Patents by Inventor Lu LIN

Lu 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: 20220073481
    Abstract: Bimetal oxide catalyst and methods, a method comprises: mixing and grinding to obtain a mixture comprising a manganese salt (a), at least one of other metal salt (b), and an additive (c), wherein the other metal salt comprises at least one of a copper salt, a cobalt salt, a cerium salt, an iron salt, or a nickel salt, and the additive comprises at least one of polyol or organic acid, and calcining the mixture to obtain the bimetal oxide catalyst.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2021
    Publication date: March 10, 2022
    Inventors: Xing TANG, Huai Liu, Lu Lin, Xianhai Zeng, Yong Sun
  • 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
  • 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: 11239340
    Abstract: A semiconductor arrangement and method of formation are provided. The semiconductor arrangement comprises a conductive contact in contact with a substantially planar first top surface of a first active area, the contact between and in contact with a first alignment spacer and a second alignment spacer both having substantially vertical outer surfaces. The contact formed between the first alignment spacer and the second alignment spacer has a more desired contact shape then a contact formed between alignment spacers that do not have substantially vertical outer surfaces. The substantially planar surface of the first active area is indicative of a substantially undamaged structure of the first active area as compared to an active area that is not substantially planar. The substantially undamaged first active area has a greater contact area for the contact and a lower contact resistance as compared to a damaged first active area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2022
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY LIMITED
    Inventors: Tai-I Yang, Tien-Lu Lin, Wai-Yi Lien, Chih-Hao Wang, Jiun-Peng Wu
  • Patent number: 11239106
    Abstract: A method and structure directed to providing a source/drain isolation structure includes providing a device having a first source/drain region adjacent to a second source/drain region. A masking layer is deposited between the first and second source/drain regions and over an exposed first part of the second source/drain region. After depositing the masking layer, a first portion of an ILD layer disposed on either side of the masking layer is etched, without substantial etching of the masking layer, to expose a second part of the second source/drain region and to expose the first source/drain region. After etching the first portion of the ILD layer, the masking layer is etched to form an L-shaped masking layer. After forming the L-shaped masking layer, a first metal layer is formed over the exposed first source/drain region and a second metal layer is formed over the exposed second part of the second source/drain region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2022
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Lin-Yu Huang, Sheng-Tsung Wang, Chia-Hao Chang, Tien-Lu Lin, Yu-Ming Lin, Chih-Hao Wang
  • Patent number: 11217480
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a semiconductor structure. The structure includes a semiconductor substrate, a gate stack over a first portion of a top surface of the semiconductor substrate; and a laminated dielectric layer over at least a portion of a top surface of the gate stack. The laminated dielectric layer includes at least a first sublayer and a second sublayer. The first sublayer is formed of a material having a dielectric constant lower than a dielectric constant of a material used to form the second sublayer and the material used to form the second sublayer has an etch selectivity higher than an etch selectivity of the material used to form the first sublayer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2022
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Chia-Lin Chuang, Chia-Hao Chang, Sheng-Tsung Wang, Lin-Yu Huang, Tien-Lu Lin, Yu-Ming Lin, Chih-Hao Wang
  • Publication number: 20210384352
    Abstract: A method includes providing a semiconductor structure having metal gate structures (MGs), gate spacers disposed on sidewalls of the MGs, and source/drain (S/D) features disposed adjacent to the gate spacers; forming a first dielectric layer over the MGs and forming S/D contacts (MDs) over the S/D features; forming a second dielectric layer over the first dielectric layer, where portions of the second dielectric layer contact the MDs and the second dielectric layer is different from the first dielectric layer in composition; removing the portions of the second dielectric layer that contact the MDs; forming a conductive layer over the MDs and over the first dielectric layer; and removing portions of the conductive layer to form conductive features over the MDs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 25, 2021
    Publication date: December 9, 2021
    Inventors: Li-Zhen Yu, Jia-Chuan You, Chia-Hao Chang, Tien-Lu Lin, Yu-Ming Lin, Chih-Hao Wang
  • Publication number: 20210375760
    Abstract: A method comprises forming a first conductive line and a second conductive line in a first dielectric layer over a substrate, each having a planar top surface, applying an etch-back process to the first dielectric layer until a dielectric portion between the first conductive line and the second conductive line has been removed, and the first conductive line and the second conductive line have respective cross sectional shapes including a rounded surface and two rounded corners and depositing a second dielectric layer over the substrate, while leaving a first air gap between the first conductive line and the second conductive line.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 16, 2021
    Publication date: December 2, 2021
    Inventors: Hsiang-Lun Kao, Hsiang-Wei Liu, Tai-I Yang, Jian-Hua Chen, Yu-Chieh Liao, Yung-Chih Wang, Tien-Lu Lin
  • Patent number: 11189531
    Abstract: A method includes forming a first dummy gate and a second dummy gate over a fin that protrudes above a substrate; replacing the first dummy gate and the second dummy gate with a first metal gate and a second metal gate, respectively; forming a dielectric cut pattern between the first and the second metal gates, the dielectric cut pattern extending further from the substrate than the first and the second metal gates; forming a patterned mask layer over the first metal gate, the second metal gate, and the dielectric cut pattern, an opening in the patterned mask layer exposing a portion of the first metal gate, a portion of the second metal gate, and a portion of the dielectric cut pattern underlying the opening; filling the opening with a first electrically conductive material; and recessing the first electrically conductive material below an upper surface of the dielectric cut pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2021
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Lin-Yu Huang, Sheng-Tsung Wang, Chia-Hao Chang, Tien-Lu Lin, Yu-Ming Lin, Chih-Hao Wang
  • Publication number: 20210351290
    Abstract: A semiconductor device structure is provided. The semiconductor device structure includes a gate stack and a contact over a fin structure, a gate spacer layer between the gate stack and the contact, a first mask layer over the gate stack, and a second mask layer over the contact. The first mask layer includes a protruding portion sandwiched between an upper portion of the second mask layer and the gate spacer layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2021
    Publication date: November 11, 2021
    Applicant: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Lin-Yu HUANG, Jia-Chuan YOU, Chia-Hao CHANG, Tien-Lu LIN, Yu-Ming LIN, Chih-Hao WANG
  • Patent number: 11171053
    Abstract: A method of forming a semiconductor device includes providing a device having a gate stack including a metal gate layer. The device further includes a spacer layer disposed on a sidewall of the gate stack and a source/drain feature adjacent to the gate stack. The method further includes performing a first etch-back process to the metal gate layer to form an etched-back metal gate layer. In some embodiments, the method includes depositing a metal layer over the etched-back metal gate layer. In some cases, a semiconductor layer is formed over both the metal layer and the spacer layer to provide a T-shaped helmet layer over the gate stack and the spacer layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2021
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kuo-Cheng Ching, Lin-Yu Huang, Huan-Chieh Su, Sheng-Tsung Wang, Zhi-Chang Lin, Jia-Chuan You, Chia-Hao Chang, Tien-Lu Lin, Yu-Ming Lin, Chih-Hao Wang
  • Publication number: 20210318650
    Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to diagnose image quality of a print image without using an open communication network and output the print image, a diagnosis result of image quality, and information of the print parameters while avoiding disclosure of confidential information to users. A test print control portion causes a print device to execute a test print process to form a test image on a sheet. An image quality diagnosis portion diagnoses image quality of the test image included in the image read by an image reading device. A code image generating portion generates a code image that represents information of print parameters adopted in the test print process. An output control portion causes an output device to output a diagnosis image that includes an image representing a diagnosis result of image quality of the test image, and the code image.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2019
    Publication date: October 14, 2021
    Inventors: Lu Lin, Atsushi Ishizaki
  • Publication number: 20210313424
    Abstract: A semiconductor device comprises a fin disposed on a substrate, a source/drain feature disposed over the fin, a silicide layer disposed over the source/drain feature, a seed metal layer disposed over the silicide layer and wrapping around the source/drain feature, and a metal layer disposed on the silicide layer, where the metal layer contacts the seed metal layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 21, 2021
    Publication date: October 7, 2021
    Inventors: Shih-Chuan Chiu, Chia-Hao Chang, Jia-Chuan You, Tien-Lu Lin, Yu-Ming Lin, Chih-Hao Wang
  • Publication number: 20210313464
    Abstract: Semiconductor devices and methods of forming the same are provided. In one embodiment, a semiconductor device includes a fin extending from a substrate, a gate structure over a channel region of the fin, a source/drain contact over a source/drain region of the fin, a spacer extending along a sidewall of the gate structure, a liner extending along a sidewall of the source/drain contact, a gate contact via over and electrically coupled to the gate structure, and a source/drain contact via over and electrically coupled to the source/drain contact. The gate contact via extends through a first dielectric layer such that a portion of the first dielectric layer interposes between the gate contact via and the spacer. The source/drain contact via extends through a second dielectric layer such that a portion of the second dielectric layer interposes between the source/drain contact via and the liner.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 21, 2021
    Publication date: October 7, 2021
    Inventors: Jia-Chuan You, Chia-Hao Chang, Tien-Lu Lin, Yu-Ming Lin, Chih-Hao Wang
  • Patent number: 11126125
    Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to diagnose image quality of a print image without using an open communication network and output the print image, a diagnosis result of image quality, and information of the print parameters while avoiding disclosure of confidential information to users. A test print control portion causes a print device to execute a test print process to form a test image on a sheet. An image quality diagnosis portion diagnoses image quality of the test image included in the image read by an image reading device. A code image generating portion generates a code image that represents information of print parameters adopted in the test print process. An output control portion causes an output device to output a diagnosis image that includes an image representing a diagnosis result of image quality of the test image, and the code image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2021
    Assignee: KYOCERA Document Solutions Inc.
    Inventors: Lu Lin, Atsushi Ishizaki
  • Patent number: 11107925
    Abstract: A method includes providing a semiconductor structure having metal gate structures (MGs), gate spacers disposed on sidewalls of the MGs, and source/drain (S/D) features disposed adjacent to the gate spacers; forming a first dielectric layer over the MGs and forming S/D contacts (MDs) over the S/D features; forming a second dielectric layer over the first dielectric layer, where portions of the second dielectric layer contact the MDs and the second dielectric layer is different from the first dielectric layer in composition; removing the portions of the second dielectric layer that contact the MDs; forming a conductive layer over the MDs and over the first dielectric layer; and removing portions of the conductive layer to form conductive features over the MDs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2021
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Li-Zhen Yu, Jia-Chuan You, Chia-Hao Chang, Tien-Lu Lin, Yu-Ming Lin, Chih-Hao Wang
  • Patent number: 11101216
    Abstract: A method comprises forming a first conductive line and a second conductive line in a first dielectric layer over a substrate, each having a planar top surface, applying an etch-back process to the first dielectric layer until a dielectric portion between the first conductive line and the second conductive line has been removed, and the first conductive line and the second conductive line have respective cross sectional shapes including a rounded surface and two rounded corners and depositing a second dielectric layer over the substrate, while leaving a first air gap between the first conductive line and the second conductive line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2021
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hsiang-Lun Kao, Hsiang-Wei Liu, Tai-I Yang, Jian-Hua Chen, Yu-Chieh Liao, Yung-Chih Wang, Tien-Lu Lin
  • Publication number: 20210225766
    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: Application
    Filed: January 17, 2020
    Publication date: July 22, 2021
    Inventors: Jia-Chuan You, Chia-Hao Chang, Tien-Lu Lin, Yu-Ming Lin, Chih-Hao Wang
  • Patent number: 11069811
    Abstract: A method for forming a semiconductor device structure is provided. The method for forming the semiconductor device structure includes forming a first mask layer covering the gate stack, forming a contact alongside the gate stack and the first mask layer, recessing the contact, etching the first mask layer, and forming a second mask layer covering the contact and a portion of the first mask layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2021
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Lin-Yu Huang, Jia-Chuan You, Chia-Hao Chang, Tien-Lu Lin, Yu-Ming Lin, Chih-Hao Wang
  • Patent number: 11043594
    Abstract: Semiconductor devices and methods of forming the same are provided. In one embodiment, a semiconductor device includes a fin extending from a substrate, a gate structure over a channel region of the fin, a source/drain contact over a source/drain region of the fin, a spacer extending along a sidewall of the gate structure, a liner extending along a sidewall of the source/drain contact, a gate contact via over and electrically coupled to the gate structure, and a source/drain contact via over and electrically coupled to the source/drain contact. The gate contact via extends through a first dielectric layer such that a portion of the first dielectric layer interposes between the gate contact via and the spacer. The source/drain contact via extends through a second dielectric layer such that a portion of the second dielectric layer interposes between the source/drain contact via and the liner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2021
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Jia-Chuan You, Chia-Hao Chang, Tien-Lu Lin, Yu-Ming Lin, Chih-Hao Wang