Patents by Inventor Hou-Yu Chen

Hou-Yu Chen 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: 11574907
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a substrate, a fin structure and an isolation layer formed on the substrate and adjacent to the fin structure. The semiconductor device includes a gate structure formed on at least a portion of the fin structure and the isolation layer. The semiconductor device includes an epitaxial layer including a strained material that provides stress to a channel region of the fin structure. The epitaxial layer has a first region and a second region, in which the first region has a first doping concentration of a first doping agent and the second region has a second doping concentration of a second doping agent. The first doping concentration is greater than the second doping concentration. The epitaxial layer is doped by ion implantation using phosphorous dimer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2023
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yu-Chang Lin, Chun-Feng Nieh, Huicheng Chang, Hou-Yu Chen, Yong-Yan Lu
  • Patent number: 11569230
    Abstract: A method for forming a semiconductor device comprises receiving a structure having a substrate, an isolation structure over the substrate, and a fin over the substrate and adjacent to the isolation structure. The method further includes etching a portion of the fin, resulting in a trench, forming a doped material layer over bottom and sidewalls of the trench, and growing at least one epitaxial layer over the doped material layer in the trench. The method further includes recessing the isolation structure and the doped material layer, leaving a first portion of the at least one epitaxial layer surrounded by the doped material layer and performing an annealing process, thereby driving dopants from the doped material layer into the first portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2023
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Yong-Yan Lu, Chia-Wei Soong, Hou-Yu Chen
  • Patent number: 11532627
    Abstract: A semiconductor device according to the present disclosure includes a first interconnect structure, a first transistor over the first interconnect structure, a second transistor over the first transistor, and a second interconnect structure over the second transistor. The first transistor includes first nanostructures and a first source region adjoining the first nanostructures. The second transistor includes second nanostructures and a second source region adjoining the second nanostructures. The first source region is coupled to a first power rail in the first interconnect structure, and the second source region is coupled to a second power rail in the second interconnect structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2022
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yi-Bo Liao, Yu-Xuan Huang, Wei Ju Lee, Hou-Yu Chen, Chun-Fu Cheng
  • Patent number: 11532720
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a semiconductor layer, a gate structure, a source/drain epitaxial structure, a backside dielectric cap, and an inner spacer. The gate structure wraps around the semiconductor layer. The source/drain epitaxial structure is adjacent the gate structure and electrically connected to the semiconductor layer. The backside dielectric cap is disposed under and in direct contact with the gate structure. The inner spacer is in direct contact with the gate structure and the backside dielectric cap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2022
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Cheng-Ting Chung, Hou-Yu Chen, Ching-Wei Tsai
  • Publication number: 20220397493
    Abstract: A sensor system for detecting at least one analyte in an environment includes a dehumidifier system including at least one of a condenser unit and a desiccant unit and a sensor responsive to the analyte in fluid connection with the dehumidifier system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 8, 2020
    Publication date: December 15, 2022
    Inventors: Sean Ihn Young Hwang, Alexander Star, Sung Kwon Cho, Hou-Yu Chen
  • Publication number: 20220384250
    Abstract: A semiconductor structure includes a gate structure surrounding a plurality of channels and a cut feature that electrically isolates two separate portions of the gate structure. The cut feature comprises an outer layer having a work-function metal, and an inner layer comprising a dielectric material. The cut feature extends above a top surface of the gate structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2022
    Publication date: December 1, 2022
    Inventors: Wang-Chun Huang, Yu-Xuan Huang, Hou-Yu Chen, Kuan-Lun Cheng, Chih-Hao Wang
  • Publication number: 20220384620
    Abstract: Semiconductor structures and methods of forming the same are provided. A semiconductor structure according to the present disclosure includes at least one first semiconductor element and at least one second semiconductor element over a substrate, a dielectric fin disposed between the at least one first semiconductor element and the at least one second semiconductor element, a first work function metal layer wrapping around each of the at least one first semiconductor element and extending continuously from the at least one first semiconductor element to a top surface of the dielectric fin, and a second work function metal layer disposed over the at least one second semiconductor element and the first work function metal layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 10, 2022
    Publication date: December 1, 2022
    Inventors: Wang-Chun Huang, Hou-Yu Chen, Kuan-Lun Cheng, Chih-Hao Wang
  • Publication number: 20220375931
    Abstract: A device comprises a first transistor, a second transistor, a first contact, and a second contact. The first transistor comprises a first gate structure, first source/drain regions on opposite sides of the first gate structure, and first gate spacers spacing the first gate structure apart from the first source/drain regions. The second transistor comprises a second gate structure, second source/drain regions on opposite sides of the second gate structure, and second gate spacers spacing the second gate structure apart from the second source/drain regions. The first contact forms a first contact interface with one of the first source/drain regions. The second contact forms a second contact interface with one of the second source/drain regions. An area ratio of the first contact interface to top surface the first source/drain region is greater than an area ratio of the second contact interface to top surface of the second source/drain region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2022
    Publication date: November 24, 2022
    Applicant: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Chung-Pin HUANG, Hou-Yu CHEN, Chuan-Li CHEN, Chih-Kuan YU, Yao-Ling HUANG
  • Publication number: 20220367454
    Abstract: Backside interconnect structures having reduced critical dimensions for semiconductor devices and methods of forming the same are disclosed. In an embodiment, a device includes a first transistor structure over a front-side of a substrate; a first backside interconnect structure over a backside of the substrate, the first backside interconnect structure including first conductive features having tapered sidewalls with widths that narrow in a direction away from the substrate; a power rail extending through the substrate, the power rail being electrically coupled to the first conductive features; and a first source/drain contact extending from the power rail to a first source/drain region of the first transistor structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2022
    Publication date: November 17, 2022
    Inventors: Cheng-Ting Chung, Hou-Yu Chen, Ching-Wei Tsai
  • Publication number: 20220367460
    Abstract: An integrated circuit (IC) device includes a first plurality of active areas extending in a first direction and having a first pitch in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, and a second plurality of active areas extending in the first direction, offset from the first plurality of active areas in the first direction, and having a second pitch in the second direction. A ratio of the second pitch to the first pitch is 3:2.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2021
    Publication date: November 17, 2022
    Inventors: Yu-Xuan HUANG, Shih-Wei PENG, Te-Hsin CHIU, Hou-Yu CHEN, Kuan-Lun CHENG, Jiann-Tyng TZENG
  • Publication number: 20220367291
    Abstract: Semiconductor device and the manufacturing method thereof are disclosed. An exemplary method comprises forming a first stack structure and a second stack structure in a first area over a substrate, wherein each of the stack structures includes semiconductor layers separated and stacked up; depositing a first interfacial layer around each of the semiconductor layers of the stack structures; depositing a gate dielectric layer around the first interfacial layer; forming a dipole oxide layer around the gate dielectric layer; removing the dipole oxide layer around the gate dielectric layer of the second stack structure; performing an annealing process to form a dipole gate dielectric layer for the first stack structure and a non-dipole gate dielectric layer for the second stack structure; and depositing a first gate electrode around the dipole gate dielectric layer of the first stack structure and the non-dipole gate dielectric layer of the second stack structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2022
    Publication date: November 17, 2022
    Inventors: Chung-Wei Hsu, Kuo-Cheng Chiang, Kuan-Lun Cheng, Hou-Yu Chen, Ching-Wei Tsai, Chih-Hao Wang, Lung-Kun Chu, Mao-Lin Huang, Jia-Ni Yu
  • Patent number: 11502168
    Abstract: In some embodiments, the present disclosure relates to an integrated chip that includes a first nanosheet field effect transistor (NSFET). The first NSFET includes a first nanosheet channel structure arranged over a substrate, a second nanosheet channel structure arranged directly over the first nanosheet channel structure, and a first gate electrode structure. The first and second nanosheet channel structures extend in parallel between first and second source/drain regions. The first gate electrode structure includes a first conductive ring and a second conductive ring that completely surround outer sidewalls of the first nanosheet channel structure and the second nanosheet channel structure, respectively, and that comprise a first material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2022
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Chung-Wei Hsu, Hou-Yu Chen, Chih-Hao Wang, Ching-Wei Tsai, Kuo-Cheng Chiang, Kuan-Lun Cheng, Mao-Lin Huang, Jia-Ni Yu, Lung-Kun Chu
  • Publication number: 20220359375
    Abstract: Methods of forming decoupling capacitors in interconnect structures formed on backsides of semiconductor devices and semiconductor devices including the same are disclosed. In an embodiment, a device includes a device layer including a first transistor; a first interconnect structure on a front-side of the device layer; a second interconnect structure on a backside of the device layer, the second interconnect structure including a first dielectric layer on the backside of the device layer; a contact extending through the first dielectric layer to a source/drain region of the first transistor; a first conductive layer including a first conductive line electrically connected to the source/drain region of the first transistor through the contact; and a second dielectric layer adjacent the first conductive line, the second dielectric layer including a material having a k-value greater than 7.0, a first decoupling capacitor including the first conductive line and the second dielectric layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2022
    Publication date: November 10, 2022
    Inventors: Yu-Xuan Huang, Hou-Yu Chen, Ching-Wei Tsai, Kuan-Lun Cheng, Chung-Hui Chen
  • Publication number: 20220359757
    Abstract: Semiconductor structures and methods for manufacturing the same are provided. The semiconductor structure includes a substrate and semiconductor material layers stacked along a first direction over the substrate and spaced apart from each other. The semiconductor structure also includes inner spacers stacked along the first direction in spaces between the semiconductor material layers and a gate structure extending along a second direction and wrapping around the semiconductor material layers. In addition, the gate structure abuts a first side of the inner spacers. The semiconductor structure also includes a source/drain structure formed over the isolating feature and abutting the second side of the inner spacers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 21, 2022
    Publication date: November 10, 2022
    Applicant: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yu-Xuan HUANG, Ching-Wei TSAI, Hou-Yu CHEN, Kuan-Lun CHENG
  • Publication number: 20220359700
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a semiconductor layer, a gate structure, a source/drain epitaxial structure, a backside dielectric cap, and an inner spacer. The gate structure wraps around the semiconductor layer. The source/drain epitaxial structure is adjacent the gate structure and electrically connected to the semiconductor layer. The backside dielectric cap is disposed under and in direct contact with the gate structure. The inner spacer is in direct contact with the gate structure and the backside dielectric cap.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2022
    Publication date: November 10, 2022
    Inventors: Cheng-Ting Chung, Hou-Yu Chen, Ching-Wei Tsai
  • Publication number: 20220352314
    Abstract: In some embodiments, the present disclosure relates to an integrated chip that includes a first nanosheet field effect transistor (NSFET). The first NSFET includes a first nanosheet channel structure arranged over a substrate, a second nanosheet channel structure arranged directly over the first nanosheet channel structure, and a first gate electrode structure. The first and second nanosheet channel structures extend in parallel between first and second source/drain regions. The first gate electrode structure includes a first conductive ring and a second conductive ring that completely surround outer sidewalls of the first nanosheet channel structure and the second nanosheet channel structure, respectively, and that comprise a first material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 20, 2022
    Publication date: November 3, 2022
    Inventors: Chung-Wei Hsu, Hou-Yu Chen, Chih-Hao Wang, Ching-Wei Tsai, Kuo-Cheng Chiang, Kuan-Lun Cheng, Mao-Lin Huang, Jia-Ni Yu, Lung-Kun Chu
  • Patent number: 11489054
    Abstract: Embodiments include Multiple Gate Field-Effect Transistors (MuGFETs) and methods of forming them. In an embodiment, a structure includes a substrate, a fin, masking dielectric layer portions, and a raised epitaxial lightly doped source/drain (LDD) region. The substrate includes the fin. The masking dielectric layer portions are along sidewalls of the fin. An upper portion of the fin protrudes from the masking dielectric layer portions. A first spacer is along a sidewall of a gate structure over a channel region of the fin. A second spacer is along the first spacer. The raised epitaxial LDD region is on the upper portion of the fin, and the raised epitaxial LDD region adjoins a sidewall of the first spacer and is disposed under the second spacer. The raised epitaxial LDD region extends from the upper portion of the fin in at least two laterally opposed directions and a vertical direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2022
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Yong-Yan Lu, Hou-Yu Chen, Shyh-Horng Yang
  • Publication number: 20220336681
    Abstract: A semiconductor device structure is provided. The semiconductor device structure includes an isolation layer formed over a substrate, and a plurality of nanostructures formed over the isolation layer. The semiconductor device structure includes a gate structure wrapped around the nanostructures, and an S/D structure wrapped around the nanostructures. The semiconductor device structure also includes a first oxide layer between the substrate and the S/D structure. The first oxide layer and the isolation layer are made of different materials, and the first oxide layer is in direct contact with the isolation layer, and a sidewall surface of the S/D structure is aligned with a sidewall surface of the first oxide layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2022
    Publication date: October 20, 2022
    Applicant: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Hou-Yu CHEN, Chao-Ching CHENG, Tzu-Chiang CHEN, Yu-Lin YANG, I-Sheng CHEN
  • Patent number: 11462534
    Abstract: A device comprises a first transistor disposed within a first device region of a substrate and a second transistor disposed within a second device region of the substrate. The first transistor comprises first source/drain regions, a first gate structure laterally between the first source/drain regions, and first gate spacers respectively on opposite sidewalls of the first gate structure. The second transistor comprises second source/drain regions, a second gate structure laterally between the second source/drain regions, and second gate spacers respectively on opposite sidewalls of the second gate structure. The second source/drain regions of the second transistor have a maximal width greater than a maximal width of the first source/drain regions of the first transistor, but the second gate spacers of the second transistor have a thickness less than a thickness of the first gate spacers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2022
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Chung-Pin Huang, Hou-Yu Chen, Chuan-Li Chen, Chih-Kuan Yu, Yao-Ling Huang
  • Publication number: 20220302113
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a silicon substrate; a semiconductor fin over the silicon substrate; and an isolation structure over the silicon substrate. The semiconductor fin includes a first portion and a second portion over the first portion. The first portion is surrounded by the isolation structure, and the second portion protrudes above the isolation structure. The second portion has a different crystalline lattice constant than the first portion. The first portion includes a first dopant, and the second portion is substantially free of the first dopant. The semiconductor device further includes a gate structure above the isolation structure and engaging multiple surfaces of the second portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 8, 2022
    Publication date: September 22, 2022
    Inventors: Yong-Yan Lu, Chia-Wei Soong, Hou-Yu Chen