Patents by Inventor Yen-Ming Chen

Yen-Ming Chen 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: 20230377987
    Abstract: A method of fabricating a fin-like field effect transistor (FinFET) device includes providing a semiconductor substrate having a region for forming p-type metal-oxide-semiconductor (PMOS) devices and a region for forming n-type metal-oxide-semiconductor (PMOS) devices, forming fin structures in both regions of the substrate separated by isolation features, first forming source/drain (S/D) features in the PMOS region, and subsequently forming S/D features in the NMOS region. First forming the PMOS S/D features and then forming the NMOS S/D features results in a greater extent of loss of isolation features in the PMOS region than in the NMOS region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2023
    Publication date: November 23, 2023
    Inventors: Feng-Ching Chu, Wei-Yang Lee, Feng-Cheng Yang, Yen-Ming Chen
  • Patent number: 11824121
    Abstract: A semiconductor device and method of manufacturing the semiconductor device are provided. An exemplary semiconductor device comprises a fin disposed over a substrate, wherein the fin includes a channel region and a source/drain region; a gate structure disposed over the substrate and over the channel region of the fin; a source/drain feature epitaxially grown in the source/drain region of the fin, wherein the source/drain feature includes a top epitaxial layer and a lower epitaxial layer formed below the top epitaxial layer, and the lower epitaxial layer includes a wavy top surface; and a contact having a wavy bottom surface matingly engaged with the wavy top surface of the lower epitaxial layer of the source/drain feature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2023
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2023
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Chia-Ta Yu, Yen-Chieh Huang, Wei-Yuan Lu, Feng-Cheng Yang, Yen-Ming Chen
  • Publication number: 20230360946
    Abstract: A method for forming a semiconductor structure is provided. The method includes forming a contact feature over an insulating layer, forming a first passivation layer over the contact feature, and etching the first passivation layer to form a trench exposing the contact feature. The method also includes forming an oxide layer over the contact feature and the first passivation layer and in the trench, forming a first non-conductive structure over the oxide layer, and patterning the first non-conductive structure to form a gap. The method further includes filling a conductive material in the gap to form a first conductive feature. The first non-conductive structure and the first conductive feature form a first bonding structure. The method further includes attaching a carrier substrate to the first bonding structure via a second bonding structure over the carrier substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 6, 2022
    Publication date: November 9, 2023
    Inventors: Chih-Hsin YANG, Dian-Hau CHEN, Yen-Ming CHEN
  • Patent number: 11810825
    Abstract: A method of fabricating a fin-like field effect transistor (FinFET) device includes providing a semiconductor substrate having a region for forming p-type metal-oxide-semiconductor (PMOS) devices and a region for forming n-type metal-oxide-semiconductor (PMOS) devices, forming fin structures in both regions of the substrate separated by isolation features, first forming source/drain (S/D) features in the PMOS region, and subsequently forming S/D features in the NMOS region. First forming the PMOS S/D features and then forming the NMOS S/D features results in a greater extent of loss of isolation features in the PMOS region than in the NMOS region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2023
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Feng-Ching Chu, Wei-Yang Lee, Feng-Cheng Yang, Yen-Ming Chen
  • Publication number: 20230354614
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a substrate, a gate structure, a source region and a drain region, a conductive via and an isolation structure. The gate structure is disposed over the substrate. The source region and the drain region aside the gate structure. The conductive via is disposed in the substrate. The isolation structure is disposed in the substrate, wherein a first surface of the isolation structure is substantially flush with a first surface of the conductive via.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 5, 2023
    Publication date: November 2, 2023
    Applicant: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hsiang-Ku Shen, Liang-Wei Wang, Dian-Hau Chen, Yen-Ming Chen
  • Publication number: 20230352554
    Abstract: Various examples of an integrated circuit with a sidewall spacer and a technique for forming an integrated circuit with such a spacer are disclosed herein. In some examples, the method includes receiving a workpiece that includes a substrate and a gate stack disposed upon the substrate. A spacer is formed on a side surface of the gate stack that includes a spacer layer with a low-k dielectric material. A source/drain region is formed in the substrate; and a source/drain contact is formed coupled to the source/drain region such that the spacer layer of the spacer is disposed between the source/drain contact and the gate stack.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2023
    Publication date: November 2, 2023
    Inventors: Yen-Ting Chen, Wei-Yang Lee, Feng-Cheng Yang, Yen-Ming Chen
  • Patent number: 11791371
    Abstract: Semiconductor structures and methods of forming the same are provided. A method according to an embodiment includes forming a conductive feature and a first conductive plate over a substrate, conformally depositing a dielectric layer over the conductive feature and the first conductive plate, conformally depositing a conductive layer over the conductive feature and the first conductive plate, and patterning the conductive layer to form a second conductive plate over the first conductive plate and a resistor, the resistor includes a conductive line extending along a sidewall of the conductive feature. By employing the method, a high-resistance resistor may be formed along with a capacitor regardless of the resolution limit of, for example, lithography.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2023
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Chih-Fan Huang, Hsiang-Ku Shen, Dian-Hau Chen, Yen-Ming Chen
  • Publication number: 20230317651
    Abstract: Semiconductor devices, integrated circuits and methods of forming the same are provided. In one embodiment, a method includes depositing a first dielectric layer over a metal pad disposed over a workpiece, forming a first opening in the first dielectric layer to expose a portion of the metal pad, after the forming of the first opening, forming a second dielectric layer over the exposed portion of the metal pad, depositing a first polymeric material over the second dielectric layer, forming a second opening through the first polymeric material and the second dielectric layer to expose the metal pad, and forming a bump feature over the exposed metal pad.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2023
    Publication date: October 5, 2023
    Inventors: Chih-Fan Huang, Yen-Ming Chen, Chih-Sheng Li, Hui-Chi Chen, Chih-Hung Lu, Dian-Hau Chen
  • Patent number: 11777004
    Abstract: A FinFET device structure is provided. The FinFET device structure includes a fin structure formed over a substrate, and a first inter-layer dielectric (ILD) layer formed over the fin structure. The FinFET device structure includes a gate structure formed in the first ILD layer, and a first S/D contact structure formed in the first ILD layer and adjacent to the gate structure. The FinFET device structure also includes a first air gap formed on a sidewall of the first S/D contact structure, and the first air gap is in direct contact with the first ILD layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kai-Hsuan Lee, I-Wen Wu, Chen-Ming Lee, Jian-Hao Chen, Fu-Kai Yang, Feng-Cheng Yang, Mei-Yun Wang, Yen-Ming Chen
  • Patent number: 11769820
    Abstract: Methods and devices formed thereof that include a fin structure extending from a substrate and a gate structure is formed over the fin structure. An epitaxial feature is formed over the fin structure adjacent the gate structure. The epitaxial feature can include a hollow region (or dielectric filled hollow region) in the epitaxial source/drain region. A selective etching process is performed to remove at least a portion of an epitaxial region having a second dopant type to form the hollow area between the first epitaxial portion and the third epitaxial portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2023
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Feng-Ching Chu, Wei-Yang Lee, Feng-Cheng Yang, Yen-Ming Chen
  • Publication number: 20230298972
    Abstract: A semiconductor structure includes a semiconductor substrate and an interconnect structure on the semiconductor structure. The interconnect structure includes a first layer, a second layer over the first layer, a third layer over the second layer, and a fourth layer over the third layer. A first through via extends through the semiconductor substrate, the first layer, and the second layer. A second through via extends through the third layer and the fourth layer. A bottom surface of the second through via contacts a top surface of the first through via.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 26, 2023
    Publication date: September 21, 2023
    Inventors: Yuan-Yang Hsiao, Dian-Hau Chen, Yen-Ming Chen
  • Publication number: 20230290861
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes first and second semiconductor fins extending from a substrate and a source/drain region epitaxially grown in recesses of the first and second semiconductor fins. A top surface of the source/drain region is higher than a surface level with top surfaces of the first and second semiconductor fins. The source/drain region includes a plurality of buffer layers. Respective layers of the plurality of buffer layers are embedded between respective layers of the source/drain region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2023
    Publication date: September 14, 2023
    Inventors: Tzu-Hsiang Hsu, Ting-Yeh Chen, Wei-Yang Lee, Feng-Cheng Yang, Yen-Ming Chen
  • Patent number: 11744084
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a semiconductor substrate, a gate structure, a source region, a drain region, an interconnect structure, a memory cell and a conductive via. The semiconductor substrate has a first side and a second side opposite to the first side. The gate structure is disposed over the first side of the semiconductor substrate. The source region and the drain region are disposed in the semiconductor substrate aside the gate structure. The interconnect structure is disposed over the first side of the semiconductor substrate and electrically connected to the source region. The memory cell is disposed over the second side of the semiconductor substrate and electrically connected to the drain region. The conductive via is disposed in the semiconductor substrate between the drain region and the memory cell and electrically connects the drain region and the memory cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2023
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hsiang-Ku Shen, Liang-Wei Wang, Dian-Hau Chen, Yen-Ming Chen
  • Patent number: 11735484
    Abstract: Semiconductor device and the manufacturing method thereof are disclosed. An exemplary semiconductor device comprises a first semiconductor stack and a second semiconductor stack over a substrate, wherein each of the first and second semiconductor stacks includes semiconductor layers stacked up and separated from each other; a dummy spacer between the first and second semiconductor stacks, wherein the dummy spacer contacts a first sidewall of each semiconductor layer of the first and second semiconductor stacks; and a gate structure wrapping a second sidewall, a top surface, and a bottom surface of each semiconductor layer of the first and second semiconductor stacks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2023
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Chih-Yu Hsu, Jian-Hao Chen, Chia-Wei Chen, Shan-Mei Liao, Hui-Chi Chen, Cheng Hong Yang, Shih-Hao Lin, Kuo-Feng Yu, Feng-Cheng Yang, Yen-Ming Chen
  • Patent number: 11735648
    Abstract: A semiconductor structure includes a first fin and a second fin protruding from a substrate, isolation features over the substrate to separate the first and the second fins, where a top surface of each of the first and the second fins is below a top surface of the isolation features, inner fin spacers disposed along inner sidewalls of the first and the second fins, where the inner fin spacers have a first height measured from a top surface of the isolation features, outer fin spacers disposed along outer sidewalls of the first and the second fins, where the outer fin spacers have a second height measured from the top surface of the isolation features that is less than the first height, and a source/drain (S/D) structure merging the first and the second fins, where the S/D structure includes an air gap having a top portion over the inner fin spacers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2023
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Chia-Ta Yu, Sheng-Chen Wang, Feng-Cheng Yang, Yen-Ming Chen, Sai-Hooi Yeong
  • Patent number: 11728344
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a first device disposed in an NMOS region of the semiconductor device. The first device includes a first gate-all-around (GAA) device having a vertical stack of nano-structure channels. The semiconductor device also includes a second device in a PMOS region of the semiconductor device. The second device includes a FinFET that includes a fin structure having a fin width. The fin structure is separated from an adjacent fin structure by a fin pitch. A maximum channel width of the nano-structure channels is no greater than a sum of: the fin width and the fin pitch. Alternatively, the second device includes a second GAA device having a different number of nano-structure channels than the first GAA device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2023
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: I-Hsieh Wong, Wei-Yang Lee, Feng-Cheng Yang, Yen-Ming Chen
  • Patent number: 11728375
    Abstract: A metal-insulator-metal (MIM) capacitor structure and a method for forming the same are provided. The MIM capacitor structure includes a first electrode layer formed over a substrate, and a first spacer formed on a sidewall of the first electrode layer. The MIM capacitor structure also includes a first dielectric layer formed on the first spacers, and an end of the first dielectric layer is in direct contact with the first pacer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2023
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Chih-Fan Huang, Chih-Yang Pai, Yuan-Yang Hsiao, Tsung-Chieh Hsiao, Hui-Chi Chen, Dian-Hau Chen, Yen-Ming Chen
  • Patent number: 11728223
    Abstract: A semiconductor device and methods of forming the semiconductor device are described herein and are directed towards forming a source/drain contact plug for adjacent finFETs. The source/drain regions of the adjacent finFETs are embedded in an interlayer dielectric and are separated by an isolation region of a cut-metal gate (CMG) structure isolating gate electrodes of the adjacent finFETs The methods include recessing the isolation region, forming a contact plug opening through the interlayer dielectric to expose portions of a contact etch stop layer disposed over the source/drain regions through the contact plug opening, the contact etch stop layer being a different material from the material of the isolation region. Once exposed, the portions of the CESL are removed and a conductive material is formed in the contact plug opening and in contact with the source/drain regions of the adjacent finFETs and in contact with the isolation region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2023
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Yen-Ting Chen, Wei-Yang Lee, Feng-Cheng Yang, Yen-Ming Chen
  • Publication number: 20230253478
    Abstract: A method includes forming a structure having a dummy gate stack over a fin protruding from a substrate. The fin includes an ML of alternating semiconductor layers and sacrificial layers. The method further includes forming a recess in an S/D region of the ML, forming a recess of the ML, and forming inner spacers on sidewalls of the sacrificial layers. Each inner spacer includes a first layer embedded in the sacrificial layer and a second layer over the first layer. The method further includes forming an S/D feature in the recess, such that the second layer of the inner spacers is embedded in the S/D feature. The method further includes removing the dummy gate stack to form a gate trench, removing the sacrificial layers from the ML, thereby forming openings interleaved between the semiconductor layers, and subsequently forming a high-k metal gate stack in the gate trench and the openings.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 10, 2023
    Publication date: August 10, 2023
    Inventors: I-Hsieh WONG, Wei-Yang LEE, Yen-Ming CHEN, Feng-Cheng YANG
  • Publication number: 20230253474
    Abstract: A semiconductor device including a gaseous spacer and a method for forming the same are disclosed. In an embodiment, a method includes forming a gate stack over a substrate; forming a first gate spacer on sidewalls of the gate stack; forming a second gate spacer over the first gate spacer; removing a portion of the second gate spacer, at least a portion of the second gate spacer remaining; removing the first gate spacer to form a first opening; and after removing the first gate spacer, removing the remaining portion of the second gate spacer through the first opening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 13, 2023
    Publication date: August 10, 2023
    Inventors: Yen-Ting Chen, Wei-Yang Lee, Feng-Cheng Yang, Yen-Ming Chen