Patents by Inventor Che-Cheng Chang

Che-Cheng 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).

  • Patent number: 10978450
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a semiconductor device and a semiconductor fin on the semiconductor substrate, in which the semiconductor fin has a fin isolation structure at a common boundary that is shared by the two cells. The fin isolation structure has an air gap extending from a top of the semiconductor fin to a stop layer on the semiconductor substrate. The air gap divides the semiconductor fin into two portions of the semiconductor fin. The fin isolation structure includes a dielectric cap layer capping a top of the air gap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2021
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY LIMITED
    Inventors: Che-Cheng Chang, Chih-Han Lin
  • Patent number: 10964819
    Abstract: A fin field effect transistor (FinFET) device structure and method for forming the FinFET device structure are provided. The FinFET structure includes a substrate, and the substrate includes a core region and an I/O region. The FinFET structure includes a first etched fin structure formed in the core region, and a second etched fin structure formed in the I/O region. The FinFET structure further includes a plurality of gate stack structures formed over the first etched fin structure and the second etched fin structure, and a width of the first etched fin structure is smaller than a width of the second etched fin structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2021
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Zhe-Hao Zhang, Tung-Wen Cheng, Che-Cheng Chang, Yung-Jung Chang
  • Patent number: 10957777
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a semiconductor structure includes forming a first dielectric layer on a gate structure and a source drain structure. A recess is formed at least partially in the first dielectric layer. A protection layer is formed at least on a sidewall of the recess. The recess is deepened to expose the source drain structure. A bottom conductor is formed in the recess and is electrically connected to the source drain structure. The protection layer is removed to form a gap between the bottom conductor and the sidewall of the recess.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2021
    Assignee: Taiwan Seminconductor Manufacturing Company Limite
    Inventors: Che-Cheng Chang, Chih-Han Lin, Horng-Huei Tseng
  • Publication number: 20210082748
    Abstract: A method of forming a semiconductor device includes forming a material layer over a substrate and forming a first trench in the material layer, forming a conformal capping layer along sidewalls of the first trench, forming a second trench in the material layer while the capping layer is disposed along sidewalls of the first trench and forming a conductive feature within the first trench and the second trench.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2020
    Publication date: March 18, 2021
    Inventors: Che-Cheng Chang, Chih-Han Lin
  • Publication number: 20210074859
    Abstract: A fin field effect transistor (FinFET) device structure and method for forming FinFET device structure are provided. The FinFET structure includes a substrate and an isolation structure formed on the substrate. The FinFET structure also includes a fin structure extending above the substrate, and the fin structure is embedded in the isolation structure. The FinFET structure further includes an epitaxial structure formed on the fin structure, the epitaxial structure has a pentagon-like shape, and an interface between the epitaxial structure and the fin structure is lower than a top surface of the isolation structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2020
    Publication date: March 11, 2021
    Inventors: Zhe-Hao Zhang, Tung-Wen Cheng, Che-Cheng Chang, Yung-Jung Chang, Chang-Yin Chen
  • Publication number: 20210074840
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes an isolation insulating layer disposed over a substrate, a semiconductor fin disposed over the substrate, an upper portion of the semiconductor fin protruding from the isolation insulating layer and a lower portion of the semiconductor fin being embedded in the isolation insulating layer, a gate structure disposed over the upper portion of the semiconductor fin and including a gate dielectric layer and a gate electrode layer, gate sidewall spacers disposed over opposing side faces of the gate structure, and a source/drain epitaxial layer. The upper portion of the semiconductor fin includes a first epitaxial growth enhancement layer made of a semiconductor material different from a remaining part of the semiconductor fin. The first epitaxial growth enhancement layer is in contact with the source/drain epitaxial layer. The gate dielectric layer covers the upper portion of the semiconductor fin including the first epitaxial growth enhancement layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 5, 2019
    Publication date: March 11, 2021
    Inventors: Chang-Yin CHEN, Che-Cheng CHANG, Chih-Han LIN
  • Publication number: 20210074591
    Abstract: A method includes providing a structure having a substrate and a fin protruding from the substrate, forming a gate stack layer over the fin, and patterning the gate stack layer in forming a gate stack. The patterning of the gate stack layer simultaneously forms a passivation layer on sidewall surfaces of the gate stack. The method also includes removing a bottom portion of the passivation layer, thereby exposing a bottom portion of the gate stack, while a top portion of the passivation layer remains. The method further includes laterally etching the bottom portion of the gate stack, thereby shrinking a width of the bottom portion of the gate stack.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2020
    Publication date: March 11, 2021
    Inventors: Chang-Yin Chen, Che-Cheng Chang, Chih-Han Lin
  • Patent number: 10943901
    Abstract: A representative method for manufacturing fin field-effect transistors (FinFETs) includes steps of forming a plurality of fin structures over a substrate, and forming a plurality of isolation structures interposed between adjacent pairs of fin structures. Upper portions of the fin and isolation structures are etched. Epitaxial structures are formed over respective fin structures, with each of the epitaxial structures adjoining adjacent epitaxial structures. A dielectric layer is deposited over the plurality of epitaxial structures with void regions formed in the dielectric layer. The void regions are interposed between adjacent pairs of fin structures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2021
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Che-Cheng Chang, Chih-Han Lin, Horng-Huei Tseng
  • Publication number: 20210066501
    Abstract: A device includes a substrate, a shallow trench isolation (STI) structure, an isolation structure, and a gate stack. The substrate has a semiconductor fin. The shallow trench isolation (STI) structure is over the substrate and laterally surrounding the semiconductor fin. The isolation structure is disposed on a top surface of the STI structure. The gate stack crosses the semiconductor fin, over the STI structure, and in contact with a sidewall the isolation structure, in which the gate stack includes a high-k dielectric layer extending from a sidewall of the semiconductor fin to the top surface of the STI structure and terminating prior to reaching the sidewall of the isolation structure, and in which the high-k dielectric layer is in contact with the top surface of the STI structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2020
    Publication date: March 4, 2021
    Applicant: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Che-Cheng CHANG, Chih-Han LIN
  • Publication number: 20210066290
    Abstract: A method includes, in a first etching step, etching a semiconductor substrate to form first recesses in a first device region and second recesses in a second device regions simultaneously. A first semiconductor strip is formed between the first recesses. A second semiconductor strip is formed between the second recesses. In a second etching step, the semiconductor substrate in the second device region is etched to extend the second recesses. The first recesses and the second recesses are filled with a dielectric material to form first and second isolation regions in the first and second recesses, respectively. The first isolation regions and the second isolation regions are recessed. Portions of the semiconductor substrate in the first and the second device regions protrude higher than top surfaces of the respective first and second isolation regions to form a first and a second semiconductor fin, respectively.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2020
    Publication date: March 4, 2021
    Inventors: Che-Cheng Chang, Chih-Han Lin, Horng-Huei Tseng
  • Publication number: 20210050447
    Abstract: A FinFET device structure and method for forming the same are provided. The FinFET device structure includes a stop layer formed over a substrate and a fin structure formed over the stop layer. The FinFET device structure includes a gate structure formed over the fin structure and a source/drain (S/D) structure adjacent to the gate structure. A bottom surface of the S/D structure is located at a position that is higher than or level with a bottom surface of the stop layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2020
    Publication date: February 18, 2021
    Inventors: Che-Cheng CHANG, Chih-Han LIN
  • Patent number: 10923353
    Abstract: A method for forming a fin field effect transistor (FinFET) device structure is provided. The FinFET device structure includes a substrate and a first fin structure and a second fin structure extending above the substrate. The FinFET device structure also includes a first transistor formed on the first fin structure and a second transistor formed on the second fin structure. The FinFET device structure further includes an inter-layer dielectric (ILD) structure formed in an end-to-end gap between the first transistor and the second transistor, and the end-to-end gap has a width in a range from about 20 nm to about 40 nm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2021
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chang-Yin Chen, Tung-Wen Cheng, Che-Cheng Chang, Chun-Lung Ni, Jr-Jung Lin, Chih-Han Lin
  • Publication number: 20210043625
    Abstract: A FinFET including a gate stack, a semiconductor fin embedded in the gate stack, a source and a drain disposed is provided. The semiconductor fin extends along a widthwise direction of the gate stack and has a first concave and a second concave exposed at sidewalls of the gate stack respectively. The source and drain are disposed at two opposite sides of the gate stack. The source includes a first portion in contact with and embedded in the first concave. The drain includes a second portion in contact with and embedded in the second concave. The first portion and the second portion are covered by the gate stack.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 14, 2020
    Publication date: February 11, 2021
    Applicant: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Che-Cheng Chang, Chih-Han Lin, Horng-Huei Tseng
  • Publication number: 20210043773
    Abstract: A semiconductor structure and a method of fabricating the semiconductor structure are provided. The semiconductor structure includes a substrate; a metal gate structure on the substrate; and a spacer next to the metal gate structure having a skirting part extending into the metal gate structure and contacting the substrate. The metal gate structure includes a high-k dielectric layer and a metal gate electrode on the high-k dielectric layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2020
    Publication date: February 11, 2021
    Inventors: Che-Cheng Chang, Tung-Wen Cheng, Chang-Yin Chen, Mu-Tsang Lin
  • Publication number: 20210036155
    Abstract: In some embodiments, a field effect transistor (FET) structure comprises a body structure, dielectric structures, a gate structure and a source or drain region. The gate structure is formed over the body structure. The source or drain region is embedded in the body structure beside the gate structure, and abuts and is extended beyond the dielectric structure. The source or drain region contains stressor material with a lattice constant different from that of the body structure. The source or drain region comprises a first region formed above a first level at a top of the dielectric structures and a second region that comprises downward tapered side walls formed under the first level and abutting the corresponding dielectric structures.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 9, 2020
    Publication date: February 4, 2021
    Inventors: CHE-CHENG CHANG, TUNG-WEN CHENG, ZHE-HAO ZHANG, YUNG JUNG CHANG
  • Publication number: 20210036157
    Abstract: A semiconductor device is provided. The semiconductor device includes a gate stack over a semiconductor substrate. The gate stack has a conductive structure and a gate dielectric layer, and a top of the gate dielectric layer is higher than a top of the conductive structure. The semiconductor device also includes a protection element over the gate stack. The semiconductor device further includes a spacer extending along a side surface of the protection element and a sidewall of the gate stack.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 19, 2020
    Publication date: February 4, 2021
    Applicant: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Che-Cheng CHANG, Chih-Han LIN
  • Publication number: 20210036148
    Abstract: A FinFET structure with a gate structure having two notch features therein and a method of forming the same is disclosed. The FinFET notch features ensure that sufficient spacing is provided between the gate structure and source/drain regions of the FinFET to avoid inadvertent shorting of the gate structure to the source/drain regions. Gate structures of different sizes (e.g., different gate widths) and of different pattern densities can be provided on a same substrate and avoid inadvertent of shorting the gate to the source/drain regions through application of the notched features.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 19, 2020
    Publication date: February 4, 2021
    Inventors: Chang-Yin Chen, Che-Cheng Chang, Chih-Han Lin, Horng-Huei Tseng
  • Publication number: 20210036128
    Abstract: Structures and formation methods of a semiconductor device structure are provided. The semiconductor device structure includes a semiconductor substrate and a gate electrode over the semiconductor substrate. The semiconductor device structure also includes a source/drain structure adjacent to the gate electrode. The semiconductor device structure further includes a spacer element over a sidewall of the gate electrode, and the spacer element has an upper portion having a first exterior surface and a lower portion having a second exterior surface. Lateral distances between the first exterior surface and the sidewall of the gate electrode are substantially the same. Lateral distances between the second exterior surface and the sidewall of the gate electrode increase along a direction from a top of the lower portion towards the semiconductor substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 8, 2020
    Publication date: February 4, 2021
    Inventors: Bo-Feng Young, Che-Cheng Chang, Mu-Tsang Lin, Tung-Wen Cheng, Zhe-Hao Zhang
  • Publication number: 20210028296
    Abstract: A structure and a formation method of a semiconductor device are provided. The semiconductor device includes a semiconductor substrate and a first gate electrode over the semiconductor substrate. The semiconductor device also includes a first gate dielectric layer between the first gate electrode and the semiconductor substrate. The semiconductor device further includes a second gate electrode over the semiconductor substrate. The second gate electrode has an upper portion and a lower portion between the upper portion and the semiconductor substrate, and the upper portion is wider than the lower portion. In addition, the semiconductor device includes a second gate dielectric layer between the second gate electrode and the semiconductor substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2020
    Publication date: January 28, 2021
    Inventors: Che-Cheng Chang, Sheng-Chi Shih, Yi-Jen Chen
  • Publication number: 20210020496
    Abstract: A semiconductor device structure and method for forming the same are provided. The semiconductor device structure includes a first metal layer formed over a substrate and a dielectric layer formed over the first metal layer. The semiconductor device structure further includes an adhesion layer formed in the dielectric layer and over the first metal layer and a second metal layer formed in the dielectric layer. The second metal layer is electrically connected to the first metal layer, and a portion of the adhesion layer is formed between the second metal layer and the dielectric layer. The adhesion layer includes a first portion lining with a top portion of the second metal layer, and the first portion has an extending portion along a vertical direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 5, 2020
    Publication date: January 21, 2021
    Inventors: Che-Cheng Chang, Chih-Han Lin