Patents by Inventor Ziwei Fang

Ziwei Fang 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: 20220181467
    Abstract: A semiconductor structure includes an interfacial layer disposed over a semiconductor layer, a high-k gate dielectric layer disposed over the interfacial layer, where the high-k gate dielectric layer includes a first metal, a metal oxide layer disposed between the high-k gate dielectric layer and the interfacial layer, where the metal oxide layer is configured to form a dipole moment with the interfacial layer, and a metal gate stack disposed over the high-k gate dielectric layer. The metal oxide layer includes a second metal different from the first metal, and a concentration of the second metal decreases from a top surface of the high-k gate dielectric layer to the interface between the high-k gate dielectric layer and the interfacial layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 21, 2022
    Publication date: June 9, 2022
    Inventors: Hsueh Wen Tsau, Ziwei Fang, Huang-Lin Chao, Kuo-Liang Sung
  • Publication number: 20220172998
    Abstract: A method of forming a semiconductor device comprises forming a fin structure; forming a source/drain structure in the fin structure; and forming a gate electrode over the fin structure. The source/drain structure includes Si?x?yM1xM2y, where M1 includes Sn, M2 is one or more of P and As, 0.01?x?0.1, and 0.01?y?0.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 14, 2022
    Publication date: June 2, 2022
    Inventors: Yasutoshi OKUNO, Cheng-Yi PENG, Ziwei FANG, I-Ming CHANG, Akira MINEJI, Yu-Ming LIN, Meng-Hsuan HSIAO
  • Patent number: 11342231
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device is provided. A substrate is provided. The substrate has a first region and a second region. An n-type work function layer is formed over the substrate in the first region but not in the second region. A p-type work function layer is formed over the n-type work function layer in the first region, and over the substrate in the second region. The p-type work function layer directly contacts the substrate in the second region. And the p-type work function layer includes a metal oxide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2022
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Chung-Liang Cheng, Ziwei Fang
  • Patent number: 11289479
    Abstract: A fin-type field effect transistor comprising a substrate, at least one gate stack and epitaxy material portions is described. The substrate has fins and insulators located between the fins, and the fins include channel portions and flank portions beside the channel portions. The at least one gate stack is disposed over the insulators and over the channel portions of the fins. The epitaxy material portions are disposed over the flank portions of the fins and at two opposite sides of the at least one gate stack. The epitaxy material portions disposed on the flank portions of the fins are separate from one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2022
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Chun-Hsiung Tsai, Ziwei Fang, Tsan-Chun Wang, Kei-Wei Chen
  • Patent number: 11289482
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method that includes providing a semiconductor substrate having a first region and a second region; forming a first gate within the first region and a second gate within the second region on the semiconductor substrate; forming first source/drain features of a first semiconductor material with an n-type dopant in the semiconductor substrate within the first region; forming second source/drain features of a second semiconductor material with a p-type dopant in the semiconductor substrate within the second region. The second semiconductor material is different from the first semiconductor material in composition. The method further includes forming first silicide features to the first source/drain features and second silicide features to the second source/drain features; and performing an ion implantation process of a species to both the first and second regions, thereby introducing the species to first silicide features and the second source/drain features.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2022
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Su-Hao Liu, Yan-Ming Tsai, Chung-Ting Wei, Ziwei Fang, Chih-Wei Chang, Chien-Hao Chen, Huicheng Chang
  • Patent number: 11282940
    Abstract: A semiconductor structure that includes a semiconductor fin disposed over a substrate, S/D features disposed over the semiconductor fin, and a metal gate stack interposed between the S/D features. The metal gate stack includes a gate dielectric layer disposed over the semiconductor fin, a capping layer disposed over the gate dielectric layer, and a gate electrode disposed over the capping layer, where the gate dielectric layer includes hafnium oxide with hafnium atoms and oxygen atoms arranged in a Pca21 space group.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2022
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Cheng-Ming Lin, Kai Tak Lam, Sai-Hooi Yeong, Chi On Chui, Ziwei Fang
  • Publication number: 20220077296
    Abstract: The embodiments described herein are directed to a method for the fabrication of transistors with aluminum-free n-type work function layers as opposed to aluminum-based n-type work function layers. The method includes forming a channel portion disposed between spaced apart source/drain epitaxial layers and forming a gate stack on the channel portion, where forming the gate stack includes depositing a high-k dielectric layer on the channel portion and depositing a p-type work function layer on the dielectric layer. After depositing the p-type work function layer, forming without a vacuum break, an aluminum-free n-type work function layer on the p-type work function layer and depositing a metal on the aluminum-free n-type work function layer. The method further includes depositing an insulating layer to surround the spaced apart source/drain epitaxial layers and the gate stack.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 22, 2021
    Publication date: March 10, 2022
    Applicant: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Chung-Liang CHENG, Ziwei FANG, Chun-I WU, Huang-Lin CHAO
  • Patent number: 11264503
    Abstract: A method of fabricating a semiconductor device includes forming first and second nanostructured layers arranged in an alternating configuration on a substrate, forming first and second nanostructured channel regions in the first nanostructured layers, forming first and second gate-all-around structures wrapped around each of the first and second nanostructured channel regions. The forming the GAA structures includes depositing first and second gate barrier layers having similar material compositions and work function values on the first and second gate dielectric layers, forming first and second diffusion barrier layers on the first and second gate barrier layers, and doping the first and second gate barrier layers from a dopant source layer through the first and second diffusion barrier layers. The first diffusion barrier layer is thicker than the second diffusion barrier layer and the doped first and second gate barrier layers have work function values and doping concentrations different from each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2022
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chung-Liang Cheng, Ziwei Fang
  • Patent number: 11257923
    Abstract: A method includes removing a dummy gate structure to form a gate trench over a semiconductor layer, forming a high-k gate dielectric layer over an interfacial layer exposed in the gate trench, depositing a metal-containing precursor over the high-k gate dielectric layer to form a metal-containing layer, and subsequently depositing an aluminum-containing precursor over the metal-containing layer, where depositing the aluminum-containing precursor forms an aluminum oxide layer at an interface between the high-k gate dielectric layer and the interfacial layer and where the metal-containing precursor includes a metal different from aluminum. The method further includes, subsequent to depositing the aluminum-containing precursor, removing a portion of the metal-containing layer, depositing a work-function metal layer over a remaining portion of the metal-containing layer, and forming a bulk conductive layer over the work-function metal layer, resulting in a metal gate structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2022
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hsueh Wen Tsau, Ziwei Fang, Huang-Lin Chao, Kuo-Liang Sung
  • Patent number: 11251078
    Abstract: A method for forming a semiconductor device structure is provided. The method includes forming a first conductive feature over a semiconductor substrate. The method includes forming an oxygen-absorbing layer on a surface of the first conductive feature. The oxygen-absorbing layer absorbs oxygen from the first conductive feature and becomes an oxygen-containing layer. The method includes removing the oxygen-containing layer to expose the surface originally covered by the oxygen-containing layer. The method includes forming a metal-containing layer on the surface. The method includes forming a second conductive feature on the metal-containing layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2022
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chung-Liang Cheng, Ziwei Fang
  • Patent number: 11251087
    Abstract: A method of forming a semiconductor device including a fin field effect transistor (FinFET) includes forming a first sacrificial layer over a source/drain structure of a FinFET structure and an isolation insulating layer. The first sacrificial layer is patterned, thereby forming an opening. A first liner layer is formed on the isolation insulating layer in a bottom of the opening and on at least side faces of the patterned first sacrificial layer. After the first liner layer is formed, forming a dielectric layer in the opening. After the dielectric layer is formed, removing the patterned first sacrificial layer, thereby forming a contact opening over the source/drain structure. A conductive layer is formed in the contact opening. The FinFET is an n-type FET, and the source/drain structure includes an epitaxial layer including Si1?x?yM1xM2y, where M1 includes Sn, M2 is one or more of P and As, and 0.01?x?0.1, and 0.01?y?0.1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2022
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yasutoshi Okuno, Cheng-Yi Peng, Ziwei Fang, I-Ming Chang, Akira Mineji, Yu-Ming Lin, Meng-Hsuan Hsiao
  • Patent number: 11227951
    Abstract: A FinFET device and a method of forming the same are disclosed. In accordance with some embodiments, a FinFET device includes a substrate having at least one fin, a gate stack across the at least one fin, a strained layer aside the gate stack and a silicide layer over the strained layer. The strained layer has a boron surface concentration greater than about 2E20 atom/cm3 within a depth range of about 0-5 nm from a surface of the strained layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2022
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Chun-Hsiung Tsai, Chien-Tai Chan, Ziwei Fang, Kei-Wei Chen, Huai-Tei Yang
  • Patent number: 11211244
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method of fabricating a semiconductor structure, the method includes forming an opening and depositing a metal layer in the opening. The depositing includes performing one or more deposition cycles, wherein each deposition cycle includes flowing a first precursor into a deposition chamber and performing an ultraviolet (UV) radiation process on the first precursor. The method further includes performing a first purging process in the deposition chamber to remove at least a portion of the first precursor, flowing a second precursor into the deposition chamber, and purging the deposition chamber to remove at least a portion of the second precursor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2021
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing, Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Christine Y. Ouyang, Ziwei Fang
  • Publication number: 20210399107
    Abstract: A semiconductor structure is provided. The semiconductor structure includes nanostructures stacked over a substrate and spaced apart from one another, gate dielectric layers wrapping around the nanostructures respectively, nitride layers wrapping around the gate dielectric layers respectively, oxide layers wrapping around the nitride layers respectively, work function layers wrapping around the oxide layers respectively, and a metal fill layer continuously surrounding the work function layers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2021
    Publication date: December 23, 2021
    Applicant: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Chung-Liang CHENG, Ziwei FANG
  • Patent number: 11201060
    Abstract: Structures and formation methods of a semiconductor device structure are provided. The method includes forming a dummy gate stack over a semiconductor substrate and forming a spacer element over a sidewall of the dummy gate stack. The method also includes removing the dummy gate stack to form a recess exposing a semiconductor strip and forming an inhibition layer over an interior surface of the spacer element. The method further includes forming a gate dielectric layer in the recess to selectively cover the semiconductor strip. The inhibition layer substantially prevents the gate dielectric layer from being formed on the inhibition layer. In addition, the method includes forming a metal gate electrode over the gate dielectric layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2021
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Christine Y Ouyang, Ziwei Fang
  • Patent number: 11195931
    Abstract: A gate structure, a semiconductor device, and the method of forming a semiconductor device are provided. In various embodiments, the gate structure includes a gate stack and a doped spacer overlying a sidewall of the gate stack. The gate stack contains a doped work function metal (WFM) stack and a metal gate electrode overlying the doped WFM stack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2021
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chun-Hsiung Tsai, Kuo-Feng Yu, Chien-Tai Chan, Ziwei Fang, Kei-Wei Chen, Huai-Tei Yang
  • Patent number: 11195938
    Abstract: A method for forming a semiconductor structure is provided. The method includes patterning a semiconductor substrate to form a semiconductor fin, forming a source/drain structure on the semiconductor fin, forming an interfacial layer on the semiconductor fin, treating the interfacial layer with fluorine, forming a ferroelectric gate dielectric layer on the interfacial layer, treating the ferroelectric gate dielectric layer with fluorine, and forming a gate electrode layer on the ferroelectric gate dielectric layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2021
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Cheng-Ming Lin, Sai-Hooi Yeong, Chi-On Chui, Ziwei Fang
  • Publication number: 20210366785
    Abstract: The structure of a semiconductor device with different gate structures configured to provide ultra-low threshold voltages and a method of fabricating the semiconductor device are disclosed. The semiconductor device includes first and second nanostructured channel regions in first and second nanostructured layers, respectively, and first and second gate-all-around (GAA) structures surrounding the first and second nanostructured channel regions, respectively. The first GAA structure includes an Al-based gate stack with a first gate dielectric layer, an Al-based n-type work function metal layer, a first metal capping layer, and a first gate metal fill layer. The second GAA structure includes an Al-free gate stack with a second gate dielectric layer, an Al-free p-type work function metal layer, a metal growth inhibition layer, a second metal capping layer, and a second gate metal fill layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2021
    Publication date: November 25, 2021
    Applicant: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chung-Liang Cheng, Ziwei FANG
  • Patent number: 11183574
    Abstract: The embodiments described herein are directed to a method for the fabrication of transistors with aluminum-free n-type work function layers as opposed to aluminum-based n-type work function layers. The method includes forming a channel portion disposed between spaced apart source/drain epitaxial layers and forming a gate stack on the channel portion, where forming the gate stack includes depositing a high-k dielectric layer on the channel portion and depositing a p-type work function layer on the dielectric layer. After depositing the p-type work function layer, forming without a vacuum break, an aluminum-free n-type work function layer on the p-type work function layer and depositing a metal on the aluminum-free n-type work function layer. The method further includes depositing an insulating layer to surround the spaced apart source/drain epitaxial layers and the gate stack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2021
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chung-Liang Cheng, Ziwei Fang, Chun-I Wu, Huang-Lin Chao
  • Patent number: 11177259
    Abstract: The present disclosure describes a semiconductor device that includes a semiconductor device that includes a first transistor having a first gate structure. The first gate structure includes a first gate dielectric layer doped with a first dopant at a first dopant concentration and a first work function layer on the first gate dielectric layer. The first gate structure also includes a first gate electrode on the first work function layer. The semiconductor device also includes a second transistor having a second gate structure, where the second gate structure includes a second gate dielectric layer doped with a second dopant at a second dopant concentration lower than the first dopant concentration. The second gate structure also includes a second work function layer on the second gate dielectric layer and a second gate electrode on the second work function layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2021
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chung-Liang Cheng, I-Ming Chang, Ziwei Fang, Huang-Lin Chao