Patents by Inventor Wei-Lun Min

Wei-Lun Min 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: 11973128
    Abstract: A semiconductor device according to the present disclosure includes a channel member including a first connection portion, a second connection portion and a channel portion disposed between the first connection portion and the second connection portion, a first inner spacer feature disposed over and in contact with the first connection portion, a second inner spacer feature disposed under and in contact with the first connection portion, and a gate structure wrapping around the channel portion of the channel member. A shape of a cross-sectional view of the channel member includes a dog-bone shape. By providing the dog-bone shape channel member, a parasitic resistance of the semiconductor device is advantageously reduced, and performance of the semiconductor device may be significantly improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2024
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Chang-Miao Liu, Wei-Lun Min
  • Publication number: 20230369128
    Abstract: Semiconductor device and the manufacturing method thereof are disclosed herein. An exemplary semiconductor device comprises a first semiconductor fin and a second semiconductor fin formed over a substrate, wherein lower portions of the first semiconductor fin and the second semiconductor fin are separated by an isolation structure; a first gate stack formed over the first semiconductor fin and a second gate stack formed over the second semiconductor fin; and a separation feature separating the first gate stack and the second gate stack, wherein the separation feature includes a first dielectric layer and a second dielectric layer with an air gap defined therebetween, and a bottom portion of the separation feature being inserted into the isolation structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2023
    Publication date: November 16, 2023
    Inventors: Wei-Lun Min, Xusheng Wu, Chang-Miao Liu
  • Publication number: 20230369513
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides semiconductor devices and methods of forming the same. A semiconductor device of the present disclosure includes a first source/drain feature and a second source/drain feature over a substrate, a plurality of channel members extending between the first source/drain feature and the second source/drain feature, a gate structure wrapping around each of the plurality of channel members, and at least one blocking feature. At least one of the plurality of channel members is isolated from the first source/drain feature and the second source/drain feature by the at least one blocking feature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 24, 2023
    Publication date: November 16, 2023
    Inventors: Wei-Lun Min, Chang-Miao Liu
  • Patent number: 11756835
    Abstract: Semiconductor device and the manufacturing method thereof are disclosed herein. An exemplary semiconductor device comprises a first semiconductor fin and a second semiconductor fin formed over a substrate, wherein lower portions of the first semiconductor fin and the second semiconductor fin are separated by an isolation structure; a first gate stack formed over the first semiconductor fin and a second gate stack formed over the second semiconductor fin; and a separation feature separating the first gate stack and the second gate stack, wherein the separation feature includes a first dielectric layer and a second dielectric layer with an air gap defined therebetween, and a bottom portion of the separation feature being inserted into the isolation structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2023
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Wei-Lun Min, Xusheng Wu, Chang-Miao Liu
  • Patent number: 11715803
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides semiconductor devices and methods of forming the same. A semiconductor device of the present disclosure includes a first source/drain feature and a second source/drain feature over a substrate, a plurality of channel members extending between the first source/drain feature and the second source/drain feature, a gate structure wrapping around each of the plurality of channel members, and at least one blocking feature. At least one of the plurality of channel members is isolated from the first source/drain feature and the second source/drain feature by the at least one blocking feature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2023
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Wei-Lun Min, Chang-Miao Liu
  • Publication number: 20230068354
    Abstract: A method includes providing a substrate including a first semiconductor layer over a dielectric layer, thinning the first semiconductor layer, forming a stack of alternating second semiconductor layers and third semiconductor layers over the thinned first semiconductor layer, forming a fin active region protruding from the substrate including a portion of the thinned first semiconductor layer and the stack of alternating second semiconductor layers and third semiconductor layers, forming isolation features over an exposed portion of the dielectric layer, forming a dummy gate stack over the fin active region, forming a source/drain (S/D) recess in the fin active region adjacent to the dummy gate stack, forming an epitaxial S/D feature in the S/D recess, removing the second semiconductor layers to form openings between the third semiconductor layers, and forming a metal gate stack in the openings and in place of the dummy gate stack.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2021
    Publication date: March 2, 2023
    Inventors: Wei-Lun Min, Ko-Cheng Liu, Chang-Miao Liu
  • Patent number: 11527444
    Abstract: A dummy gate is formed over a substrate. A sacrificial layer is formed over the dummy gate. An interlayer dielectric (ILD) is formed over the dummy gate and over the sacrificial layer. The dummy gate is replaced with a metal-containing gate. The sacrificial layer is removed. A removal of the sacrificial layer leaves air gaps around the metal-containing gate. The air gaps are then sealed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2022
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Wei-Lun Min, Chang-Miao Liu
  • Publication number: 20220384610
    Abstract: A semiconductor device according to the present disclosure includes a channel member including a first connection portion, a second connection portion and a channel portion disposed between the first connection portion and the second connection portion, a first inner spacer feature disposed over and in contact with the first connection portion, a second inner spacer feature disposed under and in contact with the first connection portion, and a gate structure wrapping around the channel portion of the channel member. A shape of a cross-sectional view of the channel member includes a dog-bone shape. By providing the dog-bone shape channel member, a parasitic resistance of the semiconductor device is advantageously reduced, and performance of the semiconductor device may be significantly improved.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 27, 2021
    Publication date: December 1, 2022
    Inventors: Chang-Miao Liu, Wei-Lun Min
  • Publication number: 20220367281
    Abstract: A dummy gate is formed over a substrate. A sacrificial layer is formed over the dummy gate. An interlayer dielectric (ILD) is formed over the dummy gate and over the sacrificial layer. The dummy gate is replaced with a metal-containing gate. The sacrificial layer is removed. A removal of the sacrificial layer leaves air gaps around the metal-containing gate. The air gaps are then sealed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 22, 2022
    Publication date: November 17, 2022
    Inventors: Wei-Lun Min, Chang-Miao Liu
  • Publication number: 20220344216
    Abstract: Semiconductor device and the manufacturing method thereof are disclosed herein. An exemplary semiconductor device comprises a first semiconductor fin and a second semiconductor fin formed over a substrate, wherein lower portions of the first semiconductor fin and the second semiconductor fin are separated by an isolation structure; a first gate stack formed over the first semiconductor fin and a second gate stack formed over the second semiconductor fin; and a separation feature separating the first gate stack and the second gate stack, wherein the separation feature includes a first dielectric layer and a second dielectric layer with an air gap defined therebetween, and a bottom portion of the separation feature being inserted into the isolation structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 11, 2022
    Publication date: October 27, 2022
    Inventors: Wei-Lun Min, Xusheng Wu, Chang-Miao Liu
  • Publication number: 20220310851
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides semiconductor devices and methods of forming the same. A semiconductor device of the present disclosure includes a first source/drain feature and a second source/drain feature over a substrate, a plurality of channel members extending between the first source/drain feature and the second source/drain feature, a gate structure wrapping around each of the plurality of channel members, and at least one blocking feature. At least one of the plurality of channel members is isolated from the first source/drain feature and the second source/drain feature by the at least one blocking feature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2022
    Publication date: September 29, 2022
    Inventors: Wei-Lun Min, Chang-Miao Liu
  • Publication number: 20220262918
    Abstract: Field effect transistor and manufacturing method thereof are disclosed. The field effect transistor includes a substrate, fins, a gate structure, a first spacer and a second spacer. The fins protrude from the substrate and extend in a first direction. The gate structure is disposed across and over the fins and extends in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction. The first spacer is disposed on sidewalls of the gate structure. The second spacer is disposed on the first spacer and surrounds the gate structure. The first spacer is fluorine-doped and includes fluorine dopants.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2022
    Publication date: August 18, 2022
    Applicant: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Wei-Lun Min, Chang-Miao Liu, Xu-Sheng Wu
  • Patent number: 11387146
    Abstract: Semiconductor device and the manufacturing method thereof are disclosed herein. An exemplary semiconductor device comprises a first semiconductor fin and a second semiconductor fin formed over a substrate, wherein lower portions of the first semiconductor fin and the second semiconductor fin are separated by an isolation structure; a first gate stack formed over the first semiconductor fin and a second gate stack formed over the second semiconductor fin; and a separation feature separating the first gate stack and the second gate stack, wherein the separation feature includes a first dielectric layer and a second dielectric layer with an air gap defined therebetween, and a bottom portion of the separation feature being inserted into the isolation structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2022
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Wei-Lun Min, Xusheng Wu, Chang-Miao Liu
  • Patent number: 11362217
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides semiconductor devices and methods of forming the same. A semiconductor device of the present disclosure includes a first source/drain feature and a second source/drain feature over a substrate, a plurality of channel members extending between the first source/drain feature and the second source/drain feature, a gate structure wrapping around each of the plurality of channel members, and at least one blocking feature. At least one of the plurality of channel members is isolated from the first source/drain feature and the second source/drain feature by the at least one blocking feature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2022
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Wei-Lun Min, Chang-Miao Liu
  • Patent number: 11355615
    Abstract: Field effect transistor and manufacturing method thereof are disclosed. The field effect transistor includes a substrate, fins, a gate structure, a first spacer and a second spacer. The fins protrude from the substrate and extend in a first direction. The gate structure is disposed across and over the fins and extends in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction. The first spacer is disposed on sidewalls of the gate structure. The second spacer is disposed on the first spacer and surrounds the gate structure. The first spacer is fluorine-doped and includes fluorine dopants.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2022
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Wei-Lun Min, Chang-Miao Liu, Xu-Sheng Wu
  • Publication number: 20220165881
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides semiconductor devices and methods of forming the same. A semiconductor device of the present disclosure includes a first source/drain feature and a second source/drain feature over a substrate, a plurality of channel members extending between the first source/drain feature and the second source/drain feature, a gate structure wrapping around each of the plurality of channel members, and at least one blocking feature. At least one of the plurality of channel members is isolated from the first source/drain feature and the second source/drain feature by the at least one blocking feature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 23, 2020
    Publication date: May 26, 2022
    Inventors: Wei-Lun Min, Chang-Miao Liu
  • Publication number: 20210226030
    Abstract: Field effect transistor and manufacturing method thereof are disclosed. The field effect transistor includes a substrate, fins, a gate structure, a first spacer and a second spacer. The fins protrude from the substrate and extend in a first direction. The gate structure is disposed across and over the fins and extends in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction. The first spacer is disposed on sidewalls of the gate structure. The second spacer is disposed on the first spacer and surrounds the gate structure. The first spacer is fluorine-doped and includes fluorine dopants.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 17, 2020
    Publication date: July 22, 2021
    Applicant: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Wei-Lun Min, Chang-Miao Liu, Xu-Sheng Wu
  • Publication number: 20210098309
    Abstract: Semiconductor device and the manufacturing method thereof are disclosed herein. An exemplary semiconductor device comprises a first semiconductor fin and a second semiconductor fin formed over a substrate, wherein lower portions of the first semiconductor fin and the second semiconductor fin are separated by an isolation structure; a first gate stack formed over the first semiconductor fin and a second gate stack formed over the second semiconductor fin; and a separation feature separating the first gate stack and the second gate stack, wherein the separation feature includes a first dielectric layer and a second dielectric layer with an air gap defined therebetween, and a bottom portion of the separation feature being inserted into the isolation structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 17, 2020
    Publication date: April 1, 2021
    Inventors: Wei-Lun Min, Xusheng Wu, Chang-Miao Liu
  • Publication number: 20210090959
    Abstract: A dummy gate is formed over a substrate. A sacrificial layer is formed over the dummy gate. An interlayer dielectric (ILD) is formed over the dummy gate and over the sacrificial layer. The dummy gate is replaced with a metal-containing gate. The sacrificial layer is removed. A removal of the sacrificial layer leaves air gaps around the metal-containing gate. The air gaps are then sealed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 11, 2020
    Publication date: March 25, 2021
    Inventors: Wei-Lun Min, Chang-Miao Liu