Patents by Inventor Kuo-Chi Tu

Kuo-Chi Tu 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: 20220285373
    Abstract: A structure includes a semiconductor substrate, a gate structure, a source/drain feature, a source/drain contact, a dielectric layer, and a ferroelectric random access memory (FERAM) structure. The gate structure is on the semiconductor substrate. The source/drain feature is adjacent to the gate structure. The source/drain contact lands on the source/drain feature. The dielectric layer spans the source/drain contact. The FeRAM structure is partially embedded in the dielectric layer and includes a bottom electrode layer on the source/drain contact and having an U-shaped cross section, a ferroelectric layer conformally formed on the bottom electrode layer, and a top electrode layer over the ferroelectric layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 4, 2021
    Publication date: September 8, 2022
    Applicant: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Tzu-Yu CHEN, Sheng-Hung SHIH, Fu-Chen CHANG, Kuo-Chi TU
  • Patent number: 11437084
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method of forming a memory structure. The method includes depositing a ferroelectric random access memory (FeRAM) stack over a substrate. The FeRAM stack has a ferroelectric layer and one or more conductive layers over the ferroelectric layer. The FeRAM stack is patterned to define an FeRAM device stack. A sidewall spacer is formed along a first side of the FeRAM device stack, and a select gate is formed along a side of the sidewall spacer that faces away from the FeRAM device stack. A source region is formed within the substrate and along a second side of the FeRAM device stack, and a drain region is formed within the substrate. The drain region is separated from the FeRAM device stack by the select gate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2022
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Tzu-Yu Chen, Kuo-Chi Tu, Wen-Ting Chu, Yong-Shiuan Tsair
  • Publication number: 20220231033
    Abstract: A method of forming a semiconductor device includes forming an inter-metal dielectric layer over a substrate; forming a first conductive line embedded in the inter-metal dielectric layer; forming a dielectric structure over the inter-metal dielectric layer and the first conductive line; etching the dielectric structure until the first conductive line is exposed; forming a bottom electrode layer on the exposed first conductive line such that the bottom electrode layer has an U-shaped when viewed in a cross section; forming a ferroelectric layer over the bottom electrode layer; forming a top electrode layer over the ferroelectric layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 4, 2022
    Publication date: July 21, 2022
    Applicant: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Fu-Chen CHANG, Kuo-Chi TU, Tzu-Yu CHEN, Sheng-Hung SHIH
  • Publication number: 20220231034
    Abstract: In an embodiment, a structure includes one or more first transistors in a first region of a device, the one or more first transistors supporting a memory access function of the device. The structure includes one or more ferroelectric random access memory (FeRAM) capacitors in a first inter-metal dielectric (IMD) layer over the one or more first transistors in the first region. The structure also includes one or more metal-ferroelectric insulator-metal (MFM) decoupling capacitors in the first IMD layer in a second region of the device. The MFM capacitors may include two or more capacitors coupled in series to act as a voltage divider.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 4, 2022
    Publication date: July 21, 2022
    Inventors: Tzu-Yu Chen, Kuo-Chi Tu, Fu-Chen Chang, Chih-Hsiang Chang, Sheng-Hung Shih
  • Patent number: 11387411
    Abstract: A memory cell and method including a first electrode formed through a first opening in a first dielectric layer, a resistive layer formed on the first electrode, a spacing layer formed on the resistive layer, a second electrode formed on the resistive layer, and a second dielectric layer formed on the second electrode, the second dielectric layer including a second opening. The first dielectric layer formed on a substrate including a first metal layer. The first electrode and the resistive layer collectively include a first lip region that extends a first distance beyond the first opening. The second electrode and the second dielectric layer collectively include a second lip region that extends a second distance beyond the first opening. The spacing layer extends from the second distance to the first distance. The second electrode is coupled to a second metal layer using a via that extends through the second opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2022
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Chih-Yang Chang, Hsia-Wei Chen, Chin-Chieh Yang, Kuo-Chi Tu, Wen-Ting Chu, Yu-Wen Liao
  • Publication number: 20220157889
    Abstract: A resistive random access memory (RRAM) structure includes a resistive memory element formed on a semiconductor substrate. The resistive element includes a top electrode, a bottom electrode, and a resistive material layer positioned between the top electrode and the bottom electrode. The RRAM structure further includes a field effect transistor (FET) formed on the semiconductor substrate, the FET having a source and a drain. The drain has a zero-tilt doping profile and the source has a tilted doping profile. The resistive memory element is coupled with the drain via a portion of an interconnect structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2022
    Publication date: May 19, 2022
    Inventors: Chin-Chieh Yang, Hsia-Wei Chen, Chih-Yang Chang, Kuo-Chi Tu, Wen-Ting Chu, Yu-Wen Liao
  • Publication number: 20220139959
    Abstract: In some embodiments, the present disclosure relates to a method of forming an integrated chip including forming a ferroelectric layer over a bottom electrode layer, forming a top electrode layer over the ferroelectric layer, performing a first removal process to remove peripheral portions of the bottom electrode layer, the ferroelectric layer, and the top electrode layer, and performing a second removal process using a second etch that is selective to the bottom electrode layer and the top electrode layer to remove portions of the bottom electrode layer and the top electrode layer, so that after the second removal process the ferroelectric layer has a surface that protrudes past a surface of the bottom electrode layer and the top electrode layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 12, 2022
    Publication date: May 5, 2022
    Inventors: Chih-Hsiang Chang, Kuo-Chi Tu, Sheng-Hung Shih, Wen-Ting Chu, Tzu-Yu Chen, Fu-Chen Chang
  • Patent number: 11296116
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes an inter-metal dielectric layer, a first conductive line, and a first ferroelectric random access memory (FRAM) structure. The first conductive line is embedded in the inter-metal dielectric layer and extends along a first direction. The first FRAM structure is over inter-metal dielectric layer and includes a bottom electrode layer, a ferroelectric layer, and a top electrode layer. The bottom electrode layer is over the first conductive line and has an U-shaped when viewed in a cross section taken along a second direction substantially perpendicular to the first direction. The ferroelectric layer is conformally formed on the bottom electrode. The top electrode layer is over the ferroelectric layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2022
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Fu-Chen Chang, Kuo-Chi Tu, Tzu-Yu Chen, Sheng-Hung Shih
  • Patent number: 11296099
    Abstract: In an embodiment, a structure includes one or more first transistors in a first region of a device, the one or more first transistors supporting a memory access function of the device. The structure includes one or more ferroelectric random access memory (FeRAM) capacitors in a first inter-metal dielectric (IMD) layer over the one or more first transistors in the first region. The structure also includes one or more metal-ferroelectric insulator-metal (MFM) decoupling capacitors in the first IMD layer in a second region of the device. The MFM capacitors may include two or more capacitors coupled in series to act as a voltage divider.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2022
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Tzu-Yu Chen, Kuo-Chi Tu, Fu-Chen Chang, Chih-Hsiang Chang, Sheng-Hung Shih
  • Publication number: 20220085288
    Abstract: An integrated circuit device has an RRAM cell that includes a top electrode, an RRAM dielectric layer, and a bottom electrode having a surface that interfaces with the RRAM dielectric layer. Oxides of the bottom electrode are substantially absent from the bottom electrode surface. The bottom electrode has a higher density in a zone adjacent the surface as compared to a bulk region of the bottom electrode. The surface has a roughness Ra of 2 nm or less. A process for forming the surface includes chemical mechanical polishing followed by hydrofluoric acid etching followed by argon ion bombardment. An array of RRAM cells formed by this process is superior in terms of narrow distribution and high separation between low and high resistance states.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 23, 2021
    Publication date: March 17, 2022
    Inventors: Fu-Chen Chang, Kuo-Chi Tu, Wen-Ting Chu
  • Publication number: 20220077165
    Abstract: The present disclosure, in some embodiments, relates to an integrated chip. The integrated chip includes a bottom electrode disposed over a substrate. A data storage structure is disposed on the bottom electrode and is configured to store a data state. A top electrode is disposed on the data storage structure. The top electrode has interior surfaces defining a recess within an upper surface of the top electrode. A masking layer contacts a bottom of the recess and extends to over the upper surface of the top electrode. An interconnect extends through the masking layer and to the top electrode. The interconnect is directly over the upper surface of the top electrode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 17, 2021
    Publication date: March 10, 2022
    Inventors: Tzu-Yu Chen, Kuo-Chi Tu, Sheng-Hung Shih, Wen-Ting Chu, Chih-Hsiang Chang, Fu-Chen Chang
  • Publication number: 20220059550
    Abstract: The present disclosure, in some embodiments, relates to an integrated chip. The integrated chip includes a lower insulating structure disposed over a lower dielectric structure surrounding an interconnect. The lower insulating structure has sidewalls extending through the lower insulating structure. A bottom electrode is arranged along the sidewalls and an upper surface of the lower insulating structure, a data storage structure is disposed on first interior sidewalls and an upper surface of the bottom electrode, and a top electrode is disposed on second interior sidewalls and an upper surface of the data storage structure. An interconnect via is on an upper surface of the top electrode. A bottom surface of the bottom electrode is laterally outside of a bottom surface of the interconnect via.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 5, 2021
    Publication date: February 24, 2022
    Inventors: Fu-Chen Chang, Tzu-Yu Chen, Sheng-Hung Shih, Kuo-Chi Tu
  • Patent number: 11257844
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a lower intermetal dielectric (IMD) layer, a middle conductive line, and a ferroelectric random access memory (FRAM) structure. The middle conductive line is embedded in the lower IMD layer. The FRAM structure is over the lower IMD layer and the middle conductive line. The FRAM structure includes a bottom electrode, a ferroelectric layer, and a top electrode. The bottom electrode is over the middle conductive line and in contact with the lower IMD layer. The ferroelectric layer is over the bottom electrode. The top electrode is over the ferroelectric layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2022
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Tzu-Yu Chen, Sheng-Hung Shih, Kuo-Chi Tu, Wen-Ting Chu
  • Patent number: 11239279
    Abstract: A resistive random access memory (RRAM) structure includes a resistive memory element formed on a semiconductor substrate. The resistive element includes a top electrode, a bottom electrode, and a resistive material layer positioned between the top electrode and the bottom electrode. The RRAM structure further includes a field effect transistor (FET) formed on the semiconductor substrate, the FET having a source and a drain. The drain has a zero-tilt doping profile and the source has a tilted doping profile. The resistive memory element is coupled with the drain via a portion of an interconnect structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2022
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Chin-Chieh Yang, Hsia-Wei Chen, Chih-Yang Chang, Kuo-Chi Tu, Wen-Ting Chu, Yu-Wen Liao
  • Patent number: 11227872
    Abstract: In some embodiments, the present disclosure relates to an integrated chip including one or more lower interconnect layers arranged within one or more stacked inter-layer dielectric layers over a substrate. A bottom electrode is disposed over the one or more interconnect layers, and a top electrode is disposed over the bottom electrode. A ferroelectric layer is disposed between and contacts a first surface of the bottom electrode and a second surface of the top electrode. The ferroelectric layer includes a protrusion that extends past outer surfaces of the top electrode and the bottom electrode along a first direction that is perpendicular to a second direction that is normal to the first surface. The protrusion is confined between lines that extend along the first and second surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2022
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Chih-Hsiang Chang, Kuo-Chi Tu, Sheng-Hung Shih, Wen-Ting Chu, Tzu-Yu Chen, Fu-Chen Chang
  • Patent number: 11195840
    Abstract: Some embodiments relate to a ferroelectric random access memory (FeRAM) device. The FeRAM device includes a bottom electrode structure and a top electrode overlying the ferroelectric structure. The top electrode has a first width as measured between outermost sidewalls of the top electrode. A ferroelectric structure separates the bottom electrode structure from the top electrode. The ferroelectric structure has a second width as measured between outermost sidewalls of the ferroelectric structure. The second width is greater than the first width such that the ferroelectric structure includes a ledge that reflects a difference between the first width and the second width. A dielectric sidewall spacer structure is disposed on the ledge and covers the outermost sidewalls of the top electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2021
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Tzu-Yu Chen, Kuo-Chi Tu, Sheng-Hung Shih, Wen-Ting Chu, Yong-Shiuan Tsair
  • Patent number: 11189788
    Abstract: An integrated circuit device has an RRAM cell that includes a top electrode, an RRAM dielectric layer, and a bottom electrode having a surface that interfaces with the RRAM dielectric layer. Oxides of the bottom electrode are substantially absent from the bottom electrode surface. The bottom electrode has a higher density in a zone adjacent the surface as compared to a bulk region of the bottom electrode. The surface has a roughness Ra of 2 nm or less. A process for forming the surface includes chemical mechanical polishing followed by hydrofluoric acid etching followed by argon ion bombardment. An array of RRAM cells formed by this process is superior in terms of narrow distribution and high separation between low and high resistance states.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2021
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Fu-Chen Chang, Kuo-Chi Tu, Wen-Ting Chu
  • Publication number: 20210366987
    Abstract: An RRAM cell stack is formed over an opening in a dielectric layer. The dielectric layer is sufficiently thick and the opening is sufficiently deep that an RRAM cell can be formed by a planarization process. The resulting RRAM cells may have a U-shaped profile. The RRAM cell area includes contributions from a bottom portion in which the RRAM cell layers are stacked parallel to the substrate and a side portion in which RRAM cell layers are stacked roughly perpendicular to the substrate. The combined side and bottom portions of the curved RRAM cell provide an increased area in comparison to a planar cell stack. The increased area lowers forming and set voltages for the RRAM cell.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2021
    Publication date: November 25, 2021
    Inventors: Te-Hsien Hsieh, Tzu-Yu Chen, Kuo-Chi Tu, Yuan-Tai Tseng
  • Publication number: 20210366988
    Abstract: The present disclosure, in some embodiments, relates to an integrated chip. The integrated chip includes a first interconnect within a first inter-level dielectric (ILD) layer over a substrate. A memory device is disposed over the first interconnect and is surrounded by a second ILD layer. A sidewall spacer is arranged along opposing sides of the memory device and an etch stop layer is arranged on the sidewall spacer. The sidewall spacer and the etch stop layer have upper surfaces that are vertically offset from one another by a non-zero distance. A second interconnect extends from a top of the second ILD layer to an upper surface of the memory device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2021
    Publication date: November 25, 2021
    Inventors: Hsia-Wei Chen, Chih-Yang Chang, Chin-Chieh Yang, Jen-Sheng Yang, Kuo-Chi Tu, Wen-Ting Chu, Yu-Wen Liao
  • Patent number: 11183503
    Abstract: The present disclosure, in some embodiments, relates to an integrated chip. The integrated chip includes a plurality of lower interconnect layers disposed within a lower dielectric structure over a substrate. A lower insulating structure is over the lower dielectric structure and has sidewalls extending through the lower insulating structure. A bottom electrode is arranged along the sidewalls and an upper surface of the lower insulating structure. The upper surface of the lower insulating structure extends past outermost sidewalls of the bottom electrode. A data storage structure is disposed on the bottom electrode and is configured to store a data state. A top electrode is disposed on the data storage structure. The bottom electrode has interior sidewalls coupled to a horizontally extending surface to define a recess within an upper surface of the bottom electrode. The horizontally extending surface is below the upper surface of the lower insulating structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2021
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Tzu-Yu Chen, Kuo-Chi Tu, Sheng-Hung Shih, Wen-Ting Chu, Chih-Hsiang Chang, Fu-Chen Chang