Patents by Inventor Chai-Wei Chang

Chai-Wei Chang has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Publication number: 20200126864
    Abstract: A method for forming a semiconductor device structure is provided. The method includes forming a dielectric layer over a substrate. The substrate has a fin structure, and the dielectric layer has a trench exposing a portion of the fin structure. The method includes forming a gate material layer in the trench. The method includes forming a planarization layer over the gate material layer. The planarization layer includes a first material that is different from a second material of the gate material layer and a third material of the dielectric layer. The method includes performing an etching process to remove the planarization layer and a first upper portion of the gate material layer so as to form a gate in the trench.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2019
    Publication date: April 23, 2020
    Inventors: Chai-Wei Chang, Po-Chi Wu, Wen-Han Fang
  • Publication number: 20200066719
    Abstract: A FinFET device structure is provided. The FinFET device structure includes an isolation structure formed over a substrate and a fin structure formed over the substrate. The FinFET device structure includes a first gate structure and a second gate structure formed over the fin structure, and the first gate structure has a first width in a direction parallel to the fin structure, the second gate structure has a second width in a direction parallel to the fin structure, and the first width is smaller than the second width. The first gate structure includes a first work function layer having a first height. The second gate structure includes a second work function layer having a second height and a gap between the first height and the second height is in a range from about 1 nm to about 6 nm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2019
    Publication date: February 27, 2020
    Inventors: Chai-Wei Chang, Po-Chi Wu, Yi-Cheng Chao, Che-Cheng Chang
  • Publication number: 20200066880
    Abstract: Methods for forming the semiconductor structure are provided. The method includes forming a fin structure and forming a gate dielectric layer across the fin structure. The method includes forming a work function metal layer over the gate dielectric layer and forming a gate electrode layer over the work function metal layer. The method further includes etching the work function metal layer to form a gap and etching the gate dielectric layer to enlarge the gap. The method further includes etching the gate electrode layer from the enlarged gap and forming a dielectric layer covering the gate dielectric layer, the work function metal layer, and the gate electrode layer. In addition, the dielectric layer includes a first portion, a second portion, and a third portion, and the first portion is thicker than the second portion, and the second portion is thicker than the third portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2019
    Publication date: February 27, 2020
    Applicant: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Chai-Wei CHANG, Che-Cheng CHANG, Po-Chi WU, Yi-Cheng CHAO
  • Patent number: 10522411
    Abstract: A method for forming a semiconductor device structure is provided. The method includes forming a dielectric layer over a substrate. The substrate has a fin structure, and the dielectric layer has a trench exposing a portion of the fin structure. The method includes forming a gate material layer in the trench. The method includes forming a planarization layer over the gate material layer. The planarization layer includes a first material that is different from a second material of the gate material layer and a third material of the dielectric layer. The method includes performing an etching process to remove the planarization layer and a first upper portion of the gate material layer so as to form a gate in the trench.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2019
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chai-Wei Chang, Po-Chi Wu, Wen-Han Fang
  • Patent number: 10483370
    Abstract: Semiconductor structures are provided. The semiconductor structure includes a fin structure formed over a substrate and a gate structure formed across the fin structure. In addition, the gate structure includes a gate dielectric layer formed over the substrate and a work function metal layer formed over a portion of the gate dielectric layer. The gate structure further includes a gate electrode layer formed over a portion of the work function metal layer. In addition, a top surface of the gate electrode layer is located at a position that is higher than that of a top surface of the gate dielectric layer, and the top surface of the gate dielectric layer is located at a position that is higher than that of a top surface of the work function layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2019
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Chai-Wei Chang, Che-Cheng Chang, Po-Chi Wu, Yi-Cheng Chao
  • Patent number: 10468407
    Abstract: A FinFET device structure is provided. The FinFET device structure includes an isolation structure formed over a substrate and a fin structure formed over the substrate. The FinFET device structure includes a first gate structure and a second gate structure formed over the fin structure, and the first gate structure has a first width in a direction parallel to the fin structure, the second gate structure has a second width in a direction parallel to the fin structure, and the first width is smaller than the second width. The first gate structure includes a first work function layer having a first height. The second gate structure includes a second work function layer having a second height and a gap between the first height and the second height is in a range from about 1 nm to about 6 nm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2019
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chai-Wei Chang, Che-Cheng Chang, Po-Chi Wu, Yi-Cheng Chao
  • Publication number: 20190334016
    Abstract: Structures and formation methods of a semiconductor device structure are provided. The semiconductor device structure includes a gate stack over a semiconductor substrate and a cap element over the gate stack. The cap element has an upper portion and a lower portion, and the upper portion is wider than the lower portion. The semiconductor device structure also includes a spacer element over a sidewall of the cap element and a sidewall of the gate stack.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 9, 2019
    Publication date: October 31, 2019
    Inventors: Po-Chi Wu, Chai-Wei Chang, Kuo-Hui Chang, Yi-Cheng Chao
  • Publication number: 20190305113
    Abstract: Structures and formation methods of a semiconductor device structure are provided. The semiconductor device structure includes a gate stack over a semiconductor substrate and a cap element over the gate stack. The cap element has an upper portion and a lower portion, and the upper portion is wider than the lower portion. The semiconductor device structure also includes a spacer element over a sidewall of the cap element and a sidewall of the gate stack.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 21, 2019
    Publication date: October 3, 2019
    Inventors: Po-Chi Wu, Chai-Wei Chang, Kuo-Hui Chang, Yi-Cheng Chao
  • Patent number: 10411113
    Abstract: Structures and formation methods of a semiconductor device structure are provided. The semiconductor device structure includes a gate stack over a semiconductor substrate and a cap element over the gate stack. The cap element has an upper portion and a lower portion, and the upper portion is wider than the lower portion. The semiconductor device structure also includes a spacer element over a sidewall of the cap element and a sidewall of the gate stack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2019
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Po-Chi Wu, Chai-Wei Chang, Kuo-Hui Chang, Yi-Cheng Chao
  • Publication number: 20190252539
    Abstract: A method for forming a semiconductor device structure is provided. The method includes forming a dielectric layer over a substrate. The dielectric layer has a trench passing through the dielectric layer. The method includes forming a gate stack in the trench. The method includes performing a hydrogen-containing plasma process over the gate stack. The method includes removing a top portion of the gate stack to form a first recess surrounded by the gate stack and the dielectric layer. The method includes forming a cap layer in the first recess to fill the first recess.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 22, 2019
    Publication date: August 15, 2019
    Inventors: Po-Chi Wu, Chai-Wei Chang, Jung-Jui Li, Ya-Lan Chang, Yi-Cheng Chao
  • Publication number: 20190244830
    Abstract: A FinFET device structure and method for forming the same are provided. The fin field effect transistor (FinFET) device structure includes a fin structure formed over a substrate and a gate structure traversing over the fin structure. The gate structure includes a gate electrode layer which includes an upper portion above the fin structure and a lower portion below the fin structure. The upper portion has a top surface with a first width, the lower portion has a bottom surface with a second width, and the first width is greater than the second width.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 15, 2019
    Publication date: August 8, 2019
    Inventors: Chang-Yin Chen, Chai-Wei Chang, Chia-Yang Liao, Bo-Feng Young
  • Patent number: 10312149
    Abstract: A fin field effect transistor (FinFET) device structure is provided. The FinFET structure includes a substrate, and the substrate includes a first region and a second region. The FinFET structure includes a first plurality of fin structures formed on the first region and a second plurality of fin structures formed on the second region. A density of the first plurality of fin structures is greater than a density of the second plurality of fin structures. The FinFET structure also includes a plurality of protruding structures between two adjacent second plurality of fin structures in the second region and an isolation structure formed on the substrate. The isolation structure has a gap height between the first plurality of fin structures and the second plurality of fin structures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2019
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD
    Inventors: Yi-Cheng Chao, Chai-Wei Chang, Po-Chi Wu, Jung-Jui Li
  • Publication number: 20190148241
    Abstract: A fin field effect transistor (FinFET) device structure is provided. The FinFET structure includes a substrate, and the substrate includes a first region and a second region. The FinFET structure includes a first plurality of fin structures formed on the first region and a second plurality of fin structures formed on the second region. A density of the first plurality of fin structures is greater than a density of the second plurality of fin structures. The FinFET structure also includes a plurality of protruding structures between two adjacent second plurality of fin structures in the second region and an isolation structure formed on the substrate. The isolation structure has a gap height between the first plurality of fin structures and the second plurality of fin structures.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2017
    Publication date: May 16, 2019
    Applicant: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD
    Inventors: Yi-Cheng CHAO, Chai-Wei CHANG, Po-Chi WU, Jung-Jui LI
  • Patent number: 10269794
    Abstract: In accordance with some embodiments, conductive material is removed from over a first plurality of fins and second plurality of fins, wherein the first plurality of fins is located within a small gate length region and the second plurality of fins is located in a large gate length region. The removal is performed by initially performed a dry etch with a low pressure and a high flow rate of at least one etchant, which causes the conductive material to have a larger thickness over the second plurality of fins than over the first plurality of fins. As such, when a wet etch is utilized to remove a remainder of the conductive material, dielectric material between the second plurality of fins and the conductive material is not damaged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2019
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Chai-Wei Chang, Po-Chi Wu, Che-Cheng Chang
  • Patent number: 10269651
    Abstract: A FinFET device structure and method for forming the same are provided. The FinFET device structure includes a fin structure formed over a substrate and a gate structure traversing over the fin structure. The gate structure includes a gate electrode layer which includes an upper portion above the fin structure and a lower portion below the fin structure, the virtual surface is formed between the upper portion and the lower portion, and the lower portion has a tapered width which is gradually tapered from the virtual interface to a bottom surface of the lower portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2019
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chang-Yin Chen, Chai-Wei Chang, Yi-Jen Chen, Bo-Feng Young
  • Patent number: 10269963
    Abstract: A method for forming a semiconductor device structure is provided. The method includes forming a dielectric layer over a substrate. The dielectric layer has a trench passing through the dielectric layer. The method includes forming a gate stack in the trench. The method includes performing a hydrogen-containing plasma process over the gate stack. The method includes removing a top portion of the gate stack to form a first recess surrounded by the gate stack and the dielectric layer. The method includes forming a cap layer in the first recess to fill the first recess.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2019
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Po-Chi Wu, Chai-wei Chang, Jung-Jui Li, Ya-Lan Chang, Yi-Cheng Chao
  • Patent number: 10262870
    Abstract: A FinFET device structure and method for forming the same are provided. The fin field effect transistor (FinFET) device structure includes a fin structure formed over a substrate and a gate structure traversing over the fin structure. The gate structure includes a gate electrode layer which includes an upper portion above the fin structure and a lower portion below the fin structure. The upper portion has a top surface with a first width, the lower portion has a bottom surface with a second width, and the first width is greater than the second width.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2019
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chang-Yin Chen, Chai-Wei Chang, Chia-Yang Liao, Bo-Feng Young
  • Publication number: 20180337246
    Abstract: A method for fabricating a semiconductor component includes forming an interlayer dielectric (ILD) layer on a substrate, forming a trench in the interlayer dielectric layer, forming a metal gate in the trench, removing a portion of the metal gate protruding from the ILD layer, reacting a reducing gas with the metal gate, and removing a top portion of the metal gate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2018
    Publication date: November 22, 2018
    Inventors: Po-Chi Wu, Chai-Wei Chang, Jung-Jui Li, Ya-Lan Chang, Yi-Cheng Chao
  • Publication number: 20180337095
    Abstract: A FinFET device structure and method for forming the same are provided. The FinFET device structure includes a fin structure formed over a substrate and a gate structure traversing over the fin structure. The gate structure includes a gate electrode layer which includes an upper portion above the fin structure and a lower portion below the fin structure, the virtual surface is formed between the upper portion and the lower portion, and the lower portion has a tapered width which is gradually tapered from the virtual interface to a bottom surface of the lower portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2018
    Publication date: November 22, 2018
    Inventors: Chang-Yin Chen, Chai-Wei Chang, Bo-Feng Young, Yi-Jen Chen
  • Patent number: 10090396
    Abstract: A method for fabricating a semiconductor component includes forming an interlayer dielectric (ILD) layer on a substrate, forming a trench in the interlayer dielectric layer, forming a metal gate in the trench, removing a portion of the metal gate protruding from the ILD layer, reacting a reducing gas with the metal gate, and removing a top portion of the metal gate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2018
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Po-Chi Wu, Chai-Wei Chang, Jung-Jui Li, Ya-Lan Chang, Yi-Cheng Chao