Patents Examined by Lamont B Koo
  • Patent number: 12087843
    Abstract: A device includes a semiconductor fin, an isolation layer, a dielectric fin structure, and a gate structure. The semiconductor fin is over a substrate. The isolation layer is over the substrate and adjacent the semiconductor fin. The dielectric fin structure is over the isolation layer and includes a bottom dielectric fin and a top dielectric fin. The isolation layer surrounds a bottom of the bottom dielectric fin. The top dielectric fin is over the bottom dielectric fin and is spaced apart from the isolation layer. The gate structure is across the semiconductor fin and the dielectric fin structure, wherein a portion of the gate structure in contact with the isolation layer has a first width, and another portion of the gate structure in contact with the top dielectric fin has a second width greater than the first width.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2024
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Wan-Yi Kao, Fang-Yi Liao, Che-Hao Chang, Yung-Cheng Lu, Chi On Chui
  • Patent number: 12080650
    Abstract: Contact structures and methods of forming the same are provided. A contact structure according to the present disclosure includes an etch stop layer (ESL), a first pillar feature and a second pillar feature disposed on the ESL, a metal feature disposed between the first pillar feature and the second pillar feature, the metal feature including a first sidewall, a bottom surface, a second sidewall, and a top surface, a dielectric liner extending continuously from a top surface of the first pillar feature, along the first sidewall, the bottom surface and the second sidewall of the metal feature, and onto a top surface of the second pillar feature, and a gap between the first pillar feature and a portion of the dielectric liner that extends along the first sidewall of the metal feature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2023
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2024
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Kai-Fang Cheng, Hsiao-Kang Chang, Ming-Han Lee
  • Patent number: 12068368
    Abstract: A method of forming a semiconductor device includes forming a first semiconductor strip protruding above a first region of a substrate and a second semiconductor strip protruding above a second region of the substrate, forming an isolation region between the first semiconductor strip and the second semiconductor strip, forming a gate stack over and along sidewalls of the first semiconductor strip and the second semiconductor strip, etching a trench extending into the gate stack and isolation regions, the trench exposing the first region of the substrate and the second region of the substrate, forming a dielectric layer on sidewalls and a bottom surface of the trench and filling a conductive material over the dielectric layer and in the trench to form a contact, where the contact extends below a bottommost surface of the isolation region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2024
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Tai-Yuan Wang, Shu-Fang Chen
  • Patent number: 12057504
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for minimizing silicon germanium facets in planar metal oxide semiconductor structures is disclosed. For example, a device fabricated according to the method may include a semiconductor substrate, a plurality of gate stacks formed on the substrate, a plurality of source/drain regions formed from silicon germanium, and a shallow trench isolation region positioned between two source/drain regions of the plurality of source/drain regions. Each source/drain region of the plurality of source/drain regions is positioned adjacent to at least one gate stack of the plurality of gate stacks. Moreover, the shallow trench isolation region forms a trench in the substrate without intersecting the two source/drain regions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2024
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yi-Sin Wang, Shan-Yun Cheng, Ching-Hung Kao, Jing-Jyu Chou, Yi-Ting Chen
  • Patent number: 12051638
    Abstract: A microfabrication device is provided. The microfabrication device includes a transistor plane formed on a substrate, the transistor plane including a plurality of field effect transistors; fluidic passages formed within the transistor plane; a dielectric fluid added to the fluidic passages; and a circulating mechanism configured to circulate the dielectric fluid through the transistor plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2024
    Assignee: Tokyo Electron Limited
    Inventors: Daniel Chanemougame, Lars Liebmann, Jeffrey Smith, Paul Gutwin
  • Patent number: 12051737
    Abstract: Semiconductor device and fabrication method are provided by providing initial fins discretely arranged on a substrate; forming an isolation structure on the substrate; forming a connecting layer on sidewalls of the initial fins and between adjacent initial fins; forming a dummy gate structure across the initial fins and the connecting layer on the substrate, covering sidewalls of the connecting layer and a portion of a top surface of the initial fins; forming grooves in the initial fins on both sides of the dummy gate structure, and forming source and drain doped layers in the grooves; forming a dielectric layer on the substrate, covering sidewalls of the dummy gate structure and the source and drain doped layers, that a top surface of the dielectric layer is flush with a top surface of the dummy gate structure; and removing the dummy gate structure to form a gate structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2024
    Assignees: Semiconductor Manufacturing International (Shanghai) Corporation, Semiconductor Manufacturing International (Beijing) Corporation
    Inventor: Nan Wang
  • Patent number: 12046666
    Abstract: In some examples, a gallium nitride (GaN)-based transistor, comprises a substrate; a GaN layer supported by the substrate; an aluminum nitride gallium (AlGaN) layer supported by the GaN layer; a p-doped GaN structure supported by the AlGaN layer; and multiple p-doped GaN blocks supported by the AlGaN layer, each of the multiple p-doped GaN blocks physically separated from the remaining multiple p-doped GaN blocks, wherein first and second contours of a two-dimensional electron gas (2DEG) of the GaN-based transistor are at an interface of the AlGaN and GaN layers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2024
    Assignee: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Chang Soo Suh, Sameer Prakash Pendharkar, Naveen Tipirneni, Jungwoo Joh
  • Patent number: 12046660
    Abstract: A method includes forming a protruding structure, and forming a non-conformal film on the protruding structure using an Atomic Layer Deposition (ALD) process. The non-conformal film includes a top portion directly over the protruding structure, and a sidewall portion on a sidewall of the protruding structure. The top portion has a first thickness, and the sidewall portion has a second thickness smaller than the first thickness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2024
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Ming-Ho Lin, Cheng-I Lin, Chun-Heng Chen, Chi On Chui
  • Patent number: 12040234
    Abstract: A method for fabricating a semiconductor device includes the steps of forming a metal gate on a substrate, a spacer around the metal gate, and a first interlayer dielectric (ILD) layer around the spacer, performing a plasma treatment process to transform the spacer into a first bottom portion and a first top portion, performing a cleaning process to remove the first top portion, and forming a second ILD layer on the metal gate and the first ILD layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2024
    Assignee: UNITED MICROELECTRONICS CORP.
    Inventors: Yi-Fan Li, Po-Ching Su, Yu-Fu Wang, Min-Hua Tsai, Ti-Bin Chen, Chih-Chiang Wu, Tzu-Chin Wu
  • Patent number: 12027376
    Abstract: Provided are methods of manufacturing an integrated circuit device including depositing a conductive layer on a substrate, patterning the conductive layer to expose regions of the conductive layer, etching a first portion of the exposed regions of the conductive layer, forming a first passivation layer on a sidewall of the first etched portion, etching a second portion of the exposed regions of the conductive layer, and forming a second passivation layer on a sidewall of the second etched portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2024
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Shahaji B. More, Chandrashekhar Prakash Savant
  • Patent number: 12027423
    Abstract: A method includes forming a semiconductor fin protruding higher than top surfaces of isolation regions. The isolation regions extend into a semiconductor substrate. A portion of the semiconductor fin is etched to form a trench, which extends lower than bottom surfaces of the isolation regions, and extends into the semiconductor substrate. The method further includes filling the trench with a first dielectric material to form a first fin isolation region, recessing the first fin isolation region to form a first recess, and filling the first recess with a second dielectric material. The first dielectric material and the second dielectric material in combination form a second fin isolation region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2024
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Chung-Ting Ko, Tai-Chun Huang, Jr-Hung Li, Tze-Liang Lee, Chi On Chui
  • Patent number: 12027583
    Abstract: A semiconductor device with different configurations of gate structures and a method of fabricating the semiconductor device are disclosed. The semiconductor device includes a stack of nanostructured channel regions disposed on a fin structure, a first gate structure disposed within the stack of nanostructured channel regions, a second gate structure surrounds the first gate structure about a first axis and surrounds the nanostructured channel regions about a second axis different from the first axis, and first and second contact structures disposed on the first and second gate structures, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2024
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Chansyun David Yang, Keh-Jeng Chang, Chan-Lon Yang, Perng-Fei Yuh
  • Patent number: 12009391
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes: a fin protruding above a substrate; source/drain regions over the fin; nanosheets between the source/drain regions; and a gate structure over the fin and between the source/drain regions, the gate structure including: a gate dielectric material around each of the nanosheets; a work function material around the gate dielectric material; a liner material around the work function material, where the liner material has a non-uniform thickness and is thicker at a first location between the nanosheets than at a second location along sidewalls of the nanosheets; and a gate electrode material around at least portions of the liner material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2024
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hsin-Yi Lee, Weng Chang, Chi On Chui
  • Patent number: 12009264
    Abstract: A method includes forming isolation regions extending into a semiconductor substrate, and recessing the isolation regions. After the recessing, a portion of a semiconductor material between the isolation region protrudes higher than top surfaces of the isolation regions to form a semiconductor fin. The method further includes forming a gate stack, which includes forming a gate dielectric on sidewalls and a top surface of the semiconductor fin, and depositing a titanium nitride layer over the gate dielectric as a work-function layer. The titanium nitride layer is deposited at a temperature in a range between about 300° C. and about 400° C. A source region and a drain region are formed on opposing sides of the gate stack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2024
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Hsin-Yi Lee, Ji-Cheng Chen, Cheng-Lung Hung, Weng Chang, Chi On Chui
  • Patent number: 12010863
    Abstract: A display device is provided. A first transistor, a second transistor, and a third transistor are disposed above the surface of a substrate. The first transistor includes a first semiconductor and a first gate electrode. The first semiconductor includes a silicon semiconductor. The first gate electrode overlaps the first semiconductor in view of the normal direction of the surface. The second transistor includes a second semiconductor including a first oxide semiconductor. The third transistor includes a third semiconductor and a third gate electrode. The third semiconductor includes a second oxide semiconductor. The third gate electrode overlaps the third semiconductor in view of the normal direction of the surface. A first electrode is disposed above and electrically connected to the third semiconductor. The first electrode overlaps the third gate electrode in a cross-sectional view of the display device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2024
    Assignee: INNOLUX CORPORATION
    Inventors: Chandra Lius, Yu-Sheng Tsai
  • Patent number: 12002715
    Abstract: A method includes forming a first fin and a second fin on a substrate; forming a dummy gate material over the first fin and the second fin; etching the dummy gate material using a first etching process to form a recess between the first fin and the second fin, wherein a sacrificial material is formed on sidewalls of the recess during the first etching process; filling the recess with an insulation material; removing the dummy gate material and the sacrificial material using a second etching process; and forming a first replacement gate over the first fin and a second replacement gate over the second fin, wherein the first replacement gate is separated from the second replacement gate by the insulation material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2024
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Ya-Yi Tsai, Wei-Ting Guo, I-Wei Yang, Shu-Yuan Ku
  • Patent number: 11996466
    Abstract: A method of forming a gas spacer in a semiconductor device and a semiconductor device including the same are disclosed. In accordance with an embodiment, a method includes forming a gate stack over a substrate; forming a first gate spacer on sidewalls of the gate stack; forming a second gate spacer on sidewalls of the first gate spacer; removing the second gate spacer using an etching process to form a first opening, the etching process being performed at a temperature less than 0° C., the etching process using an etching solution including hydrogen fluoride; and depositing a dielectric layer over the first gate spacer and the gate stack, the dielectric layer sealing a gas spacer in the first opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2024
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Chen-Huang Huang, Ming-Jhe Sie, Cheng-Chung Chang, Shao-Hua Hsu, Shu-Uei Jang, An Chyi Wei, Shiang-Bau Wang, Ryan Chia-Jen Chen
  • Patent number: 11984478
    Abstract: A method includes forming a first portion of a spacer layer over a first fin and a second portion of the spacer layer over a second fin, performing a first etching process to recess the first portion of the spacer layer with respect to the second portion of the spacer layer to form first spacers on sidewalls of the first fin, subsequently performing a second etching process to recess the second portion of the spacer layer with respect to the first spacers to form second spacers on sidewalls of the second fin, where the second spacers are formed to a height greater than that of the first spacers, and forming a first epitaxial source/drain feature and a second epitaxial source/drain feature between the first spacers and the second spacers, respectively, where the first epitaxial source/drain feature is larger than that of the second epitaxial source/drain feature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2024
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Shu Wen Wang, Chih-Teng Liao, Chih-Shan Chen, Jui Fu Hsieh, Dave Lo
  • Patent number: 11978736
    Abstract: Various embodiments of the present disclosure are directed towards an integrated chip (IC). The IC includes a first fin projecting vertically from a semiconductor substrate. A second fin projects vertically from the semiconductor substrate, where the second fin is spaced from the first fin, and where the first fin has a first uppermost surface that is disposed over a second uppermost surface of the second fin. A nanostructure stack is disposed over the second fin and vertically spaced from the second fin, where the nanostructure stack comprises a plurality of vertically stacked semiconductor nanostructures. A pair of first source/drain regions is disposed on the first fin, where the first source/drain regions are disposed on opposite sides of an upper portion of the first fin. A pair of second source/drain regions is disposed on the second fin, where the second source/drain regions are disposed on opposite sides of the nanostructure stack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2024
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Chih-Hao Wang, Min Cao, Shang-Wen Chang
  • 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