Patents Assigned to Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co.
  • Patent number: 11948972
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to methods for the formation of high-voltage nano-sheet transistors and low-voltage gate-all-around transistors on a common substrate. The method includes forming a fin structure with first and second nano-sheet layers on the substrate. The method also includes forming a gate structure having a first dielectric and a first gate electrode on the fin structure and removing portions of the fin structure not covered by the gate structure. The method further includes partially etching exposed surfaces of the first nano-sheet layers to form recessed portions of the first nano-sheet layers in the fin structure and forming a spacer structure on the recessed portions. In addition, the method includes replacing the first gate electrode with a second dielectric and a second gate electrode, and forming an epitaxial structure abutting the fin structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2024
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yu-Xuan Huang, Chia-En Huang, Ching-Wei Tsai, Kuan-Lun Cheng, Yih Wang
  • Patent number: 11948930
    Abstract: A method includes forming a set of through-vias in a substrate, the set of through-vias partially penetrating a thickness of the substrate. First connectors are formed over the set of through-vias on a first side of the substrate. The first side of the substrate is attached to a carrier. The substrate is thinned from the second side to expose the set of through-vias. Second connectors are formed over the set of through-vias on the second side of the substrate. A device die is bonded to the second connectors. The substrate is singulated into multiple packages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2024
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chin-Chuan Chang, Szu-Wei Lu, Chen-Hua Yu
  • Patent number: 11948936
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a semiconductor device. The semiconductor device includes a fin disposed in a first region of the semiconductor device, channel members disposed in a second region of the semiconductor device and stacked in a vertical direction, first and second metal gates disposed on a top surface of the fin, a third metal gate wrapping around each of the channel members, a first implant region in the fin with a first conductivity type, and a second implant region in the fin with a second conductivity opposite the first conductivity type. The fin includes first and second type epitaxial layers alternatingly disposed in the vertical direction. The first and second type epitaxial layers have different material compositions. The first type epitaxial layers and the channel members have the same material composition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2023
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2024
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Chih-Hung Wang, Chih Chieh Yeh, Zi-Ang Su, Chia-Ju Chou, Ming-Shuan Li
  • Patent number: 11948627
    Abstract: A write assist circuit can include a control circuit and a voltage generator. The control circuit can be configured to receive memory address information associated with a memory write operation for memory cells. The voltage generator can be configured to provide a reference voltage to one or more bitlines coupled to the memory cells. The voltage generator can include two capacitive elements, where during the memory write operation, (i) one of the capacitive elements can be configured to couple the reference voltage to a first negative voltage, and (ii) based on the memory address information, both capacitive elements can be configured to cumulatively couple the reference voltage to a second negative voltage that is lower than the first negative voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2024
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hidehiro Fujiwara, Chih-Yu Lin, Sahil Preet Singh, Hsien-Yu Pan, Yen-Huei Chen, Hung-Jen Liao
  • Patent number: 11947173
    Abstract: A package includes a photonic layer on a substrate, the photonic layer including a silicon waveguide coupled to a grating coupler; an interconnect structure over the photonic layer; an electronic die and a first dielectric layer over the interconnect structure, where the electronic die is connected to the interconnect structure; a first substrate bonded to the electronic die and the first dielectric layer; a socket attached to a top surface of the first substrate; and a fiber holder coupled to the first substrate through the socket, where the fiber holder includes a prism that re-orients an optical path of an optical signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2023
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2024
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chung-Ming Weng, Chen-Hua Yu, Chung-Shi Liu, Hao-Yi Tsai, Cheng-Chieh Hsieh, Hung-Yi Kuo, Tsung-Yuan Yu, Hua-Kuei Lin, Che-Hsiang Hsu
  • Patent number: 11950433
    Abstract: A memory device includes: a first conductor extending in parallel with a first axis; a first selector material comprising a first portion that extends along a first sidewall of the first conductor; a second selector material comprising a first portion that extends along the first sidewall of the first conductor; a first variable resistive material comprising a portion that extends along the first sidewall of the first conductor; and a second conductor extending in parallel with a second axis substantially perpendicular to the first axis, wherein the first portion of the first selector material, the first portion of the second selector material, and the portion of the first variable resistive material are arranged along a first direction in parallel with a third axis substantially perpendicular to the first axis and second axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2024
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jheng-Hong Jiang, Cheung Cheng, Chia-Wei Liu
  • Patent number: 11948918
    Abstract: A semiconductor device having a redistribution structure and a method of forming the same are provided. A semiconductor device includes a semiconductor structure, a redistribution structure over and electrically coupled the semiconductor structure, and a connector over and electrically coupled to the redistribution structure. The redistribution structure includes a base via and stacked vias electrically interposed between the base via and the connector. The stacked vias are laterally spaced apart from the base via.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2024
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Po-Han Wang, Yu-Hsiang Hu, Hung-Jui Kuo
  • Patent number: 11948800
    Abstract: A device includes a pair of gate spacers on a substrate, and a gate structure on the substrate and between the gate spacers. The gate structure includes an interfacial layer, a metal oxide layer, a nitride-containing layer, a tungsten-containing layer, and a metal compound layer. The interfacial layer is over the substrate. The metal oxide layer is over the interfacial layer. The nitride-containing layer is over the metal oxide layer. The tungsten-containing layer is over the nitride-containing layer. The metal compound layer is over the tungsten-containing layer. The metal compound layer has a different material than a material of the tungsten-containing layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2024
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yen-Yu Chen, Yu-Chi Lu, Chih-Pin Tsao, Shih-Hsun Chang
  • Patent number: 11948834
    Abstract: Integrated circuit devices and methods of forming the same are provided. A method according to the present disclosure includes providing a workpiece including a semiconductor substrate, a first ILD layer over the semiconductor substrate, and a first metal feature in the first ILD layer; depositing a second metal feature over the workpiece such that the second metal feature is electrically coupled to the first metal feature; patterning the second metal feature to form a first trench adjacent to the first metal feature; depositing a blocking layer over the workpiece, wherein the blocking layer selectively attaches to the first ILD layer; depositing a barrier layer over the workpiece, wherein the barrier layer selectively forms over the second metal feature relative to the first ILD layer; and depositing a second ILD layer over the workpiece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2024
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hsin-Yen Huang, Hai-Ching Chen, Shau-Lin Shue
  • Patent number: 11948835
    Abstract: A device comprises a first metal structure, a dielectric structure, a dielectric residue, and a second metal structure. The dielectric structure is over the first metal structure. The dielectric structure has a stepped sidewall structure. The stepped sidewall structure comprises a lower sidewall and an upper sidewall laterally set back from the lower sidewall. The dielectric residue is embedded in a recessed region in the lower sidewall of the stepped sidewall structure of the dielectric structure. The second metal structure extends through the dielectric structure to the first metal structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2024
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Che-Cheng Chang, Chih-Han Lin
  • Patent number: 11948988
    Abstract: The present disclosure describes a semiconductor structure and a method for forming the same. The semiconductor structure can include a substrate, a gate structure over the substrate, and a source/drain (S/D) region adjacent to the gate structure. The S/D region can include first and second side surfaces separated from each other. The S/D region can further include top and bottom surfaces between the first and second side surfaces. A first separation between the top and bottom surfaces can be greater than a second separation between the first and second side surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2024
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shahaji B. More, Cheng-Han Lee
  • Patent number: 11948839
    Abstract: The present disclosure describes a method to reduce power consumption in a fin structure. For example, the method includes forming a first and a second semiconductor fins on a substrate with different heights. The method also includes forming insulating fins between and adjacent to the first and the second semiconductor fins. Further, the method includes forming a first and second epitaxial stacks with different heights on each of the first and second semiconductor fins.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2024
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kuo-Cheng Ching, Chih-Hao Wang, Kuan-Lun Cheng
  • Patent number: 11948999
    Abstract: A device includes a first semiconductor fin, a second semiconductor fin, a source/drain epitaxial structure, a semiconductive cap, and a contact. The first semiconductor fin and the second semiconductor fin are over a substrate. The source/drain epitaxial structure is connected to the first semiconductor fin and the second semiconductor fin. The source/drain epitaxial structure includes a first protruding portion and a second protruding portion aligned with the first semiconductor fin and the second semiconductor fin, respectively. The semiconductive cap is on and in contact with the first protruding portion and the second protruding portion. A top surface of the semiconductive cap is lower than a top surface of the first protruding portion of the source/drain epitaxial structure. The contact is electrically connected to the source/drain epitaxial structure and covers the semiconductive cap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2024
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yen-Ru Lee, Chii-Horng Li, Chien-I Kuo, Heng-Wen Ting, Jung-Chi Tai, Lilly Su, Yang-Tai Hsiao
  • Patent number: 11948840
    Abstract: In an embodiment, a method includes forming a first fin and a second fin within an insulation material over a substrate, the first fin and the second fin includes different materials, the insulation material being interposed between the first fin and the second fin, the first fin having a first width and the second fin having a second width; forming a first capping layer over the first fin; and forming a second capping layer over the second fin, the first capping layer having a first thickness, the second capping layer having a second thickness different from the first thickness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2024
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hung-Yao Chen, Pin-Chu Liang, Hsueh-Chang Sung, Pei-Ren Jeng, Yee-Chia Yeo
  • Patent number: 11948989
    Abstract: Semiconductor device and the manufacturing method thereof are disclosed herein. An exemplary semiconductor device comprises a substrate; semiconductor layers over the substrate, wherein the semiconductor layers are separate from each other and are stacked up along a direction generally perpendicular to a top surface of the substrate; a dielectric feature over and separate from the semiconductor layers; and a gate structure wrapping around each of the semiconductor layers, the gate structure having a gate dielectric layer and a gate electrode layer, wherein the gate dielectric layer interposes between the gate electrode layer and the dielectric feature and the dielectric feature is disposed over at least a part of the gate electrode layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2024
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Cheng-Ting Chung, Yi-Bo Liao, Hou-Yu Chen, Kuan-Lun Cheng
  • Patent number: 11949001
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a semiconductor device and a method of manufacturing the semiconductor device. The semiconductor device includes channel members disposed over a substrate, a gate structure engaging the channel members, and an epitaxial feature adjacent the channel members. At least one of the channel members has an end portion in physical contact with an outer portion of the epitaxial feature. The end portion of the at least one of the channel members includes a first dopant of a first concentration. The outer portion of the epitaxial feature includes a second dopant of a second concentration. The first concentration is higher than the second concentration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2024
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Chih-Ching Wang, Chung-I Yang, Jon-Hsu Ho, Wen-Hsing Hsieh, Kuan-Lun Cheng, Chung-Wei Wu, Zhiqiang Wu
  • Patent number: 11948998
    Abstract: A method includes forming a semiconductor substrate having an oxide layer embedded therein, forming a multi-layer (ML) stack including alternating channel layers and non-channel layers over the semiconductor substrate, forming a dummy gate stack over the ML, forming an S/D recess in the ML to expose the oxide layer, forming an epitaxial S/D feature in the S/D recess, removing the non-channel layers from the ML to form openings between the channel layers, where the openings are formed adjacent to the epitaxial S/D feature, and forming a high-k metal gate stack (HKMG) in the openings between the channel layers and in place of the dummy gate stack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2024
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Xusheng Wu, Chang-Miao Liu, Huiling Shang
  • Patent number: 11949799
    Abstract: Disclosed is an input/output circuit for a physical unclonable function generator circuit. In one embodiment, a physical unclonable function (PUF) generator includes: a PUF cell array comprising a plurality of bit cells configured in a plurality of columns and at least one row, and at least one input/output (I/O) circuit each coupled to at least two neighboring columns of the PUF cell array, wherein the at least one I/O circuit each comprises a sense amplifier (SA) with no cross-coupled pair of transistors, wherein the SA comprises two cross-coupled inverters with no access transistor and a SA enable transistor, and wherein the at least one I/O circuit each is configured to access and determine logical states of at least two bit cells in the at least two neighboring columns; and based on the determined logical states of the plurality of bit cells, to generate a PUF signature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2024
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jui-Che Tsai, Shih-Lien Linus Lu, Cheng Hung Lee, Chia-En Huang
  • Patent number: 11948926
    Abstract: In an embodiment, a structure includes: a processor device including logic devices; a first memory device directly face-to-face bonded to the processor device by metal-to-metal bonds and by dielectric-to-dielectric bonds; a first dielectric layer laterally surrounding the first memory device; a redistribution structure over the first dielectric layer and the first memory device, the redistribution structure including metallization patterns; and first conductive vias extending through the first dielectric layer, the first conductive vias connecting the metallization patterns of the redistribution structure to the processor device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2024
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chen-Hua Yu, Wei Ling Chang, Chuei-Tang Wang, Chieh-Yen Chen
  • 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