Patents by Inventor Chung-Te Lin

Chung-Te Lin 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: 20230411522
    Abstract: A ferroelectric field effect transistor (FeFET) having a double-gate structure includes a first gate electrode, a first ferroelectric material layer over the first gate electrode, a semiconductor channel layer over the first ferroelectric material layer, source and drain electrodes contacting the semiconductor channel layer, a second ferroelectric material layer over the semiconductor channel layer, and a second gate electrode over the second ferroelectric material layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2023
    Publication date: December 21, 2023
    Inventors: Yen-Chieh HUANG, Song-Fu LIAO, Po-Ting LIN, Hai-Ching CHEN, Sai-Hooi YEONG, Yu-Ming LIN, Chung-Te LIN
  • Publication number: 20230413514
    Abstract: An integrated circuit includes a substrate, a first transistor, and an interconnect structure. The first transistor is over the substrate. The interconnect structure is disposed on the substrate and includes a first dielectric layer and a memory module. The memory module includes a first memory device, a second memory device, and a third memory device. The first memory device is embedded in the first dielectric layer. The second memory device is disposed aside the first memory device and is embedded in the first dielectric layer. The first memory device, the second memory device, and the third memory device are different types of memory devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 19, 2022
    Publication date: December 21, 2023
    Applicant: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Katherine H CHIANG, Chung-Te Lin
  • Patent number: 11849644
    Abstract: A method for fabricating magnetoresistive random-access memory cells (MRAM) on a substrate is provided. The substrate is formed with a magnetic tunneling junction (MTJ) layer thereon. When the MTJ layer is etched to form the MRAM cells, there may be metal components deposited on a surface of the MRAM cells and between the MRAM cells. The metal components are then removed by chemical reaction. However, the removal of the metal components may form extra substances on the substrate. A further etching process is then performed to remove the extra substances by physical etching.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2023
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Chang-Lin Yang, Chung-Te Lin, Sheng-Yuan Chang, Han-Ting Lin, Chien-Hua Huang
  • Patent number: 11848332
    Abstract: A semiconductor die includes a semiconductor substrate and a transistor array disposed over the semiconductor substrate. The transistor array includes unit cells and spacers. The unit cells are disposed along rows of the transistor array extending in a first direction and columns of the transistor array extending in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction. The spacers encircle the unit cells. The unit cells include source contacts and drain contacts separated by interlayer dielectric material portions. First sections of the spacers contacting the interlayer dielectric material portions are thicker than second sections of the spacers contacting the source contacts and the drain contacts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2023
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Gao-Ming Wu, Katherine H. Chiang, Chien-Hao Huang, Chung-Te Lin
  • Publication number: 20230403860
    Abstract: Various embodiments of the present disclosure are directed towards a method of forming a ferroelectric memory device. In the method, a pair of source/drain regions is formed in a substrate. A gate dielectric and a gate electrode are formed over the substrate and between the pair of source/drain regions. A polarization switching structure is formed directly on a top surface of the gate electrode. By arranging the polarization switching structure directly on the gate electrode, smaller pad size can be realized, and more flexible area ratio tuning can be achieved compared to arranging the polarization switching structure under the gate electrode with the aligned sidewall and same lateral dimensions. In addition, since the process of forming gate electrode can endure higher annealing temperatures, such that quality of the ferroelectric structure is better controlled.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2023
    Publication date: December 14, 2023
    Inventors: Bo-Feng Young, Chung-Te Lin, Sai-Hooi Yeong, Yu-Ming Lin, Sheng-Chih Lai, Chih-Yu Chang, Han-Jong Chia
  • Patent number: 11843056
    Abstract: A semiconductor structure is provided. The semiconductor structure may include a transistor structure, the transistor structure may include a gate region arranged over an upper surface of a substrate and extending substantially in a first direction that is perpendicular to the upper surface of the substrate; a first source/drain region over the upper surface of the substrate; a second source/drain region over the upper surface of the substrate; and a channel region vertically extending in the first direction between the first source/drain region and the second source/drain region, wherein the channel region comprises an oxide semiconductor material. Along the first direction, the gate region covers a sidewall of the channel region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2023
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Neil Quinn Murray, Katherine H. Chiang, Chung-Te Lin
  • Publication number: 20230397426
    Abstract: A 3D memory array including multiple memory cells and a method of manufacturing the same are provided. Each memory cell includes a first isolation structure, source and drain electrodes, a gate layer, a channel layer and a memory layer. The source and drain electrodes are disposed on opposite sides of the first isolation structure, and the source and drain electrodes comprise kink portions. The gate layer is disposed beside the source and drain electrodes and the first isolation structure. The channel layer is disposed between the gate layer and the source electrode, the first isolation structure and the drain electrode, and the channel layer extends between the source and drain electrodes and covers the kink portions of the source and drain electrodes. The memory layer is disposed between the gate layer and the channel layer and extends beside the gate layer and extends beyond the channel layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2022
    Publication date: December 7, 2023
    Applicant: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yu-Wei Jiang, TsuChing Yang, Sheng-Chih Lai, Feng-Cheng Yang, Chung-Te Lin
  • Publication number: 20230395673
    Abstract: A transistor includes a gate electrode, a gate dielectric, a channel layer and a source line and bit line. The gate electrode includes a first gate material layer and a second gate material layer disposed on the first gate material layer, wherein a work function of the first gate material layer is lower than a work function of the second gate material layer. The gate dielectric is disposed on the gate electrode. The channel layer is disposed on the gate dielectric. The source line and bit line are disposed on and connected to the channel layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 6, 2022
    Publication date: December 7, 2023
    Applicant: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yi-Cheng Chu, Tzu-Hsiang Hsu, Pin-Cheng Hsu, Chung-Te Lin
  • Patent number: 11837667
    Abstract: A planar insulating spacer layer is formed over a substrate, and a vertical stack of a gate electrode, a gate dielectric layer, and a first semiconducting metal oxide layer may be formed thereabove. The first semiconducting metal oxide layer includes atoms of a first n-type dopant at a first average dopant concentration. A second semiconducting metal oxide layer is formed over the first semiconducting metal oxide layer. Portions of the second semiconducting metal oxide layer are doped with the second n-type dopant to provide a source-side n-doped region and a drain-side n-doped region that include atoms of the second n-type dopant at a second average dopant concentration that is greater than the first average dopant concentration. Various dopants may be introduced to enhance performance of the thin film transistor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2023
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited
    Inventors: Min-Kun Dai, I-Cheng Chang, Cheng-Yi Wu, Han-Ting Tsai, Tsann Lin, Chung-Te Lin, Wei-Gang Chiu
  • Publication number: 20230387108
    Abstract: A method comprises growing an epitaxial layer on a first region of a first wafer while remaining a second region of the first wafer exposed; forming a first dielectric layer over the epitaxial layer and the second region; forming a first transistor on a second wafer; forming a second dielectric layer over the first transistor; bonding the first and second dielectric layers; and forming second and third transistors on the epitaxial layer and on the second region of the first wafer, respectively.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2023
    Publication date: November 30, 2023
    Applicant: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Chung-Te LIN, Wei-Yuan LU, Feng-Cheng YANG
  • Publication number: 20230387247
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a substrate; two source/drain (S/D) regions over the substrate; a gate stack over the substrate and between the two S/D regions; a spacer layer covering sidewalls of the gate stack; an S/D contact metal over one of the two S/D regions; a first dielectric layer covering sidewalls of the S/D contact metal; and an inter-layer dielectric (ILD) layer covering the first dielectric layer, the spacer layer, and the gate stack, thereby defining a gap. A material of a first sidewall of the gap is different from materials of a top surface and a bottom surface of the gap, and a material of a second sidewall of the gap is different from the materials of the top surface and the bottom surface of the gap.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2023
    Publication date: November 30, 2023
    Inventors: Wei-Yang Lee, Feng-Cheng Yang, Chung-Te Lin, Yen-Ming Chen
  • Publication number: 20230389320
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a semiconductor structure and a method for forming a semiconductor structure. The semiconductor structure includes a substrate, and a dielectric stack over the substrate. The dielectric stack includes a first layer over the substrate and a second layer over the first layer. The semiconductor structure further includes a gate layer including a first portion traversing the second layer and a second portion extending between the first layer and the second layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2023
    Publication date: November 30, 2023
    Inventors: Feng-Ching Chu, Feng-Cheng Yang, Katherine H. Chiang, Chung-Te Lin, Chieh-Fang Chen
  • Publication number: 20230389326
    Abstract: 3D memory array devices and methods of manufacturing are described herein. A method includes etching a first trench and a second trench in a multilayer stack, the multilayer stack including alternating dielectric layers and sacrificial layers. The method further includes forming a word line by replacing a sacrificial layer with a conductive material. Once the word line has been formed, a first transistor is formed in the first trench, the first transistor including a first channel isolation structure. A cut channel plug is formed in the second trench, a centerline of the cut channel plug being aligned with a centerline of the channel isolation structure. The method further includes forming a second transistor in the second trench adjacent the cut channel plug, the word line being electrically coupled to the first transistor and the second transistor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2023
    Publication date: November 30, 2023
    Inventors: Chia-Yu Ling, Katherine H. Chiang, Chung-Te Lin
  • Patent number: 11830922
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a substrate; two source/drain (S/D) regions over the substrate; a gate stack over the substrate and between the two S/D regions; a spacer layer covering sidewalls of the gate stack; an S/D contact metal over one of the two S/D regions; a first dielectric layer covering sidewalls of the S/D contact metal; and an inter-layer dielectric (ILD) layer covering the first dielectric layer, the spacer layer, and the gate stack, thereby defining a gap. A material of a first sidewall of the gap is different from materials of a top surface and a bottom surface of the gap, and a material of a second sidewall of the gap is different from the materials of the top surface and the bottom surface of the gap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2023
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Wei-Yang Lee, Feng-Cheng Yang, Chung-Te Lin, Yen-Ming Chen
  • Patent number: 11832450
    Abstract: Various embodiments of the present disclosure are directed towards a method of forming a ferroelectric memory device. In the method, a pair of source/drain regions is formed in a substrate. A gate dielectric and a gate electrode are formed over the substrate and between the pair of source/drain regions. A polarization switching structure is formed directly on a top surface of the gate electrode. By arranging the polarization switching structure directly on the gate electrode, smaller pad size can be realized, and more flexible area ratio tuning can be achieved compared to arranging the polarization switching structure under the gate electrode with the aligned sidewall and same lateral dimensions. In addition, since the process of forming gate electrode can endure higher annealing temperatures, such that quality of the ferroelectric structure is better controlled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2023
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Bo-Feng Young, Chung-Te Lin, Sai-Hooi Yeong, Yu-Ming Lin, Sheng-Chih Lai, Chih-Yu Chang, Han-Jong Chia
  • Publication number: 20230378354
    Abstract: Ferroelectric devices, including FeFET and/or FeRAM devices, include ferroelectric material layers deposited using atomic layer deposition (ALD). By controlling parameters of the ALD deposition sequence, the crystal structure and ferroelectric properties of the ferroelectric layer may be engineered. An ALD deposition sequence including relatively shorter precursor pulse durations and purge durations between successive precursor pulses may provide a ferroelectric layer having relatively uniform crystal grain sizes and a small mean grain size (e.g., ?3 nm), which may provide effective ferroelectric performance. An ALD deposition sequence including relatively longer precursor pulse durations and purge durations between successive precursor pulses may provide a ferroelectric layer having less uniform crystal grain sizes and a larger mean grain size (e.g., ?7 nm).
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2023
    Publication date: November 23, 2023
    Inventors: Po-Ting LIN, Song-Fu LIAO, Rainer Yen-Chieh HUANG, Hai-Ching CHEN, Yu-Ming LIN, Chung-Te LIN
  • Publication number: 20230380186
    Abstract: A memory structure includes: first and second word lines; a high-k dielectric layer disposed on the first and second word lines; a channel layer disposed on the high-k dielectric layer and comprising a semiconductor material; first and second source electrodes electrically contacting the channel layer; a first drain electrode disposed on the channel layer between the first and second source electrodes; a memory cell electrically connected to the first drain electrode; and a bit line electrically connected to the memory cell.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2023
    Publication date: November 23, 2023
    Inventors: Yong-Jie WU, Yen-Chung HO, Hui-Hsien WEI, Chia-Jung YU, Pin-Cheng HSU, Mauricio MANFRINI, Chung-Te LIN
  • Publication number: 20230380177
    Abstract: In some embodiments, the present disclosure relates to an integrated chip that includes a gate electrode arranged over a substrate. A gate dielectric layer is arranged over the gate electrode, and an active structure is arranged over the gate dielectric layer. A source contact and a drain contact are arranged over the active structure. The active structure includes a stack of cocktail layers alternating with first active layers. The cocktail layers include a mixture of a first material and a second material. The first active layers include a third material that is different than the first and second materials. The bottommost layer of the active structure is one of the cocktail layers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 2, 2023
    Publication date: November 23, 2023
    Inventors: Rainer Yen-Chieh Huang, Hai-Ching Chen, Chung-Te Lin
  • Publication number: 20230378369
    Abstract: A thin film transistor includes an active layer and at least one gate stack. The active layer may be formed using multiple iterations of a unit layer stack deposition process, which includes an acceptor-type oxide deposition process and a post-transition metal oxide deposition process. A surface of each gate dielectric within the at least one gate stack contacts a surface of a respective layer of the oxide of the acceptor-type element so that leakage current of the active layer may be minimized. A source electrode and a drain electrode may contact an oxide layer providing lower contact resistance such as a layer of the post-transition metal oxide or a zinc oxide layer within the active layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2023
    Publication date: November 23, 2023
    Inventors: Wu-Wei TSAI, Po-Ting LIN, Hai-Ching CHEN, Chung-Te LIN
  • Publication number: 20230377670
    Abstract: A method of testing a non-volatile memory (NVM) array includes heating the NVM array to a target temperature, and while the NVM array is heated to the target temperature, programming a subset of the NVM cells to first resistance levels and obtaining a first current distribution, programming the subset of NVM cells to second resistance levels and obtaining a second current distribution, calculating a current threshold level from the first and second current distributions, and for each of the NVM cells, programing the NVM cell to one of the first or second resistance levels, and using the current threshold level to determine a first pass/fail (P/F) status and a second P/F status at the programmed resistance level. A bit error rate (BER) of the NVM array is calculated based on the first and second current distributions and the first and second P/F status of each of the NVM cells.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2023
    Publication date: November 23, 2023
    Inventors: Chien-Hao HUANG, Katherine H. CHIANG, Cheng-Yi WU, Chung-Te LIN