Patents by Inventor Nien-Chung Li

Nien-Chung Li 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: 10084083
    Abstract: A semiconductor structure and a manufacturing method of a semiconductor structure are provided. The semiconductor structure includes a semiconductor substrate, a gate, a first diffusion region and a second diffusion region. The gate is disposed on the semiconductor substrate and extends along a first direction. The first diffusion region is formed in the semiconductor substrate, and the second diffusion region is formed in the first diffusion region. The first diffusion region has a first portion located underneath the gate and a second portion protruded from a lateral side of the gate, the first portion has a first length parallel to the first direction, the second portion has a second length parallel to the first direction, and the first length is larger than the second length.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2018
    Assignee: UNITED MICROELECTRONICS CORP.
    Inventors: Shin-Hung Li, Kuan-Chuan Chen, Nien-Chung Li, Wen-Fang Lee, Chih-Chung Wang
  • Publication number: 20180233556
    Abstract: A semiconductor device including a substrate and a shallow trench isolation (STI) structure is provided. The substrate has a first voltage area and a second voltage area. A top surface of the substrate in the second voltage area is higher than a top surface of the substrate in the first voltage area, and a trench is defined in the substrate in between the first and second voltage area. The STI structure is located in the substrate within the trench, wherein a first portion of the STI structure is located in the first voltage area, a second portion of the STI structure is located in the second voltage area, and a step height difference exist in between a bottom surface of the first portion of the STI structure in the first voltage area and a bottom surface of the second portion of the STI structure in the second voltage area.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 12, 2018
    Publication date: August 16, 2018
    Applicant: United Microelectronics Corp.
    Inventors: Chang-Po Hsiung, Ping-Hung Chiang, Shih-Chieh Pu, Chia-Lin Wang, Nien-Chung Li, Wen-Fang Lee, Shih-Yin Hsiao, Chih-Chung Wang
  • Patent number: 9985129
    Abstract: A high-voltage MOS transistor includes a semiconductor substrate, a gate oxide layer on the semiconductor substrate, a gate on the gate oxide layer, a spacer covering a sidewall of the gate, a source on one side of the gate, and a drain on the other side of the gate. The gate includes at least a first discrete segment and a second discrete segment. The first discrete segment is not in direct contact with the second discrete segment. The spacer fills into a gap between the first discrete segment and the second discrete segment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: UNITED MICROELECTRONICS CORP.
    Inventors: Shih-Yin Hsiao, Kuan-Liang Liu, Ching-Chung Yang, Kai-Kuen Chang, Ping-Hung Chiang, Nien-Chung Li, Wen-Fang Lee, Chih-Chung Wang
  • Patent number: 9972678
    Abstract: A method of forming a semiconductor device is provided including the following steps. A substrate having a first voltage area and a second voltage area is provided. A first oxide layer is formed in the first voltage area. The first oxide layer is removed to form a recess in the first voltage area. A shallow trench isolation (STI) structure is formed in the substrate, wherein a first portion of the STI structure is located in the first voltage area and a second portion of the STI structure is located in the second voltage area, a top surface of the STI structure is higher than the top surface of the substrate, and a bottom surface of the first portion of the STI structure in the first voltage area is lower than a bottom surface of the second portion of the STI structure in the second voltage area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2018
    Assignee: United Microelectronics Corp.
    Inventors: Chang-Po Hsiung, Ping-Hung Chiang, Shih-Chieh Pu, Chia-Lin Wang, Nien-Chung Li, Wen-Fang Lee, Shih-Yin Hsiao, Chih-Chung Wang
  • Patent number: 9972539
    Abstract: A semiconductor device and a method of fabricating the same, the semiconductor device includes a substrate, a first gate and a second gate. The first gate is disposed on the substrate and includes a first gate insulating layer, a polysilicon layer, a silicide layer and a protective layer stacked with each other on the substrate and a first spacer surrounds the first gate insulating layer, the polysilicon layer, the silicide layer and the protective layer. The second gate is disposed on the substrate and includes a second gate insulating layer, a work function metal layer and a conductive layer stacked with each other on the substrate, and a second spacer surrounds the second gate insulating layer, the work function metal layer and the conductive layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2018
    Assignee: UNITED MICROELECTRONICS CORP.
    Inventors: Shin-Hung Li, Kuan-Chuan Chen, Nien-Chung Li, Wen-Fang Lee, Chih-Chung Wang
  • Publication number: 20180102408
    Abstract: A method of forming a semiconductor device is provided including the following steps. A substrate having a first voltage area and a second voltage area is provided. A first oxide layer is formed in the first voltage area. The first oxide layer is removed to form a recess in the first voltage area. A shallow trench isolation (STI) structure is formed in the substrate, wherein a first portion of the STI structure is located in the first voltage area and a second portion of the STI structure is located in the second voltage area, a top surface of the STI structure is higher than the top surface of the substrate, and a bottom surface of the first portion of the STI structure in the first voltage area is lower than a bottom surface of the second portion of the STI structure in the second voltage area.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 6, 2016
    Publication date: April 12, 2018
    Applicant: United Microelectronics Corp.
    Inventors: Chang-Po Hsiung, Ping-Hung Chiang, Shih-Chieh Pu, Chia-Lin Wang, Nien-Chung Li, Wen-Fang Lee, Shih-Yin Hsiao, Chih-Chung Wang
  • Publication number: 20180097104
    Abstract: A high-voltage MOS transistor includes a semiconductor substrate, a gate oxide layer on the semiconductor substrate, a gate on the gate oxide layer, a spacer covering a sidewall of the gate, a source on one side of the gate, and a drain on the other side of the gate. The gate includes at least a first discrete segment and a second discrete segment. The first discrete segment is not in direct contact with the second discrete segment. The spacer fills into a gap between the first discrete segment and the second discrete segment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 22, 2017
    Publication date: April 5, 2018
    Inventors: Shih-Yin Hsiao, Kuan-Liang Liu, Ching-Chung Yang, Kai-Kuen Chang, Ping-Hung Chiang, Nien-Chung Li, Wen-Fang Lee, Chih-Chung Wang
  • Patent number: 9859417
    Abstract: A high-voltage MOS transistor includes a semiconductor substrate, a gate oxide layer on the semiconductor substrate, a gate on the gate oxide layer, a spacer covering a sidewall of the gate, a source on one side of the gate, and a drain on the other side of the gate. The gate includes at least a first discrete segment and a second discrete segment. The first discrete segment is not in direct contact with the second discrete segment. The spacer fills into a gap between the first discrete segment and the second discrete segment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: UNITED MICROELECTRONICS CORP.
    Inventors: Shih-Yin Hsiao, Kuan-Liang Liu, Ching-Chung Yang, Kai-Kuen Chang, Ping-Hung Chiang, Nien-Chung Li, Wen-Fang Lee, Chih-Chung Wang
  • Patent number: 9852952
    Abstract: A method for fabricating semiconductor device is disclosed. The method includes the steps of: providing a substrate having a logic region and high-voltage (HV) region; forming a first gate structure on the logic region and a second gate structure on the HV region; forming an interlayer dielectric (ILD) layer around the first gate structure and the second gate structure; forming a patterned hard mask on the HV region; and transforming the first gate structure into a metal gate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: UNITED MICROELECTRONICS CORP.
    Inventors: Chih-Chung Wang, Shih-Yin Hsiao, Wen-Fang Lee, Nien-Chung Li, Shu-Wen Lin
  • Publication number: 20170345926
    Abstract: A high-voltage MOS transistor includes a semiconductor substrate, a gate oxide layer on the semiconductor substrate, a gate on the gate oxide layer, a spacer covering a sidewall of the gate, a source on one side of the gate, and a drain on the other side of the gate. The gate includes at least a first discrete segment and a second discrete segment. The first discrete segment is not in direct contact with the second discrete segment. The spacer fills into a gap between the first discrete segment and the second discrete segment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2016
    Publication date: November 30, 2017
    Inventors: Shih-Yin Hsiao, Kuan-Liang Liu, Ching-Chung Yang, Kai-Kuen Chang, Ping-Hung Chiang, Nien-Chung Li, Wen-Fang Lee, Chih-Chung Wang
  • Publication number: 20170330947
    Abstract: A metal-oxide semiconductor transistor includes a substrate, a gate insulating layer disposed on a surface of the substrate, and a metal gate disposed on the gate insulating layer, wherein at least one of the length or the width of the metal gate is greater than or equal to approximately 320 nanometers, and the metal gate has at least one plug hole. The metal-oxide semiconductor transistor further includes at least one insulating plug disposed in the plug hole and two diffusion regions disposed respectively at two sides of the metal gate in the substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2017
    Publication date: November 16, 2017
    Inventors: Shih-Yin Hsiao, Ching-Chung Yang, Wen-Fang Lee, Nien-Chung Li, Chih-Chung Wang
  • Publication number: 20170330948
    Abstract: A method of forming a gate layout includes providing a gate layout design diagram comprising at least one gate pattern, disposing at least one insulating plug pattern in the gate pattern for producing a modified gate layout in a case where any one of a length and a width of the gate pattern is greater than or equal to a predetermined size, and outputting and manufacturing the modified gate layout onto a photomask. The predetermined size is determined by a process ability limit, and the process ability limit is a smallest gate size causing gate dishing when a chemical mechanical polishing process is performed to a gate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 4, 2017
    Publication date: November 16, 2017
    Inventors: Shih-Yin Hsiao, Ching-Chung Yang, Wen-Fang Lee, Nien-Chung Li, Chih-Chung Wang
  • Patent number: 9761657
    Abstract: A metal-oxide-semiconductor transistor includes a substrate, a gate insulating layer disposed on the surface of the substrate layer, a metal gate disposed on the gate insulating layer and having at least one plug hole, at least one dielectric plug disposed in the plug hole, and two diffusion regions disposed at two sides of the metal gate in the substrate. The metal gate is configured to operate under an operation voltage greater than 5 v.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2017
    Assignee: UNITED MICROELECTRONICS CORP.
    Inventors: Shih-Yin Hsiao, Ching-Chung Yang, Wen-Fang Lee, Nien-Chung Li, Chih-Chung Wang
  • Patent number: 9741850
    Abstract: A semiconductor device having a substrate, a gate electrode, a source and a drain, and a buried gate dielectric layer is disclosed. The buried gate dielectric layer is disposed below said gate electrode and protrudes therefrom to said drain, thereby separating said gate electrode and said drain by a substantial distance to reduce gate induced drain leakage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2017
    Assignee: UNITED MICROELECTRONICS CORP.
    Inventors: Shih-Yin Hsiao, Ching-Chung Yang, Ping-Hung Chiang, Nien-Chung Li, Wen-Fang Lee, Chih-Chung Wang, Kuan-Liang Liu, Kai-Kuen Chang
  • Patent number: 9716139
    Abstract: A method for forming a high voltage transistor is provided. First, a substrate having a top surface is provided, following by forming a thermal oxide layer on the substrate. At least a part of the thermal oxidation layer is removed to form a recess in the substrate, wherein a bottom surface of the recess is lower than the top surface of the substrate. A gate oxide layer is formed in the recess, then a gate structure is formed on the gate oxide layer. The method further includes forming a source/drain region in the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2017
    Assignee: UNITED MICROELECTRONICS CORP.
    Inventors: Kuan-Chuan Chen, Chih-Chung Wang, Wen-Fang Lee, Nien-Chung Li, Shih-Yin Hsiao
  • Publication number: 20170207127
    Abstract: A semiconductor device and a method of fabricating the same, the semiconductor device includes a substrate, a first gate and a second gate. The first gate is disposed on the substrate and includes a first gate insulating layer, a polysilicon layer, a silicide layer and a protective layer stacked with each other on the substrate and a first spacer surrounds the first gate insulating layer, the polysilicon layer, the silicide layer and the protective layer. The second gate is disposed on the substrate and includes a second gate insulating layer, a work function metal layer and a conductive layer stacked with each other on the substrate, and a second spacer surrounds the second gate insulating layer, the work function metal layer and the conductive layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2017
    Publication date: July 20, 2017
    Inventors: Shin-Hung Li, Kuan-Chuan Chen, Nien-Chung Li, Wen-Fang Lee, Chih-Chung Wang
  • Patent number: 9653460
    Abstract: A semiconductor device and a method of fabricating the same, the semiconductor device includes a substrate, a first gate and a second gate. The first gate is disposed on the substrate and includes a first gate insulating layer, a polysilicon layer, a silicide layer and a protective layer stacked with each other on the substrate and a first spacer surrounds the first gate insulating layer, the polysilicon layer, the silicide layer and the protective layer. The second gate is disposed on the substrate and includes a second gate insulating layer, a work function metal layer and a conductive layer stacked with each other on the substrate, and a second spacer surrounds the second gate insulating layer, the work function metal layer and the conductive layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2017
    Assignee: UNITED MICROELECTRONICS CORP.
    Inventors: Shin-Hung Li, Kuan-Chuan Chen, Nien-Chung Li, Wen-Fang Lee, Chih-Chung Wang
  • Publication number: 20170125297
    Abstract: A method for fabricating semiconductor device is disclosed. The method includes the steps of: providing a substrate having a logic region and high-voltage (HV) region; forming a first gate structure on the logic region and a second gate structure on the HV region; forming an interlayer dielectric (ILD) layer around the first gate structure and the second gate structure; forming a patterned hard mask on the HV region; and transforming the first gate structure into a metal gate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2015
    Publication date: May 4, 2017
    Inventors: Chih-Chung Wang, Shih-Yin Hsiao, Wen-Fang Lee, Nien-Chung Li, Shu-Wen Lin
  • Publication number: 20170110536
    Abstract: A metal-oxide-semiconductor transistor includes a substrate, a gate insulating layer disposed on the surface of the substrate layer, a metal gate disposed on the gate insulating layer and having at least one plug hole, at least one dielectric plug disposed in the plug hole, and two diffusion regions disposed at two sides of the metal gate in the substrate. The metal gate is configured to operate under an operation voltage greater than 5 v.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 25, 2015
    Publication date: April 20, 2017
    Inventors: Shih-Yin Hsiao, Ching-Chung Yang, Wen-Fang Lee, Nien-Chung Li, Chih-Chung Wang
  • Patent number: 9577069
    Abstract: A method of fabricating a MOS device is disclosed. A substrate having an active area (AA) silicon portion and shallow trench isolation (STI) region surrounding the active area is provided. A hard mask is formed on the substrate. A portion of the hard mask is removed to form an opening on the AA silicon portion. The opening exposes an edge of the STI region. The AA silicon portion is recessed through the opening to a predetermined depth to form a silicon spacer along a sidewall of the STI region in a self-aligned manner. An oxidation process is performed to oxidize the AA silicon portion and the silicon spacer to form a gate oxide layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: UNITED MICROELECTRONICS CORP.
    Inventors: Shih-Chieh Pu, Ping-Hung Chiang, Chang-Po Hsiung, Chia-Lin Wang, Nien-Chung Li, Wen-Fang Lee, Shih-Yin Hsiao, Chih-Chung Wang, Kuan-Lin Liu