Patents Examined by Hsien Ming Lee
  • Patent number: 12046662
    Abstract: A semiconductor device structure is provided. The semiconductor device structure includes a dielectric structure over the substrate. The semiconductor device structure includes a contact structure passing through the dielectric structure. The contact structure includes a contact layer, a first barrier layer, and a second barrier layer, the contact layer passes through the first barrier layer, the first barrier layer passes through the second barrier layer, the first barrier layer surrounds the contact layer, the second barrier layer surrounds a first upper portion of a sidewall of the first barrier layer and exposes a first lower portion of the sidewall of the first barrier layer, and the sidewall faces away from the contact layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2023
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2024
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Chia-Yang Wu, Shiu-Ko Jangjian, Ting-Chun Wang, Yung-Si Yu
  • Patent number: 12041764
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a buried word line transistor can include the following operations. A semiconductor substrate having an active region is provided. A first trench is formed in the active region. A first insulation layer is formed on a side wall of the first trench. A bottom portion of the first trench is etched to form a second trench. A gate oxide layer is formed on a side wall of the first insulation layer and a bottom portion and a side wall of the second trench. A barrier layer is formed at a bottom portion and portion of a side wall of the gate oxide layer. A metal filler layer is formed on an inner side of the barrier layer. The first insulation layer is removed to form a side trench. A second insulation layer is formed at a top end of the side trench. A sealed air spacer layer is formed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2024
    Assignee: CHANGXIN MEMORY TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Gongyi Wu, Nan Deng, Yuchen Wang
  • Patent number: 12040236
    Abstract: A method of microfabrication is provided. The method includes forming shell structures above a first layer including a first semiconductor material. The shell structures are electrically isolated from each other and electrically isolated from the first layer. The shell structures include at least one type of semiconductor material and each include a dielectric core structure. Each shell structure is configured to include a top source/drain (S/D) region, a channel region and a bottom S/D region serially connected in a vertical direction perpendicular to the first layer and have a current flow path in the vertical direction. A bottom contact structure connected to a respective bottom S/D region of each shell structure is formed. A gate structure is formed on a sidewall of a respective channel region of each shell structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2024
    Assignee: Tokyo Electron Limited
    Inventors: H. Jim Fulford, Mark I. Gardner
  • Patent number: 12033876
    Abstract: This disclosure discloses a mass transfer method and mass transfer device thereof for micro-LED devices, wherein the mass transfer method includes: coating a surface, provided with micro-LED devices, of an epitaxial substrate with a flexible covering solution; curing the flexible covering solution to form a flexible covering layer wrapping the micro-LED devices; turning over the epitaxial substrate with the flexible covering layer wrapping the micro-LED devices, for locating the epitaxial substrate on an upper side of the flexible covering layer; separating the epitaxial substrate from the micro-LED devices; butting a surface, provided with the micro-LED devices, of the flexible covering layer against a receiving substrate; turning over the receiving substrate in butt joint with the micro-LED devices, for locating the flexible covering layer on an upper side of the receiving substrate; and separating the flexible covering layer from the micro-LED devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2024
    Assignees: Beijing BOE Display Technology Co., Ltd., BOE Technology Group Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Bohua Chu, Bo Zhou, Yanming Liu
  • Patent number: 12033851
    Abstract: Device scaling has increased the device density of integrated circuits (ICs) and reduced the cost of circuits. Today development of new device structures, use of new materials and implementation of complex process steps are implemented to continue scaling of the semiconductor devices. The added manufacturing steps and complexity have increased cost of ICs directly impacting the implementation of IoT devices that need low cost and high yields to be successful. LEFT-ISD-LTSEE is a device that reduces the cost while improving device performance. LEFT-ISD-LTSEE is suitable for sub 28 nm sizes where random threshold variation due to impact of discrete dopants in and around the channel is reduced by elimination of implants and drives. Also, by having a flat field profile at and around the gate, by use of low temperature epitaxy as source/drain extension, the short channel effects, and the impact of line edge variations of the gate are reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2024
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2024
    Inventor: Mammen Thomas
  • Patent number: 12035534
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an integrated chip including a three-dimensional memory array. The three-dimensional memory array includes a first local line and a second local line that are elongated vertically, a first memory cell extending between the first local line and the second local line, and a second memory cell directly under the first memory cell, extending between the first local line and the second local line, and coupled in parallel with the first memory cell. The first memory cell is coupled to a first word line and the second memory cell is coupled to a second word line. The first word line and the second word line are elongated horizontally. A first global line is disposed at a first height and is elongated horizontally. A first selector extends vertically from the first local line to the first global line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2023
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2024
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Chen-Jun Wu, Yu-Wei Jiang, Sheng-Chih Lai
  • Patent number: 12032302
    Abstract: In a method of manufacturing a semiconductor device a semiconductor wafer is retrieved from a load port. The semiconductor wafer is transferred to a treatment device. In the treatment device, the surface of the semiconductor wafer is exposed to a directional stream of plasma wind to clean a particle from the surface of the semiconductor wafer. The stream of plasma wind is generated by an ambient plasma generator and is directed at an oblique angle with respect to a perpendicular plane to the surface of the semiconductor wafer for a predetermined plasma exposure time. After the cleaning, a photo resist layer is disposed on the semiconductor wafer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2024
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Chung-Hsuan Liu, Chen-Yang Lin, Ku-Hsiang Sung, Da-Wei Yu, Kuan-Wen Lin, Chia-Jen Chen, Hsin-Chang Lee
  • Patent number: 12020938
    Abstract: A method of forming an electrode on a substrate is disclosed. The method may include: contacting the substrate with a first vapor phase reactant comprising a titanium tetraiodide (TiI4) precursor; contacting the substrate with a second vapor phase reactant comprising a nitrogen precursor; and depositing a titanium nitride layer over a surface of the substrate thereby forming the electrode; wherein the titanium nitride layer has an electrical resistivity of less than 400 ??-cm. Related semiconductor device structures including a titanium nitride electrode deposited by the methods of the disclosure are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2024
    Assignee: ASM IP Holding B.V.
    Inventors: Moataz Bellah Mousa, Peng-Fu Hsu, Ward Johnson, Petri Raisanen
  • Patent number: 12012329
    Abstract: A method of fabricating a sensing device for DNA sequencing and biomolecule characterization including the steps of fabricating a microelectrode chip having a silicon substrate and a silicon nitride diaphragm, attaching a monolayer graphene sheet to the silicon nitride diaphragm, dicing a portion of the monolayer graphene sheet to form a graphene microribbon, converting the graphene microribbon to a graphene nanoribbon, and converting the graphene nanoribbon to a carbyne. A sensing device for DNA sequencing and biomolecule characterization is also disclosed. The sensing device includes a silicon substrate, a cavity in the silicon substrate covered by a silicon nitride layer, microelectrodes attached to the silicon nitride layer, graphene covering the microelectrodes, and carbyne attached to a portion of the silicon nitride layer covering said cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2024
    Assignee: Board of Trustees of the University of Arkansas
    Inventors: Steve Tung, Bo Ma, Ty Seiwert
  • Patent number: 12010848
    Abstract: Microelectronic devices include a stack structure with a vertically alternating sequence of insulative structures and conductive structures arranged in tiers. Conductive contact structures extend through the stack structure. An insulative material is between the conductive contact structures and the tiers of the stack structure. In a lower tier portion of the stack structure, a conductive structure, of the conductive structures, has a portion extending a first width between a pair of the conductive contact structures. In a portion of the stack structure above the lower tier portion, an additional conductive structure, of the conductive structures, has an additional portion extending a second width between the pair of the conductive contact structures. The second width is greater than the first width. Related methods and electronic systems are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2024
    Inventors: Anilkumar Chandolu, Indra V. Chary
  • Patent number: 12007701
    Abstract: A method for determining a layout of mark positions across a patterning device or substrate, the method including: obtaining a model configured to model data associated with measurements performed on the patterning device or substrate at one or more mark positions; obtaining an initial mark layout including initial mark positions; reducing the initial mark layout by removal of one or more mark positions to obtain a plurality of reduced mark layouts, each reduced mark layout obtained by removal of a different mark position from the initial mark layout; determining a model uncertainty metric associated with usage of the model for each reduced mark layout out of the plurality of reduced mark layouts; and selecting one or more reduced mark layouts based on its associated model uncertainty metric.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2024
    Assignee: ASML NETHERLANDS B.V.
    Inventors: Pavel Smal, Inez Marlena Sochal, Gautam Sarma
  • Patent number: 12009346
    Abstract: A device includes a lower semiconductor substrate, a lower gate structure on the lower semiconductor substrate, the lower gate structure comprises a lower gate electrode, a lower interlayer insulating film on the lower semiconductor substrate, an upper semiconductor substrate on the lower interlayer insulating film, an upper gate structure on the upper semiconductor substrate, and an upper interlayer insulating film on the lower interlayer insulating film, the upper interlayer insulating film covers sidewalls of the upper semiconductor substrate The upper gate structure comprises an upper gate electrode extending in a first direction and gate spacers along sidewalls of the upper gate electrode. The upper gate electrode comprises long sidewalls extending in the first direction and short sidewalls in a second direction The gate spacers are on the long sidewalls of the upper gate electrode and are not disposed on the short sidewalls of the upper gate electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2023
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2024
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Sung Min Kim, Dae Won Ha
  • Patent number: 12010826
    Abstract: A semiconductor structure includes a first transistor comprising a first gate structure over a first active region in a substrate. The semiconductor structure further includes a second active region in the substrate. The semiconductor structure further includes a first butted contact. The first butted contact includes a first portion extending in a first direction and overlapping the second active region, and a second portion extending from the first portion, wherein the second portion directly contacts each of a top surface and a sidewall of the first gate structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2023
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2024
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: You Che Chuang, Chih-Ming Lee, Hsin-Chi Chen, Hsun-Ying Huang
  • Patent number: 12002757
    Abstract: In an example of the present disclosure, a three-dimensional (3D) memory device includes a memory array structure and a staircase structure dividing the memory array structure into a first memory array structure and a second memory array structure along a lateral direction. The staircase structure includes a plurality of stairs, and a bridge structure in contact with the first memory array structure and the second memory array structure. A stair of the plurality of stairs includes a conductor portion on a top surface of the stair and electrically connected to the bridge structure, and a dielectric portion at a same level and in contact with the conductor portion. The stair is electrically connected to at least one of the first memory array structure and the second memory array structure. The conductor portion includes a portion overlapping with an immediately-upper stair and in contact with the dielectric portion and the bridge structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2023
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2024
    Assignee: YANGTZE MEMORY TECHNOLOGIES CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Di Wang, Wenxi Zhou, Zhiliang Xia, Zhong Zhang
  • Patent number: 12002864
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing the semiconductor structure includes: providing a substrate, in which active regions and isolation regions are formed; forming grooves in the active regions, which include first grooves located at upper portions and second grooves located at lower portions and communicating with the first grooves, and a width of the first grooves is greater than a width of the second grooves; and forming gate structures in the first grooves and the second grooves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2024
    Assignee: CHANGXIN MEMORY TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Wei Wan, Pan Wang, Xuesheng Wang
  • Patent number: 12002836
    Abstract: An imager having a pixel cell having an associated strained silicon layer. The strained silicon layer increases charge transfer efficiency, decreases image lag, and improves blue response in imaging devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2024
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Chandra Mouli
  • Patent number: 11990378
    Abstract: An embodiment method includes: forming fins extending from a semiconductor substrate; depositing an inter-layer dielectric (ILD) layer on the fins; forming masking layers on the ILD layer; forming a cut mask on the masking layers, the cut mask including a first dielectric material, the cut mask having first openings exposing the masking layers, each of the first openings surrounded on all sides by the first dielectric material; forming a line mask on the cut mask and in the first openings, the line mask having slot openings, the slot openings exposing portions of the cut mask and portions of the masking layers, the slot openings being strips extending perpendicular to the fins; patterning the masking layers by etching the portions of the masking layers exposed by the first openings and the slot openings; and etching contact openings in the ILD layer using the patterned masking layers as an etching mask.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2023
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2024
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Chien-Yuan Chen, Jui-Ping Lin, Chen-Ming Lee, Fu-Kai Yang, Mei-Yun Wang
  • Patent number: 11972978
    Abstract: A method used in forming a conductive via of integrated circuitry comprises forming a lining laterally over sidewalls of an elevationally-elongated opening. The lining comprises elemental-form silicon. The elemental-form silicon of an uppermost portion of the lining is ion implanted in the elevationally-elongated opening. The ion-implanted elemental-form silicon of the uppermost portion of the lining is etched selectively relative to the elemental-form silicon of a lower portion of the lining below the uppermost portion that was not subjected to said ion implanting. The elemental-form silicon of the lower portion of the lining is reacted with a metal halide to form elemental-form metal in a lower portion of the elevationally-elongated opening that is the metal from the metal halide. Conductive material in the elevationally-elongated opening is formed atop and directly against the elemental-form metal. Other embodiments, including structure independent of method, are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2024
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Yiping Wang, Jordan D. Greenlee, Collin Howder
  • Patent number: 11974434
    Abstract: An integrated circuit device includes a plurality of conductive lines extending in a horizontal direction parallel to a main surface of a substrate and overlapping one another in a vertical direction vertical to the main surface, on the substrate, a plurality of insulation layers each between two adjacent conductive lines of the plurality of conductive lines to extend in the horizontal direction, a channel layer extending in the vertical direction in a channel hole passing through the plurality of conductive lines and the plurality of insulation layers, and a plurality of outer blocking dielectric layers between the plurality of conductive lines and the channel layer, in at least some of the plurality of conductive lines, wherein a width of each of the plurality of outer blocking dielectric layers in the horizontal direction increases toward the main surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2024
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Sangyong Park, Hyunseok Na, Jaeduk Lee
  • Patent number: 11973026
    Abstract: A three-dimensional memory device includes an alternating stack of insulating layers and electrically conductive layers located over a substrate, memory openings located in a memory array region and vertically extending through the alternating stack, memory opening fill structures located in the memory openings, and laterally-isolated contact via assemblies located in a contact region. Each of the laterally-isolated contact via assemblies includes a contact via structure contacting a top surface of a respective one of the electrically conductive layers and an insulating spacer laterally surrounding the contact via structure and having an outer surface having a corrugated vertical cross-sectional profile in which first portions of the insulating spacer located at levels of the electrically conductive layers laterally protrude outward relative to second portions of the insulating spacer located at levels of the insulating layers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2024
    Assignee: SANDISK TECHNOLOGIES LLC
    Inventors: Michiaki Sano, Koichi Ito