Patents Assigned to Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing
  • Publication number: 20230154806
    Abstract: A memory device includes a first memory block. The first memory block includes a first memory sub-array and a first interface portion disposed next to the first memory sub-array. The first memory block further includes a plurality of first interconnect structures electrically coupled to the first memory sub-array through the first interface portion, and a second plurality of interconnect structures configured to electrically couple a corresponding one of the plurality of first interconnect structures to a transistor. The memory device further includes a first test structure and a second test structure disposed next to the first memory block, each configured to simulate electrical connections of the plurality of second interconnect structures. The first and second test structures are electrically coupled to each other and are each electrically isolated form the first memory block.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2021
    Publication date: May 18, 2023
    Applicant: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Meng-Han Lin, Chia-En Huang
  • Publication number: 20230154892
    Abstract: A semiconductor package structure is provided. The semiconductor package structure includes a carrier substrate, an interposer substrate, a connecting element, a first semiconductor device, a second semiconductor device, a first underfill layer, and a package layer. The interposer substrate is disposed on the carrier substrate. The connecting element is disposed in the interposer substrate. The connecting element includes a dielectric element and first conductive features disposed in the dielectric element. The first semiconductor device and the second semiconductor device are disposed on the interposer substrate. The first semiconductor device is electrically connected to the second semiconductor device through the connecting element. The first underfill layer is disposed between the first semiconductor device, the second semiconductor device, and the interposer substrate. The package layer surrounds the first semiconductor device, the second semiconductor device, and the first underfill layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 11, 2022
    Publication date: May 18, 2023
    Applicant: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yen-Chu TU, Shang-Lun TSAI, Monsen LIU, Shuo-Mao CHEN, Shin-Puu JENG
  • Publication number: 20230155007
    Abstract: Fins for use in gate all-around field effect transistors (GAAFETs) can be manufactured to have substantially uniform profiles, so the shapes of the fins are independent of size and pitch. Fin profile optimization from a tapered profile to a substantially uniform profile can be achieved via fin height control modulation using additional physical shaping operations to reduce pattern loading. These improvements in the fin profile can be accomplished by stacking and refilling a flowable chemical vapor deposition (FCVD) film multiple times and by using composition tuning during the FCVD process to further modulate fin profiles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 9, 2022
    Publication date: May 18, 2023
    Applicant: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing CO., Ltd.
    Inventor: Chih-Wei CHIANG
  • Publication number: 20230155003
    Abstract: A semiconductor device structure includes a fin structure over a semiconductor substrate and a dummy gate stack formed over the fin structure and having a first sidewall and an opposite second sidewall. The semiconductor device structure also includes a first and second source or drain (S/D) structures in the fin structure and respectively adjacent to the first and second sidewalls of the dummy gate stack. The semiconductor device structure further includes an isolation feature formed in the fin structure below the dummy gate stack and having a third sidewall and an opposite fourth sidewall. A first end of the third sidewall overlaps the first end of the fourth sidewall. A second end of the third sidewall is in direct contact with a bottom of the dummy gate stack. A second end of the fourth sidewall is separated from the bottom of the dummy gate stack.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 20, 2023
    Publication date: May 18, 2023
    Applicant: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Kuo-Cheng CHING, Shi-Ning JU, Kuan-Ting PAN, Kuan-Lun CHENG, Chih-Hao WANG
  • Publication number: 20230154916
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a first cell. The first cell is surrounded by a castle-shaped forbidden region. The first cell includes a first active region, a second active region, and at least one via. The first active region and the second active region extend along a first direction and are separated from each other along a second direction traverse to the first direction. The first active region partially overlaps an upper region of the castle-shaped forbidden region, and the second active region partially overlaps a lower region of the castle-shaped forbidden region. The at least one via is arranged outside the castle-shaped forbidden region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 17, 2023
    Publication date: May 18, 2023
    Applicant: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Shih-Wei PENG, Jiann-Tyng TZENG
  • Publication number: 20230154758
    Abstract: A method of forming a semiconductor device includes forming a source/drain region on a substrate, depositing a metal-rich metal silicide layer on the source/drain region, depositing a silicon-rich metal silicide layer on the metal-rich metal silicide layer, and forming a contact plug on the silicon-rich metal silicide layer. This disclosure also describes a semiconductor device including a fin structure on a substrate, a source/drain region on the fin structure, a metal-rich metal silicide layer on the source/drain region, a silicon-rich metal silicide layer on the metal-rich metal silicide layer, and a contact plug on the silicon-rich metal silicide layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 16, 2023
    Publication date: May 18, 2023
    Applicant: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Sung-Li WANG, Yasutoshi OKUNO, Shih-Chuan CHIU
  • Publication number: 20230154788
    Abstract: A semiconductor device structure is provided. The semiconductor device structure includes a first conductive line over a substrate. The semiconductor device structure includes a first protection cap over the end portion. The first protection cap and the first conductive line are made of different conductive materials, and the first protection cap exposes a peripheral region of a top surface of the end portion. The semiconductor device structure includes a first photosensitive dielectric layer over the substrate, the first conductive line, and the first protection cap. The semiconductor device structure includes a conductive via structure passing through the first photosensitive dielectric layer and connected to the first protection cap.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 13, 2023
    Publication date: May 18, 2023
    Applicant: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Ting-Li YANG, Wei-Li HUANG, Sheng-Pin YANG, Chi-Cheng CHEN, Hon-Lin HUANG, Chin-Yu KU, Chen-Shien CHEN
  • Publication number: 20230153508
    Abstract: A device is disclosed. The cell block includes a pin disposed at a Nth metal layer in a cell layout. The first metal interconnect is disposed at a (N+1)th metal layer above the Nth metal layer and stacked over the pin, and electrically coupled to the pin. The second interconnects are disposed at a (N+2)th metal layer and stacked over the first metal interconnect, and parallel to each other. The second metal interconnects are electrically coupled to the first metal interconnect, and forming an equivalent tapping point of the pin of the cell block. The equivalent tapping point and the pin are vertically overlapped with each other, and fabrication of the device is initiated after a DRC or a SEM simulation test is passed. A first width of at least one first metal interconnect is different from a second width of one of the plurality of second metal interconnects.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 19, 2023
    Publication date: May 18, 2023
    Applicant: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yi-Lin CHUANG, Huang-Yu CHEN, Yun-Han LEE
  • Publication number: 20230154762
    Abstract: A method of forming a semiconductor device is provided. The method includes forming a first film over an active region of a first side of a semiconductor substrate and a second film over a second side of the semiconductor substrate opposing to the first side of the semiconductor substrate; applying a chemical mechanical polishing to remove at least a portion of the second film; after the chemical mechanical polishing, forming a photoresist layer over the first film; and patterning the photoresist layer using an extreme ultraviolet radiation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2022
    Publication date: May 18, 2023
    Applicant: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Po-Wei Hu, Po-Chin Nien
  • Publication number: 20230154799
    Abstract: A method includes forming patterned masks over a semiconductor substrate; etching the semiconductor substrate using the patterned masks as an etch mask to form semiconductor fins with a trench between the semiconductor fins; performing an annealing process using a hydrogen containing gas to smooth surfaces of the semiconductor fins; after performing the annealing process, selectively forming a first liner on the smoothed surfaces of the semiconductor fins, while leaving surfaces of the patterned masks exposed by the first liner; filling the trench with a dielectric material; and etching back the first liner and the dielectric material to form an isolation structure between the semiconductor fins.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 6, 2023
    Publication date: May 18, 2023
    Applicant: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Chen-Cheng CHOU, Shiu-Ko JANGJIAN, Cheng-Ta WU
  • Publication number: 20230152681
    Abstract: A method includes forming a multi-layered reflective layer over a substrate; depositing a metal capping layer over the multi-layered reflective layer; depositing a first metal oxide layer over the metal capping layer; depositing a metal nitride layer over the first metal oxide layer; depositing a second metal oxide layer over the metal nitride layer; forming a plurality of features on the second metal oxide layer and the metal nitride layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 6, 2023
    Publication date: May 18, 2023
    Applicant: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Pei-Cheng HSU, Ta-Cheng LIEN, Hsin-Chang LEE
  • Publication number: 20230154972
    Abstract: Structures of a semiconductor device structure are provided. The semiconductor device structure includes a first insulating layer formed over a semiconductor substrate and an interconnect structure formed in the first insulating layer. The semiconductor device structure also includes a second insulating layer formed over the first insulating layer and a capacitor device embedded in the second insulating layer. The capacitor device includes a first capacitor electrode layer electrically connected to the interconnect structure, a capacitor insulating stack formed over the first capacitor electrode layer and a second capacitor electrode layer formed over the capacitor insulating stack. The capacitor insulating stack includes first layers alternatingly stacked with second layers. The dielectric constant of the first layer is different than the dielectric constant of the second layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 5, 2022
    Publication date: May 18, 2023
    Applicant: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yu-En JENG, Hsiang-Ku SHEN, Cheng-Hao HOU, Chen-Chiu HUANG, Dian-Hau CHEN
  • Publication number: 20230154810
    Abstract: A semiconductor package includes a first die. The first die has a first side and a second side different from the first side and includes a first seal ring. The first seal ring includes a first portion at the first side and a second portion at the second side, and a width of the first portion is smaller than a width of the second portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 17, 2023
    Publication date: May 18, 2023
    Applicant: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hsien-Wei Chen, Jie Chen, Ming-Fa Chen, Chih-Chia Hu
  • Publication number: 20230154838
    Abstract: A package structure is provided. The package structure includes a conductive structure having a first portion and a second portion, and the second portion is wider than the first portion. The package structure also includes a semiconductor chip laterally separated from the conductive structure. The package structure further includes a protective layer laterally surrounding the conductive structure and the semiconductor chip. The first portion of the conductive structure has a sidewall extending from the second portion to a surface of the protective layer. The protective layer laterally surrounds an entirety of the sidewall of the first portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 20, 2023
    Publication date: May 18, 2023
    Applicant: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Ling-Wei LI, Jung-Hua CHANG, Cheng-Lin HUANG
  • Publication number: 20230154849
    Abstract: Various layouts for conductive interconnects in the conductor layers in an integrated circuit are disclosed. Some or all of the conductive interconnects are included in a power delivery system. In general, the conductive interconnects in a first conductor layer are arranged according to an orthogonal layout and the conductive interconnects in a second conductor layer are arranged according to a non-orthogonal layout. Conductive stripes in a transition conductor layer positioned between the first and the second conductor layers electrically connect the conductive interconnects in the first conductor layer to the conductive interconnects in the second conductor layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 18, 2023
    Publication date: May 18, 2023
    Applicant: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Wan-Yu LO, Chung-Hsing WANG, Chin-Shen LIN, Kuo-Nan YANG, Meng-Xiang LEE, Hao-Tien KAN, Jhih-Hong YE
  • Publication number: 20230154881
    Abstract: A package structure including IPD and method of forming the same are provided. The package structure includes a die, an encapsulant laterally encapsulating the die, a first RDL structure disposed on the encapsulant and the die, an IPD disposed on the first RDL structure and an underfill layer. The IPD includes a substrate, a first connector on a first side of the substrate and electrically connected to the first RDL structure, a guard structure on a second side of the substrate opposite to the first side and laterally surrounding a connector region, and a second connector disposed within the connector region and electrically connected to a conductive via embedded in the substrate. The underfill layer is disposed to at least fill a space between the first side of the IPD and the first RDL structure. The underfill layer is separated from the connector region by the guard structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 17, 2023
    Publication date: May 18, 2023
    Applicant: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hua-Wei Tseng, Yueh-Ting Lin, Shao-Yun Chen, Li-Hsien Huang, An-Jhih Su, Ming-Shih Yeh, Der-Chyang Yeh
  • Publication number: 20230154921
    Abstract: A semiconductor device with air spacers and air caps and a method of fabricating the same are disclosed. The semiconductor device includes a substrate and a fin structure disposed on the substrate. The fin structure includes a first fin portion and a second fin portion. The semiconductor device further includes a source/drain (S/D) region disposed on the first fin portion, a contact structure disposed on the S/D region, a gate structure disposed on the second fin portion, an air spacer disposed between a sidewall of the gate structure and the contact structure, a cap seal disposed on the gate structure, and an air cap disposed between a top surface of the gate structure and the cap seal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2023
    Publication date: May 18, 2023
    Applicant: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Lin-Yu Huang, Chia-Hao Chang, Cheng-Chi Chuang, Chih-Hao Wang, Ching-Wei Tsai, Kuan-Lun Cheng
  • Publication number: 20230157011
    Abstract: A memory device includes a first transistor. The first transistor includes one or more first semiconductor nanostructures spaced apart from one another along a first direction. Each of the one or more first semiconductor nanostructures has a first width along a second direction perpendicular to the first direction. The memory device also includes a second transistor coupled to the first transistor in series. The second transistor includes one or more second semiconductor nanostructures spaced apart from one another along the first direction. Each of the one or more second semiconductor nanostructures has a second, different width along the second direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 20, 2023
    Publication date: May 18, 2023
    Applicant: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Meng-Sheng Chang, Chia-En Huang, Yi-Hsun Chiu, Yih Wang
  • Publication number: 20230154924
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a semiconductor substrate. The semiconductor device includes a first fin protruding from the semiconductor substrate and extending along a first direction. The semiconductor device includes a second fin protruding from the semiconductor substrate and extending along the first direction. A first epitaxial source/drain region coupled to the first fin and a second epitaxial source/drain region coupled to the second fin are laterally spaced apart from each other by an air void.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 2, 2023
    Publication date: May 18, 2023
    Applicant: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Te-Hsin Chiu, Kam-Tou Sio, Jiann-Tyng Tzeng
  • Publication number: 20230157028
    Abstract: A memory device includes a first stacking structure, a second stacking structure, a plurality of first isolation structures, gate dielectric layers, channel layers and channel layers. The first stacking structure includes a plurality of first gate layers, and a second stacking structure includes a plurality of second gate layers, where the first stacking structure and the second stacking structure are located on a substrate and separated from each other through a trench. The first isolation structures are located in the trench, where a plurality of cell regions are respectively confined between two adjacent first isolation structures of the first isolation structures in the trench, where the first isolation structures each includes a first main layer and a first liner surrounding the first main layer, where the first liner separates the first main layer from the first stacking structure and the second stacking structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 17, 2023
    Publication date: May 18, 2023
    Applicant: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Sheng-Chen Wang, Meng-Han Lin, Sai-Hooi Yeong, Yu-Ming Lin, Han-Jong Chia