Patents by Inventor Chi On Chui

Chi On Chui 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: 11631698
    Abstract: A method of forming a memory device includes: forming a first layer stack and a second layer stack successively over a substrate, the first layer stack and the second layer stack having a same layered structure that includes a dielectric material, a channel material over the dielectric material, and a source/drain material over the channel material; forming openings that extend through the first layer stack and the second layer stack; forming inner spacers by replacing portions of the source/drain material exposed by the openings with a first dielectric material; lining sidewalls of the openings with a ferroelectric material; forming gate electrodes by filling the openings with an electrically conductive material; forming a recess through the first layer stack and the second layer stack, the recess extending from a sidewall of the second layer stack toward the gate electrodes; and filling the recess with a second dielectric material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2023
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Chun-Chieh Lu, Sai-Hooi Yeong, Bo-Feng Young, Yu-Ming Lin, Chi On Chui, Han-Jong Chia, Chenchen Jacob Wang
  • Publication number: 20230114191
    Abstract: A method includes forming a first dummy gate stack on a protruding semiconductor fin, etching the first dummy gate stack to form a trench, extending the trench downwardly to penetrate through a portion of the protruding semiconductor fin, and filling the trench with a dielectric material to form a fin isolation region. A seam is formed in the fin isolation region, and the seam extends to a level lower than a top surface level of the protruding semiconductor fin. The seam has a top width smaller than about 1 nm. A second dummy gate stack on the protruding semiconductor fin is replaced with a replacement gate stack.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 18, 2022
    Publication date: April 13, 2023
    Inventors: Bo-Cyuan Lu, Tai-Chun Huang, 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: 20230115634
    Abstract: In an embodiment, a method includes: forming a gate dielectric layer on a channel region of a semiconductor feature; depositing a work function tuning layer on the gate dielectric layer, the work function tuning layer including a first work function tuning element; depositing a capping layer on the work function tuning layer with atomic layer deposition, the capping layer formed of an oxide or a nitride; performing an anneal process while the capping layer covers the work function tuning layer, the anneal process driving the first work function tuning element from the work function tuning layer into the gate dielectric layer; removing the capping layer to expose the work function tuning layer; and depositing a fill layer on the work function tuning layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 3, 2022
    Publication date: April 13, 2023
    Inventors: Tsung-Da Lin, Chia-Wei Hsu, Chi On Chui
  • Patent number: 11626504
    Abstract: A FinFET device structure is provided. The FinFET device structure includes a fin structure formed over a substrate, and a gate structure formed over the fin structure. The FinFET device structure also includes an epitaxial source/drain (S/D) structure formed over the fin structure. A top surface and a sidewall of the fin structure are surrounded by the epitaxial S/D structure. A first distance between an outer surface of the epitaxial S/D structure and the sidewall of the fin structure is no less than a second distance between the outer surface of the epitaxial S/D structure and the top surface of the fin structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2023
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Sai-Hooi Yeong, Chi-On Chui, Bo-Feng Young, Bo-Yu Lai, Kuan-Lun Cheng, Chih-Hao Wang
  • Publication number: 20230103640
    Abstract: A semiconductor device and method of manufacture are provided. In embodiments a first liner is deposited to line a recess between a first semiconductor fin and a second semiconductor fin, the first liner comprising a first material. The first liner is annealed to transform the first material to a second material. A second liner is deposited to line the recess, the second liner comprising a third material. The second liner is annealed to transform the third material to a fourth material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2022
    Publication date: April 6, 2023
    Inventors: Wan-Yi Kao, Yu-Cheng Shiau, Chunyao Wang, Chih-Tang Peng, Yung-Cheng Lu, Chi On Chui
  • Patent number: 11621338
    Abstract: The present disclosure describes a device that is protected from the effects of an oxide on the metal gate layers of ferroelectric field effect transistors. In some embodiments, the device includes a substrate with fins thereon; an interfacial layer on the fins; a crystallized ferroelectric layer on the interfacial layer; and a metal gate layer on the ferroelectric layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2023
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Cheng-Ming Lin, Sai-Hooi Yeong, Ziwei Fang, Chi On Chui, Huang-Lin Chao
  • Patent number: 11610841
    Abstract: Methods and devices for forming a conductive line disposed over a substrate. A first dielectric layer is disposed over the substrate and coplanar with the conductive line. A second dielectric layer disposed over the conductive line and a third dielectric layer disposed over the first dielectric layer. A via extends through the second dielectric layer and is coupled to the conductive line. The second dielectric layer and the third dielectric layer are coplanar and the second and third dielectric layers have a different composition. In some embodiments, the second dielectric layer is selectively deposited on the conductive line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2023
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Chia-Ta Yu, Kai-Hsuan Lee, Yen-Ming Chen, Chi On Chui, Sai-Hooi Yeong
  • Patent number: 11610982
    Abstract: A method of forming a semiconductor device includes: forming a dummy gate over a fin, where the fin protrudes above a substrate; surrounding the dummy gate with a dielectric material; and replacing the dummy gate with a replacement gate structure, where replacing the dummy gate includes: forming a gate trench in the dielectric material, where forming the gate trench includes removing the dummy gate; forming a metal-gate stack in the gate trench, where forming the metal-gate stack includes forming a gate dielectric layer, a first work function layer, and a gap-filling material sequentially in the gate trench; and enlarging a volume of the gap-filling material in the gate trench.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2023
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Chih-Hsiang Fan, Tsung-Han Shen, Jia-Ming Lin, Wei-Chin Lee, Hsien-Ming Lee, Chi On Chui
  • Publication number: 20230069421
    Abstract: Semiconductor devices and methods of manufacturing the semiconductor devices are disclosed herein. The methods include forming nanostructures in a multilayer stack of semiconductor materials. An interlayer dielectric is formed surrounding the nanostructures and a gate dielectric is formed surrounding the interlayer dielectric. A first work function layer is formed over the gate dielectric. Once the first work function layer has been formed, an annealing process is performed on the resulting structure and oxygen is diffused from the gate dielectric into the interlayer dielectric. After performing the annealing process, a second work function layer is formed adjacent the first work function layer. A gate electrode stack of a nano-FET device is formed over the nanostructures by depositing a conductive fill material over the second work function layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2021
    Publication date: March 2, 2023
    Inventors: Hsin-Yi Lee, Weng Chang, Chi On Chui
  • Publication number: 20230063857
    Abstract: A device includes a semiconductor substrate, a fin structure on the semiconductor substrate, a gate structure on the fin structure, and a pair of source/drain features on both sides of the gate structure. The gate structure includes an interfacial layer on the fin structure, a gate dielectric layer on the interfacial layer, and a gate electrode layer of a conductive material on and directly contacting the gate dielectric layer. The gate dielectric layer includes nitrogen element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2021
    Publication date: March 2, 2023
    Inventors: Chia-Wei Chen, Chih-Yu Hsu, Hui-Chi Chen, Shan-Mei Liao, Jian-Hao Chen, Cheng-Hao Hou, Huang-Chin Chen, Cheng Hong Yang, Shih-Hao Lin, Tsung-Da Lin, Da-Yuan Lee, Kuo-Feng Yu, Feng-Cheng Yang, Chi On Chui, Yen-Ming Chen
  • Publication number: 20230063934
    Abstract: Semiconductor devices and methods of manufacture are provided wherein a ferroelectric random access memory array is formed with bit line drivers and source line drivers formed below the ferroelectric random access memory array. A through via is formed using the same processes as the processes used to form individual memory cells within the ferroelectric random access memory array.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 1, 2021
    Publication date: March 2, 2023
    Inventors: Meng-Han Lin, Sai-Hooi Yeong, Chi On Chui
  • Publication number: 20230063038
    Abstract: A memory cell includes a thin film transistor over a semiconductor substrate. The thin film transistor includes a memory film contacting a word line, an oxide semiconductor (OS) layer contacting a source line and a bit line, and a conductive feature interposed between the memory film and the OS layer. The memory film is disposed between the OS layer and the word line. A dielectric material covers sidewalls of the source line, the memory film, and the OS layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2021
    Publication date: March 2, 2023
    Inventors: Bo-Feng Young, Sai-Hooi Yeong, Yu-Ming Lin, Chi On Chui
  • Publication number: 20230067455
    Abstract: A device includes a semiconductor substrate; a word line extending over the semiconductor substrate; a memory film extending along the word line, wherein the memory film contacts the word line; a channel layer extending along the memory film, wherein the memory film is between the channel layer and the word line; source lines extending along the memory film, wherein the memory film is between the source lines and the word line; bit lines extending along the memory film, wherein the memory film is between the bit lines and the word line; and isolation regions, wherein each isolation region is between a source line and a bit line, wherein each of the isolation regions includes an air gap and a seal extending over the air gap.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2021
    Publication date: March 2, 2023
    Inventors: Sheng-Chen Wang, Kai-Hsuan Lee, Sai-Hooi Yeong, 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: 20230064457
    Abstract: A method of forming a semiconductor device includes forming a sacrificial layer over a first stack of nanostructures and an isolation region. A dummy gate structure is formed over the first stack of nanostructures, and a first portion of the sacrificial layer. A second portion of the sacrificial layer is removed to expose a sidewall of the first stack of nanostructures adjacent the dummy gate structure. A spacer layer is formed over the dummy gate structure. A first portion of the spacer layer physically contacts the first stack of nanostructures.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2021
    Publication date: March 2, 2023
    Inventors: Te-En Cheng, Yung-Chen Lu, Chi On Chui, Wei-Yang Lee
  • Publication number: 20230069187
    Abstract: A method includes depositing a first high-k dielectric layer over a first semiconductor region, performing a first annealing process on the first high-k dielectric layer, depositing a second high-k dielectric layer over the first high-k dielectric layer; and performing a second annealing process on the first high-k dielectric layer and the second high-k dielectric layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 26, 2021
    Publication date: March 2, 2023
    Inventors: Cheng-Hao Hou, Che-Hao Chang, Da-Yuan Lee, Chi On Chui
  • Publication number: 20230065708
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a semiconductor device is provided. The method includes forming a semiconductor fin over a substrate; forming an isolation feature adjacent semiconductor fin; recessing the isolation feature to form a recess; forming a metal-containing compound mask in the recess; depositing a stress layer over the metal-containing compound mask, such that the stress layer is in contact with a top surface of the metal-containing compound mask; and annealing the metal-containing compound mask when the stress layer is in contact with the top surface of the metal-containing compound mask.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2021
    Publication date: March 2, 2023
    Applicant: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Chung-Ting KO, Sung-En LIN, Chi On CHUI
  • 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
  • Patent number: 11594610
    Abstract: Semiconductor devices having improved gate electrode structures and methods of forming the same are disclosed. In an embodiment, a semiconductor device includes a gate structure over a semiconductor substrate, the gate structure including a high-k dielectric layer; an n-type work function layer over the high-k dielectric layer; an anti-reaction layer over the n-type work function layer, the anti-reaction layer including a dielectric material; a p-type work function layer over the anti-reaction layer, the p-type work function layer covering top surfaces of the anti-reaction layer; and a conductive cap layer over the p-type work function layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2023
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Shih-Hang Chiu, Chung-Chiang Wu, Jo-Chun Hung, Wei-Cheng Wang, Kuan-Ting Liu, Chi On Chui