Patents by Inventor Hsin-Che Chiang

Hsin-Che Chiang 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: 20240120334
    Abstract: A method for forming a semiconductor device structure is provided. The method includes forming an isolation layer over a substrate. The method includes forming a spacer layer over the first fin, the second fin, and the isolation layer. The method includes forming a gate dielectric layer in the first trench and covering the first fin, the second fin, and the isolation layer exposed by the first trench. The method includes partially removing the gate dielectric layer to form a second trench in the gate dielectric layer and between the first fin and the second fin. The method includes forming a gate electrode in the first trench of the spacer layer and over the gate dielectric layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 9, 2023
    Publication date: April 11, 2024
    Applicant: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Wei-Chih KAO, Hsin-Che CHIANG, Jeng-Ya YEH
  • Publication number: 20240107736
    Abstract: An IC structure and a method of forming the same are provided. In an embodiment, an exemplary method of forming the IC structure forming a first semiconductor fin and a second semiconductor fin protruding from a substrate, forming a high-k metal gate (HKMG) structure over the first semiconductor fin and the second semiconductor fin, forming a trench to separate the HKMG structure into two portions, conformally depositing a first dielectric layer in the trench, depositing a second dielectric layer over the first dielectric layer to fill the trench, wherein the second dielectric layer includes nitrogen, and the first dielectric layer is free of nitrogen, and planarizing the first dielectric layer and second dielectric layer to form a gate isolation structure in the trench.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 9, 2023
    Publication date: March 28, 2024
    Inventors: Chi-Wei Wu, Hsin-Che Chiang, Jeng-Ya Yeh
  • Publication number: 20240081077
    Abstract: A transistor includes a first semiconductor layer, a second semiconductor layer, a semiconductor nanosheet, a gate electrode and source and drain electrodes. The semiconductor nanosheet is physically connected to the first semiconductor layer and the second semiconductor layer. The gate electrode wraps around the semiconductor nanosheet. The source and drain electrodes are disposed at opposite sides of the gate electrode. The first semiconductor layer surrounds the source electrode, the second semiconductor layer surrounds the drain electrode, and the semiconductor nanosheet is disposed between the source and drain electrodes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 1, 2022
    Publication date: March 7, 2024
    Applicants: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd., National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University
    Inventors: Po-Tsun Liu, Meng-Han Lin, Zhen-Hao Li, Tsung-Che Chiang, Bo-Feng Young, Hsin-Yi Huang, Sai-Hooi Yeong, Yu-Ming Lin
  • Patent number: 11923455
    Abstract: A semiconductor device and method of forming the same are disclosed. The semiconductor device includes a fin structure, a gate electrode, a source-drain region, a plug and a hard mask structure. The gate electrode crosses over the fin structure. The source-drain region in the fin structure is aside the gate electrode. The plug is disposed over and electrically connected to the gate electrode. The hard mask structure surrounds the plug and is disposed over the gate electrode, wherein the hard mask structure includes a first hard mask layer and a second hard mask layer, the second hard mask layer covers a sidewall and a top surface of the first hard mask layer, and a material of the first hard mask layer is different from a material of the second hard mask layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2024
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Chun-Sheng Liang, Kuo-Hua Pan, Hsin-Che Chiang, Ming-Heng Tsai
  • Patent number: 11923194
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a semiconductor substrate having a first lattice constant, a dopant blocking layer disposed over the semiconductor substrate, the dopant blocking layer having a second lattice constant different from the first lattice constant, and a buffer layer disposed over the dopant blocking layer, the buffer layer having a third lattice constant different from the second lattice constant. The semiconductor device also includes a plurality of channel members suspended over the buffer layer, an epitaxial feature abutting the channel members, and a gate structure wrapping each of the channel members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2024
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD
    Inventors: Hsin-Che Chiang, Wei-Chih Kao, Chun-Sheng Liang, Kuo-Hua Pan
  • Publication number: 20240071829
    Abstract: A method for forming a semiconductor structure is provided. The method for forming the semiconductor structure includes forming first fin structures and a second fin structures over a substrate, forming a first gate stack and a second gate stack that extend in a first direction across the first fin structures and the second fin structures, respectively, and etching the first gate stack and the second gate stack to form a first trench through the first gate stack and a second trench through the second gate stack. A first dimension of the first trench in the first direction is greater than a second dimension of the second trench in the first direction. The method further includes forming a first gate cutting structure and a second gate cutting structure in the first trench and the second trench, respectively.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 26, 2022
    Publication date: February 29, 2024
    Inventors: Chi-Wei WU, Hsin-Che CHIANG, Jeng-Ya YEH
  • Publication number: 20240047273
    Abstract: Semiconductor structures and methods are provided. An exemplary method according to the present disclosure includes receiving a workpiece including a first semiconductor fin and a second semiconductor fin penetrating from a substrate and separated by a first isolation feature, and a gate structure intersecting the first semiconductor fin and the second semiconductor fin. The method also includes removing the gate structure and portions of the first semiconductor fin, the second semiconductor fin, and the first isolation feature disposed directly under the gate structure to form a fin isolation trench, forming a dielectric layer over the workpiece to substantially fill the fin isolation trench, and planarizing the dielectric layer to form a fin isolation structure in the fin isolation trench.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 4, 2022
    Publication date: February 8, 2024
    Inventors: Hsin-Che Chiang, Jyun-Hong Huang, Chi-Wei Wu, Shu-Hui Wang, Jeng-Ya Yeh
  • Publication number: 20240021480
    Abstract: A semiconductor device structure and a formation method are provided. The method includes forming a first dielectric fin and a second dielectric fin over a substrate, and the second dielectric fin is taller than the first dielectric fin. The method also includes forming a gate stack over the substrate, and the gate stack extends across the first dielectric fin and the second dielectric fin. The method further includes partially removing the gate stack such that an opening exposing the second dielectric fin is formed and forming an isolation structure in the opening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 14, 2022
    Publication date: January 18, 2024
    Applicant: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hsin-Che CHIANG, Wei-Chih KAO
  • Publication number: 20240014077
    Abstract: A method includes forming a gate stack on a semiconductor region, etching the gate stack to form a first trench separating the gate stack into a first gate stack portion and a second gate stack portion, and forming a gate isolation region filling the first trench. The gate isolation region includes a silicon nitride liner, and a silicon oxide filling-region overlapping a first bottom portion of the silicon nitride liner. The method further includes etching the gate stack to form a second trench and to reveal a protruding semiconductor fin, and etching the protruding semiconductor fin to extend the second trench into the bulk semiconductor substrate. A fin isolation region is formed to fill the second trench. The fin isolation region includes a silicon oxide liner, and a silicon nitride filling-region overlapping a second bottom portion of the silicon oxide liner.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 5, 2023
    Publication date: January 11, 2024
    Inventors: Bo-Cyuan Lu, Hsin-Che Chiang, Tai-Chun Huang, Chi On Chui
  • Publication number: 20230420505
    Abstract: Structures and formation methods of a semiconductor device structure are provided. The semiconductor device structure includes first and second gate structures formed over a semiconductor substrate and a multilayer gate isolation structure separating the first gate structure from the second gate structure. The multilayer gate isolation structure includes a first insulating feature adjacent to upper portions of the first gate structure and the second gate structure, and a second insulating feature separating the semiconductor substrate from the first insulating feature. The material of the second insulating feature is different than that of the first insulating feature. The second insulating feature has a lower dielectric constant or lower etch resistance than the first insulating feature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2022
    Publication date: December 28, 2023
    Applicant: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hong-Chih CHEN, Wei-Chih KAO, Chun-Yi CHANG, Yu-San CHIEN, Hsin-Che CHIANG, Chun-Sheng LIANG
  • Publication number: 20230411492
    Abstract: A semiconductor device structure and a formation method are provided. The method includes forming a dummy gate stack over a substrate and forming a dielectric layer laterally surrounding the dummy gate stack. The method also includes introducing dopants into an upper portion of the dielectric layer and removing the dummy gate stack to form a trench surrounded by the dielectric layer. The method further includes forming a metal gate stack in the trench.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 15, 2022
    Publication date: December 21, 2023
    Applicant: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Chun-Yi CHANG, Wen-Li CHIU, Hsin-Che CHIANG, Chun-Sheng LIANG
  • Publication number: 20230411497
    Abstract: A method for forming a semiconductor device structure is provided. The method includes forming a first gate stack over a substrate. The first gate stack includes a first gate electrode and a dielectric layer between the first gate electrode and the substrate, and the first gate electrode has a void. The method includes oxidizing a side portion of the first gate electrode to form an oxide layer over the first gate electrode. The oxide layer fills the void.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 17, 2022
    Publication date: December 21, 2023
    Inventors: Chun-Yi CHANG, Hsiao-Chu CHEN, Hong-Chih CHEN, Hsin-Che CHIANG, Chun-Sheng LIANG, Kuo-Hua PAN
  • Patent number: 11848373
    Abstract: A dummy fin described herein includes a low dielectric constant (low-k or LK) material outer shell. A leakage path that would otherwise occur due to a void being formed in the low-k material outer shell is filled with a high dielectric constant (high-k or HK) material inner core. This increases the effectiveness of the dummy fin to provide electrical isolation and increases device performance of a semiconductor device in which the dummy fin is included. Moreover, the dummy fin described herein may not suffer from bending issues experienced in other types of dummy fins, which may otherwise cause high-k induced alternating current (AC) performance degradation. The processes for forming the dummy fins described herein are compatible with other fin field effect transistor (finFET) formation processes and are be easily integrated to minimize and/or prevent polishing issues, etch back issues, and/or other types of semiconductor processing issues.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2023
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Wei-Chih Kao, Hsin-Che Chiang, Chun-Sheng Liang, Kuo-Hua Pan
  • Patent number: 11837602
    Abstract: An embodiment method includes forming a semiconductor liner layer on a first fin structure and on a second fin structure and forming a first capping layer on the semiconductor liner layer disposed on the first fin structure. The method further includes forming a second capping layer on the semiconductor liner layer disposed on the first fin structure, where a composition of the first capping layer is different from a composition of the second capping layer. The method additionally includes performing a thermal process on the first capping layer, the second capping layer, and the semiconductor liner layer to form a first channel region in the first fin structure and a second channel region in the second fin structure. A concentration profile of a material of the first channel region is different from a concentration profile of a material of the second channel region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2023
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yu-San Chien, Hsin-Che Chiang, Chun-Sheng Liang, Kuo-Hua Pan
  • Publication number: 20230387274
    Abstract: A dummy fin described herein includes a low dielectric constant (low-k or LK) material outer shell. A leakage path that would otherwise occur due to a void being formed in the low-k material outer shell is filled with a high dielectric constant (high-k or HK) material inner core. This increases the effectiveness of the dummy fin to provide electrical isolation and increases device performance of a semiconductor device in which the dummy fin is included. Moreover, the dummy fin described herein may not suffer from bending issues experienced in other types of dummy fins, which may otherwise cause high-k induced alternating current (AC) performance degradation. The processes for forming the dummy fins described herein are compatible with other fin field effect transistor (finFET) formation processes and are be easily integrated to minimize and/or prevent polishing issues, etch back issues, and/or other types of semiconductor processing issues.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 10, 2023
    Publication date: November 30, 2023
    Inventors: Wei-Chih KAO, Hsin-Che CHIANG, Chun-Sheng LIANG, Kuo-Hua PAN
  • Publication number: 20230378360
    Abstract: The present disclosure describes structure and method of a fin field-effect transistor (finFET) device. The finFET device includes: a substrate, a fin over the substrate, and a gate structure over the fin. The gate structure includes a work-function metal (WFM) layer over an inner sidewall of the gate structure. A topmost surface of the WFM layer is lower than a top surface of the gate structure. The gate structure also includes a filler gate metal layer over the topmost surface of the WFM layer. A top surface of the filler gate metal layer is substantially co-planar with the top surface of the gate structure. The gate structure further includes a self-assembled monolayer (SAM) between the filler gate metal layer and the WFM layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2023
    Publication date: November 23, 2023
    Applicant: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ju-Li Huang, Hsin-Che Chiang, Yu-Chi Pan, Chun-Ming Yang, Chun-Sheng Liang, Ying-Liang Chuang, Ming-Hsi Yeh
  • Publication number: 20230369465
    Abstract: An embodiment method includes: forming a semiconductor liner layer on exposed surfaces of a fin structure that extends above a dielectric isolation structure disposed over a substrate; forming a first capping layer to laterally surround a bottom portion of the semiconductor liner layer; forming a second capping layer over an upper portion of the semiconductor liner layer; and annealing the fin structure having the semiconductor liner layer, the first capping layer, and the second capping layer thereon, the annealing driving a dopant from the semiconductor liner layer into the fin structure, wherein a dopant concentration profile in a bottom portion of the fin structure is different from a dopant concentration profile in an upper portion of the fin structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 20, 2023
    Publication date: November 16, 2023
    Inventors: Wei-Chih Kao, Hsin-Che Chiang, Yu-San Chien, Chun-Sheng Liang, Kuo-Hua Pan
  • Publication number: 20230369336
    Abstract: Provided is a semiconductor device including a substrate, one hybrid fin, a gate, and a dielectric structure. The substrate includes at least two fins. The hybrid fin is disposed between the at least two fins. The gate covers portions of the at least two fins and the hybrid fin. The dielectric structure lands on the hybrid fin to divide the gate into two segment. The two segments are electrically isolated to each other by the dielectric structure and the hybrid fin. The hybrid fin includes a first portion, disposed between the two segments of the gate; and a second portion, disposed aside the first portion, wherein a top surface of the second portion is lower than a top surface of the first portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2023
    Publication date: November 16, 2023
    Applicant: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yu-San Chien, Chun-Sheng Liang, Jhon-Jhy Liaw, Kuo-Hua Pan, Hsin-Che Chiang
  • Publication number: 20230369135
    Abstract: A method includes forming first and second gate stacks extending across a semiconductor fin on a substrate; forming source/drain regions in the semiconductor fin, wherein one of the source/drain region is between the first and second gate stacks; forming a dielectric layer laterally surrounding the first and second gate stacks; doping a portion of the dielectric layer between the first and second gate stacks with a dopant; removing the second gate stack to form a gate trench next to the doped first portion of the dielectric layer; performing an annealing process to expand the doped first portion of the dielectric layer toward the gate trench; forming an isolation structure in the gate trench and next to the expanded first portion of the dielectric layer; forming a source/drain contact extending through the dielectric layer to the one of the source/drain regions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 11, 2022
    Publication date: November 16, 2023
    Applicant: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Chi-Wei WU, Hsin-Che CHIANG, Chun-Sheng LIANG
  • Patent number: 11810978
    Abstract: The present disclosure describes structure and method of a fin field-effect transistor (finFET) device. The finFET device includes: a substrate, a fin over the substrate, and a gate structure over the fin. The gate structure includes a work-function metal (WFM) layer over an inner sidewall of the gate structure. A topmost surface of the WFM layer is lower than a top surface of the gate structure. The gate structure also includes a filler gate metal layer over the topmost surface of the WFM layer. A top surface of the filler gate metal layer is substantially co-planar with the top surface of the gate structure. The gate structure further includes a self-assembled monolayer (SAM) between the filler gate metal layer and the WFM layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2023
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ju-Li Huang, Hsin-Che Chiang, Yu-Chi Pan, Chun-Ming Yang, Chun-Sheng Liang, Ying-Liang Chuang, Ming-Hsi Yeh