Patents by Inventor Jia-Chuan You

Jia-Chuan You 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: 11417745
    Abstract: A semiconductor device structure and the fabrication method are provided. The semiconductor device structure includes a first channel structure and a second channel structure over a substrate. The second channel structure is longer than the first channel structure. The semiconductor device structure also includes a first gate stack over the first channel structure, and the first gate stack has a first width. The semiconductor device structure further includes a first gate spacer extending along a sidewall of the first gate stack. In addition, the semiconductor device structure includes a second gate stack over the second channel structure and a second gate spacer extending along a sidewall of the second gate stack. The second gate stack has a portion extending along the second gate spacer, and the portion of the second gate stack has a second width. Half of the first width is greater than the second width.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2022
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jia-Chuan You, Huan-Chieh Su, Kuo-Cheng Chiang, Chih-Hao Wang
  • Patent number: 11404315
    Abstract: A method of forming a semiconductor device includes forming an ILD structure over a source/drain region, forming a source/drain contact in the ILD structure and over the source/drain region, removing a portion of the source/drain contact such that a hole is formed in the ILD structure and over a remaining portion of the source/drain contact, forming a hole liner lining a sidewall of the hole after removing the portion of the source/drain contact, and forming a conductive structure in the hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2022
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Chia-Hao Chang, Jia-Chuan You, Yu-Ming Lin, Chih-Hao Wang, Wai-Yi Lien
  • Publication number: 20220231016
    Abstract: A method of fabricating a semiconductor device includes providing a dummy structure having a plurality of channel layers, an inner spacer disposed between adjacent channels of the plurality of channel layers and at a lateral end of the channel layers, and a gate structure including a gate dielectric layer and a metal layer interposing the plurality of channel layers. The dummy structure is disposed at an active edge adjacent to an active region. A metal gate etching process is performed to remove the metal layer from the gate structure while the gate dielectric layer remains disposed at a channel layer-inner spacer interface. After performing the metal gate etching process, a dry etching process is performed to form a cut region along the active edge. The gate dielectric layer disposed at the channel layer-inner spacer interface prevents the dry etching process from damaging a source/drain feature within the adjacent active region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 4, 2022
    Publication date: July 21, 2022
    Inventors: Li-Yang CHUANG, Jia-Chuan YOU, Kuo-Cheng CHIANG, Chih-Hao WANG
  • Publication number: 20220223593
    Abstract: A semiconductor device structure, along with methods of forming such, are described. The structure includes a first, second, and third gate electrode layers, a first dielectric feature disposed between the first and second gate electrode layers, a second dielectric feature disposed between the second and third gate electrode layers, a first seed layer in contact with the first gate electrode layer, the first dielectric feature, and the second gate electrode layer, a first conductive layer disposed on the first seed layer, a second seed layer in contact with the third gate electrode layer, a second conductive layer disposed on the second seed layer, and a dielectric material disposed on the second dielectric feature, the first conductive layer, and the second conductive layer. The dielectric material is between the first seed layer and the second seed layer and between the first conductive layer and the second conductive layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2022
    Publication date: July 14, 2022
    Inventors: Jia-Chuan YOU, Shi-Ning JU, Kuo-Cheng CHIANG, Chih-Hao WANG
  • Publication number: 20220181216
    Abstract: A method includes forming a dummy gate over a substrate. A first gate spacer is formed on a side of the dummy gate. The dummy gate is replaced with a gate structure, such that that first gate spacer is on a side of the gate structure. The gate structure is etched back. After etching back the gate structure, a top portion of the first gate spacer is removed. A second gate spacer is formed over a remaining portion of the first gate spacer. After forming the second gate spacer, a dielectric cap is formed over the gate structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2022
    Publication date: June 9, 2022
    Applicant: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Jia-Chuan YOU, Chia-Hao CHANG, Tien-Lu LIN, Yu-Ming LIN, Chih-Hao WANG
  • Patent number: 11355603
    Abstract: A method of fabricating a semiconductor device is disclosed. The method includes forming a fin structure on a substrate; forming a dummy gate over the fin structure; forming spacers on sides of the dummy gate; forming a doped region within the fin structure; replacing the dummy gate with a metal gate; replacing an upper portion of the metal gate with a first dielectric layer; forming a conductive layer directly on the doped region; replacing an upper portion of the conductive layer with a second dielectric layer; removing the first dielectric layer thereby exposing a sidewall of the spacer; removing an upper portion of the spacer to thereby expose a sidewall of the second dielectric layer; removing at least a portion of the second dielectric layer to form a trench; and forming a conductive plug in the trench.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2022
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Wei-Hao Wu, Chia-Hao Chang, Chih-Hao Wang, Jia-Chuan You, Yi-Hsiung Lin, Zhi-Chang Lin, Chia-Hao Kuo, Ke-Jing Yu
  • Patent number: 11355387
    Abstract: A method includes forming a dummy gate stack over a substrate; forming a gate spacer on a sidewall of the dummy gate stack; after forming the gate spacer, forming a source/drain region in the substrate and adjacent to the gate spacer; forming a first interlayer dielectric layer over the source/drain region and adjacent to the gate spacer; replacing the dummy gate stack with a metal gate stack; forming a protective layer over the metal gate stack and the gate spacer; after forming the protective layer, removing the first interlayer dielectric layer to expose a sidewall of the gate spacer and a sidewall of the protective layer; and forming a bottom conductive feature over the source/drain region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2022
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Jia-Chuan You, Chia-Hao Chang, Wai-Yi Lien, Yu-Ming Lin
  • Publication number: 20220165868
    Abstract: The present disclosure describes a semiconductor structure and a method for forming the same. The semiconductor structure can include a substrate, a first vertical structure and a second vertical structure formed over the substrate, and an isolation structure between the first and second vertical structures. The isolation structure can include a center region and footing regions formed on opposite sides of the center region. Each of the footing regions can be tapered towards the center region from a first end of the each footing region to a second end of the each footing region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2022
    Publication date: May 26, 2022
    Applicant: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jia-Chuan You, Chih-Hao Wang, Shi Ning Ju, Kuo-Cheng Chiang, Li-Yang Chuang
  • Patent number: 11342229
    Abstract: A method for forming an electrical connection structure is provided. The method includes forming a first metal material in an opening of a dielectric layer. The first metal material includes a plurality of grains. The method also includes forming a second metal material over the first metal material. The method also includes annealing the second metal material so that the second metal material diffuses along grain boundaries of the grains of the first metal material. The method also includes removing the second metal material from the upper surface of the first metal material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2022
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shih-Chuan Chiu, Jia-Chuan You, Chia-Hao Chang, Chun-Yuan Chen, Tien-Lu Lin, Yu-Ming Lin, Chih-Hao Wang
  • Publication number: 20220157721
    Abstract: A method of forming a semiconductor structure includes first forming a metal gate (MG) over a semiconductor layer, a gate spacer on a sidewall of the MG, and a source/drain (S/D) feature disposed in the semiconductor layer and adjacent to the MG, forming an S/D contact (MD) over the S/D feature, forming a first ILD layer over the MG and the MD, and subsequently patterning the first ILD layer to form an opening. The method further includes forming a metal layer in the opening, such that the metal layer contacts both the MG and the MD, removing a top portion of the metal layer to form a trench, filling the trench with a dielectric layer, and subsequently forming a second ILD layer over the dielectric layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2022
    Publication date: May 19, 2022
    Inventors: Jia-Chuan You, Chia-Hao Chang, Tien-Lu Lin, Yu-Ming Lin, Chih-Hao Wang
  • Patent number: 11335592
    Abstract: A method includes forming a first conductive feature on a substrate, forming a via that contacts the first conductive feature, the via comprising a conductive material, performing a Chemical Mechanical Polishing (CMP) process to a top surface of the via, depositing an Interlayer Dielectric (ILD) layer on the via, forming a trench within the ILD layer to expose the via, and filling the trench with a second conductive feature that contacts the via, the second conductive feature comprising a same material as the conductive material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2022
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Chun-Yuan Chen, Shih-Chuan Chiu, Jia-Chuan You, Chia-Hao Chang, Tien-Lu Lin, Yu-Ming Lin
  • Patent number: 11302693
    Abstract: A semiconductor device structure, along with methods of forming such, are described. The structure includes a first, second, and third gate electrode layers, a first dielectric feature disposed between the first and second gate electrode layers, a second dielectric feature disposed between the second and third gate electrode layers, a first seed layer in contact with the first gate electrode layer, the first dielectric feature, and the second gate electrode layer, a first conductive layer disposed on the first seed layer, a second seed layer in contact with the third gate electrode layer, a second conductive layer disposed on the second seed layer, and a dielectric material disposed on the second dielectric feature, the first conductive layer, and the second conductive layer. The dielectric material is between the first seed layer and the second seed layer and between the first conductive layer and the second conductive layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2022
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Jia-Chuan You, Shi-Ning Ju, Kuo-Cheng Chiang, Chih-Hao Wang
  • Patent number: 11296082
    Abstract: A method of fabricating a semiconductor device includes providing a dummy structure having a plurality of channel layers, an inner spacer disposed between adjacent channels of the plurality of channel layers and at a lateral end of the channel layers, and a gate structure including a gate dielectric layer and a metal layer interposing the plurality of channel layers. The dummy structure is disposed at an active edge adjacent to an active region. A metal gate etching process is performed to remove the metal layer from the gate structure while the gate dielectric layer remains disposed at a channel layer-inner spacer interface. After performing the metal gate etching process, a dry etching process is performed to form a cut region along the active edge. The gate dielectric layer disposed at the channel layer-inner spacer interface prevents the dry etching process from damaging a source/drain feature within the adjacent active region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2022
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Li-Yang Chuang, Jia-Chuan You, Kuo-Cheng Chiang, Chih-Hao Wang
  • Publication number: 20220068919
    Abstract: A semiconductor device structure, along with methods of forming such, are described. The structure includes a first, second, and third gate electrode layers, a first dielectric feature disposed between the first and second gate electrode layers, a second dielectric feature disposed between the second and third gate electrode layers, a first seed layer in contact with the first gate electrode layer, the first dielectric feature, and the second gate electrode layer, a first conductive layer disposed on the first seed layer, a second seed layer in contact with the third gate electrode layer, a second conductive layer disposed on the second seed layer, and a dielectric material disposed on the second dielectric feature, the first conductive layer, and the second conductive layer. The dielectric material is between the first seed layer and the second seed layer and between the first conductive layer and the second conductive layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2020
    Publication date: March 3, 2022
    Applicant: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Jia-Chuan YOU, Shi-Ning JU, Kuo-Cheng CHIANG, Chih-Hao WANG
  • Patent number: 11264284
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a semiconductor substrate, a gate stack, an air spacer, a first spacer, a second spacer, a sacrificial layer, and a contact plug. The gate stack is on the semiconductor substrate. The air spacer is around the gate stack. The first spacer is around the air spacer. The second spacer is on the air spacer and the first spacer. The sacrificial layer is on the gate stack, and an etching selectivity between the second spacer and the sacrificial layer is in a range from about 10 to about 30. The contact plug lands on the second spacer and the gate stack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2022
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Jia-Chuan You, Chia-Hao Chang, Tien-Lu Lin, Yu-Ming Lin, Chih-Hao Wang
  • Publication number: 20220045051
    Abstract: A semiconductor device according to the present disclosure includes a first gate structure and a second gate structure aligned along a direction, a first metal layer disposed over the first gate structure, a second metal layer disposed over the second gate structure, and a gate isolation structure extending between the first gate structure and the second gate structure as well as between the first metal layer and the second metal layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2020
    Publication date: February 10, 2022
    Inventors: Jia-Chuan You, Chia-Hao Chang, Kuo-Cheng Chiang, Kuan-Lun Cheng, Chih-Hao Wang
  • Patent number: 11244899
    Abstract: A semiconductor structure includes a metal gate structure disposed over a semiconductor substrate, a gate spacer disposed on a sidewall of the metal gate structure, an source/drain contact disposed over the semiconductor substrate and separated from the metal gate structure by the gate spacer, and a contact feature coupling the metal gate structure to the source/drain contact. The contact feature may be configured to include a dielectric layer disposed on a metal layer, where the dielectric layer and the metal layer are defined by continuous sidewalls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2022
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Jia-Chuan You, Chia-Hao Chang, Tien-Lu Lin, Yu-Ming Lin, Chih-Hao Wang
  • Patent number: 11245028
    Abstract: The present disclosure describes a semiconductor structure and a method for forming the same. The semiconductor structure can include a substrate, a first vertical structure and a second vertical structure formed over the substrate, and an isolation structure between the first and second vertical structures. The isolation structure can include a center region and footing regions formed on opposite sides of the center region. Each of the footing regions can be tapered towards the center region from a first end of the each footing region to a second end of the each footing region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2022
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jia-Chuan You, Chih-Hao Wang, Shi Ning Ju, Kuo-Cheng Chiang, Li-Yang Chuang
  • Publication number: 20220037315
    Abstract: A method of fabricating a semiconductor device includes providing a dummy structure having a plurality of channel layers, an inner spacer disposed between adjacent channels of the plurality of channel layers and at a lateral end of the channel layers, and a gate structure including a gate dielectric layer and a metal layer interposing the plurality of channel layers. The dummy structure is disposed at an active edge adjacent to an active region. A metal gate etching process is performed to remove the metal layer from the gate structure while the gate dielectric layer remains disposed at a channel layer-inner spacer interface. After performing the metal gate etching process, a dry etching process is performed to form a cut region along the active edge. The gate dielectric layer disposed at the channel layer-inner spacer interface prevents the dry etching process from damaging a source/drain feature within the adjacent active region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2020
    Publication date: February 3, 2022
    Inventors: Li-Yang CHUANG, Jia-Chuan YOU, Kuo-Cheng CHIANG, Chih-Hao WANG
  • Publication number: 20220037491
    Abstract: A semiconductor device structure and the fabrication method are provided. The semiconductor device structure includes a first channel structure and a second channel structure over a substrate. The second channel structure is longer than the first channel structure. The semiconductor device structure also includes a first gate stack over the first channel structure, and the first gate stack has a first width. The semiconductor device structure further includes a first gate spacer extending along a sidewall of the first gate stack. In addition, the semiconductor device structure includes a second gate stack over the second channel structure and a second gate spacer extending along a sidewall of the second gate stack. The second gate stack has a portion extending along the second gate spacer, and the portion of the second gate stack has a second width. Half of the first width is greater than the second width.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2020
    Publication date: February 3, 2022
    Applicant: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jia-Chuan YOU, Huan-Chieh SU, Kuo-Cheng CHIANG, Chih-Hao WANG