Patents by Inventor Szu-Chi Yang

Szu-Chi Yang 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: 11996468
    Abstract: A method of fabricating a device includes providing a fin having an epitaxial layer stack with a plurality of semiconductor channel layers interposed by a plurality of dummy layers. In some embodiments, the method further includes exposing lateral surfaces of the plurality of semiconductor channel layers and the plurality of dummy layers within a source/drain region of the semiconductor device. In some examples, the method further includes etching the exposed lateral surfaces of the plurality of dummy layers to form recesses and forming an inner spacer within each of the recesses, where the inner spacer includes a sidewall profile having a convex shape. In some cases, and after forming the inner spacer, the method further includes performing a sheet trim process to tune the sidewall profile of the inner spacer such that the convex shape of the sidewall profile becomes a substantially vertical sidewall surface after the sheet trim process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2024
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Chien-Chih Lin, Hsiu-Hao Tsao, Szu-Chi Yang, Shih-Hao Lin, Yu-Jiun Peng, Chang-Jhih Syu, An Chyi Wei
  • Patent number: 11949015
    Abstract: A method includes following steps. A semiconductor fin is formed extending from a substrate. A gate structure is formed extending across the semiconductor fin. Recesses are etched in the semiconductor fin. Source/drain epitaxial structures are formed in the recesses in the semiconductor fin. Formation of each of the source/drain epitaxial structures comprises performing a first epitaxy growth process to form a bar-shaped epitaxial structure in one of the recesses, and performing a second epitaxy growth process to form a cladding epitaxial layer cladding on the bar-shaped epitaxial structure. The bar-shaped epitaxial structure has a lower phosphorous concentration than the cladding epitaxial layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2024
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Szu-Chi Yang, Chih-Hsiang Huang
  • Publication number: 20230395703
    Abstract: A semiconductor structure includes substrate, semiconductor layers, source/drain features, metal oxide layers, and a gate structure. The semiconductor layers extend in an X-direction and over the substrate. The semiconductor layers are spaced apart from each other in a Z-direction. The source/drain features are on opposite sides of the semiconductor layers in the X-direction. The metal oxide layers cover bottom surfaces of the semiconductor layers. The gate structure wraps around the semiconductor layers and the metal oxide layers. The metal oxide layers are in contact with the gate structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 10, 2023
    Publication date: December 7, 2023
    Applicant: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Shih-Hao LIN, Chia-Hung CHOU, Chih-Hsuan CHEN, Ping-En CHENG, Hsin-Wen SU, Chien-Chih LIN, Szu-Chi YANG
  • Publication number: 20230326802
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods of fabricating a semiconductor device. A method according to one embodiment includes forming, on a substrate, a first fin formed of a first semiconductor material and a second fin formed of a second semiconductor material different from the first semiconductor material, forming a semiconductor cap layer over the first fin and the second fin, and annealing the semiconductor cap layer at a first temperature while at least a portion of the semiconductor cap layer is exposed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2023
    Publication date: October 12, 2023
    Inventors: Szu-Chi Yang, Allen Chien, Tsai-Yu Huang, Chien-Chih Lin, Po-Kai Hsiao, Shih-Hao Lin, Chien-Chih Lee, Chih Chieh Yeh, Cheng-Ting Ding, Tsung-Hung Lee
  • Patent number: 11742416
    Abstract: A semiconductor structure includes: a semiconductor substrate; a first source/drain feature and a second source/drain feature over the semiconductor substrate; and semiconductor layers extending longitudinally in a first direction and connecting the first source/drain feature and the second source/drain feature. The semiconductor layers are spaced apart from each other in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction. The semiconductor structure further includes inner spacers each between two adjacent semiconductor layers; metal oxide layers interposing between the inner spacers and the semiconductor layers; and a gate structure wrapping around the semiconductor layers and the metal oxide layers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2023
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Shih-Hao Lin, Chia-Hung Chou, Chih-Hsuan Chen, Ping-En Cheng, Hsin-Wen Su, Chien-Chih Lin, Szu-Chi Yang
  • Patent number: 11670551
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods of fabricating a semiconductor device. A method according to one embodiment includes forming, on a substrate, a first fin formed of a first semiconductor material and a second fin formed of a second semiconductor material different from the first semiconductor material, forming a semiconductor cap layer over the first fin and the second fin, and annealing the semiconductor cap layer at a first temperature while at least a portion of the semiconductor cap layer is exposed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Szu-Chi Yang, Allen Chien, Cheng-Ting Ding, Chien-Chih Lin, Chien-Chih Lee, Shih-Hao Lin, Tsung-Hung Lee, Chih Chieh Yeh, Po-Kai Hsiao, Tsai-Yu Huang
  • Publication number: 20230122339
    Abstract: A semiconductor device structure is provided. The semiconductor device structure includes a substrate including a base and a fin structure over the base. The fin structure includes a nanostructure. The semiconductor device structure includes a gate stack over the base and wrapped around the nanostructure. The gate stack has an upper portion and a sidewall portion, the upper portion is over the nanostructure, and the sidewall portion is over a first sidewall of the nanostructure. The semiconductor device structure includes a first inner spacer and a second inner spacer over opposite sides of the sidewall portion. A sum of a first width of the first inner spacer and a second width of the second inner spacer is greater than a third width of the sidewall portion as measured along a longitudinal axis of the fin structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 19, 2022
    Publication date: April 20, 2023
    Applicant: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Chien-Chih LIN, Yun-Ju PAN, Szu-Chi YANG, Jhih-Yang YAN, Shih-Hao LIN, Chung-Shu Wu, Te-An YU, Shih-Chiang CHEN
  • Patent number: 11581226
    Abstract: Semiconductor device and the manufacturing method thereof are disclosed herein. An exemplary method comprises forming first and second semiconductor fins in first and second regions of a substrate, respectively; forming first and second dummy gate stacks over the first and second semiconductor fins, respectively, and forming a spacer layer over the first and the second dummy gate stacks; forming a first pattern layer with a thickness along the spacer layer in the first region; form a first source/drain (S/D) trench along the first pattern layer and epitaxially growing a first epitaxial feature therein; removing the first pattern layer to expose the spacer layer; forming a second pattern layer with a different thickness along the spacer layer in the second region; form a second S/D trench along the second pattern layer and epitaxially growing a second epitaxial feature therein; and removing the second pattern layer to expose the spacer layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2023
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Shih-Hao Lin, Tzu-Hsiang Hsu, Chong-De Lien, Szu-Chi Yang, Hsin-Wen Su, Chih-Hsiang Huang
  • Publication number: 20220384655
    Abstract: A method includes following steps. A semiconductor fin is formed extending from a substrate. A gate structure is formed extending across the semiconductor fin. Recesses are etched in the semiconductor fin. Source/drain epitaxial structures are formed in the recesses in the semiconductor fin. Formation of each of the source/drain epitaxial structures comprises performing a first epitaxy growth process to form a bar-shaped epitaxial structure in one of the recesses, and performing a second epitaxy growth process to form a cladding epitaxial layer cladding on the bar-shaped epitaxial structure. The bar-shaped epitaxial structure has a lower phosphorous concentration than the cladding epitaxial layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 10, 2022
    Publication date: December 1, 2022
    Applicant: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Szu-Chi YANG, Chih-Hsiang HUANG
  • Publication number: 20220384609
    Abstract: A semiconductor structure includes: a semiconductor substrate; a first source/drain feature and a second source/drain feature over the semiconductor substrate; and semiconductor layers extending longitudinally in a first direction and connecting the first source/drain feature and the second source/drain feature. The semiconductor layers are spaced apart from each other in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction. The semiconductor structure further includes inner spacers each between two adjacent semiconductor layers; metal oxide layers interposing between the inner spacers and the semiconductor layers; and a gate structure wrapping around the semiconductor layers and the metal oxide layers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 27, 2021
    Publication date: December 1, 2022
    Applicant: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Shih-Hao LIN, Chia-Hung CHOU, Chih-Hsuan CHEN, Ping-En CHENG, Hsin-Wen SU, Chien-Chih LIN, Szu-Chi YANG
  • Publication number: 20220359308
    Abstract: Semiconductor device and the manufacturing method thereof are disclosed herein. An exemplary method comprises forming first and second semiconductor fins in first and second regions of a substrate, respectively; forming first and second dummy gate stacks over the first and second semiconductor fins, respectively, and forming a spacer layer over the first and the second dummy gate stacks; forming a first pattern layer with a thickness along the spacer layer in the first region; form a first source/drain (S/D) trench along the first pattern layer and epitaxially growing a first epitaxial feature therein; removing the first pattern layer to expose the spacer layer; forming a second pattern layer with a different thickness along the spacer layer in the second region; form a second S/D trench along the second pattern layer and epitaxially growing a second epitaxial feature therein; and removing the second pattern layer to expose the spacer layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2022
    Publication date: November 10, 2022
    Inventors: Shih-Hao Lin, Tzu-Hsiang Hsu, Chong-De Lien, Szu-Chi Yang, Hsin-Wen Su, Chih-Hsiang Huang
  • Publication number: 20220336639
    Abstract: A method of fabricating a device includes providing a fin having an epitaxial layer stack with a plurality of semiconductor channel layers interposed by a plurality of dummy layers. In some embodiments, the method further includes exposing lateral surfaces of the plurality of semiconductor channel layers and the plurality of dummy layers within a source/drain region of the semiconductor device. In some examples, the method further includes etching the exposed lateral surfaces of the plurality of dummy layers to form recesses and forming an inner spacer within each of the recesses, where the inner spacer includes a sidewall profile having a convex shape. In some cases, and after forming the inner spacer, the method further includes performing a sheet trim process to tune the sidewall profile of the inner spacer such that the convex shape of the sidewall profile becomes a substantially vertical sidewall surface after the sheet trim process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 2, 2021
    Publication date: October 20, 2022
    Inventors: Chien-Chih LIN, Hsiu-Hao TSAO, Szu-Chi YANG, Shih-Hao LIN, Yu-Jiun PENG, Chang-Jhih SYU, An Chyi WEI
  • Patent number: 11437516
    Abstract: A semiconductor structure includes a gate structure disposed over a substrate, and a plurality of source/drain features disposed on the substrate and interposed by the gate structure. Each of the source/drain features includes a first doped source/drain region extended away from the substrate, and a second doped source/drain region disposed on top and side surfaces of the first doped source/drain region, in which a phosphorus doping concentration of the first doped source/drain region is lower than a doping concentration of the second doped source/drain region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2022
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Szu-Chi Yang, Chih-Hsiang Huang
  • Publication number: 20220123126
    Abstract: In an embodiment, a structure includes: a semiconductor substrate; a fin extending from the semiconductor substrate; a gate stack over the fin; an epitaxial source/drain region in the fin adjacent the gate stack; and a gate spacer disposed between the epitaxial source/drain region and the gate stack, the gate spacer including a plurality of silicon oxycarbonitride layers, each of the plurality of silicon oxycarbonitride layers having a different concentration of silicon, a different concentration of oxygen, a different concentration of carbon, and a different concentration of nitrogen.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 3, 2022
    Publication date: April 21, 2022
    Inventors: Chien-Chih Lin, Yen-Ting Chen, Wen-Kai Lin, Szu-Chi Yang, Shih-Hao Lin, Tsung-Hung Lee, Ming-Lung Cheng
  • Patent number: 11217679
    Abstract: In an embodiment, a structure includes: a semiconductor substrate; a fin extending from the semiconductor substrate; a gate stack over the fin; an epitaxial source/drain region in the fin adjacent the gate stack; and a gate spacer disposed between the epitaxial source/drain region and the gate stack, the gate spacer including a plurality of silicon oxycarbonitride layers, each of the plurality of silicon oxycarbonitride layers having a different concentration of silicon, a different concentration of oxygen, a different concentration of carbon, and a different concentration of nitrogen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2022
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Chien-Chih Lin, Yen-Ting Chen, Wen-Kai Lin, Szu-Chi Yang, Shih-Hao Lin, Tsung-Hung Lee, Ming-Lung Cheng
  • Publication number: 20210313441
    Abstract: In an embodiment, a structure includes: a semiconductor substrate; a fin extending from the semiconductor substrate; a gate stack over the fin; an epitaxial source/drain region in the fin adjacent the gate stack; and a gate spacer disposed between the epitaxial source/drain region and the gate stack, the gate spacer including a plurality of silicon oxycarbonitride layers, each of the plurality of silicon oxycarbonitride layers having a different concentration of silicon, a different concentration of oxygen, a different concentration of carbon, and a different concentration of nitrogen.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 1, 2020
    Publication date: October 7, 2021
    Inventors: Chien-Chih Lin, Yen-Ting Chen, Wen-Kai Lin, Szu-Chi Yang, Shih-Hao Lin, Tsung-Hung Lee, Ming-Lung Cheng
  • Publication number: 20210098305
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods of fabricating a semiconductor device. A method according to one embodiment includes forming, on a substrate, a first fin formed of a first semiconductor material and a second fin formed of a second semiconductor material different from the first semiconductor material, forming a semiconductor cap layer over the first fin and the second fin, and annealing the semiconductor cap layer at a first temperature while at least a portion of the semiconductor cap layer is exposed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2020
    Publication date: April 1, 2021
    Inventors: Szu-Chi Yang, Allen Chien, Cheng-Ting Ding, Chien-Chih Lin, Chien-Chih Lee, Shih-Hao Lin, Tsung-Hung Lee, Chih Chieh Yeh, Po-Kai Hsiao, Tsai-Yu Huang
  • Publication number: 20210098311
    Abstract: Semiconductor device and the manufacturing method thereof are disclosed herein. An exemplary method comprises forming first and second semiconductor fins in first and second regions of a substrate, respectively; forming first and second dummy gate stacks over the first and second semiconductor fins, respectively, and forming a spacer layer over the first and the second dummy gate stacks; forming a first pattern layer with a thickness along the spacer layer in the first region; form a first source/drain (S/D) trench along the first pattern layer and epitaxially growing a first epitaxial feature therein; removing the first pattern layer to expose the spacer layer; forming a second pattern layer with a different thickness along the spacer layer in the second region; form a second S/D trench along the second pattern layer and epitaxially growing a second epitaxial feature therein; and removing the second pattern layer to expose the spacer layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 24, 2020
    Publication date: April 1, 2021
    Inventors: Shih-Hao Lin, Tzu-Hsiang Hsu, Chong-De Lien, Szu-Chi Yang, Hsin-Wen Su, Chih-Hsiang Huang
  • Publication number: 20180151737
    Abstract: A semiconductor structure includes a gate structure disposed over a substrate, and a plurality of source/drain features disposed on the substrate and interposed by the gate structure. Each of the source/drain features includes a first doped source/drain region extended away from the substrate, and a second doped source/drain region disposed on top and side surfaces of the first doped source/drain region, in which a phosphorus doping concentration of the first doped source/drain region is lower than a doping concentration of the second doped source/drain region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2016
    Publication date: May 31, 2018
    Inventors: Szu-Chi Yang, Chih-Hsiang Huang