Patents by Inventor Nien-Ting Ho

Nien-Ting Ho 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: 10490643
    Abstract: A method for fabricating semiconductor device is disclosed. The method includes the steps of: providing a substrate having a first region, a second region, a third region, and a fourth region; forming a tuning layer on the second region; forming a first work function metal layer on the first region and the tuning layer of the second region; forming a second work function metal layer on the first region, the second region, and the fourth region; and forming a top barrier metal (TBM) layer on the first region, the second region, the third region, and the fourth region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2019
    Assignee: UNITED MICROELECTRONICS CORP.
    Inventors: Kuo-Chih Lai, Yun-Tzu Chang, Wei-Ming Hsiao, Nien-Ting Ho, Shih-Min Chou, Yang-Ju Lu, Ching-Yun Chang, Yen-Chen Chen, Kuan-Chun Lin, Chi-Mao Hsu
  • Patent number: 10199228
    Abstract: A manufacturing method of a metal gate structure includes the following steps. First, a substrate covered by an interlayer dielectric is provided. A gate trench is formed in the interlayer dielectric, wherein a gate dielectric layer is formed in the gate trench. A silicon-containing work function layer is formed on the gate dielectric layer in the gate trench. The silicon-containing work function layer includes a vertical portion and a horizontal portion. Finally, the gate trench is filled up with a conductive metal layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2019
    Assignee: UNITED MICROELECTRONICS CORP.
    Inventors: Nien-Ting Ho, Chien-Hao Chen, Hsin-Fu Huang, Chi-Yuan Sun, Wei-Yu Chen, Min-Chuan Tsai, Tsun-Min Cheng, Chi-Mao Hsu
  • Patent number: 9728467
    Abstract: A method for modulating a work function of a semiconductor device having a metal gate structure including the following steps is provided. A first stacked gate structure and a second stacked gate structure having an identical structure are provided on a substrate. The first stacked gate structure and the second stacked gate structure respectively include a first work function metal layer of a first type. A patterned hard mask layer is formed. The patterned hard mask layer exposes the first work function metal layer of the first stacked gate structure and covers the first work function metal layer of the second stacked gate structure. A first gas treatment is performed to the first work function metal layer of the first stacked gate structure exposed by the patterned hard mask layer. A gas used in the first gas treatment includes nitrogen-containing gas or oxygen-containing gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2017
    Assignee: United Microelectronics Corp.
    Inventors: Yun-Tzu Chang, Shih-Min Chou, Kuo-Chih Lai, Ching-Yun Chang, Hsiang-Chieh Yen, Yen-Chen Chen, Yang-Ju Lu, Nien-Ting Ho, Chi-Mao Hsu
  • Publication number: 20170207093
    Abstract: A manufacturing method of a metal gate structure includes the following steps. First, a substrate covered by an interlayer dielectric is provided. A gate trench is formed in the interlayer dielectric, wherein a gate dielectric layer is formed in the gate trench. A silicon-containing work function layer is formed on the gate dielectric layer in the gate trench. The silicon-containing work function layer includes a vertical portion and a horizontal portion. Finally, the gate trench is filled up with a conductive metal layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 5, 2017
    Publication date: July 20, 2017
    Inventors: Nien-Ting Ho, Chien-Hao Chen, Hsin-Fu Huang, Chi-Yuan Sun, Wei-Yu Chen, Min-Chuan Tsai, Tsun-Min Cheng, Chi-Mao Hsu
  • Patent number: 9691704
    Abstract: A semiconductor structure comprises a first wire level, a second wire level and a via level. The first wire level comprises a first conductive feature. The second wire level is disposed on the first wire level. The second wire level comprises a second conductive feature and a third conductive feature. The via level is disposed between the first wire level and the second wire level. The via level comprises a via connecting the first conductive feature and the second conductive feature. There is a first air gap between the first conductive feature and the second conductive feature. There is a second air gap between the second conductive feature and the third conductive feature. The first air gap and the second air gap are linked.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: UNITED MICROELECTRONICS CORP.
    Inventors: Kuo-Chih Lai, Chia-Chang Hsu, Nien-Ting Ho, Ching-Yun Chang, Yen-Chen Chen, Shih-Min Chou, Yun-Tzu Chang, Yang-Ju Lu, Wei-Ming Hsiao, Wei-Ning Chen
  • Publication number: 20170148891
    Abstract: A method for fabricating semiconductor device is disclosed. The method includes the steps of: providing a substrate having a first region, a second region, a third region, and a fourth region; forming a tuning layer on the second region; forming a first work function metal layer on the first region and the tuning layer of the second region; forming a second work function metal layer on the first region, the second region, and the fourth region; and forming a top barrier metal (TBM) layer on the first region, the second region, the third region, and the fourth region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 24, 2015
    Publication date: May 25, 2017
    Inventors: Kuo-Chih Lai, Yun-Tzu Chang, Wei-Ming Hsiao, Nien-Ting Ho, Shih-Min Chou, Yang-Ju Lu, Ching-Yun Chang, Yen-Chen Chen, Kuan-Chun Lin, Chi-Mao Hsu
  • Patent number: 9659937
    Abstract: A semiconductor process of forming metal gates with different threshold voltages includes the following steps. A substrate having a first area and a second area is provided. A dielectric layer and a first work function layer are sequentially formed on the substrate of the first area and the second area. A second work function layer is directly formed on the first work function layer of the first area. A third work function layer is directly formed on the first work function layer of the second area, where the third work function layer is different from the second work function layer. The present invention also provides a semiconductor structure formed by said semiconductor process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2017
    Assignee: UNITED MICROELECTRONICS CORP.
    Inventors: Ching-Yun Chang, Chi-Mao Hsu, Wei-Ming Hsiao, Nien-Ting Ho, Kuo-Chih Lai
  • Patent number: 9653300
    Abstract: A manufacturing method of a metal gate structure is provided. First, a substrate covered by an interlayer dielectric is provided. A gate trench is formed in the interlayer dielectric, wherein a gate dielectric layer is formed in the gate trench. A silicon-containing work function layer is formed on the gate dielectric layer in the gate trench. Finally, the gate trench is filled up with a conductive metal layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2017
    Assignee: UNITED MICROELECTRONICS CORP.
    Inventors: Nien-Ting Ho, Chien-Hao Chen, Hsin-Fu Huang, Chi-Yuan Sun, Wei-Yu Chen, Min-Chuan Tsai, Tsun-Min Cheng, Chi-Mao Hsu
  • Publication number: 20170076995
    Abstract: A method for modulating a work function of a semiconductor device having a metal gate structure including the following steps is provided. A first stacked gate structure and a second stacked gate structure having an identical structure are provided on a substrate. The first stacked gate structure and the second stacked gate structure respectively include a first work function metal layer of a first type. A patterned hard mask layer is formed. The patterned hard mask layer exposes the first work function metal layer of the first stacked gate structure and covers the first work function metal layer of the second stacked gate structure. A first gas treatment is performed to the first work function metal layer of the first stacked gate structure exposed by the patterned hard mask layer. A gas used in the first gas treatment includes nitrogen-containing gas or oxygen-containing gas.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2015
    Publication date: March 16, 2017
    Inventors: Yun-Tzu Chang, Shih-Min Chou, Kuo-Chih Lai, Ching-Yun Chang, Hsiang-Chieh Yen, Yen-Chen Chen, Yang-Ju Lu, Nien-Ting Ho, Chi-Mao Hsu
  • Patent number: 9576803
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method for metal gate work function tuning before contact formation in a fin-shaped field effect transistor (FinFET), where in the method comprises the following steps. (S1) providing a substrate having a metal gate structure on a side of the substrate, (S2) forming a titanium nitride (TiN) layer on the side of the substrate, and (S3) performing a gate annealing to tune work function of the metal gate structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: UNITED MICROELECTRONICS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kuo-Chih Lai, Yang-Ju Lu, Ching-Yun Chang, Yen-Chen Chen, Shih-Min Chou, Yun Tzu Chang, Fang-Yi Liu, Hsiang-Chieh Yen, Nien-Ting Ho
  • Publication number: 20160336181
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method for metal gate work function tuning before contact formation in a fin-shaped field effect transistor (FinFET), where in the method comprises the following steps. (S1) providing a substrate having a metal gate structure on a side of the substrate, (S2) forming a titanium nitride (TiN) layer on the side of the substrate, and (S3) performing a gate annealing to tune work function of the metal gate structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 13, 2015
    Publication date: November 17, 2016
    Inventors: KUO-CHIH LAI, YANG-JU LU, CHING-YUN CHANG, YEN-CHEN CHEN, SHIH-MIN CHOU, YUN TZU CHANG, FANG-YI LIU, HSIANG-CHIEH YEN, NIEN-TING HO
  • Patent number: 9478628
    Abstract: A metal gate forming process includes the following steps. A first metal layer is formed on a substrate by at least a first step followed by a second step, wherein the processing power of the second step is higher than the processing power of the first step.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: UNITED MICROELECTRONICS CORP.
    Inventors: Kuo-Chih Lai, Nien-Ting HO, Chi-Mao Hsu, Ching-Yun Chang, Yen-Chen Chen, Yang-Ju Lu, Shih-Min Chou, Yun-Tzu Chang, Hsiang-Chieh Yen, Min-Chuan Tsai
  • Publication number: 20160268259
    Abstract: A semiconductor process of forming metal gates with different threshold voltages includes the following steps. A substrate having a first area and a second area is provided. A dielectric layer and a first work function layer are sequentially formed on the substrate of the first area and the second area. A second work function layer is directly formed on the first work function layer of the first area. A third work function layer is directly formed on the first work function layer of the second area, where the third work function layer is different from the second work function layer. The present invention also provides a semiconductor structure formed by said semiconductor process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 9, 2015
    Publication date: September 15, 2016
    Inventors: Ching-Yun Chang, Chi-Mao Hsu, Wei-Ming Hsiao, Nien-Ting Ho, Kuo-Chih Lai
  • Patent number: 9397189
    Abstract: A method of forming a semiconductor structure having a metal gate. Firstly, a semiconductor substrate is provided. Subsequently, at least a gate structure is formed on the semiconductor substrate. Afterwards, a spacer structure is formed to surround the gate structure. Then, an interlayer dielectric is formed. Afterwards, a planarization process is performed for the interlayer dielectric. Then, a portion of the sacrificial layer is removed to form an initial etching depth, such that an opening is formed to expose a portion of the spacer structure. The portion of the spacer structure exposed to the opening is removed so as to broaden the opening. Afterwards, remove the sacrificial layer completely via the opening. Finally, a gate conductive layer is formed to fill the opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2016
    Assignee: UNITED MICROELECTRONICS CORP.
    Inventors: Yi-Wei Chen, Nien-Ting Ho, Chien-Chung Huang, Chin-Fu Lin
  • Patent number: 9349822
    Abstract: A method for fabricating semiconductor device is disclosed. The method includes the steps of: providing a substrate having an interlayer dielectric (ILD) layer thereon; forming a first recess, a second recess, and a third recess in the ILD layer; forming a material layer on the ILD layer and in the first recess, the second recess, and the third recess; performing a first treatment on the material layer in the first recess; and performing a second treatment on the material layer in the first recess and second recess.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2016
    Assignee: UNITED MICROELECTRONICS CORP.
    Inventors: Chih-Wei Yang, Yu-Feng Liu, Jian-Cun Ke, Chia-Fu Hsu, En-Chiuan Liou, Ssu-I Fu, Chi-Mao Hsu, Nien-Ting Ho, Yu-Ru Yang, Yu-Ping Wang, Chien-Ming Lai, Yi-Wen Chen, Yu-Ting Tseng, Ya-Huei Tsai, Chien-Chung Huang, Tsung-Yin Hsieh, Hung-Yi Wu
  • Publication number: 20160126331
    Abstract: The present invention provides a metal gate structure which is formed in a trench of a dielectric layer. The metal gate structure includes a work function metal layer and a metal layer. The work function metal layer is disposed in the trench and comprises a bottom portion and a side portion, wherein a ratio between a thickness of the bottom portion and a thickness of the side portion is between 2 and 5. The trench is filled with the metal layer. The present invention further provides a method of forming the metal gate structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 26, 2014
    Publication date: May 5, 2016
    Inventors: Chi-Ju Lee, Yao-Chang Wang, Nien-Ting Ho, Chi-Mao Hsu, Kuan-Cheng Su, Main-Gwo Chen, Hsiao-Kwang Yang, Fang-Hong Yao, Sheng-Huei Dai, Tzung-Lin Li
  • Patent number: 9331161
    Abstract: The present invention provides a metal gate structure which is formed in a trench of a dielectric layer. The metal gate structure includes a work function metal layer and a metal layer. The work function metal layer is disposed in the trench and comprises a bottom portion and a side portion, wherein a ratio between a thickness of the bottom portion and a thickness of the side portion is between 2 and 5. The trench is filled with the metal layer. The present invention further provides a method of forming the metal gate structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2016
    Assignee: UNITED MICROELECTRONICS CORP.
    Inventors: Chi-Ju Lee, Yao-Chang Wang, Nien-Ting Ho, Chi-Mao Hsu, Kuan-Cheng Su, Main-Gwo Chen, Hsiao-Kwang Yang, Fang-Hong Yao, Sheng-Huei Dai, Tzung-Lin Li
  • Publication number: 20160104786
    Abstract: A method for fabricating semiconductor device is disclosed. The method includes the steps of: providing a substrate having an interlayer dielectric (ILD) layer thereon; forming a first recess, a second recess, and a third recess in the ILD layer; forming a material layer on the ILD layer and in the first recess, the second recess, and the third recess; performing a first treatment on the material layer in the first recess; and performing a second treatment on the material layer in the first recess and second recess.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2014
    Publication date: April 14, 2016
    Inventors: Chih-Wei Yang, Yu-Feng Liu, Jian-Cun Ke, Chia-Fu Hsu, En-Chiuan Liou, Ssu-I Fu, Chi-Mao Hsu, Nien-Ting Ho, Yu-Ru Yang, Yu-Ping Wang, Chien-Ming Lai, Yi-Wen Chen, Yu-Ting Tseng, Ya-Huei Tsai, Chien-Chung Huang, Tsung-Yin Hsieh, Hung-Yi Wu
  • Patent number: 9305847
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device is provided. The method includes the following steps. A substrate including a first transistor having a first conductivity type, a second transistor having a second conductivity type and a third transistor having the first conductivity type is formed. An inner-layer dielectric layer is formed on the substrate, and includes a first gate trench corresponding to the first transistor, a second gate trench corresponding to the second transistor and a third gate trench corresponding to the third transistor. A work function metal layer is formed on the inner-layer dielectric layer. An anti-reflective layer is coated on the work function metal layer. The anti-reflective layer on the second transistor and on the top portion of the third gate trench is removed to expose the work function metal layer. The exposed work function metal layer is removed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2016
    Assignee: UNITED MICROELECTRONICS CORP.
    Inventors: Shin-Chi Chen, Chih-Yueh Li, Shui-Yen Lu, Chi-Mao Hsu, Yuan-Chi Pai, Yu-Hong Kuo, Nien-Ting Ho
  • Publication number: 20150380312
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device is provided. The method includes the following steps. A substrate including a first transistor having a first conductivity type, a second transistor having a second conductivity type and a third transistor having the first conductivity type is formed. An inner-layer dielectric layer is formed on the substrate, and includes a first gate trench corresponding to the first transistor, a second gate trench corresponding to the second transistor and a third gate trench corresponding to the third transistor. A work function metal layer is formed on the inner-layer dielectric layer. An anti-reflective layer is coated on the work function metal layer. The anti-reflective layer on the second transistor and on the top portion of the third gate trench is removed to expose the work function metal layer. The exposed work function metal layer is removed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2014
    Publication date: December 31, 2015
    Inventors: Shin-Chi Chen, Chih-Yueh Li, Shui-Yen Lu, Chi-Mao Hsu, Yuan-Chi Pai, Yu-Hong Kuo, Nien-Ting Ho