Patents by Inventor Chee-Wee Liu

Chee-Wee Liu 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: 20250133745
    Abstract: A non-volatile memory cell includes a capacitor which includes a top electrode, a bottom electrode, a ferroelectric layer disposed between the top electrode and the bottom electrode, and an amorphous layer disposed between the top electrode and the bottom electrode, wherein an atomic arrangement of the amorphous layer is different from an atomic arrangement of the top electrode and the bottom electrode. A method of fabricating a non-volatile memory cell and a memory cell array thereof are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 18, 2023
    Publication date: April 24, 2025
    Inventors: Dai-Ying LEE, Ming-Hsiu LEE, Zefu ZHAO, Chee-Wee LIU
  • Patent number: 12272734
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a substrate, a semiconductor strip, an isolation dielectric, a plurality of channel layers, a gate structure, a plurality of source/drain structures, and an isolation layer. The semiconductor strip extends upwardly from the substrate and has a length extending along a first direction. The isolation dielectric laterally surrounds the semiconductor strip. The channel layers extend in the first direction above the semiconductor strip and arrange in a second direction substantially perpendicular to the substrate. The gate structure surrounds each of the channel layers. The source/drain structures are above the semiconductor strip and on either side of the channel layers. The isolation layer is interposed between the semiconductor strip and the gate structure and further interposed between the semiconductor strip and each of the plurality of source/drain structures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2025
    Assignees: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD., National Taiwan University
    Inventors: Yu-Shiang Huang, Chee-Wee Liu
  • Publication number: 20250112152
    Abstract: A device includes a first transistor, a second transistor, an interlayer dielectric (ILD) layer, and a backside gate rail. The first and second transistors are arranged along a first direction in a top view. The first transistor includes a first channel layer, a gate structure surrounding the first channel layer, a first source/drain epitaxial structure and a second source/drain epitaxial structure connected to the first channel layer. The second transistor includes a second channel layer, the gate structure surrounding the second channel layer, a third source/drain epitaxial structure and a fourth source/drain epitaxial structure connected to the second channel layer. A portion of the ILD layer is sandwiched between the first and third source/drain epitaxial structures. The backside gate rail is under the ILD layer and is electrically connected to the gate structure. The portion of the ILD layer is directly above the backside gate rail.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2023
    Publication date: April 3, 2025
    Applicants: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD., NATIONAL YANG MING CHIAO TUNG UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Hsin-Cheng LIN, Kuan-Ying CHIU, Chee-Wee LIU
  • Patent number: 12254915
    Abstract: The integrated circuit structure includes a substrate and a memory cell over the substrate. The memory cell includes a channel layer, a first doped region, a second doped region, a first ferroelectric layer, and a first gate layer. The first doped region is at a first side of the channel layer and doped with a first dopant being of a first conductivity type. The second doped region is at a second side of the channel layer opposing the first side and doped with a second dopant being of a second conductivity type different from the first conductivity type. The ferroelectric layer is over the channel layer and between the first and second doped regions. The gate layer is over the ferroelectric layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2023
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2025
    Assignee: MACRONIX INTERNATIONAL CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Dai-Ying Lee, Teng-Hao Yeh, Wei-Chen Chen, Rachit Dobhal, Zefu Zhao, Chee-Wee Liu
  • Publication number: 20250087486
    Abstract: A method of forming a semiconductor device includes forming a semiconductor strip extending above a semiconductor substrate, forming shallow trench isolation (STI) regions on opposite sides of the semiconductor strip, recessing a portion of the semiconductor strip, etching the STI regions to form a recess in the STI regions, forming a first thermal conductive layer in the recess, forming a source/drain epitaxy structure on the first thermal conductive layer, and forming a gate stack across the semiconductor strip and extending over the STI regions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 22, 2024
    Publication date: March 13, 2025
    Applicants: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD., NATIONAL TAIWAN UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Chia-Che CHUNG, Chia-Jung TSEN, Chee-Wee LIU
  • Patent number: 12249604
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a substrate, a gate stack, and epitaxy structures. The substrate has a P-type region. The gate stack is over the P-type region of the substrate and includes a gate dielectric layer, a bottom work function (WF) metal layer, a top WF metal layer, and a filling metal. The bottom WF metal layer is over the gate dielectric layer. The top WF metal layer is over and in contact with the bottom WF metal layer. Dipoles are formed between the top WF metal layer and the bottom WF metal layer, and the dipoles direct from the bottom WF metal layer to the top WF metal layer. The filling metal is over the top WF metal layer. The epitaxy structures are over the P-type region of the substrate and on opposite sides of the gate stack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2023
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2025
    Assignees: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD., NATIONAL TAIWAN UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Chih-Hsiung Huang, Chung-En Tsai, Chee-Wee Liu, Kun-Wa Kuok, Yi-Hsiu Hsiao
  • Patent number: 12249367
    Abstract: A device is provided. The device includes a memory cell and a first write assist circuit. The memory cell operates with a first supply voltage and a second supply voltage different from the first supply voltage. The first write assist circuit includes a first write assist switch and a second write assist switch that are coupled to the memory cell through a first data line. In a write operation of a data, having a first logic value, to the memory cell, the first write assist switch transmits the first supply voltage to the first data line in response to a first control signal, received at a control terminal of the first write assist switch and having a voltage level of the second supply voltage, when the second write assist switch is configured to be turned off.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2025
    Assignees: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD., NATIONAL TAIWAN UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Chia-Che Chung, Hsin-Cheng Lin, Chee-Wee Liu
  • Publication number: 20250081604
    Abstract: A method includes following steps. A first transistor is formed on a substrate. A first dielectric layer is formed over the first transistor. A first trench is formed in the first dielectric layer. An amorphous semiconductor layer is deposited in the first trench and over the first dielectric layer. The amorphous semiconductor layer is crystallized into a crystalline semiconductor layer. A second transistor is formed over the crystalline semiconductor layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 6, 2023
    Publication date: March 6, 2025
    Applicants: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD., National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University
    Inventors: Yi-Chun LIU, Chun-Yi CHENG, Chien-Te Tu, Chee-Wee LIU
  • Publication number: 20250078893
    Abstract: The integrated circuit structure includes a substrate and a memory cell over the substrate. The memory cell includes a channel layer, a first doped region, a second doped region, a first ferroelectric layer, and a first gate layer. The first doped region is at a first side of the channel layer and doped with a first dopant being of a first conductivity type. The second doped region is at a second side of the channel layer opposing the first side and doped with a second dopant being of a second conductivity type different from the first conductivity type. The ferroelectric layer is over the channel layer and between the first and second doped regions. The gate layer is over the ferroelectric layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2023
    Publication date: March 6, 2025
    Inventors: Dai-Ying LEE, Teng-Hao YEH, Wei-Chen CHEN, Rachit DOBHAL, Zefu ZHAO, Chee-Wee LIU
  • Publication number: 20250078917
    Abstract: An SRAM cell includes a first active region, a first gate structure, a second gate structure, and a first source/drain contact region. The first gate structure is over the first active region and forms a pull-up transistor with the first active region. The second gate structure is over the first active region and forms a write-assist transistor with the first active region. The write-assist transistor and the pull-up transistor are of a same conductivity type. The first source/drain contact region is over a source/drain of the write-assist transistor and a source/drain of the pull-up transistor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2023
    Publication date: March 6, 2025
    Applicants: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd., NATIONAL TAIWAN UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Hsin-Cheng LIN, Tao CHOU, Kuan-Ying CHIU, Chee-Wee LIU
  • Publication number: 20250072030
    Abstract: A device includes a substrate, a semiconductor layer and a ferroelectric layer. The semiconductor layer is over the substrate. The semiconductor layer is a single crystal silicon layer or a single crystal germanium layer. The ferroelectric layer is over the semiconductor layer. The ferroelectric layer is in physical contact with the semiconductor layer and has an orthorhombic phase.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 23, 2023
    Publication date: February 27, 2025
    Applicants: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD., National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University
    Inventors: Yu-Rui CHEN, Zefu ZHAO, Yun-Wen CHEN, Chee-Wee LIU
  • Publication number: 20250072100
    Abstract: A device includes a bottom transistor, a top transistor, and an epitaxial isolation structure. The bottom transistor includes a first channel layer, first source/drain epitaxial structures, and a first gate structure. The first source/drain epitaxial structures are on opposite sides of the first channel layer. The first gate structure is around the first channel layer. The top transistor is over the bottom transistor and includes a second channel layer, second source/drain epitaxial structures, and a second gate structure. The second source/drain epitaxial structures are on opposite sides of the second channel layer. The second gate structure is around the second channel layer. The epitaxial isolation structure is between and in contact with one of the first source/drain epitaxial structures and one of the second source/drain epitaxial structures, such that the one of the first source/drain epitaxial structures is electrically isolated from the one of the second source/drain epitaxial structures.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2024
    Publication date: February 27, 2025
    Applicants: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD., NATIONAL TAIWAN UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Chien-Te TU, Hsin-Cheng LIN, Chee-Wee LIU
  • Publication number: 20250054536
    Abstract: A memory device includes a memory array, a first reference voltage circuit, a first read voltage control circuit and a first write voltage control circuit. The first reference voltage circuit is configured to provide a first reference voltage signal having a first voltage level to the memory array. The first read voltage control circuit is configured to adjust the first reference voltage signal to a second voltage level when the memory array is read. The first write voltage control circuit is configured to adjust the first reference voltage signal to a third voltage level when the memory array is written. The second voltage level is higher than the first voltage level, and the third voltage level is lower than the first voltage level.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 11, 2023
    Publication date: February 13, 2025
    Applicants: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD., NATIONAL TAIWAN UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Tao CHOU, Hsin-Cheng LIN, Jih-Chao CHIU, Chee-Wee LIU
  • Publication number: 20250056782
    Abstract: A method includes forming a first pull-up transistor and a first pass-gate transistor over a substrate at a first level height, the first pull-up and first pass-gate transistors being of a dual port static random access memory (SRAM) cell; forming a first pull-down transistor and a second pass-gate transistor of the dual port SRAM cell over the substrate at a second level height; forming a second pull-down transistor and a third pass-gate transistor of the dual port SRAM cell over the substrate at a third level height; forming a second pull-up transistor and a fourth pass-gate transistor of the dual port SRAM cell over the substrate at a fourth level height.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 10, 2023
    Publication date: February 13, 2025
    Applicants: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD., National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University
    Inventors: Tao CHOU, Hsin-Cheng LIN, Ching-Wang YAO, Li-Kai WANG, Chee-Wee LIU, Chenming HU
  • Publication number: 20250056841
    Abstract: An integrated circuit device includes a semiconductor layer, an oxide semiconductor layer, and a gate structure. The semiconductor layer is free of oxygen. The oxide semiconductor layer is over and spaced apart from the semiconductor layer. The gate structure wraps around a channel region of the semiconductor layer and a channel region of the oxide semiconductor layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 10, 2023
    Publication date: February 13, 2025
    Applicants: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD., NATIONAL TAIWAN UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Jih-Chao CHIU, Chien-Te TU, Yuan-Ming LIU, Eknath SARKAR, Chee-Wee LIU
  • Patent number: 12211897
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a semiconductor device with a plurality of semiconductor channel layers. The semiconductor channel layers include a first semiconductor layer and a second semiconductor layer disposed over the first semiconductor layer. A strain in the second semiconductor layer is different from a strain in the first semiconductor layer. A gate is disposed over the plurality of semiconductor channel layers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2023
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2025
    Assignees: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD., NATIONAL TAIWAN UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Chung-En Tsai, Chia-Che Chung, Chee-Wee Liu, Fang-Liang Lu, Yu-Shiang Huang, Hung-Yu Yeh, Chien-Te Tu, Yi-Chun Liu
  • Publication number: 20250015140
    Abstract: The present disclosure describes a semiconductor device includes a substrate, a buffer layer on the substrate, and a stacked fin structure on the buffer layer. The buffer layer can include germanium, and the stacked fin structure can include a semiconductor layer with germanium and tin. The semiconductor device further includes a gate structure wrapped around a portion of the semiconductor layer and an epitaxial structure on the buffer layer and in contact with the semiconductor layer. The epitaxial structure includes germanium and tin.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2024
    Publication date: January 9, 2025
    Applicant: Taiwean Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Shahaji B. MORE, Cheng-Han LEE, Chee-Wee LIU, Chung-En TSAI, Shih-Ya LIN, Shih-Chieh CHANG
  • Patent number: 12191145
    Abstract: A method of forming a semiconductor device includes forming a semiconductor strip extending above a semiconductor substrate, forming shallow trench isolation (STI) regions on opposite sides of the semiconductor strip, recessing a portion of the semiconductor strip, etching the STI regions to form a recess in the STI regions, forming a first thermal conductive layer in the recess, forming a source/drain epitaxy structure on the first thermal conductive layer, and forming a gate stack across the semiconductor strip and extending over the STI regions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2025
    Assignees: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD., NATIONAL TAIWAN UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Chia-Che Chung, Chia-Jung Tsen, Chee-Wee Liu
  • Patent number: 12191226
    Abstract: A semiconductor device and method for forming same. According to an embodiment. The method provides a base substrate, forms a heat dissipation substrate on the base substrate, wherein a thermal conductivity of the heat dissipation substrate is between 200 Wm?1K?1 and 1200 Wm?1K?1. This method further forms a device layer on the heat dissipation substrate, wherein the device layer comprises a transistor. The method further removes the base substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2023
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2025
    Assignees: MEDIATEK INC., NATIONAL TAIWAN UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Ming-Tzong Yang, Hsien-Hsin Lin, Wen-Kai Wan, Chia-Che Chung, Chee-Wee Liu
  • Patent number: 12170227
    Abstract: A device includes a bottom transistor, a top transistor, and an epitaxial isolation structure. The bottom transistor includes a first channel layer, first source/drain epitaxial structures, and a first gate structure. The first source/drain epitaxial structures are on opposite sides of the first channel layer. The first gate structure is around the first channel layer. The top transistor is over the bottom transistor and includes a second channel layer, second source/drain epitaxial structures, and a second gate structure. The second source/drain epitaxial structures are on opposite sides of the second channel layer. The second gate structure is around the second channel layer. The epitaxial isolation structure is between and in contact with one of the first source/drain epitaxial structures and one of the second source/drain epitaxial structures, such that the one of the first source/drain epitaxial structures is electrically isolated from the one of the second source/drain epitaxial structures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2023
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2024
    Assignees: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD., NATIONAL TAIWAN UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Chien-Te Tu, Hsin-Cheng Lin, Chee-Wee Liu