Patents by Inventor Chen-Ping Chen

Chen-Ping Chen 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: 20250391663
    Abstract: A method includes forming a first fin protruding from a substrate at a center region, and a second fin protruding from the substrate at an edge region, the first fin and second fin each including an epitaxial stack over a fin base and a hard mask layer over the epitaxial stack. A patterning material is deposited adjacent to and over each of the first fin and the second fin. Different etch process parameters are used to etch the first fin at the center region than the etch process parameters of the second fin at the edge region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 8, 2024
    Publication date: December 25, 2025
    Inventors: Shin-Li Wang, Kai Ju Lin, Zu-Yin Liu, Chi-Chen Wu, Szu-Ping Lee, You-Ting Lin, Jiun-Ming Kuo, Yuan-Ching Peng, Chen-Ping Chen
  • Publication number: 20250366061
    Abstract: A method for fabricating a semiconductor device is provided. The method includes forming a fin structure extending along a first lateral direction; forming a dummy gate structure that is over a portion of the fin structure and extends along a second direction perpendicular to the first lateral direction; growing source/drain structures that are respectively coupled to ends of the portion of the fin structure; removing the dummy gate structure to form a gate trench; lining inner sidewalls of the gate trench with a gate spacer; and forming an active gate structure in the gate trench.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2025
    Publication date: November 27, 2025
    Applicant: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited
    Inventors: Shih-Yao Lin, Kuei-Yu Kao, Chen-Ping Chen, Chih-Chung Chiu, Chih-Han Lin, Ming-Ching Chang, Chao-Cheng Chen
  • Publication number: 20250366120
    Abstract: Provided are devices with replacement structures. A device includes a semiconductor structure and an isolation adjacent to the semiconductor structure, wherein the isolation includes a first region having an upper surface at a first height, wherein the isolation includes a second region having an upper surface at a second height, wherein the first height is equal to the second height plus 3 to 20 nanometers (nm); a conductive gate located over the semiconductor structure and over the first region of the isolation at the first height; and a source/drain region located over the second region of the isolation at the second height.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 5, 2025
    Publication date: November 27, 2025
    Applicant: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kuei-Yu Kao, Shih-Yao Lin, Chen-Ping Chen, Chih-Chung Chiu, Chih-Han Lin, Ming-Ching Chang, Chao-Cheng Chen
  • Patent number: 12484276
    Abstract: Provided are devices with replacement structures and methods for fabricating such structures. A method includes forming a layer over a semiconductor material having a top surface in a horizontal plane; forming a dummy structure over the layer, wherein the dummy structure has sidewall, wherein the dummy structure lies directly over a first region of the layer and over a first region of the semiconductor material under the first region of the layer, and wherein the dummy structure does not lie directly over a second region of the layer or over a second region of the semiconductor material under the second region of the layer, and removing the second region of the layer and forming a side edge of the first region of the layer, wherein the side edge forms an angle of from 90 to 100 degrees with the horizontal plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2025
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Kuei-Yu Kao, Shih-Yao Lin, Chen-Ping Chen, Chih-Chung Chiu, Chih-Han Lin, Ming-Ching Chang, Chao-Cheng Chen
  • Publication number: 20250357134
    Abstract: A method includes etching a semiconductor substrate to form a trench, with the semiconductor substrate having a sidewall facing the trench, and depositing a first semiconductor layer extending into the trench. The first semiconductor layer includes a first bottom portion at a bottom of the trench, and a first sidewall portion on the sidewall of the semiconductor substrate. The first sidewall portion is removed to reveal the sidewall of the semiconductor substrate. The method further includes depositing a second semiconductor layer extending into the trench, with the second semiconductor layer having a second bottom portion over the first bottom portion, and a second sidewall portion contacting the sidewall of the semiconductor substrate. The second sidewall portion is removed to reveal the sidewall of the semiconductor substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2025
    Publication date: November 20, 2025
    Inventors: Shih-Yao Lin, Kuei-Yu Kao, Chen-Ping Chen, Chih-Han Lin
  • Patent number: 12463047
    Abstract: A method includes etching a semiconductor substrate to form a trench, with the semiconductor substrate having a sidewall facing the trench, and depositing a first semiconductor layer extending into the trench. The first semiconductor layer includes a first bottom portion at a bottom of the trench, and a first sidewall portion on the sidewall of the semiconductor substrate. The first sidewall portion is removed to reveal the sidewall of the semiconductor substrate. The method further includes depositing a second semiconductor layer extending into the trench, with the second semiconductor layer having a second bottom portion over the first bottom portion, and a second sidewall portion contacting the sidewall of the semiconductor substrate. The second sidewall portion is removed to reveal the sidewall of the semiconductor substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2024
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2025
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Shih-Yao Lin, Kuei-Yu Kao, Chen-Ping Chen, Chih-Han Lin
  • Publication number: 20250338591
    Abstract: A method includes forming a dummy gate electrode on a semiconductor region, forming a first gate spacer on a sidewall of the dummy gate electrode, and removing an upper portion of the first gate spacer to form a recess, wherein a lower portion of the first gate spacer remains, filling the recess with a second gate spacer, removing the dummy gate electrode to form a trench, and forming a replacement gate electrode in the trench.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 8, 2025
    Publication date: October 30, 2025
    Inventors: Shih-Yao Lin, Kuei-Yu Kao, Chen-Ping Chen, Chih-Han Lin, Ming-Ching Chang, Chao-Cheng Chen
  • Publication number: 20250331233
    Abstract: In a method of manufacturing a semiconductor device, a fin structure in which first semiconductor layers and second semiconductor layers are alternately stacked over a bottom fin structure protruding from a substrate, is formed. A sacrificial gate structure is formed over the fin structure. A source/drain region of the fin structure is etched, thereby forming a source/drain space. The first semiconductor layers are laterally etched through the source/drain space. An inner spacer is formed on an end of each of the etched first semiconductor layers. One or more epitaxial layers are formed in the source/drain space, and the sacrificial gate structure is replaced with a metal gate structure. A width of the source/drain space at a bottommost one of the first semiconductor layers is greater than a width of the source/drain space at one of the first semiconductor layers above the bottommost one of the first semiconductor layers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2025
    Publication date: October 23, 2025
    Applicant: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kuei-Yu KAO, Shih-Yao LIN, Chen-Ping CHEN, Chih-Han LIN, Ming-Ching CHANG, Chao-Cheng CHEN
  • Publication number: 20250324652
    Abstract: A semiconductor device in a first area includes first non-planar semiconductor structures separated with a first distance, and a first isolation region including a first layer and a second layer that collectively embed a lower portion of each of the first non-planar semiconductor structures. At least one of the first layer or second layer of the first isolation region is in a cured state. The semiconductor device in a second area includes second non-planar semiconductor structures separated with a second distance, and a second isolation region including a first layer and a second layer that collectively embed a lower portion of each of the second non-planar semiconductor structures. At least one of the first or second layer of the second isolation region is in a cured state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2025
    Publication date: October 16, 2025
    Applicant: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Shih-Yao Lin, Hsiao Wen Lee, Li-Jung Kuo, Chen-Ping Chen, Ming-Ching Chang
  • Publication number: 20250301767
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a first plurality of channel layers. The first plurality of channel layers extend along a first direction. The semiconductor device includes a second plurality of channel layers. The second plurality of channel layers also extend along the first direction. The semiconductor de123329-vice includes a first dielectric fin structure that also extends along the first direction. The semiconductor device includes a first gate structure that extends along a second direction. The first gate structure comprises a first portion that wraps around each of the first plurality of channel layers and a second portion that wraps around each of the second plurality of channel layers. The first dielectric fin structure separates the first and second portions from each other. The first gate structure comprises a third portion that connects the first and second portions to each other and is vertically disposed below the first dielectric fin structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2025
    Publication date: September 25, 2025
    Applicant: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Shih-Yao Lin, Chen-Ping Chen, Chen-Yui Yang, Hsiao Wen Lee, Ming-Ching Chang
  • Patent number: 12426311
    Abstract: A method for fabricating a semiconductor device is provided. The method includes forming a fin structure extending along a first lateral direction; forming a dummy gate structure that is over a portion of the fin structure and extends along a second direction perpendicular to the first lateral direction; growing source/drain structures that are respectively coupled to ends of the portion of the fin structure; removing the dummy gate structure to form a gate trench; lining inner sidewalls of the gate trench with a gate spacer; and forming an active gate structure in the gate trench.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2024
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2025
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Shih-Yao Lin, Kuei-Yu Kao, Chen-Ping Chen, Chih-Chung Chiu, Chih-Han Lin, Ming-Ching Chang, Chao-Cheng Chen
  • Patent number: 12402353
    Abstract: In a method of manufacturing a semiconductor device, a fin structure in which first semiconductor layers and second semiconductor layers are alternately stacked over a bottom fin structure protruding from a substrate, is formed. A sacrificial gate structure is formed over the fin structure. A source/drain region of the fin structure is etched, thereby forming a source/drain space. The first semiconductor layers are laterally etched through the source/drain space. An inner spacer is formed on an end of each of the etched first semiconductor layers. One or more epitaxial layers are formed in the source/drain space, and the sacrificial gate structure is replaced with a metal gate structure. A width of the source/drain space at a bottommost one of the first semiconductor layers is greater than a width of the source/drain space at one of the first semiconductor layers above the bottommost one of the first semiconductor layers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2025
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Kuei-Yu Kao, Shih-Yao Lin, Chen-Ping Chen, Chih-Han Lin, Ming-Ching Chang, Chao-Cheng Chen
  • Publication number: 20250267895
    Abstract: In an embodiment, a device includes: an isolation region; nanostructures protruding above a top surface of the isolation region; a gate structure wrapped around the nanostructures, the gate structure having a bottom surface contacting the isolation region, the bottom surface of the gate structure extending away from the nanostructures a first distance, the gate structure having a sidewall disposed a second distance from the nanostructures, the first distance less than or equal to the second distance; and a hybrid fin on the sidewall of the gate structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 2, 2025
    Publication date: August 21, 2025
    Inventors: Shih-Yao Lin, Chen-Ping Chen, Hsiaowen Lee, Chih-Han Lin
  • Publication number: 20250261407
    Abstract: A cyclic process including an etching process, a passivation process, and a pumping out process is provided to prevent over etching of the sacrificial gate electrode, particularly when near a high-k dielectric feature. The cyclic process solves the problems of failed gate electrode layer at an end of channel region and enlarges filling windows for replacement gate structures, thus improving channel control. Compared to state-of-art solutions, embodiments of the present disclosure also enlarge volume of source/drain regions, thus improving device performance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 1, 2025
    Publication date: August 14, 2025
    Inventors: Kuei-Yu KAO, Shih-Yao LIN, Chen-Ping CHEN, Chih-Chung CHIU, Ke-Chia TSENG, Chih-Han LIN, Ming-Ching CHANG, Chao-Cheng CHEN
  • Patent number: 12389628
    Abstract: A semiconductor device in a first area includes first non-planar semiconductor structures separated with a first distance, and a first isolation region including a first layer and a second layer that collectively embed a lower portion of each of the first non-planar semiconductor structures. At least one of the first layer or second layer of the first isolation region is in a cured state. The semiconductor device in a second area includes second non-planar semiconductor structures separated with a second distance, and a second isolation region including a first layer and a second layer that collectively embed a lower portion of each of the second non-planar semiconductor structures. At least one of the first or second layer of the second isolation region is in a cured state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2024
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2025
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Shih-Yao Lin, Hsiao Wen Lee, Li-Jung Kuo, Chen-Ping Chen, Ming-Ching Chang
  • Patent number: 12376374
    Abstract: A method includes forming a first, second, third, fourth, fifth, and sixth fin structure. The second fin structure is separated from each of the first and third fin structures by a first distance, the fifth fin structure is separated from each of the fourth and sixth fin structures by the first distance, and the third fin structure is separated from the fourth fin structure by a second distance greater than the first distance. The method includes forming a first dummy gate structure overlaying the first through third fin structures, and a second dummy gate structure overlaying the fourth through sixth fin structures; forming a number of source/drain structures that are coupled to the first, second, third, fourth, fifth, and sixth fin structures, respectively; and replacing the third fin structure with a first dielectric structure, and replacing the fourth fin structure with a second dielectric structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2025
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Shih-Yao Lin, Chen-Ping Chen, Chieh-Ning Feng, Hsiao Wen Lee, Chih-Han Lin
  • Patent number: 12356669
    Abstract: In a method of manufacturing a semiconductor device, a fin structure including a stacked layer of first and second semiconductor layers and a hard mask layer over the stacked layer is formed. A sacrificial cladding layer is formed over at least sidewalls of the exposed hard mask layer and stacked layer. An etching is performed to remove lateral portions of the sacrificial cladding layer, thereby leaving the sacrificial cladding layer on sidewalls of the exposed hard mask layer and stacked layer. A first dielectric layer and a second dielectric layer made of a different material than the first dielectric layer are formed. The second dielectric layer is recessed, and a third dielectric layer made of a different material than the second dielectric layer is formed on the recessed second dielectric layer. During the etching operation, a protection layer is formed over the sacrificial cladding layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2024
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2025
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Shu-Wen Shen, Chen-Ping Chen
  • Publication number: 20250203902
    Abstract: A device includes a fin protruding from a semiconductor substrate; a gate stack over and along a sidewall of the fin; a gate spacer along a sidewall of the gate stack and along the sidewall of the fin; an epitaxial source/drain region in the fin and adjacent the gate spacer; and a corner spacer between the gate stack and the gate spacer, wherein the corner spacer extends along the sidewall of the fin, wherein a first region between the gate stack and the sidewall of the fin is free of the corner spacer, wherein a second region between the gate stack and the gate spacer is free of the corner spacer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2025
    Publication date: June 19, 2025
    Inventors: Chen-Ping Chen, Kuei-Yu Kao, Shih-Yao Lin, Chih-Han Lin, Ming-Ching Chang, Chao-Cheng Chen
  • Patent number: 12336271
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a first plurality of channel layers. The first plurality of channel layers extend along a first direction. The semiconductor device includes a second plurality of channel layers. The second plurality of channel layers also extend along the first direction. The semiconductor de123329-vice includes a first dielectric fin structure that also extends along the first direction. The semiconductor device includes a first gate structure that extends along a second direction. The first gate structure comprises a first portion that wraps around each of the first plurality of channel layers and a second portion that wraps around each of the second plurality of channel layers. The first dielectric fin structure separates the first and second portions from each other. The first gate structure comprises a third portion that connects the first and second portions to each other and is vertically disposed below the first dielectric fin structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2025
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Shih-Yao Lin, Chen-Ping Chen, Chen-Yui Yang, Hsiao Wen Lee, Ming-Ching Chang
  • Patent number: 12324191
    Abstract: In an embodiment, a device includes: an isolation region; nanostructures protruding above a top surface of the isolation region; a gate structure wrapped around the nanostructures, the gate structure having a bottom surface contacting the isolation region, the bottom surface of the gate structure extending away from the nanostructures a first distance, the gate structure having a sidewall disposed a second distance from the nanostructures, the first distance less than or equal to the second distance; and a hybrid fin on the sidewall of the gate structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2023
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2025
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shih-Yao Lin, Chen-Ping Chen, Hsiaowen Lee, Chih-Han Lin