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: 11837660
    Abstract: A semiconductor device and method of manufacture are provided which utilizes metallic seeds to help crystallize a ferroelectric layer. In an embodiment a metal layer and a ferroelectric layer are formed adjacent to each other and then the metal layer is diffused into the ferroelectric layer. Once in place, a crystallization process is performed which utilizes the material of the metal layer as seed crystals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2023
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Bo-Feng Young, Sai-Hooi Yeong, Chi On Chui
  • Patent number: 11837505
    Abstract: A method includes forming a semiconductor fin protruding higher than top surfaces of isolation regions. The isolation regions extend into a semiconductor substrate. The method further includes etching a portion of the semiconductor fin to form a trench, filling the trench with a first dielectric material, wherein the first dielectric material has a first bandgap, and performing a recessing process to recess the first dielectric material. A recess is formed between opposing portions of the isolation regions. The recess is filled with a second dielectric material. The first dielectric material and the second dielectric material in combination form an additional isolation region. The second dielectric material has a second bandgap smaller than the first bandgap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2023
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Chung-Ting Ko, Chi On Chui
  • Publication number: 20230389330
    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: August 10, 2023
    Publication date: November 30, 2023
    Inventors: Meng-Han Lin, Sai-Hooi Yeong, Chi On Chui
  • Publication number: 20230387202
    Abstract: An embodiment includes a device having nanostructures on a substrate, the nanostructures including a channel region. The device also includes a gate dielectric layer wrapping around each of the nanostructures. The device also includes a first work function tuning layer on the gate dielectric layer, the first work function tuning layer including a first n-type work function metal, aluminum, and carbon, the first n-type work function metal having a work function value less than titanium. The device also includes a glue layer on the first work function tuning layer. The device also includes and a fill layer on the glue layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2023
    Publication date: November 30, 2023
    Inventors: Hsin-Yi Lee, Cheng-Lung Hung, Chi On Chui
  • Publication number: 20230387298
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a semiconductor device and a method for fabricating a semiconductor device. The semiconductor device includes a substrate, a metal gate layer over the substrate, a channel between a source region and a drain region in the substrate, and a ferroelectric layer, at least a portion of the ferroelectric layer is between the metal gate layer and the substrate, wherein the ferroelectric layer includes hafnium oxide-based material, the hafnium oxide-based material includes a first portion of hafnium oxide with orthorhombic phase, a second portion of hafnium oxide with monoclinic phase, and a third portion of the hafnium oxide with tetragonal phase, wherein a first volume of the first portion is greater than a second volume of the second portion, and the second volume of the second portion is greater than a third volume the third portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2023
    Publication date: November 30, 2023
    Inventors: CHUN-YEN PENG, CHIH-YU CHANG, BO-FENG YOUNG, TE-YANG LAI, SAI-HOOI YEONG, CHI ON CHUI
  • Publication number: 20230386930
    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: July 28, 2023
    Publication date: November 30, 2023
    Applicant: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Chung-Ting KO, Sung-En LIN, Chi On CHUI
  • Publication number: 20230387012
    Abstract: Methods of forming vias for coupling source/drain regions to backside interconnect structures in semiconductor devices and semiconductor devices including the same are disclosed. In an embodiment, a semiconductor device includes a conductive feature adjacent a gate structure; a dielectric layer on the conductive feature and the gate structure; a metal via embedded in the dielectric layer; and a liner layer between and in contact with the metal via and the dielectric layer, the liner layer being boron nitride.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 15, 2022
    Publication date: November 30, 2023
    Inventors: Po-Hsien Cheng, Zhen-Cheng Wu, Tze-Liang Lee, Chi On Chui
  • Publication number: 20230387275
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device includes forming a dielectric layer conformally over a plurality of fins on a substrate, forming a first high-k layer conformally over the dielectric layer, and forming a flowable oxide over the first high-k layer. Forming the flowable oxide includes filling first trenches adjacent fins of the plurality of fins. The method further includes recessing the flowable oxide to form second trenches between adjacent fins of the plurality of fins, forming a second high-k layer over the first high-k layer and the flowable oxide, performing a planarization that exposes top surfaces of the plurality of fins, and recessing the dielectric layer to form a plurality of dummy fins that include remaining portions of the first and second high-k layers and the flowable oxide.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 10, 2023
    Publication date: November 30, 2023
    Inventors: Te-Yang Lai, Che-Hao Chang, Chi On Chui
  • Publication number: 20230386827
    Abstract: A method for forming a crystalline high-k dielectric layer and controlling the crystalline phase and orientation of the crystal growth of the high-k dielectric layer during an anneal process. The crystalline phase and orientation of the crystal growth of the dielectric layer may be controlled using seeding sections of the dielectric layer serving as nucleation sites and using a capping layer mask during the anneal process. The location of the nucleation sites and the arrangement of the capping layer allow the orientation and phase of the crystal growth of the dielectric layer to be controlled during the anneal process. Based on the dopants and the process controls used the phase can be modified to increase the permittivity and/or the ferroelectric property of the dielectric layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2023
    Publication date: November 30, 2023
    Inventors: Chun-Yen Peng, Te-Yang Lai, Sai-Hooi Yeong, Chi On Chui
  • Publication number: 20230389336
    Abstract: In an embodiment, a semiconductor device includes a first dielectric layer over a substrate and a first access transistor and a second access transistor in a memory cell of a memory array, the first access transistor and the second access transistor each including a bottom electrode in the first dielectric layer, a conductive gate in a second dielectric layer, where the second dielectric layer is over the bottom electrode and the first dielectric layer, a channel region extending through the conductive gate to contact the bottom electrode, and a top electrode over the channel region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2023
    Publication date: November 30, 2023
    Inventors: Chenchen Jacob Wang, Sai-Hooi Yeong, Yu-Ming Lin, Chi On Chui
  • Publication number: 20230386931
    Abstract: A method for forming a semiconductor device includes: forming a gate structure over a fin, where the fin protrudes above a substrate; forming an opening in the gate structure; forming a first dielectric layer along sidewalls and a bottom of the opening, where the first dielectric layer is non-conformal, where the first dielectric layer has a first thickness proximate to an upper surface of the gate structure distal from the substrate, and has a second thickness proximate to the bottom of the opening, where the first thickness is larger than the second thickness; and forming a second dielectric layer over the first dielectric layer to fill the opening, where the first dielectric layer is formed of a first dielectric material, and the second dielectric layer is formed of a second dielectric material different from the first dielectric material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2023
    Publication date: November 30, 2023
    Inventors: Chieh-Ping Wang, Ting-Gang Chen, Bo-Cyuan Lu, Tai-Chun Huang, Chi On Chui
  • Publication number: 20230389329
    Abstract: A device includes a semiconductor substrate; a first word line over the semiconductor substrate, the first word line providing a first gate electrode for a first transistor; and a second word line over the first word line. The second word line is insulated from the first word line by a first dielectric material, and the second word line providing a second gate electrode for a second transistor over the first transistor. The device further including a source line intersecting the first word line and the second word line; a bit line intersecting the first word line and the second word line; a memory film between the first word line and the source line; and a first semiconductor material between the memory film and the source line.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2023
    Publication date: November 30, 2023
    Inventors: Yu-Ming Lin, Bo-Feng Young, Sai-Hooi Yeong, Han-Jong Chia, Chi On Chui
  • Publication number: 20230387299
    Abstract: A semiconductor device and method of manufacture are provided which utilizes metallic seeds to help crystallize a ferroelectric layer. In an embodiment a metal layer and a ferroelectric layer are formed adjacent to each other and then the metal layer is diffused into the ferroelectric layer. Once in place, a crystallization process is performed which utilizes the material of the metal layer as seed crystals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2023
    Publication date: November 30, 2023
    Inventors: Bo-Feng Young, Sai-Hooi Yeong, Chi On Chui
  • Patent number: 11830736
    Abstract: A method includes forming an etching mask, which includes forming a bottom anti-reflective coating over a target layer, forming an inorganic middle layer over the bottom anti-reflective coating, and forming a patterned photo resist over the inorganic middle layer. The patterns of the patterned photo resist are transferred into the inorganic middle layer and the bottom anti-reflective coating to form a patterned inorganic middle layer and a patterned bottom anti-reflective coating, respectively. The patterned inorganic middle layer is then removed. The target layer is etched using the patterned bottom anti-reflective coating to define a pattern in the target layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2023
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Chung-Ting Ko, Tai-Chun Huang, Chi On Chui
  • Publication number: 20230378310
    Abstract: Negative capacitance field-effect transistor (NCFET) and ferroelectric field-effect transistor (FE-FET) devices and methods of forming are provided. The gate dielectric stack includes a ferroelectric gate dielectric layer. An amorphous high-k dielectric layer and a dopant-source layer are deposited sequentially followed by a post-deposition anneal (PDA). The PDA converts the amorphous high-k layer to a polycrystalline high-k film with crystalline grains stabilized by the dopants in a crystal phase in which the high-k dielectric is a ferroelectric high-k dielectric. After the PDA, the remnant dopant-source layer may be removed. A gate electrode is formed over remnant dopant-source layer (if present) and the polycrystalline high-k film.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2023
    Publication date: November 23, 2023
    Inventors: Te-Yang Lai, Chun-Yen Peng, Chih-Yu Chang, Bo-Feng Young, Sai-Hooi Yeong, Chi On Chui
  • Publication number: 20230378294
    Abstract: A method includes providing first and second channel layers in NMOS and PMOS regions respectively of a substrate; depositing a first layer comprising hafnium oxide over the first and second channel layers; forming a first dipole pattern over the second channel layer and not over the first channel layer; driving a first metal from the first dipole pattern into the first layer by annealing; removing the first dipole pattern; depositing a second layer comprising hafnium oxide over the first layer and over the first and second channel layers; forming a second dipole pattern over the second layer and the first channel layer and not over the second channel layer; driving a second metal from the second dipole pattern into the second layer by annealing; removing the second dipole pattern; and depositing a third layer comprising hafnium oxide over the second layer and over the first and the second channel layers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2023
    Publication date: November 23, 2023
    Inventors: Chia-Yuan Chang, Te-Yang Lai, Kuei-Lun Lin, Xiong-Fei Yu, Chi On Chui, Tsung-Da Lin, Cheng-Hao Hou
  • Publication number: 20230378308
    Abstract: In an embodiment, a device includes: a p-type transistor including: a first channel region; a first gate dielectric layer on the first channel region; a tungsten-containing work function tuning layer on the first gate dielectric layer; and a first fill layer on the tungsten-containing work function tuning layer; and an n-type transistor including: a second channel region; a second gate dielectric layer on the second channel region; a tungsten-free work function tuning layer on the second gate dielectric layer; and a second fill layer on the tungsten-free work function tuning layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2023
    Publication date: November 23, 2023
    Inventors: Hsin-Yi Lee, Weng Chang, Chi On Chui
  • Publication number: 20230377891
    Abstract: In an embodiment, a method includes: depositing a gate dielectric layer on a first fin and a second fin, the first fin and the second fin extending away from a substrate in a first direction, a distance between the first fin and the second fin decreasing along the first direction; depositing a sacrificial layer on the gate dielectric layer by exposing the gate dielectric layer to a self-limiting source precursor and a self-reacting source precursor, the self-limiting source precursor reacting to form an initial layer of a material of the sacrificial layer, the self-reacting source precursor reacting to form a main layer of the material of the sacrificial layer; annealing the gate dielectric layer while the sacrificial layer covers the gate dielectric layer; after annealing the gate dielectric layer, removing the sacrificial layer; and after removing the sacrificial layer, forming a gate electrode layer on the gate dielectric layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2023
    Publication date: November 23, 2023
    Inventors: Kuei-Lun Lin, Chia-Wei Hsu, Xiong-Fei Yu, Chi On Chui, Chih-Yu Hsu, Jian-Hao Chen
  • Publication number: 20230378256
    Abstract: Transistor gate isolation structures and methods of forming the same are provided. In an embodiment, a device includes: an isolation region; a first gate structure on the isolation region; a second gate structure on the isolation region; and a gate isolation structure between the first gate structure and the second gate structure in a first cross-section, an upper portion of the gate isolation structure having a first concentration of an element, a lower portion of the gate isolation structure having a second concentration of the element, the first concentration different from the second concentration, the lower portion extending continuously along a sidewall of the first gate structure, beneath the upper portion, and along a sidewall of the second gate structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2022
    Publication date: November 23, 2023
    Inventors: Li-Fong Lin, Wen-Kai Lin, Zhen-Cheng Wu, Chi On Chui
  • Publication number: 20230377887
    Abstract: A method includes forming an etching mask, which includes forming a bottom anti-reflective coating over a target layer, forming an inorganic middle layer over the bottom anti-reflective coating, and forming a patterned photo resist over the inorganic middle layer. The patterns of the patterned photo resist are transferred into the inorganic middle layer and the bottom anti-reflective coating to form a patterned inorganic middle layer and a patterned bottom anti-reflective coating, respectively. The patterned inorganic middle layer is then removed. The target layer is etched using the patterned bottom anti-reflective coating to define a pattern in the target layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2023
    Publication date: November 23, 2023
    Inventors: Chung-Ting Ko, Tai-Chun Huang, Chi On Chui