Patents by Inventor Cheng-Lung Hung

Cheng-Lung Hung 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: 11769694
    Abstract: A method includes forming an opening in a dielectric layer, depositing a seed layer in the opening, wherein first portions of the seed layer have a first concentration of impurities, exposing the first portions of the seed layer to a plasma, wherein after exposure to the plasma the first portions have a second concentration of impurities that is less than the first concentration of impurities, and filling the opening with a conductive material to form a conductive feature. In an embodiment, the seed layer includes tungsten, and the conductive material includes tungsten. In an embodiment, the impurities include boron.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2023
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Chung-Chiang Wu, Hsueh Wen Tsau, Chia-Ching Lee, Cheng-Lung Hung, Ching-Hwanq Su
  • Publication number: 20230282725
    Abstract: In an embodiment, a device includes: a first channel region; a second channel region; and a gate structure around the first channel region and the second channel region, the gate structure including: a gate dielectric layer; a first p-type work function metal on the gate dielectric layer, the first p-type work function metal including fluorine and aluminum; a second p-type work function metal on the first p-type work function metal, the second p-type work function metal having a lower concentration of fluorine and a lower concentration of aluminum than the first p-type work function metal; and a fill layer on the second p-type work function metal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 12, 2023
    Publication date: September 7, 2023
    Inventors: Hsin-Yi Lee, Cheng-Lung Hung, Chi On Chui
  • Publication number: 20230282729
    Abstract: A method includes forming a dummy gate stack over a semiconductor region, forming a source/drain region on a side of the dummy gate stack, removing the dummy gate stack to form a trench, forming a gate dielectric layer extending into the trench and on the semiconductor region, and depositing a fist work-function layer over the gate dielectric layer. The work-function layer comprises a metal selected from the group consisting of ruthenium, molybdenum, and combinations thereof. The method further includes depositing a conductive filling layer over the first work-function layer, and performing a planarization process to remove excess portions of the conductive filling layer, the first work-function layer, and the gate dielectric layer to form a gate stack.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2022
    Publication date: September 7, 2023
    Inventors: Hsin-Yi Lee, Chun-Da Liao, Cheng-Lung Hung, Yan-Ming Tsai, Harry Chien, Huang-Lin Chao, Weng Chang, Chih-Wei Chang, Ming-Hsing Tsai, Chi On Chui
  • Publication number: 20230275143
    Abstract: A method of forming a semiconductor device including forming a fin structure having a stack of alternating first semiconductor layers and second semiconductor layers over a substrate, the first semiconductor layers and the second semiconductor layers having different compositions, forming a dummy gate structure across the fin structure, forming gate spacers on opposite sidewalls of the dummy gate structure, respectively, removing the dummy gate structure to form a gate trench between the gate spacers, etching the first semiconductor layers in the gate trench, such that the second semiconductor layers are suspended in the gate trench to serve as nanosheets, forming a work function metal layer surrounding each of the nanosheets, and depositing a fill metal layer over the work function metal layer without using a fluorine-containing precursor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 10, 2023
    Publication date: August 31, 2023
    Applicant: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Hsin-Yi LEE, Cheng-Lung HUNG, Chi On CHUI
  • Publication number: 20230268409
    Abstract: A semiconductor device structure and a formation method are provided. The method includes forming a fin structure over a substrate, and the fin structure has multiple sacrificial layers and multiple semiconductor layers laid out alternately. The method also includes removing the sacrificial layers to release multiple semiconductor nanostructures made up of remaining portions of the semiconductor lavers. The method further includes forming a gate dielectric layer to wrap around the semiconductor nanostructures and forming a first metal-containing layer over the gate dielectric layer to wrap around the semiconductor nanostructures. In addition, the method includes introducing oxygen-containing plasma on the first metal-containing layer to transform an upper portion of the first metal-containing layer into a metal oxide layer. The method includes forming a second metal-containing layer over the metal oxide layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2022
    Publication date: August 24, 2023
    Applicant: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Chia-Wei CHEN, Jo-Chun HUNG, Chih-Wei LEE, Hui-Chi CHEN, Hsin-Han TSAI, Hsiang-Ju LIAO, Yi-Lun LI, Cheng-Lung HUNG, Chi On CHUI
  • Publication number: 20230261051
    Abstract: In an embodiment, a device includes: a channel region; a gate dielectric layer on the channel region; a first work function tuning layer on the gate dielectric layer, the first work function tuning layer including a p-type work function metal; a barrier layer on the first work function tuning layer; a second work function tuning layer on the barrier layer, the second work function tuning layer including a n-type work function metal, the n-type work function metal different from the p-type work function metal; and a fill layer on the second work function tuning layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2023
    Publication date: August 17, 2023
    Inventors: Hsin-Yi Lee, Cheng-Lung Hung, Chi On Chui
  • Patent number: 11728341
    Abstract: A method includes forming a first semiconductor fin in a substrate, forming a metal gate structure over the first semiconductor fin, removing a portion of the metal gate structure to form a first recess in the metal gate structure that is laterally separated from the first semiconductor fin by a first distance, wherein the first distance is determined according to a first desired threshold voltage associated with the first semiconductor fin, and filling the recess with a dielectric material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2023
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Chung-Chiang Wu, Shih-Hang Chiu, Chih-Chang Hung, I-Wei Yang, Shu-Yuan Ku, Cheng-Lung Hung, Da-Yuan Lee, Ching-Hwanq Su
  • Publication number: 20230230977
    Abstract: A semiconductor device including a substrate, a first transistor and a second transistor is provided. The first transistor includes a first gate structure over the first semiconductor fin. The first gate structure includes a first high-k layer and a first work function layer sequentially disposed on the substrate, a material of the first work function layer may include metal carbide and aluminum, and a content of aluminum in the first work function layer is less than 10% atm. The second transistor includes a second gate structure. The second gate structure includes a second high-k layer and a second work function layer sequentially disposed on the substrate. A work function of the first work function layer is greater than a work function of the second work function layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2023
    Publication date: July 20, 2023
    Applicant: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hsin-Yi Lee, Cheng-Lung Hung, Weng Chang, Chi-On Chui
  • Patent number: 11688797
    Abstract: A method of forming a semiconductor device including forming a fin structure having a stack of alternating first semiconductor layers and second semiconductor layers over a substrate, the first semiconductor layers and the second semiconductor layers having different compositions, forming a dummy gate structure across the fin structure, forming gate spacers on opposite sidewalls of the dummy gate structure, respectively, removing the dummy gate structure to form a gate trench between the gate spacers, etching the first semiconductor layers in the gate trench, such that the second semiconductor layers are suspended in the gate trench to serve as nanosheets, forming a work function metal layer surrounding each of the nanosheets, and depositing a fill metal layer over the work function metal layer without using a fluorine-containing precursor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2023
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Hsin-Yi Lee, Cheng-Lung Hung, Chi On Chui
  • Patent number: 11688786
    Abstract: In an embodiment, a device includes: a first channel region; a second channel region; and a gate structure around the first channel region and the second channel region, the gate structure including: a gate dielectric layer; a first p-type work function metal on the gate dielectric layer, the first p-type work function metal including fluorine and aluminum; a second p-type work function metal on the first p-type work function metal, the second p-type work function metal having a lower concentration of fluorine and a lower concentration of aluminum than the first p-type work function metal; and a fill layer on the second p-type work function metal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2023
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hsin-Yi Lee, Cheng-Lung Hung, Chi On Chui
  • Patent number: 11646311
    Abstract: A semiconductor device including a substrate, a first transistor and a second transistor is provided. The first transistor includes a first gate structure over the first semiconductor fin. The first gate structure includes a first high-k layer and a first work function layer sequentially disposed on the substrate, a material of the first work function layer may include metal carbide and aluminum, and a content of aluminum in the first work function layer is less than 10% atm. The second transistor includes a second gate structure. The second gate structure includes a second high-k layer and a second work function layer sequentially disposed on the substrate. A work function of the first work function layer is greater than a work function of the second work function layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2023
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hsin-Yi Lee, Cheng-Lung Hung, Weng Chang, Chi-On Chui
  • Patent number: 11637180
    Abstract: In an embodiment, a device includes: a channel region; a gate dielectric layer on the channel region; a first work function tuning layer on the gate dielectric layer, the first work function tuning layer including a p-type work function metal; a barrier layer on the first work function tuning layer; a second work function tuning layer on the barrier layer, the second work function tuning layer including a n-type work function metal, the n-type work function metal different from the p-type work function metal; and a fill layer on the second work function tuning layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2023
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hsin-Yi Lee, Cheng-Lung Hung, Chi On Chui
  • Publication number: 20230115763
    Abstract: A method includes depositing a first work function tuning layer over a gate dielectric layer using an atomic layer deposition process. The atomic layer deposition process comprises depositing one or more first nitride monolayers; and depositing one or more carbide monolayers over the one or more first nitride monolayers. The method further includes depositing an adhesion layer of the first work function tuning layer; and depositing a conductive material over the adhesion layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2022
    Publication date: April 13, 2023
    Inventors: Hsin-Yi Lee, Cheng-Lung Hung, Chi On Chui
  • Publication number: 20230073400
    Abstract: In an embodiment, a method includes: forming a gate dielectric layer on an interface layer; forming a doping layer on the gate dielectric layer, the doping layer including a dipole-inducing element; annealing the doping layer to drive the dipole-inducing element through the gate dielectric layer to a first side of the gate dielectric layer adjacent the interface layer; removing the doping layer; forming a sacrificial layer on the gate dielectric layer, a material of the sacrificial layer reacting with residual dipole-inducing elements at a second side of the gate dielectric layer adjacent the sacrificial layer; removing the sacrificial layer; forming a capping layer on the gate dielectric layer; and forming a gate electrode layer on the capping layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2022
    Publication date: March 9, 2023
    Inventors: Cheng-Yen Tsai, Ming-Chi Huang, Zoe Chen, Wei-Chin Lee, Cheng-Lung Hung, Da-Yuan Lee, Weng Chang, Ching-Hwanq Su
  • Publication number: 20230060757
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes source and drain regions, a channel region between the source and drain regions, and a gate structure over the channel region. The gate structure includes a gate dielectric over the channel region, a work function metal layer over the gate dielectric and comprising iodine, and a fill metal over the work function metal layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2021
    Publication date: March 2, 2023
    Applicant: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Hsin-Yi LEE, Cheng-Lung HUNG, Chi On CHUI
  • Publication number: 20230066477
    Abstract: Embodiments include a device and method of forming a device, such as a nano-FET transistor, including a first nanostructure. A gate dielectric is formed around the first nanostructure. A gate electrode is formed over the gate dielectric, and the gate electrode includes a first work function metal. In the gate electrode, a first metal residue is formed at an interface between the gate dielectric and the first work function metal as a result of a treatment process performed prior to forming the first work function metal. The first metal residue has a metal element that is different than a metal element of the first work function metal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2021
    Publication date: March 2, 2023
    Inventors: Hsin-Yi Lee, Cheng-Lung Hung, Chi On Chui
  • Publication number: 20230032727
    Abstract: Semiconductor devices, FinFET devices and methods of forming the same are disclosed. One of the semiconductor devices includes a substrate and a gate strip disposed over the substrate. The gate strip includes a high-k layer disposed over the substrate, an N-type work function metal layer disposed over the high-k layer, and a barrier layer disposed over the N-type work function metal layer. The barrier layer includes at least one first film containing TiAlN, TaAlN or AlN.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2022
    Publication date: February 2, 2023
    Applicant: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hsin-Yi Lee, Cheng-Lung Hung, Weng Chang, Chi-On Chui
  • Publication number: 20230028460
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes an active region. A metal gate electrode is disposed over the active region. A conductive layer is disposed over the metal gate electrode. A silicon-containing layer is disposed over a first portion of the conductive layer. A dielectric layer is disposed over a second portion of the conductive layer. A gate via vertically extends through the silicon-containing layer. The gate via is disposed over, and electrically coupled to, the metal gate electrode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 21, 2022
    Publication date: January 26, 2023
    Inventors: Wei-Cheng Wang, Shih-Hang Chiu, Kuan-Ting Liu, Cheng-Lung Hung, Chi On Chui
  • Publication number: 20230015761
    Abstract: A semiconductor device with different gate structure configurations and a method of fabricating the same are disclosed. The semiconductor device includes a fin structure disposed on a substrate, a nanostructured channel region disposed on the fin structure, and a gate-all-around (GAA) structure surrounding the nanostructured channel region. The GAA structure includes a high-K (HK) gate dielectric layer with a metal doped region having dopants of a first metallic material, a p-type work function metal (pWFM) layer disposed on the HK gate dielectric layer, a bimetallic nitride layer interposed between the HK gate dielectric layer and the pWFM layer, an n-type work function metal (nWFM) layer disposed on the pWFM layer, and a gate metal fill layer disposed on the nWFM layer. The pWFM layer includes a second metallic material and the bimetallic nitride layer includes the first and second metallic materials.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2022
    Publication date: January 19, 2023
    Applicant: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hsin-Yi LEE, Cheng-Lung HUNG, Ji-Cheng CHEN, Weng CHANG, Chi On CHUI
  • Publication number: 20230011783
    Abstract: Multi-gate devices and methods for fabricating such are disclosed herein. An exemplary method includes forming an n-type work function layer in a gate trench in a gate structure, wherein the n-type work function layer is formed around first channel layers in a p-type gate region and around second channel layers in an n-type gate region, forming a first metal fill layer in a first gate trench over the n-type work function layer in the p-type gate region and in a second gate trench over the n-type work function layer in the n-type gate region, removing the first metal fill layer from the p-type gate region, removing the n-type work function layer from the p-type gate region, forming a p-type work function layer in the first gate trench of the p-type gate region, and forming a second metal fill layer in the first gate trench of the p-type gate region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 6, 2022
    Publication date: January 12, 2023
    Inventors: Shih-Hang Chiu, Kuan-Ting Liu, Chi On Chui, Chia-Wei Chen, Jian-Hao Chen, Cheng-Lung Hung