is proximate a gate structure over the fin. The method includes epitaxially growing a source/drain region in the recess using a remote plasma chemical vapor deposition (RPCVD) process. The RPCVD process includes using a silicon source precursor and a hydrogen carrier gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2019
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Tzu-Ching Lin, Chii-Horng Li, Chien-I Kuo, Li-Li Su
  • Patent number: 10510762
    Abstract: Source and drain formation techniques are disclosed herein for fin-like field effect transistors (FinFETs). An exemplary method for forming epitaxial source/drain features for a FinFET includes epitaxially growing a semiconductor material on a plurality of fins using a silicon-containing precursor and a chlorine-containing precursor. The semiconductor material merges to form an epitaxial feature spanning the plurality of fins, where the plurality of fins has a fin spacing that is less than about 25 nm. A ratio of a flow rate of the silicon-containing precursor to a flow rate of the chlorine-containing precursor is less than about 5. The method further includes etching back the semiconductor material using the chlorine-containing precursor, thereby modifying a profile of the epitaxial feature. The epitaxially growing and the etching back may be performed only once. In some implementations, where the FinFET is an n-type FinFET, the epitaxially growing also uses a phosphorous-containing precursor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2019
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yao-De Chiou, Wei-Yuan Lu, Chien-I Kuo, Sai-Hooi Yeong, Yen-Ming Chen
  • Publication number: 20190355816
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates generally to an epitaxy scheme for forming source/drain regions in a semiconductor device, such as an n-channel device. In an example, a method of manufacturing a semiconductor device includes forming an active area on a substrate. The active area includes a source/drain region. The formation of the source/drain region includes forming a barrier region along a bottom surface and side surface of a recess in the active area. The barrier region includes arsenic having a first dopant concentration. The formation of the source/drain region further includes forming an epitaxial material on the barrier region in the recess. The epitaxial material includes phosphorous having a second dopant concentration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 5, 2019
    Publication date: November 21, 2019
    Inventors: Chien-I Kuo, Shao-Fu Fu, Chia-Ling Chan, Yi-Fang Pai, Li-Li Su, Wei Hao Lu, Wei Te Chiang, Chii-Horng Li
  • Patent number: 10468482
    Abstract: A method includes forming a crown structure over a substrate; forming fins in the crown structure; forming an intra-device isolation region between the fins and forming inter-device isolation regions on opposing sides of the crown structure; forming a gate structure over the fins; forming a dielectric layer that extends continuously over the inter-device isolation regions, the fins and the intra-device isolation region; performing an etching process to reduce a thickness of the dielectric layer, where after the etching process, upper surfaces of the inter-device isolation regions and upper surfaces of the fins are exposed while an upper surface of the intra-device isolation region is covered by a remaining portion of the dielectric layer; and forming an epitaxial structure over the exposed upper surfaces of the fins, where after the epitaxial structure is formed, there is a void between the epitaxial structure and the intra-device isolation region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2019
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yen-Ru Lee, Chii-Horng Li, Chien-I Kuo, Heng-Wen Ting, Jung-Chi Tai, Li-Li Su, Tzu-Ching Lin
  • Patent number: 10453943
    Abstract: An embodiment is a method including forming a raised portion of a substrate, forming fins on the raised portion of the substrate, forming an isolation region surrounding the fins, a first portion of the isolation region being on a top surface of the raised portion of the substrate between adjacent fins, forming a gate structure over the fins, and forming source/drain regions on opposing sides of the gate structure, wherein forming the source/drain regions includes epitaxially growing a first epitaxial layer on the fin adjacent the gate structure, etching back the first epitaxial layer, epitaxially growing a second epitaxial layer on the etched first epitaxial layer, and etching back the second epitaxial layer, the etched second epitaxial layer having a non-faceted top surface, the etched first epitaxial layer and the etched second epitaxial layer forming source/drain regions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2019
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Tzu-Ching Lin, Chien-I Kuo, Wei Te Chiang, Wei Hao Lu, Li-Li Su, Chii-Horng Li
  • Publication number: 20190267471
    Abstract: A method of forming source/drain features in a FinFET device includes providing a fin formed over a substrate and a gate structure formed over a fin, forming a recess in the fin adjacent to the gate structure, forming a first epitaxial layer in the recess, forming a second epitaxial layer over the first epitaxial layer, and forming a third epitaxial layer over the second epitaxial layer. The second epitaxial layer may be doped with a first element, while one or both of the first and the third epitaxial layer includes a second element different from the first element. One or both of the first and the third epitaxial layer may be formed by a plasma deposition process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2018
    Publication date: August 29, 2019
    Inventors: Chia-Ling Chan, Derek Chen, Liang-Yin Chen, Chien-I Kuo
  • Publication number: 20190252240
    Abstract: An embodiment is a structure including a first fin over a substrate, a second fin over the substrate, the second fin being adjacent the first fin, an isolation region surrounding the first fin and the second fin, a gate structure along sidewalls and over upper surfaces of the first fin and the second fin, the gate structure defining channel regions in the first fin and the second fin, a source/drain region on the first fin and the second fin adjacent the gate structure, and an air gap separating the source/drain region from a top surface of the substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 22, 2019
    Publication date: August 15, 2019
    Inventors: Yen-Ru Lee, Chii-Horng Li, Chien-I Kuo, Li-Li Su, Chien-Chang Su, Heng-Wen Ting, Jung-Chi Tai, Che-Hui Lee, Ying-Wei Li
  • Patent number: 10374038
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates generally to an epitaxy scheme for forming source/drain regions in a semiconductor device, such as an n-channel device. In an example, a method of manufacturing a semiconductor device includes forming an active area on a substrate. The active area includes a source/drain region. The formation of the source/drain region includes forming a barrier region along a bottom surface and side surface of a recess in the active area. The barrier region includes arsenic having a first dopant concentration. The formation of the source/drain region further includes forming an epitaxial material on the barrier region in the recess. The epitaxial material includes phosphorous having a second dopant concentration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2019
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chien-I Kuo, Chii-Horng Li, Chia-Ling Chan, Li-Li Su, Yi-Fang Pai, Wei Te Chiang, Shao-Fu Fu, Wei Hao Lu
  • Publication number: 20190165100
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates generally to an epitaxy scheme for forming source/drain regions in a semiconductor device, such as an n-channel device. In an example, a method of manufacturing a semiconductor device includes forming an active area on a substrate. The active area includes a source/drain region. The formation of the source/drain region includes forming a barrier region along a bottom surface and side surface of a recess in the active area. The barrier region includes arsenic having a first dopant concentration. The formation of the source/drain region further includes forming an epitaxial material on the barrier region in the recess. The epitaxial material includes phosphorous having a second dopant concentration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2018
    Publication date: May 30, 2019
    Applicant: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chien-I KUO, Chii-Horng LI, Chia-Ling CHAN, Li-Li SU, Yi-Fang PAI, Wei Te CHIANG, Shao-Fu FU, Wei Hao LU
  • Publication number: 20190164964
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a semiconductor substrate, at least one first isolation structure, at least one second isolation structure, a source structure, a drain structure and a plurality of semiconductor fins. The first isolation structure and the second isolation structure are located on the semiconductor substrate. The source structure is located on the semiconductor substrate and the first isolation structure, in which at least one first gap is located between the source structure and the first isolation structure. The drain structure is located on the semiconductor substrate and the second isolation structure, in which at least one second gap is located between the drain structure and the second isolation structure. The semiconductor fins protrude from the semiconductor substrate, in which the semiconductor fins are spaced apart from each other, and connect the source structure and the drain structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 7, 2019
    Publication date: May 30, 2019
    Inventors: Chii-Horng LI, Chien-I KUO, Lilly SU, Chien-Chang SU, Ying-Wei LI
  • Patent number: 10269618
    Abstract: An embodiment is a structure including a first fin over a substrate, a second fin over the substrate, the second fin being adjacent the first fin, an isolation region surrounding the first fin and the second fin, a gate structure along sidewalls and over upper surfaces of the first fin and the second fin, the gate structure defining channel regions in the first fin and the second fin, a source/drain region on the first fin and the second fin adjacent the gate structure, and an air gap separating the source/drain region from a top surface of the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2019
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yen-Ru Lee, Chii-Horng Li, Chien-I Kuo, Li-Li Su, Chien-Chang Su, Heng-Wen Ting, Jung-Chi Tai, Che-Hui Lee, Ying-Wei Li
  • Publication number: 20190109217
    Abstract: An embodiment is a method including forming a raised portion of a substrate, forming fins on the raised portion of the substrate, forming an isolation region surrounding the fins, a first portion of the isolation region being on a top surface of the raised portion of the substrate between adjacent fins, forming a gate structure over the fins, and forming source/drain regions on opposing sides of the gate structure, wherein forming the source/drain regions includes epitaxially growing a first epitaxial layer on the fin adjacent the gate structure, etching back the first epitaxial layer, epitaxially growing a second epitaxial layer on the etched first epitaxial layer, and etching back the second epitaxial layer, the etched second epitaxial layer having a non-faceted top surface, the etched first epitaxial layer and the etched second epitaxial layer forming source/drain regions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2018
    Publication date: April 11, 2019
    Inventors: Tzu-Ching Lin, Chien-I Kuo, Wei Te Chiang, Wei Hao Lu, Li-Li Su, Chii-Horng Li