Patents Examined by Lamont B Koo
  • Patent number: 11973120
    Abstract: A transistor structure includes a semiconductor substrate, a gate structure, a channel region, a first conductive region, and a first isolation region. The semiconductor substrate has a semiconductor surface. The gate structure has a length. The first conductive region is electrically coupled to the channel region. The first isolation region is next to the first conductive region. A length of the first conductive region between the gate structure and the first isolation is controlled by a single photolithography process which is originally configured to define the length of the gate structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2024
    Assignees: Etron Technology, Inc., Invention And Collaboration Laboratory Pte. Ltd.
    Inventor: Chao-Chun Lu
  • Patent number: 11972983
    Abstract: A transistor structure includes a semiconductor substrate, a gate structure, a channel region, a first conductive region, and a first isolation region. The semiconductor substrate has a semiconductor surface. The gate structure has a length. The first conductive region is electrically coupled to the channel region. The first isolation region is next to the first conductive region. A length of the first conductive region between the gate structure and the first isolation is controlled by a single photolithography process which is originally configured to define the length of the gate structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2024
    Assignees: Etron Technology, Inc., Invention And Collaboration Laboratory Pte. Ltd.
    Inventor: Chao-Chun Lu
  • Patent number: 11967532
    Abstract: A method of forming a semiconductor structure includes forming a semiconductor fin over a substrate, forming a dummy gate stack over the semiconductor fin, depositing a dielectric layer over the dummy gate stack, and selectively etching the dielectric layer, such that a top portion and a bottom portion of the dielectric layer form a step profile. The method further includes removing portions of the dielectric layer to form a gate spacer and subsequently forming a source/drain feature in the semiconductor fin adjacent to the gate spacer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2024
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Ta-Chun Lin, Kuo-Hua Pan, Chih-Yung Lin, Jhon Jhy Liaw
  • Patent number: 11967533
    Abstract: A method includes forming a first semiconductor fin and a second semiconductor fin over a substrate that both extend along a first direction. The method includes forming a dielectric fin extending along the first direction and is disposed between the first and second semiconductor fins. The method includes forming a dummy gate structure extending along a second direction and straddling the first and second semiconductor fins and the dielectric fin. The method includes removing a portion of the dummy gate structure over the dielectric fin to form a trench by performing an etching process that includes a plurality of stages. Each of the plurality of stages includes a combination of anisotropic etching and isotropic etching such that a variation of a distance between respective inner sidewalls of the trench along the second direction is within a threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2024
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Shu-Uei Jang, Shu-Yuan Ku, Shih-Yao Lin
  • Patent number: 11955369
    Abstract: An approach for creating a buried local interconnect around a DDB (double diffusion break) to reduce parasitic capacitance on a semiconductor device is disclosed. The approach utilizes a metal, as the local interconnect, buried in a cavity around the DDB region of a semiconductor substrate. The metal is disposed by two dielectric layers and the substrate. The two dielectric layers are recessed beneath two gate spacers. The buried local interconnect is recessed into the cavity where the top surface of the interconnect is situated below the top surface of the surrounding S/D (source/drain) epi (epitaxy). The metal of the local interconnect can be made from W, Ru or Co.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2024
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Lan Yu, Chen Zhang, Huimei Zhou, Ruilong Xie
  • Patent number: 11948842
    Abstract: A device includes a substrate; semiconductor fins extending from the substrate; a liner layer on sidewalls of the semiconductor fins; an etch stop layer over the substrate and extending laterally from a first portion of the liner layer on a first one of the semiconductor fins to a second portion of the line layer on a second one of the semiconductor fins; an isolation structure over the etch stop layer, wherein the etch stop layer and the isolation structure include different materials; a gate dielectric layer over a top surface of the isolation structure; and a dielectric feature extending through the gate dielectric layer and into the isolation structure, wherein the isolation structure and the dielectric feature collectively extend laterally from the first portion of the liner layer to the second portion of the line layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2024
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Ming-Chang Wen, Chang-Yun Chang, Hsien-Chin Lin, Hung-Kai Chen
  • Patent number: 11949013
    Abstract: In an embodiment, a device includes: a semiconductor substrate having a channel region; a gate stack over the channel region; and an epitaxial source/drain region adjacent the gate stack, the epitaxial source/drain region including: a main portion in the semiconductor substrate, the main portion including a semiconductor material doped with gallium, a first concentration of gallium in the main portion being less than the solid solubility of gallium in the semiconductor material; and a finishing portion over the main portion, the finishing portion doped with gallium, a second concentration of gallium in the finishing portion being greater than the solid solubility of gallium in the semiconductor material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2024
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Martin Christopher Holland, Blandine Duriez, Marcus Johannes Henricus van Dal, Yasutoshi Okuno
  • Patent number: 11942479
    Abstract: A device includes a channel layer, a gate structure, a source/drain epitaxial structure, and a gate via. The gate structure wraps around the channel layer. The gate structure includes a gate dielectric layer and a gate electrode over the gate dielectric layer. The source/drain epitaxial structure is adjacent the gate structure and is electrically connected to the channel layer. The gate via is under the gate structure and is in contact with a bottom surface of the gate electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2024
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventor: Yu-Lien Huang
  • Patent number: 11942498
    Abstract: An imaging device may include a plurality of single-photon avalanche diode (SPAD) pixels. The SPAD pixels may be overlapped by square toroidal microlenses to direct light incident on the pixels onto photosensitive regions of the pixels. The square toroidal microlenses may be formed as first and second sets of microlenses aligned with every other SPAD pixel and may allow the square toroidal microlenses to be formed without gaps between adjacent lenses. Additionally or alternatively, a central portion of each square toroidal microlenses may be filled by a fill-in microlens. Together, the square toroidal microlenses and the fill-in microlenses may form convex microlenses over each SPAD pixel. The fill-in microlenses may be formed from material having a higher index of refraction than material that forms the square toroidal microlenses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2024
    Assignee: SEMICONDUCTOR COMPONENTS INDUSTRIES, LLC
    Inventors: Marc Allen Sulfridge, Byounghee Lee, Ulrich Boettiger
  • Patent number: 11935990
    Abstract: A light emitting diode including a side reflection layer. The light emitting diode includes: a semiconductor stack and a light exit surface having a roughened surface through which light generated from an active layer is emitted; side surfaces defining the light exit surface; and a side reflection layer covering at least part of the side surfaces. The light exit surface is disposed over a first conductivity type semiconductor layer opposite to the ohmic reflection layer, all layers from the active layer to the light exit surface are formed of gallium nitride-based semiconductors, and a distance from the active layer to the light exit surface is 50 ?m or more.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2024
    Assignee: Seoul Viosys Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jong Min Jang, Chae Hon Kim, Chang Youn Kim, Jae Hee Lim
  • Patent number: 11923436
    Abstract: The present disclosure describes a semiconductor structure and a method for forming the same. The method can include forming a fin structure over a substrate. The fin structure can include a channel layer and a buffer layer between the channel layer and the substrate. The method can further include forming a recess structure in the channel layer. The recess structure can include a bottom surface over the buffer layer. The method can further include forming a first epitaxial layer over the bottom surface of the recess structure. The first epitaxial layer can include a first atomic concentration of germanium. The method can further include forming a second epitaxial layer over the first epitaxial layer. The second epitaxial layer can include a second atomic concentration of germanium greater than the first atomic concentration of germanium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2024
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chen-Heng Li, Yi-Jing Li, Chia-Der Chang
  • Patent number: 11916075
    Abstract: An integrated circuit (IC) structure includes a substrate having several regions, several semiconductor devices formed at the substrate and respectively within the regions, and an ultra-deep (UD) trench isolation structure formed in the substrate. The substrate has a top surface and a bottom surface oppositely, and the UD trench isolation structure formed in the substrate surrounds peripheries of each of the regions for structurally and physically isolating the semiconductor devices within different regions. The UD trench isolation structure penetrates the substrate by extending from the top surface of the substrate to the bottom surface of the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: UNITED MICROELECTRONICS CORP.
    Inventors: Wei-Lun Hsu, Yung-Chien Kung, Ming-Tsung Yeh, Yan-Hsiu Liu, Am-Tay Luy, Yao-Pi Hsu, Ji-Fu Kung
  • Patent number: 11910606
    Abstract: Some embodiments include a memory device having a vertical stack of alternating insulative levels and conductive levels. The conductive levels include first regions, and include second regions laterally adjacent to the first regions. The first regions have a first vertical thickness and at least two different metal-containing materials along the first vertical thickness. The second regions have a second vertical thickness at least as large as the first vertical thickness, and have only a single metal-containing material along the second vertical thickness. Dielectric-barrier material is laterally adjacent to the first regions. Charge-blocking material is laterally adjacent to the dielectric-barrier material. Charge-storage material is laterally adjacent to the charge-blocking material. Dielectric material is laterally adjacent to the charge storage material. Channel material is laterally adjacent to the dielectric material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: John D. Hopkins, Jordan D. Greenlee
  • Patent number: 11903206
    Abstract: A three-dimensional semiconductor device includes an upper substrate, a gate-stacked structure on the upper substrate, the gate-stacked structure including gate electrodes stacked within a memory cell array region, while being spaced apart from each other in a direction perpendicular to a surface of the upper substrate, and extending into an extension region adjacent to the memory cell array region to be arranged within the extension region to have a staircase shape, and at least one through region passing through the gate-stacked structure within the memory cell array region or the extension region, the at least one through region including a lower region and an upper region wider than the lower region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2024
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Jong Seon Ahn, Ji Sung Cheon, Young Jin Kwon, Seok Cheon Baek, Woong Seop Lee
  • Patent number: 11901359
    Abstract: A semiconductor device including a plurality of active regions extending in a first direction on a substrate; a device isolation layer between the plurality of active regions such that upper portions of the plurality of active regions protrude from the device isolation layer; a first gate electrode and a second gate electrode extending in a second direction crossing the first direction and intersecting the plurality of active regions, respectively, on the substrate, the first gate electrode being spaced apart from the second gate electrode in the second direction; a first gate separation layer between the first gate electrode and the second gate electrode; and a second gate separation layer under the first gate separation layer and between the first gate electrode and the second gate electrode, the second gate separation layer extending into the device isolation layer in a third direction crossing the first direction and the second direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2024
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD
    Inventors: Seung Soo Hong, Jeong Yun Lee, Geum Jung Seong, Jin Won Lee, Hyun Ho Jung
  • Patent number: 11894368
    Abstract: Gate-all-around integrated circuit structures fabricated using alternate etch selective material, and the resulting structures, are described. For example, an integrated circuit structure includes a vertical arrangement of horizontal nanowires. A gate stack is over the vertical arrangement of horizontal nanowires. A pair of dielectric spacers is along sides of the gate stack and over the vertical arrangement of horizontal nanowires. A metal oxide material is between adjacent ones of the vertical arrangement of horizontal nanowires at a location between the pair of dielectric spacers and the sides of the gate stack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2024
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Sudipto Naskar, Biswajeet Guha, William Hsu, Bruce Beattie, Tahir Ghani
  • Patent number: 11882707
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to integrated circuits including one or more rows of transistors and methods of forming rows of transistors. In an embodiment, an integrated circuit includes a row of bipolar transistors including a first semiconductor layer having a plurality of first conduction regions, a second semiconductor layer having a second conduction region, a common base between the first semiconductor layer and the second semiconductor layer, and a plurality of insulator walls extending in a first direction. The first conduction regions are separated from one another by the insulator walls. The integrated circuit further includes an insulating trench extending in a second direction and in contact with each of the bipolar transistors of the row of bipolar transistors. A conductive layer is coupled to the base, and the conductive layer extends through the insulator walls and extends at least partially into the insulating trench.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2024
    Assignee: STMicroelectro (Rousset) SAS
    Inventor: Philippe Boivin
  • Patent number: 11877445
    Abstract: Some embodiments include an integrated assembly having a CMOS region. Fins extend across the CMOS region and are on a first pitch. A circuit arrangement is associated with the CMOS region and includes segments of one or more of the fins. The circuit arrangement has a first dimension along a first direction. A second region is proximate the CMOS region. Conductive structures are associated with the second region. The conductive structures extend along a second direction different than the first direction. Some of the conductive structures are electrically coupled with the circuit arrangement. The conductive structures are on a second pitch different from the first pitch. A second dimension is a distance across said some of the conductive structures along the first direction, and the second dimension is substantially the same as the first dimension.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2024
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Sangmin Hwang, Kyuseok Lee, Christopher G. Wieduwilt
  • Patent number: 11869889
    Abstract: Self-aligned gate endcap (SAGE) architectures without fin end gaps, and methods of fabricating self-aligned gate endcap (SAGE) architectures without fin end gaps, are described. In an example, an integrated circuit structure includes a semiconductor fin having a cut along a length of the semiconductor fin. A gate endcap isolation structure has a first portion parallel with the length of the semiconductor fin and is spaced apart from the semiconductor fin. The gate endcap isolation structure also has a second portion in a location of the cut of the semiconductor fin and in contact with the semiconductor fin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Szuya S. Liao, Scott B. Clendenning, Jessica Torres, Lukas Baumgartel, Kiran Chikkadi, Diane Lancaster, Matthew V. Metz, Florian Gstrein, Martin M. Mitan, Rami Hourani
  • Patent number: 11869893
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are directed to a method for forming a complementary field effect transistor (CFET) structure having a wrap-around contact. In a non-limiting embodiment of the invention, a complementary nanosheet stack is formed over a substrate. The complementary nanosheet stack includes a first nanosheet and a second nanosheet separated by a dielectric spacer. A first sacrificial layer is formed over a source or drain (S/D) region of the first nanosheet and a second sacrificial layer is formed over a S/D region of the second nanosheet. A conductive gate is formed over channel regions of the first nanosheet and the second nanosheet. After the conductive gate is formed, the first sacrificial layer is replaced with a first wrap-around contact and the second sacrificial layer is replaced with a second wrap-around contact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Ruilong Xie, Chun-Chen Yeh, Alexander Reznicek, Dechao Guo